A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion Review with Giveaway!!

A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion

by Ruth Downie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter, S.J.A. Turney, and Russell Whitfield

Publication Date: November 13, 2015

Knight Media LLC

eBook & Paperback; 440 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Britannia: land of mist and magic clinging to the western edge of the Roman Empire. A red-haired queen named Boudica led her people in a desperate rebellion against the might of Rome, an epic struggle destined to consume heroes and cowards, young and old, Roman and Celt . . . and these are their stories.

A calculating queen sees the sparks of revolt in a king’s death. A neglected slave girl seizes her own courage as Boudica calls for war. An idealistic tribune finds manhood in a brutal baptism of blood and slaughter. A conflicted warrior hovers between loyalty to tribe and loyalty to Rome. A death-haunted Druid challenges the gods themselves to ensure victory for his people. An old champion struggles for everlasting glory in the final battle against the legions. A fiery princess fights to salvage the pieces of her mother’s dream as the ravens circle. A novel in seven parts, overlapping stories of warriors and peacemakers, queens and slaves, Romans and Celts who cross paths during Boudica’s epic rebellion. But who will survive to see the dawn of a new Britannia, and who will fall to feed the ravens?

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | ITUNES

A Year of Ravens Authors

Ruth Downie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter, S.J.A. Turney, & Russell Whitfield

My Thoughts

There are a few woman in history that fascinate me and among them is Boudica, queen of the Iceni tribe of Britain, a statuesque and intelligent woman. She is mostly known for her uprising against the Roman Empire around 60 AD. The Roman Empire were a domineering and cruel people. They had to conquer and rule everyone and kill whoever resisted their attempts. After the death of Boudica's husband, King Prasutagus, Boudica was flogged mercilessly and her daughters raped by the Roman soldiers, not only that, whatever loans the Iceni had with the Romans was called in. 

"A calculating queen foresees the fires of rebellion in a king's death. 

A neglected slave girl seizes her own courage as Boudica calls for war.

An idealistic tribune finds manhood in a brutal baptism of blood and slaughter.

A death-haunted Druid challenges the gods themselves to ensure victory for his people.

A conflicted young warrior finds himself torn between loyalties to tribe and to Rome.

An old champion struggles for everlasting glory in the final battle against the legions.

A pair of fiery princesses fight to salvage the pieces of their mother’s dream as the ravens circle."

Each of the seven parts of the novel told by seven different authors who write historical fiction are involved in the writing of this collaboration, they each tell a story that combines their own spin on the characters portrayed in A Year of Ravens.  It is interesting to note that the only information of Boudica and her life and rule of the Iceni tribe is mostly documented by the Romans. If you are interested in this period of Brittania's history and the Roman Empire, give this book a read. I give it five stars for the writing alone, I find it amazing that seven different authors can come together and write about a time in history and it weaves together seamlessly.

I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion.

Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, November 13
Kick Off at Passages to the Past
Saturday, November 14
Guest Post at A Bookish Affair
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection
Sunday, November 15
Review at Book Babe
Monday, November 16
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Tuesday, November 17
Review at Unabridged Chick
Wednesday, November 18
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books
Interview at Unabridged Chick
Thursday, November 19
Review at Kinx's Book Nook
Review at A Bookish Affair
Friday, November 20
Review at Leeanna.me
Monday, November 23
Review at Bibliophilia, Please
Tuesday, November 24
Review at The Maiden's Court
Wednesday, November 25
Review at A Book Drunkard
Friday, November 27
Review & Excerpt at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Monday, November 30
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Tuesday, December 1
Review at Griperang's Bookmarks
Wednesday, December 2
Interview at Griperang's Bookmarks
Thursday, December 3
Review at Book Nerd
Friday, December 4
Spotlight at The Never-Ending Book
Saturday, December 5
Review at Bookramblings
Monday, December 7
Review at Just One More Chapter
Tuesday, December 8
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Wednesday, December 9
Review at I'm Shelfish
Thursday, December 10
Review at Boom Baby Reviews
Friday, December 11
Review at Historical Readings & Reviews
Monday, December 14
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective
Tuesday, December 15
Review at CelticLady's Reviews
Wednesday, December 16
Review at A Literary Vacation
Guest Post at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
Thursday, December 17
Review at The True Book Addict
Review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf Friday, December 18
Review at Broken Teepee
Review, Excerpt, & Interview at Unshelfish

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a Celtic inspired set of silver tone metal and red Swarovski crystal beads, including a necklace, bracelet, and earrings inspired by the setting of A Year of Ravens! Please enter the giveaway via the GLEAM form below. Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on December 18th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to residents in the US and UK. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

A Year of Ravens