Sample of READERS

READERS’ COMMENTS of CIRCLE OF STARS

Publishers Weekly (July 30, 2001) – As Oscar Wile once observed, “America had been discovered before, but it has always been hushed up.” This intriguing premise is one that Waldo explores in depth. While she was researching her bestselling novel Sacajawea, she came across information concerning a tribe of fair-haired, Welsh-speaking people in the Dakotas who were encountered by Lewis and Clark. From here, she was lead to the legend of a Welshman named Madoc who wailed to America three centuries before Columbus; this prompted her to write Circle of Stones. Now she continues to the story of Madoc’s early days among the Druids during the 12^th century, as well as of the extraordinary seafaring exploits that made him legendary. His story here is intertwined with that of Cougar, a Native American girl of the Calusa tribe (in the area now known as Florida). Both Madoc and Cougar are raised by people other than their birth parents, making this a tale of two foundlings. Madoc’s people believe him to have been destined by the gods to lead the Druids, while some in Cougar’s tribe fear she might be a shape-shifter. The novel charts their individual trials and adventures as life sets them on a course that will ultimately lead to their meeting. Despite being set in a different time period, at time Waldo’s epic of discovery impresses as being part Jean Auel and part Homer. Scrupulously researched, with enlightening epigraphs opening each of the 24 chapters. Waldo’s latest will satisfy fans of her previous work and prove the she has not lost her historical touch.

Hariet Klausner (July 5, 2001) – “CIRCLE OF STARS, a work of literary historical fiction, continues the story that began in CIRCLE OF STONES and is every bit as fascinating and enthralling as its prequel. Readers will be amazed to see the early influence of Henry II of England on the political and religious situation in Wales and Ireland and they will see a side of Thomas Beckett rarely seen in history books. Anne Lee Waldo has written an epic yet this reviewer believes there is more to the story to tell. Harriet Klausner "

Library Journal - Waldo had a best seller with her epic Circle of Stones; now she's reaching for the stars. As the Christians chase the Druids out of Wales, young Madoc heads west for a romantic encounter with a Native American woman. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews - A followup to A Circle of Stones (1999)-which traced the origins and history of the medieval Welsh prophet Madoc-this account moves back and forth between the Old World and the New, providing a good deal more shading to the picture that was sketched out previously. Madoc, a Druid chieftain, was the son of Prince Owain and prophesied to be the savior who would lead his people to victory over the rising tribe of Christians, who were growing daily in wealth and influence and began (in the 12th century) to drive the Druids from their native lands. A marked man from birth (when was there ever a savior who didn't have a line of assassins waiting for him?), Madoc was taken from Wales while still a baby by his valiant mother Brenda, and later sojourned in France and Iceland before making his way to America (some 300 years before Columbus) and settling with a band of his followers among the peaceful non-Christian natives of that happy prelapsarian realm. Eventually, he became father to a people of his own-the Welsh-speaking, blue-eyed Mandan tribe who inhabit the Dakotas to this very day. Heavy on the New Age mysticism: it'll appeal to fans but make few converts.

Jean M. Auel (Author of THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR) - Anna Lee Waldo's exciting story of persecuted Druids sailing west and establishing a colony among the native people of early Florida is a fascinating and dramatic protrayal of an intriguing concept that has tantalized researchers for years--the early contacts between Europe and the Americas. With impressive research and well-drawn, believable characters the distinct nature of the two cultures is clearly portrayed and gives a little realized global view to the mysterious Druids and the prehistoric Americans. The story is enthralling and the suspense is delicious, one can hardly wait for Madoc and Cougar to meet.

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