Warriors

Druids Trilogy #3

by Barbara Galler-Smith, Josh Langston

Gaul is the centerpiece of Julius Caesar’s campaign to rule the world, and only the Celtic tribes stand in his way. Though the warrior bands out-number Caesar’s legions, they lack leadership and organization. Caesar sends tax collectors at the head of his armies. Some in Gaul pay for this “protection,” but for many, the only choice Caesar offers is slavery or death.Those clans which reject the demands of the conquest- hungry Roman will face Caesar’s legions. Bothe men and women shall become warriors.As if facing the Romans weren’t difficult enough, these warriors must also face many of their own kind, often building alliances on foundations of enmity and mistrust. But even amidst such hostile intrigues and fierce conflict, these same combatants find time for tender passions, too. War is as much a part of life as laughter; danger is as common as celebration. Warriors tells their stories, examines their hopes and fears, and recalls a time when the barbarian version of civilization was actually more “civil” than Rome’s. History may indeed be written by the victors, but that doesn’t mean the vanquished don’t also have wonderful tales to tell.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Lloyd Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First there was Druids, followed by Captives, and finally Warriors has arrived. This trilogy is mind bending in many ways. The historical details coupled with the story line of the Druids, Galatians, Roman's, and others some 2,000 years ago makes one compare it to our more recent history. The parallel is there although I don't believe that was an intent of the authors.
Warriors kept me totally engrossed to the point that I could not put it down, let alone get anything else done. The vast number of characters that accompany druid Mallec and driad Rhonwen through their journey was carried out with tremendous detail. I could almost feel myself in their presence as I read along. As the legend goes: history does repeat itself. What the Romans did back then is amazing in many ways, but the cost in human lives and the ways it was done will awaken many. This trilogy should be offered to schools and colleges for their libraries. I am already searching history venues for more info on this period of life and I thank the Druid Trilogy for bringing this to my attention.

[Ron Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading Warriors: good news, I got to enjoy another trip to a beautifully developed could-have-been history; bad news, this is the last book in the trilogy.

In Warriors, the authors bring to the inevitable conclusion the intertwined stories started in Druids and continued in Captives. As foreshadowed in the clash of the ancient Druid culture with the aggressively growing Roman Empire in Druids, and made explicit in Julius Caesar's threat of genocide in Captives, we are made to witness in Warriors, through the eyes of the vanquished, the destruction of the proud tribes of Gaul. By immersion in the lives and hopes of desperate tribespeople and Druids, the authors seduce the reader into a poignant optimism at odds with the historical context. In the face of the bitter truth, this final installment of the trilogy brings together the threads connecting the characters the reader has come to care about, leaving just enough hope for the fading Druid way of life to make us regret that the story has come to an end. Or has it?

If you like a little fantasy in your history, read this book (and if you haven't read Druids and Captives yet, get busy). The only good thing about the trilogy being complete is that we can give it as a gift set to our friends this Christmas. If you want to share but you're too "frugal" to buy books for your friends, call your library and make sure it gets this trilogy, then recommend it to your friends and get almost as much credit as the gift would have gotten you.

[Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book from an excellent series! I didn't know much about Druids except for a few obscure facts gleaned by other books, but this book is the final book in the trilogy. Julius Cesar now has more power, about 20 years later from the beginning of the second book and the Britannic tribes are divided as to the course of action. All the old characters from the previous books are here, plus the younger generation and their exploits. MUST READ THIS BOOK!

[Nicole Luiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich in historical detail and epic in scope: the Celtic tribes battle the Romans. I now really hate Julius Caesar! I liked how the magical element--woadsleep--was used in this book. I liked the romance between Arienne and Dunn, though Rhonwen remains my favourite character.
Quibble: The impediment between Tegan and Borwyn's romance was very similar to the impediment between Arienne and Dunn's romance.

[Jennifer Rahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in a superb trilogy that follows the lives of Druids in Gaul as they struggle with the Roman invasion into their lands. I loved the political and romantic intrigues woven through the plots, and was very satisfied with the ending of the last book. The final sentence gave me shivers. Be warned, though, the first two have cliffhangers that drove me nuts. Have all three handy if you're going to start reading them.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having devoured “Druids” and “Captives” I eagerly waited for the publication of the final novel in the Druids trilogy. “Warriors” did not disappoint, it just took too long to get here! I finally got closure for the heart-wrenching struggles of the Gauls against the villainous Caesar. This historical fantasy was the best I’ve ever read. The characters age subtly – they do not remain static. Mallec in particular becomes stodgy, set in his ways. Character development was especially fine-tuned. Mallec is shaken from his solemnly-ordered world and exhibits stress and frustration as a long-held secret is revealed to him. Rhonwen achieves a maturity and grace befitting a driad and asserts her independence boldly. If you do not know these characters yet, wait to read this book until you have read the first two. You need the background and the development of these characters toward what they become in “Warriors.” The story has all the elements one looks for in an epic novel plus twists and turns of the plot and an ending that only can be called “brilliant.”