Solstice at Stonewylde

"Solstice at Stonewylde" (2007) is the third in a series of books by Kit Berry, set in the fictional community of Stonewylde.

Solstice at Stonewylde continues the story of Sylvie and Yul and their battle to survive the cruelty and domination of Magus. Yul was left hovering at the gates of death in the last book, "Moondance of Stonewylde". In "Solstice at Stonewylde" he is now subjected to a terrifying ordeal in the Stone Circle at Samhain (Hallowe’en) as Magus attempts to negate the old prophecy.

The Villagers rally around Yul and ill-feeling towards Magus grows, fuelled by his appalling treatment of his own son. The evil Jackdaw returns to help Magus, now that Alwyn has fallen so ill. Yul has somehow, against all odds, blossomed into a strong young man with a will of steel and a burning passion for justice. His boyish charms have developed into something more adult, and his love for Sylvie runs deep. Desperate to keep her safe from Magus at the full moon, Yul inadvertently harms her himself. Sylvie has many problems to contend with; a concerted effort by Magus to undermine her self-confidence, and increasing hostility from the Hallfolk girls. After Yul’s apparent rough treatment of her at the Owl Moon, her faith in him is destroyed. Their young love falters as Sylvie becomes entranced by Magus’ charms.

Magus has been grooming Sylvie carefully, heaping luxury and privilege on her so that his true intentions are masked. Mother Heggy, the old crone, helps Yul to maintain his resolve–to overthrow Magus at the time of the Winter Solstice. But the wise woman has her own worries. She repeatedly sees five in everything, and knows that there will be five deaths at the Solstice. The question is–whose?

Sylvie, glittering with diamonds and starved into submission, realises her mistake in trusting Magus. But too late. She’s in his clutches and then his real unspeakable intentions are revealed. Clip rallies round and finally learns to challenge his evil half-brother, but is it too late? Is Magus unstoppable, now that his clever manipulation of the situation has ensured Sylvie’s compliance?

As the Winter Solstice approaches the tension mounts unbearably. The reader is held on a knife-edge as the plot gallops away, drawing in the characters towards a truly explosive climax. And as for those five deaths–they’re not who the reader would imagine and come as quite a shock. This third title does not disappoint, and exceeds the first two books in thoroughly ensnaring the reader in a web of intrigue and page-turning apprehension.