Review: Slaves, pirates, fair folk, warriors, and kings grace this compelling debut novel by Chelsea Brooke
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 22, 2014
In first person narrative, protagonist Dethas recounts a life of adversity set in Roman Britain and Hibernia. Young Dethas becomes a blacksmith’s apprentice when her aggrieved father abandons her in a hamlet near the Welsh coast. Unceasingly struggling to overcome desolation, she grows into a defiant young woman and faces a great ordeal once more after pirates raid her small village and enslave its citizens. She loses her friends, spends a tormenting stint in a pirate ship, and meets an unlikely protector in pirate captain Amien. When she finally escapes, she bumps into a new set of captors yet again. She is brought to a hidden commune where, while trying to gain her freedom, she also unravels her identity. A journey to the south, an act of treason, and a gripping battle ensues before this tale is resolved by a final tragedy.Reading this novel introduced me to a set of emotions all akin to pain. At several points, I was more than ready to exchange this for a jollier material, yet I read on and was duly gratified. Brooke composed a tale dense with Celtic mythology and deep sociopolitical undertones. Plus, one will certainly be pleased to discover the rich description of flora and landscape presented page after page. I could not say that all went well and happy in the end -- it was more of a “how things were meant to be” moment. Moreover, the ending of this exceptional chronicle marks the beginning of a more profound mission. I am left wondering how an individual who suffered so much loss and endured too many partings can bring together worlds torn apart. One can only hope for a sequel.A couple of tips, the language structure can be challenging so I agree with the earlier review stating that this book is more suitable for mature readers. Try playing Enya, too, while reading Dethalissicus to set a truly ethereal mood. Enjoy!