by Ann Hunter
Aonwys “Ain-wis”
Ciatlllait/Crwys “Key-at-el-let” (sounds a little like Cadillac)/“Crew-is” (Sounds a little like Chris)
Sulwen “Soul-win”
An Cuan Áille “Ahn Coo-an Ale-ya”
BIRTH ORDER (And one-line character sketch)
Áodhán (19 at beginning of book), crown prince of the Summer Isle
Aodh (18 at beginning of book), the bard/poetic soul of the family
Aodan (17 at beginning of book), like that one cool guy you know in real life and wished you were friends with, but secretly flighty
Aohearn (16 at beginning of book), middle sibling syndrome
Aogán (15 at beginning of book), wise and scholarly, old soul
Aowyn (13 at beginning of book), our heroine. Moody like her fiery father, Aodhagáin,
Aonwys (5 at beginning of book), the baby of the family
About The Author
Ann Hunter wrote her first multi-award winning story at age 12. She is the author of the young adult fantasy novels The Subtle Beauty, Moonlight, The Rose In The Briar, and Ashes. The Subtle Beauty is her first novel-length story to be published. She likes cherry soda with chocolate ice cream, is a mom first and a writer second, has a secret identity, and thinks the Twilight movies are cheesier than cheez whiz (which is why they are her guilty pleasure!)
She lives in a cozy Utah home with her two awesome kids and epic husband.
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
Correct Pronunciation Provided by http://www.abair.tcd.ie/?lang=eng
The author wishes to include the way she says it in case you’re also a goof like she is. You can pronounce it in your head in any way that increases your reading enjoyment.
AP = Author Pronunciation
If the phrase or word is underlined below, you can click it for an audio pronunciation! Be sure your tablet/reading device’s speakers are not muted.
Unfortunately it won’t work in kindle touch
Aowyn “A-oh-win”
Xander “Sander” (Xander’s full name is Barwn Xander Blacksteed of Blackthorn. Barwn Blackthorn is a shortened title)
Aodhagáin “Eed-gun” (AP: “Owed-a-gan”)
Eoghan “Own” (AP: “Ee-gun”)
Maeb “May-b”
Rhun “Roon” (The author loves Friesian horses. Xander’s ancestors perpetuated a Friesian-like breed long ago. Rhun is a descendant of that line.)
River Trefnwy “Tref-nu-way”
Sylas Mortas “Syl-loss Mart-us” (AP: “Sigh-lus Mort-us”)
Idegwaed “Ed-ah-gwed” (AP: “Eye-da-gwed” Alternative: “Eed-a-gweed”)
Archduges “Ar-ock-do-jus” (AP: “Arc-do-jus”. A Duke or Archduke)
Iarlls “Yells” (AP: “Yarls”. An Earl)
Tywysogion “Tee-wee-saigon” (AP: “Twy-sog-on”. Plural form of Tywysog, a Celtic Prince)
Barghest “Bar-yesht” (AP: “Bar-guest”)
Balthazaar “Bal-the-zar”
Ilyndiil “Ill-in-dale” (AP: “Ill-in-dill” One of the shards of Idegwaed)
Donestre “Doe-nes-tre” (AP: “Duh-nos-tree”)
***
During the chapters “Too Late for Curses” and “The Man and the Monster” several Celtic words are used. The author does not feel a translation is necessary, because the meaning is repeated almost immediately after the word is spoken. However, the author has attached the following for your convenience.
TOO LATE FOR CURSES
Fíorghrá “Fewer-grey”
Is liomsa mo ghrá “Is lum-sa ma grey”
Breátha “Brey-ha” (AP: “Bree-ah-tha”)
THE MAN AND THE MONSTER
Croí uasal milis, “Cree wassal milish”
gearrtha ag grá agam, “Gare-ag grey-gum”
Míshásta agus tá mé ciúin,”Me-asta gus-ta mic-yoon”
Ná aon áthas nó pléisiúir dóigh liom gur. “Nigh-in hast no pleasure doy lom-gur”
Le haghaidh a thabhairt duit “Le hey-ah ah-hort dwit”
mo anam cara is grá, “Mo-an-em caress-grey”
Tá mé mo chroí a thabhairt dá bhrí sin “Ta-mah ma-cree a-hort da-bree-shun”
***
PRONUNCIATIONS TO ACCOMPANY TRANSLATION GUIDE
1. Ní hea “Nee-ha”
2. Do locht “Doe-locked”
3. Do mhac “Doe-mock”
4. An í seo an cailín “On ee-shawn kai-lean”
5. Is í “Eh-sea”
6. Greannmhar “Gran-more”
Unlisted: Níl sí tarraingteach dom “Neel she tarran-ta doom” (Gryphon: She is unattractive)
7. Labhair ar do shon féin “Lore dah hon feen”
8. Dúr “Do-er”
9. Ní thuigim tú “Nee heem too”
10. A oinseach “Oun-cha”
Unlisted: Tá tú dom nimhe “Tah too doom niv-yah” (Gryphon: You infect me)
11. Gcroí agus Inní “Gree gus in-nee”
12. A chuisle mo chro. Mo Breátha “A hush-el ma-crow. Ma Brey-ha.”
1. It isn’t
2. Your fault
3. Your son
4. Is this the girl?
5. It is
6. That’s odd
7. Speak for yourself
8. Stupid
9. I do not understand you!
10. You fool
11. “Gizzards and gullets”
12. The beat of my heart. My Glory.