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A review by jduff86
Daughter of Black Lake by Cathy Marie Buchanan
3.0
3.5 stars—Bog dwellers, seers, and wily druids, oh my! Against the backdrop of first-century Britain, Buchanan weaves an enchanting tapestry of pagan traditions, dark magic, social politics, and community.
The history is well-researched and I appreciated learning so much about a period I haven't explored in much depth. This is an atmospheric read with fully fleshed out characters who transport you to a different time and place. The mother-daughter relationship between Devout and Hobble was heartfelt and compelling. And the portrayal of two equal but divergent types of love—one passionate and yearning, one steadfast and comforting—was beautiful and nuanced.
Were it not for all the sacrificing of animals (cw: a puppy is slain), the constant time period jumping which felt jarring and confusing, and what for me was a slightly monotonous writing style, this would have been a higher rating for me.
The history is well-researched and I appreciated learning so much about a period I haven't explored in much depth. This is an atmospheric read with fully fleshed out characters who transport you to a different time and place. The mother-daughter relationship between Devout and Hobble was heartfelt and compelling. And the portrayal of two equal but divergent types of love—one passionate and yearning, one steadfast and comforting—was beautiful and nuanced.
Were it not for all the sacrificing of animals (cw: a puppy is slain), the constant time period jumping which felt jarring and confusing, and what for me was a slightly monotonous writing style, this would have been a higher rating for me.