What Amazon says
![Apollo's Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings Book 1) by [Linnea Tanner]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510l3fvsdKL.jpg)
PenCraft 2019 Best Book of the Year Award
A Celtic warrior princess is torn between her forbidden love for the enemy and duty to her people.
AWARD-WINNING APOLLO’S RAVEN sweeps you into an epic Celtic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. In 24 AD British kings hand-picked by Rome to rule are fighting each other for power. King Amren’s former queen, a powerful Druid, has cast a curse that Blood Wolf and the Raven will rise and destroy him. The king’s daughter, Catrin, learns to her dismay that she is the Raven and her banished half-brother is Blood Wolf. Trained as a warrior, Catrin must find a way to break the curse, but she is torn between her forbidden love for her father’s enemy, Marcellus, and loyalty to her people. She must summon the magic of the Ancient Druids to alter the dark prophecy that threatens the fates of everyone in her kingdom.
Will Catrin overcome and eradicate the ancient curse. Will she be able to embrace her forbidden love for Marcellus? Will she cease the war between Blood Wolf and King Amren and save her kingdom?
My review
Apollo’s Raven is a beautifully written book about life in the time of the Celtic kings and the Roman conquerors. I am a huge fan of historical books and this is not a time period I know a lot about. Ms Tanner’s research was excellent and I appreciated her attention to detail with regards the everyday lives of her characters.
The history is interwoven with a mystical element that suits the storyline and the time period as it includes druid magic, shape shifting, visions and curses, as well as the ability to change the future.
The story opens with Catrin, the youngest daughter of King Amren, melding with the spirit of her pet raven and watching the arrival of a party of Romans through its eyes. Princess Catrin intuitively knows that the arrival of these Romans means trouble for her father and her people especially since her brother, Marrock, is with them. Marrock was cast out by her father years before after his mother, the Queen, was beheaded by King Amren for plotting against him.
When Catrin arrives back at her village the Romans are already there. They have come to investigate claims by Marrock that he is the rightful heir to King Amren’s thrown. It’s quickly revealed that a neighbouring rival king is backing Marrocks claim in order to diminish King Amren’s power and authority in the region. The leader of the Roman’s has brought his young son, Marcellus with him, and when negotiations between King Ameron and the Roman leader turn sour, it is agreed that hostages will be traded until an agreement between King Ameron and his Celtic rival is reached. Catrin’s sister goes with the Roman’s and Marcellus is left with the Celts.
There is a strong attraction between Catrin and Marcellus and romance soon starts to blossom.
Catrin was a wonderful and strong female character who could not be intimidated or broken, but who knew her duty and where her loyalties had to lie for the good of her family and people. She is an interesting mixture of soft and strong, reflective and determined, and is loyal and trustworthy. It was an eye opener to learn the different attitudes towards women demonstrated by the Romans and the Celts. King Ameron treats his wife as his equal which shocks and dismays the Roman leader.
This book will appeal to lovers of historical romance who appreciate reliable and solid research and good writing.
roberta-writes.com 
I like the sound of this one, Robbie. I used to read a fair amount in the time period in which it’s set but haven’t lately. Excellent review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae. I have never read much in this time period, it is so far back and I’ve always preferred more recent history. This was a fascinating read for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one sounds good, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Jacqui, I am not one for romance but the history in this book was riveting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said. Those were tough times. It is interesting reading how people survived.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review! Thanks, Robbie… On my kindle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Bette, I’m glad you liked this review. It’s a very interesting book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good review, Robbie. It sounds tempting. Historical romance is a rare reading genre for me, but once in awhile…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Priscilla, historical romance is rare for me too but the history in this book was brilliant.
LikeLike
Kudos to Linnea for the excellent review of her award-winning novel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Liz, a very interesting read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Robbie.
LikeLike
I have Apollo’s Raven but now seeing this post has put it back on my radar.
Congratulations Linnea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Shirley. A fascinating book and well written. I learned a lot about the Celts from Linnea’s excellent research.
LikeLike
Excellent review. I thought of Odin’s Ravens when I saw the title. It looks like a fascinating book. The Celts were a pain for the Romans.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is true, but the Romans were certainly a pain for the Celts too [grin].
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Romans were a pain for everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This isn’t really my preferred genre, but I can tell you really enjoyed the story. Thanks for the thoughtful review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Staci, I don’t usually read romance but I made a few exceptions. I did love this historical element in this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Recent reading has confirmed I’m not a fan of romance, but I really enjoy historical fiction, and this sounds like a great read with plenty of intrigue and action. Reading your review reminds me of the Boudica series by Manda Scott. I particularly enjoyed the first book, ‘Dreaming the Eagle’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Chris, for me it depends on the romance. If it is a historical romance like this one, the history is dominant for me and then I enjoy it. I do read a few romance authors like Jacquie Biggar whose books I enjoy. Hers are thriller romances. I would like to read about Boudica so I will look for this series. Thanks for the recommendation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this book when I read it and your review reminds me I intended to read the rest of the books in the series. Linnea Tanner writes this time period beautifully and her research shows in the story. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it, Robbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jan, my pleasure, I really enjoyed the time period and will also get the next book in the series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds interesting, Robbie. I’m just glad we live in different times, though I’m not sure any less filled with violence and magic with a lot of war and tragedy thrown in. Hard to find the romance without digging for it during the time of war and violence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Marsha, our struggles are different, but they certainly exist. Many people are greedy and selfish, but thank goodness, there are more good than bad even if the bad make more noise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The bad do make a lot of noise, don’t they?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very much so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Linnea! I’m intrigued by anything that involves ancient Rome, so this looks like a great pick for me. Thanks, Robbie, for sharing your thoughts, well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mark. I learned a great deal about ancient Rome and the Celts from this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person