Review by Stacsads -- Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner
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Review by Stacsads -- Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner
[Following is a volunteer review of "Apollo's Raven" by Linnea Tanner.]
Standing atop the cliffs near her kingdom, Celtic warrior princess Catrin, the youngest of King Amren’s three daughters, sees foreign warships landing below. Worse yet, they appear to be led by Marrock, her half-brother who was banished from the kingdom years ago.
Thus begins Apollo’s Raven, the first volume in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series by Linnea Tanner. This historical fantasy novel blends magic, romance, deception and family loyalty.
The story is set in 24 AD Britannia. The foreign ships brought Senator Lucius Antonius from Rome to collect more tribute, or tariff, from King Amren. Senator Antonius also tells the king he is there to investigate Marrock’s claim as rightful heir to the throne. King Amren learns that Marrock has the backing of King Cunobelin, a neighboring ruler. Feeling betrayed, King Amren asks Lucius to set up a secret council with Cunobelin. Lucius’s son is to stay behind as collateral. Catrin is charged with watching Marcellius. Both fathers tell their perspective offspring to do whatever it takes to gain useful information.
It doesn’t take long for the two young people to fall in love. And both have to decide where their loyalties lie. As the king’s daughter, is Catrin duty bound to the throne? As a woman, is she duty bound to her heart? And as her magical powers develop, can she use them to shift the curse put on her father before his whole kingdom is destroyed?
I rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars. If I could give this novel a 2.5 rating, I would. I enjoyed the mystical and magical element of the novel and the historical information regarding Rome and the client kings. And I did really enjoy the story as a whole, but I was dissatisfied in a few areas. While the novel was well edited for spelling and punctuation, I thought the novel could have been better edited for content. There were times when the word choice didn’t match the character’s essence. Suggesting that Marcellus “snuggled” under a pelt did not bring to mind a strong warrior. Neither did “‘…I’m bleeding,’ Marcus blubbered.”
The author’s attempt to make the dialogue era authentic caused some of the communication to feel a bit stilted. Other times the dialogue was too modern. For example, when Marcellus says, “To be frank …” or when Rhiannon says, “Are you really that stupid?”
The king calls her the “bravest of his daughters,” yet the author has Catrin “smiling shyly” and “smiling demurely” at Marcellus moments after meeting. Can our main female character not have fawn eyes the minute a handsome man comes along? Throughout the book, both Queen Rhiannon and Catrin are described at strong women. However, when stress is introduced, both women are shown as weepy damsels in distress. The men have to console them, wipe their tears or carry them out of harm’s way. I would have liked to see consistent mettle in these women.
******
Apollo's Raven
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Standing atop the cliffs near her kingdom, Celtic warrior princess Catrin, the youngest of King Amren’s three daughters, sees foreign warships landing below. Worse yet, they appear to be led by Marrock, her half-brother who was banished from the kingdom years ago.
Thus begins Apollo’s Raven, the first volume in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series by Linnea Tanner. This historical fantasy novel blends magic, romance, deception and family loyalty.
The story is set in 24 AD Britannia. The foreign ships brought Senator Lucius Antonius from Rome to collect more tribute, or tariff, from King Amren. Senator Antonius also tells the king he is there to investigate Marrock’s claim as rightful heir to the throne. King Amren learns that Marrock has the backing of King Cunobelin, a neighboring ruler. Feeling betrayed, King Amren asks Lucius to set up a secret council with Cunobelin. Lucius’s son is to stay behind as collateral. Catrin is charged with watching Marcellius. Both fathers tell their perspective offspring to do whatever it takes to gain useful information.
It doesn’t take long for the two young people to fall in love. And both have to decide where their loyalties lie. As the king’s daughter, is Catrin duty bound to the throne? As a woman, is she duty bound to her heart? And as her magical powers develop, can she use them to shift the curse put on her father before his whole kingdom is destroyed?
I rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars. If I could give this novel a 2.5 rating, I would. I enjoyed the mystical and magical element of the novel and the historical information regarding Rome and the client kings. And I did really enjoy the story as a whole, but I was dissatisfied in a few areas. While the novel was well edited for spelling and punctuation, I thought the novel could have been better edited for content. There were times when the word choice didn’t match the character’s essence. Suggesting that Marcellus “snuggled” under a pelt did not bring to mind a strong warrior. Neither did “‘…I’m bleeding,’ Marcus blubbered.”
The author’s attempt to make the dialogue era authentic caused some of the communication to feel a bit stilted. Other times the dialogue was too modern. For example, when Marcellus says, “To be frank …” or when Rhiannon says, “Are you really that stupid?”
The king calls her the “bravest of his daughters,” yet the author has Catrin “smiling shyly” and “smiling demurely” at Marcellus moments after meeting. Can our main female character not have fawn eyes the minute a handsome man comes along? Throughout the book, both Queen Rhiannon and Catrin are described at strong women. However, when stress is introduced, both women are shown as weepy damsels in distress. The men have to console them, wipe their tears or carry them out of harm’s way. I would have liked to see consistent mettle in these women.
******
Apollo's Raven
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
