Review by Silvia Yusufu -- Dagger's Destiny
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Silvia Yusufu
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Review by Silvia Yusufu -- Dagger's Destiny
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dagger's Destiny" by Linnea Tanner.]
Dagger’s Destiny is a historical fiction book that sets its plot in the first century AD. The author creates fiction out of true events that happened during that era. The story focuses on the conflict between Rome and Britannia.
Being the sequel to Apollo’s Raven, it continues right off where that book ended. It opens up to a scene of King Amren of Cantiacci fighting for his life after being injured by Marcellus, his daughter’s Roman lover. Catrin, his daughter, is forced to tell him the truth about the nature of her relationship with the Roman. Hearing his daughter confess that an affair has been going on between her and the Roman, whom he considers his enemy, he is heartbroken and declares her a traitor to her people. The punishment for treason is death. He is determined to not spare his flesh and blood from that fate. Well, except Catrin can give him a reason to spare her life. While he is battling with the pain of potentially losing his daughter to death by his hands, he is also bothered by the curse that says that he would be beheaded by his only son. This seems to be too much burden for one man to carry, but he hopes to have things figured out in this story.
The thing that got me excited above all the features in the book is how accurate some parts of the story told are with books and findings of the first century. The author, Linnea Tanner, did a great job of researching the era about which she wrote in this story. For example, she accurately portrayed the Kings of Britannia's practice of sending their sons and future heirs to Rome to learn about politics and the Roman people’s way of life. It is also not false that some kingdom in Britannia at that time paid taxes to Rome and by so doing, could call upon Rome’s help when they needed it. She also put a healthy dose of Celtic Mythology as legends have it in the book. She did her research well and this shows in the story. I love it when historical fiction authors devote time and energy to research what they are writing about. Because I cannot fault the information contained in the book, I should say that this is the positive feature that I like best in the book.
Another thing that warmed my heart is the romance between Marcellus and Catrin. Although their love is forbidden, it was great to see them try their best to keep it. As a big romantic, this made me smile so big.
I liked everything single feature in the novel. It was not only an interesting read for me, but also taught me a great deal about Celtic mythology. I learned about the rituals and other activities that stories said were performed by the Celtic people in Britannia many centuries ago. I also liked the exceptional editing. I cannot point to a single grammatical mistake made in the book. There is also no missing punctuation or misplacement of the same. This is impressive and I am glad that this is so.
As said earlier, I do not hate anything in Dagger’s Destiny, which happens to be the second book in the Curse of Clansmen and King. Because of this, I will like to award it 4 out of 4 stars. Historical fantasy and Celtic mythology lovers will find this book appealing. Readers who also love books on forbidden and impossible love will also find the relationship between Princess Catrin and Marcellus to be endearing. However, I only recommend this novel to a mature audience because of the sexual rituals, the graphic details of death, and even a rape scene in the novel.
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Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Dagger’s Destiny is a historical fiction book that sets its plot in the first century AD. The author creates fiction out of true events that happened during that era. The story focuses on the conflict between Rome and Britannia.
Being the sequel to Apollo’s Raven, it continues right off where that book ended. It opens up to a scene of King Amren of Cantiacci fighting for his life after being injured by Marcellus, his daughter’s Roman lover. Catrin, his daughter, is forced to tell him the truth about the nature of her relationship with the Roman. Hearing his daughter confess that an affair has been going on between her and the Roman, whom he considers his enemy, he is heartbroken and declares her a traitor to her people. The punishment for treason is death. He is determined to not spare his flesh and blood from that fate. Well, except Catrin can give him a reason to spare her life. While he is battling with the pain of potentially losing his daughter to death by his hands, he is also bothered by the curse that says that he would be beheaded by his only son. This seems to be too much burden for one man to carry, but he hopes to have things figured out in this story.
The thing that got me excited above all the features in the book is how accurate some parts of the story told are with books and findings of the first century. The author, Linnea Tanner, did a great job of researching the era about which she wrote in this story. For example, she accurately portrayed the Kings of Britannia's practice of sending their sons and future heirs to Rome to learn about politics and the Roman people’s way of life. It is also not false that some kingdom in Britannia at that time paid taxes to Rome and by so doing, could call upon Rome’s help when they needed it. She also put a healthy dose of Celtic Mythology as legends have it in the book. She did her research well and this shows in the story. I love it when historical fiction authors devote time and energy to research what they are writing about. Because I cannot fault the information contained in the book, I should say that this is the positive feature that I like best in the book.
Another thing that warmed my heart is the romance between Marcellus and Catrin. Although their love is forbidden, it was great to see them try their best to keep it. As a big romantic, this made me smile so big.
I liked everything single feature in the novel. It was not only an interesting read for me, but also taught me a great deal about Celtic mythology. I learned about the rituals and other activities that stories said were performed by the Celtic people in Britannia many centuries ago. I also liked the exceptional editing. I cannot point to a single grammatical mistake made in the book. There is also no missing punctuation or misplacement of the same. This is impressive and I am glad that this is so.
As said earlier, I do not hate anything in Dagger’s Destiny, which happens to be the second book in the Curse of Clansmen and King. Because of this, I will like to award it 4 out of 4 stars. Historical fantasy and Celtic mythology lovers will find this book appealing. Readers who also love books on forbidden and impossible love will also find the relationship between Princess Catrin and Marcellus to be endearing. However, I only recommend this novel to a mature audience because of the sexual rituals, the graphic details of death, and even a rape scene in the novel.
******
Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
