Review by Haleydiaz2 -- Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner

[HaleyvanderPloeg]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Apollo's Raven" by Linnea Tanner.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Apollo’s Raven, by Linnea Tanner, is a historical novel set in the era of Roman expansion into the British Isles, under the reign of Emperor Tiberius Augustus. Filled with magic, romance, and political intrigue, Apollo’s Raven takes readers on a mystical journey into the dark history of conflict between Rome and those under its rule.

Princess Catrin, the youngest daughter of Celtic King Amren, is a fierce warrior gifted with the feared magic of the Druids. Catrin’s spirit animal, a raven, is seen as an evil omen and a curse that will bring about the downfall of her people.

Marcellus Antonius is the youngest son of Roman Senator Lucius Antonius and a capable politician and warrior in his own right. Marcellus, though loved by his father, is seen as untested and a possible liability to the family name and his father’s lofty aspirations.

The two meet when Marcellus’ father invades Britannia under the premise of peace negotiations between warring Celtic tribes and the exiled son of King Amren, Catrin’s half-brother, who lays claim to King Amren’s throne. During tense political negotiations, Catrin and Marcellus are each individually tasked with spying on the other and ordered to take whatever actions necessary to gain information. Thusly charged, the two become close, spending much of their time together. However, instead of learning political secrets, Catrin and Marcellus begin to fall in love. Amidst their budding romance, Catrin and Marcellus learn that not everything is as it seems in the changing world around them. There are dark forces at play in their lives, secrets abound, and though Catrin and Marcellus love and protect each other, it may not be enough to keep them alive.

What I liked most about Apollo’s Raven is the grace with which Linnea Tanner weaves historically accurate events and politics with romance and fiction. The author obviously has conducted a substantial amount of research in order to write her novel, which is much appreciated. Moreover, the main characters, though flawed, are fairly realistic, well-developed, and endear the audience to their plight.

This novel appears to be professionally edited. This reader did not notice any grammatical errors. Apollo’s Raven does contain some mature themes, including a number of sexual scenes and references. However, while some erotic scenes have the tendency to be vulgar and overly-explicit, these are not exceedingly graphic. In addition to the sexual content, there is a fair amount of violence in both scenes of warfare and of religious ritual.

I enjoyed most aspects of this book, but there were a few parts that were difficult to follow due to the more mystical nature of those scenes. This lack of clarity is most common during the parts where Catrin is exploring her abilities with the raven. Also, there is one scene that is uncomfortable for this reader as it reads almost like bestiality due to the shape-shifting abilities of the main antagonist.

I think that Apollo’s Raven is a story for readers that enjoy novels of mystery, history, politics, and romance. This book is best-suited to a mature audience. While there are issues with the clarity of certain scenes, these are minor and don’t affect the reader’s overall experience. Well-developed characters, a historically accurate plot, and a touch of magic makes for a wonderful read. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.

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Apollo's Raven
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[Erin Painter Baker]

I think it's great when an author is able to weave together real history with their fictional book. It makes for much more nuanced reading.

[David Samanthaa]

Apollo's Raven" is a gripping tale of love, destiny, and betrayal. The author's skillful blending of historical events with fantasy elements creates a unique and engaging narrative.