Highland Blood
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Highland Vengeance
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- Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 261
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 243
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Scotland, 1032. Everything Gruoch loves has turned to ash. With Gillacoemgain gone, Gruoch rides north with her newborn son and a broken heart. While she desperately clings to hope, Gruoch's new alliance with Macbeth proves more challenging than she ever anticipated. Only her unexpected reunion with an important person from her past offers solace. All may yet be well, but the raven's wary eyes cannot help but notice clouds gathering on the horizon.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Entertaining and Emotional Read
- By The Literary Vixen on 06-23-20
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Highland Queen
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- Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 167
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 148
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The king is dead. Long live the queen. With Duncan defeated, Gruoch becomes Queen of Scotland. Now, she must rule at Macbeth's side, a difficult prospect as the new King of Scots grows increasingly unstable. To keep her son, her love, and her country safe, Gruoch must call upon the raven. Dive into the final installment of Gruoch's epic tale in Highland Queen, a Scottish historical fantasy, book four in The Celtic Blood Series by New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Falls flat
- By low on 08-19-19
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Highland Raven
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- By: Melanie Karsak
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- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 515
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 465
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Scotland, 1026 - Gruoch, descendant of the line of MacAlpin, should have been born into a life of ease. But fate is fickle. Her father's untimely death, rumored to have been plotted by King Malcolm, leaves her future uncertain and stained by the prophecy that she will avenge her family line. Escaping to one of the last strongholds of the old Celtic gods, Gruoch becomes an adept in arcane craft. Her encounters with the otherworld, however, suggest that magic runs stronger in Scotland than she ever imagined.
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2 out of 5 stars
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Disappointing...
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In a land of mountains and mist, tradition and superstition, Languoreth and her brother Lailoken are raised in the Old Way of their ancestors. But in Scotland, a new religion is rising, one that brings disruption, bloodshed, and riot. And even as her family faces the burgeoning forces of Christianity, the Anglo-Saxons, bent on colonization, are encroaching from the east. When conflict brings the hero Emrys Pendragon to her father’s door, Languoreth finds love with one of his warriors. Her deep connection to Maelgwn is forged by enchantment, but she is promised in marriage to Rhydderch, son of a Christian king.
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5 out of 5 stars
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In this grand saga of love, war, and magic set in the tenth century, young Sigrid is destined to be the mother of the king of the Nordic lands that would become Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and England. A devout believer in the old Nordic gods, Sigrid is visited regularly in her dreams by the goddess Freya, who whispers to her of the future. Though Sigrid is beautiful, rich, arrogant, and matchlessly clever, her uncanny ability to foresee the future and manipulate the present guides her through dangerous politics.
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3 out of 5 stars
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DNF- because of narration not story.
- By Riogirl9909 on 04-24-18
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Shield-Maiden
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 2
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In my dreams, Odin whispers to me. He tells me I'm destined to wield a legendary sword. He tells me my road will bring me to Valhalla. But when I wake, I'm only Hervor. Fatherless. Unloved. Unwanted. Jarl Bjartmar, my grandfather, calls me cursed. My mother, her memories stolen by the gods, has forgotten me. Everyone tells me I should have been left to the wolves, but no one will tell me why. None but Eydis, a thrall with völva magic, believes I'm meant for a greater destiny. Yet who can believe a devotee of Loki?
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5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Viking Historical Fantasy!
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Highland Vengeance
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- Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 261
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Scotland, 1032. Everything Gruoch loves has turned to ash. With Gillacoemgain gone, Gruoch rides north with her newborn son and a broken heart. While she desperately clings to hope, Gruoch's new alliance with Macbeth proves more challenging than she ever anticipated. Only her unexpected reunion with an important person from her past offers solace. All may yet be well, but the raven's wary eyes cannot help but notice clouds gathering on the horizon.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Entertaining and Emotional Read
- By The Literary Vixen on 06-23-20
-
Highland Queen
- The Celtic Blood Series, Book 4
- By: Melanie Karsak
- Narrated by: Lesley Parkin
- Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 167
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 148
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 145
The king is dead. Long live the queen. With Duncan defeated, Gruoch becomes Queen of Scotland. Now, she must rule at Macbeth's side, a difficult prospect as the new King of Scots grows increasingly unstable. To keep her son, her love, and her country safe, Gruoch must call upon the raven. Dive into the final installment of Gruoch's epic tale in Highland Queen, a Scottish historical fantasy, book four in The Celtic Blood Series by New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Falls flat
- By low on 08-19-19
-
Highland Raven
- The Celtic Blood Series, Book 1
- By: Melanie Karsak
- Narrated by: Lesley Parkin
- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 515
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 465
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 464
Scotland, 1026 - Gruoch, descendant of the line of MacAlpin, should have been born into a life of ease. But fate is fickle. Her father's untimely death, rumored to have been plotted by King Malcolm, leaves her future uncertain and stained by the prophecy that she will avenge her family line. Escaping to one of the last strongholds of the old Celtic gods, Gruoch becomes an adept in arcane craft. Her encounters with the otherworld, however, suggest that magic runs stronger in Scotland than she ever imagined.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Disappointing...
