Thursday, December 3, 2015

A Year of Ravens by Ruth Downie, Stephnie Dray. E. Knight, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter, SJA Turney, Russesll Whitfield and Ben Kane

02_A Year of Ravens_Cover

A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion

by Ruth Downie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter, S.J.A. Turney, and Russell Whitfield

Publication Date: November 13, 2015
Knight Media LLC
eBook & Paperback; 440 Pages
Love seems like a weak word compared to how much I enjoyed this absolutely fantastic story. I should have known when I saw the writers involved that it would be a fantastic, exciting, informative and thrilling story.  Honestly, I have never ever heard of Boudica (personally we should all be grateful for historical fiction because it really enlightens us to people or stories that either not heard about or pushed back because others are more popular.  I've read very few collaborative stories like this and I would have been doubtful of it's effectiveness but the collaboration absolutely worked with "A Year of Ravens" each story was relevant in one way or another to the previous story yet seemed individual and essential for the body. This story was so passion filled and climatic that I often had to put the story down and take a breather.  Anyone who thinks reading is boring obviously never picked up  this book. Needless to say that I highly enjoyed everything about this book. The authors are fantastic.  Their individual voices stood out but harmonized with their partners to make this story feel like one story of many different parts. I also felt very enlightened because ancient history is not one of my strengths. 
This is definitely a re-read for me and I feel confident saying that I would read anything that this team decides to produce in the future. Also, you really can't go wrong with this story from high intensity fights to passionate characters, everything just works. Finally, one of my favorite aspect, one of many, is that the authors really gave a very holistic perspective and challenged the reader to think of history as dimensional instead of one sided.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Add to GR Button

Britannia: land of mist and magic clinging to the western edge of the Roman Empire. A red-haired queen named Boudica led her people in a desperate rebellion against the might of Rome, an epic struggle destined to consume heroes and cowards, young and old, Roman and Celt . . . and these are their stories.

A calculating queen sees the sparks of revolt in a king’s death.

A neglected slave girl seizes her own courage as Boudica calls for war.

An idealistic tribune finds manhood in a brutal baptism of blood and slaughter.

A conflicted warrior hovers between loyalty to tribe and loyalty to Rome.

A death-haunted Druid challenges the gods themselves to ensure victory for his people.

An old champion struggles for everlasting glory in the final battle against the legions.

A fiery princess fights to salvage the pieces of her mother’s dream as the ravens circle.

A novel in seven parts, overlapping stories of warriors and peacemakers, queens and slaves, Romans and Celts who cross paths during Boudica’s epic rebellion. But who will survive to see the dawn of a new Britannia, and who will fall to feed the ravens?

My Review
Five Stars

Copy from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Love seems like a weak word compared to how much I enjoyed this absolutely fantastic story. I should have known when I saw the writers involved that it would be a fantastic, exciting, informative and thrilling story. Honestly, I have never ever heard of Boudica (personally we should all be grateful for historical fiction because it really enlightens us to people or stories that either not heard about or pushed back because others are more popular. I've read very few collaborative stories like this and I would have been doubtful of it's effectiveness but the collaboration absolutely worked with "A Year of Ravens" each story was relevant in one way or another to the previous story yet seemed individual and essential for the body. This story was so passion filled and climatic that I often had to put the story down and take a breather. Anyone who thinks reading is boring obviously never picked up this book. Needless to say that I highly enjoyed everything about this book. The authors are fantastic. Their individual voices stood out but harmonized with their partners to make this story feel like one story of many different parts. I also felt very enlightened because ancient history is not one of my strengths. 
This is definitely a re-read for me and I feel confident saying that I would read anything that this team decides to produce in the future. Also, you really can't go wrong with this story from high intensity fights to passionate characters, everything just works. Finally, one of my favorite aspect, one of many, is that the authors really gave a very holistic perspective and challenged the reader to think of history as dimensional instead of one sided


A Year of Ravens Authors

Ruth Downie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter, S.J.A. Turney, and Russell Whitfield Ruth Downie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter, S.J.A. Turney, & Russell Whitfield

Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, November 13
Kick Off at Passages to the Past

Saturday, November 14
Guest Post at A Bookish Affair
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection

Sunday, November 15
Review at Book Babe

Monday, November 16
Review at Flashlight Commentary

Tuesday, November 17
Review at Unabridged Chick

Wednesday, November 18
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books
Interview at Unabridged Chick

Thursday, November 19
Review at Kinx's Book Nook
Review at A Bookish Affair

Friday, November 20
Review at Leeanna.me

Monday, November 23
Review at Bibliophilia, Please

Tuesday, November 24
Review at The Maiden's Court

Wednesday, November 25
Review at A Book Drunkard

Friday, November 27
Review & Excerpt at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Monday, November 30
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews

Tuesday, December 1
Review at Griperang's Bookmarks

Wednesday, December 2
Interview at Griperang's Bookmarks

Thursday, December 3
Review at Book Nerd

Friday, December 4
Spotlight at The Never-Ending Book

Saturday, December 5
Review at Bookramblings

Monday, December 7
Review at Just One More Chapter

Tuesday, December 8
Review at Book Lovers Paradise

Wednesday, December 9
Review at I'm Shelfish

Thursday, December 10
Review at Boom Baby Reviews

Friday, December 11
Review at Historical Readings & Reviews

Monday, December 14
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective

Tuesday, December 15
Review at CelticLady's Reviews

Wednesday, December 16
Review at A Literary Vacation
Guest Post at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

Thursday, December 17
Review at The True Book Addict
Review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

Friday, December 18
Review at Broken Teepee
Review, Excerpt, & Interview at Unshelfish

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a Celtic inspired set of silver tone metal and red Swarovski crystal beads, including a necklace, bracelet, and earrings inspired by the setting of A Year of Ravens! Please enter the giveaway via the GLEAM form below.

Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on December 18th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to residents in the US and UK.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

A Year of Ravens


03_A Year of Ravens_Blog Tour Banner_FINAL

No comments:

Post a Comment

The Scandalous Ladies of London #2 The Duchess: The Scandalous Ladies of London

Classic Sophie Jordan! I really , really enjoyed this book. I could not wait to read about Valencia! I thought her story was very unique... ...