Book 2 of The Celtic Fervour Series set in northern Celtic Roman Britain AD 71-73, when Rome expands the boundaries of its Western Empire.
Ravaged by war
AD 71. After the battle at Whorl, Brennus of Garrigill is irrevocably changed.
Returning to Marske, Ineda finds her grandmother dead, though Brennus is not. Snared by a Roman patrol, they are marched to Witton where he is forced to labour for the Roman IX Legion.
Embracing his new identity as Bran, Brennus vows to avert Roman occupation of northernmost Brigantia. Ineda becomes his doughty spying accomplice, though sometimes she’s too impetuous. Trading with the Romans lends excellent opportunities for information gathering. Over time, Bran’s feelings for Ineda mar with his loyalty to Ineda’s father.
When she disappears, and cannot be found, Bran enters direct service with Venutius, King of the Brigantes.
Excerpt
AD 71 After Beltane – Whorl
“Fóghnaidh mi dhut! I really will finish you! I have you now, invading scum!”
Another couple of whacks would have the shield gone. The Roman auxiliary’s arm already showed signs of fatigue as Brennus slashed below the man’s chain link protection, his full power backing each blow of his long Celtic sword. The man was brawny, a practised opponent at the edge of the tight cluster of Roman bodies, but was much smaller than he was and rapidly weakened. Brennus knew the advantage he had. A drained grin slid into a grimace of pain as his sword jarred on the Roman gladius when the soldier’s stab interrupted another of his blows, the impact juddering his weakened elbow, an injury sustained with a previous combatant.
“Diùbhadh! Scum!”
The gladius flashed upwards. To reach his head the angle of the auxiliary’s attack had to be higher than the usual, demanding a different force to succeed, and the Roman just did not have the strength any more.
A cry of frustration emerged from the Roman, the clenched teeth an indicator of the man’s tenacity as the gladius prodded forward yet again. Brennus understood none of the man’s tongue, the battle ground not the place for meaningful talk, but the intent was clear.
“Come! Come forward! A ghlaoic! You fool!” Brennus’ hollering taunts and crude ridiculing gestures gained him a little ground as the auxiliary broke free of the rigid formation, desperate to gain conquest over yet another Celtic adversary, the shorter gladius slashing and nipping at his chest but not quite breaking the skin.
The tight group of Roman soldiers had been almost impossible to breach; their raised cover of shields an impenetrable barrier. He had been toying with and provoking this particular soldier for long, long moments. Yet, even with his superior strength, he knew he could not sustain such weighty combat for much longer either, before he would need to retreat to regain his reserves of vigour – though only a little more wearing down of the man’s resistance should be enough. He knew that from an earlier experience. Drawing breath from deep inside he slipped back a pace, and then another as if giving up the pursuit.
“Come forward, you piece of Roman horse dung! You demand the blood of the Celts? Let it be so! Have mine!”
Professional Reviews
5* Celts vs. Romans By Mary Rose
Nancy Jardine's Celtic series has me in its thrall! "After Whorl: Bran Reborn" is the second in this series, which depicts the little reported efforts of the Celts to rid the country of the Roman invaders. Since they face a very organized and well-equipped foe, they rely on their considerable Celtic wits to undermine the subjugation of the hated invaders. The characters are so well formed, I find myself worrying about their welfare, worrying about their romantic lives, and so on.
I admire the descriptions of battle scenes - male authors tend to be a bit too technical with battle scenes for me. Nancy Jardine describes battles clearly, but also with a look at the emotions of the warrior.
I cannot wait for the third novel of the series, due to launch in March, 2014. Hope the author considers expanding the series even further. A wonderful read, I highly recommend "After Whorl: Bran Reborn!"
5* The second even better than the first By Amazon Customer
After Whorl: Bran Reborn continues the story of the Celts vs the Romans that started in The Beltane Choice. In 71 AD Rome is consolidating its conquest of Britain, while scattered tribes try to fight back. Horribly injured in a major battle, Brennus, the son of a Celt chief, is nursed back to health by an aged healer. Lame and disfigured, he knows he can never be the warrior he once was, so he resolves to fight in other ways and takes the name of Bran. He's helped in his mission by the teenage Ineda, who he gradually falls in love with.
It's a fascinating picture of early Britain and keeps you turning the pages. I'd have preferred a real end to the story of Bran and Ineda, rather than a cliffhanger, but that's my opinion. The next portion of the story is coming soon, so the wait won't be long.
5 * The story continues and matures. By Book Addict
After Whorl: Bran Reborn, continues the momentous events started in The Beltane Choice with the Roman invasion of Britain as the native inhabitants struggle to preserve their way of life.
The Brigantes are a proud race and many prefer death to subjugation by the Roman invaders. The story starts with one of their brave warriors near fatally wounded, nursed back to health by a healer. Ashamed of his ruined body and with his strength is gone, in his new life Bran accepts the label of being simple as a fitting punishment. However, he soon discovers that being underestimated can have its uses when he spies on the Romans. As Bran recovers some feeling of self-worth his companion, Ineda has grown from a girl into a woman and a long denied mutual attraction flares into a physical relationship. But this is not a book of happy endings and when Ineda is captured, a Roman commander becomes infatuated with her, and she must become his bed slave - leaving Bran oblivious to her fate...
After reading The Beltane Choice (highly recommended) I was excited to read After Whorl. Once again Ms Jardine impresses with her attention to detail and the ability to immerse the reader in a different era. I felt the author had matured immensely since #1 and indeed, After Whorl has a different 'feel' to #1 - both books are excellent but are different types of read. The Beltane Choice is heavy on the romance, whilst After Whorl is more a work historical fiction with romantic elements. This threw me initially but once I'd settled to understanding the author had 'grown up' I was every bit as entertained and can highly recommend this absorbing read.
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