- By BVerité on 12-07-18
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The Lost Queen
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- Narrated by: Toni Frutin
- Length: 17 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,322
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,207
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,198
In a land of mountains and mist, tradition and superstition, Languoreth and her brother Lailoken are raised in the Old Way of their ancestors. But in Scotland, a new religion is rising, one that brings disruption, bloodshed, and riot. And even as her family faces the burgeoning forces of Christianity, the Anglo-Saxons, bent on colonization, are encroaching from the east. When conflict brings the hero Emrys Pendragon to her father’s door, Languoreth finds love with one of his warriors. Her deep connection to Maelgwn is forged by enchantment, but she is promised in marriage to Rhydderch, son of a Christian king.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Lost no more!
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The Unbroken Line of the Moon
- Valhalla, Book 1
- By: Johanne Hildebrandt, Tara F. Chace - translator
- Narrated by: Christina Traister
- Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 307
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 268
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 270
In this grand saga of love, war, and magic set in the tenth century, young Sigrid is destined to be the mother of the king of the Nordic lands that would become Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and England. A devout believer in the old Nordic gods, Sigrid is visited regularly in her dreams by the goddess Freya, who whispers to her of the future. Though Sigrid is beautiful, rich, arrogant, and matchlessly clever, her uncanny ability to foresee the future and manipulate the present guides her through dangerous politics.
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3 out of 5 stars
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DNF- because of narration not story.
- By Riogirl9909 on 04-24-18
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Shield-Maiden
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- By: Melanie Karsak
- Narrated by: Lesley Parkin
- Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 2
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 2
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Story5 out of 5 stars 2
In my dreams, Odin whispers to me. He tells me I'm destined to wield a legendary sword. He tells me my road will bring me to Valhalla. But when I wake, I'm only Hervor. Fatherless. Unloved. Unwanted. Jarl Bjartmar, my grandfather, calls me cursed. My mother, her memories stolen by the gods, has forgotten me. Everyone tells me I should have been left to the wolves, but no one will tell me why. None but Eydis, a thrall with völva magic, believes I'm meant for a greater destiny. Yet who can believe a devotee of Loki?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent Viking Historical Fantasy!
- By Adriana B on 07-02-20
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The Circle of Ceridwen
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- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 21 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 903
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 822
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 815
It is the year 871, when England was Angle-Land. Of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, five have fallen to the invading Vikings. No trait is more valued than loyalty, and no possession more precious than one's steel. Across this war-torn landscape travels 15-year-old Ceridwen, now thrust into the lives of the conquerors.
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5 out of 5 stars
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I feel like I've waited FOREVER for this day!
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The Heart of the Conqueror
- The Chronicles of Matilda, Lady of Flanders, Book 1
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 188
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 174
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Story4 out of 5 stars 173
At the side of the most famous warlord of history, Matilda worked, not as a quiet, modest wife, but as a leader...as a ruler just as ruthless as her husband. Under her soft mask of beauty and modesty there lay the heart of a woman powered by ambition. A woman who was strong, courageous, and devious.... Through the eyes of one of the most extraordinary women of history unfold the events leading to the invasion of England and the battle that would decide its fate....
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2 out of 5 stars
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Obnoxious
- By Erika on 03-14-19
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The Claiming
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 475
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 434
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Sidroc the Dane has been in Angle-land for 12 years. The first nine were all hard fighting. He has won treasure beyond counting, and now peace for his men. But there is one thing he still desires: Ceridwen as his wife. Now Fate conspires to tear Ceridwen and Sidroc away from Angle-land. Thrust together amidst great danger and hardship they fight to survive - and fight each other.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Really good adventure
- By Serena on 03-31-17
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Sidroc the Dane: A Circle of Ceridwen Saga Story
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 16 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 275
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 257
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 254
A discarded child fated to become a powerful Jarl - here is the story of Sidroc. Fate guides the path of his father, Hrald, to his meeting with the woman whose son would help change the face of ninth-century Angle-land. An ever-growing rivalry between Sidroc and his cousin Toki defines the boys' early years. Their young uncle, Yrling, knows success as a raider in far-off Angle-land, and trains his nephews in the ways of the warrior. Ahead of them is the perilous crossing of the North Sea, which stands between them and the plunder they seek.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Don’t end!
- By Aberdeen on 05-08-18
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Ceridwen of Kilton
- The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, Book 2
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 520
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 481
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 479
Ninth-century Saxon England crumbles under the onslaught of a relentless foe - the Danish Vikings. Ceridwen, a young woman with divided loyalties, watches as the peace and plenty she enjoys at the Saxon stronghold of Kilton gives way to wary watchfulness. Her dearest friend, Ælfwyn, sold in marriage to a Dane in a desperate bid for peace, travels to Kilton and recounts the events that befell the fortress of Four Stones in captured Lindisse.
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5 out of 5 stars
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The Crumbling of 9th-Century Saxon England!
- By Kim Meseck on 01-19-17
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The Hall of Tyr
- Book Four of The Circle of Ceridwen Saga
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 388
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 362
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 362
The year is 881. Ten years have passed since 15-year-old Ceridwen set out from her Priory home to make her own life. She has known love and loss, triumph and heartbreak. Yet the Circle which has moved about her is largely intact, although the counterpoint has changed, bringing with it the hope of renewed love. Ceridwen and Sidroc build their new lives together on the Baltic island of Gotland, where they are free and unknown. The bond between them, always strong even when years and wars separated them, deepens quickly.
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3 out of 5 stars
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A little disappointing.
- By AmazonReviewGuy on 04-02-19
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Shadow on the Crown
- A Novel
- By: Patricia Bracewell
- Narrated by: Katie Firth
- Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 790
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 718
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 716
In 1002, 15-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her, and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.
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3 out of 5 stars
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The Year 1000--To Be Continued
- By S. Wells on 02-18-13
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Silver Hammer, Golden Cross
- The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, Book 6
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 18 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 296
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 270
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 269
It is the final decade of the ninth century. The Peace between Wessex and the Danes long-settled in the Danelaw erodes. A new onslaught of Danes attacks Angle-land, trying once and for all to destroy ælfred. Ceric of Kilton, now a young man, travels across Kingdoms to visit his friend, Hrald of Four Stones - and to see Ashild, whom he desires for his wife. But renewed hostilities threaten Ceric's hopes for deeper ties between strongholds.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Another wonderful chapter in this series!
- By Karen on 05-29-20
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Tindr
- Book Five of The Circle of Ceridwen Saga
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 288
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 271
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 271
Tindr is handsome, kind, and the best hunter in 9th century Gotland. He possesses a deep empathy with animals, which powers his reverence towards the game he takes to survive. But he is also deaf, which closes him off from the society that surrounds him - and seemingly, from finding love. Devoted parents and friends can't protect young Tindr from the bully who taunts him, from jealousy that turns murderous, or from the threat of surrender to the allure of the Lady of the Forest, who might destroy him.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Oh so boring
- By Lorraine on 04-18-18
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The King's Witch
- A Novel
- By: Tracy Borman
- Narrated by: Esther Wane
- Length: 14 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 159
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 143
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Story4 out of 5 stars 143
In March of 1603, as she helps to nurse the dying Queen Elizabeth of England, Frances Gorges dreams of her parents’ country estate, where she has learned to use flowers and herbs to become a much-loved healer. She is happy to stay at home when King James of Scotland succeeds to the throne. His court may be shockingly decadent, but his intolerant Puritanism sees witchcraft in many of the old customs - punishable by death.
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5 out of 5 stars
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I’ve read hundreds of historical fiction books....
- By K&T on 08-03-18
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The Forest and the Flames
- Chronicles of Matilda, Lady of Flanders Series, Book 2
- By: G. Lawrence
- Narrated by: Marnye Young
- Length: 17 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 77
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 71
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 71
Matilda, Lady of Flanders, Duchess of Normandy, rules as Regent of Normandy for her husband, Duke William. William has won the Battle of Hastings, but Saxon England does not wish to surrender to him as King. As William sets England to flame, Matilda waits in Normandy for the time to come when she can claim her crown. Through bloodshed, battle, and struggle will England be won, but even as Matilda rejoices for her new power, a prophecy is spoken, linking the fates of her children to the wailing voices and horrific images in dreams which come to haunt her.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Another exceptionally written historical fiction
- By Piaras on 12-14-18
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Estrid
- Valhalla, Book 2
- By: Johanne Hildebrandt, Tara F. Chace - translator
- Narrated by: Christina Traister
- Length: 16 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 108
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 93
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 93
Fearless Queen Sigrid wants her twin children to fulfill their destinies: her son, Olaf, to become heir to the kingdom of Svealand, and her gifted daughter, Estrid, to secure passage to the underworld as she is promised to Hel, the Norse goddess of death. But Olaf's ascension to the throne depends on Sigrid's former husband, King Erik the Victorious, who despises her and suspects the twins are not his but Sweyn Forkbeard's, Denmark's exiled king.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Horrible narration
- By Jill K Bowers on 12-01-19
Publisher's Summary
Scotland, 1032. When a marriage contract calls Gruoch away from Ynes Verleath, she leaves with the hope she'll be reunited with Banquo. But fate has different plans. Lies, betrayal, and violence await her. Set on a collision course with destiny, Gruoch soon finds herself thrust into the arms of another man. Her dreams shattered and rattled by unexpected brutality, it becomes more than Gruoch can handle. The raven, however, is no stranger to carnage. Fierce power grows inside Gruoch, and more than anything, it craves bloody revenge.
