The Circle of Ceridwen

The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, Book 1

By: Octavia Randolph

Narrated by: Nano Nagle

Length: 21 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

With Nano Nagle, 2018 Audie Award Nominee, Best Female Narrator - Silver Hammer, Golden Cross (Book 6)! 

It is the year 871, when England was Angle-Land. Of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, five have fallen to the invading Vikings. No trait is more valued than loyalty, and no possession more precious than one's steel. Across this war-torn landscape travels 15-year-old Ceridwen, now thrust into the lives of the conquerors.  

Lost in the frozen woods, Ceridwen is discovered by the warriors accompanying young Aelfwyn, daughter of a Saxon lord, sold against her will in marriage as part of a peace treaty with a marauding Viking war chief. Their destination is the captured fortress of Four Stones, a ruin holding glittering treasure. There Aelfwyn must keep her vow and wed Yrling - and Ceridwen must do all she can to support her new friend in the rebuilding of the ravaged village and great hall.  

But living with the enemy affords Ceridwen unusual freedoms - and unlooked - for conflicts. Amongst them she explores again her own heathen past, and learns to judge each man on his own merits. Yrling's nephews Sidroc and Toki, both formidable warriors yet as different as night and day, compete to win Ceridwen for their own.  

Through both guile and goodness Ceridwen and Aelfwyn begin transforming the world of Four Stones. But the threat of full-scale war escalates, and a midnight party of furtive Danes delivers someone to Four Stones who destroys the girls' hopes of peace and contentment. Now Ceridwen must summon all her courage - a courage which will be sorely tested as she defies both Saxon and Dane and undertakes an extraordinary adventure to save a man she has never met.  

Download the free accompanying PDF with maps, list of characters, glossary, and more: https://octavia.net/audiobook-accompanying-materials/  

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1995 Octavia Randolph (P)2016 Octavia Randolph

I feel like I've waited FOREVER for this day!

Great historical novels are rare, and great historical series are even more rare. Not surprising, since for those who love them, we demand authenticity, as well as a grand sweeping story of romance. We don't just want a history lesson -- we want our characters to really live, and that includes falling in love.

If you love that kind of series, you will find it here.

Octavia Randolph is an amazing writer, researcher -- and based on her website -- she is very passionate about the historical accuracy of the age in which the series is based. Her joy in the subject matter is palpable and contagious. (Check out her website for videos related to the Vikings, and other information about Ceridwen -- such as the proper pronunciation of her name (Care-id-when!) There are even recipes!

When this book begins, Ceridwen is a girl of 15, and wise beyond her years, but she grows up quickly as the series progresses. Because she is of marriageable age, the Prior has found two men for her to choose from. One is old and the other is stupid, so neither of them will do. Unlike most women of her time who have few choices, she has been educated to read and write, skills she can use to earn her own way, so she strikes out on her own to find a position with a Lady of rank.

While on the road, Ceridwen is rescued by a young woman who is traveling to a distant land in the north where she will marry a Dane warlord. She is being given in marriage as a peace offering, so that her family and their rich holding will be safe from attacks. But things are not so simple in this lawless world, where every Dane seeks treasure and land for himself.

There are few historical novels that have moved me as much as The Circle of Ceridwen, and I couldn't be more excited that this is only the first book in a captivating series that is just now coming to Audible. The books are true to this exciting historical period, as well as passionate and deeply romantic. This is a series to be savored and listened to, over and over again.

The narrator, Nano Nagle, brings the perfect tone to her performance, and I applaud Ms. Randolph for her choice. With this reader, she has elevated her wonderful book to an audio treasure. Thank you, Octavia!


HIGHLY, VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: For people who love books set during the early history of the British Isles, sensual romance, betrayal, lust, pain, joy, and thrilling battle scenes, and most of all -- Vikings!


Important Note: Although the character of Ceridwen is 15 when the book begins, this is NOT a YA book. Ceridwen grows to womanhood over the course of the series, and there is sexual content and violence in war, depicted. The results of rape are described, but not the rape itself.

Amazing story- sad to get to the ending

This story is so well written; the details, the research that must have been done... just blew me away. I had to force myself to put it away so I could actually sleep! This is just part one though so I'm heading off to Ceridwen's next chapter.
You can tell how she's maturing just from this talented narrators tone. Her voice becomes deeper and you can tell she's less wide eyed than when she started out. She's such a likable character though, so strong for one so young. Loved it!!

At last!

Fourteen years ago I had the happy luck to stumble across Octavia Randolph’s Circle of Ceridwen. Since that time I have traveled alongside Ceridwen through her many (and ongoing!) adventures. I was so extremely pleased to hear that Ms. Randolph was giving Ceridwen new life, via the magic of audio, and Nano Nagle’s exceptional handling of the narration did not disappoint! I have been an avid “audio-reader” for about eight years, and as such have many favorite narrators; I am happy to say that I will search out Ms. Nagle’s other works.

Having a new baby makes my reliance on audiobooks, to achieve any decent amount of reading, even greater. What a delight, therefore, to find myself immersed, once again, in the richly-detailed world of Ceridwen’s ninth century England. The tapestry of words so finely woven by Ms. Randolph is brought to vivid life by the skillful reading of Ms. Nagle, and I know this will be a repeat-listen for me, just as it has been a repeat-read over the years. I find Ms. Randolph’s writing reminiscent of the greatly detailed historical novels by Ken Follett; if you are a fan of his Pillar of the Earth series, I think you will enjoy Ms. Randolph’s work.

Happy Listening!

Great Book

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. I have searched for books similar to my much loved "Outlander" books but have yet to find any recommendations that I really liked.

