Celandine Hardcover – 2005

I bought the Touchstone trilogy for my daughter,but as usual,I like to read her books first,just to make sure they are appropriate.I liked the various,but let me just say,this book took me by surprise. It is very different from the first book in the trilogy. In fact, I do not think it necessary to read the first book before reading this one.In this book, the various tribes become almost a back drop to Celandine's world.The emotions here are so raw, and the world around Celandine so real, I'm not sure my 10 year old is ready for it.Here I am, a 42-year old mother of three, crying my eyes out, laughing hysterically or just nodding my head in understanding.Good thing I do my reading in private...This book should be in every library's book shelf.I agree with another reviewer who said this will become a classic. Definitely a must read for teens and adults.

Nice conclusion to a good variable time (2nd book is a pre-quel) fantasy.

This second book to The Various trilogy is a fantastic follow up to the first. Enjoyed every chapter.

Gift

"She was running away for the third time. How terrible it would be if she were caught again." With just these two sentences, Celadine by Steve Augarde proves more riveting but also darker than The Various: the first book in the Touchstone trilogy. Unlike its predecessor which I found in the juvenile section of my local library, Celadine was properly shelved as young adult. It is more disturbing, unsettling, and controversial. Whatever will the third book be like?In Celadine, we are thrust back into the World War II years. Ten-year-old Celadine is growing up on Mill Farm, an estate inherited by Midge's Uncle Brian-both of whom are characters in The Various. Celadine is feeling miserable at the Coronation Picnic, being held in honor of King George and Queen Mary. Part of her misery arises from having to wear perfect clothes and pulled tight hair. Some arises from snobby guests. The rest comes from her governess Miss Bell, who is showing off to a prospective suitor by pointing out everything Celadine has done wrong.Celadine exacts revenge on her governess by inquiring, "Miss Bell, do you remember that time when you were sick into a bucket? That time when Father said you had been at the sherry-" With this embarrassing question, Celadine forever invokes the wrath of her governess. Ongoing battles ensue between them, carrying on for about one-fourth of the book, until a tragedy changes everything for Celadine. Her parents eventually send her away to boarding school, where of course nothing improves. Three times, Celadine tries to run away, not with the intention of returning home but of escaping to Howard's Hill-where the Various (or little people) live.The book's darkest moments lie in Celadine's battles, first with her governess and later with her dormitory peers. From day one, those girls play tricks on her and bully her. Initially, their abuse is simply out of dislike for anyone new. Later, it develops from their abhorrence for her German roots and mystical ways. She can foresee certain events and possesses a healing gift. The dark moments also lie in the migration of the Various, a journey which ultimately involves threats and assault, betrayal and murder.While these moments riveted me to the book, they also disturbed me. The tragedy at Mill Farm seems extreme, as does its resultant violence. The cruelty at Mount Pleasant Boarding School is no less extreme. For this reason, Celadine runs away three times. At times, the book seem almost too much to bear.Yet like its predecessor, the book shines in capturing the thoughts of a pre-teen girl, her playful and revengeful acts, and her joyous discovery of The Various. Celadine will surely come across as a sympathetic character to anyone who has been misunderstood. Although her shared times with the Various are eventually disrupted, their scenes instill an abundance of fun into this well-written and absorbing tale.Throughout the first books, there are references to each girl seeing a strange girl from another time. Midge obviously catches glimpses of Celadine; who in turn catches glimpses of Midge. Both girls also encounter the Various and seem integral to their survival. Whatever will happen next? How will the paths of these two girls and the Various finally connnect? Hopefully, the conclusion to the Touchstone Trilogy will reveal all!

In book two of THE TOUCHSTONE TRILOGY, we are introduced to Celandine and her life in 1915.Her governess is horrible and enjoys making her life miserable. When she's sent off to boarding school, she hopes things will be better. Instead, she discovers things can and do get worse. She's bullied and accused of being a witch, and to make matters worse, her country is at war with Germany.When Celandine has the chance, she runs away from school and goes to the only place she thinks she'll be safe - the secret world of the little people.Unfortunately, her existence among the Various doesn't stay safe. A new tribe, the Ickri, descend upon the forest. They bear the Touchstone and are seeking the Orbis. Unbeknownst to the tribe, their king has gained his power through deceit and murder. Now he's willing to do anything to obtain the Orbis, even if it means killing Celandine and the other tribes.Like THE VARIOUS, CELANDINE is a thrilling book told from several different points of view as we are taken back in time before Midge's adventure to learn how the Various and Celandine became acquainted and come to a better understanding of the events mentioned in THE VARIOUS.I enjoyed being introduced to CELANDINE, though I missed Midge and the characters in THE VARIOUS. I am looking forward to seeing how Midge and Celandine's stories wind up in WINTER WOOD, Augarde's final book in the trilogy.Reviewed by: Joan Stradling

Celandine is a very good follow-up to The Various. It is sufficiently interwoven with the first story so that I find myself wanting to re-read The Various. There are enough plot resolutions to satisfy, but also ample loose ends which increase my anticipation for the third book. The setting of the story is pleasing- a visit to the past; the past is always "romantic". I also like the moral backbone of the stories - promoting mercy, kindness, and promise-keeping, while showing in a negative light some of the nasty things that people (little and large) can do. He seems to be suggesting reincarnation, which I loathe, but it's not enough to ruin this lovely story. In Celandine, Mr. Augarde once again skillfully knits his magic together with real life. Stories that bring the enchantment into our world seem much more charming to me.