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Boudica #3
Dreaming the Hound
In a spellbinding novel of gods and men, myth and brutality, acclaimed author Manda Scott returns to her heralded saga of a world under siege. For here is the epic tale of Boudica, the legendary Celtic queen, and her embattled Eceni tribe—a bold new work of imaginative fiction that takes us on a thrilling journey into a clash between magic and mankind.
To the Eceni tribe of Britannia, nature is the ultimate god, and warriors are joined in battle by the voices and spirits of their ancestors. But the proud Eceni are running out of time. Nero’s army, long since out of patience with Britannia’s wild tribes, is becoming increasingly oppressive. And Boudica’s family is at the center of a gathering Cunomar, Boudica’s son, who longs for the mettle to kill as fiercely as his mother… Graine, her young daughter, gifted with the power of dreamers, scarred forever by the horrors of war...and Boudica’s brother, born Bán of the Eceni, turned the traitor Valerius—a man caught between warrior and dreamer, Roman and Eceni.
As conflict erupts between the tribes and their brutal invaders, Boudica is forced to make a bold sacrifice. Cloaking her identity, she will travel directly into the stronghold of an enemy who longs for her crucifixion. What happens next—in a brutal drama of betrayal, heroism, and sacrifice—will leave Boudica with no options but to raise and arm every warrior, every dreamer, every tribe…and push the invader and its legions back into the sea.
From the thundering hooves of the Eceni’s great horses to mystical spirit quests of young warriors, from the politics of an empire to the passions of lovers, Dreaming the Hound takes us on a breathtaking journey of the imagination—at once brutal, fantastical, and utterly unforgettable.
MAGNIFICENT PRAISE FOR MANDA SCOTT’S BOUDICA SAGA
Dreaming the Hound
“Extraordinary.” — Independent , UK
“Brilliantly imaginative.”— Colchester Evening Gazette , UK
“Dramatic…Vivid…Lyrical.”— Yorkshire Evening Post , UK
“One of Britain’s most famous legends…is retold here with extraordinary immediacy.”— Our Time , UK
“Irresistible…an excellent read.”— Diva , UK
Dreaming the Bull
“Enthralling…Mesmerising…Creates a living past of battle feats, betrayals, heart-breaking loyalties and cruelties.”— Publishing News , UK
“Thrilling…Readers will be swept away.” — Booklist , starred review
Dreaming the Eagle
“A powerful novel about one of the most intriguing and mysterious women in history…Alive with the love, deceit, wisdom and heroics of humanity. Read it and enjoy!”—Jean M. Auel
“The new Mary Renault…Intensely exciting, a tale of passion, courage and heroism against huge odds.”— Publishing News, UK
To the Eceni tribe of Britannia, nature is the ultimate god, and warriors are joined in battle by the voices and spirits of their ancestors. But the proud Eceni are running out of time. Nero’s army, long since out of patience with Britannia’s wild tribes, is becoming increasingly oppressive. And Boudica’s family is at the center of a gathering Cunomar, Boudica’s son, who longs for the mettle to kill as fiercely as his mother… Graine, her young daughter, gifted with the power of dreamers, scarred forever by the horrors of war...and Boudica’s brother, born Bán of the Eceni, turned the traitor Valerius—a man caught between warrior and dreamer, Roman and Eceni.
As conflict erupts between the tribes and their brutal invaders, Boudica is forced to make a bold sacrifice. Cloaking her identity, she will travel directly into the stronghold of an enemy who longs for her crucifixion. What happens next—in a brutal drama of betrayal, heroism, and sacrifice—will leave Boudica with no options but to raise and arm every warrior, every dreamer, every tribe…and push the invader and its legions back into the sea.
From the thundering hooves of the Eceni’s great horses to mystical spirit quests of young warriors, from the politics of an empire to the passions of lovers, Dreaming the Hound takes us on a breathtaking journey of the imagination—at once brutal, fantastical, and utterly unforgettable.
MAGNIFICENT PRAISE FOR MANDA SCOTT’S BOUDICA SAGA
Dreaming the Hound
“Extraordinary.” — Independent , UK
“Brilliantly imaginative.”— Colchester Evening Gazette , UK
“Dramatic…Vivid…Lyrical.”— Yorkshire Evening Post , UK
“One of Britain’s most famous legends…is retold here with extraordinary immediacy.”— Our Time , UK
“Irresistible…an excellent read.”— Diva , UK
Dreaming the Bull
“Enthralling…Mesmerising…Creates a living past of battle feats, betrayals, heart-breaking loyalties and cruelties.”— Publishing News , UK
“Thrilling…Readers will be swept away.” — Booklist , starred review
Dreaming the Eagle
“A powerful novel about one of the most intriguing and mysterious women in history…Alive with the love, deceit, wisdom and heroics of humanity. Read it and enjoy!”—Jean M. Auel
“The new Mary Renault…Intensely exciting, a tale of passion, courage and heroism against huge odds.”— Publishing News, UK
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2005
99 people are currently reading
2002 people want to read
About the author
Manda Scott
28 books725 followersManda Scott is an award-winning novelist, host of the international chart-topping Accidental Gods podcast and co-creator of the Thrutopia Masterclass.
Best known for the Boudica: Dreaming series, her previous novels have been short-listed for the Orange Prize, the Edgar, Wilbur Smith and Saltire Awards and won the McIllvanney Prize.
Her latest novel ANY HUMAN POWER is a 'seismic' Mytho-Political thriller which lays out a Thrutopian road map to a flourishing future we’d be proud to leave to the generations that come after us.
Welding the power of intergenerational connection to combat the sting of death and the vicious vengeance of a dying establishment, it opens the doors to a new way of being.
Dream Deeply. Rise up Strong. Change is Coming!
'Instantly immersive and compelling, rich and strange, human and humane, and most of all inspiring ... an extraordinary story.’
Lee Child
"One of our best, most challenging writers is back..." Ian Rankin
"If you don't believe a world where our democracy improves as fast as our devices is possible... Manda Scott will change your mind with this visionary novel." Audrey Tang, Digital Minister of Taiwan
"A light to guide us through a difficult time: Descrying the thin possible path between static social decay and populist rage is the defining problem of our time. Without lights like Manda Scott and this blessed book, we would surely fail." Glen Weil, co-author of Plurality.
