‘Agricola turned to the east, where Rome lay. He had been kind and just, but like a primitive beast, Alba continued to bite the hand of friendship that his empire extended. Finally it was time for Alba to pay.’
For Rhiann – a Celtic priestess and queen in ancient Scotland – and her warrior husband, Eremon – an exiled Irish prince – the prospect of a peaceful and free future is wrecked by the threat of a Roman invasion into the north. Theirs was a political marriage, but from it has emerged a passionate love as well as a powerful public alliance. Now in them lies the hope of a nation. For there is a new Emperor in Rome, Domitian, and he has commanded Agricola, Governor of Britain, to crush the troublesome realm of Scottish Alba once and for all. The predestined day draws near: the armies of Alba and Rome will meet in an epic battle to decide the fate of a country. Rhiann searches for guidance in the spirit world, little realizing how big a part she will play in this endgame. Eremon knows only that he must risk – and sacrifice – many lives, perhaps even his own.
This second book in the Dalriada trilogy is just as epic as the first, but more gut wrenching by the end. While Rhiann continues the work of drawing the Alban tribes together, he husband, Eremon travels south to test the Roman waters and let them know what they're up against. In this story, as in the first, I felt like I was there among the Albans fighting for their land their homes and their lives. Jules Watson definitely has a knack for drawing you into the story.
As for the history itself, there were a few changes here and there, but mostly points that historians in general have disagreed on.
Author's website: Jules Watson
Labels: historical fiction