ARA Review by EfrenObrien1 of Apollo's Raven

[EfrenObrien1]

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

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4 out of 5 stars

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I recently read APOLLO’S RAVEN by Linnea Tanner. The story is historical fiction/fantasy based in the time period approximately of 24 AD where the Romans called modern day England, Britannia. This was a time when many regional Celtic and Druid Kingdom’s existed, each competing for freedom and authority over their proclaimed region of Great Britain. Because there were many small kingdoms at the time, political squabbles between the small fiefdoms were commonplace, and political pacts and alliances of the various Kingdoms were liberally entered into. Treaties and pacts were made with ancient Rome, as the Romans schemed to meddle, manipulate the people and eventually conquer Britannia. And actually the Romans did invade years later…43 AD. This was a time of mythology, magic, sorcery and wizardry. Some characters had the ability to mind meld with birds and animals and some had the ability to “shape shift” from human form to animal form – and then back again at will.

The basic plot is as follows: King Amren reigns over the Cantiaci Kingdom, a small monarchy and seeks peace with his neighbors – however, he is aware the Roman’s are exploring Britannia and may be entering into alliances with his rivals in preparation of a grand invasion of their own. The Romans land on the shores of Brittania with 600 soldiers. They initially meet with King Amren, but the meeting between Amren and Roman Senator Lucius does not go well. Both sides mistrust each other and a prisoner (hostage exchange) takes place to ensure honesty and fair dealing between the two sides. Marsellus, son of the Roman Senator Lucius becomes prisoner of the Cantiaci's, and Princess Vala the eldest daughter of Amren becomes prisoner of the Romans. In addition to all the events happening in the story...Black Magic in the form of a curse placed upon King Amren (by his evil former wife Rhan) will ensure his downfall unless the curse can be lifted.

Amren seeks to prevent war, and to guarantee the safety of his kingdom. He see's that the only way to prevent war is to promise Catrin,his youngest daughter’s hand in marriage to the rival Druid King’s son, Adminius; thereby forming a pact between the Cantiaci's and Druids while maintaining peace with the Romans. Amren believes this will even break the curse of Rhan. A meeting is arranged to discuss the marriage, the treaty and the future of the region. King Amren travels to the Roman camp to negotiate with Lucius. Much of the book has to do with bargaining and negotiations between all the sides; The Romans, Cantiaci's, and the Druid Kingdom - and the scheming and distrust all sides display for one another.

While negotiations take place between the "Heads of State" to avoid an all out war - a romantic relationship evolves between Catrin and Marsellus (still a hostage of the Cantiaci's) and Marsellus becomes aware of Catrin's magical powers of "shape shifting" into the form of a Raven and her ability to mind meld with her Raven. Queen Rhiannian of the Cantiaci's becomes aware of the growing feelings between Catrin and Marcellus and she interferes with the relationship between the two young lovers.

In the end, a grand prisoner exchange is set up where the Cantiaci’s (King Amren, Warrior named Trystan and the eldest Cantiaci Princess Vala) will be exchanged with the Romans for Marcellus and five captured Roman soldiers. King Amren still intends to force the wedding of Catrin to Adminius to guarantee the safety of his monarchy and break the curse...but Catrin may have other plans of her own. In addition to the events involving all of the parties of the story - the Sorceress or Shaman of the Cantiaci Kingdom, Argona, tries to use her black magic to manipulate Catrin and enforce the curse of Rhan.

In the end does King Amren and his kingdom survive ? Will Catrin and Marsellus continue their love relationship or will Marsellus leave her and return to Rome ? Will Argona succeed and Rhan's Curse doom Amren and the kingdom or will the curse be lifted ? Finally, will peace come to Brittania or will all out war consume the factions involved bringing destruction to the island?

The answer to these questions along with the story's plot is complicated. The author’s narrative delves as much into description and detail on occasion than making the plot easy for the reader.
There are scenes in the book that are gory and gross, the way different events and characters are described. But I believe this is a technique of the author to keep the reader in the “time and place” for this historical fantasy. If you have an open imagination, enjoy fantasy, magic, mythology and have the slightest interest in this historical time period - you will enjoy this novel. Overall the story was entertaining. I rate the novel, 4 out of 5, and plan to read the other books in this series.

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