Donna Fletcher, Legendary Warrior

Legendary Warrior

Donna Fletcher

Avon Mar 2004, $5.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060538783

In the sixteenth century Ireland, Reena Callen grew up hearing tales about the "Legend" from her father. Now a young adult, Reena worries that her village will starve to death due to the malevolent treatment of the new Earl Peter Kilkern. When a villager John challenges the edict, Peter has his arm sliced off and has other townsfolk killed.

Reena dresses up as a lad and travels to the estate of the Legend to gain his help. She displays courage as she asks him to defend her villagers in exchange for her precise mapmaking skills. The Legend Magnus accepts her terms. They journey to her village where he relocates everyone onto one of his estates vowing to keep them safe and warning Peter to stay away from them. As Reena and Magnus become acquainted they fall in love, but first must deal with the vile Peter who feels he has been slighted by the relocation of his villagers.

Though there is some confusion over the age of the hero, this delightful sixteenth century Irish romance is a fun tale that feels more like a medieval story. Fans will admire the courage of Reena and the loyalty of Magnus' best friend, but mostly appreciate the strength and responsibility shown by Magnus. Though Peter is so malevolent that he offers not one redeeming quality so that fans will want him to receive his just award, LEGENDARY WARRIOR is a fine historical that transports the audience into the past with an ease that reflects on the author. More works like this and readers will call Donna Fletcher the legend.

Harriet Klausner