Ik had nog nooit iets gelezen van haar, maar dit boek smaakt naar meer. Het is een verhaal over een priesteres, die haar land wil beschermen tegen de romeinen en dat gaat natuurlijk niet helemaal zoals zij het graag zou zien. Dit is een boek met veel meer inhoud dan ik van tevoren dacht. Het is ook de eerste van een serie. Ik ga dan ook absoluut de vervolgen halen.
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Strong writing in this historical novel set in Roman Britain, around AD 79 at a time when the governor of Roman Britain decides to try to conquer the last remaining territory, Alba or Scotland. Rhiann is a Scottish priestess who is forced to marry an exiled Irish prince, Eremon. He finds himself drawn into the coming war to save Rhiann's people and try to regain his throne. Life in Celtic Britain comes alive with this novel, the first in a trilogy. While the relationship between the two protagonists is predictable, it is certainly good enough that I will read the sequel, The Dawn Stag. ( )

Can't help it. Celtic+mythology+fantasy+historical fiction(1st century)+northern climate +a bit of romance = Fun reading for me :-) If you like these elements, I recommend. ( )

If you like historical fiction set in early Scotland...then you will love this book. If you like books like [b:The Mists of Avalon|402045|The Mists of Avalon (The Mists of Avalon, #1)|Marion Zimmer Bradley|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347354878s/402045.jpg|806813] then you will like this book.

I could say this book did leave me with little frustrations...the relationship between the two main characters is aggravating. It just seemed like they would not talk to each other and find out what the heck was wrong with one another. There are too many secrets and too many lies. They eventually grow to love one another, even though I think there will be many more trails and tribulations for them along the way.

There was questions I had about the invading Romans, some of which I think I may have to research on my own. The author adds some well research notes at the end of the book.

Overall I liked this book, I would probably recommend to others to read. ( )

Immersive, Evocative and Gripping.

This was a book that made me homesick, not for a place, but for a state of being, and my faith. Though fictional, Watson's attention to detail in re-imagining ancient Celtic traditions and culture, the yearly rituals and passage of time create an excellent emotional pull to something deep and primal within the reader that really gets you attached to the characters and events in the story.

On the other side of that coin, it is very easy to become frustrated with Rhiann, who seems headstrong, spoiled and inflexible, and perhaps yes, she has a reason to hate men, but of all the characters in this well told, gripping tale, she was the one I most wanted to slap. Since she is one of the main protagonists, it seems to me to be a testament to the quality of the writing that I kept reading, because I became invested in finding out what will happen to the people of the north, and as such, I will probably come back to read the rest of the books in the series.

The descriptions are well rounded and engage all the senses, and move the reader through the plot effortlessly and without pretension, immersing the reader in the events as they unfold for a truly enjoyable read. ( )