Queen of Oak

The Celtic Rebels #1

by Melanie Karsak

Fated to lead a rebellion against Rome.
Destined to become a legend.

Britain, A.D. 42—Boudica, second daughter of a Celtic king, has little concern for tribal tensions and political intrigues. Called by the gods and the stirrings of her own wild heart, she listens instead to whispers of the oaks. But Boudica would be wiser to heed the warning cries of eagles.

Rumors abound that the Romans are amassing forces for another invasion. In an effort to consolidate power, Boudica’s father turns to Prasutagus, the formidable ruler of the Greater Iceni. To win Prasutagus’s aid, Boudica’s father must strike a bargain—a deal with implications beyond Boudica’s imagining.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Mythology, Romance, Historical Fantasy, Fantasy Romance

598 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2021

About the author

New York Times and USA Today best-selling historical fantasy author Melanie Karsak is the author of the Celtic Blood series, Steampunk Red Riding Hood, Steampunk Fairy Tales, the Road to Valhalla Series, and other works of fantasy and fiction. The author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.

Join my newsletter and get Under the Strawberry Moon for FREE: https://bit.ly/37y35RS

Connect with me online:

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/37y35RS
Webpage: http://www.melaniekarsak.com
Facebook: @AuthorMelanieKarsak
Pinterest: @melaniekarsak
Instagram: @karsakmelanie

Reviews

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

History has whispered very little of the Iceni Queen Boudica, but Melanie has brought her to life once again in the pages of Queen of Oak. Being of Celtic heritage myself I felt a kindred spirit with Boudica as she is put through her paces in the early first century. And Ula, the wisewoman of Oak Thorne is like so many of the elders I have known, even here in the mountains of Carolina, God love them!

The characters in this book are engaging, funny and expressive thanks to Melanie's writing style. Whether you love historical fiction, romance or action-adventure, this book is so worth the read.

[Izzie d · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this.
Love the author's writing style.
Ends on a cliffhanger.
Book 2 is up for pre-order but I'm unclear how many books in series.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boudica is always fighting with her brothers and sisters about marrying for love. She is always trying to get them to follow their hearts and not do what is expected of them by their father, a Celtic king.

Boudica fights hard to follow her heart but she soon learns with rumors of an invasion on the horizon that she may have to give up everything to follow the calling of the Gods.

Queen of Oak has loads of action with all the battle scenes. It is filled with twist after twists that keep the pages turning. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough wondering and waiting for what was going to happen next. I loved all the characters. I loved the banter between Boudica and her siblings. Their banter alone was enough to keep me hanging on every word.

Queen of Oak was written so beautifully with such exquisite detail that I could see each and every scene as if I was standing right there with all the characters witnessing each one.

Queen of Oak is a great introduction to a brand new series. I can’t wait to read more about Boudica, her siblings, and the Celtic Rebels in future books from this world.

I would recommend Queen of Oak to anyone who loves historical fantasy! One-click your copy of Queen of Oak today for a great adventure into a new world!

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this started out strong but then, after awhile, it just sort of dragged. I've read other books by this author and had the same critique for those. It's like the author is just pushing everything into a story and the editor (if there is one) is too scared to say anything about losing 75-100 pages of unimportant fluff. This, like other books by this author, tends to go off into the deep end of fantasy and magic which, for me, took me out of the story at times.

Also, there was a lot of "inclining of the head" (17 times) and people who "inclined their head" (33 times). Other possible historical inaccuracies was the celebration of Yule (that was a Germanic holiday, not a Celtic one) as well as the pre-Roman Celts of Britain drinking wine. (Spoiler, it was the Romans who introduced wine to Britain...and seeing how this is a story about Boudica...you see where I'm going).

Despite - or perhaps in spite of - the above, I did rather like it. The characterization of Boudica was strong. I'll probably finish out the series.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot I liked about this book, but some things I did not.

I chose to read this book because, thanks to my Celtic heritage, I love reading about the ancient Celtic world. I enjoyed reading about the many colorful, fully developed characters and to get a peek at what life would’ve been like for Boudicca and the ancient Britons.

But there were a few things that irked me here. I felt the dialogue was either kind of silly or for a younger audience at times, there was far too much winking between characters going on, Boudicca’s spear seemed to conveniently come out of nowhere sometimes, and I felt the author could’ve done more research on how ancient Britons lived. I mean, did the roundhouses really have chambers? I don’t recall seeing that when I did my reading on the Celts. And the druids had far more power throughout Celtic society than the author indicated here.

Even so, this was an entertaining book and it held my interest. I’m looking forward to reading the next one!

