Review of Dagger's Destiny
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Jen Cowhig
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Review of Dagger's Destiny
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dagger's Destiny" by Linnea Tanner.]
Dagger’s Destiny is the second book in Linnea Tanner’s Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. This series is a historical fantasy taking place in 24 AD that mixes Celtic history with the region's mythology. It tells an epic tale of adventure, betrayal, forbidden romance, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. It's important to read this series in order because the second book picks up where the first book, Apollo’s Raven left off. If you haven't read the first book, it may be confusing as the same characters and storyline are continued.
In the last book, we end with King Armen injured and on the brink of death. However, the Cantiaci King isn't concerned about his wounds but about what these turn of events mean for the curse his first wife, a wicked woman called Rhan, left on him. He has to try to rally the warrior kingdom as well as punish his beloved daughter for her role in saving an enemy's life which led to his injury and once again changed the curse. If the curse is fulfilled, her father faces a most horrific death and she will be at the mercy of her cruel half-brother Marrock. In a society where treason equals death, Catrin is given one last chance to prove herself and earn back her father's trust, but at what cost? She must make an impossible choice between her heart and her responsibility to her people. She must become a warrior and forget about her lover or face the consequences.
This book is a lot more violent than the last one as Marrock manipulates players behind the scenes and forces King Amren to act. When the war breaks out, who among them would survive to share their story? There is some sexual content and strong language which makes the book appropriate for a more mature audience, but I think this was done tastefully.
This book was extremely well-edited and deserves a full five out of five stars! There honestly isn’t anything I dislike about this book. I find the characters interesting and well-developed. They all have distinctive voices and over the series, readers grow to care about the characters. I don’t typically love romance or read this genre, but I’m invested in Catrin and Marcellus’ story. You also have to remember that this book is much more than a love story, it’s a journey of self-discovery as Catrin learns more about her powers and the history of her people.
My favorite thing about this series is the way Tanner mixes history and fantasy. While the story itself is entertaining, I love that she takes the time in the author's note at the end to explain some of the true history and culture that she is basing this fantasy on. While the note is similar to the one in the first book, we get even more details about things like marriage culture. We even get a bit more Celtic language as Marrock uses the word Cathos, an ancient Celtic word meaning hatred or destruction. While the book is meant to be entertaining rather than educational, I love it when authors throw in some elements of reality into their world-building.
I recommend this book to mature fans of historical fantasy and those who are interested in this period. I also recommend this book to any adults interested in mythology as “the fantastical elements in this novel are based on mystical powers of heroes and heroines from the Celtic legends of Ireland and Wales.” (Tanner 314).
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Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Dagger’s Destiny is the second book in Linnea Tanner’s Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. This series is a historical fantasy taking place in 24 AD that mixes Celtic history with the region's mythology. It tells an epic tale of adventure, betrayal, forbidden romance, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. It's important to read this series in order because the second book picks up where the first book, Apollo’s Raven left off. If you haven't read the first book, it may be confusing as the same characters and storyline are continued.
In the last book, we end with King Armen injured and on the brink of death. However, the Cantiaci King isn't concerned about his wounds but about what these turn of events mean for the curse his first wife, a wicked woman called Rhan, left on him. He has to try to rally the warrior kingdom as well as punish his beloved daughter for her role in saving an enemy's life which led to his injury and once again changed the curse. If the curse is fulfilled, her father faces a most horrific death and she will be at the mercy of her cruel half-brother Marrock. In a society where treason equals death, Catrin is given one last chance to prove herself and earn back her father's trust, but at what cost? She must make an impossible choice between her heart and her responsibility to her people. She must become a warrior and forget about her lover or face the consequences.
This book is a lot more violent than the last one as Marrock manipulates players behind the scenes and forces King Amren to act. When the war breaks out, who among them would survive to share their story? There is some sexual content and strong language which makes the book appropriate for a more mature audience, but I think this was done tastefully.
This book was extremely well-edited and deserves a full five out of five stars! There honestly isn’t anything I dislike about this book. I find the characters interesting and well-developed. They all have distinctive voices and over the series, readers grow to care about the characters. I don’t typically love romance or read this genre, but I’m invested in Catrin and Marcellus’ story. You also have to remember that this book is much more than a love story, it’s a journey of self-discovery as Catrin learns more about her powers and the history of her people.
My favorite thing about this series is the way Tanner mixes history and fantasy. While the story itself is entertaining, I love that she takes the time in the author's note at the end to explain some of the true history and culture that she is basing this fantasy on. While the note is similar to the one in the first book, we get even more details about things like marriage culture. We even get a bit more Celtic language as Marrock uses the word Cathos, an ancient Celtic word meaning hatred or destruction. While the book is meant to be entertaining rather than educational, I love it when authors throw in some elements of reality into their world-building.
I recommend this book to mature fans of historical fantasy and those who are interested in this period. I also recommend this book to any adults interested in mythology as “the fantastical elements in this novel are based on mystical powers of heroes and heroines from the Celtic legends of Ireland and Wales.” (Tanner 314).
******
Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Amber’s Way by Gloria Galloway
