(Curse of Clansmen and Kings, Book 4)
By Linnea Tanner
Publisher: Apollo Raven Publisher
Page Length: 402 Pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy / Historical Romance / Historical Fiction
A Celtic warrior queen must do the impossible—defeat her sorcerer half-brother and claim the throne. But to do so, she must learn how to strike vengeance from her father’s skull.
AS FORETOLD BY HER FATHER in a vision, Catrin has become a battle-hardened warrior after her trials in the Roman legion and gladiatorial games. She must return to Britannia and pull the cursed dagger out of the serpent’s stone to fulfill her destiny. Only then can she unleash the vengeance from the ancient druids to destroy her evil half-brother, the powerful sorcerer, King Marrock. Always two steps ahead and seemingly unstoppable, Marrock can summon destructive natural forces to crush any rival trying to stop him and has charged his deadliest assassin to bring back Catrin’s head.
To have the slightest chance of beating Marrock, Catrin must forge alliances with former enemies, but she needs someone she can trust. Her only option is to seek military aid from Marcellus—her secret Roman husband. They rekindle their burning passion, but he is playing a deadly game in the political firestorm of the Julio-Claudian dynasty to support Catrin’s cause.
Ultimately, in order to defeat Marrock, Catrin must align herself with a dark druidess and learn how to summon forces from skulls to exact vengeance. But can she and Marcellus outmaneuver political enemies from Rome and Britannia in their quest to vanquish Marrock?
Catrin’s prophecy has long been foretold. She is the only one who can end her half-brother, Marrock’s, reign of terror over Britannia, and take back the throne that rightfully belongs to her. Finally finding herself in a position where she can begin to make plans and pull together an army of her own, Catrin knows that she will need all the help she can get against Marrock.
Three skulls, the lives of his family intertwined, their souls trapped within, hang around Marrock’s neck, granting him the ability to harness their power and unleash wrath upon those who dare to oppose him. For Catrin to stand any chance of defeating him, she must find the courage to return to Rome and seek the help of Marcellus, the Roman man she secretly married. But she has a dark past with several powerful men in Rome, and her continued safety depends on her going unnoticed.
In “Skull’s Vengeance: Curse of Clansmen and Kings, Book 4” by Linnea Tanner, the spirited Catrin finds herself returning to the passionate embrace of her Roman husband. As tensions rise and danger looms over her kingdom, she embarks on a daring quest to unite an army of loyal supporters. Together, they begin to forge a plan to overthrow the ruthless Marrock and reclaim Catrin’s rightful throne, all while navigating a treacherous landscape filled with intrigue and betrayal. This thrilling saga captivates with its rich depiction of love, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Catrin has not had an easy life. Time spent fighting in gladiatorial games, training hard to ensure her own survival, may have honed her fighting skills and turned her into the warrior she needs to be if she is to have any hope of securing her throne, but she has made some powerful enemies. There are many people who believe Catrin to be dead, but just as many who would rush to secure the deed if they were to happen across her. Journeying back into Rome may seem like a fool’s errand, but she desperately needs Marcellus. Without Roman support, her army lacks the strength it requires, and Marcellus is her best chance of securing that aid. Catrin is not a reckless character, she carefully plans every aspect of her mission. Although a reunion with her husband seems unlikely, she quickly realises how much she has missed him. Their reunion and collaboration to help Catrin achieve her goals is a heartwarming turn of events. Yet, this reunion comes with hidden dangers, as there are eyes everywhere, ready to report back to those who wish harm upon Catrin and Marcellus.
Marrock is not the only antagonist in this novel, by far. In the grand scheme of things, he is possibly the most dangerous to Catrin, caring for nothing apart from wanting her dead. Although he remains a somewhat background character and does not personally venture out to track her down, his influence looms large throughout Rome and affects those around Marcellus and, by extension, Catrin. With the characters’ safety always in question, the novel unfolds at a rapid pace. Readers can never fully relax, knowing that danger is ever-present. There is always something happening, and the uncertainty keeps the reader on edge throughout.
Their marriage is still a secret, for Catrin would never be welcome into Roman society, and Britannia would be unlikely to accept a Roman for their king. As a result, Marcellus’s family often clashes with him over his views on marriage. Licinia, the daughter of a powerful senator, is supposed to be Marcellus’s betrothed, but he refuses to settle down with a girl as young as twelve and betray Catrin’s trust. This disagreement creates a lot of distrust, particularly from Marcellus’s half-brother. Brutius has never liked Marcellus, and Marcellus’s choices have raised his suspicions. With spies lurking around, there is no place where Marcellus and Catrin can feel entirely safe. Marcellus’s perspective on marriage, especially considering he is being offered the hand of such a young child, endears him to modern readers. Although marriages at such young ages were commonplace in that era, it is a harsh reality for contemporary readers to accept. Marcellus’s reluctance, stemming not only from his feelings for Catrin but also from the girl’s age, makes him a much more relatable character for today’s audience.
The fantasy elements in this book are subtly woven throughout the story, making them feel like a natural part of the narrative. Rather than taking the spotlight, the magic accompanies the story, enhancing it without overwhelming it. This approach makes the magical aspects feel very real and emphasises the compelling nature of the storytelling.
This novel depicts some harsh realities, including military violence typical of the era, which are often very graphic. The terrible treatment that some slaves in Rome endure is heart-breaking. Their desperation goes beyond simply wanting to survive—some would prefer death to the relentless cruelty of their masters. Readers should be aware that the themes in this novel are incredibly dark, and the actions and quests for vengeance portrayed can be quite bloody.
This novel is undeniably part of an epic saga that follows Catrin as she begins to fulfil her destiny and attempts to overthrow her half-brother. This novel does not standalone, as much of Catrin’s life is explored throughout the series. Therefore, it is advisable for readers to start with the first book and follow Catrin’s journey rather than jumping directly into this instalment. Once you progress this far into the series, you will find it impossible to stop, as the characters will draw you in and keep you engaged until you’ve experienced their stories in full.
This exhilarating novel is packed with treachery, spies, and daring escapes, ensuring the reader will be glued to the pages from start to finish. As Catrin navigates her complex life, the true intentions of the other characters emerge, revealing their loyalties in the fierce battle for the throne of Britannia against Marrock. “Skull’s Vengeance: Curse of Clansmen and Kings, Book 4” by Linnea Tanner is a novel that comes highly recommended.
Skull’s Vengeance
(Curse of Clansmen and Kings, Book 4)
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Congratulations on your review, Linnea.
ReplyDeleteThank you Maddie for commenting!
DeleteCongratulations! I will be checking out your series, starting at Book 1 of course!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the congrats!
DeleteThank you for the in-depth review of Skull's Vengeance in which you have captured the essence of the book.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
ReplyDelete