A Gilded Cage (Chronicles of an Urban Druid Book 1)

Wow! I'm starting book 6 and have to force myself to go back to book one to tell you read this series. I have stopped only to eat, let my dog out, and things I have no choice but to handle. Read this series, but be prepared to step out of your real life and enjoy the one created in the series. Sorry I have to go now.

This book just picked up and didn’t let go. There is a lot going on but the reading goes forward without feeling like you miss anything. I want to know more about all of the creatures and the like hinted at here. It isn’t polite to ask, so I need to read more.

I have read this series 3 times now. And have read what's bene released of the two spinoffs. I've never been one to re read books before, so hopefully that gives you an idea of how great these are. I feel like im sucked in and part of the family.

I really enjoyed this book! It has a great cast of characters, druid magic, a fascinating storyline, and was a very quick read. Really looking forward to the next book in the series!

An exciting and gripping paranormal urban fantasy adventure story. I absolutely fell in love with our heroine and am eager to start the next book to see what she does next.

I absolutely love the storyline of a tight, Irish family with five boys who become policemen and their sister who steps up to replace their mom when she passed away and now cares for her family but with a definite twist. Having wrestled and dealt with five brothers growing up, Fiona is no pushover and holds her own in a fight verbally and physically. Their policeman Da left Ireland 40 years ago and turned his back on his family’s centuries long Druid traditions and magical abilities. Suddenly, the Druid magic of the Fianna and it’s magical warrior beast has manifested in his daughter, Fiona, and all hell breaks loose.I’ve read many magical fantasy series so to continue learning about new mythological characters in this book due to the historical research incorporated into the story is wonderful!My personal view about the developing characters in his story is not so wonderful. I was unable to connect with any of them because they are “acting on the surface of the story”, there is no depth to them to help the reader understand and relate to them better. Here’s just one scene that is a glaring example, when Fiona sees the 8’ heaps of dead bodies and shrugs it away..what kind of person does that? Why? What makes a 23 year old numb to that kind of horror?Fionna’s dialogue is always superficial and supposed to be funny or snarky. Snark is often a reflexive action, what drives hers? I think back to when I was 23, was I simply reactive to life around me without much thought? Maybe, I don’t really remember, but as an older reader is that all I want to experience with this character? What are her insecurities, what does she yearn for, what is it about Toronto that she loves, what kind of trees were planted in that landscape renovation, what did that look like, did the bear create a cave of sorts for him to hang out in etc etc etc. Where are the details of sight, sound, touch that makes the reader FEEL the depth of the characters and their surroundings?At the logical, historical, procedural level this book is written and edited exceptionally well. At the emotional level it is a frustrating read because of the lack of depth in the characters.Addressing the author’s concern of the romantic triangle: ha, I hear you, I’m a one person at a time kinda woman but Fiona’s decision to do nothing about the two men interested in her and to instead focus on herself is a breath of fresh air AND it creates subtle tension. I’m not a hot and heavy romance novel fan, I’m a fan of well developed urban/paranormal fantasy and other genres so I much prefer the heroine focused on learning her history and skills while developing as a strong, independent woman. I thought you both captured that element very well.This is hard to rate because snark and half words are not always funny or interesting as dialogue and it becomes monotonous through the entire book so only 3 stars however the variety of characters, the historical context, the sheer Irishness of the story and the steady plot line is five stars so four stars.

Perhaps I'm not the target audience for this genre, that of empirewed women find their stride, adventure, and eventually love (around book 4-5 I'm guessing) but I enjoy it anyway. Perhaps the old people in it being well-fleshed-out characters is a factor. I recommend it!

I've read several of Tempest's books and they always deliver a fascinating fun time.In this series family is the focus with diverse, well fleshed characters. Then there's the magic, druid style; well thought out and believable. The world building that layers ancient magic on what we know is masterful.Read, enjoy, get the next ones.

The first book tells the story of Fi, the only daughter of six kids while she not only finds out her grandparents but also the supernatural in the world. This book is full of adventure and amazing characters. It has no romance at all, except for Bruin the bear, but it is so action packed that I didn't miss it at all.

Great variation on a theme. Urban Druid? Yeah it kinda works. Looking forward to future adventures of Fi and the Cumhail clan.

Fi is a girl after my heart. I loved her humour and snark I have never been a fan of druid books but this one has changed my mind. I give it a 99% Now on to book 2

I must say that Michael Anderle knows how to pick a co-author! He always seems to blend effortlessly into their writing. This story of an Irish family settled in Canada is a case in point. I couldn’t tell you who wrote what. Fiona Cumhaill knows that her father is a good upright man. He is a police officer and every one of her brothers has taken the same path. The family lost their mother at a young age and Fi stepped up into her place. That didn’t mean that she didn’t have a rough and tumble with her five brothers but she was the only child who her Da didn’t want joining the force. The authors bring out the rough but good hearted traditional Irish, brawling family. The one constant is their love for each other. But one night Fi gets caught up in an abduction situation where she fights for a friend. Then the strange things start to happen. Firstly, she acquires a Celtic tattoo which just appeared after the fight. Then she finds out that she has a grandfather and grandma in Ireland, who want to meet her. Then she learns about her Druid heritage; and not only her but her brothers also. There are mysteries to be solved and Fi is the one to step up. Looking forward to the next book!

An average family, with normal lives.And then...wow it all changes dramatically.Great characters.Lots of adventure.Looking forward to the next book.