Review by Esmitty4293 -- Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner

[Esmitty4293]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Apollo's Raven" by Linnea Tanner.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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This novel is simultaneously an adventure and a romance. It follows the story of a fiercely independent princess, named Catrin, as she discovers what she is capable of. Of course, who we are doesn't always fit in well with who we are expected to be.

Most of us hold both our family and love in high regard. It seems obvious that we should defend our family against outsiders. Just as it seems obvious that we shouldn't allow people come between ourself and the one we love. These facts seem even more obvious when the kingdom relies on your royal family, and when your love has done no wrong to you.

For Catrin, what should be black and white slowly becomes a smudged grey as secrets are uncovered and betrayal abounds. She has to try to reconcile who is on her side. Are lies between family members unforgivable? How much of yourself would you be willing to sacrifice for your family and kingdom? Catrin may be the youngest member of the royal family, but they seem to have no trouble placing the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders.

Speaking of shoulders, Catrin almost always has a raven on one of her's. Overtime she has realized that this bird is more than just a companion. She slowly finds that she is able to use the raven to access another world. However, she feels guilty about doing so because of the curse her fathers former wife placed on their family. She has to figure out how to use thesw powers without being manipulated by those who have gone before her.

Overall, the history and mythology in this book make it incredibly detailed. I was hesitant to read a book in the romance genre, but the female lead didn't fall entirely into the stereotype of a girl who was only independent until a man broke down her walls. I did feel as though the dialogue of her lover was overly simplified and cliched at times though. Still, I think that lovers of historical fiction and romance can appreciate this story. I rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars because it was well written with some originality, but I don't know if I will be reading it again.

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Apollo's Raven
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