In AD 60, Boudica, war leader of the Eceni, led her people in a final bloody revolt against the occupying armies of Rome. It was the culmination of nearly twenty years of resistance against an occupying force that sought to crush a vibrant, complex civilization and replace it with the laws, taxes and slavery of the Roman Empire. Gloriously imagined, BOUDICA: DREAMING THE EAGLE recreates the beginnings of a story so powerful its impact has survived through the ages, recounting the journey to adulthood of Breaca, who at twelve kills her first warrior, and her sensitive, skilful half-brother Ban, who carries with him a vision of the future that haunts his waking hours. In the company of a supreme storyteller, the reader is plunged into the unforgettable world of tribal Britain in the years before the Romans came: a twilight world of Dreamers and the magic of the gods; a world where horses and dogs and the landscape itself become characters in their own right; where warriors fight for honour as much as victory. Above all, it is a world of passion and courage and spectacular, heart-felt heroism pitched against overwhelming odds. Manda Scott's BOUDICA will tell the extraordinary, resounding story of Britain's first and greatest warrior queen, the woman who remains one of the great female icons - to read it is to discover our history, to learn about ourselves and our heritage.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mystical, magical and memorable,
By A J Dormaar (author of "The Unclaimed Thr... (Canterbury, New Zealand) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Boudica (Boudica 1) (Paperback)
When I first espied this book in the bookshop, it was with a sense of trepidation that I began reading. So many historical novels romaticise events and people, but from the first word "Boudica" dispensed with any stereotyped notions I may have had. This is gritty realism at its best from an author I have come to greatly appreciate for her intelligent depth of prose and the realism she delivers. Ms Scott is known for her in depth-research and hands on approach, such as staying in an Iron Age roundhouse, in order to deliver a first class account of life, love and war in first century Britain before the Roman conquest.
What permeates the novel throughout is the incredible mysticism of the ancient British tribes, their close ties to nature, their love of horses and dogs - "hounds" in the book - in particular, and the spiritual, and the powerful belief people of that time and place put in the druidical orders - "dreamers" as they are described in the book. As I progressed in my reading, I felt an acute sadness that this remarkable bond these so-called "barbarians" had with the higher forces has been lost in our modern world, a bond that many other outsiders of the time noted acutely as well. The base for the druids was the ancient and mystical island of Mona (Anglesey)where druidical hopefuls from all over Britain assembled for further training in all branches of knowledge including medicine and foreign languages(those who trained in the arts such as storytelling, music etc were named "singers"). It was noted by the Emperor Claudius after the invasion in 44 AD that the druids had access to remarkable founts of knowledge and higher levels of education, and this is made very clear throughout the novel. But the Iron Age culture of Britain was also a warrior culture and,of course, this is where Boudica comes in. People today are used to the idea of a tragic, beautiful woman striking some theatric pose in a graceful chariot. But as Ms Scott points out later in the book, the word "Boudica", which means "victory", comes from the term "Boudeg", a term only given to the heroine of the piece after the Roman invasion when she takes centre stage. Initially we are introduced to the young Breaca (Bray-ah-ca)at the age of twelve after the untimely death of her mother, and we follow her maturation over the years. Far from being a pampered princess, although of royal birth and the heir to the leadership of the Eceni tribe, Breaca shares in all the daily chores and the life of the people around her. The care and warmth of the Eceni roundhouse society is clearly demonstrated, and the powerful role of women is especially of interest. Men and women are of clearly equal status, marriage as we know it does not exist as relationships are free and non binding, and children upon puberty are graded either as "dreamers" or "warriors" and trained accordingly. Alongside the story of the budding warrior Breaca, we follow the progress of her half-brother Ban - a boy of exceptional talent and sensitivity who shows remarkable psychic ability as well as prowess as a warrior. Ban's progress is abruptly halted when through the act of a treacherous and jealous enemy, he is sold into brutal slavery. Although he finally escapes, he is cut sharply off from his birthright and, believing all he loves to be dead or lost to him, he joins the Roman legions - and the stage is set for a most bloody revelation as the huge invasion fleet of 44 AD lands on the southern coast of Britain and the Roman legions confront the assembled mass of the British tribes, the now adult Breaca at their head. Unlike Ban, Breaca was singled out for further advancement on the island of Mona and rose to the highest accolade possible there; the title Warrior of Mona, which gives her ascendency in battle over all the tribes. Breaca is no dramatised queen - her crown is her torc, the heavy gold neck piece worn by the Celtic warlords, her finery lies in her sword, the horse she rides, and her war-hounds. This is a woman born and bred to lead and to kill, a fact which initially terrifies the Roman soldiers who are used to a male-dominated society. The battle scenes throughout are gritty, graphic and conjure images in the mind worthy of any Hollywood epic. I was left with a profound sense of relief I was born in the modern era, the unchecked brutality of many set pieces throughout the novel raw in their honest depiction. As well as Breaca and Ban we encounter the young Caradoc (Caractacus as he was known to the Romans), a young chieftain of rare ability on the rise who soon becomes Breaca's soulmate and battle partner. Ms Scott is a thinking person's author, and to appreciate this novel fully one must take the time to immerse oneself in the mystic world of Celtic Britain as it unfolds throughout the novel. There is often hidden meanings behind much of what is said, and the reader does not always pick up on this immediately, so I for one recommend reading this novel at least twice to get the full essence behind the shadows, the dreams and the prophecies. This novel leaves the reader thirsting for more - and Ms Scott has willingly obliged with three sequels in the series. Approach this novel therefore with an open mind, sit back and enjoy.
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
interesting but slow,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Boudica (Boudica 1) (Paperback)
Full of imaginded details, flavor of tribe life. little action, much feelings. a chick book.
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