Review of Dagger's Destiny
Posted: 25 Jun 2021, 22:41
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dagger's Destiny" by Linnea Tanner.]
Catrin, King Amren’s last born committed a taboo. Blessed with the powers of the druids, she discovers that she can stop a person doomed to death from dying. She uses this power to save Marcellus from certain death. Her usage of this power that should be reserved for the gods causes an alteration of the curse that Rhan, her father’s first wife laid on him shortly before she was executed. Puzzled with what this new curse might mean, King Amren loses sleep over trying to decode it and stop it before it comes to pass. He also has plans to condemn Catrin to death for sleeping with the enemy, an act that is seen as treason by him and all his people. Catrin tries all that she can to redeem herself in her father’s eyes. But will she willingly give up her love for Marcellus? Also, how can she help avert the destruction that seems to be heading her kingdom’s way? So much is happening at the moment in her life. Will she be able to come out of all of these unscathed? Find out in Dagger’s Destiny.
Linnea Tanner wrote Dagger’s Destiny as a sequel to Appolo’s Raven which happens to be the name of the series. Even though this is a series and Appolo’s Raven laid the foundation for Dagger’s Destiny, the latter can be read as a standalone novel. I am convinced of this because I am yet to read its prequel but I understood all that this book was about. It was great that Linnea Tanner summarized some of the events that happened in Appolo’s Raven so that I and other readers will not feel like they are missing some key information as many other series do. This point gets a positive reaction from me.
There are also a lot of magic, and blood in this novel. While the latter point may not necessarily be a good thing, it is not bad either. I say this because since this novel is a historical fiction novel, Linnea Tanner stuck to the theme that was very popular in the time about which she wrote. And that theme is war and the outcomes of it.
Another thing that got me feeling in awe and is my most liked feature in the book and story was how properly researched the story seemed to be. After reading this novel, I did a quick search about some events that Linnea Tanner described in the novel. These are; the Celtic people’s tradition, the lifestyle of Romans, and their politics. I found that even though 90% of the character never existed and are just fictional, she accurately depicted all that I researched in the story. It is not unheard of that authors of historical fiction do little research, but I have never seen a work of historical fiction whose plot is as accurate as what the history books tell.
The only problem I had or what I liked least in Dagger’s Destiny is the romance between Catrin and Marcellus. I know that love is a beautiful thing. But I can never get how one will be willing to put their love for a person above their people and their responsibilities. Now, do not call me a hater, but I like to think that I am more logical than I am romantic. So I was not surprised when Catrin’s and Marcellus’ seemingly stupid acts of love were met with mild irritation from me. The romantic story is cute, but I enjoyed the action, battles, and magic way more than that.
I give Dagger’s Destiny a four out of four stars rating. Even though I did not like the story a hundred percent, I still decided to give it the perfect rating that I did above. The romance was a bit too much for me, but it is my fault and not Linnea Tanner’s that I did not fall head over heels in love with the two lovebirds’ acts of love. So I cannot let my bias make me deduct a star from the book’s ratings. Especially when the story was well researched, there was ample action and it was exceptionally edited.
Dagger’s Destiny should be read by a mature audience that enjoys historical fiction and romance novels. There is a lot of blood, gore, a couple of rapes, and many expletives in its pages. So, if you are sensitive and hate reading about all of the above, then this historical romance fiction is not for you.
******
Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Catrin, King Amren’s last born committed a taboo. Blessed with the powers of the druids, she discovers that she can stop a person doomed to death from dying. She uses this power to save Marcellus from certain death. Her usage of this power that should be reserved for the gods causes an alteration of the curse that Rhan, her father’s first wife laid on him shortly before she was executed. Puzzled with what this new curse might mean, King Amren loses sleep over trying to decode it and stop it before it comes to pass. He also has plans to condemn Catrin to death for sleeping with the enemy, an act that is seen as treason by him and all his people. Catrin tries all that she can to redeem herself in her father’s eyes. But will she willingly give up her love for Marcellus? Also, how can she help avert the destruction that seems to be heading her kingdom’s way? So much is happening at the moment in her life. Will she be able to come out of all of these unscathed? Find out in Dagger’s Destiny.
Linnea Tanner wrote Dagger’s Destiny as a sequel to Appolo’s Raven which happens to be the name of the series. Even though this is a series and Appolo’s Raven laid the foundation for Dagger’s Destiny, the latter can be read as a standalone novel. I am convinced of this because I am yet to read its prequel but I understood all that this book was about. It was great that Linnea Tanner summarized some of the events that happened in Appolo’s Raven so that I and other readers will not feel like they are missing some key information as many other series do. This point gets a positive reaction from me.
There are also a lot of magic, and blood in this novel. While the latter point may not necessarily be a good thing, it is not bad either. I say this because since this novel is a historical fiction novel, Linnea Tanner stuck to the theme that was very popular in the time about which she wrote. And that theme is war and the outcomes of it.
Another thing that got me feeling in awe and is my most liked feature in the book and story was how properly researched the story seemed to be. After reading this novel, I did a quick search about some events that Linnea Tanner described in the novel. These are; the Celtic people’s tradition, the lifestyle of Romans, and their politics. I found that even though 90% of the character never existed and are just fictional, she accurately depicted all that I researched in the story. It is not unheard of that authors of historical fiction do little research, but I have never seen a work of historical fiction whose plot is as accurate as what the history books tell.
The only problem I had or what I liked least in Dagger’s Destiny is the romance between Catrin and Marcellus. I know that love is a beautiful thing. But I can never get how one will be willing to put their love for a person above their people and their responsibilities. Now, do not call me a hater, but I like to think that I am more logical than I am romantic. So I was not surprised when Catrin’s and Marcellus’ seemingly stupid acts of love were met with mild irritation from me. The romantic story is cute, but I enjoyed the action, battles, and magic way more than that.
I give Dagger’s Destiny a four out of four stars rating. Even though I did not like the story a hundred percent, I still decided to give it the perfect rating that I did above. The romance was a bit too much for me, but it is my fault and not Linnea Tanner’s that I did not fall head over heels in love with the two lovebirds’ acts of love. So I cannot let my bias make me deduct a star from the book’s ratings. Especially when the story was well researched, there was ample action and it was exceptionally edited.
Dagger’s Destiny should be read by a mature audience that enjoys historical fiction and romance novels. There is a lot of blood, gore, a couple of rapes, and many expletives in its pages. So, if you are sensitive and hate reading about all of the above, then this historical romance fiction is not for you.
******
Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes