The Blackthorn Queen
Eagles and Crows #1
by Melanie Karsak
Published: July 25, 2023
Publisher: Clockpunk Press
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Romance, Fiction, Celtic History
Blurb:
From ancient henges to windswept mountains, dive into a world where pagan gods rule, powerful priestesses weave magic, and fierce Celtic tribes battle for dominance.
Britain, AD 38, Princess Cartimandua—Carti—of the Brigantes tribe faces an uncertain future when her father’s sudden death ignites turmoil. Suspicion falls on the Crow People of the Votadini tribe, straining the fragile peace between the factions.
But they’re not the only ones bearing a grudge.
A tangled web of political games soon unfolds. When enigmatic Prince Cormag of the Votadini shows the princess unwanted attention, the Brigantes’ alliance with the Carvetti is shaken. Cartimandua’s dream of marrying gallant Prince Venutiux of the Carvetti is put at risk. Soon, Carti finds herself at the center of a whirlwind of divided loyalties.
Yet amidst the misty forests and the blackthorn trees, the Cailleach, the ancient dark goddess of the Brigantes people, whispers that all is not as it seems. With the fate of her tribe at stake, Carti must learn to navigate the treacherous waters of politics, duty, magic, and love.
From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak, The Blackthorn Queen transports readers to northern Celtic Britain on the precipice of the second Roman invasion, introducing us to Cartimandua, princess of the powerful Brigantes tribe.
My Review:
The Blackthorn Queen is a great introduction to a new series the Eagles and Crows by Melanie Karsak. The Blackthorn Queen grabbed my attention with the summary and never let go. I couldn’t wait to start this new series. I have been into stories like The Blackthorn Queen for a while now. I have been enjoying series set in England and other places.
I like learning the history of the places I read about. I like learning how they lived in that era. The Blackthorn Queen sort of reminds me of The Vikings, The Last Kingdom, and other shows that I have watched lately in lots of ways.
The Blackthorn Queen kept me hooked from the first page to the last as I raced to the end rooting for Carti the whole way. I had so many questions while reading The Blackthorn Queen and I needed those answers as fast as I could get them.
Carti’s father had been murdered. The first questions were who killed him and why. But as the story progressed I was left with even more. One minute I would think that it was one group of people then something was revealed and I was like well, now I am not so sure. Oh, I was chomping at the bit page after page with so many questions floating through my mind.
I was right there with Carti as she was trying to figure out what her mother was up to looking for a new king so quick after her father’s death. Carti was very concerned about her mother ruling as Queen. So if Carti was worried so was I. I mean was she doing what she thought was the right thing for Carti and their people? Or was she up to something more sinister?
Carti has no idea who she can trust at this point. I mean her close friend could be her enemy, right? The one who embraces her could be her worst enemy.
The world-building was truly awesome. The descriptions were vividly written making it so easy to see it all in my head as if I was standing right there with them. I can’t wait to read more about this world in the next book, especially after that ending.
Grab a copy of The Blackthorn Queen today!
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