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A review by nickymaund
A Painted Winter (Pictish Conspiracy #1) by H. Barnard
4.0
I had the absolute pleasure of bumping into Helena Barnard at It’s The Book Party’s first event in London last summer. After she told me all about her debut book, which included comparisons to one of my all-time fave characters, Xena, let’s just say I was sold and ordered myself a copy. And just look at that beautiful cover!
Barnard really takes her time as she slowly builds the world for this one. I’m not that familiar with the Picts and their battles with the Roman invaders, so this little fictional soirée into that side of history was one I really enjoyed. There’s lots included in here - the druids and their strange (by today’s standards) role in society, the brutality of battle, how the royal lineage passes along the women (definitely a fan of that), the brutality of civilised society and then there’s the mystery of Sorsha and her gift. I really liked how Barnard makes you question just who are the real barbarians?!
I will admit I didn’t sympathise much with Anwen - she’s truly suffered, but even after all the revelations of what others have done to her, I still don’t like her. And towards the end I was thinking to myself - where’s all this conspiracy shenanigans. And then it happened and I was like - ohhhh! I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series.
Barnard really takes her time as she slowly builds the world for this one. I’m not that familiar with the Picts and their battles with the Roman invaders, so this little fictional soirée into that side of history was one I really enjoyed. There’s lots included in here - the druids and their strange (by today’s standards) role in society, the brutality of battle, how the royal lineage passes along the women (definitely a fan of that), the brutality of civilised society and then there’s the mystery of Sorsha and her gift. I really liked how Barnard makes you question just who are the real barbarians?!
I will admit I didn’t sympathise much with Anwen - she’s truly suffered, but even after all the revelations of what others have done to her, I still don’t like her. And towards the end I was thinking to myself - where’s all this conspiracy shenanigans. And then it happened and I was like - ohhhh! I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series.