Jules Watson The Dawn Stag

The Dawn Stag

Jules Watson

Overlook, Feb 2006, $24.95, 552 pp.

ISBN: 1585676217

In AD 81 Roman Governor of Britain Agricola has one place left to complete the empire's conquering, to the north, Alba. He anticipates an easy triumph against the uncivilized tribes who have battled one another forever so their disunity should prove fortunate for the undefeated Roman legion.

However, out of seemingly nowhere a dynamic Celtic leader Eremon, exiled son of the Irish king and husband to local warrior Princess Rhiann, has begun to bring the factions together against the common enemy Rome. Still others besides Agricola have reasons to see the newlyweds fail. Some want to be the chosen ruler so they refuse to give up any of their power whether they are a local monarch or a druid priestess while others have more personal gripes against either or both champions. Without a united front, Rome will conquer the last holdout, but Eremon still believes in the cause though he knows many will die.

THE DAWN STAG, the second Dalriada trilogy tale (see THE WHITE MARE), is a superb ancient Britannia historical thriller that contains some captivating fantasy elements mostly performed by the ambitious traitorous druid priestess and Rhiann who seeks assistance in the spiritual realm. Still the strength of this terrific story line lies in the interwoven details of life in the late first century that is so vivid and picturesque; the audience will vanish inside the reading experience. With a strong fully developed cast, Jules Watson provides a powerful epic saga that fans will euphorically treasure while looking forward to the conclusion.

Harriet Klausner