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Apollo's Raven Paperback – April 10, 2017
2017 New Apple Summer E-Book Award: Historical Fiction - Official Selection
24 AD Britannia is in turmoil. Celtic 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 foretells Blood Wolf and the Raven will rise and destroy him. King Amren reveals to his daughter, Princess Catrin, the grim prophecy that his former queen pronounced at her execution for treason to him:
The gods demand the scales be balanced for the life you take. If you deny my soul's journey to the Otherworld by beheading me, I curse you to the same fate as mine. I prophesy your future queen will beget a daughter who will rise as a Raven and join your son, Blood Wolf, and a mighty empire to overtake your kingdom and to execute my curse.
Catrin is trained as a warrior and discovers she is the Raven and must find a way to block the curse of the evil former queen. Torn between her forbidden love for her father's enemy Marcellus, and her loyalty to her people, she must summon the magic of the Ancient Druids to alter the dark prophecy that awaits her.
Will Catrin overcome and eradicate the ancient curse? Will she be able to embrace her forbidden love with Marcellus? Will she cease the war between Blood Wolf and King Amren? Will she save Ancient Britannia?
Apollo's Raven sweeps you into an epic Celtic tale of love, magic, adventure, intrigue, and betrayal in Ancient Rome and Pre-Arthurian Britannia.
- Print length400 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherApollo Raven Publisher, LLC
- Publication dateApril 10, 2017
- Dimensions5.98 x 0.87 x 9.02 inches
- ISBN-100998230006
- ISBN-13978-0998230009
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The requisite fantasy elements of magic and mystery abound. Tanner also does an admirable job weaving in the politics and mythology of a bygone people. A complex and promising start to a new fantasy series." --Kirkus Reviews
"APOLLO'S RAVEN is a soaring epic that carries its audience on an adventure full of ancient magic, passionate romance, and political intrigue." --IndieReader (IR Approved)
"Apollo's Raven is a historical fantasy with strong elements of romance, political intrigue, and magic. Many surprising twists enrich the historically-drawn plot. Points of view shift between different characters effectively, heightening the tension from one moment to the next. I love the scenes contrasting the cultures of Celtic Britannia and Rome, during which Tanner's research really shines." --Historical Novel Society
"If you're looking for something entertaining with a fast, action-paced rhythm, Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner is a definite must. For a woman who is trying to figure out where she belongs in her world, this tale is relatable to other young women in our timeline who are also trying to figure out where they belong." --Literary Titan (Gold Book Award)
"Apollo's Raven is a rapturous read that mixes Celtic mythology into a good historical romance."--Forward Review
"Fans of romantic historical fiction will appreciate the author's obvious love of ancient history and attention to period detail in this promising start to a new series." --BlueInk Review
From the Author
In preparation for writing Apollo's Raven, I extensively researched and traveled to sites in the United Kingdom which are described in my book.
Book 1: Apollo's Raven is an epic Celtic tale of love, magic, adventure, intrigue and betrayal in the backdrop of Ancient Rome and Britannia. The story follows two star-crossed lovers from vastly different cultures: Catrin, a Celtic warrior princess, and Marcellus, the great-grandson of Mark Antony.
The heroine, Catrin, is inspired by historical and legendary accounts of Celtic warrior queens in Britannia where women were held in higher esteem and could serve as warriors and rulers. The Celtic noble warrior society was heavily influenced by Druids and rival rulers fought each other for power.
About the Author
Depending on the time of day and season of the year, you will find her exploring and researching ancient and medieval history, mythology and archaeology to support her writing. As the author of the APOLLOS RAVEN series, she has extensively researched and traveled to sites described within each book.
A native of Colorado, Linnea attended the University of Colorado and earned both her bachelor s and master s degrees in chemistry. She lives in Windsor with her husband and has two children and six grandchildren.
