If I was asked what author I might sit down with and have a beer – I do think I would chose Ken Follett. He is an absolute master and I am a huge fan particularly of his historical fiction. He also is prolific, with over 35 books written since his debut novel The Big Needle in 1974. A hero in my book world – I adore the Kingsbridge series. And his latest work is just as brilliant. Here is my book review Circle of Days by Ken Follett.

Stonehenge

Have you been to Stonehenge (estimated to have begun in 3100 BC) I have been twice and it is the kind of place where you have to remind yourself its not fake. Not Disney. Like the Pyramids of Egypt (2700 BC) or Gobekli Tepe Turkiye built in 9500 BC, Stonehenge challenges our minds with the how? How could ancient peoples with no mechanical equipment have created this?

In the Circle of Day, Ken Follett imagines it for us in an engaging and beautiful novel full of Follett’s signature intrigue and angst. True to form we encounter good and evil, love and religion and most of all, hope.

Characters

In an era where hard work and ingenuity is what it takes to survive, we meet Seft. Born to a flint miner family but talented and capable to be more. He is brilliant with the mind of an engineer. At the Midsummer’s Festival he falls in love with Neen from a herder family. Despite their different classes, they find a way to become a family.

Neen’s sister Joia knows she is destined for something…something great. Her mother sees it too. And when the Midsummer Monument is set ablaze by warring factions, Joia knows her destiny. She will become a High Preistess and dedicate her life to creating giant stone monument.

Factions and Fractures

The work will take decades and as a drought ravages the land, the once peaceful region will be plagued with violence between the farmers, herders and woodlanders. It is a time of great sorrow, hunger and uncertainty. Can hard work, perseverance and love conquer all?

Follett Formula

Follett certainly has a formula, and although a bit predictable I was still on the edge of my seat as we rooted for the good guys and cursed the bad. A remarkable book and a must read for 2026. If you haven’t been to Stonehenge, you will certainly want to visit after reading Circle of Days by Ken Follett.

Book Review Circle of Days by Ken Follett

Thank you for reading my book review Circle of Days by Ken Follett. See last week’s book review The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnet.

*****Five stars for Circle of Days by Ken Follett.

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