loved it. felt like I was there watching the scen

I felt like I was there watching the scenes unfold. great story line. well read.

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4 people found this helpful

Fantastic!

I read in a review of this book, that the person found it too long winded with too many drawn out historical details. I knew at that point that I would love this book. The story is superb, especially taking into account how little we actually know of this time period. Every part of it seems believable, and is as thought provoking as it is entertaining. The audio performance is fantastic, really bringing the story to life. Can't wait to listen to the next book in this series.

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Fantastic historical fiction that captures an indigenous spirit of Ancient Britain.

I read the Boudica books several years ago and they left a deep, lasting impression. Since then I have been hoping that they would be released as audiobooks, so that I could revisit them in a different medium. There are a number of reasons why I rate these books so highly. Firstly, of all the historical fiction of this time, no other has conveyed an indigenous spiritual tradition that felt so authentic and resonant with my own sense of ancestry and land. In this respect it is like being reminded of something half-forgotten. The tradition of dreaming is central to the stories and beautifully expressed. Secondly, the internal conflicts of allegiance, at a time when two cultures are clashing, are so raw and real, the characters begin to feel like intimate friends. The love relationships are woven beautifully into the plot, without sentimentality. These extend beyond the human realms, to include horses, hounds and the land itself. Thirdly, the conflict in cultures has much relevance to our world today. How we define ourselves. How human relationships are both limited by and able to transcend cultural boundaries. It’s all here. And, it’s a page-turner. The battle scenes are bloody and gruesome. The tensions around the fates of the characters are utterly compelling. I read all four books in the series one after the other. I was completely captivated. So, as much as I wanted to hear them as audiobooks, I was also prepared that they might be let down by the narration. They are not. The use of a male and female reader to correspond with the leading male and female characters works well. It’s been a real pleasure to renew my relationship with these books, which are so special for me, in this form. I will be listening to Boudica: Dreaming the Bull next. I only hope that all four books are finally released as audiobooks.

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23 people found this helpful

Incredible

This incredible book is impossible to put down. The era was brought vividly to life by the author a d excellent performers.

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Thoroughly enjoyed it

A real roller coaster. So interesting to use this text as a way to comprehend what it was like back then. loved the characters and their stories. Hard to keep track of who's who, but I struggle with that in all books! Loved it, atmospheric and engaging.

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Loved it!

The story was a masterfully woven myth, the authors imagination and history. An epic adventure with deeply explored characters and a magical culture of tribal Britannia. performance of the readers was also excellent.

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A lavish, humane, moving, topical, historical saga

This book is great, better than great. Manda Scott is a very skilled writer, through her writing you almost feel like you're there. Historians know very little of the Celtic tribal world and indeed of Boudica. Through archaeology and the myths of Ireland/Britain, Manda Scott pieces together a great story.

We know Boudica existed, we know she fought Rome and sacked London and we know she was never caught, all of which takes place in these books, but history can't tell us what she ate, who she loved and what the druids dreamt of, but Manda Scott makes an educated guess in line with the relevant resources at hand.

The battle scenes are amazing and jump of the page and the wars between native and Rome are thrilling and Middle Earth-like, but what really leaves a lasting impression is the incredibly moving and layered humanity of the piece and the relationships between mother and child, horse and soldier, lover and warrior and war and country. Excellent performances too. More please!

Beir Bua (have victory)

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30 people found this helpful

Brilliant story

I loved every minute of the 23+ hours. Looking forward to reading or listening to the second book.

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Fantastic

Simply the best that historical fiction has to offer. Manda Scott does a brilliant job. All four hooks in this series are well worth reading.

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A novel worth reading

I don't normally read historical novels but really enjoyed this book. The attention to detail is immense. I felt like I was there, by the fireside scenes or at the battles.

I have just purchased volume two in this trilogy and look forward to getting started.

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