Product details
- Publisher : Apollo Raven Publisher, LLC; First Edition (April 10, 2017)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 400 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0998230006
- ISBN-13 : 978-0998230009
- Item Weight : 1.27 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.98 x 0.87 x 9.02 inches
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Award-winning author, Linnea Tanner, weaves Celtic tales of love, magical adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. Since childhood, she has passionately read about ancient civilizations and mythology. Of particular interest are the enigmatic Celts, who were reputed as fierce warriors and mystical Druids.
Linnea has extensively researched ancient and medieval history, mythology, and archaeology and has traveled to sites described within each of her books in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. Books released in her series include "Apollo’s Raven" (Book 1), "Dagger’s Destiny" (Book 2), "Amulet’s Rapture" (Book 3), and "Skull’s Vengeance" (Book 4). She has also released the historical fiction short story, "Two Faces of Janus."
A Colorado native, Linnea attended the University of Colorado and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry. She lives in Fort Collins with her husband and has two children and six grandchildren.
You can follow her on her website: https://www.linneatanner.com/
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story engaging and well-developed. They describe the book as an enjoyable read with beguiling characters and strong female characters. The writing is praised for its creativity, uniqueness, and vivid descriptions. Readers appreciate the cultural context and world-building.
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Customers enjoy the suspenseful story with its well-developed historical details and political dynamics. They find the book epic and build from the first pages with thorough storytelling. The prose and descriptions sparkle, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the time period.
"...I’ve read each summery and I’m liking the tale! Reminds me of the ancient Nordic Sagas…..." Read more
"...This is epic historical fantasy that builds from the first pages with thorough descriptions of the surroundings, setting, and politics of the day...." Read more
"...Both the prose and descriptions sparkle in this book. When Tanner tells us, “she felt her stomach drop like a hung corpse,” you can see and feel it...." Read more
"...Similarly, Marcellus is a strong-willed young man with a cool head for politics and is less immoral than I would expect of the son of a Roman..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging and a good summer read. The tale is better than expected and a must-read for epic fantasy and historical fiction fans. The author does a remarkable job of creating suspenseful storytelling.
"...the fantasy and magic based on the Celtic world make this a highly appealing book, one which will linger in your imagination for a while." Read more
"...Under the circumstances the author has done a quite remarkable job of creating a very suspenseful historical/mythical/romance of considerable..." Read more
"This book did a lot of things right...." Read more
"...Great read!" Read more
Customers enjoy the book's characters. They find them beguiling, strong, and well-developed. The story flows smoothly and it's easy to keep track of characters and places.
"...The characters are developed well, while the plot leaves the reader wanting more...." Read more
"...Romans and Celts, which grounds the whole story and informs many of her characters' actions...." Read more
"...The superb character development extends past the primary players and into a strong cast of secondary characters...." Read more
"...The imagery was compelling. I could see the characters, the weapons, the countryside, the lairs, and the castle. She stayed true to the times...." Read more
Customers find the book well-crafted. They appreciate the diverse, distinct characters and world-building. The book is described as a strong start to an engaging series.
"...Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings Book 1) by Linea Tanner is a strong first entry in this engaging series...." Read more
"...The descriptions of the world being created were deep, well-crafted, and compelling...." Read more
"...I think it was well thought out and there are many points of connection with the powers historically attributed to the druid priests and..." Read more
"...of cultures between Rome and Celtic Britannia is exciting and well done; Intriguing time period; Panoramic; Serious in tone; The weighty decisions..." Read more
Customers find the book's storyline creative and unique. They appreciate the varied, distinct voices and different elements that readers can enjoy. The time is presented in a colorful and creative manner.
"...The story is somehow simple but so very multi-faceted. Two kingdoms are engaged in a struggle to maintain their own ways...." Read more
"...Her voices are varied, distinct, and well crafted (even the male voices)...." Read more
"...; The mythology of the time is presented in a colorful and creative manner; The contrast of cultures between Rome and Celtic Britannia is exciting..." Read more
"...However, I was pleasantly surprised. Although there were many different elements in this book like the curse, magic, and a love story, the author..." Read more
Customers enjoy the vivid descriptions of the scenes, imagery, and physical locations. They appreciate the author's ability to illustrate the context and conditions against beautiful landscapes of the open country.
