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The Warrior's Princess
Jess, a young teacher in London, is attacked by someone she fears knows her well. Fleeing to her sister's house in the Welsh borders to recuperate, she is disturbed by the cries of a mysterious child.
Two thousand years before, the same valley is the site of a great battle between Caractacus, king of the mighty Catuvellauni tribe, and the invading Romans. The proud king is captured and taken as a prisoner to Rome with his wife and daughter, the princess Eigon.
Jess is inexorably drawn to investigate Eigon's story, and as the Welsh cottage is no longer a peaceful sanctuary she determines to visit Rome. There lie the connections that will reveal Eigon's astonishing life - and which threaten to reawaken Jess's own tormentor.
Barbara Erskine's ability to weave together the past and the present, shedding light on a real but little-known figure, makes this a tremendous novel of Roman and Celtic history, passion and intrigue.
Two thousand years before, the same valley is the site of a great battle between Caractacus, king of the mighty Catuvellauni tribe, and the invading Romans. The proud king is captured and taken as a prisoner to Rome with his wife and daughter, the princess Eigon.
Jess is inexorably drawn to investigate Eigon's story, and as the Welsh cottage is no longer a peaceful sanctuary she determines to visit Rome. There lie the connections that will reveal Eigon's astonishing life - and which threaten to reawaken Jess's own tormentor.
Barbara Erskine's ability to weave together the past and the present, shedding light on a real but little-known figure, makes this a tremendous novel of Roman and Celtic history, passion and intrigue.
560 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
156 people are currently reading
1396 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Erskine
54 books1,278 followersAn historian by training, Barbara Erskine is the author of six bestselling novels that demonstrate her interest in both history and the supernatural, plus two collections of short stories. Her books have appeared in at least twenty different languages. She lives with her family in an ancient manor house near Colchester, and in a cottage near Hay-on-Wye.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
November 20, 2008
Much better than her last offering Daughters of Fire. However, I did at times want to throttle the heroine for being a drip and constantly ignoring the advice of her friends.
Also this book was about 100 pages too long, and I ended up speed-reading the last third of the book.
I would give this 2 1/2 stars if it was an option!
Also this book was about 100 pages too long, and I ended up speed-reading the last third of the book.
I would give this 2 1/2 stars if it was an option!
August 31, 2011
This book was so disappointing. As I felt with daughters of fire, Erskine is much more effective writing in the medieval period. Whilst I have no doubt she researched this just as thoroughly she doesn't quite invoke the same sense of atmosphere that she manages in child of the Phoenix, lady of hay and kingdom of shadows. As with those other efforts the 'modern' sections were lack lustre and uninteresting. None of the characters were endearing in any way; most of them were downright irritating. Titus and dan were completely unconvincing as creeping menaces and the whole idea of psychic mediums talking to each other across the ages was horrendous. I'm increasingly sad that nothing Erskine has done lives up to the awesome first experience that was reading child of the Phoenix.
September 8, 2010
I really wanted to like this book and get into the Roman part of it but the start of the book put me off so entirely. I didn't understand why she would get rid of any evidence which would lead to knowing who had raped her. Surely she realised that it would lead to her living in fear?
I want a book to entertain and enlighten me. Usually Erskine manages to do this but on this occassion I wish I hadn't bought the book.
I want a book to entertain and enlighten me. Usually Erskine manages to do this but on this occassion I wish I hadn't bought the book.
August 30, 2023
RATING: 1.5 stars.
Ora bem, por onde começar. Talvez pelas expectativas que tinha para este livro. Pela sinopse pareceu-me um livro bem ao estilo da Susanna Kearsley uma autora da qual li dois livros no ano passado e dos quais gostei. Estava à espera de uma narrativa que interligasse passado e presente de forma fluída, com personagens interessantes e uma descrição da época romana que me parecesse viva.
Em vez disso levei com uma história mal amanhada com personagens apenas superficialmente desenvolvidas, um século I d.C. apenas esboçado (e cheio de imprecisões históricas), um enredo confuso e uma dor de cabeça por revirar imenso os olhos (na verdade não, mas suspirei bastante.
Quando era criança, ensinaram-me uma anedota que não tem assim muita piada e que provavelmente não será a mais apropriada tendo em conta as circunstâncias do país (ou talvez seja ideal, quiçá), mas que me permite efetuar uma comparação semi-inteligente. Era mais ou menos assim: era uma vez uma família pobre; o pai era pobre, a mãe era pobre, os filhos eram pobres, o mordomo era pobre, a criada era pobre, o jardineiro era pobre... eram todos pobres.
E este livro é assim mesmo. Substituam "pobre" por confuso e terão este livro bem descrito. Era uma vez um livro... o enredo era confuso, as personagens eram confusas, a construção do mundo era confusa... era tudo uma confusão. Que se prolongava por umas dolorosas 670 páginas.
