Blood stains her Celtic home and kingdom.The warrior Druid princess will do anything to retake her kingdom. Although Catrin is the rightful heir to the Celtic throne in Britannia, she is lucky to be alive. After witnessing the slaughter of her family at the hands of her half-brother, who was aided by the Romans, she is enslaved by a Roman commander. He disguises her as a boy in the Roman Legion … enslaved by a Roman commander. He disguises her as a boy in the Roman Legion with the belief that she is an oracle of Apollo and can foretell his future. The sole bright spot in her miserable new life is her forbidden lover Marcellus, the great-grandson of the famed Roman General Mark Antony.
But Marcellus has been wounded and his memories of Catrin and their secret marriage were erased by a dark Druidess. Though Marcellus reunites with Catrin in Gaul and becomes her ally as she struggles to survive the brutality of her Roman master, he questions the legitimacy of their marriage and hesitates to help her escape and retake her kingdom. If their forbidden love and alliance are discovered, her dreams of returning to her Celtic home with Marcellus will be shattered.
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Once again I am floored by “Curse of the Clansmen and Kings”. Book 3 in the series “Amulet’s Rapture” has completely and thoroughly entertained me. This time Linnea Tanner has told the continuing story as to have (much like the characters in the book) turned my world upside down. Past choices,may not have been the right ones, current choices might be the right ones or not. For the first time in my life I find myself “yearning” for the next book, I have to know what happens next.
The story continues as Catrin’s only goal is to stay alive and fulfill the prophecy to save her kingdom. I wont hesitate to say that I was crushed at Catrin’s and Marcellus’ misfortune (not saying anything else about it). I can’t say how Linnea has done it, but she has me cheering for characters whoin the last book “Dagger’s Destiny” I had no sympathy for. Linnea has me doubting the outcome of relationships I was so very sure of till now.
The reintroduction of Ferrex (aka The Red Lion) and Trysttan (formally King Amren’s second in command) was a joy as both characters leap out of the book always catching my attention and respect. I even feel for Decimus Flavius (Roman commander) in a kind of half hearted way, since he never fails to remind us that he is not a good guy.
Ms Tanner continues to build a world that is rich in it’s surroundings as it is rich in the people who live in it. I never have any trouble at all seeing the world the story takes place in not only as Linnea see’s it but as the characters see it as well. The writing is always crisp, to the point with very little (if any) filler. The story as always moves smoothly and at a great pace from chapter to chapter.
“Amulet’s Rapture” builds beautifully on the 2 books before it and does a marvelous job of telling a story that heralds the coming of book 4 “Skull’s Vengence”.
Linnea Tanner also includes at the end of the book a few nice touches. A list of both major and minor characters, Notes of research information (which I found very interesting) and a preview of book 4 (which quiet frankly I will not read and it’s driving me crazy, LOL).
I want to thank Ms Tanner once again for introducing me to a genre that until I read “Apollo’s Raven” i would have never though I could enjoy.
Now I do what must be the hardest thing for any true fan to do, I wait for the next one.
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
My official review for Online Book Club can be found here.*
Amulet’s Rapture is the third book in Linnea Tanner’s award-winning Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. Although the author provides a short summary of the events that have transpired in the first two books—located prior to the Table of Contents—I strongly recommend that you do not read this book as a stand-alone. So much happens in the first two books that a short summary is not sufficient to prepare you for this epic saga! At this time, two more books are promised in the series, so there is so much of this story left to be revealed!
If you have not yet read the first two books in the series, please do not read the rest of this review. Although I guarantee no spoilers from this book, I am unable to review Amulet’s Rapture without revealing some spoilers of events that occurred Apollo’s Raven and Dagger’s Destiny.
While the events in Apollo’s Raven and Dagger’s Destiny had spanned only a few months, Amulet’s Rapture covers a period of three years. Although there is less action in this installment, there is a greater focus on character development. After the brutal conclusion to Dagger’s Destiny, Catrin has been enslaved by the Roman Decimus, who believes her to be an oracle of Apollo. He disguises her as a male so that her true identity will not be discovered and so that the soldiers will not defile her, since he believes her prophetic abilities require her to be chaste. The more Catrin suffers, the further she strays from her love for Marcellus, turning instead toward hate and vengeance. Meanwhile, Marcellus, whose memory was erased by Rhan and Marrock, is struggling internally, feeling as though he has lost his identity. He returns to Eliana, the married older woman who had taken his virginity in his youth, and due to Catrin’s mystical powers, Catrin bears witness to his infidelity. In the events that follow, Marcellus experiences personal growth relating to duty, honor, and loyalty.
Some of the dialogue in the series has felt a bit forced, but this issue was especially prominent in Amulet’s Rapture. Additionally, there were numerous errors in the text. Although I received two review copies of this book from two different sources, I had actually purchased a copy as well, and the errors are present in both editions. While I felt that the story was stimulating and engaging, I was frequently distracted by the dialogue and errors. Another round of editing would greatly improve the quality of the book.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and I am really looking forward to the author publishing the next installment!
I would like to thank Online Book Club and NetGalley for providing me with review copies of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #AmuletsRapture
*The content of the Online Book Club review is slightly different as my official review is the property of OBC.
Epic adventure!
This is the first in the series that I have read. There is enough intro to get caught up if you haven’t read the other books but this one is so good, I really need to go back and read the other two. The storytelling is just so enthralling I couldn’t put it down. There is so much going on and I love the time period. Magic, politics, a raven, ancient Rome, Britannia, action, prophecies.
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
A Celtic druidess/princess, a Roman Centurion, and a raven come together in Ancient Britannia and Germania 1 CE. Can true love really conquer?
This is the third book in the series Curse of the Clansmen and Kings by Linnea Tanner. Here we follow Catrin, who is enslaved by Decimus, a Roman Commander of legions in Gaul (France). He disguises her as a boy called Vibius, to hide her sexuality from his soldiers, and has one of his men train her with weapons. Though not is all as it seems, he has other plans for her other than being a slave.
This is a historical novel/fantasy with a romantic theme, a forbidden love between a Celtic princess and a Roman, Marcellus, who is sent by his father, Senator Lucius Antonius, to train as a Roman Commander under Decimus’ guidance. This is after he disgraced himself and his familia in Britannia, however, Marcellus has no memory of Catrin as it was erased by Rhan, a Celtic sorceress intent on destroying King Amren, Catrin’s father.
Amulet’s Rapture is told from the point of view of Catrin, and in parts, Marcellus. The dichotomy of the differing views provides the reader with insight into the internal and external dilemmas each character endures. When Catrin sees Marcellus and his friend Arius arrive at the legion’s camp, she tries to find a way to arrange a secret meeting, however Decimus warns if she does, he’ll sell her at the slave market. And he relishes in telling her Marcellus doesn’t know who she is or remembers their romantic liaison.
Vibius/Catrin, during her incarceration befriends a raven, which becomes her constant companion, and learns to harness its power and in a scene heals Marcellus. This is a pivotal part of the story and where he becomes intrigued, and later enamoured by Vibius/Catrin.
Again, the author has demonstrated a great deal of research in her narrative, the setting, description of the time and living in a legionnaire’s camp, and the treatment of slaves by their Roman handlers. I particularly enjoyed the reference to the gladiatrix and scenes of Catrin fighting in the arena.
The historical context, the Roman way of life, treatment of subjugated states and of the civilians by the Roman Empire and it’s enforcers, is well crafted and entertaining to read. I am looking forward to reading the fourth book, and what Catrin does and how she confronts the mighty Roman army. I highly recommend this story for those who have an interest in Roman and Britain ancient history.