Review: The Raven Queen by Jules Watson
by Jules Watson
Publication Date: February 22, 2011
Bantam Publishing
544p
SYNOPSIS
In this dazzling retelling of one of Irelands most stirring legends, acclaimed author Jules Watson brings to life the story of Maeve, the raven queen, who is as fierce as she is captivating.
She was born to be a pawn, used to secure her fathers royal hold on his land. She was forced to advance his will through marriageher own desires always thwarted. But free-spirited Maeve will no longer endure the schemes of her latest husband, Conor, the cunning ruler of Ulster. And when her fathers death puts her homeland at the mercy of its greedy lords and Conors forces, Maeve knows she must at last come into her own power to save it.
With secret skill and daring, Maeve proves herself the equal of any warrior on the battlefield. With intelligence and stealth, she learns the strategiesand sacrificesof ruling a kingdom through treacherous alliances. And to draw on the dangerous magic of her countrys oldest gods, Maeve seeks out the wandering druid Ruan, whose unexpected passion and strange connection to the worlds of spirit imperil everything Maeve thought true about herselfand put her at war with! both he r duty and her fate.
MY REVIEW
She was born to be a pawn, used to secure her fathers royal hold on his land. She was forced to advance his will through marriageher own desires always thwarted. But free-spirited Maeve will no longer endure the schemes of her latest husband, Conor, the cunning ruler of Ulster. And when her fathers death puts her homeland at the mercy of its greedy lords and Conors forces, Maeve knows she must at last come into her own power to save it.
With secret skill and daring, Maeve proves herself the equal of any warrior on the battlefield. With intelligence and stealth, she learns the strategiesand sacrificesof ruling a kingdom through treacherous alliances. And to draw on the dangerous magic of her countrys oldest gods, Maeve seeks out the wandering druid Ruan, whose unexpected passion and strange connection to the worlds of spirit imperil everything Maeve thought true about herselfand put her at war with! both he r duty and her fate.
MY REVIEW
I became a fan of Jules Watson when I read her enchanting novel The Swan Maiden back in 2009 and have been anxiously awaiting the follow up release of The Raven Queen. Well, I am happy to report that the magic of Watsons storytelling carries on and the waiting was well worth it!
The Raven Queen is a re-imagining of the legend of Queen Maeve of Irish mythology, whose story is included in the Ulster Cycle. As we meet Maeve, she is escaping from her cruel husband King Conor and arriving at her fathers stronghold only to find that he is dying. With the death of her father, Maeve is left vulnerable, with a brother who would like nothing better than to see her dead and her country threatened by Conors forces she knows what she must do. Through blood, sweat and tears (and a little spiritual guidance from a blind druid) Maeve earns the respect and blessing of her people to become queen. Faced with the toughest fight of her life, the raven queen finds it takes more than fighting prowess to overcome the threat to her people and in the process also finds the woman inside she had kept hidden for so long.
An entrancing story of loyalty, courage, self-discovery and love, The Raven Queen is resplendent with spirituality and a strong mystical element that feels otherworldly. Ju! les Wats on did a fantastic job of bringing an Irish legend to life. I highly recommend!
Click HERE to enter to win a copy of The Raven Queen and read an interview with author Jules Watson.
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.
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