The Claiming

The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, Book 3

By: Octavia Randolph

Narrated by: Nano Nagle

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

How long can you fight Fate? How far must you go to claim what is yours?  

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. Each day takes them farther from the loyalties and laws of the lands they have called home, and deeper into new challenges and opportunities. Ceridwen's ties to Kilton and all it represents are strong, yet Sidroc is steadfast in his claim to her. A rescued stranger stands between both of their desires, threatening to destroy all that Sidroc has worked and killed to preserve.  

Download the free accompanying PDF with maps, list of characters, glossary, and more: https://octavia.net/audiobook-accompanying-materials/

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2005 Octavia Randolph (P)2017 Octavia Randolph

fantastic

I have read historical fiction. all my life, I'm 63. this is one of the best sagas I have read. the characters and places come to life in a spellbinding way. thank you

True Love or Stockholm Syndrome?

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I was disturbed listening to this book. Unless the saga goes in a totally different way, as I have not read the next book, this book is mostly about a kidnapper emotionally wearing down a woman he claims to care about.

Would you be willing to try another book from Octavia Randolph? Why or why not?

I am not sure. I liked the first 2 books, especially the first one. But trying to make Stockholm Syndrome okay and romantic is not something that appeals to me.

Which character – as performed by Nano Nagle – was your favorite?

The Saxon and the Priest.

Do you think The Claiming needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Only if it addresses how messed up kidnapping someone is and that you can t pressure your captive to love you.

Any additional comments?

I don't like where the protagonist is going in this series. I liked Ceridwen in the first book. She has become far less likable as the books progress.

Really good adventure

This is the best of the series. Very entertaining. Romance part was not sexy, but long years of yearning for your true love. Painful long years with the wrong love.

Splendid!

Book three is just as good and captivating as the two prior! Great story; can't wait for the continuance!

A series with many heroes

This is my first review of the series because I haven’t wanted to stop even for a moment before starting the next book. I love the strong direct style of this story telling without excessive battle scenes and political descriptions. Also loving that the author doesn’t shy away from the intricacies and intimacies of sexual encounters. So far it is a series with many heroes that explore relationships as well as adventure and conflicts. I’m very happy to have stumbled upon this series and highly recommend.

Awful

First , let me say that I loved the first two books in this series. They were set in a fascinating historical context. They had good stories. The characters were interesting, likable, and believable, if imperfect.

This book is so bad that I doubt that I will read any more in this series. There is no plot, as far as I could see. Cidroc is an utterly disgusting character. Let's see: slavery, murder, theft, kidnapping, abandonment of family....did I miss anything? Oops, yes....I forgot to mention that he threatens to beat Ceridwyn .

Absolutely nothing happens that convinces me that Ceridwyn would have made the decision she ultimately makes.

The book doesn't even work as a tragic romance because both of those elements occur after the end of the book.

All the waiting for nothing...

This book was a total letdown. THREE BOOKS of waiting for them to be together finally and it was kind of a major letdown. THREE BOOKS. We need a little more.

The Best One Yet

I became a quick fan of this series right away in Book One, Chapter the First, so when we're given a whole book mainly about Ceridwen and Sidroc, my two favorite characters, I was instantly engrossed with it. I really appreciated the pacing and storytelling while eagerly awaiting and experiencing the continued growth and evolution of the relationship between Ceridwen and Sidroc. (Sidenote: I did find that going to the author's website and looking at maps of the time period and the routes of the characters in this book incredibly helpful.)

I already knew I liked the main characters, but in this book, I found that I could like them even more. Octavia Randolph stays true to and doesn't flip on her characterizations of either protagonist as she unravels their changing circumstances and dynamic. Ceridwen is still endearing with her courage and vulnerability, and Sidroc's patience and unwavering fortitude is fantastic.

Nano Nagle got better with Book Three. Her choice of accents was improved and made Sidroc much more tolerable for me. I was happy to bump her up to four stars.

I definitely recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and fans of the author and/or series.

The Claiming is an exciting adventure

filled with exciting twists and unexpected turns. Again, Octavia writes with such realism of the times that I have now listened to this whole saga 3 times. Each time, I fall in love with her characters esp. Sidroc. Nano Nagle’s melodious voice rises with excitement when those scenes require it. My heart beats so fast at those time that I can scarcely catch my breathe. I can picture in my mind so vividly what is happening..so wonderful of a narrator is she. Octavia’s written word is so perfect..all I can do is rave and hang on, while Nano reads forward. One must enter into this saga with the eyes of those times and do not judge it with your 21st century biases. That is the beauty of good historical fiction, leave your prejudices behind and become part of the action of that time.

A plot so idiotic it is beyond belief.

The protagonist is a half witted beauty with a severe case of stockholm syndrome and daddy issues. Sleeping with two brothers, abandoning child and friends just to be w some mass murdering religious fanatic while being portrayed as a caring loving heroine… Either the author is medicated or in real memtal distress.

Another Great Story!

I loved this third book. So much, in fact I was surprised when it finished...a result of my total Immersion in the story rather than an abrupt ending.
What now? Book 4 of course!

Another excellent book

Loved this book as i did the other two. Looking forward to the next one