Best known for the Boudica: Dreaming series, her previous novels have been short-listed for the Orange Prize, the Edgar, Wilbur Smith and Saltire Awards and won the McIllvanney Prize.
Her latest novel ANY HUMAN POWER is a 'seismic' Mytho-Political thriller which lays out a Thrutopian road map to a flourishing future we’d be proud to leave to the generations that come after us.
Welding the power of intergenerational connection to combat the sting of death and the vicious vengeance of a dying establishment, it opens the doors to a new way of being.
Dream Deeply. Rise up Strong. Change is Coming!
'Instantly immersive and compelling, rich and strange, human and humane, and most of all inspiring ... an extraordinary story.’
Lee Child
"One of our best, most challenging writers is back..." Ian Rankin
"If you don't believe a world where our democracy improves as fast as our devices is possible... Manda Scott will change your mind with this visionary novel." Audrey Tang, Digital Minister of Taiwan
"A light to guide us through a difficult time: Descrying the thin possible path between static social decay and populist rage is the defining problem of our time. Without lights like Manda Scott and this blessed book, we would surely fail." Glen Weil, co-author of Plurality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
May 12, 2023
If you didn't know, I love Manda Scott's writing.
If you also didn't know, I love Boudica.
I LOVE THIS SERIES.
I HATE THE ROMANS.
I LOVE HOUNDS.
the end
If you also didn't know, I love Boudica.
I LOVE THIS SERIES.
I HATE THE ROMANS.
I LOVE HOUNDS.
the end
June 5, 2023
BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - The Brothers Gwynne
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
This 3rd instalment of the Boudcia quartet is absolutely exceptional. Such an incredible cast of complex characters. One moment you despise a character, and then one scene changes your entire opinion on them as you see events from their perspective. It is a masterful example of characterisation, each character with their virtues and vices, and their own desires that drive them.
The war between the tribes of Britannia and the Roman legions continues as the latter continues to send a seemingly endless supply of soldiers to suppress and assimilate those who resist them, often with a facade of peace that could shatter at any moment and plunge all the characters we follow and those around them into absolute chaos.
This is a beautiful, brutal, heartwarming, heartbreaking book full of some of the most exceptionally authentic characters you will every come across. The way Manda Scott immerses you in the setting, the cultures and the lives of our characters is just simply outstanding.
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
This 3rd instalment of the Boudcia quartet is absolutely exceptional. Such an incredible cast of complex characters. One moment you despise a character, and then one scene changes your entire opinion on them as you see events from their perspective. It is a masterful example of characterisation, each character with their virtues and vices, and their own desires that drive them.
The war between the tribes of Britannia and the Roman legions continues as the latter continues to send a seemingly endless supply of soldiers to suppress and assimilate those who resist them, often with a facade of peace that could shatter at any moment and plunge all the characters we follow and those around them into absolute chaos.
This is a beautiful, brutal, heartwarming, heartbreaking book full of some of the most exceptionally authentic characters you will every come across. The way Manda Scott immerses you in the setting, the cultures and the lives of our characters is just simply outstanding.
January 9, 2022
Read this book in 2013, and its the 3rd volume of the great "Boudica" quartet of books.
In this tale we are already in the year AD 57, and through betrayal Breaca's lover, Caratacus, is captured and brought to Rome, never to return.
And so Breaca, sets off from the holy Island of Mona as the "Bringer of Victory", the Boudica, towards her Eceni homeland and her desolate people, and with her are her children, Cunomar and Grainne, and her ex-lover and dreamer, Airmid.
Across the sea in Hibernia, Ban is restless in his dealings with the fractured past, and hearing of the Roman aggression he will set sail for Britain to protect Mona, and later in Camulodunum unite with Boudica to take the battle to the Romans, in their effort to protect their mystical land.
What is to follow is a terrific tale about the Eceni tribe, with at their head, dreaming the hound, the mighty Boudica, and the rest of her warriors making ready to fight this final battle for freedom and peace.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid addition to this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Tremendous Dreaming The Hound"!
In this tale we are already in the year AD 57, and through betrayal Breaca's lover, Caratacus, is captured and brought to Rome, never to return.
And so Breaca, sets off from the holy Island of Mona as the "Bringer of Victory", the Boudica, towards her Eceni homeland and her desolate people, and with her are her children, Cunomar and Grainne, and her ex-lover and dreamer, Airmid.
Across the sea in Hibernia, Ban is restless in his dealings with the fractured past, and hearing of the Roman aggression he will set sail for Britain to protect Mona, and later in Camulodunum unite with Boudica to take the battle to the Romans, in their effort to protect their mystical land.
What is to follow is a terrific tale about the Eceni tribe, with at their head, dreaming the hound, the mighty Boudica, and the rest of her warriors making ready to fight this final battle for freedom and peace.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid addition to this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Tremendous Dreaming The Hound"!
December 30, 2016
To my mind, this is picking up and up - it's not the first time I have read this. Probably my favourite series and, keeping in mind I have little use for fantasy - well, this is fantasy. So we all have some things that are just 'different'. I have to make use of my suspension of disbelief faculty but.....actually, I need to suspend disbelief that it's not real.
April 26, 2013
This series has gotten better through each book. I am enjoying the most the story of Bán/Valerius, the conflicted brother of Boudica, caught between two cultures--Briton and Roman. I appreciate each prologue, told by a narrator, which recounts the action in the previous volumes. I'm pretending that who the author means by 'dreamers' we would call Druids.
May 19, 2023
4.5 stars
This was intense! Emotional, impactful, breathtaking and heartbreaking!
“Breathe. Dive into the breath. Let it carry you to the core of yourself, where your strength lies.”
Probably my least favourite of the series so far but the fact that I still think its a 4.5 should tell you everything!
Found a new favourite character in Cunomar, his growth was next level and loved reading anything with him in it!
Itching to start the final book and will do very soon.
This was intense! Emotional, impactful, breathtaking and heartbreaking!
“Breathe. Dive into the breath. Let it carry you to the core of yourself, where your strength lies.”
Probably my least favourite of the series so far but the fact that I still think its a 4.5 should tell you everything!
Found a new favourite character in Cunomar, his growth was next level and loved reading anything with him in it!
Itching to start the final book and will do very soon.
June 30, 2017
Dreaming the Hound by Manda Scott is the third book in a four-book series about the Celtic warrior Boudica who led the tribes of Britannia against their Roman invaders.
