I'd already read the first two books in the trilogy, The White Mare and The Dawn Stag, so I was already familiar with Jules Watson's style, of bringing spirituality - in the form of alternative healing, visions and the like - into what were sweeping historical dramas. The characters were interesting (once Rhiann had stopped wailing about how unworthy she was); and the descriptions of place and events well drawn.
But this book, the third and final in the trilogy, took a different and unexpected turn.
I expected it to carry on where the second left off, with the characters who survived the first two books and/or their descendants. The third however has moved on 300 years to Roman Britain in 366AD. Minna, a young Roman serving girl, has lost her home and her family and has to fend for herself in a world that until now she had been protected from. She is desperate to reach her brother, a soldier at the northern frontier. While there are repeated references to Rhiann and Eremon, the main characters from the first books, there is a bit too much "priestessing" for me in this one - and unfortunately the mystery and magic of the earlier stories were replaced by a what for me was a far less credible environment. ( )

The whole historical fantasy spans three centuries and covers settling of West Scotland, known as Dalriada, the Alban resistance to Agricola's invasion with the warlord Eremon, and Pictish king, Calgacus, uniting tribes to resist the Romans. The 3rd volume takes place right before the Roman final abandonment of the island and we follow descendants of Eremon and his wife Rhiann, a seer and prophetess. Fascinating to follow this story. Strong characters and very good battle scenes, but so much portrayal of graphic sex in the first two volumes spoiled my complete enjoyment.

This novel can be read as a standalone. Highly recommended. ( )

I was worried at first that the disconnect of hundreds of years would make this last in the trilogy more difficult to love. But as soon as the plot tied the story to that of Rhiann/Eremon, I loved it every bit as much. While the characters were not as detailed, and therefor harder to become as attached to, the end of a tale that began centuries before made up for it.

( )