[Alyssa Gildea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I just loved this. It's definitely a slow burn, so if you're looking for something fast-paced, this may not be for you. However, if you're looking for a low fantasy, historical romance/drama with some mythology, this is the ticket. I really didn't want it to end, I was so enjoying all the characters, etc. This book is perfect for fans of Juliet Marillier and the like.

The only qualms I had were (1) the sheer number of times "waspish" or "waspishly" was used (17 to be exact), and (2) the synopsis definitely made my think this would be more action-heavy, which it isn't at all. There is one short action scene at the end, but otherwise, it's a character drama. I do think that this book was setting the stage for all the future action, so there may be more in the books to come. And yes, I am definitely continuing on with this series. Cheers!

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW so glad I found this book! I had been wanting to read a book on Boudica for years, and I found this one available on Kindle Unlimited. It twas off to a slow start almost gave up on it to read something else but then it picked up and I would be reading 100 pages in a day.

Though if I read the word waspish in the second book I may scream.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction about Boudica, and if you don’t know who that is I suggest you Google her because what a badass! However you’d enjoy this book even if you don’t know who she is because (at least what I know of her) the book used Boudica more as a character then following her actual story. Historical fictions can be stuffy and boring sometimes and it’s not my typical genre, but this was really good and I liked it; it read more like a fantasy then a historical fiction which I also really enjoyed. My only critique would be that there were some slow patches throughout the book, but the overall story was good enough to overlook those. The writing style was also a little odd at times, it didn’t feel natural or flow well, and there was repetitive word use like “waspish” or “waspishly” was used 17 times and the repetitiveness was really annoying as a reader. It was a really solid read and I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2. I enjoyed this one and I’m not even into historical fiction.

[Kaitlin Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a first step into historical fiction, this was really good! It was an easier read than I thought which I enjoyed, the name index at the beginning made me hesitant and I had to get in the mood to read something complex. It was a delightful surprise though and got me hooked within the first 50 pages. The story revolves around our main female lead, Boudica, as she loses love, finds love, learns more about her “fate” as someone, who in the next books, will be a hero of her people. The story takes place in 42 AD when Briton was made up of early Celtic tribes and facing a lot of issues with Roman invasion. I did some research into Boudica while reading this book and she is a new favorite historical female figure for me! Very interesting while still having fantasy vibes and fae lore. Can’t wait to read the next ones!

[Louise Waugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun

Well written, fun historical fantasy. Since so little is known about Boudica, or about British religious practices of the era (except they were not as depicted in this book) an author has freedom to take an idea and follow their imagination. I powered through this in just over a day (took today off to read and rest from some overwork yesterday, but still, I wouldn't have spent the whole day reading had the book not held my attention.) Now I am going to jump right in to the second volume.

[Brooke Noy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a character heavy novel, rather than plot.

[Cindy Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get the whole series right now!

This serie is so beautifully written, you can sense the magic from the earth, clearly imagine every place as.its described with such care and love. The growth in the characters is so compelling but you need to know you will hate some, love some, get mad at them, cry and laugh through the pages.
I'm writing this on the first book so you can prepare and get the 3 of them ready before you start. You will NEED to keep reading as they end up abruptly and that's a no no Lol
Enjoy the read!!

[Whitney Reinhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie Karstack dives deep into the legend of Celtic Queen Boudica in her book, Queen of Oak. If you enjoy tales of old magic, druids, priestesses, faeries, family, love, and loss, you're sure to enjoy the quick paced twists and turns as Boudica and her family strive to protect their kingdom from greedy neighbors and worry over rumors of another Roman invasion. Karstack creates a world grounded in reality with a healthy infusion of fantasy as only the ancients could have imagined it. This is no fly by night, read in one sitting tale. At 598 pages, readers are thoroughly immersed in the Celtic Iceni holdings of Britain, now known as Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge and Essex, during the first century AD. History is somewhat sparse for this period, so why not turn our imaginations to what might have been. Fair warning, Queen of Oak is the first in a series and the second isn't due out until March of 2022. If you enjoy it as much as I did, you'll be left dangling by a breathless thread until then.

[Susan Stradiotto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this story and can’t wait for book 2 (Queen of Stone)! The plot and characters are tightly woven together. The romance is definitely there, but it’s more romantic fantasy than fantasy romance. It comes across as true to the lives and times of this setting.

The historical aspects and belief systems engrossed me thoroughly. Note: I’m a huge fan of Boudica anyway! The writing was good, but there were a couple of ticks in voice. The notable ones for me were: The word “waspishly” is repeated a lot and it’s a mouthful. And the phrase “once more” stuck out. But these are really minor hiccups. It’s suitable for teen audiences beyond middle-grade level, so if you have young fantasy readers, grab this!