This is the most exciting book in the series so far. It lacks the long, drawn out, complex battle maneuvers of Dreaming the Eagle (#1) and the unconvincing transformation in Dreaming the Bull (#2) of Bán of the Eceni tribe into Julius Valerius of the Roman military.
The novel is full of interesting twists and turns, allegiances and betrayals, disguises, confrontations with the Romans, acts of heroism, sacrifice, and spiritual quests. Scott skillfully builds each scene to its inevitable climax/confrontation. The characters are more fully developed: Cunomar, Boudica’s son anxious to step out of the shadow of his parents by proving himself a battle-hardened warrior; Graine, Boudica’s youngest daughter, frail, delicate, and a powerful dreamer; Bán/Valerius struggling to come to terms with his identity and define his allegiances; and Breaca/Boudica bearing the heavy mantle of leadership. The novel ends with Boudica and Valerius amassing an army to fight the onslaught of Rome’s battalions.
The novel leans more toward historical fantasy than historical fiction since the voices and spirits of the ancestors play a prominent role and influence events more so than in previous books in the series. Animals, notably hounds and horses, exhibit a refined sensibility and connection with humans bordering on the unreal/magical. Dreaming becomes paramount as gods and spirits of dead ancestors communicate regularly with the living. The characters rely heavily on lucid dreaming to guide their actions, nudging the series more toward historical fantasy and further away from historical fiction.
Although Scott depicts the actions of the Roman military as brutal and savage and their alliance with slavers as driven by an unquenchable thirst for profit, not all Romans are painted with the same sordid paintbrush. Some behave with honor and are quick to condemn the gang rape of young girls and the slow deaths by torture and crucifixion. An intriguing aspect of the novel lies in its depiction of allegiances and loyalties to individuals with a shared history that transcend allegiances to the Roman military. We see this with the Roman prefect Corvus who chooses not to betray Breaca even though he recognizes her as Boudica. His loyalty to and feelings for Valerius are unwavering. We also see this loyalty in Longinus who fought along side Valerius against the rebels while both were in the Roman military but who now stands at his side with the rebellion.
Manda Scott combines extensive research on the era with a creative imagination to craft another page-turning, entertaining novel that continues the intriguing saga of Boudica, the Celtic warrior who took arms against the invading army of an empire.
Highly recommended.
This is the most exciting book in the series so far. It lacks the long, drawn out, complex battle maneuvers of Dreaming the Eagle (#1) and the unconvincing transformation in Dreaming the Bull (#2) of Bán of the Eceni tribe into Julius Valerius of the Roman military.
The novel is full of interesting twists and turns, allegiances and betrayals, disguises, confrontations with the Romans, acts of heroism, sacrifice, and spiritual quests. Scott skillfully builds each scene to its inevitable climax/confrontation. The characters are more fully developed: Cunomar, Boudica’s son anxious to step out of the shadow of his parents by proving himself a battle-hardened warrior; Graine, Boudica’s youngest daughter, frail, delicate, and a powerful dreamer; Bán/Valerius struggling to come to terms with his identity and define his allegiances; and Breaca/Boudica bearing the heavy mantle of leadership. The novel ends with Boudica and Valerius amassing an army to fight the onslaught of Rome’s battalions.
The novel leans more toward historical fantasy than historical fiction since the voices and spirits of the ancestors play a prominent role and influence events more so than in previous books in the series. Animals, notably hounds and horses, exhibit a refined sensibility and connection with humans bordering on the unreal/magical. Dreaming becomes paramount as gods and spirits of dead ancestors communicate regularly with the living. The characters rely heavily on lucid dreaming to guide their actions, nudging the series more toward historical fantasy and further away from historical fiction.
Although Scott depicts the actions of the Roman military as brutal and savage and their alliance with slavers as driven by an unquenchable thirst for profit, not all Romans are painted with the same sordid paintbrush. Some behave with honor and are quick to condemn the gang rape of young girls and the slow deaths by torture and crucifixion. An intriguing aspect of the novel lies in its depiction of allegiances and loyalties to individuals with a shared history that transcend allegiances to the Roman military. We see this with the Roman prefect Corvus who chooses not to betray Breaca even though he recognizes her as Boudica. His loyalty to and feelings for Valerius are unwavering. We also see this loyalty in Longinus who fought along side Valerius against the rebels while both were in the Roman military but who now stands at his side with the rebellion.
Manda Scott combines extensive research on the era with a creative imagination to craft another page-turning, entertaining novel that continues the intriguing saga of Boudica, the Celtic warrior who took arms against the invading army of an empire.
Highly recommended.
May 20, 2013
After a rather messy Book 2 - Manda Scott is back in form with "Dreaming the Hound". I am in two minds about this series now as it's turning out to have a lot more hippy new age Celtic neo-paganism than I'd bargained for. I'm sure this opened up a big new fan-base for Scott's books (and her "Dreaming" workshops), but this sort of wishy-washy Celtic mist masquerading as history sets my teeth on edge.
On the plus side, I really enjoy Scott's considered interpretations of Tacitus in light of recent archaeological findings. Her grasp of the Romano-Celtic material culture is first rate, and her descriptive writing really evokes a sense of the period. As always, the author's notes at the end are a good read.
In defense of her interpretation of Celtic spirituality, there really are no reliable sources so she's free to make up as much as she wants. Alas for me, she abolishes the line between Historical Fiction and Fantasy. I'm sure there are people out there who really believe the dead and gods can talk to the living through dreams. I certainly believe First Century Pagans believed this - But I don't think it actually happened, so when plot points are furthered by spooky action at a distance I reach for my rainbow coloured anti-unicorn spray.
On the plus side, I really enjoy Scott's considered interpretations of Tacitus in light of recent archaeological findings. Her grasp of the Romano-Celtic material culture is first rate, and her descriptive writing really evokes a sense of the period. As always, the author's notes at the end are a good read.
In defense of her interpretation of Celtic spirituality, there really are no reliable sources so she's free to make up as much as she wants. Alas for me, she abolishes the line between Historical Fiction and Fantasy. I'm sure there are people out there who really believe the dead and gods can talk to the living through dreams. I certainly believe First Century Pagans believed this - But I don't think it actually happened, so when plot points are furthered by spooky action at a distance I reach for my rainbow coloured anti-unicorn spray.
