Review by alyssajanel13 -- Dagger's Destiny
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Review by alyssajanel13 -- Dagger's Destiny
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dagger's Destiny" by Linnea Tanner.]
One of the most satisfying and relieving joys of setting into the second book of a great series like The Curse of Clansmen and Kings, is learning that your favorite character has survived the first gauntlet. Dagger’s Destiny by Linnea Turner, the second book in her series, gave me just that gift. I was thrilled to see Princess Catrin fighting her way through Britannia. Only now, she is now more Druidess than royalty.
Dagger’s Destiny begins with the star-crossed lovers, the Princess Catrin of Britannia and Marcellus, the son of the regency of Rome, torn from each other. Not only that. but they have each been given over to the enemy, by order of their kingly fathers. Held at ransom, the young couple is made to pay for their affection for each other. Catrin is training as a warrior, while the heart in her thickening, strengthening chest, beats for Marcellus. For his part, the banished Marcellus is trying to travel back to find his love.
Fantasy elements are fruitful and ripe in the second book. Catrin’s ability to enter the eyes of the raven grow and bloom. And she’s not the only one of her kin with animal powers. Dagger’s Destiny is not shy with the lycanthropy and the miserable step-brother Marrok shows his true gruesome nature as he prowls and hunts as a werewolf. And that’s not the only mystical adventure. Catrin’s father, King Amren shudders in fear that a curse etched by his first wife, Marrok’s mother, on a dagger as she was killed, will come to fruition. If so, it says the Catrin will be the bringer of this doom.
Turner is a skilled literary craftswoman and provides an excellent service to her readers by providing an ample recap at the start of the book without pandering. This is surely a book you can jump into directly, without knowing the predecessor. Her worlds remain thick and dense and vivid. Every otherworldly creature is brought deftly to life. What I loved about this book most was the fantastic binding together of the historical and the fiction elements. Celtic and Roman myths are woven into the spirit of the book masterfully. A werewolf, Mark Antony and Cleopatra? It sounds outlandish, but it works beautifully. Also, thank you to the author for including a list of characters. It may be cheating, but I appreciate it immensely.
This second book does not seem to churn and spin as quickly with action moments and plot progress as the first book did. Much more of a slow burn, so readers needing constant change and movement might get lost in the big and expansive worlds. And this is not a casual read. With the sheer volume of character and plot, the reader had best be able and willing to give this book their full attention.
Turner has created a wonderful book, and a very impressible sequel. The series continues to improve with each volume. For me, this was another 4 out of 4 star read. Fans of historical fiction will flock to this book. But also, there is so much for romance fans and fantasy readers be thrilled with this world and its inhabitants. I am definitely eagerly waiting to devour this author’s next offering.
******
Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
One of the most satisfying and relieving joys of setting into the second book of a great series like The Curse of Clansmen and Kings, is learning that your favorite character has survived the first gauntlet. Dagger’s Destiny by Linnea Turner, the second book in her series, gave me just that gift. I was thrilled to see Princess Catrin fighting her way through Britannia. Only now, she is now more Druidess than royalty.
Dagger’s Destiny begins with the star-crossed lovers, the Princess Catrin of Britannia and Marcellus, the son of the regency of Rome, torn from each other. Not only that. but they have each been given over to the enemy, by order of their kingly fathers. Held at ransom, the young couple is made to pay for their affection for each other. Catrin is training as a warrior, while the heart in her thickening, strengthening chest, beats for Marcellus. For his part, the banished Marcellus is trying to travel back to find his love.
Fantasy elements are fruitful and ripe in the second book. Catrin’s ability to enter the eyes of the raven grow and bloom. And she’s not the only one of her kin with animal powers. Dagger’s Destiny is not shy with the lycanthropy and the miserable step-brother Marrok shows his true gruesome nature as he prowls and hunts as a werewolf. And that’s not the only mystical adventure. Catrin’s father, King Amren shudders in fear that a curse etched by his first wife, Marrok’s mother, on a dagger as she was killed, will come to fruition. If so, it says the Catrin will be the bringer of this doom.
Turner is a skilled literary craftswoman and provides an excellent service to her readers by providing an ample recap at the start of the book without pandering. This is surely a book you can jump into directly, without knowing the predecessor. Her worlds remain thick and dense and vivid. Every otherworldly creature is brought deftly to life. What I loved about this book most was the fantastic binding together of the historical and the fiction elements. Celtic and Roman myths are woven into the spirit of the book masterfully. A werewolf, Mark Antony and Cleopatra? It sounds outlandish, but it works beautifully. Also, thank you to the author for including a list of characters. It may be cheating, but I appreciate it immensely.
This second book does not seem to churn and spin as quickly with action moments and plot progress as the first book did. Much more of a slow burn, so readers needing constant change and movement might get lost in the big and expansive worlds. And this is not a casual read. With the sheer volume of character and plot, the reader had best be able and willing to give this book their full attention.
Turner has created a wonderful book, and a very impressible sequel. The series continues to improve with each volume. For me, this was another 4 out of 4 star read. Fans of historical fiction will flock to this book. But also, there is so much for romance fans and fantasy readers be thrilled with this world and its inhabitants. I am definitely eagerly waiting to devour this author’s next offering.
******
Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
