Crown of Acorns

Where to begin, at first glance this book intrigued me with the autumnal covering reminding me of how I love to hike through the greenbelt just as the leaves are turning colours. Of course this lead to my picking the book off the shelf reading the first few pages where I began to enter the world of three very different characters; Bladud the druid king, M..... or Sulis for that is the name she chooses, and Zac the architects apprentice. Catherine Fisher took an interesting approach to integrating the stories of three different characters from three different eras into one novel, an approach that has me wanting to read more of her novels.

Much of the novel is based on myths common to England about druids and their obsession of buildings that are circular. The King's Circus is the name of the round about of town homes which becomes home to Sulis and is the project of Zac's master. The buildings seem magical to me, full of secrets and adventure even if they are merely meant to be homes. Sulis does find some adventure in them that allow her to come to terms with traumatizing events of her childhood. Zac is able to appreciate his good fortune in life and the kindness of those close to them through the building of these houses.

I found although Bladud's chapters were the shortest they gave the most insight into life whereas Zac and Sulis's chapters were more examples of how you can live your life. "You must stop now, and look around, and understand." sounds corny when you say it out loud but when you think on it is true, sometimes I think I spend too much time seeking out bigger and better things when I could be content with what I have. She also uses the oak tree and its acorns well to represent the circle of life, I feel like I'm back in the Lion King haha. The circle itself is strongly stressed as a symbol of strength, unity, prosperity, etc. through the druids and the King's Circus. It reminds me of a song I used to sing in Sparks about friendship: "... a circle is round and has no end that's how long I'm gonna be your friend!" oh the good memories!

And now for a short synopsis of the novel. Sulis is a girl of our own time who is off to yet another foster home with only a few months before she turns 18 and is able to live on her own, after witnessing a traumatizing event in her childhood she has had to change identities and homes many times. She finds an ominous presence troubling her once she settles in with Simon and Hannah at the King's Circus. Zac is apprenticed to an eccentric architect who has an obsession with druids and their lore. In the mid-1700's his master undertakes his last masterpiece, a circle of houses which he calls the King's Circus. Long ago there was said to be a king of the druids who found a spring that could heal his leprosy, his name was Bladud.
Catherine Fisher