"...thing that struck me about this book is the lushness of the descriptions of the physical locations...." Read more
"Where this book shines is author Linnea Tanner's ability to illustrate the context in which this historical fantasy takes place...." Read more
"...However, the author did a great job of giving a clear depiction of the society in which the characters lived and the events took place." Read more
"...The imagery was compelling. I could see the characters, the weapons, the countryside, the lairs, and the castle. She stayed true to the times...." Read more
Customers appreciate the cultural context and world-building of the book. They find it natural to interweave cultural, political, and religious information about the Romans. The book blends historical research with imaginative storytelling, providing appropriate political and cultural tones of the time period. It also features conflict, magic, and well-researched historical settings.
"...the research to full evoke the appropriate political and cultural tones of the time period. This is truly the most fascinating part of the book...." Read more
"...One of the pure strengths of the book is the ability of human current themes to stay relevant in these mythical realms...." Read more
"...She naturally interweaves cultural, political and religious information about the Romans and Celts, which grounds the whole story and informs many..." Read more
"...'s Raven has it all: romance, family conflict, magic, and it is well researched and set in a great historical context...." Read more
Customers find the language barrier in the book frustrating. They mention the writing is difficult and time-consuming, with clumsy prose and awkward dialogue. The explanations and narration are excessive, making it hard to follow the plot.
"...It had to be done. In Brittany the Celts didn't develop written language until around the 4th century CE. And finally, the Caste System...." Read more
"...I did not give a rating of 3 because writing is difficult and time consuming. The editing and punctuation were excellent...." Read more
"...Top it off with stilted, wooden dialogue and the editor in me just couldn’t look past the technical issues..." Read more
"...There is also, as other reviews have mentioned, a jarring use of language and numerous anachronisms; the word "puking" yanked me right out of what..." Read more
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Historical Fiction or Historical Fantasy?
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2024I decided to step out of my comfort zone of nonmagic romantical reads and reached for this one… it’s an epic tale of two powerful forces: one Roman, the other—well, I don’t want to give too much away.
I love the grandiose of story weaving told by Ms Tanner—I literally stayed glued to this book all day and into the wee hours. The last time I did this was years and years ago. No book has held my interest long enough to this point until now (I consider myself a hard-to-please reader).
I love how vulnerable yet how fierce and capable the Celtic Princess, Catrin, is. Her initial attraction to the handsome young Roman, Marcellus, as he stands in her court is titillating in its innocence and is satisfying in its evolution.
Marcellus doesn’t sound like a hardened Roman but like the son of a political leader yet to be broken—his own naivety shines in the reflection of his pull to Catrin.
I’d have to label this a sweet romantic love cultivated in the throes of heated intrigue and political agenda where the adults involved care not a whit of the youthful hearts—it’s all about power, greed, betrayal, and blinding rage.
How will the young couple shoulder past such parental giants? Despite their age, this book is NOT a young adult read; please bear in mind the subservience of adult children to the grip of powers in their respective cultures—one a Roman Empire and the other a Celtic kingdom. I rather enjoy this honest thread of historical accuracy.
Bottom line: think Conan the Barbarian meets King Arthur (with Keira Knightley).
This is only book one as the plot threads into three more books.