My rating comes in at 95/100, owed to the plot, characters, and romance. The slight lowering is because of the hiccups I mentioned, and I would have loved it to be an adult fantasy rather than YA. Still warrants a 5* though.

See full review here: https://susanstradiotto.com/book-revi...

[Lauralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boudica is the second daughter of a Celtic king. She has no taste for getting involved with politics. However, she is called by the Celtic gods to beware of the Eagles. The Eagles are the Romans that are about to invade her beloved homeland. In order to protect them from the Romans, Boudicca’s father enters into an alliance with Prasutagus.

Boudica is one of the most famous queens in Great Britain. Yet, novelists have rarely focused on Boudica’s teen years. This novel gives the reader a glimpse of what Boudica might have been like as an adolescent. I really like Mrs. Karsak’s version of Boudica. Boudica is very carefree. She loves her home and it’s surroundings. I identified with her and the difficult choices that she had to make. Thus, not only was Boudica a strong character, but she was also very realistic and relatable.

Overall, this was a coming of age story of Boudica. As soon as you open up the first page, Mrs. Karsak sucks you into Celtic Britain. The past immediately becomes alive with vivid descriptions and a large cast of characters. All of the characters are realistic and complex. The author also does an excellent job using magical elements in her story. I love how the setting of Celtic Britain seems very mystical. Boudica’s Britain was before the conversion of Christianity. Thus, Britain appeared very magical that verged on faerie lore. Religion was an important aspect of the book, and I loved how Mrs. Karsak handled it! Thus, Queen of the Oak is a breathtaking and mesmerizing novel about the infamous British warrior queen! I loved this novel so much that I can’t wait for the sequel! I am excited to see how Mrs. Karsak will continue to portray Boudica’s story! I recommend this for fans of Mists of Avalon, Daughter of Destiny, and The Lost Queen!
(Note: A copy of this book was given to me by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.)

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

first reread finished 7/8/24

If you like history, badass women, a touch of fae-things, political maneuvering, war/battles/fighting, then this series is for you.

I love these books. Boudica (can’t remember how Melanie spells it, but whatever, you know who this is about) was a BAMF. I went down the rabbit hole a little bit when I read these last year. It’s unfortunate that so little is known about her, or at least so little that can be taken as fact. I believe I read much of what we know of her is of course from the Romans, and we all know how history skews itself when the winners tell the story. But anyway. Melanie Karsak writes beautifully. We follow Boudica, her two brothers, one sister, and father, as they navigate ancient politics and matchmakings. Boudica is touched by the greenwood, aka the Fae, and is told by many godly women (and possibly even her father’s druid, I can’t remember now) that she will be the one to defend her people. Except, she doesn’t know what from. She meets a Seelie king, who calls her the Queen of the Iceni, and she’s all “you mean the Northern Iceni?” and being the fae that he is he doesn’t really answer her. She can be a bit dense sometimes, but I think that’s more for our sake.

I stan Pix. I can’t wait for you all to meet her. Truly, I love her.

(all last week I was doing a coworkers job instead of my own because she was on vacation and despite having 13 ppl in this office, no one else is capable of entering employee times and jobs, so I hardly listened to this at all so I could put all of my focus on the job at hand. I will surely run through these next two much more quickly.)

[Elysian Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen of Oak is stunning adventure from the extremely talented Melanie Karsak. In this tale the reader gets a rich history of Boudica, her life, love, and adventures and so much more.

As this is a historical fiction adventure, the reader gets both the history of the fierce and formidable (real) Boudica but also the magic of her life and loves along the way. As much as is known about her, from actual history, there is still so much to be learned and Karsak does an amazing job of filling in the blanks to create not only an addictive story but an emotional and realistic look at what might have been.

If you have read and enjoyed this author before then this story will comfort you in ways you have come to expect. There is a wonderful mix of familiarity between Queen of Oak, The Shied Maiden series, and the Celtic Blood series; even though these are three different standalone series. Reading this story feels like coming home again in knowing you will be getting a quality story with refined moments.

Queen of Oak has it all: old magic, faeries, druids, the Gods, the greenwood, love, loss, emotional moments, strength, family, humor, and heart. The characters are multi-dimensional and realistic, while the world comes alive with every page. *Ula stole a piece of my heart and I look forward to more from her in the future. *

If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, action, and/or adventure or a looking for a story to get lost in. This one is for you. It does end with a cliffhanger as the series continues in Queen of Stone.

One of my favorite things about this author and her stories is how lost I get in the world, with the characters and how a few hours become an epic ride not only into history but next to the most amazing (real life) characters. These stories give me another lifetime every time I read them. I devoured this story, didn’t get a wink of sleep in too nights, and have never loved it more.

