Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2966957 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 261 pages

Customer Reviews

strong fantasy
Mageborn Ginny Ni Cooley is content living alone in her little cottage in Tamhasg Woods as she offers her services to her neighbors. Her mentor, Manus MacGreeley, has died and come back to the world as a ghost and since he doesn't have a body the Mastermage cannot use magic. He needs to connect every day to cairn where is body lies to rest.. One night Ginny's peace is disturbed when a pack of demon hounds chase a boy with a tale and a mane of hair on his spine.

The lad informs Ginny and Manus that his name is Fafne MacArdagh and his clan was celebrating turning in a traitor who plotted to overthrow the king. The next thing they know a blood mage appeared and killed everyone but Fafne who hunts this mass murderer. The blood mage was working with the traitor and cast the spell that kept the clan from testifying by turning them into hounds. This evil also has the way to give the soul of her husband, the laird of Don Elyn to the demon Annwn in exchange for deven more years of eternal youth. When the villainess steals the essence of Manus, Ginny vows to stop her though it may be too late as the malevolent mage's spouse committed suicide.

THE HOUNDS OF ARDAGH is filled with plenty of action and magical battle scenes. The conversations between the ghost and the mageborn are loaded with repartee that hides their deep regard for one another. The villain is reminiscent of Snow White's evil stepmother while the heroine is a loyal courageous person willing to risk her life for those she cherishes. Hopefully Laura J. Underwood provides future fantasy epics in Tamhasg Woods.

Harriet Klausner

Excellent adventure!
I've read a short story or two by Underwood and she's a wonderful author, very good with settings, but without going on and on about it. The Hounds of Ardagh is an excellent read for YA or adults. Its unique in that the main character, Ginny, is saddled with a ghost to help her on her adventures rather than a live counterpart. The ghost is her old teacher Manus and unfortunately he died before he taught her everything a mage needed to know. Ginny also has her teacher's old terrier to hinder her in her adventures (and the author must be familar with the breed of constantly barking dog).

Mainly, Ginny finds herself investigating what has happened to entire village of people--all of whom have disappeared. She is chased by demons and a bloodmage who is on the hunt for a good sacrifice or two. It's a roaring good adventure in a medieval magical setting.

What a great fantasy!
I had to buy this book even though I received an advanced review copy. I loved the story.

The characters are both interesting and believable, even the ghost, Manus, who was killed by robbers after he got drunk. Ginny Ni Cooley is a mageborn who isn't quite a mage, but who has powers enough to thwart an evil bloodmage from her plots. Highly entertaining, full of magic and intrigue, this one needs to go on your shelf.