May 16, 2023
As someone who picked this series up knowing barely anything about the 'real' history, I may have been the only reader who didn't know what was coming at the end of this book...
So let's get the obvious out of the way first: there are some incredibly disturbing scenes in this book. The first two books certainly had some ugly moments, but I would seriously advise preparing yourself for worse before picking up book three.
Based on Manda Scott's historical note at the end of the book, it seems as though the most horrifying scenes in the book are actually the ones most firmly grounded in recorded history. I bring this up to make the point that Manda Scott is not cranking up the brutality gratuitously, or for pure shock value.
I actually think she is remarkably restrained when it comes to violence and gore - she describes only as much as she needs to in order to make an impact, then she moves away. The result of this is that the reader does not become overly desensitised to the violence and it remains shocking when it does occur.
You have been warned!
So, how does this book hold up against the previous two?
Incredibly well!
Everything that made the previous two installments so wonderful is also present in this book: the rich, vivid sensory details; the flawed but relatable characters; the tense, high-stakes dialogue. I could write a lot about all of these but I already did in my reviews for the previous two books and really it's just more of the same - but in the best possible way.
Those who were disappointed with Breaca/Boudica's lack of 'screentime' in the previous book will be reassured to hear that she gets the limelight back in this book. The flipside of this is that Ban/Valerius gets less time in the spotlight - which may disappoint some. I wouldn't have minded seeing a bit more of him, but I also wouldn't want to cut down any of Breaca's chapters. I guess I'm just being greedy... These books are so good that I just want more of all of it...
Something I really liked about this installment was the way Breaca's relationship with her children was explored. In the previous book, I found myself getting frustrated with her at a couple of points for being cold to her children and for prioritising other people and things over them. In this book, we see the consequences of this and the work that Breaca has to do to repair these relationships. It's a wonderful acknowledgement that throwing yourself wholly into a cause, even a worthy one, is going to come at a cost.
Are there any negatives...?
Not for me (at least nothing major) but there are a couple of things that I think could put other people off:
As previously mentioned, there are some very disturbing events that take place in this book and this may be too much for some readers.
There are also significant 'supernatural' elements to this story - dreaming/gods/goddesses/ancestor spirits/ghosts etc. In book one, I feel like these elements were kept fairly ambiguous - e.g. were the dreamers really controlling the weather, or was the weather doing what it would have done anyway and it just coincided with what they were hoping for? In book two, I felt like it got less ambiguous but there was still 'plausible deniability' - e.g. it would have been a very strange coincidence that the man the dreamers were sending their magic against just happened to die by chance on the same night... but it could technically be possible...
By book three I feel like the 'plausible' bit of the deniability has gone... too many supernatural things are happening, to too many people, often with witnesses, to deny their reality. Manda Scott doesn't use it as too much of a deux ex machina, but there are a few instances where (being a little vague to avoid spoilers) a character knows where a thing is because a god/ancestor spirit told them where to find it, or a character chooses their course of action because of a vision or instruction from a supernatural entity.
If you're coming to this series from a background in fantasy (or you've been fine in the previous books with the idea of 'magic' influencing events) I think you'll be fine with this. If you don't like mixing the supernatural or speculative with historical fact, however, (and a lot of historical fiction doesn't) you may be starting to struggle a bit as I do feel like this stuff gets more prominent in book 3... again, as an avid fantasy reader, it's not something I see as a negative, but I see how it could put someone else off so thought it worth mentioning.
Overall though, a phenomenal book in a phenomenal series! Once again, huge thanks to the Brothers Gwynne for recommending this series and hosting the readalong!
So let's get the obvious out of the way first: there are some incredibly disturbing scenes in this book. The first two books certainly had some ugly moments, but I would seriously advise preparing yourself for worse before picking up book three.
Based on Manda Scott's historical note at the end of the book, it seems as though the most horrifying scenes in the book are actually the ones most firmly grounded in recorded history. I bring this up to make the point that Manda Scott is not cranking up the brutality gratuitously, or for pure shock value.
I actually think she is remarkably restrained when it comes to violence and gore - she describes only as much as she needs to in order to make an impact, then she moves away. The result of this is that the reader does not become overly desensitised to the violence and it remains shocking when it does occur.
You have been warned!
So, how does this book hold up against the previous two?
Incredibly well!
Everything that made the previous two installments so wonderful is also present in this book: the rich, vivid sensory details; the flawed but relatable characters; the tense, high-stakes dialogue. I could write a lot about all of these but I already did in my reviews for the previous two books and really it's just more of the same - but in the best possible way.
Those who were disappointed with Breaca/Boudica's lack of 'screentime' in the previous book will be reassured to hear that she gets the limelight back in this book. The flipside of this is that Ban/Valerius gets less time in the spotlight - which may disappoint some. I wouldn't have minded seeing a bit more of him, but I also wouldn't want to cut down any of Breaca's chapters. I guess I'm just being greedy... These books are so good that I just want more of all of it...
Something I really liked about this installment was the way Breaca's relationship with her children was explored. In the previous book, I found myself getting frustrated with her at a couple of points for being cold to her children and for prioritising other people and things over them. In this book, we see the consequences of this and the work that Breaca has to do to repair these relationships. It's a wonderful acknowledgement that throwing yourself wholly into a cause, even a worthy one, is going to come at a cost.
Are there any negatives...?
Not for me (at least nothing major) but there are a couple of things that I think could put other people off:
As previously mentioned, there are some very disturbing events that take place in this book and this may be too much for some readers.
There are also significant 'supernatural' elements to this story - dreaming/gods/goddesses/ancestor spirits/ghosts etc. In book one, I feel like these elements were kept fairly ambiguous - e.g. were the dreamers really controlling the weather, or was the weather doing what it would have done anyway and it just coincided with what they were hoping for? In book two, I felt like it got less ambiguous but there was still 'plausible deniability' - e.g. it would have been a very strange coincidence that the man the dreamers were sending their magic against just happened to die by chance on the same night... but it could technically be possible...
By book three I feel like the 'plausible' bit of the deniability has gone... too many supernatural things are happening, to too many people, often with witnesses, to deny their reality. Manda Scott doesn't use it as too much of a deux ex machina, but there are a few instances where (being a little vague to avoid spoilers) a character knows where a thing is because a god/ancestor spirit told them where to find it, or a character chooses their course of action because of a vision or instruction from a supernatural entity.
