Review by crhill3 -- Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner
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crhill3
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- Latest Review: Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner
Review by crhill3 -- Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner
[Following is a volunteer review of "Apollo's Raven" by Linnea Tanner.]
I loved Apollo’s Raven by Linnea Tanner! It is a wonderful mixture of romance, history, political intrigue and the clash of cultures. Linnea Tanner has well researched the time and turmoil in Southern Britannia in 24 CE.
Catrin and Marcellus are star-crossed lovers from very different cultures. She is a warrior Princess, youngest daughter of King Amren of Britannia. Catrin is learning to control her new-found powers as a raven/druidess and in addition is discovering the world of political intrigue and betrayal. Her father, King Amren, involved in negotiations between another Celtic King and the Romans, has charged Catrin to get Rome’s secrets from Marcellus, the son of Lucius Antonius, the leader of the Roman forces.
Marcellus is the son of the Lucius Antonius, thus the great-grand son of Marc Antony. It is a tremendous legacy to live up to. He is trained as a Roman warrior but has yet to go to war. He travels a journey from believing his father and all things Roman are right to seeing that there are other and sometimes better roads to follow.
Lucius Antonius has arrived in Britannia for two reasons. First, he intends to collect the tribute promised to Rome by King Amren and others, and second he is to investigate the claims of Marrock, King Amren’s banished son, as the legitimate heir. As talks break down and betrayals evolve Marcellus becomes a hostage/guest of King Amren’s family, and he also, is commanded to find out all the plans. The two young people are thrown together for the good of their families and country, but their attraction makes spying on each other more and more difficult.
Over all the political upheavals, there is a curse hanging over Amren’s family by his former Queen, Rhan. Rhan was a druidess who had great power. Her curse is that the Blood Wolf and the Raven will destroy the kingdom. As Catrin gradually discovers she is the raven spoken of in the curse and who the Blood wolf is, she realizes that it falls to her to save her family and kingdom.
Linnea Tanner has successfully created a fast paced, exciting historical novel. She has developed all the characters fully. Secondary characters are as interesting and complicated as the primary ones. The Queen Rhinnan is a strong woman, as are the daughters of the family. The women of Britannia are leaders and have almost as much say in decisions as the men do.
Lucius Antonious is a competent leader, but his ambition and arrogance undermine his intelligence. If he cares for his son, he rarely shows it and uses Marcellus as a tool in the escalating confrontation. In addition,Lucius has to deal with the demand of Marrock to be the rightful ruler of his people. He is cruel, aggressive, ruthless and arrogant in his own way. His sole mission in life is to over throw and kill his father and claim his throne. To do this he forms ties with the Romans.
Another major difference that affects the Britons and Romans is the mythology and religious beliefs of the cultures. The Britons believe in nature and Mother Goddess. The Romans have a male dominated hierarchy of gods and goddesses. Again the male supremacy of Rome against the Mother Goddess tends to make Lucius Antonius discount the power of King Amren’s women.
The plot rapidly unfolds leading to a cliff-hanger ending. Will Catrin be able to break the curse and save her family and love Marcellus or will everything fall in ashes? I thoroughly enjoyed Apollo’s Raven and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I unreservedly rate this a 4/4.
******
Apollo's Raven
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
I loved Apollo’s Raven by Linnea Tanner! It is a wonderful mixture of romance, history, political intrigue and the clash of cultures. Linnea Tanner has well researched the time and turmoil in Southern Britannia in 24 CE.
Catrin and Marcellus are star-crossed lovers from very different cultures. She is a warrior Princess, youngest daughter of King Amren of Britannia. Catrin is learning to control her new-found powers as a raven/druidess and in addition is discovering the world of political intrigue and betrayal. Her father, King Amren, involved in negotiations between another Celtic King and the Romans, has charged Catrin to get Rome’s secrets from Marcellus, the son of Lucius Antonius, the leader of the Roman forces.
Marcellus is the son of the Lucius Antonius, thus the great-grand son of Marc Antony. It is a tremendous legacy to live up to. He is trained as a Roman warrior but has yet to go to war. He travels a journey from believing his father and all things Roman are right to seeing that there are other and sometimes better roads to follow.
Lucius Antonius has arrived in Britannia for two reasons. First, he intends to collect the tribute promised to Rome by King Amren and others, and second he is to investigate the claims of Marrock, King Amren’s banished son, as the legitimate heir. As talks break down and betrayals evolve Marcellus becomes a hostage/guest of King Amren’s family, and he also, is commanded to find out all the plans. The two young people are thrown together for the good of their families and country, but their attraction makes spying on each other more and more difficult.
Over all the political upheavals, there is a curse hanging over Amren’s family by his former Queen, Rhan. Rhan was a druidess who had great power. Her curse is that the Blood Wolf and the Raven will destroy the kingdom. As Catrin gradually discovers she is the raven spoken of in the curse and who the Blood wolf is, she realizes that it falls to her to save her family and kingdom.
Linnea Tanner has successfully created a fast paced, exciting historical novel. She has developed all the characters fully. Secondary characters are as interesting and complicated as the primary ones. The Queen Rhinnan is a strong woman, as are the daughters of the family. The women of Britannia are leaders and have almost as much say in decisions as the men do.
Lucius Antonious is a competent leader, but his ambition and arrogance undermine his intelligence. If he cares for his son, he rarely shows it and uses Marcellus as a tool in the escalating confrontation. In addition,Lucius has to deal with the demand of Marrock to be the rightful ruler of his people. He is cruel, aggressive, ruthless and arrogant in his own way. His sole mission in life is to over throw and kill his father and claim his throne. To do this he forms ties with the Romans.
Another major difference that affects the Britons and Romans is the mythology and religious beliefs of the cultures. The Britons believe in nature and Mother Goddess. The Romans have a male dominated hierarchy of gods and goddesses. Again the male supremacy of Rome against the Mother Goddess tends to make Lucius Antonius discount the power of King Amren’s women.
The plot rapidly unfolds leading to a cliff-hanger ending. Will Catrin be able to break the curse and save her family and love Marcellus or will everything fall in ashes? I thoroughly enjoyed Apollo’s Raven and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I unreservedly rate this a 4/4.
******
Apollo's Raven
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner
