Maeve is born on the island of Tir na mBam under a bright star that has a more famous twin. She is raised by eight women known as warrior witches and is told that her father was the god Manannan Mac Lir. During her time on the island, her mothers teach Maeve the warrior arts. She has little time to herself, and one day escapes to the forbidden part of the island. In that place, she has a vision of a stranger in a far away place. She knows that this stranger is her destiny. Soon after that vision the Cailleach, a wise woman, informs the mothers that Maeve is to be sent to the Druid College to train to be a bard. Maeve is excited to be leaving the tiny island of her birth for a greater adventure. Will she finally meet the person in her vision? How are they tied together?

When Maeve arrives on the Isle of Mona where the college is located, her path crosses that of the stranger in her dreams known by the Celts as Esus. As part of the college admissions, the student must be able to pass three requirements. When Esus, the Jewish man from Galilee, begins his admissions test, he asks if anyone can translate Aramaic. Maeve under the tutelage of Cailleach learned Aramaic and several other strange tongues, so she volunteers to translate for Esus. Thus begins their friendship and their journey together. Maeve also recognizes another face from her nightmares. His name is Lovernios, and he is a druid at the college. Why did she have visions of these two men? What are their parts in her destiny?

Elizabeth Cunningham is an amazing storyteller. She has a talent for blending elements from Christianity with Celtic tradition to create an imaginative story. The story is told from Maeve's viewpoint, and she is a strong willed female. She goes after whatever she wants which makes for a few laughs. MAGDALEN RISING is the first in a trilogy; hence, the story is open ended. The second book is already available and the third is a work in progress.