Highly recommended.

[kathleen r. · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a person of Celtic heritage, I follow most accounts of the historical period with interest. But this time, I just got bogged down in mindless fluff, with space grabbing lines that were, at best, inconsequential and at worst, terribly inaccurate. Did ancient Celtic tribal women actually nod waspishly at one another? I don't know, but the author seems to think so, having used the phrase more than two dozen times. So, it reads as a very modern, alternative point of view for actual history.
That being said, the literal Boudicca was a warrior, a queen and a modern equivalent of a kickass soldier, not a bit of fluff who wandered around looking for root plants and seeing visions in riverbeds. The theme might have been getting ready for more substance, but then I realized it was actually getting ready to sell me part two....and I quit.
I do not read trendy novels for their money churning ability to sell more pages. It's a form of money lending, to say it's good fiction, but to understand it, you have to buy the next in sequence. I just don't do it. The last time I spent money on that sort of fiction, it was more than worth it, I refer to "Outlander" and the outstanding books that comprise the series, penned by Diana Gabaldon. That was money well spent. I cherish those books, they were the type of writing that grabs on and doesn't let go. This stuff is like velcro, a good tug and it's gone....not worth my time or my money.
I gather the story continues to follow the MC, but there's nothing of the historical, real persona of Boudicca. This is just fantasy fiction and I found it boring. I gave it up.

[Chelsea Lupo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to love this book SO bad. Halfway through the book I texted my cousins (book club) saying “wow I love this book” and then I genuinely feel it was all downhill after that. The first half I was like EDGE OF MY SEAT cheering on, laughing at, and feeling sorry for so many of the really well developed characters. But the second half of the book is where it kind of came undone for me.

I started to feel a bit confused by Boudica’s character and that lead to me feeling as if the story was super drawn out. I felt like there was a lot of back and forth for a story line I wasn’t super interested in and I genuinely thought some of Boudica’s decisions didn’t line up with where I thought the character was going. Also, I expected more to be revealed with all of the subtle nods they did throughout the entire book. It just wasn’t the level of story development I would expect from a book of this length. Because I found the latter half so dull, I think I started realizing I also found the writing style quite simple, with a lot of key phrases repeating over and over.

That being said, I am so intrigued. I just can’t decide if I want to read more in this series. I do feel like the world she build in book one is quite strong, but I can’t take another book of similar length with the same disproportionately small story development.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie Karsack has done it again! Her enthusiastic and thorough research of factual history has been woven with fantasy to bring life to a strong, independent woman who holds a significant place during a time dominated by men. She weaves a believable tale of young love, family strife, and searing tragedy for Boudicca. We are swept along in this young woman’s life as she must face the machinations of others, betrayal, and ultimately her own rise as Queen of her people. The book grabs the reader from the beginning and holds your attention until the end. I could not put it down! Now I face the mourning period of waiting for the next book. I fully intend to read this again so I am sure I didn’t miss anything when I flew through the first reading. I highly recommend this author’s books to anyone who like real history mixed with magic and fantasy featuring strong female characters and the men who support them. Her books run the gamut of emotions and the imagery will put you right there in the thick of things. Thank you for such a wonderful story about one of my ultimate ancestors.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently finished another book by Melanie Karsak, HEART OF A VALKYRIE, and it was so good that I had to start another of her Celtic vibe series.

QUEEN OF OAK did not disappoint. The Celtic Rebels series is a retelling of the life of Queen Boudica in ancient Britannia in the days before the invasion of Rome. This historical romantasy had the perfect blend of character development and plot. I fell in love with the characters and the villages. There are nearly 600 pages but felt like 200 pages. The pace was steady, and the plot twists kept you on your toes. What happened at about 30% broke my heart and I cried but the author picks you back up and fills you with hope. The FMC is strong, full of humor, kind, and stands up for herself and others. I love that in a main female character. I was captivated by the storyline and cannot wait until to dive into book 2.

This book was filled with magic, druids, royalty, romance, real connections, sibling loyalty, political intrigue, and SO MUCH MORE! I highly recommend this historical romantasy book!

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received an early ARC copy of this book to review. This is my honest opinion *

When I initially started the book, I was daunted by the large number of pages. It didn't take me long to become engaged in this rich tapestry of adventure and folk-lore. I never wanted this book to end! As I read the story, it played inside my head in full technicolour. This is the way a book is supposed to be! To take you into another world, and give you characters that you love, hate, and CARE about.

