eating_or_reading's review
3.0
I love historical fiction and usually I at least have an idea of the background which can work to the good (I know some of the surrounding details) or to the bad (when said details are deviated from). Roman Britain and Celtic traditions, however, were new to me so that was an ace right from the start!
The best thing about this book for me were the characters, both past and present. Cartimandua is an amazing woman and if half of what was in the book is actual history, I'd love to know more about her. She is commanding and strong but with a tragically soft side. I found the idea that before the Roman's invaded England women were leaders and as strong, if not stronger, than their male counterparts really interesting. The Roman characters later on in the novel are surprised that the "barbarians" allow themselves to be ruled by a Queen and hints at the patriarchal society that was to come. The other "past" characters are as richly exotic: Venutios is a chauvanist and devilishly primitive and Medb (apparently pronounced as 'Maeve') dabbles in the black arts and is a constant source of power and evil.
This trio are the source of much concern for our modern day characters, which is where the novel touches on fantasy - possession amongst other things. Although some of the ideas about the nature of the soul hint that actually it's more touching on spirituality but that could lead to an essay so enough said there! Viv starts 'hearing' Cartimanda and is haunted by her 'memory', who wants nothing more than for her story to be told. The tension that builds between the Viv, Hugh and Pat compliments the Celtic story perfectly and I was hooked!
If I had one criticism, it would be that I would have preferred more consistent tellings of the 'past' storyline - the present day characters were brilliant but a little one-dimensional when compared with the Brigantians. Sometimes the momentum was lost a little bit and I was wrenched away from a heart-breaking moment at just the wrong time - but I suppose the fact that I cared so shows how great those moments were...
Overall: This book is tragic, atmospheric, chilling, exciting and romantic and I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction looking for something a little left of the field or a complete change of time period - it's haunting and exotic and stunning for it!
The best thing about this book for me were the characters, both past and present. Cartimandua is an amazing woman and if half of what was in the book is actual history, I'd love to know more about her. She is commanding and strong but with a tragically soft side. I found the idea that before the Roman's invaded England women were leaders and as strong, if not stronger, than their male counterparts really interesting. The Roman characters later on in the novel are surprised that the "barbarians" allow themselves to be ruled by a Queen and hints at the patriarchal society that was to come. The other "past" characters are as richly exotic: Venutios is a chauvanist and devilishly primitive and Medb (apparently pronounced as 'Maeve') dabbles in the black arts and is a constant source of power and evil.
This trio are the source of much concern for our modern day characters, which is where the novel touches on fantasy - possession amongst other things. Although some of the ideas about the nature of the soul hint that actually it's more touching on spirituality but that could lead to an essay so enough said there! Viv starts 'hearing' Cartimanda and is haunted by her 'memory', who wants nothing more than for her story to be told. The tension that builds between the Viv, Hugh and Pat compliments the Celtic story perfectly and I was hooked!
If I had one criticism, it would be that I would have preferred more consistent tellings of the 'past' storyline - the present day characters were brilliant but a little one-dimensional when compared with the Brigantians. Sometimes the momentum was lost a little bit and I was wrenched away from a heart-breaking moment at just the wrong time - but I suppose the fact that I cared so shows how great those moments were...
Overall: This book is tragic, atmospheric, chilling, exciting and romantic and I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction looking for something a little left of the field or a complete change of time period - it's haunting and exotic and stunning for it!
nolarose's review
3.0
DNF. This is just too slow for me and I have no interest in the main character. I can't connect with her and feel like she isn't a very well drawn character.
I hope to return to this as I am really interested in Cartimandua story.
I hope to return to this as I am really interested in Cartimandua story.
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