If you're coming to this series from a background in fantasy (or you've been fine in the previous books with the idea of 'magic' influencing events) I think you'll be fine with this. If you don't like mixing the supernatural or speculative with historical fact, however, (and a lot of historical fiction doesn't) you may be starting to struggle a bit as I do feel like this stuff gets more prominent in book 3... again, as an avid fantasy reader, it's not something I see as a negative, but I see how it could put someone else off so thought it worth mentioning.
Overall though, a phenomenal book in a phenomenal series! Once again, huge thanks to the Brothers Gwynne for recommending this series and hosting the readalong!
July 18, 2017
Author Manda Scott does well with her interpretation of the sketchy historical facts around Britannia in the late 50s to 60 AD. The author admits to fantasy and has a love for the "dreamers." And once again, as any reader of history knows, man knows no limits for his ability to inflict cruelty upon his fellow man. Not for the faint of heart, given no love lost between the Roman invaders and the Celtic tribes.
Onto book four,
, Dreaming the Serpent Spear
Onto book four,
, Dreaming the Serpent Spear
August 2, 2013
Amazing and Mind Boggling!
With this 3rd book in the 4 book series I can tell you each book gets into more dept of Boudica's life. The story is truly amazing with the sacrifices that Boudica takes to ensure her leadership role for her tribe the Eceni in order to raise an army to push back Rome. The Romans see the Tribes as savages yet Rome's actions are brutally horrifying and worse than any savage actions. Rome's greed knows no boundaries and becomes hungry with their taxation of the tribes goods and eventually turns to taking the tribes people as human slaves.
Boudica's brother Ban or as we know him -Valerius- heals partly on Mona and becomes what he is suppose to be from the beginning - a dreamer. Valerius is now known as the warrior ghost to the Roman Army.
The whole story is just mind boggling in how these tribes were treated, how their lands were stripped from them and how they starved and lost everything they worked for. For instance, Boudica is Queen to King Pasutagos or "Tagos". Tagos is killed and the Curator learns of it and the first thing he does is pull out the Will made between Tagos and the Emperor. In this will, the Tribe King Tagos leaves 1/2 his land to the Emperor and the other half to his daughters. Problem is, Women meant nothing back then and since the daughters were either not of age or married they became the sole property of the Emperor and their belongings such as their lands became the Emperors as well.
I don't want to tell the story but Boudica would have lost everything if not for her Brother Ban/Valerius coming in time to stop the Curator from making the killing blow from a Lashing.
The Curator had dishonored Boudica's daughters by raping them since he could not kill them if they were still virgins so he had them raped in front of Boudica. The youngest daughter was 7 years old.
The ending is left open as Ban/Valerius and the Boudica make ready to raise an army to push back Rome.
The author's writing is smooth and the words are visionary keeping the reader glued to the book. Brilliant Writing is how I see this story because the author has captured the reality of history, how women (Boudica) came into the role of leadership, and at the same time probably without realizing it gives a slight glimps into the remaking of our own current world's future destruction.
I couldn't wait to jump immediately into the forth book "Dreaming the Serpent Spear." I look forward to learning how the Boudica and her Tribe along with the other Tribes in Britannia survive Rome's hungry greed and destruction.
On a side note - reading this as an older person I can see from my point of view since this story is based on true facts regarding the Boudica how history is repeating itself here in America. America is not that far gone to greed as Rome was right now but our country is heading that way fast with the government getting bigger and taxing the people or should I say bleeding them dry. Some may disagree with me but that is ok - they just can't see for the wool over their eyes.
The similarities are as such:
1. Eceni didn't believe in marriage and therefore slept with whom ever they desired and that meant it did not matter whether they were female or male - the author gives the reader the truth in how being with the same sex was a common practice.
**In our own world today, homosexuality is now becoming common and openly accepted. Also marriage is now not just between a man and woman - it is more common today to just live with someone vs marrying them.
2. Romes greed - taxing everyone and everything - out of control
**Look at America's debt ratio and the tax hike that the American people are having to pay, look at how the IRS is getting away with stuff where only the rules apply to the American people but not the government. Just saying.
With this 3rd book in the 4 book series I can tell you each book gets into more dept of Boudica's life. The story is truly amazing with the sacrifices that Boudica takes to ensure her leadership role for her tribe the Eceni in order to raise an army to push back Rome. The Romans see the Tribes as savages yet Rome's actions are brutally horrifying and worse than any savage actions. Rome's greed knows no boundaries and becomes hungry with their taxation of the tribes goods and eventually turns to taking the tribes people as human slaves.
Boudica's brother Ban or as we know him -Valerius- heals partly on Mona and becomes what he is suppose to be from the beginning - a dreamer. Valerius is now known as the warrior ghost to the Roman Army.
The whole story is just mind boggling in how these tribes were treated, how their lands were stripped from them and how they starved and lost everything they worked for. For instance, Boudica is Queen to King Pasutagos or "Tagos". Tagos is killed and the Curator learns of it and the first thing he does is pull out the Will made between Tagos and the Emperor. In this will, the Tribe King Tagos leaves 1/2 his land to the Emperor and the other half to his daughters. Problem is, Women meant nothing back then and since the daughters were either not of age or married they became the sole property of the Emperor and their belongings such as their lands became the Emperors as well.
I don't want to tell the story but Boudica would have lost everything if not for her Brother Ban/Valerius coming in time to stop the Curator from making the killing blow from a Lashing.
The Curator had dishonored Boudica's daughters by raping them since he could not kill them if they were still virgins so he had them raped in front of Boudica. The youngest daughter was 7 years old.
The ending is left open as Ban/Valerius and the Boudica make ready to raise an army to push back Rome.
The author's writing is smooth and the words are visionary keeping the reader glued to the book. Brilliant Writing is how I see this story because the author has captured the reality of history, how women (Boudica) came into the role of leadership, and at the same time probably without realizing it gives a slight glimps into the remaking of our own current world's future destruction.
I couldn't wait to jump immediately into the forth book "Dreaming the Serpent Spear." I look forward to learning how the Boudica and her Tribe along with the other Tribes in Britannia survive Rome's hungry greed and destruction.
On a side note - reading this as an older person I can see from my point of view since this story is based on true facts regarding the Boudica how history is repeating itself here in America. America is not that far gone to greed as Rome was right now but our country is heading that way fast with the government getting bigger and taxing the people or should I say bleeding them dry. Some may disagree with me but that is ok - they just can't see for the wool over their eyes.