The rich background of the greenwood, the clans and the druids were all well-researched, and intrigued me enough to inspire me to do some learning of my own. Every character was well fleshed out and played their part to make this an epic historical adventure, crammed with adventure, other-worldly mystique, romance and betrayal. I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens next for Boudica, Prasutagus, and all the other characters.

[Hannah Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot wait for the next book in this series!

Boudica has long been one of my favorite historical figures and when I stumbled across this book, I knew I had to try it! Melanie Karsak did a beautiful job bringing the world of the ancient Iceni to life. I connected with Boudica almost immediately. The family and political dynamics were excellently done. I was invested in not only in Boudica’s story, but the stories of those around her.

The best part of this book to me, however, was the romance between Boudica and Prasutagus. I loved how their relationship developed and Prasutagus is a total swoon worthy hero. I’m always a fan of hero who possesses a more quiet, inner strength and I loved the equality that developed in his relationship with Boudica.

So ready to see where the story goes next!

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen Boudica is a historical character that is surrounded by mystery and legends. The way she comes to life in this great historical fiction is breathtaking and I created a new picture of this fascinating woman in my head. Her strength and will to fight to follow her heart instead of the expectations of others is admirable, and her adventurous journey full of challenges, losses, and obstacles form her into a warrior better than the men that surround her. Listening to the whispers of gods leads her to maybe a different path that she imagined she will go, and she might have to sacrifice everything she fought for if she decides to follow the whispers. But not only Boudica, all of the characters in the book come to life, with their feelings, opinions, and desires. Great start to a new series.

[Fly Girl Wickedcoolflight blogger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Melanie never disappoints me, only when she doesn’t finish a series. The start of her new historical series centered around Boudica, calls to my soul of a fellow strong woman. The first book is full of rich detail and deep characters that lure you in and make you anticipate the action to come. I can’t wait for the next release, I’m sure it will have as much political intrigue, heartache, love, and reverence as this one did. I’m excited to see what happens when Boudica meets the Romans. Her details of the Celtic rituals was eye opening and gave a sense magic that I’ve often felt when over in the lands this is written about. Pick this one up and enjoy the beauty it reveals of the land and the people.

[cherie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood and Determination make a hero

The hero in this book Is a fiery spirited Young girl full of Wonder And curiosity Of the people and world around her. The young fiery maiden is destined for great things. She has a kindness in of the heart that shines through to all who she encounters. The story leads the reader through her joys and heartbreaking sorrows. He strong determination has a strong sense of right and wrong that is always her ally. Making her an unstoppable warrior for her family and her people. I like the book it is well written with much detail. It's easy to picture the people the land and the time the young warrior lived. I recommend the book any reader who enjoy a strong female Character.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s nothing I love more than a warrior queen story, and this one completely delivered. I stumbled across this book by chance and honestly can’t believe it isn’t getting more attention. It’s the first in a trilogy centered around Boudica, a Celtic princess from 43AD who rises to lead a rebellion against the Romans.

This fantasy retelling combines everything I adore: magic, romance, rebellion, and a fierce female lead. The worldbuilding is rich and the characters impossible not to root for. I tore through all 600 pages in just three days because I simply couldn’t put it down.

If you’re a fan of historical fantasy with a strong female character, this needs to be on your radar. I’m already counting down the days until I can read the next installment.

[Ashley Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I absolutely loved this book. This was one of those books that I only let myself read for about an hour at a time because I wanted to stretch out my enjoyment of it. I am already chomping at the bit for the next book! I am so enthralled with this time period of books (think mists of Avalon time period). Without giving anything away...I love boudicas character and hearing her thought process. I love the amount of magical element that exists in this book. For me it's just the right amount to make me think about how magic exists in the world today in ways that we don't see anymore.

[Coleen Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So where to start - I have always loved stories of strong women and have read previous stories of Boudica. This one is top notch. I also love Melanie Karsak's stories - I started with her Shield Maiden series and when all that was available in that series was done moved on to this one. I listened to this and also want to say that I really enjoy the narrator - she also did the Shield Maiden series.

This book tells of Boudica's life just prior to the invasion of the Romans. As with many stories from this time, there is also a certain amount of the supernatural world involved and I highly recommend this novel.

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to be honest I love Melanie Karsak and narrator Lesley Parkin! So any book that I get to listen to by the two makes me so happy.
In this book, Karsak builds a beautiful world and a complex character in Boudica. the story is just the beginning of the Celtic revolt against the Romans. I enjoyed reading about their traditions. I feel for the characters as they go through pain and pleasure. (Side note: love that Karsak uses foreplay in her sex scenes.)
I look forward to reading/listening to the next book.

I received an audio copy of the book from the author; all opinions are my own.