I will say that this book is entirely different than "Outlander" but very well written and very interesting. I enjoyed this book on its own merit alone. It is an old style of writing befitting of the time period the book is set in. The narrator did an excellent job and I will be immediately getting book two.
Enjoy!

meh.

I had hoped for something with more history. this is a paperback romance set in another age. Oh well.

Could not finish

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I tried to like this book but could not. The narration was delivered in monotone and without performance so I quickly bored with the story. I listened to about 1/3 of it before giving up on it.

A better narrator and a good editor needed.

One of my pet peeves is a book that is not true to it's time and place. A good editor would have done something about all those baths that wouldn't have been taken during the Dark Ages. Also in village at that time and place people lived in cotts not crofts.

The narrator had trouble with male voices but the story was pretty good.

Disappointed

Horrible narration. It took me 10+/- chapters just to get used to narrators punctuation or lack of it. I had high hopes for this series but will not download the rest mostly due to poor performance.

Ceridwen the Brave

Where does The Circle of Ceridwen rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book, and saga, ranks at the top alongside Outlander. The story is part history lesson, part romance, part fantasy. As with Outlander, the narration is beyond excellent, and done with such passion that I can't stop listening once I start!

What did you like best about this story?

For starters- Nano Nagle's narration! She can do any voice at any age for any gender! Just as Davina Porter did in Outlander, Nano's talent is one of the main draws for me to this story.

In the story itself, my favorite story line is the trip of Ceridwen and Gyric from Four Stones to Kilton and how their love story evolved into a truly loving and genuine bond. Ceridwen showed her true integrity and inner heart when she stayed with Gyric despite his maiming that would leave him dependent for the rest of his life. In these ancient times, a man's ability to fight and provide for his family meant much, so if he was physically unable to do so, he was looked upon as weak. In this case, Ceridwen's love and courage actually made Gyric stronger and more independent and he actually grew from his experience. I also loved how they met, of all people, Cadmar!

Which scene was your favorite?

I have to say every scene was my favorite. One that does stand out is when Gyric and Ceridwen are one their way to Kilton and they stop by a stream and her hair falls against Gyric's face and it goes from there and he is so gentle and truly in love with her!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Extreme is an understatement! I became almost part of the story myself the more my mirror neurons went into action! I spent a lot of time cheering and laughing at things when they happened. There were some other reactions I had, but I won't share them here...

My ancestors were also Vikings and Anglo-Saxon of the 9th Century, and so I identify in many ways (unfortunately, some not so nice) with their experiences and the experiences of those with whom they came into contact.

Any additional comments?

I love stories like this, and have for most of my life. I came across the saga while looking for another book on my Audible app and when I heard a sample narration, I decided to try it. About halfway through the first chapter, I went back to Audible and downloaded the other 3 books in the series (5 and 6 not on Audible yet, but soon!). Nano's voice skills have drawn me into the story and lives of the people, and I am so immersed in the story that I often join in on the reactions of the characters to things happening in their lives. I also appreciate that, while historically sex was a common focus of marauding and lineage, Octavia has written these scenes into the story with sensitivity and respect so that I can enjoy them without blushing!

I also absolutely love how Octavia introduces each chapter in the "old style"- instead of the usual "Chapter one", she writes "Chapter the First.....etc.", and Nano's voice doing this is like listening to an ancient storyteller. It really adds to the atmosphere of the book.

I am in book two, Ceridwen of Kilton, now, and continue to thoroughly enjoy myself alongside my "ancestors". Good reading to you all!

My favorite series!

This series is beautifully written and I’ve read every book 3 times. I just re-read book one and am headed into a 4th time through the series. The writing is brilliant. Octavia Randolph writes in such a fluid, engaging way with a very natural pace making it easy to forget you’re reading! From the first, the reader is sucked into the engaging adventure of Ceridwen, a girl of 15 who passes from a maiden at a priory to a woman of great strength and bravery. There is gut-wrenching drama, true friendship found, love gained and lost and deep human passion exposed.

Not impressed

The story is too fantastic, there are quite a few American turns of phrase and the whole thing sets the teeth on edge. I struggled on to the point where the heroine is supposedly helping a blinded man who was so sick and beaten a few minutes ago he couldn't stand up escape by walking up a creek bed with a sandy bottom ringing a bell whilst a pack of crazed Vikings are supposedly chasing her and then gave up. I could no longer suspend disbelief and the creek I'm afraid was the final American straw.

Enchanting

I listened to this on audio and thoroughly enjoyed the story. It is beautifully written and authentic down to the tiniest detail. This, as far as I am concerned, is the mark of great writing. Octavia Randolph builds the story with just the right amount of rhythm and pace from beginning to end, leaving the reader wanting more.
Now for Book 2!
Highly recommended.

Norse Gods V Christian I feel on the Norse side

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely, it has everything, adventure, a slow romance, good story, lots of intrigue,

What did you like best about this story?

Made me feel good, made me happy and content with my world. Even made my husband happy when I kept smiling.

What about Nano Nagle’s performance did you like?

Did not immediately love the performance, but grew on me quite a lot.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Lots of moving incidents in this books but I don't want to spoil the plot.

Any additional comments?

I have now listened to this whole series 4/5 times and love them all will never get bored with this series. I would recommend it to all ages of reader

Really Interesting

Would you consider the audio edition of The Circle of Ceridwen to be better than the print version?

Yes I thought the characters came alive for me

What did you like best about this story?

Ceridwen and her spirit - also the fact that it was set in the 9th century was so different, I was totally taken on a journey

Have you listened to any of Nano Nagle’s other performances? How does this one compare?

The best yet

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A world like no other!

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to listening/reading the series

Entertaining story, well told.

I am looking forward to the next books in the series when available on Audible.