The similarities are as such:
1. Eceni didn't believe in marriage and therefore slept with whom ever they desired and that meant it did not matter whether they were female or male - the author gives the reader the truth in how being with the same sex was a common practice.
**In our own world today, homosexuality is now becoming common and openly accepted. Also marriage is now not just between a man and woman - it is more common today to just live with someone vs marrying them.
2. Romes greed - taxing everyone and everything - out of control
**Look at America's debt ratio and the tax hike that the American people are having to pay, look at how the IRS is getting away with stuff where only the rules apply to the American people but not the government. Just saying.
June 19, 2015
A real page turner. Obviously you have to suspend disbelief somewhat at the "mythical" side of things, but - as we know so little about the ancient celts culture, who is to say she's wrong really!
I still feel conflicted about Ban/Valarius. Would he really have gone over to the Roman's side so readily as a young adult. Surely as soon as he was an adult he would have tried to get back home to Eceni. Even if his family were dead, he had a strong bond with the rest of the tribe. I was never convinced he would have stayed with the Romans - especially as they brutalised him and everyone around them.
Manda Scott definitely gives the impression if the UK hadn't been "Romaized", we would have been better off - with a more equitable society, no patriarchy, etc etc. I wonder??
I would recommend this book to everyone. Especially if you love reading about the bond between dogs and humans or horses and humans.
I still feel conflicted about Ban/Valarius. Would he really have gone over to the Roman's side so readily as a young adult. Surely as soon as he was an adult he would have tried to get back home to Eceni. Even if his family were dead, he had a strong bond with the rest of the tribe. I was never convinced he would have stayed with the Romans - especially as they brutalised him and everyone around them.
Manda Scott definitely gives the impression if the UK hadn't been "Romaized", we would have been better off - with a more equitable society, no patriarchy, etc etc. I wonder??
I would recommend this book to everyone. Especially if you love reading about the bond between dogs and humans or horses and humans.
April 14, 2023
This probably my fourth or fifth time re-reading this book and I fall more in love with it every time. I find Graine's character slightly as she does feel overly perfect in this book but she's still a likeable character. I have to admit I was slightly confused by the appearance of Gunovar as in the first book Gunovic's family was said to have been taken by slavers and there was no mention of a daughter among the tribes but I liked her as well. Valerius just gets better with every book and his relationships with Longinus and Corvus are possibly the best in the series. Cunomar improves immensely as a character and his development was another strong subplot.
January 12, 2024
I loved this third installment of the Boudica series, the characters were again brilliantly written and the storyline believable and once again well researched. Scott has continues to recreate the intricacies of Celtic Britain and the Roman Empire very well with a distinct attention to detail that continues to support the story. Each character continues to be developed well and the situations that arise are again handled and written well and portrayed in a manner to make each as relevent to the reader as possible.
November 2, 2022
Der Kampf gegen Rom ist schwer geworden für Breaca. Die Seherin der Kelten muss alleine kämpfen. Ihr Mann wurde verraten und sie hat das Ansehen ihres Stamms verloren. Ihr Volk ist durch den langen Kampf müde geworden und will sich nicht mehr gegen die römischen Legionen stellen. Breaca bleiben nur ihre Kinder, um den Kampf erneut aufzunehmen.
Die Seherin der Kelten ist der dritte Teil der Reihe um Breaca (Boudica):
Teil 1 – Die Herrin der Kelten
Teil 2 – Das Schwert der Keltin
Teil 3 – Die Seherin der Kelten
Teil 4 –Die Kriegerin der Kelten
Ich kenne weder die Geschichte von Boudica, noch habe ich die anderen Bücher der Reihe gelesen. Trotzdem hatte ich nicht den Eindruck, als ob mir Wissen fehlen würde. Im Gegenteil: bestimmte Ereignisse werden immer wieder erwähnt, so dass mich wahrscheinlich noch mehr stören würde, wenn ich schon zwei Bände mehr so häufig darüber gelesen hätte.
Aber auch ohne die ständigen Wiederholungen hätte mir Die Seherin der Kelten nicht besser gefallen. Die Charaktere haben mir in ihrer Darstellung nicht gefallen und das Thema war nicht mehr meins. Ab und zu gab es Szenen, die mir recht gut gefallen haben, aber die haben nicht ausgereicht.
Die Seherin der Kelten ist der dritte Teil der Reihe um Breaca (Boudica):
Teil 1 – Die Herrin der Kelten
Teil 2 – Das Schwert der Keltin
Teil 3 – Die Seherin der Kelten
Teil 4 –Die Kriegerin der Kelten
Ich kenne weder die Geschichte von Boudica, noch habe ich die anderen Bücher der Reihe gelesen. Trotzdem hatte ich nicht den Eindruck, als ob mir Wissen fehlen würde. Im Gegenteil: bestimmte Ereignisse werden immer wieder erwähnt, so dass mich wahrscheinlich noch mehr stören würde, wenn ich schon zwei Bände mehr so häufig darüber gelesen hätte.
Aber auch ohne die ständigen Wiederholungen hätte mir Die Seherin der Kelten nicht besser gefallen. Die Charaktere haben mir in ihrer Darstellung nicht gefallen und das Thema war nicht mehr meins. Ab und zu gab es Szenen, die mir recht gut gefallen haben, aber die haben nicht ausgereicht.
July 16, 2017
Dreaming the hound is book 3 of the Boudica series, and this is definitely the best one so far. The characters have been grown layer by layer over the last two books, so that by this book, the writing is extremely vivid and absorbing and the characters delightfully complex and believable. I really loved reading this book, and am looking forward to the fourth and last installment (which is on my birthday/Christmas wishlist, so I'll have to wait a bit). Five stars and a wholehearted recommendation for those of you interested in tribal/ Roman Britain!
March 6, 2024
Still enjoying this foray in to the pre Roman British world although this is the point at which the story gets sadder. Fewer battles this time around (good!) but with more of the ‘dreaming’ and supernatural elements which I also find it difficult to wrap my head around. Again Scott does a good job in the afterword to explain the scant evidence that she used to weave a plausible fictional story. Again I felt sad at what a rich culture we probably lost and hands up if that’s me romanticising as a (slightly) biased Celt…
March 6, 2024
4.4 stars. Absolutely thrilling, beautifully written, and heartwrenching. I was not sure if Scott would be able to surpass her previous installments, but she had me openly weeping in public finishing this book. There is more visceralness in this volume, which makes sense as the time of dreaming is replaced by action. The second generation is growing up, which adds more loveable and flawed characters to the roster.
