Skip to main content

Queen of Ash and Iron (The Celtic Rebel Series #3) by Melanie Karsak: A Book Review

Queen of Ash and Iron (The Celtic Rebel Series #3)
Author: Melanie Karsak
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Clockpunk Press
Release Date: May 25, 2023
Pages: 770
Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis: Fated to lead a rebellion against Rome.

Destined to become a legend.


Britain, A.D. 47

All at once, everything changes.


The rebellion of the Northern Iceni under King Caturix results in dire consequences for Boudica. Without Aulus Plautius’s protection, Boudica must face the new, more severe Roman Governor Scapula. Struggling to make their way in a war-torn landscape, Boudica and Prasutagus persevere, but fate has a way of undoing our best intentions. Catastrophic events take place undermining everything Boudica worked so hard to achieve.


As the eagle betrays, the queen of ash and iron rises to protect all that she loves.


Continue the epic tale of the famous warrior queen in Queen of Ash and Iron: A Novel of Boudica, book 3 in the Celtic Rebels series by New York Times bestseller Melanie Karsak.

    My Review: Queen Boudica has decided to make peace with the Romans rather than fighting them. She quickly realizes that peace was not what she had once hoped for. The Romans are destroying her lands, killing her people, and destroying the religion. Eventually, Queen Boudica reaches a breaking point. She decides to no longer have pace with the Romans. Instead, she makes war.


Queen Boudica is a fascinating character. She is a queen who is very compassionate. She makes some bad choices. However, they are done to save her people. I liked seeing her transformation from an ally queen of Rome to one of Rome’s fiercest enemies. She was a very strong and charismatic leader who gave many people hope. It is no wonder why she had so many warriors from different tribes to fight for her against the Romans. Thus, Boudica was a very compelling queen.


Overall, this novel is about choices, family, and war. All of the characters were very complex and likable. I was very interested in learning about their fate. Because Queen Boudica went through so many hardships, this was a very tough read, especially at the end. Still, this was an epic conclusion to a breathtaking series! The Celtic Rebels is one of the best series on the legendary queens. You will come away from the novel feeling like you know Queen Boudica and the world she lived in. Mrs. Karsak has made Celtic Britain come alive! I recommend this book for fans of Warrior Queen, Boudica’s Daughter, and Sword of Gladiatrix! The Celtic Rebels series is a real treat and a series that you must not miss! I can’t wait to read more of Mrs. Karsak’s other works in which she has also written about other infamous queens! Mrs. Karsak has now become one of my favorite authors!


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Guest Post: The Ladies-in-Waiting: Lady Isabel Baynton by Alexandra Walsh

    Today's guest writer is Alexandra Walsh. She is the author of The Catherine Howard Conspiracy , which is a historical thriller surrounding the infamous Tudor queen. In this guest post, Mrs. Walsh discusses the life of Catherine's lady-in-waiting, Isabel Baynton. This post will be sure to fascinate fans of Tudor era. If you enjoy her post, please pick up a copy of The Catherine Howard Conspiracy ! Thank you, Mrs. Walsh! The Ladies-in-Waiting – Lady Isabel Baynton by Alexandra Walsh     One of the most enjoyable things about writing an historical novel is discovering the tiny details that make the period real on the page. While I was researching The Catherine Howard Conspiracy , I spent a great deal of time hunting out the life stories of the women who surrounded the young queen in order to create a group of realistic friends and confidants.       There are some well-known names linked with Catherine and her downfall: Lady Jane Boleyn,...

Juliet by Anne Fortier: A Book Review

Juliet Author: Anne Fortier Genre:  Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery & Thriller Publisher: Ballantine Books Release Date: 2011 Pages: 464 Source: Personal Collection Synopsis:   When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told that it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a winding and perilous journey into the history of her ancestor, Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo rocked the foundations of medieval Siena. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families immortalized in Shakespeare’s unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse-- “A plague on both your houses!” is still at work, and that she is the next target. It seems that the only one who can save Julie from her fate is Romeo--but where is he?           My Review:  I have always been a fan of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . I’ve always found...

Michal (The Wives of King David #1) by Jill Eileen Smith: A Book Review

Michal (The Wives of King David #1) Author: Jill Eileen Smith Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction Publisher: Revell Release Date: 2009 Pages:  382 Source: Personal Collection Synopsis: As the daughter of King Saul, Michal lives a life of privilege--but one that is haunted by her father's unpredictable moods and by competition from her beautiful older sister. When Michal falls for young David, the harpist who plays to calm her father, she has no idea what romance, adventures, and heartache await her.      As readers enter the colorful and unpredictable worlds of King Saul and King David, they will be swept up in this exciting and romantic story. Against the backdrop of opulent palace life, raging war, and desert escapes, Jill Eileen Smith takes her readers on an emotional roller-coaster ride as Michal deals with love, loss, and personal transformation as one of the wives of David. A sweeping tale of passion and drama, readers will love this...