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lacy30twin1's review against another edition
3.0
I give this book a 3.2. Having no prior knowledge of Scottish history or folklore, I still found this book interesting.
Gruouch/Corbie/Cerridwen is the daughter of Boite, I guess, a fearsome warrior and brother to the king. I'm not really sure why his particular bloodline is so special. Her mother dies during childbirth, so she is sent to be raised by her father's half-sister.
At 16, she is secretly sent to a coven to learn the old ways of the Scottish gods. This is around the time when Christianity is spreading and practicing any other faith was not acceptable. During her time at the coven she learns some of the old ways but also is to be to goddess Cerridwen reincarnated. She also Queen Boudicca. It's a lot I know. Oh, she's also a Wyrd Sister. During her visions with them, she sees her future dark-haired King but doesn't know who he is or how he comes to marry him.
During her time at the coven, she also meets her husband from a past life and because of their "soul tie" she feels that she's meant to be with him. Oh yeah, before she's sent tonthe coven she is to be betrothed to someone to solidify the King's (her uncle) stronghold in the region.
This book was kind of all over the place and a lot of pertinent information was left out. The author appears to have written this book under the presumption that everyone who picks it up is familiar with Scottish history and folklore. Cerridwen's father is significant in the royal bloodline but it's not sufficiently explained. How Gruouch is all those other people reincarnated AND a Wyrd sister isn't explained very well, and the plot didn't really progress in a way that made sense. I think the premise of the book is great. I just wish the execution was better. Because the book truly ended in what seems like the middle of a chapter, I'm going to read the next book.
This author has written 74 books and quote a few of them sound really interesting. I just hope I can enjoy her other writings enough to look pass the clunkiness of the writing style.
Gruouch/Corbie/Cerridwen is the daughter of Boite, I guess, a fearsome warrior and brother to the king. I'm not really sure why his particular bloodline is so special. Her mother dies during childbirth, so she is sent to be raised by her father's half-sister.
At 16, she is secretly sent to a coven to learn the old ways of the Scottish gods. This is around the time when Christianity is spreading and practicing any other faith was not acceptable. During her time at the coven she learns some of the old ways but also is to be to goddess Cerridwen reincarnated. She also Queen Boudicca. It's a lot I know. Oh, she's also a Wyrd Sister. During her visions with them, she sees her future dark-haired King but doesn't know who he is or how he comes to marry him.
During her time at the coven, she also meets her husband from a past life and because of their "soul tie" she feels that she's meant to be with him. Oh yeah, before she's sent tonthe coven she is to be betrothed to someone to solidify the King's (her uncle) stronghold in the region.
This book was kind of all over the place and a lot of pertinent information was left out. The author appears to have written this book under the presumption that everyone who picks it up is familiar with Scottish history and folklore. Cerridwen's father is significant in the royal bloodline but it's not sufficiently explained. How Gruouch is all those other people reincarnated AND a Wyrd sister isn't explained very well, and the plot didn't really progress in a way that made sense. I think the premise of the book is great. I just wish the execution was better. Because the book truly ended in what seems like the middle of a chapter, I'm going to read the next book.
This author has written 74 books and quote a few of them sound really interesting. I just hope I can enjoy her other writings enough to look pass the clunkiness of the writing style.
erikabrooks11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
millennialbookreview's review against another edition
2.0
Highland Raven was kind of a disappointment for me. The setting and the magic were great, and I liked the majority of the plot. The ending felt abrupt, however. The main character came off as a bit too perfect and the writing was hit or miss. This book was trying to do too many things at once and as a result, none were done very successfully. Maybe my expectations for this book were higher than they should’ve been, but I doubt I’ll read the next book in the series.
My full review can be found here
My full review can be found here
ermunleybooks's review against another edition
5.0
"The night is still fighting the morning and so am I"
An interesting retelling and reimagining of Shakespeare's Macbeth from the eyes of his infamous wife. This is the first of a 4 part series, and it shows. Lots of room to grow and develop further! I really loved the character if Guroch/Corbie/Cerridwen and how authentic she comes off. The characters are all well developed honestly and the interplay with Celtic mythology is wonderfully done. Will definitely be continuing thus series to find out how she actually comes to be Lady Macbeth, because we've barely met her husband in this one!
An interesting retelling and reimagining of Shakespeare's Macbeth from the eyes of his infamous wife. This is the first of a 4 part series, and it shows. Lots of room to grow and develop further! I really loved the character if Guroch/Corbie/Cerridwen and how authentic she comes off. The characters are all well developed honestly and the interplay with Celtic mythology is wonderfully done. Will definitely be continuing thus series to find out how she actually comes to be Lady Macbeth, because we've barely met her husband in this one!
rorry_borealis's review against another edition
3.0
Really liked the idea of the story of Macbeth being told from Lady Macbeth’s perspective! Super intriguing to me. I also love all of the Scottish folklore spread throughout this story. I might have to pick up the second book! If you like Outlander and Shakespeare I think you would like this series. Overall I didn’t absolutely love it but it was an enjoyable read. I would have liked to see a bit more happen throughout this first book but knowing that this is a series makes me think that stuff is about to go DOWN in the next few books. (I mean we all know the story of Macbeth so…
kristens_korner's review against another edition
4.0
I really did like this series and the story line but felt like it ended very abruptly.
sweeden224's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
m00nchild_'s review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. I was very intrigued and the first few chapters seemed fine. As I got more into it I felt like there was never going be a climax and when it finally did happen I was once again confused.