Must-Read Fiction for Pagans
Discover the best must-read fiction for Pagans! Explore enchanting novels and magical stories that resonate with Pagan spirituality, mythology, and traditions.
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From the Ashes
by Meghan Brunner
Let's say you're a lady who believes in Magick about as much as you believe in a picture of somewhere you've never been. . . . or maybe only as much as a pretty dream you'd like to have come true. Or let's say you're the sort of gal who has not even the slightest doubt in your heart that Magick is real. . . .but True Love is another story entirely. Then let's say everything you've doubted comes skipping up to you, tips its hat, and says "hello!" What happens when your reality check bounces? You make a new reality, of course! One with new joys, new sorrows, new friends, new love, new Magick . . . . a world that has always been there, as close as the misplaced pen behind your ear. This is the world of urban fantasy fiction. . . . or is it reality? Where does fiction end and reality begin? After all, this is Pendragon Renaissance Faire, where for seven weeks, anything is possible. Anything.
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Into The Storm
by Meghan Brunner
Adrienne has always been clairvoyant, clairaudient and clairsentient. While she found living with these psychic gifts confusing, she had reconciled with having these experiences, for the most part. Recently she has been plagued by frightening dreams. Fate brings her in contact with a social scientist specializing in past life regression. As his work with Adrienne continues, an amazing story unfolds. She begins to travel to foreign lands to authenticate her past life recollections. Strange and threatening experiences begin to occur placing her life in jeopardy. As the mystery continues, it soon becomes clear that Adrienne's survival is critical for our planet and the balance of good and evil in the world. A group of people research and find answers that lead Adrienne from her modern life back to an ancient age of a sacred circle. It is within this quest that Adrienne discovers the depth of her courage and spiritual strength, and becomes the mistress of her own fate.
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The Mists of Avalon
by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The magical saga of the women behind King Arthur's throne. “A monumental reimagining of the Arthurian legends . . . reading it is a deeply moving and at times uncanny experience. . . . An impressive achievement.”—The New York Times Book Review In Marion Zimmer Bradley's masterpiece, we see the tumult and adventures of Camelot's court through the eyes of the women who bolstered the king's rise and schemed for his fall. From their childhoods through the ultimate fulfillment of their destinies, we follow these women and the diverse cast of characters that surrounds them as the great Arthurian epic unfolds stunningly before us. As Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar struggle for control over the fate of Arthur's kingdom, as the Knights of the Round Table take on their infamous quest, as Merlin and Viviane wield their magics for the future of Old Britain, the Isle of Avalon slips further into the impenetrable mists of memory, until the fissure between old and new worlds' and old and new religions' claims its most famous victim.
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Confessions of a Pagan Nun
by Kate Horsley
A druid-turned-nun writes of faith, love, and loss in this “beautifully written and thought-provoking book” set at the dawn of Ireland’s Christian era (Library Journal) Cloistered in a stone cell at the monastery of Saint Brigit, a sixth-century Irish nun secretly records the memories of her Pagan youth, interrupting her assigned task of transcribing Augustine and Patrick. She revisits her past, piece by piece—her fiercely independent mother, whose skill with healing plants and inner strength she inherited; her druid teacher, the brusque and magnetic Giannon, who introduced her to the mysteries of the written language. But disturbing events at the cloister keep intervening. As the monastery is rent by vague and fantastic accusations, Gwynneve's words become the one force that can save her from annihilation. “As a slant of sunlight illuminates jewels long buried, Kate Horsley's novel brings words to an ancient silence and a living, vivid presence to people who lived in that time of great changes and estrangements we call the Dark Ages.” —Ursula K. Le Guin
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The Fires of Bride
by Ellen Galford
"Set in the remote Scottish island with a rambling castle and a ruined monastery harking back to more matriarchal times, The Fires of Bride is Ellen Galford's second novel. The author of the rollicking Moll Cutpurse spins a tale of misty legend and mysterious reality in this one. Maria, a visiting artist from the mainland, arrives and is quickly seduced by the island's strange charm. Is it her affair with Catriona -- clan chieftan, doctor, witch -- that makes it impossible for her to leave? Or is it the inspiration of a place where women have, since Viking times, fought off male marauders?" -- Publisher's description.
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Witch Child
by Celia Rees
The year is 1659, a time of fear and lies. For Mary Newbury, it is a time of desperation. While she watches, unable to intervene, her wise and beloved grandmother is falsely condemned, tortured, and hanged as a witch. Soon the relentless crowd may turn upon Mary. When a mysterious stranger offers her a way out -- safe passage to America -- she knows she must go. But she doesn't know that the turbulent voyage will bring her to yet another society where differences are feared and defiance is deadly. p(No Canadian Rights)
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Sorceress
by Celia Rees
The spellbinding sequel to "Witch Child" reveals what happened to Mary Newbury through a young, modern descendant with an uncanny connection to the past.
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Wise Child
by Monica Furlong
In a remote Scottish village, nine-year-old Wise Child is taken in by Juniper, a healer and sorceress. Then Wise Child’s mother, Maeve, a black witch, reappears. In choosing between Maeve and Juniper, Wise Child discovers the extent of her supernatural powers—and her true loyalties.
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Juniper
by Monica Furlong
In this highly acclaimed prequel to the award-winning Wise Child young Princess Juniper returns to her Cornish palace and discovers that her power-mad aunt is using black magic to usurp the throne. And only Juniper can stop her. "A rich, deeply colored novel of a young girl's coming of age".--School Library Journal.
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Colman
by Monica Furlong
In this sequel to Furlong's ALA Notable Book, "Wise Child" Juniper and her apprentice, Wise Child, are accused of witchcraft and flee their small town. Wise Child's devoted cousin, Colman, escapes with them.
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The Green Man
by Ellen Datlow
A collection of stories and poems by a variety of authors relating to the Green Man and other myths of the forest.
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The Sunbird
by Wilbur Smith
In Wilbur Smith's The Sunbird, Dr. Ben Kazin is a brilliant archeologist. Louren Sturvesant is rich, impulsive, and physically imposing, everything Ben is not. Now, the two men--friends, competitors and partners--are searching for the legendary lost city of Opet, built by an Egyptian culture that reached Africa two thousand years ago, then vanished completely. For Ben, the expedition is a chance to prove a controversial thesis. For Louren, it is a chance to spend millions--and make it all back in gold and glory. But what awaits them is an astounding discovery, a siege of terror, and an act of betrayal that will tear the two men apart and bind them together forever... Hidden beneath water, jungle, and blood-red cliffs is a lost world where two men and a beautiful woman were caught in a furious battle of passions two thousands years ago, but which has begun once again....