As a reader who rarely purchases nonfree books, I’m seriously considering the entire series, which says a lot (a Christmas present to myself? Otherwise, I’m debating to buy groceries instead). I’ve read each summery and I’m liking the tale! Reminds me of the ancient Nordic Sagas…
This book was free on MyBookCave and I wrote this review without bribery but on my own free will. :P
- Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2020Apollo's Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings Book 1) by Linea Tanner is a strong first entry in this engaging series. This is epic historical fantasy that builds from the first pages with thorough descriptions of the surroundings, setting, and politics of the day. Set in Britannia in Roman times, you can tell the author has done the research to full evoke the appropriate political and cultural tones of the time period. This is truly the most fascinating part of the book. While the lead characters of Catrin and Marcellus are well described, they seem to devolve in maturity and sense as the book progresses. Their weakness come to forefront, making them not entirely appealing or logical. The secondary characters could benefit from further development as well. However, the historical aspects of the book along with the fantasy and magic based on the Celtic world make this a highly appealing book, one which will linger in your imagination for a while.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2020Apollo’s Raven ISBN: 9781647040543 Apollo Raven Publisher copyright and written by Linnea Tanner.
This Book One in the Curse of the Clansmen and Kings Series is a novel “based on historical fantasy and mythology of the southeast Celtic tribes” of Britannia beginning in the days just prior to the Roman invasion in 43 A.D. It is the time when the Gods were many and each culture embraced its own. Apollo was the powerful Sun God totally embraced by the Romans and their powerful legions, although seemingly he received some degree of respect by the Celts but mostly they, and their heavily muscled fierce warriors, embraced several others arising from legends stemming from Ireland and Wales with extensive belief in mysticism as conjured up by the Druids. The book opens in this period when Rome’s emperor is making exploratory moves before deciding whether to invade the islands.
The protagonists are Celtic princess Catrin, youngest daughter of Amren, king of one of the tribes and Marcellus, son of the pompous Roman Senator who is exploring whether to support Amren or Cunoblin, an adjoining powerful Ruler, if the Emperor decides to invade. Complications are numerous in that the latter had arranged a marriage between a daughter and Marrock, Amren’s oldest son whom he had banished from his country for treasonous activity. He believed that, perhaps with Rome’s help, he could arrange to replace Amren by restoring him to his ex-father’s position. Marrock was aligned with Agrona, the Druid Priestess whom Amren trusted but who secretly was working to gain control of the kingdom. Rhiannon, Armen’s second wife did not trust Agrona but deferred to her husband’s decision to put her second in command after herself. From this complicated beginning, even greater confusion emerges from rampant distrust and intertwining acts of deceit, deception, treachery and betrayal and the appearance of shapeshifters and abundant other mystical activity.
Discussion: Spinning this tale and its subsequent volumes no doubt has been, and will continue to be, a difficult task. “The Celts left almost no written records. Historical events had to be supplanted by Greek and Roman historians and medieval writers who spun Celtic mythology into their Christian beliefs, Archaeological findings from this time period also help fill in the gaps.” Under the circumstances the author has done a quite remarkable job of creating a very suspenseful historical/mythical/romance of considerable proportions. It is a story that will fascinate devotees of these several genres.
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Top reviews from other countries
- Ali Kausar RizviReviewed in India on September 26, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review: Apollo Raven BY Linnea Tanner
"Gunpowder and Lead" is an end compared to other fiction with historical settings, but romance and fantasy set against the rich backdrop of ancient Celtic culture. The first book in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series, it is a novel that weaves together intricate tapestries of intrigue and conflict with mystical forces in the land. Tanner is the weaver of a lush, evocative setting that whisks readers to a vibrantly realized 1st-century Britannia on the eve of Roman conquest, making this an immersive read for fans of both historical novels and magical realism.
Plot Summary
The story follows Catrin, brave young warrior princess of the Cantiaci tribe, and Marcellus, a Roman nobleman and soldier. Their worlds collide as Rome sets its sights on conquering Britannia, thrusting them into a turbulent relationship that balances love and betrayal against a backdrop of political treachery and looming war. Catrin's father, King Amren, is locked in a tenuous alliance with Rome, which brings Marcellus to the Cantiaci court. Catrin is more than just a warrior, though; she embodies mystical powers connected to ravens and ancient druidic magic, which her father forbids her from using. She fights against the curse placed on her bloodline, knowing that it could destroy her people if unleashed.
