Review of Apollo's Raven
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Rachel Drenckhahn
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- Latest Review: Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner
Review of Apollo's Raven
[Following is a volunteer review of "Apollo's Raven" by Linnea Tanner.]
Apollo’s Raven by Linnea Tanner is a phenomenal mixture of the historical fiction and fantasy genres. The story builds suspense from the first page and promises ample action and adventure from the beginning: Catrin, the main character and a Celtic princess, is fated to become a sorceress that can control a raven linked to the powers of the god Apollo. This fate arises from a curse that occurred before she was born: when her father executed his first wife, Rhan, she cursed him, declaring that his son would overthrow him and take over his people’s lands. Thus begins an epic fantasy plot filled with magic, gods, shapeshifting, and the glory and sorrow of the lust for power.
Despite this thrilling plot, what stands out is the book’s quality. I found zero errors in the entire book, and the writing was vivid and eloquent. If I did not know it was self-published, I would assume it was published by one of the big presses. Amidst this beautiful writing, a spellbinding story unfolds. The curse leads Catrin into the path of Marcellus, a young Roman man visiting her people with his father, an important senator. When she saves Marcellus’s life from a rowdy warrior in her kingdom, their paths are intertwined, and the two begin a burning romance that culminates in the climactic end to the novel, where Catrin’s powers come to fruition, and the two face possible betrayal and death in a final clash between their people.
With this plot, Tanner brings to life a fictionalized rendition of Ancient Rome and Britannia, highlighting the lives of the lesser-known tribes that inhabited the region. She manages this by taking historical facts and weaving her own story of warring lands, royalty, betrayal, and magic. Each character is vibrant and complex, from the druidess, Agrona, who harbors secretly evil intentions to overthrow the kingdom, to Catrin, to the visiting Romans. Tanner writes in multiple points of view, which builds suspense when it involves the antagonist’s perspective.
Essentially, this is a magnificent work of fantasy fiction, earning a rating of four out of five stars. If I had to make one suggestion for improvement, it would be to emphasize Marrock’s story, as he is the main antagonist, or at least offer more sections from his perspective. He is a complex character with a frightening lust for destruction, and it would be intriguing to see more of this, though it may come up later in the series.
It is also worth noting that I appreciated the historical context the author offers after the novel. It provided important context for the story and taught me about Roman and Celtic history. Ultimately, this book made me feel like I went on an adventure. It is a MUST-READ for all fans of the fantasy genre.
******
Apollo's Raven
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Apollo’s Raven by Linnea Tanner is a phenomenal mixture of the historical fiction and fantasy genres. The story builds suspense from the first page and promises ample action and adventure from the beginning: Catrin, the main character and a Celtic princess, is fated to become a sorceress that can control a raven linked to the powers of the god Apollo. This fate arises from a curse that occurred before she was born: when her father executed his first wife, Rhan, she cursed him, declaring that his son would overthrow him and take over his people’s lands. Thus begins an epic fantasy plot filled with magic, gods, shapeshifting, and the glory and sorrow of the lust for power.
Despite this thrilling plot, what stands out is the book’s quality. I found zero errors in the entire book, and the writing was vivid and eloquent. If I did not know it was self-published, I would assume it was published by one of the big presses. Amidst this beautiful writing, a spellbinding story unfolds. The curse leads Catrin into the path of Marcellus, a young Roman man visiting her people with his father, an important senator. When she saves Marcellus’s life from a rowdy warrior in her kingdom, their paths are intertwined, and the two begin a burning romance that culminates in the climactic end to the novel, where Catrin’s powers come to fruition, and the two face possible betrayal and death in a final clash between their people.
With this plot, Tanner brings to life a fictionalized rendition of Ancient Rome and Britannia, highlighting the lives of the lesser-known tribes that inhabited the region. She manages this by taking historical facts and weaving her own story of warring lands, royalty, betrayal, and magic. Each character is vibrant and complex, from the druidess, Agrona, who harbors secretly evil intentions to overthrow the kingdom, to Catrin, to the visiting Romans. Tanner writes in multiple points of view, which builds suspense when it involves the antagonist’s perspective.
Essentially, this is a magnificent work of fantasy fiction, earning a rating of four out of five stars. If I had to make one suggestion for improvement, it would be to emphasize Marrock’s story, as he is the main antagonist, or at least offer more sections from his perspective. He is a complex character with a frightening lust for destruction, and it would be intriguing to see more of this, though it may come up later in the series.
It is also worth noting that I appreciated the historical context the author offers after the novel. It provided important context for the story and taught me about Roman and Celtic history. Ultimately, this book made me feel like I went on an adventure. It is a MUST-READ for all fans of the fantasy genre.
******
Apollo's Raven
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner
