Dagger's Destiny

Curse of Clansmen and Kings Series, Book 2

By: Linnea Tanner

Narrated by: Kristin James

A Celtic warrior princess accused of treason for aiding her enemy lover must win back her father’s love and trust.

In the rich and vibrant tale, Author Linnea Tanner continues the story of Catrin and Marcellus that began with the awarding-winning novel Apollo’s Raven in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings Series. Book 2: Dagger’s Destiny sweeps you into an epic tale of forbidden love, mythological adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia.

War looms over 24 AD Britannia where rival tribal rulers fight each other for power and the Romans threaten to invade to settle their political differences. King Amren accuses his daughter, Catrin, of treason for aiding the Roman enemy and her lover, Marcellus. The ultimate punishment is death unless she can redeem herself. She must prove loyalty to her father by forsaking Marcellus and defending their kingdom - even to the death. Forged into a warrior, she must overcome tribulations and make the right decisions on her quest to break the curse that foretells her banished half-brother or the Roman Empire will destroy their kingdom.

Yet, when Catrin again reunites with Marcellus, she is torn between her love for him and duty to King Amren. She must ultimately face her greatest challenger who could destroy her life, freedom, and humanity.

Will Catrin finally break the ancient prophecy that looms over her kingdom? Will she abandon her forbidden love for Marcellus to win back her father’s trust and love? Can King Amren balance his brutality to maintain power with the love he feels for Catrin?

©2019 Linnea Tanner (P)2024 Linnea Tanner

Critic reviews

"Fast paced, romantic, passionate, and tragic in moments, Marcellus and Catrin have a story that is gripping and seductive." (InD’Tale Magazine)

More magic in this book

I found this book a little harder to get into and follow than Apollo's Raven, it may have been my attention wandering a little despite listening to the audiobook. I think it would have better suited as a duet. However, I always came back to see where the journey between Catrin and Marcellus was going. There are just so many side plots to keep track of and the true limit of the magic powers is really explored. I want to know how! Like an origin story. Though I'm deep enough to keep going with book 3, I won't DNF a book, but I will a series and this doesn't deserve it.

Forbidden Love, Magic and Evil

I don’t know where to begin! This is an amazing story by Linnea Tanner. Tanner continues the tale of Princess Catrin, Marcellus her love and husband, her parents and the hideously evil and vile Merrick. Caught up in removing the curse that has doomed them all, Catrin must assume the Raven Warrior mantle and rescue her people and her home. Catrin becomes enmeshed in the political intrigue and mystical complexity of her father’s curse and those who are driven with ambition for power and revenge.

This is a much darker story than book one; it is historically true to the time period. Tanner took some serious situations that were disturbing but instead of focusing on the grotesqueness of the situations, she provided enough detail without being over-the-top gruesome.

Tanner focused this book on the growth of Catrin and the trials and tribulations she met for being a woman. Accused of being naïve, Catrin falls prey to a mystical druid but so did her father and other males. The differences between Catrin as a female and males was well presented and while subtle, was powerful.

Tanner is a masterful wordsmith and storyteller. There were no plot holes, everything was believable, and her characters grew as did the plot. This is an epic story, one that takes a lot of organization, research, and perseverance for the writer. A tale that requires solid and constant action to keep all the parts moving along and not becoming bogged down. I cannot wait for book 3!

Kristin James, the narrator, performs the book excellently. Her smooth voice is a pleasure to hear, almost melodious. She kept the story moving along with her passion and investment in the story – she is Catrin! Well done!

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author/narrator/publisher.
Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog.
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excellent

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! After listening to this story,. I totally enjoyed reading this book. It’s well written and the characters were uniquely fantastic. I would suggest this book to my friends that like this sort of genera. this was a good book. The narration was great.

LOVE OR DUTY?

Daggers Destiny is the second book in a series about confiicts in AD24. Catrin is the daughter of King Amren who is the local Britannia tribal leader. Catrin is in Love with Marcellus who is a Roman officer. The penalty for Loving a Roman is death according to her father. But her father loves Catrin and Catrin loves her father along with Catrin loves Marcellus. The story is a Love\Hate relationship with the Characters and with the book itself. I received this audio book for free in exchange for an unbiased review. I did enjoy listening to the story. Thanks!

The Saga Continues

The together forever question for Catrin and Marcellus is still not resolved. The evil shape shifting Bloodwolf is the victor despite our heroine's efforts and has joined with Rome to destroy Catrin's family. The traps set for both heroes are relentless and daunting. I hope book three will provide some closure. The narration was good.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook with a promise to provide an honest review.