Então é assim. A nossa protagonista Jess (qualquer coisa) atrai as atenções de um estupor de um homem e infelizmente é violada depois de uma festa. Em vez de ir à polícia decide não contar nada a ninguém e despedir-se do emprego e fugir para a casa da irmã, nas remotas montanhas do País de Gales. Quando lá chega, percebe que o local está assombrado pelas filhas de um rei do século I d.C., chamadas Glads e Eigon. Sem sabermos bem como ela fica determinada a descobrir o percurso de Eigon, que foi levada como prisioneira para Roma, depois do seu pai, Caratacus ter sido derrotado. Esta empatia vem do facto de também Eigon ter sofrido às mãos de um legionário chamado Titus. O livro conta alternadamente a vida de Jess e de Eigon, que têm de fugir dos homens que lhes fizeram mal, em I d.C. e no presente.
Pareceu-me uma história bastante interessante. Não sei muito sobre a conquista romana da Bretanha (?) e na sinopse dizia que Eigon tinha assistido ao incêndio de Roma no tempo de Nero e privado com S. Pedro! Claro que achei altamente!
Mas... enfim, não foi tão impressionante como eu pensei que ia ser. Não consegui sentir empatia por nenhuma das personagens, apesar das suas terríveis experiências. A maioria do livro é preenchido por acontecimentos corriqueiros, especialmente nas partes de Eigon. Jess vai ficando cada vez mais enredada na vida de Eigon acabando (bem cedo no livro) por abandonar a sua racionalidade e pondo inclusive a sua vida em perigo (o homem que a magoou continua atrás dela) só para descobrir o que se passou com Eigon.
As partes de Jess são ligeiramente mais interessantes, mas também há muito recurso a cartas de tarot e a guias espirituais que sinceramente não me pareceram muito vertentes muito bem exploradas (e quando exploradas, foram-no de forma um bocado para o... piroso).
Isto para já não falar da construção do mundo. Jess viaja do País de Gales para Roma mas nunca temos descrições que nos permitam imaginar os cenários. O mesmo se passa na época de Eigon; Roma e Bretanha são descritas de forma incipiente e muitas vezes com pouca precisão. Hades, o deus grego do Submundo é adicionado ao panteão romano, por exemplo e Jesus Cristo está já divinizado para os cristãos, quando nesta época ele era geralmente considerado um profeta e não tanto "o filho de Deus". Até a região celta e o druidismo são explorados apenas de forma superficial.
Nem me façam começar a falar das personagens. Já referi que Eigon e Jess são desinteressantes; o mesmo se passa com o resto do cast das personagens; os amigos e família de Jess são quase indistinguíveis uns dos outros, o interesse amoroso é irritante (e nem sequer quase se percebe como é que as personagens se apaixonam... só estão juntas para aí umas três vezes!) e os vilões são vilões só porque sim. Não há qualquer profundidade nas personagens.
No geral, um livro fraquito. A narrativa não flui bem entre os momentos de presente e passado, as personagens são pouco interessantes, a descrição do mundo deixa a desejar e a leitura torna-se por vezes aborrecida. Por tudo isto, A Princessa Guerreira (que nunca pega numa arma durante todo o livro, creio) não resultou para mim. Recomendo Susanna Kearsley e Diana Gabaldon para livros do género.
Ora bem, por onde começar. Talvez pelas expectativas que tinha para este livro. Pela sinopse pareceu-me um livro bem ao estilo da Susanna Kearsley uma autora da qual li dois livros no ano passado e dos quais gostei. Estava à espera de uma narrativa que interligasse passado e presente de forma fluída, com personagens interessantes e uma descrição da época romana que me parecesse viva.
Em vez disso levei com uma história mal amanhada com personagens apenas superficialmente desenvolvidas, um século I d.C. apenas esboçado (e cheio de imprecisões históricas), um enredo confuso e uma dor de cabeça por revirar imenso os olhos (na verdade não, mas suspirei bastante.
Quando era criança, ensinaram-me uma anedota que não tem assim muita piada e que provavelmente não será a mais apropriada tendo em conta as circunstâncias do país (ou talvez seja ideal, quiçá), mas que me permite efetuar uma comparação semi-inteligente. Era mais ou menos assim: era uma vez uma família pobre; o pai era pobre, a mãe era pobre, os filhos eram pobres, o mordomo era pobre, a criada era pobre, o jardineiro era pobre... eram todos pobres.
E este livro é assim mesmo. Substituam "pobre" por confuso e terão este livro bem descrito. Era uma vez um livro... o enredo era confuso, as personagens eram confusas, a construção do mundo era confusa... era tudo uma confusão. Que se prolongava por umas dolorosas 670 páginas.
