Rating: ★★★★
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Format: eBook
Pages: 347
Synopsis:
Lena of Tirvan has a choice to make: in the face of invasion, does she help defend her country, or choose banishment with her lover? Women have never fought in Lena's world: they farm and fish, make cheese and wine, and raise children. All men and boys, from the age of seven, are part of the military. But when the Emperor asks women to defend their villages against the catboats of Leste, Lena must decide where her loyalties lie. A unique blend of historical and speculative fiction, Empire's Daughter can be read as a standalone, or as an introduction to the epic saga of Empire's Legacy.
A B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree; Eric Hoffer Finalist, 2021; BBNYA 2021 Semi-Finalist; Silver Medal, Historical Fantasy Box Set (2019), Coffee Pot Book Club Awards; Readers' Favorite 5-Star Award, 2021 (as part of Empire's Legacy: The First Trilogy)
Review:
"Women of Tirvan," she began, "we are once again a village of women. Four months ago, our lives consisted of farming and fishing, and our thoughts and our skills were given to these pursuits. We are something more now: a military unit, trained to fight. And we have paid a price, both personal and collective.”
Separated by the Empire's rule of the Partition Agreement, the world that these men and women live in is one of steadfast devotion to their villages. The men live as a separate entity among the military for the empire starting at a very young age. The women live as one in their villages, farming and fishing, and providing for the military men as needed. It is an agreement that is well respected and most everyone lives in contentment.
When the empire and the villages are threatened, they all must come together to fight for the safety of their lives. This will change their way of living and will also bring change to how the Emperor will continue to rule the lands.
The world building and customs the author developed are maticulously explained in detail, setting a clear visual of the lands in which we are immersed into a unique lifestyle. The characters are well developed with strong personalities. I especially felt the women were strong protagonists as they lived in unity and took well care of each other. When asked to step into their new roles, accept for a select few, they accept it knowing they must protect their villages with a possible new hope for the future. Their voices are heard and not just set aside by the men even though they have lived separately for hundreds of years.
There are also themes of love and heartbreak as some choose to separate and bind themselves to the old ways of living.
The story ends strong as it opens up a continuation into the next book in the series.
Quite complex but very effective in developing a journey into the lives of these men and women of the Empire.
“But we cannot shape the circumstances to fit our lives only our lives to fit the circumstances. What defines us, as men and women, is how we respond to those circumstances.”
"The swallows gather, summer passes, The grapes hang dark and sweet; Heavy are the vines, Heavy is my heart, Endless is the road beneath my feet. The sun is setting, the moon is rising, The night is long and sweet; I am gone at dawn. I am gone at day, Endless is the road beneath my feet. The cold is deeper, the winters longer, Summer is short but sweet; I will remember, I'll not forget you, Endless is the road beneath my feet."
*Alternative History
*Historical Fantasy
Goodreads Author Link:
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Amazon Author Link:
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
“My books are historical fiction of an imagined world, one that is close to Britain, Northern Europe, and Rome, but isn’t any of them. A world where a society evolved differently after the Eastern Empire left, an Empire on the edge of history.
"After two careers as a research scientist and an educator, I decided it was time to do what I’d always really wanted, and be a writer. As well as my novels, I’ve published short stories and poetry. My life-long interest in Roman and post-Roman European history provided the inspiration for my books, while my other interests in landscape archaeology and birding provide background.”
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Thank you so much for the lovely review!
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