Fans of Outlander and The Mists of Avalon will relish this sweeping Scottish historical fantasy that tells the tale of Gruoch, a woman struggling to escape her fate without blood on her hands.
Continue the Celtic Blood Series with book two, Highland Blood.
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Sarah
- 01-31-19
Trigger Warning
Spoiler: the book opens with the main character being raped. I'm deeply disappointed with what I thought was going to be a very enjoyable fantasy series.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- delores
- 02-08-19
Intrigue and magic
when I finish the series I will diffently listen to this again! loved it very much!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gaylie
- 01-28-19
Raven's Korbey
loved it all three book's, Celtic lore was wonderful every magical moment mixed in with the Macbeth tale is wonderful.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jacqueline Croat
- 11-29-18
very inspiring
really enjoyed it. masterful storytelling. loved that it's not filled with bloodshed and war. able to make literary tension without that.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Athena Lee Brown
- 05-26-20
Hauting
The second book furthers the story and it gives so much more than the book before. Taking my emotions and runs me through the gambit of everyone you can imagine. Melanie Karsak has out done herself with this story and has made a good choice having Lesly Larkin read the story for us. Her accent brings the right flavor for each of the characters.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- The Literary Vixen
- 05-26-20
A Wonderful Fantasy Read!
I am totally hooked on this series! The story pulls you in right from the beginning. This was easily a wonderful escape read for me. I wanted more! I love all the magic and lore woven into the story. The narrator’s voice was perfect and I felt it enhanced the story even more for me. I can’t wait to read more!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sairaika
- 04-22-20
A fantastical read!
Fierce power grows inside Gruoch, and more than anything, it craves bloody revenge...
Another fantastic read! A magnificent sequel to this stunning series.
So intriguing and interesting.
Lovely narration.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 04-21-20
Magical
I love this book series because it's full of magic and love. I truly feel the emotional connection of the main character.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Katie
- 04-18-20
Highland Blood
I devoured this book in one day! The transformation that Gruoch goes through was well done. The series of events were faster paced in this book compared to the first. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Thurstan
- 09-28-19
Couldn't stop.
The story is maturing. I couldn't stop listening and was taken by surprise when it finished.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lolah
- 12-17-18
A spellbinding story, excellently narrated. Highly recommended!
I listened to this story on Audible without having read the book first, but I don't feel I lost anything from doing this - it was so excellently narrated by Lesley Parkin that the whole world came to life in my head as she wove the story, like a movie playing behind my eyelids (I closed my eyes to enjoy it best, not to sleep, honest!). It's a truly spellbinding story, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who likes fairytale and myth retellings (it's a version of the early life of Lady Macbeth), fantasy stories, or just something a bit different. I'm loving this series, and will definitely be listening to book 3 ASAP!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Book Squirrel
- 02-05-20
Bewitching.
In this excellent sequel to ‘Highland Raven’, Karsak continues the magical, mystical story of Gruoch as she continues to learn of her destiny amid the complexity of both worlds to which she belongs.
As with the first book in this series, Gruoch’s story is so beautifully written and expertly crafted that the reader becomes deeply invested in the events and characters of the story, sharing Gruoch’s fears, pain, and hopes as her life takes compelling twists and unpredictable turns. She is a complex and powerful woman, strong and admirable, and steadfast in the face of conflict and danger. Yet, she is never portrayed as perfect, never unrealistically good, and never so contrived as to not be believable.
There are some lovely references to Shakespeare’s ’Macbeth’, woven seamlessly into the narrative. This establishes close ties between that story and this one, even though the events of this series thus far happen before those in the famous play.
The narration is expressive and almost bewitching in itself. Lesley Parkin does and excellent job of enchanting the reader, be it with magic, romance or adventure.
The story delivers a fascinating blend of history, mystery, fantasy, romance, and adventure in an deeply engaging read that, once started, demands to be consumed.