Boudicca

A Novel

De: P. C. Cast

Narrado por: Ell Potter

From P. C. Cast, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the landmark House of Night urban fantasyseries, comes an epic, lusty, magic-filled romantasy about British warrior queen Boudicca. Perfect for fans of Sue Lynn Tan and Madeline Miller! Narrated by Ell Potter!

In Roman-occupied Britain, the Iceni tribe crowns an extraordinary new queen. Tall and flame-haired, Boudicca is devoted to Andraste, the Iceni’s patron goddess, known for her raven familiar, her fierceness and her swirling blue tattoos. Boudicca and her two young daughters will carry the tribe forward in dangerous times.

Roman tax collector Catus Decianus, expecting weakness in a female ruler, launches a devastating attack on the tribe’s stronghold. Boudicca and her family barely survive—but they refuse to bend the knee. She calls a war council, bringing together her most trustworthy allies, including her childhood friend Rhan, now a powerful Druid seer, and the horse master Maldwyn, whose devotion to Boudicca runs deeper than a warrior to a queen.

Surprising the Romans, Boudicca’s armies sack the wealthy cities of Camulodunum, Londinium and Veralamium. As the snow falls, the Celts retreat to a hidden valley to plot their assault on the remaining Roman legions, determined to force the invaders from Britan.

But in the jagged ice of winter the Druid Rhan foresees a tragic end to Boudicca’s rebellion. Although the defeat of the Iceni is spelled out in signs sent by the gods, Rhan swears she will alter the future and save her queen. Now the battle-hardened Boudicca must put her trust in the powers of the otherworld to save her from both the traitors in her midst and from Rome’s mighty legions.

Inspired by the rich history of Boudicca’s attack on Roman Britain, bestselling author P. C. Cast crafts an epic, mythic retelling of one of time’s most legendary female warriors.

I want more

I really enjoyed the story of Boudicca. I live the story of a strong woman. I want more.

Beautifully Vivid and Incredible Historical Fiction!

I cried and laughed and cheered through this book, be mindful of the content warnings! I didn't know much about Boudica before this book but after reading the author notes, I love how much she kept to actual historical facts about the Iceni and the Romans in Briton, the events as they happened, and probable reasons for why things turned out as they did with a dash of mystical elements that could have been believed by the peoples of these times. I really enjoyed the fast pacing of the action sequences followed by the slower pace of the everyday life scenes of a woman dedicated to protecting, providing for, and loving her people. Like I said, I CRIED through some of this book so bring your tissues and your sword and be ready for one hell of a ride!

Historical context, engaging story

Loved the characters and narrator. one of my best books to read this year. I strongly recommend this book.

Fabulous historical retelling with magical elements

I loved this book. I was aware of Boudicca as a historical figure, but hadn’t read anything about her before. PC Cast did an amazing job bringing her to life. I really appreciated the afterword as well, which pointed out some of the liberties the author had taken and explained why they’d made the choices they did. If what you want is a strictly accurate historical accounting, this book won’t be it. But if what you want is a historically informed novel that brings true historical people, cultures, and situations to life in a vivid and relatable way, you’ll love this book. The author has handled the beliefs of Boudicca and her people deftly, weaving in the day to day magic that would have been as real to them as the Roman deities were to their culture, and any of our modern religions are to believers today. The story and the magic/early Brittonic religion reminds me strongly of some of Guy Gabriel Kay’s work, such as Sailing to Sarantium, wherein the magic is just a part of the fabric of the world and the story. Like Kay, Cast has done an enormous amount of historical research which forms the ground of the tale. And like Kay, Cast’s characters and setting are vividly portrayed with love and respect. I also enjoyed Potter’s narration. I think she did a great job of handling a variety of voices and accents. One caveat: I was excited to see that Cast had already written (or co-written) many more novels. But when I downloaded one from the library, I rapidly figured out that this novel is almost nothing like the others that I found. So if you are expecting this one to be like her other YA works, you may not like this one as much. On the other hand, perhaps for some Boudicca will be a bridge from magical academy stories to other great fantasy literature authors such as Kay. In any case, I highly recommend it, and think it was well worth what I paid to have it in my Audible library.

Historical Fiction Amazingness!!

Ok, I am absolutely a sucker for historical fiction- particularly Tudor England and before… but there’s a lot of “crap” - poorly written junk out there, so sometimes it’s just a crapshoot when you pick up a book like this… but I decided to give it a shot.

I’ve always heard and admired the various versions of the brave and fierce Warrior Queen Boudicca, so when I happened across this book, I was a little skeptical, yet, interested— I wondered what version I would encounter this time… holy wow… Yes! Yes! Yes!! Wonderful book- masterfully written!!

You really feel like Boudicca is talking to you- like you’re there. You can feel her emotions and understand her thoughts, her fears… and especially her pain. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but there is some heartbreaking brutality in the beginning- had me in tears… it was hard to read… but stick with it. I promise, it’s soooo worth it. And even though we all know - or -*think* we know how Boudicca’s story ends… I promise you this book will surprise you- ALSO… this book is a fantastic testament of “it’s about the journey” - about the experience along the way— how we live, how we love, the things we value and how hard we’re willing to fight for and protect those things… and of course- faith. The characters are all well developed, but Boudicca herself js… *chef’s kiss* Boudicca’s unwavering faith in her Goddess Andraste… her deep, pure, soul-piecing love for Rhan, her daughters, and Maldwyn … her loyalty & commitment to her people, and her outright strength and bravery are awe inspiring… and every bit of how I’ve always imaged her to be. This book is a well written treasure and a spectacular escape into historical fiction… loved it!!