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King of the Celts
In 58 BC, Julius Caesar tried to conquer the Celtic world. One man stopped him.
550 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2013
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71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 30, 2013
So first of all I'm no native speaker or writer or whatever, so if you find any mistakes, keep 'em:)
I've bought this book because I really liked the author's "GIVES LIGHT" series.
It is set in ancient Gaul, on the territory of modern France and Switzerland around 58 BC, as the blurb (hehe, funny word) states. Her series seemed to be very well-researched and credible, but I am having some problems entering into the 'King of the Celts' world. This may be for the following reasons : if I am not mistaken, the potato was introduced in Europe shortly after Columbus visited America for the first time and brought it back with him. How should it have been harvested roughly 1500 years before he even left Spain ?! Same with the chocolate and almonds which are definitely not native to the region.
Secondly, talking about people in their thirties as having 'young faces', calling a boy of 15 years a kid and thinking it was credible that a 17-year-old wouldn't have been married (forced to marry?) in that time doesn't seem reasonable.
Thirdly : HUMMINGBIRDS?! Seriously?? Remember where your book is set?
I am no expert whatsoever in this specific historical episode but still quite sure some of the details don't add up.
Mkay, that was just my first impression and the main reasons the book didn't get more stars. actually, I'm still not quite sure whether to give 2 or 3 stars, because while the story was nice, occasionally heartbreaking and all in all captivating, there were just too many things that threw me off a little (okay, a lot). I had problems keeping all the different characters sorted out because there were just too many of them introduced throughout the book and due to their unusual names, I was really thinking about starting over in order to create an encyclopedia:) same thing about all the celtic expressions that were never explained. I mean, you can surely get away with not explaining things like the beltane and samhain festivals, but there was a lot of stuff mentioned that I had no idea what to think about.
well as I said, the story wasn't bad and if you overlook the flaws I mentioned, it makes for an interesting read, although I'm a little disappointed with the ending - not the general ending, something of that order had to happen (sorry about the very vague expressions, I'm trying to stay spoiler-free) but about unnecessary not very credible reunions and also it seemed as though sometimes the courses of action were agreed upon much too easily - they're disagreeable Celts but there's no discussion whatsoever concerning the course of action or about who's in charge?!
All in all, it was definitely a nice book that I do not regret buying and that I didn't have the urge to stop reading, but not nearly as good as some of the author's other books.
I've bought this book because I really liked the author's "GIVES LIGHT" series.
It is set in ancient Gaul, on the territory of modern France and Switzerland around 58 BC, as the blurb (hehe, funny word) states. Her series seemed to be very well-researched and credible, but I am having some problems entering into the 'King of the Celts' world. This may be for the following reasons : if I am not mistaken, the potato was introduced in Europe shortly after Columbus visited America for the first time and brought it back with him. How should it have been harvested roughly 1500 years before he even left Spain ?! Same with the chocolate and almonds which are definitely not native to the region.
Secondly, talking about people in their thirties as having 'young faces', calling a boy of 15 years a kid and thinking it was credible that a 17-year-old wouldn't have been married (forced to marry?) in that time doesn't seem reasonable.
Thirdly : HUMMINGBIRDS?! Seriously?? Remember where your book is set?
I am no expert whatsoever in this specific historical episode but still quite sure some of the details don't add up.
Mkay, that was just my first impression and the main reasons the book didn't get more stars. actually, I'm still not quite sure whether to give 2 or 3 stars, because while the story was nice, occasionally heartbreaking and all in all captivating, there were just too many things that threw me off a little (okay, a lot). I had problems keeping all the different characters sorted out because there were just too many of them introduced throughout the book and due to their unusual names, I was really thinking about starting over in order to create an encyclopedia:) same thing about all the celtic expressions that were never explained. I mean, you can surely get away with not explaining things like the beltane and samhain festivals, but there was a lot of stuff mentioned that I had no idea what to think about.
well as I said, the story wasn't bad and if you overlook the flaws I mentioned, it makes for an interesting read, although I'm a little disappointed with the ending - not the general ending, something of that order had to happen (sorry about the very vague expressions, I'm trying to stay spoiler-free) but about unnecessary not very credible reunions and also it seemed as though sometimes the courses of action were agreed upon much too easily - they're disagreeable Celts but there's no discussion whatsoever concerning the course of action or about who's in charge?!
