The Hounds of Ardagh

When the sound of hounds disturb the evening of mageborn Ginny Ni Cooley, the last thing she expected was to be rescuing a young boy, Fafne MacArdagh, who is in the process of being transformed into a hound. In doing so Ginny and her mentor, the spirit Manus, become embroiled in an intrigue involving a family feud and a bloodmage named Edain who is determined to keep her soul and sacrifice Ginny’s.

In THE HOUNDS OF ARDAGH by Laura J. Underwood the reader is taken back to the days of blood feuds, of magic and of bogies hiding in the water and in the woods. Ginny, who is only half trained due to Manus’s untimely death at the hands of bandits, is a wonderful heroine. She is inventive, strong willed and determined to never give up or go back on her word. Manus provides both a touch of angst and humor to this tale of yore. Fafne, the young victim, starting out as one to pity at the beginning grows into a fine young man. Edain is one of those women that we all love to hate being as she is a user to the highest degree and she is the only character that does not show remarkable growth during the telling.

THE HOUNDS OF ARDAGH is a great tale for readers who enjoy books with a Celtic flavor. The author, Ms. Underwood, is becoming rather well known for taking Celtic legends and adding new twists. After reading this offering, this reviewer would definitely recommend this book and this author.

October 2006