ARA Review by Fred-Pilcher of Apollo's Raven

[Fred-Pilcher]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, Apollo's Raven.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Onlinebookclub.org review by Fred Pilcher
5 out of 5 stars

Author Linnea Tanner has researched the history and culture of the setting of
her novel in Roman Brittania about the year 24 AD. All characters with speaking
roles are fictional. Two people to whom the speaking characters refer,
Brittania King Cunobelin and the son Iullus Antonius of Roman leader Mark
Anthony, are real historical figures.

Two kingdoms, Cantiaci and Catuvellauni, maintain an uneasy peace. Their kings,
Amren and Cunobelli, respectively, are less subservient as Roman empire client
kings than Rome wishes. Three characters have the powers attributed to the
ancient Druids to see though the eyes of others and enter the minds of others.
The book is well written and edited. I found no typos or grammatical mistakes.

There is one central plot for which all the many subplots provide a background.
Passion crackles between Catrin, youngest daughter of King Amren of Cantiaci,
and Marcellus, son of Roman Senator Lucius Antonius, at the instant their eyes
first meet. Being from countries hostile to each other, they vacillate back and
forth between a profound bond, distrust, and betrayal.

Catrin is a beautiful and kind-hearted princess in her late teens. She can see
through the eyes of her raven wherever the raven may be, and can mindmeld with
the raven. Together they can journey to the boundary with the Otherworld where
lifelines of people are formed. She can change one person's lifeline to his
advantage. Doing so may change the lifelines of many other people in
unpredictable and perhaps disastrous ways.

Marcellus has accompanied his father Lucius Antonius on a diplomatic mission
to obtain huge concessions from Cantiaci. To promote good faith in the
negotiations, Lucius Antonius offers Marcellus as a hostage to King Amren in
return for King Amren's oldest daughter Vala being a hostage to King Cunobelli.
Catrin is assigned the task of guarding Marcellus and gaining information from
him. Marcellus in turn is ordered to gain information from Catrin. The passion
between them and their opposing missions to their respective countries clash
throughout the novel.

King Amren of Cantiaci's first wife Rhan had died after bearing his son Marrock.
King Amren then married Rhiannon, who as queen bore him three daughters Vala,
Mor, and Catrin. When King Amren learns of Catrin's seeing through her raven, he
becomes suspicious and fearful of her.

King Amren had banished Marrock for atrocities. Marrock had then married King
Cunobelli's daughter and connives with King Cunobelli and the Romans to regain
the throne of Cantiaci through treachery and attempted regicide.

Roman Senator and envoy Lucius Antonius, father of Marcellus, is the hot-headed
leader of the Roman delegation. He threatens lies, treachery, assassination to
achieve Roman wishes.

Decimus Flavius, a Roman tribune and Lucius's chief adviser, is a brave leader
of soldiers in combat. He is also a cautious and reasoning man who repeatedly
tries to dissuade Lucius from acts that would lead to war and harm his mission.

Rhiannon is King Amren's second wife, who, as mother of his three daughters,
has her own ambitions of power and frequently clashes with her husband.

Agrona is a druidess who can conjure frightening visions, enter other people's
minds, and control them. Agrona tries repeatedly to enter Catrin's mind while
Catrin struggles equally desperately to keep her out. Agrona seeks to use her
special powers to dethrone King Amren.

Author Lianna Tanner has interwoven the many plots and subplots into a coherent
whole. She also has excellent character development, a historically accurate
cultural background, and drama and suspense from the first page to the last.
I rate "Apollo's Raven" with 5 out of 5 stars.

***
View Apollo's Raven on Bookshelves

[Linnea Tanner]

Thank you for the comprehensive review of Apollo's Raven and your overview of the characters and plot. Nicely done!