On a deeper personal level, Celt traditions and Roman imperialism bring great central tension to the novel. Catrin and Marcellus separately face their loyalty to their families and the old feelings for each other. Themes of fate, duty, and free will are all handled by Tanner with superb intelligence as Catrin fights against her foretold destiny in an effort to forge her own life amidst facing enemies internal and external.
Characters and Themes
The protagonist in this novel, that is in Apollo's Raven, is one of the strongest elements. It is a heroine with multifaceted struggle from her character on the issues of duty, identity, and her destiny being tied up to dark prophecies. Here comes the emotional depth of the book to my own guess as being very strong ever since she changed from being a naive princess to a force not to be reckoned with. Another more traditional love interest, Marcellus, is similarly fleshed out as he struggles with his perception of duty towards Rome and this building attraction toward Catrin. Their complicated relationship, marked by moments of mistrust, will represent the emotional center of this novel.
Much of the suspense in the story comes from how Tanner weaves in the cultural-ideological conflict between the Celts and the Romans. The protagonists deal with questions of loyalty, power, and how tradition wars with change. And the magical elements, though veiled, give the sense that some otherworldly forces are in play, so Catrin's journey will be one of personal but also mythic and prophetic development.
World-Building and Style
Tanner does an excellent job of world-building; ancient Britannia was just so lovingly described-from the Celtic rituals right through to the looming threat of Roman legions, it felt very meticulously researched and vividly portrayed. All of that rich historical context is so seamlessly woven in with elements of fantasy, especially through Catrin's contact with the raven spirit and prophetic visions.
The plot of the novel is very slow-paced but steady and does tend to get helplessly caught up in long descriptions and internal monologues, at times. However, such are the moments where the reader becomes even more closely connected to the characters and the situations they are placed in. The work of Tanner is rich in description and a good form of exposition that helps the reader immerse themselves into the world created.
Conclusion
The historical fantasy novel Apollo's Raven will dethrone you with its lovely, evocative, and tantalizing tale, weaving romance, intrigue, and magic into an epic confrontation between Celtic and Roman worlds. Linnea Tanner brings us a really compelling tale that will resonate with fans of both historical fiction and fantasy-thrillers, specifically those fond of strong female heroines and complex interpersonal relationships. The book stands very well on its own as the first in a series, so expect readers to be avidly waiting for the next chapter in Catrin's adventure.
- HM HoltenReviewed in Germany on July 11, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars Celts versus Romans
The time is 24 A D, some years before the Roman invasion of Britain. There is a tentative connection between the Romans and the Celts, they trade, and some Celtic kings pay homage to the Romans. Catrin is a Celtic teenager, with magic abilities. She is also a warrior princess, daughter of King Amren, and she has outstanding fighting skills. Marcellus is a Roman soldier, son of the Roman senator, Lucius. The narrative abounds with luscious scenes and messy drinking, romance and fights, betrayal and loyalty, shapeshifters, gods and goddesses, sacrifices, as well as plaid pants, leather armours, blood, vomit, stench, and fragrance.
Apollo’s Raven is a complex story, told from multiple points of view. Was that a good choice? I have my doubts. The storyline becomes ungainly and loses tension, which is a pity. The characters show various believable traits. Still, some of them are inflated with egomania to a degree that makes them appear less than real. There were some beautiful descriptions of the landscape — Ms Tanner has a deft hand in world-building.
- John PReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read
(This is my review submitted to Online Book Club ARA)
Apollo’s Ravens] by Linnea Tanner is set back in the times when Romans contested the Anglo Saxons and Celts for Britain. We quickly learn that the heroine, a young Anglo princess named Catrin has two sisters and a brother, as well as the King (Amren) and the Queen as her parents. As the tale unfolds, each of these characters is embellished with secret pasts and ambitions. Even Catrin herself is unusual as we are informed she is something of a trainee mystic with an affinity for ravens.
