Beltany: The Circle of Nine

As a book reviewer, I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher or author to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation, and all opinions are always 100% my own.

On midnight of Brigid’s 15th birthday, her mother gives her a book. The book, written by 8 of Brigid’s ancestors in an unbroken matrilineal line, looks old and lovely but as if each woman had only written a poem–until Brigid sits down to read and experiences each story as if she were in it. Her mother also tells her that the Irish mythological stories Brigid’s grown up with are true, and that they are descendants of the Tuatha, the ancient tribe that once ruled Ireland.

Brigid’s always known she and her mother didn’t fit in, and that her mother practices old pagan ways, but this is a lot to take in. All she’s ever wanted to be normal. But things keep getting more complicated. Suddenly she can hear people’s thoughts about her even when they don’t say them aloud. Plus, a super cute senior in her art class has asked her out, and things move quickly–but she is not entirely sure she can trust him.

Beltany: Circle of Nine takes the reader from the East Coast of America to Ireland, from the 12th century witch hunters to modern day practitioners of black magic. At the same time, it’s the story of a girl figuring out who she is, where she comes from, and what she wants out of life. A very enjoyable read.

Beltany was first published in 2014 and has gained a steady following of people anxious to hear more of Brigid, her mother Celeste, and the women who came before. The fourth book in the series has just come out, but first I’ll be reviewing the books from the beginning. So stay tuned (for you youngsters, like when you don’t change the dial on the radio station in the car. No? Ask your grandmother) for more!

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Author Bio:

Valerie Biel writes award-winning books for middle grade to adult audiences–stories inspired by her travels and her insatiable curiosity. Her young adult fantasy series, Circle of Nine, was inspired by the myth and magic of Ireland’s ancient stone circles. She’s also the author of HAVEN, a contemporary middle grade novel, and BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE, a mystery suspense story. She’s a founding member of the Blackbird Writers & a member of Sisters in Crime & the Wisconsin Writers Association. When she’s away from the computer, she’s likely wrangling her overgrown garden, reading multiple books per week, or traveling the world–often on trips for the The World Orphan Fund charity she and her husband run. She calls a (tiny) portion of her family’s century-old Wisconsin farm home, but regularly dreams of finding a cozy cottage on the Irish coast where she can write and write.