Review of Dagger's Destiny
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Yoli García
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- Latest Review: Dagger's Destiny by Linnea Tanner
Review of Dagger's Destiny
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dagger's Destiny" by Linnea Tanner.]
Linnea Tanner's Dagger's Destiny is the second book in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. It picks up the story in 24 AD, Southeast Britannia, with Catrin being accused of treason by her father, King Amren of the Cantiaci, for her relationship with Marcellus, a foreigner and a Roman enemy. King Amren determines that Catrin can redeem herself if she proves herself by becoming a warrior and swearing her loyalty to him over Marcellus. Meanwhile, Marrock, son of King Amren and Rhan and Catrin's terrible half-brother, is still scheming with Agrona, who has Rhan's soul inside, to take over the Cantiaci kingdom. So, Catrin must do everything to redeem herself before her father and her people and try to break Rhan's curse, which prophesizes Marrock as the new ruler of the Cantiaci. However, betrayal, treachery, revenge, enemy forces, and dark powers amid forbidden love might be too much for even a mighty warrior.
I had read the first book in the series, Apollo's Raven, so I was excited to read Dagger's Destiny, especially to discover the outcomes of Catrin's relationship with Marcellus and Rhan's curse. Even though I expected more romance, the story's arc didn't disappoint me. In this installment, the reader learns more about Catrin's inner turmoil between her loyalty to her father and duty to her people and her love for Marcellus. The story also focuses on developing her powers and what she is supposed to do with them.
Tanner excels at portraying historical fiction based on Celtic clans and Romans set in Southeast Britannia in 24 AD. One of the most memorable scenes showcasing Celtic beliefs is the wedding between Mor and Belinus, where they dance around a fire pit to the rhythm of drumbeats. Mor pretends to be a doe, while Belinus imitates a stag because it's a ceremonial fertility dance. Another example is the Roman soldiers' superstition. When they see ravens, they think it's a bad omen.
I rate Dagger's Destiny 5 out of 5 stars because Tanner's historical fiction writing is exceptional, and she successfully weaves together themes of forbidden love, duty, loyalty, revenge, betrayal, dark powers, magic, and conflict. Note, though, that the story includes gruesome scenes that might be triggering for some readers, particularly those in which Marrock appears. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction set in ancient times and forbidden romance.
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Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Linnea Tanner's Dagger's Destiny is the second book in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. It picks up the story in 24 AD, Southeast Britannia, with Catrin being accused of treason by her father, King Amren of the Cantiaci, for her relationship with Marcellus, a foreigner and a Roman enemy. King Amren determines that Catrin can redeem herself if she proves herself by becoming a warrior and swearing her loyalty to him over Marcellus. Meanwhile, Marrock, son of King Amren and Rhan and Catrin's terrible half-brother, is still scheming with Agrona, who has Rhan's soul inside, to take over the Cantiaci kingdom. So, Catrin must do everything to redeem herself before her father and her people and try to break Rhan's curse, which prophesizes Marrock as the new ruler of the Cantiaci. However, betrayal, treachery, revenge, enemy forces, and dark powers amid forbidden love might be too much for even a mighty warrior.
I had read the first book in the series, Apollo's Raven, so I was excited to read Dagger's Destiny, especially to discover the outcomes of Catrin's relationship with Marcellus and Rhan's curse. Even though I expected more romance, the story's arc didn't disappoint me. In this installment, the reader learns more about Catrin's inner turmoil between her loyalty to her father and duty to her people and her love for Marcellus. The story also focuses on developing her powers and what she is supposed to do with them.
Tanner excels at portraying historical fiction based on Celtic clans and Romans set in Southeast Britannia in 24 AD. One of the most memorable scenes showcasing Celtic beliefs is the wedding between Mor and Belinus, where they dance around a fire pit to the rhythm of drumbeats. Mor pretends to be a doe, while Belinus imitates a stag because it's a ceremonial fertility dance. Another example is the Roman soldiers' superstition. When they see ravens, they think it's a bad omen.
I rate Dagger's Destiny 5 out of 5 stars because Tanner's historical fiction writing is exceptional, and she successfully weaves together themes of forbidden love, duty, loyalty, revenge, betrayal, dark powers, magic, and conflict. Note, though, that the story includes gruesome scenes that might be triggering for some readers, particularly those in which Marrock appears. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction set in ancient times and forbidden romance.
******
Dagger's Destiny
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
"What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it."
-Gabriel García Márquez
-Gabriel García Márquez
Latest Review: Dagger's Destiny by Linnea Tanner