Early on we also encounter the Romans, Marcellus and his scheming father Senator Lucius Antonius, who is poised to alter the balance of power in Britannia. However, things don’t go to plan. Unpredictable, inexperienced Marcellus places himself in harm’s way to avoid a fatal confrontation during hostile negotiations.
Catrin and Marcellus are thrown together and a deep relationship develops, although neither is sure whether the other is really a spy, trying to gain an advantage for their family and country.
Along with Amren and Lucius, there is a third, secret wicked party that also features, attempting to manipulate everyone involved, hoping to gain ultimate glory. The deceptive individuals concerned also have mystical powers that are likely to prove more decisive than any band of Celtic warriors or Roman legion.
Hostages are exchanged between the Anglo Saxons and Romans to ensure temporary security until peaceful negotiations can be undertaken. The safety of the hostages, one of whom is Marcellus, is jeopardized as both sides scheme and plan to double-cross each other.
As the story continues, Catrin with her mystic abilities has visions that can be interpreted as dire for the outcome of Marcellus and herself, but perhaps she can no longer trust these visions as the evil mystic is also at work. An arrow of death is predicted to kill young Marcellus unless the future can be changed. The outcome is uncertain and we are kept in suspense until the final pages.
I enjoyed reading this work and have awarded five stars, the top rating, as I can see no serious flaws nor detect a reason to do otherwise. It remains to list the aspects of the book which impressed me the most.
At the top of the list must be the historical detail making the story seem very realistic. The research behind this work to achieve this effect subtly surfaces in many aspects. Light touches referring to the squalid dirt and grime, the smells, the physical appearance and much more, are sufficient to paint a vivid picture without hindering the pace of the tale.
The intertwining of Celtic and Roman mythologies into the storyline is also deftly handled so that the reader begins to appreciate how and why some of the characters are aligned. In those dark ages, the trust in the ancient Gods, reincarnation and symbolism would be paramount. These themes are firmly communicated in the book.
The mystical attributes of young Catrin are introduced in chapter one and continue to emerge and grow throughout the book. I found the author’s handling of this topic very believable and of course, crucial to the storyline.
Apart from Catrin and Marcellus, there are many other characters to be discovered. Each individual is sufficiently portrayed to allow the tension and web of intrigue to develop as hostages are taken and the climax arrives. There is love, infidelity, treachery, loyalty, jealousy, defiance, arrogance and more, interwoven within the characters.
Finally, it must also be said that this is the beginning of a love story. The emotions of Catrin and Marcellus along with their spiritual needs, the love scenes, their doubts and fears, are all well handled by the author. The outcome of their encounters is uncertain until the last pages. So even the more romantic amongst us are hooked until the end.
Perhaps I would point to one small flaw that I found as an annoyance, but by no means detracting from the five-star rating. I purchased the kindle version and checked the following observation on both the kindle and the cloud kindle app ( read.amazon.co.uk ). There is no table of contents or list of chapters! Other books do have this! The front cover looks great on the PC, but the lack of an index or table of contents makes it difficult for the reader to drop back to a previous chapter if they want to refer to something. This is only a format issue but in my view worth mentioning. Otherwise, a great book and I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
- Julie WhitleyReviewed in Canada on October 23, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical action and romance
I thoroughly enjoyed this action-packed story of the struggles between the Celtic kings and Romans mixed with Druidic magic and a forbidden romance between a Celtic princess and a handsome young Roman. I am looking forward to diving into the sequel!
One person found this helpfulReport - FreyaPReviewsReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Intrigue & Romance
Action-packed intrigue and romance set in 1st century Britain. I liked the way the author got inside threads of multiple characters. The contrasts between Roman and Celtic culture and beliefs come across in both conversation and descriptive passages. The thing that impressed me most, however, was the sheer amount of detailed research that went into this novel.