All in all, it was definitely a nice book that I do not regret buying and that I didn't have the urge to stop reading, but not nearly as good as some of the author's other books.
July 3, 2021
THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING!
Page 7: "... hilled around the heaped and towering crops, potato flowers crawled their way across the ground in pearly white buds..."
Page 35: "... I hilled the melons, the potato blossoms, the blossoms buttery and star-shaped."
Page 67: "Lulach almost dug up the potatoes but Enda stopped him..."
Page 85: "Come autumn, the potatoes would ripen and we would make bread with them..."
And so on...
I just don't want to read about the chocolate (origins of cocoa tree: South America) and the almonds (origins of almond tree: China) that another reviewer has found further in the story, and spaceships may appear as well... yeah, everything is possible with this author, apparently.
58 BC in Gaul... were supposed to be the space and time frames of the story yet here we go with potatoes being planted and harvested in the Old World, in Gaul... whereas the tuber is an indigenous species of South America (Peru and Bolivia mainly) until it was discovered by the Spaniards in the second half of the XVIth century. The Europeans didn't hear about potatoes and corn until the late XVIth and early XVIIth centuries.. and the author pretends the ancient Gaulish people planted and harvested potatoes with pearly white buds... this reminds me of Jan Irving in his book The Pleasure Slave when he pretended olives ripen and fall from the trees in the heat of summer... in Pompeii/Italy!
By the way, the melon originates from north-eastern and eastern Africa (Egypt mainly), and it didn't reach south-eastern Europe until the 1st century AC. Gaul probably even later..
I dropped the book on page 138 of the Kindle version, I didn't want to read about chocolate and almonds... *facepalm*
I can't with blatant mistakes in historical fiction. The genre isn't for everyone, I said it and repeat it: If you can't invest several years of your life on a historical fiction, don't write it!
This is NOT a historical fiction. This is an agrarian handbook on tubers plantations... or, if you prefer, the civil register of a remote land in Gaul; with all the characters (old, young, females, males,...) it's hardly possible to remember who is who, or who does what and who belongs where... this is the Thai salad of fiction!
And people wonder why I am pitiless with my ratings.
1 star because Goodreads doesn't allow 0 star.
Page 7: "... hilled around the heaped and towering crops, potato flowers crawled their way across the ground in pearly white buds..."
Page 35: "... I hilled the melons, the potato blossoms, the blossoms buttery and star-shaped."
Page 67: "Lulach almost dug up the potatoes but Enda stopped him..."
Page 85: "Come autumn, the potatoes would ripen and we would make bread with them..."
And so on...
I just don't want to read about the chocolate (origins of cocoa tree: South America) and the almonds (origins of almond tree: China) that another reviewer has found further in the story, and spaceships may appear as well... yeah, everything is possible with this author, apparently.
58 BC in Gaul... were supposed to be the space and time frames of the story yet here we go with potatoes being planted and harvested in the Old World, in Gaul... whereas the tuber is an indigenous species of South America (Peru and Bolivia mainly) until it was discovered by the Spaniards in the second half of the XVIth century. The Europeans didn't hear about potatoes and corn until the late XVIth and early XVIIth centuries.. and the author pretends the ancient Gaulish people planted and harvested potatoes with pearly white buds... this reminds me of Jan Irving in his book The Pleasure Slave when he pretended olives ripen and fall from the trees in the heat of summer... in Pompeii/Italy!
By the way, the melon originates from north-eastern and eastern Africa (Egypt mainly), and it didn't reach south-eastern Europe until the 1st century AC. Gaul probably even later..
I dropped the book on page 138 of the Kindle version, I didn't want to read about chocolate and almonds... *facepalm*
I can't with blatant mistakes in historical fiction. The genre isn't for everyone, I said it and repeat it: If you can't invest several years of your life on a historical fiction, don't write it!
This is NOT a historical fiction. This is an agrarian handbook on tubers plantations... or, if you prefer, the civil register of a remote land in Gaul; with all the characters (old, young, females, males,...) it's hardly possible to remember who is who, or who does what and who belongs where... this is the Thai salad of fiction!