Então é assim. A nossa protagonista Jess (qualquer coisa) atrai as atenções de um estupor de um homem e infelizmente é violada depois de uma festa. Em vez de ir à polícia decide não contar nada a ninguém e despedir-se do emprego e fugir para a casa da irmã, nas remotas montanhas do País de Gales. Quando lá chega, percebe que o local está assombrado pelas filhas de um rei do século I d.C., chamadas Glads e Eigon. Sem sabermos bem como ela fica determinada a descobrir o percurso de Eigon, que foi levada como prisioneira para Roma, depois do seu pai, Caratacus ter sido derrotado. Esta empatia vem do facto de também Eigon ter sofrido às mãos de um legionário chamado Titus. O livro conta alternadamente a vida de Jess e de Eigon, que têm de fugir dos homens que lhes fizeram mal, em I d.C. e no presente.
Pareceu-me uma história bastante interessante. Não sei muito sobre a conquista romana da Bretanha (?) e na sinopse dizia que Eigon tinha assistido ao incêndio de Roma no tempo de Nero e privado com S. Pedro! Claro que achei altamente!
Mas... enfim, não foi tão impressionante como eu pensei que ia ser. Não consegui sentir empatia por nenhuma das personagens, apesar das suas terríveis experiências. A maioria do livro é preenchido por acontecimentos corriqueiros, especialmente nas partes de Eigon. Jess vai ficando cada vez mais enredada na vida de Eigon acabando (bem cedo no livro) por abandonar a sua racionalidade e pondo inclusive a sua vida em perigo (o homem que a magoou continua atrás dela) só para descobrir o que se passou com Eigon.
As partes de Jess são ligeiramente mais interessantes, mas também há muito recurso a cartas de tarot e a guias espirituais que sinceramente não me pareceram muito vertentes muito bem exploradas (e quando exploradas, foram-no de forma um bocado para o... piroso).
Isto para já não falar da construção do mundo. Jess viaja do País de Gales para Roma mas nunca temos descrições que nos permitam imaginar os cenários. O mesmo se passa na época de Eigon; Roma e Bretanha são descritas de forma incipiente e muitas vezes com pouca precisão. Hades, o deus grego do Submundo é adicionado ao panteão romano, por exemplo e Jesus Cristo está já divinizado para os cristãos, quando nesta época ele era geralmente considerado um profeta e não tanto "o filho de Deus". Até a região celta e o druidismo são explorados apenas de forma superficial.
Nem me façam começar a falar das personagens. Já referi que Eigon e Jess são desinteressantes; o mesmo se passa com o resto do cast das personagens; os amigos e família de Jess são quase indistinguíveis uns dos outros, o interesse amoroso é irritante (e nem sequer quase se percebe como é que as personagens se apaixonam... só estão juntas para aí umas três vezes!) e os vilões são vilões só porque sim. Não há qualquer profundidade nas personagens.
No geral, um livro fraquito. A narrativa não flui bem entre os momentos de presente e passado, as personagens são pouco interessantes, a descrição do mundo deixa a desejar e a leitura torna-se por vezes aborrecida. Por tudo isto, A Princessa Guerreira (que nunca pega numa arma durante todo o livro, creio) não resultou para mim. Recomendo Susanna Kearsley e Diana Gabaldon para livros do género.
October 22, 2008
4.5 stars
In Barbara Erskine's latest novel the lives of a modern woman and the daughter of King Caractacus, dead for more than 2000 years, become entwined, connecting the past with the present.
Erskine's descriptions of everyday Roman life during the final years of the emperor Claudius's reign and the early years of the reign of Nero are well researched and contain details of homes, domestic duties, city life, friendships, brutality & political intrigue.
I have loved all Erskine’s previous novels, none more so than "Lady of Hay" and those with an interest in Roman and Celtic history will enjoy The Warrior Princess. Another suspenseful plotline with more than a touch of the supernatural.
I would have given this novel 5 stars but for the similarity in story line to all Barbara Erskine's books. As a stand alone novel, this is definitely a winner but when read after all Erskine's novels there is an element of 'sameness' which diminishes the surprise component.
In Barbara Erskine's latest novel the lives of a modern woman and the daughter of King Caractacus, dead for more than 2000 years, become entwined, connecting the past with the present.
Erskine's descriptions of everyday Roman life during the final years of the emperor Claudius's reign and the early years of the reign of Nero are well researched and contain details of homes, domestic duties, city life, friendships, brutality & political intrigue.
I have loved all Erskine’s previous novels, none more so than "Lady of Hay" and those with an interest in Roman and Celtic history will enjoy The Warrior Princess. Another suspenseful plotline with more than a touch of the supernatural.
I would have given this novel 5 stars but for the similarity in story line to all Barbara Erskine's books. As a stand alone novel, this is definitely a winner but when read after all Erskine's novels there is an element of 'sameness' which diminishes the surprise component.
November 21, 2025
Years ago, I considered Barbara Erskine one of my favorite authors. After reading five of her books, I had lost touch with her work. Having a challenge to read British Literature, I took the opportunity to become reacquainted with her.
Erskine does follow a particular formula of a contemporary woman somehow slipping into the past and reliving the trauma. Her first book Lady of Hay takes up back to the 13th century and the evils of King John, in the Kingdom of Shadows we move to the 14th century where Robert the Bruce fights for Scotland, and in Child of the Phoenix we are back in 13th century Wales.
In my most recent read, The Warrior Princess we slip back in time to 60 AD. Contemporary Jess, a teacher visits her sisters house in Wales and slips into a dream world of Welsh ghosts ,Eigon a Welsh princess who is captured and sent to Rome. During this time we learn of early Christianity, live under Nero's rule and even meet Peter prior to martyrdom.
I enjoyed reading this book and unlike others of hers which I read long ago, I found the modern story as strong or stronger than the ancient one.
This was a nostalgic read for me and I greatly enjoyed it. Reading reviews of Erskine it seems she hasn't aged well with modern tastes.
Give it a try if you are fond of time slip with dual timelines.
Erskine does follow a particular formula of a contemporary woman somehow slipping into the past and reliving the trauma. Her first book Lady of Hay takes up back to the 13th century and the evils of King John, in the Kingdom of Shadows we move to the 14th century where Robert the Bruce fights for Scotland, and in Child of the Phoenix we are back in 13th century Wales.
In my most recent read, The Warrior Princess we slip back in time to 60 AD. Contemporary Jess, a teacher visits her sisters house in Wales and slips into a dream world of Welsh ghosts ,Eigon a Welsh princess who is captured and sent to Rome. During this time we learn of early Christianity, live under Nero's rule and even meet Peter prior to martyrdom.
I enjoyed reading this book and unlike others of hers which I read long ago, I found the modern story as strong or stronger than the ancient one.
This was a nostalgic read for me and I greatly enjoyed it. Reading reviews of Erskine it seems she hasn't aged well with modern tastes.
Give it a try if you are fond of time slip with dual timelines.
February 4, 2009
When Jess is attacked by an unknown assailant, her whole life changes forever…
Looking to put her life back together after the attack, Jess moves to her sisters little secluded house in the Welsh Borders. But she does not get the rest she is hoping for.
Late at night she is disturbed by the cries of a mysterious child and soon, she is having vivid dreams that seem so real she feels as if she is there.
What Jess doesn’t know is that, two thousand years before, a great battle took place in the Welsh Borders. When the king of the Catuvellauni Tribe is taken prisoner by the invading Romans, his wife and their daughter, Princess Eigon, take cover in the very same cottage that Jess is living in now.
Soon, with the dreams becoming increasingly real, Jess is drawn into the mystery of Princess Eigon and what happened to her. Inside the cottage Jess will find connections to the past that are real.
But those same connections to the past threaten to shatter Jess’ present completely if she is not careful…
I have always loved Barbara Erskine. Her books are an incredible mix of history, romance and the paranormal. It’s like she’s filtered the best of three genres into her work and it always shines.
Having fallen in love with her work after reading The Edge of Darkness, I have devoured every book she’s written. She has a way of capturing the reader and drawing them in, pulling them into her story and not letting go until the end.
The Warrior’s Princess is no exception and is her best book yet. The story of Jess and Eigon is poignant, incredible and thrilling. Erskine has outdone herself with this thrilling story of dreams, history and salvation.
The characters are so incredibly alive, the danger so incredibly real, that I couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want to put it down. Though the book clocks in at well over six hundred pages, it was over in no time at all. I have never read another author who makes history so exciting.
What I love most about The Warrior’s Princess is that Erskine makes time travel seem so real, so incredibly vivid. Erskine makes it seem as if time travel, as if slipping into a different time, is real and could happen to anyone.
She makes the impossible seem possible and brings what could be a boring historical period to life by having the pages drip with blood and emotion.
If you read one book this summer, make sure it’s The Warrior’s Princess. You won’t be sorry.
Looking to put her life back together after the attack, Jess moves to her sisters little secluded house in the Welsh Borders. But she does not get the rest she is hoping for.
Late at night she is disturbed by the cries of a mysterious child and soon, she is having vivid dreams that seem so real she feels as if she is there.
What Jess doesn’t know is that, two thousand years before, a great battle took place in the Welsh Borders. When the king of the Catuvellauni Tribe is taken prisoner by the invading Romans, his wife and their daughter, Princess Eigon, take cover in the very same cottage that Jess is living in now.
Soon, with the dreams becoming increasingly real, Jess is drawn into the mystery of Princess Eigon and what happened to her. Inside the cottage Jess will find connections to the past that are real.
But those same connections to the past threaten to shatter Jess’ present completely if she is not careful…
I have always loved Barbara Erskine. Her books are an incredible mix of history, romance and the paranormal. It’s like she’s filtered the best of three genres into her work and it always shines.
Having fallen in love with her work after reading The Edge of Darkness, I have devoured every book she’s written. She has a way of capturing the reader and drawing them in, pulling them into her story and not letting go until the end.
The Warrior’s Princess is no exception and is her best book yet. The story of Jess and Eigon is poignant, incredible and thrilling. Erskine has outdone herself with this thrilling story of dreams, history and salvation.
The characters are so incredibly alive, the danger so incredibly real, that I couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want to put it down. Though the book clocks in at well over six hundred pages, it was over in no time at all. I have never read another author who makes history so exciting.
What I love most about The Warrior’s Princess is that Erskine makes time travel seem so real, so incredibly vivid. Erskine makes it seem as if time travel, as if slipping into a different time, is real and could happen to anyone.
She makes the impossible seem possible and brings what could be a boring historical period to life by having the pages drip with blood and emotion.
If you read one book this summer, make sure it’s The Warrior’s Princess. You won’t be sorry.
April 24, 2014
This story revolves around Jess, a woman who is attacked and seeks solace in the Welsh hills. While there, Jess makes a spiritual connection of sorts with a Celtic princess, Eigon, who lived almost 2000 years ago, and becomes obsessed with finding out what happens to her enough to trace her footsteps to Rome. The book switches between the present day and what happened to Eigon, the Celtic princess, who was captured and taken to Rome.
I enjoyed this book for about the first 100 pages or so, but it began to grate on me soon after that. Jess constantly puts herself in danger as a result of her obsession with Eigon, which usually results in her being rescued by others, mostly attractive men. The sections in the book which are written about Eigon and her time are interesting enough to hold my attention - however, the sections about Jess become all too repetitive for my liking. For example - what's happening to Jess? Where is her attacker? Oh! Let's consult tarot cards for about the 20th time in a 24-hour period! Seriously!?
I enjoyed this book for about the first 100 pages or so, but it began to grate on me soon after that. Jess constantly puts herself in danger as a result of her obsession with Eigon, which usually results in her being rescued by others, mostly attractive men. The sections in the book which are written about Eigon and her time are interesting enough to hold my attention - however, the sections about Jess become all too repetitive for my liking. For example - what's happening to Jess? Where is her attacker? Oh! Let's consult tarot cards for about the 20th time in a 24-hour period! Seriously!?
July 9, 2018
Adorei, e teria dado 5*, não fosse pelo facto da estória de Eigon se poder ter escrito em menos 200 paginas.
Apesar disso gostei muito, e não falhei uma pagina que fosse. A escrita envolve-nos e leva-nos numa viagem entre o presente e o passado de há 2000 anos atrás.
Apesar disso gostei muito, e não falhei uma pagina que fosse. A escrita envolve-nos e leva-nos numa viagem entre o presente e o passado de há 2000 anos atrás.
January 6, 2019
This book lost me, i made myself read it but i didn't pay attention to the plot anymore and jumped lines, because it was just not worth it for me.
To me, the plot was a total mess, i hated the idea that Jess could see Eigon's life at all times, zoning out for it, without any real cause to this. I did want to know about Eigon and her story, but it didn't need to be this meta way for Jess, it was frustrating, especially with a man going after her and she refusing to protect herself 'oh but i really really have to find out what happened! no, he doesn't want to really kill... let me be! i need to find this story!'
The ghosts and the real people were so tangled with each other without any real explanation, i felt frustrated, and the stupid notion that somehow the present characters could influence the past? again, out of no where, with no outcome? only the convinient one to find Jess through a 2000 year old woman medium? what? just no.
This book was not for me at all.
To me, the plot was a total mess, i hated the idea that Jess could see Eigon's life at all times, zoning out for it, without any real cause to this. I did want to know about Eigon and her story, but it didn't need to be this meta way for Jess, it was frustrating, especially with a man going after her and she refusing to protect herself 'oh but i really really have to find out what happened! no, he doesn't want to really kill... let me be! i need to find this story!'
The ghosts and the real people were so tangled with each other without any real explanation, i felt frustrated, and the stupid notion that somehow the present characters could influence the past? again, out of no where, with no outcome? only the convinient one to find Jess through a 2000 year old woman medium? what? just no.
This book was not for me at all.
April 11, 2017
Overall, a decent book, but my goodness, does Erskine need a good editor or what? Out of 540 pages, 140 could have been completely nixed and the story wouldn't have suffered one bit. I'm beginning to suspect Erskine gets paid by the word...
...and she still can't write convincing male characters that I like. They all resemble petulant boys.
...and she still can't do love story plot lines.
....but she does write good spookies. I'll give her that.
...and she still can't write convincing male characters that I like. They all resemble petulant boys.
...and she still can't do love story plot lines.
....but she does write good spookies. I'll give her that.
January 31, 2016
A friend recommended this but I couldn't get into it. I couldn't relate to any of the characters and I found it hard to understand some of their actions so I didn't care what happened to them. It's rare for me not to finish a book once I commit but a third way through reading began to feel like a chore so it went back to the library unfinished.
May 16, 2014
Found this to be a tough one to finish purely because I found the lead modern day female character, Jess, absolutely infuriating. The concept was cool but it felt like the author was dragging the story out far too long.
May 12, 2022
I would have given it four stars but it seems to me to be about 200 pages longer than necessary.
October 19, 2025
A very different, and long, book for me. Two ‘time zones’ gave me some concern as it was often several sentences before I realised the change! Nevertheless an interesting read with mixed use of fact and fiction working ok for me.
September 14, 2010
This book had me captured after just a few pages despite the fact that I had really been feeling like I was in a reading slump. I just wasn't really feeling like reading much but I read a few pages here and there and then I got hooked. This book was fast paced and had plenty of suspense. I would say however that it did seem to drag a bit towards the end, don't get me wrong it was still engaging but I was reading and wondering if it would ever end.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this story for me, was the rise of Christianity in Rome. The story of Jesus and Peter (disciple) was just so well thought out and told that it seemed like I was reading a history book rather than a novel. That is the magic of a great story teller and Barbara Erskine is most certainly that. It's so easy to immerse yourself in her stories.
This book shone a spotlight on the history of Brittany and the invasions of the Roman Empire which is not an area of history that I'm very familiar with. Princess Eigon's story is one of tragedy and yet one of hope. I must warn you that there are several rapes in this book although you are spared from the graphic details. I did find it a little bit difficult at first, but was desperately wanting to know what happened and who committed various crimes that I had to keep reading. Barbara Erskine's ability to link the past and the present is unlike any author I've ever read, she is indeed the master of this unique genre.
Again I will say, that if you are a fan of history and enjoy an engaging contemporary story than you have got to read one of Barbara Erskine's novels. I can't recommend her highly enough!
One of the most fascinating aspects of this story for me, was the rise of Christianity in Rome. The story of Jesus and Peter (disciple) was just so well thought out and told that it seemed like I was reading a history book rather than a novel. That is the magic of a great story teller and Barbara Erskine is most certainly that. It's so easy to immerse yourself in her stories.
This book shone a spotlight on the history of Brittany and the invasions of the Roman Empire which is not an area of history that I'm very familiar with. Princess Eigon's story is one of tragedy and yet one of hope. I must warn you that there are several rapes in this book although you are spared from the graphic details. I did find it a little bit difficult at first, but was desperately wanting to know what happened and who committed various crimes that I had to keep reading. Barbara Erskine's ability to link the past and the present is unlike any author I've ever read, she is indeed the master of this unique genre.
Again I will say, that if you are a fan of history and enjoy an engaging contemporary story than you have got to read one of Barbara Erskine's novels. I can't recommend her highly enough!
June 26, 2010
My review will follow when hubby's finished reading. Suffice to say it's going to be a hard book to return to the library because I want it on my KEEPER shelf! For the time being I'll re-read it over hubby's shoulder...
Review begins here:
I’ve enjoyed Barbara Erskine’s books for years and when I pick one up I know I’m in for a great read. The Warrior’s Princess went far beyond my expectations and carried on going long after I turned the last page.
Where to start without giving away spoilers? I loved Jess, the protaganist of the contemporary story in the novel. As for Eigon, the protagonist of the historical story, W-O-W!
The Warrior’s Princess is an epic read and one where you can’t help savouring every second of the journey. Erskine has an amazing gift of words that takes the reader from one century to another in a natural way. Each setting is evocative and real to the degree that the reader forgets they are witnessing a scene from the distant past. The quality of the writing is fluent and never jerks the reader from one setting to the other.
This story has, for me, an extra special ingredient that unfolds later in the story. It’s one that reaffirms my own personal beliefs and it’s a luxury and pleasure to witness them first-hand in the skilled hands of this talented author.
The Warrior’s Princess is an exciting, and at times, dark read. Both the past and the present stories are grounded in reality. Be ready for a mixture of emotions, and a box of tissues close to hand. It’s a read that’s worth the investment.
Review begins here:
I’ve enjoyed Barbara Erskine’s books for years and when I pick one up I know I’m in for a great read. The Warrior’s Princess went far beyond my expectations and carried on going long after I turned the last page.
Where to start without giving away spoilers? I loved Jess, the protaganist of the contemporary story in the novel. As for Eigon, the protagonist of the historical story, W-O-W!
The Warrior’s Princess is an epic read and one where you can’t help savouring every second of the journey. Erskine has an amazing gift of words that takes the reader from one century to another in a natural way. Each setting is evocative and real to the degree that the reader forgets they are witnessing a scene from the distant past. The quality of the writing is fluent and never jerks the reader from one setting to the other.
This story has, for me, an extra special ingredient that unfolds later in the story. It’s one that reaffirms my own personal beliefs and it’s a luxury and pleasure to witness them first-hand in the skilled hands of this talented author.
The Warrior’s Princess is an exciting, and at times, dark read. Both the past and the present stories are grounded in reality. Be ready for a mixture of emotions, and a box of tissues close to hand. It’s a read that’s worth the investment.
December 28, 2018
More like 3.5
Historical, time slip, paranormal
Takes place in Wales and Rome, in modern time and over 2000 years in the past
As I greatly enjoy well written time slip novels, historical fiction, and elements of the paranormal, Barbara Erskine is an author I quite like. Although there is very little historical record of the time period of the reign if the Roman emporer Claudius, and the early years of Nero's reign, this author has done her due diligence and has convincenly depicted the daily lives of the Romen people. There is even less written history of the celts of Wales but what she has included in this novel seems very true. The modern heroine is Jess, a teacher, and the historical is Eigon, a celtic princess, daughter of King Cacactaus. He united the celtic tribes and was a great warrior king, who fought the invasion of the Romans.
There is a great deal of action that sweeps the reader along, constantly shifting from the past to the present, and this is very easy to follow. There are also really evil, obsessed villains.
The story incorporates the persecution of the early Christians by Nero. Peter, and Paul, disciples of Jesus make an appearance as well.
Historical, time slip, paranormal
Takes place in Wales and Rome, in modern time and over 2000 years in the past
As I greatly enjoy well written time slip novels, historical fiction, and elements of the paranormal, Barbara Erskine is an author I quite like. Although there is very little historical record of the time period of the reign if the Roman emporer Claudius, and the early years of Nero's reign, this author has done her due diligence and has convincenly depicted the daily lives of the Romen people. There is even less written history of the celts of Wales but what she has included in this novel seems very true. The modern heroine is Jess, a teacher, and the historical is Eigon, a celtic princess, daughter of King Cacactaus. He united the celtic tribes and was a great warrior king, who fought the invasion of the Romans.
There is a great deal of action that sweeps the reader along, constantly shifting from the past to the present, and this is very easy to follow. There are also really evil, obsessed villains.
The story incorporates the persecution of the early Christians by Nero. Peter, and Paul, disciples of Jesus make an appearance as well.
December 8, 2008
I've always been a fan of Barbara Erskine and this book doesn't disappoint.
Jess woke up one morning on her bed with her clothes torn and bruises all over her but she can't remember what happened. She knows what has been done to her but she doesn't remember who / what / how. She needed to get away and so she ran to her sister's haunted home, Ty Bran (Wales). Her sister, however, is visiting a friend in Italy.
Approximately two thousand years ago, the valley where Ty Bran is located is a site of slaughter where the Romans defeated Caradoc and his men. Whilst in the act of escape, Cerys (Caradoc's wife), Eigon (his eldest daughter), and few other female companions were violated by some Roman soldiers. Whilst Caradoc, Cerys, & Eigon were taken as prisoners to Rome, Eigon's younger siblings were left behind on their own.
Jess is haunted by visions of Eigon & Glads, Eigon's sister. Added to that, she is being stalked & her life threatened. As friends & family converged to protect her, Jess was carried away in her visions in following Eigon's life story.
Jess woke up one morning on her bed with her clothes torn and bruises all over her but she can't remember what happened. She knows what has been done to her but she doesn't remember who / what / how. She needed to get away and so she ran to her sister's haunted home, Ty Bran (Wales). Her sister, however, is visiting a friend in Italy.
Approximately two thousand years ago, the valley where Ty Bran is located is a site of slaughter where the Romans defeated Caradoc and his men. Whilst in the act of escape, Cerys (Caradoc's wife), Eigon (his eldest daughter), and few other female companions were violated by some Roman soldiers. Whilst Caradoc, Cerys, & Eigon were taken as prisoners to Rome, Eigon's younger siblings were left behind on their own.
Jess is haunted by visions of Eigon & Glads, Eigon's sister. Added to that, she is being stalked & her life threatened. As friends & family converged to protect her, Jess was carried away in her visions in following Eigon's life story.
December 24, 2013
Um livro apaixonante, que manteve-me agarrada á sua leitura do principio ao fim.
A história leva-nos entre séculos, entre a vida de Jess uma jovem professora que é atacada e foge para para uma terra no País de Gales e lá é assombrada por uma criança que a vai conduzir até á jovem Eigon ,uma princesa que foi aprisionada pelo romanos.E assim Jess vai visitar o tempo em que a jovem princesa viveu na época do Imperador Nero, e de todas as situações macabras que o império romano obrigava os escravos e os seus prisioneiros a passarem.
Nos nossos tempos Jess vai conhecer e enfrentar toda as angústias vividas por Eigon e também tentar concertar o passado, vendo-se envolvida nele de uma forma fantastica. Estando a vida de Jess ligada a Eigon na luta contra um homem que irá persegui-las por todos esses séculos ,pondo a vida de Jess em perigo.
Uma narrativa que reune o romance histórico com o fantástico, o que torna a leitura viciante e maravilhosa.
Um livro que recomendo pois é maravilhoso.
A história leva-nos entre séculos, entre a vida de Jess uma jovem professora que é atacada e foge para para uma terra no País de Gales e lá é assombrada por uma criança que a vai conduzir até á jovem Eigon ,uma princesa que foi aprisionada pelo romanos.E assim Jess vai visitar o tempo em que a jovem princesa viveu na época do Imperador Nero, e de todas as situações macabras que o império romano obrigava os escravos e os seus prisioneiros a passarem.