April 30, 2024
4.0 out of 5 stars.
Another solid and gut-wrenching entry in the Boudica series. Our characters are gearing up for the final showdown — with Rome, with each other, with themselves. And I'm gearing up for my final showdown with this author after letting her repeatedly pummel my emotions for > 2000 pages.
Spears up, shields on — let's go.
Another solid and gut-wrenching entry in the Boudica series. Our characters are gearing up for the final showdown — with Rome, with each other, with themselves. And I'm gearing up for my final showdown with this author after letting her repeatedly pummel my emotions for > 2000 pages.
Spears up, shields on — let's go.
May 25, 2023
Wow. I ate up this book from beginning to end. Absolutely beautiful, heartbreaking, thrilling storytelling. It is an absolute honor to read Manda Scott’s thoroughly prepared historical fiction novels and this one has been my favorite of the series.
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March 17, 2024A really good read. What might have happened
June 17, 2016
In Dreaming the Hound, the third volume of Manda Scott's Boudica quartet, the focus of the narrative returns to Breaca and her brother Ban, also known as Julius Valerius.
Breaca has returned to her own people, the Eceni, with her children Cunomar and Graine, and her step-daughter Cynfa. Now married to the Eceni leader Prasutogas, a client-king of Rome, she hides in plain sight from the Romans, who would gladly kill her if they ever connected the new queen of the Eceni with the war leader Boudica. Her goal is to build up an army of rebellion among the eastern tribes that have fallen under the sway of Roman authority.
Ban too has come home, in a sense, after several years spent avoiding both Romans and Britons on the island of Hibernia. In bringing a wounded young man he loves to the healers on Mona for help no one else can give, he finds in himself the desire to at last fulfill his gifts as a dreamer - and on Mona a dreamer willing to teach a former traitor how to dream.
But the Roman drive to control all of Britain continues. In the lands of the Eceni, the Roman governor authorises the work of slavers, who carry an offer to the Eceni king to relieve all the tribal debts in return for Graine and Cynfa. Breaca and Prasutogas' responses to this insult set in motion the path to the inevitable resumption of war against Rome. And in the West, governor Suetonius Paulinus marches toward Mona.
Again, Manda Scott weaves another chapter in this powerful historical fantasy series around the few facts known about the Roman treatment of the tribes of Britain and the uprising of the Iceni under Queen Boudica.
Breaca has returned to her own people, the Eceni, with her children Cunomar and Graine, and her step-daughter Cynfa. Now married to the Eceni leader Prasutogas, a client-king of Rome, she hides in plain sight from the Romans, who would gladly kill her if they ever connected the new queen of the Eceni with the war leader Boudica. Her goal is to build up an army of rebellion among the eastern tribes that have fallen under the sway of Roman authority.
Ban too has come home, in a sense, after several years spent avoiding both Romans and Britons on the island of Hibernia. In bringing a wounded young man he loves to the healers on Mona for help no one else can give, he finds in himself the desire to at last fulfill his gifts as a dreamer - and on Mona a dreamer willing to teach a former traitor how to dream.
But the Roman drive to control all of Britain continues. In the lands of the Eceni, the Roman governor authorises the work of slavers, who carry an offer to the Eceni king to relieve all the tribal debts in return for Graine and Cynfa. Breaca and Prasutogas' responses to this insult set in motion the path to the inevitable resumption of war against Rome. And in the West, governor Suetonius Paulinus marches toward Mona.
Again, Manda Scott weaves another chapter in this powerful historical fantasy series around the few facts known about the Roman treatment of the tribes of Britain and the uprising of the Iceni under Queen Boudica.
August 1, 2012
The first book in this quadrilogy was a little slow but still well written and never failed to grip the interest of the reader.
However, after reading the second book and now the third the saga really does pick up speed making both books into real page turners. The figures all start to take on a real depth of character but only due to the good basis laid out in the first book.
It has been criticised that this quadrilogy is based on the classic model or metaphor of the greedy, profit driven, resource killing, tax collecting Romans (globalist west) and on the other hand the misunderstood, tree hugging, mystic, one with nature, eco friendly Celts. Not forgetting the soul tortured, split loyalties and tragic token character of Julius Valerius who doesn't know which side he belongs too. But if this model can still be successful for James Cameron in Avatar and still sell millions, then I don't think we should be too critical of a plot that still really works and is handled by Scott brilliantly. It is after all what all empire building has been all about through history and Scott has definitely done her research here too. It doesn't detract from a well written story by any means. All in all, a well written and totally enthralling saga that just keeps the pages turning and begs to be read again. Can't wait to get stuck into the fourth book. Although we all know how the story ends........ so one big thumbs down for history.
However, after reading the second book and now the third the saga really does pick up speed making both books into real page turners. The figures all start to take on a real depth of character but only due to the good basis laid out in the first book.
It has been criticised that this quadrilogy is based on the classic model or metaphor of the greedy, profit driven, resource killing, tax collecting Romans (globalist west) and on the other hand the misunderstood, tree hugging, mystic, one with nature, eco friendly Celts. Not forgetting the soul tortured, split loyalties and tragic token character of Julius Valerius who doesn't know which side he belongs too. But if this model can still be successful for James Cameron in Avatar and still sell millions, then I don't think we should be too critical of a plot that still really works and is handled by Scott brilliantly. It is after all what all empire building has been all about through history and Scott has definitely done her research here too. It doesn't detract from a well written story by any means. All in all, a well written and totally enthralling saga that just keeps the pages turning and begs to be read again. Can't wait to get stuck into the fourth book. Although we all know how the story ends........ so one big thumbs down for history.
March 22, 2023
I loved so many aspects of this book, but it's probably my least favourite of the series so far (which isn't a bad thing, it just had a lot to live up to). I think that is due to the fact that Dreaming the Bull was the hardest and saddest book to read in this series so far. There are a few difficult scenes, but some truly harrowing things happen towards the end, which are even more horrible considering how rooted in history they are. As much as I loved this book, these things made it a difficult read that wasn't as enjoyable as the others. However, the ending was fantastic and gave me so many things I had been waiting for since book one.