And people wonder why I am pitiless with my ratings.
1 star because Goodreads doesn't allow 0 star.
March 25, 2024
Based on the story, the characters, the plot, and the pacing, this story deserves a 5 Star-rating. Ms. Christo is an amazing storyteller.
Normally, an excess of 10 typos loses a point. But the story was that good. The missing points were for the anachronisms; potatoes, tomatoes, rubber, chocolate, almonds, watermelon, butter knives, and rum. (Did I miss anything?) These pulled me out of the book time and again.
The most frustrating part part was that the rest of the history was new to me. The book presented Celtic culture and tribal relationships that I did not previously know, but the errors kept running to wiki and chatgpt..
Normally, an excess of 10 typos loses a point. But the story was that good. The missing points were for the anachronisms; potatoes, tomatoes, rubber, chocolate, almonds, watermelon, butter knives, and rum. (Did I miss anything?) These pulled me out of the book time and again.
The most frustrating part part was that the rest of the history was new to me. The book presented Celtic culture and tribal relationships that I did not previously know, but the errors kept running to wiki and chatgpt..
May 27, 2019
A bit concerned about the fact that they keep eating potatoes 1600 years before any potato came to Europe, but apart from that everything I expected it to be, including loss and heartbreak.
November 1, 2020
I was very confused about the location at the beginning as the Irish names threw me off. A few anachronisms but the characters were well drawn and I still enjoyed the story.
October 19, 2025
I originally posted this review on Amazon.com in 2014.
I have read seven other books by Rose Christo and have enjoyed them all. King of the Celts is the first I have read from this author that does not contain a synopsis and agree with a previous reviewer the author should provide one for each of her stories. I think the author is doing themselves a disservice by not providing this and expecting the reader to buy a book on blind faith.
The King of the Celts is the story of Fior Cuin Cedorigh of the Helvetian Tribe in Gaul. It covers approximately an eight year period (from the time Fior Cuin is 17) and the setting is prior to and following the invasion of Gaul by the Romans led by Caesar. It begins with Fior Guin discovering his sexuality when he helps a boy his age he meets who is hiding and in the woods near his home. It is the story of love and loss, and of war. It tells of how Fior Cuin is able to unite the tribes of Gaul to initially repel the Romans. It is a story of ultimate sacrifice for love of home and people and most importantly for the person you love above everything.
Christo has a lyrical prose that for me is descriptive and a joy to read (though perhaps not for everyone). I have given this book a five star rating based on the following: excellent, engaging story; well developed main characters; good editing; and, value for money. Highly recommended.
I have read seven other books by Rose Christo and have enjoyed them all. King of the Celts is the first I have read from this author that does not contain a synopsis and agree with a previous reviewer the author should provide one for each of her stories. I think the author is doing themselves a disservice by not providing this and expecting the reader to buy a book on blind faith.
The King of the Celts is the story of Fior Cuin Cedorigh of the Helvetian Tribe in Gaul. It covers approximately an eight year period (from the time Fior Cuin is 17) and the setting is prior to and following the invasion of Gaul by the Romans led by Caesar. It begins with Fior Guin discovering his sexuality when he helps a boy his age he meets who is hiding and in the woods near his home. It is the story of love and loss, and of war. It tells of how Fior Cuin is able to unite the tribes of Gaul to initially repel the Romans. It is a story of ultimate sacrifice for love of home and people and most importantly for the person you love above everything.
Christo has a lyrical prose that for me is descriptive and a joy to read (though perhaps not for everyone). I have given this book a five star rating based on the following: excellent, engaging story; well developed main characters; good editing; and, value for money. Highly recommended.
April 27, 2017
I borrowed this book so I could read it. This book is about a man named Fior. When he was a boy, he had everything- a best friend, family, a farm. But then the tribe that was close by tormented his tribe too much, and they decided to move. While they were on the move, the Romans swept down and killed everyone except around ten people in the tribe. One survivor was Fior. Would he have enough smarts to survive, lead the people remaining to safety, and save the rest of the tribes from the Romans? I would read this book again if I actually had bought it, not borrowed it. That's how good it was. It does have gay love scenes, so if you don't like reading about that, don't start reading this book. If that doesn't bother you, I recommend this book very much.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews