I’ll have to start adjusting how I review my books. I know I reviewed The White Mare here on Cootiehog but can’t find the review since I didn’t reference the book title in any way shape or form. Very strange. So from now on I’ll be sure to reference the title of the book within the post as well as in the title, instead of just relying on the Amazon picture appearing in the post itself.
The Dawn Stag by Jules Watson is the second book in a three-part series involving ancient Ireland and Scotland. The first book The White Mare was enjoyable and I immediately bought the second part. They are long involved historical fantasy novels, but if you have the time and dedication (and can put up with the Mother Earth Goddess crap these books tend to focus on), it’s a good read.
The second book in the epic Dalriada trilogy, “The Dawn Stag” spans three centuries and spectacularly recreates Celtic Britain at the momentous time of the Roman invasion. The year is AD 81, and Agricola, the ruthless governor of Roman Britain, is intent on capturing the last unconquered territory: Alba, Scotland. Rhiann, an Alban priestess and princess, submits to a marriage of political necessity to Eremon, an exiled Irish prince. Out of duty grows a powerful and desperate love that will bind them together through conflict and betrayal. On these lovers now rests the hope of a nation.
I had a few quibbles with this book (I mentioned the Mother Earth Goddess junk, right?), but all in all if you like historical fantasy (a la Mists of Avalon), then you’ll probably like this series. I easily see this eventually becoming a TNT miniseries someday, much like Avalon.