The book felt slower in pace than the previous two, but I enjoyed that; the slower pace allowed for some character growth and introspection that I really liked. The characters are one of my favourite parts of this series and that was no different for this installment; I loved seeing Breaca's journey as a mother and Queen, as well as Valerius' struggles with his identity and finding his place in the world and this fight.
The historical aspects were, as usual, fascinating. I enjoyed seeing Scott's take on the politics of this time and the rising tensions, as well as exploring the religious beliefs of the people.
I'm looking forward to reading the final book in the series (although slightly nervous).
The book felt slower in pace than the previous two, but I enjoyed that; the slower pace allowed for some character growth and introspection that I really liked. The characters are one of my favourite parts of this series and that was no different for this installment; I loved seeing Breaca's journey as a mother and Queen, as well as Valerius' struggles with his identity and finding his place in the world and this fight.
The historical aspects were, as usual, fascinating. I enjoyed seeing Scott's take on the politics of this time and the rising tensions, as well as exploring the religious beliefs of the people.
I'm looking forward to reading the final book in the series (although slightly nervous).
October 22, 2023
I had to take a bit of a hiatus from reading this book about 80% of the way in; the story this series tells is a mostly fictional depiction of the Celtic warrior Boudica and what her life may have been like before and during her rebellion against Rome. Unfortunately, one of the few known facts in history are the horrific acts of violence the Romans inflict on Boudica’s two daughters, and are portrayed at the end of this book, the third in the series.
I can’t fault the author for the scene that I read, because she wrote in bare honesty the horror that had occurred, and it rightly made me sick to my stomach. This was something that is known to have happened, and it wouldn’t have been right to sugarcoat, gloss over, or ignore it. Still, after that, it was weeks before I felt ready to pick up the book again and continue reading.
Despite everything, this continues to be one of my favorite series I’ve ever read, and I’m hungry to finish the fourth and final book.
I can’t fault the author for the scene that I read, because she wrote in bare honesty the horror that had occurred, and it rightly made me sick to my stomach. This was something that is known to have happened, and it wouldn’t have been right to sugarcoat, gloss over, or ignore it. Still, after that, it was weeks before I felt ready to pick up the book again and continue reading.
Despite everything, this continues to be one of my favorite series I’ve ever read, and I’m hungry to finish the fourth and final book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2009
I really love this series. I am a huge fan, I love the descriptions, the charcters, the plots. They are so well created and usually in a book there are parts that flow and others that re rather heavy going but in this it all just creates a lovely image in my head. Ban is one of my favourite characters of all time as he is just a wonderful character with a tortured soul that just appeals to me.
January 9, 2013
Now well invested in this series, I devoured Dreaming the Hound and was delighted to learn today that there is a fourth instalment - Dreaming the Serpent-Spear. The characters are wonderfully developed and many became a part of my circle of friends while others became my arch enemies as I became totally immersed in this thrilling story.
September 23, 2014
Es un libro coral, al igual que los anteriores, en el cual se incorpora un nuevo personaje: Graine (que tambien es encantador). De los tres es el que más rápido terminé y se narra los acontecimientos que despiertan la furia de Boudica.
November 21, 2022
As i'd read the first two of this series, it didn't take me as long this time to become aware of the different thought-worlds Manda Scott paints in this book. That the Iron Age British cultures as imagined here remain as strange as they seemed to me in the first book didn't surprise me, it made it more interesting and exciting. That the sections set among the Romans seemed more recognisable as being closer to the world as it is now struck me more this time. This is as unsettling as it's understandable, the occupying Romans are surely the baddies in this story.
This volume covers the time over which the histories written by the Romans cover. That i knew what might happen next did not spoil the book, this and the others in the series are imaginative thrillers based but not tied to the accepted facts.
The next volume, which i believe is the last, will go to places i know well even though they've surely changed beyond all recognition. I've stood outside what was once the Temple of Claudius in Colchester, in fact stood inside the foundations which have been emptied of sand and reinforced to keep it steady. To be able to see an oyster shell among the original foundations, suggesting someone's lunch fell out of a tunic (did they have pockets?) couldn't be retrieved and is still there nearly 2000 years later is quite the thing and worth the price of admission in my opinion. And Longinus, a character in these books' tombstone is in the museum too.
Bring on part four, probably next year, i feel it's a book to be read in the campaigning season!
This volume covers the time over which the histories written by the Romans cover. That i knew what might happen next did not spoil the book, this and the others in the series are imaginative thrillers based but not tied to the accepted facts.
The next volume, which i believe is the last, will go to places i know well even though they've surely changed beyond all recognition. I've stood outside what was once the Temple of Claudius in Colchester, in fact stood inside the foundations which have been emptied of sand and reinforced to keep it steady. To be able to see an oyster shell among the original foundations, suggesting someone's lunch fell out of a tunic (did they have pockets?) couldn't be retrieved and is still there nearly 2000 years later is quite the thing and worth the price of admission in my opinion. And Longinus, a character in these books' tombstone is in the museum too.
Bring on part four, probably next year, i feel it's a book to be read in the campaigning season!
July 12, 2021
Really liking this series. The later part of this book is harrowing to read - especially if you're familiar with the history of what was done to Boudica's family. That section is not graphic in terms of description, but leaving the reader to imagine the most distressing details gives it more of an emotional impact.
But that's only one part of the story. We also follow Valerius as he tries to come to terms with his past and decide where his future lies, in a journey that is as much spiritual as it is geographical. The Eceni and other tribes are also trying to cope with the Romans, what they've done to their lands - and their constant demand for taxes that the half-starved tribespeople are understandably struggling to pay.
As ever, there are relatively few known facts about this era, but the author does a good job of weaving what is known with what feels plausible and possible, and putting it all together into a compelling novel.
I already have the next book on loan from the library and will read it next.
But that's only one part of the story. We also follow Valerius as he tries to come to terms with his past and decide where his future lies, in a journey that is as much spiritual as it is geographical. The Eceni and other tribes are also trying to cope with the Romans, what they've done to their lands - and their constant demand for taxes that the half-starved tribespeople are understandably struggling to pay.
As ever, there are relatively few known facts about this era, but the author does a good job of weaving what is known with what feels plausible and possible, and putting it all together into a compelling novel.
I already have the next book on loan from the library and will read it next.
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