The Keltiad

"The Keltiad" is a body of fantasy works written by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison, retired rock critic/editor, Celtic priestess and widow of the late rock star Jim Morrison. Currently there are eight novels in the series.

The books are set in a star system far from our own, where various Celtic peoples emigrated after the rise of Christianity and the purge of the Old Religion that followed. The novels and short stories are based upon traditional Celtic legends and mythology, woven into a science fiction/fantasy universe and updated for a futuristic culture.

At least ten other titles were planned, but when publisher HarperCollins decided to drop the series, despite much fan support and outcry, Kenneally-Morrison was forced to curtail it.The author has recently made known her plans to continue the series with at least one more title, "The Beltane Queen", to be published through Lulu.com and, depending on reader response, possibly several more.Kennealy-Morrison, Patricia (2007) [http://mojohotel.blogspot.com/2007/05/return-to-keltiaand-other-places.html Return to Keltia and Other Places] (accessed May 21, 2007)] Kennealy-Morrison, Patricia (June 21, 2007) [http://mojohotel.blogspot.com/2007/06/turn-on-tune-in-drop-dead-rennie-stride.html Turn On, Tune In, Drop Dead - The Rennie Stride Mysteries] (accessed July 3, 2007)]

"The Tales of Aeron"

"The Copper Crown"

"The Copper Crown" introduces us to the interstellar kingdom of Keltia, founded in Earth year 452 by Celts from Earth. As the book opens, in Earth year 3512, Aeron Aoibhell is Ard-rian (High Queen) of Keltia, and finds herself in a particularly unenviable position. Earth has finally discovered its faraway and long-sundered kinfolk, but any possible alliance/treaty with the Terran Federacy could result in war with Keltia’s fiercest rivals, the Fomorians and the Cabiri Empire. Facing these ethical dilemmas proves challenging. (Published as Patricia Kenneally; hardcover 1984; paperback 1986)

"The Throne of Scone"

"The Throne of Scone" continues directly on from the action of "The Copper Crown". Aeron finds some unlikely friends and allies on her quest for the long-lost Thirteen Treasures of Keltia, and for the Once and Future King himself, Arthur of Arvon. As in "The Copper Crown", Aeron is once again faced with the challenge of liberating her kingdom and her people without giving in to the call of unlawful magic. (Patricia Kenneally; hc 1986; pb 1987)

"The Silver Branch"

"The Silver Branch", the prequel to The Copper Crown, begins with Aeron’s father, King Fionnbarr, who accidental love-affair affects both Keltia and Fomor, and continues with Aeron as she grows up: her education as a Fian (warrior) and a Ban-draoi (female druid); the personal and political challenges she must face before the arrival of the Terrans in Keltia; how she came by her great skills as warrior and sorceress; her strong friendship with Morwen Douglass, along with her love affairs with both Roderick Douglas (Morwen's elder brother) and Gwydion, Prince of Gwynedd; and why a mostly one-sided love/hate relationship with Arianiera (Gwydion's twin sister) ultimately causes Keltia's downfall. It also reveals why she fears her own powers, and why Bres, King of Fomor follows an obsessive compulsion to revenge himself for an act committed over 30 years prior. (Patricia Kenneally; hc 1988; pb 1989)

"The Tales of Arthur"

This trilogy is told in the first person. "The greatest bard of all time," Taliesin Glyndour, narrates.

"The Hawk's Gray Feather"

In "The Hawk’s Gray Feather" Taliesin recounts his youth on the planet Gwynedd, and the beginnings of his lifelong friendship with Arthur of Arvon, destined to be the greatest king in both Keltic (and later Earth) history (at least until his descendant Aeron comes along 1500 years later). At this time, right around the present-day in Earthtime, the throne of Keltia has been usurped by the evil wizard known as the Marbh-Draoi, and all Kelts suffer under his rule. All hope is not lost, however, as the rebellion known as the Counterinsurgency fights to put the true monarch back on the Throne of Scone. (Patricia Kenneally; (hc 1990; pb 1991)

"The Oak Above the Kings"

"The Oak above the Kings" continues from the previous book, telling how the rightful ruler is restored, but now other threats rear their heads, including a few enemies of the most dangerous sort - those reared out of heart’s blood. Taliesin and Arthur have both married by now, and their choices of mate are fateful for Keltia as well for them personally. (Published as Patricia Kenneally-Morrison; hc 1994; pb 1995)

"The Hedge of Mist"

"The Hedge of Mist" concludes the Arthurian trilogy with a unique Grail quest and an epic battle to reclaim the soul of Keltia. Marguessan, Arthur’s evil sister, attempts to seize the Throne of Scone, while Morgan Magistra, her twin, wife of Taliesin and the mightiest sorceress Keltia will ever see, struggles to restore the balance of Darkness and Light. (Patricia Kenneally-Morrison; hc 1996; pb 1997)

tand-alone novels of "The Keltiad"

"The Tale of Athyn"

"Blackmantle" is the story of Athyn who, by prowess in battle and the acclamation of the people, rose from humble origins to be High Queen of Keltia. It is a tale of how will and love can transcend the bonds of death itself. When her husband and king, the legendary bard Morric Douglas, is torn from her by deception and slain by treachery, Athyn rides out, first to seek vengeance from those who betrayed Morric to his death, and then, with the assistance of the Sidhe lord Allyn, on to the Otherworld of Annwn to try to wrest her beloved back to her side from Arawn himself, the god who is lord of death and fate. As in the tales of Aeron, there is the central question of whether having the ability to change fate means it is an acceptable action to attempt, and what the penalties for such karmic upheavals may be. (Patricia Kenneally-Morrison; hc 1997; pb 1998)

The Tale of Brendan

"The Deer’s Cry" is the story of the founding of Keltia. In fifth-century Ireland, Brendan Aoibhell is the son of a Sidhe princess and a mortal chieftain. When his heritage, his religion and his culture are all threatened by the onset of the “New Religion”, Christianity, brought to his homeland by the fanatic missionary monk Padraic, he and those like him seek shelter in a faraway home that only one among them, the last survivor of Atlantis, has seen before - a home among the stars, which will be known as Keltia. (Patricia Kenneally-Morrison; hc 1998; pb 1999)

Errata

The author's legal name is "Patricia Kenneally Morrison". As a rock critic and editor, in the beginning of her career, she published under her birth name, "Patricia Kennely", and later as "Patricia Kenneally". Since 1994 her books have been published as "Patricia Kenneally-Morrison", with the hyphen.

References

External links

* [http://mojohotel.blogspot.com/ Mrs Morrison's Hotel] - Patricia Kenneally-Morrison's official blog
* [http://www.myspace.com/hermajestythelizardqueen Patricia Kennealy Morrison] - The author's official MySpace page
* [http://www.lib.rochester.edu/Camelot/intrvws/kennealy.htm Interview with Patricia Kennealy] in [http://www.lib.rochester.edu/Camelot/intrvws/contents.htm Taliesin's Successors: Interviews with Authors of Modern Arthurian Literature]
* [http://www.dragoncon.org/people/morrisp.html Author's Dragon*Con biography, with some "Keltiad" background]