Magical Historical Fiction (The White Mare: Book One of the Dalriada Trilogy - Jules Watson)

Member Name: liss_e

Product:	The White Mare: Book One of the Dalriada Trilogy - Jules Watson
Date:	18/09/09 (38 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: History coming gloriously alive!

Disadvantages: Made me want more

Set during the Roman invasion of Britain, the book begins in 79AD, in Alba (Scotland). Agricola, the governor of Roman Britain is getting closer to Alba, keen to invade the last unconquered territory in Britain.

Rhiann, an orphaned Alban Princess and Priestess of the Epidii, is haunted by her traumatic past. While studying on the Sacred Isle and embracing the Goddess, she lost her foster family and hides the pain resulting from the tragedy deep inside herself. Whilst, Eremon, an Irish Prince, fled his own land in a boat full of twenty men when his Uncle seized his father's crown and made him an exile. Landing on an island during the funeral of Rhiann's Uncle, the Epidii King, Eremon is keen to forge an alliance to help him claim his rightful place.

In an effort to protect themselves from the Romans, the Epidii Druids suggest marriage between the two, against Rhiann's wishes, and leaving Eremon little choice. Rhiann cannot trust the young Prince and fears that he will be yet another invader on Alba's soil, whereas Eremon himself needs to prove that he is a strong war master.

Pushed away by Rhiann, he tries to bring the tribe together and prepare them for fighting against the Romans. But simmering just beneath the surface are secrets that threaten to destroy before they can defend.




I usually favour reading medieval historical fiction, but this book left me wanting more. It's part of a trilogy, and continues with 'The Dawn Stag'.

It's a beautiful novel, and one I am so glad to have bought impulsively, Watson weaves the tale magically, and the characters come to life. Eremon is courageous, handsome, and full of honour. It took a little while for me to take to Rhiann, due to her wary nature, and not trusting anyone, least of all the brave Eremon.

There are bad guys hidden amongst them, and situations arise that lead you to wonder if Rhiann will ever realise that Eremon is one of the good guys and grasp him firmly with both hands before he slips away from her altogether. I began to see a different side of her when she became friends with Conaire, Eremon's foster brother and a big bear of a man.

It swept me away to the mountains of Scotland and back, and the will to survive that is ingrained into the characters called to me as I read. The details bring it to life, and even the magical worshipping of Gods and Goddesses don't seem in any way far fetched. They're explained well throughout with enough mystery to keep you wondering, and make you believe.

Samana, is the beautiful bitch you just love to hate, Agricola in all his arrogance and cruelty is still one of the characters I strangely admire, but for me my favourite smaller characters were Conaire, Eremon's foster brother, and Didius, the Roman Engineer that Eremon captures planning to torture details from, but whom Rhiann protects and takes in as a servant.

Summary: Fabulous read, well worth checking out the other books