Nos nossos tempos Jess vai conhecer e enfrentar toda as angústias vividas por Eigon e também tentar concertar o passado, vendo-se envolvida nele de uma forma fantastica. Estando a vida de Jess ligada a Eigon na luta contra um homem que irá persegui-las por todos esses séculos ,pondo a vida de Jess em perigo.
Uma narrativa que reune o romance histórico com o fantástico, o que torna a leitura viciante e maravilhosa.
Um livro que recomendo pois é maravilhoso.
September 23, 2014
This book was tough because the heroine has made so many bad decisions that I started rooting for the bad guy, and he's pretty bad. She makes one giantly stupid choice at the start of the book, which she has to make for the sake of the plot-line. That's bad enough. But she then compounds with stupid choice after stupid choice. She honestly wasn't much of a character since she was unconscious or dreaming through most of the book. (When she wasn't making dumb and unsafe decisions.) The rest of the book actually was pretty good - I liked the ancient Celtic/Roman story and it was actually fairly skillfully woven into the modern story, and I did want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen.
September 19, 2016
É demasiado violento para o meu gosto. Violento no sentido em que agressões a mulheres e crianças podem ser violentas, em que o silêncio é violento, em que a perseguição é violenta. É desta forma uma violência permanente e sem sentido, apenas para encontrar um elo de ligação entre 2 mil anos de história? Não tenho paciência. Sei que a violência contra as mulheres e crianças, e a violação em concreto, foi (e é ainda) utilizada como arma ao longo dos séculos, mas o paralelo que a autora encontra com milénios de diferença é a vergonha, o silêncio contra o(s) agressores e o medo. Nem o meu gosto por histórias da Britania pré-Romana, me aguenta. E só faltava o belo cavaleiro de armadura branca que faz esquecer a donzela dos maus bocados que passou!
July 8, 2008
Actual title" The Warrior's Princess. You can find it on Amazon.com's site.
so far, so good - I haven't read Lady of Hay or any other Erskine titles, but three chapters in, I've been thinking of the characters which is always a good sign!
Edited 09/07/2008: Finally finished it - the twelve days away from my desk didn't help! But I had to read the last 20-odd pages this morning to see what happenned to Eigon, Julius and Glads. Fantastic read, and I shall be booking some of the others from the library now!
so far, so good - I haven't read Lady of Hay or any other Erskine titles, but three chapters in, I've been thinking of the characters which is always a good sign!
Edited 09/07/2008: Finally finished it - the twelve days away from my desk didn't help! But I had to read the last 20-odd pages this morning to see what happenned to Eigon, Julius and Glads. Fantastic read, and I shall be booking some of the others from the library now!
May 2, 2014
Uma história que cruza duas heroínas com uma diferença de 2000 anos, duas mulheres que lutam pela sobrevivência e pela vida.
Gostei da forma como a escritora entrelaça as duas histórias, em que as personagens que se destacam acabam por ter em comum algo que não querem recordar e na forma como ela consegue fazer com que o leitor passe do passado para o presente sem perder o fio condutor da história.
Apesar do livro ser um bocadinho grande, é uma livro que se lê bem do início ao fim. Recomendo a leitura!
Gostei da forma como a escritora entrelaça as duas histórias, em que as personagens que se destacam acabam por ter em comum algo que não querem recordar e na forma como ela consegue fazer com que o leitor passe do passado para o presente sem perder o fio condutor da história.
Apesar do livro ser um bocadinho grande, é uma livro que se lê bem do início ao fim. Recomendo a leitura!
February 20, 2015
The end.
I'm completely in love with this book. It's something between legend and history, or maybe it's both of them, but that's what makes a real book right?! You know that maybe it's not all true but you believe so much that you will keep this version of the writer with you either way.
Completly different of my type of book and still a fell in love with each chapter and I couldn't be more grateful for reading this history.
I loved this writer, never heard about her, but certainly I will search for her.
I'm completely in love with this book. It's something between legend and history, or maybe it's both of them, but that's what makes a real book right?! You know that maybe it's not all true but you believe so much that you will keep this version of the writer with you either way.
Completly different of my type of book and still a fell in love with each chapter and I couldn't be more grateful for reading this history.
I loved this writer, never heard about her, but certainly I will search for her.
October 28, 2017
I did enjoy this book , despite the fact that nearly all the characters were unlikable. The main character being so annoying that I didn't really care what happened to her. I have read two other books by this author which I thought were really good, but this, although pretty action-packed, seemed to go on forever.
May 7, 2009
A self-indulgent choice! As with other Barbara Erskine books, this is pure fantasy but an ideal book for a very light, relaxing read - one where you can escape from workaday thoughts and yet still feel it is not all complete nonsense, as it is (very loosely) based on fact with the character.
September 7, 2014
It's really a time-slip book, switching between the present day and the past, a mix of suspense,fantasy and romance. I liked the historical references.
June 6, 2015
Beğendim ancak bazı yerlerde kopukluk vardı.İyi bir yazar..
September 6, 2016
Very well researched fantastic novel loved every minute of it
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