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Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN num: 9780440241089
ISBN number: 0440241081
Label: Dell
Manufacturer: Dell
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 720
Printing Date: September 30, 2008
Publishing house: Dell
Release Date: September 30, 2008
Sale Popularity Level: 712166
Studio: Dell
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Product Description:
She is Breaca nic Graine, born to the Eceni, a tribe of dreamers and hunters, storytellers and artisans—men and women in whose lives the real and the fantastical exist side by side. As Breaca proves her brilliance in battle, she is catapulted to the forefront of her tribe, who will rename the copper-haired warrior Boudica (“She Who Brings Victory”). Many will share in Breaca’s extraordinary destiny: the beloved father who always knew she was destined for greatness . . . the famed warrior whose love for her is rivaled only by his hatred for their shared enemy . . . the lost brother whose name will become her battle cry. . . . Now, as violence and treachery threaten a fragile peace, Breaca will once again be called to battle. And for the young queen, for the clashing native tribes she must unite, and for the spirits that live among them, a war for survival has only just begun. . . .
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Rated by buyers 
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The Manda Scott Boudica novels are terrific adventure reads. Since she is writing of a real but non-literate culture, she has to invent the culture of the two-thousand-year-old tribes, and she does a fine job of creating a world that holds together well. I believed this world, and I believed the characters.
I enjoy historical novels, but most accurate historical novels about women have to show us the reality of how powerless women have been over the past 2000 years (and still are in much of the world). Women who are interesting and powerful generally pay for it. (I recently read Karen Essex' Stealing Athena, for one example of this accurate yet depressing pattern.)
But Boudica gets to be a true hero in Scott's books, without anyone shaming her or making her small for it. Indeed, her leadership and warrior skills provoke no notice at all, for in her world, it is normal for women to be strong. It strikes me that girls who are graduating from heroic fantasy novels starring strong female characters might subsequent like to try this series next. It's accessible to young adult readers but interesting to adults.
Rated by buyers -
While sub-titled "A Novel of Boudica, the Warrior Queen," this book is as much about her brother, Bán. In fact, Breaca nic Graine doesn't become Boudica (She Who Brings Victory) until the final chapters. The book - the very first in a quartet - covers the early years of her life from about age 12 to 23 (32 - 43 A.D.).
As Scott explains at the end, there is little primary evidence about Boudica and her tribe. Much of what we know comes from Roman accounts, accounts based on oral history and written centuries later, and archaeological interpretations. Thus, to this end, the story is truly a work of fiction.
It is, however, beautifully written, compelling and credible. You envision the life of the Eceni (Boudica's tribe), their culture, beliefs, and way of life. You come to understand and accept the dreamings and their significance.
Through circumstances often beyond their control, Breaca and Bán (about 4 years her junior) lead different lives. And while one of them makes the "right" choices, the other does not. The ending is heart-breaking and sets the tone for the subsequent book in the series (Dreaming the Bull).
The story is not a quick read. While beautifully written, it requires a lot of focus. It introduces at least 3 characters - Breaca, Bán and Caradoc (Breaca's lover) - important to the story. Because of circumstances, their story's often run parallel to one another rather than intertwined. Consequently, I found myself having to re-read parts from time to time.
A highly recommended 5 stars.
Rated by buyers -
Manda Scott gives us an exciting and heart-wrenching beginning to her Boudica series with "Dreaming the Eagle." These characters are real and believable and true Celts portrayed with archaeological detail and immense emotional depth. The dreamers and warriors who inhabit their world with bravery and wonder are amazing characters you won't soon forget. The whole series is as wonderful as this very first book and your love for Breaca, Airmid, Ban, and Caradoc will only grow as you travel through their difficult times and uplifting relationships with them.
Rated by buyers -
I'll admit, not many 13-year-olds are going to be reading this book, especially considering that it is an adult book, but it is an amazing piece of literature!
True, the plot may be slightly difficult to understand, at least for me, but it is really, really good. It took me about three months to read, and usually a book of that size takes me a week, max, but that was because, for it to really pull me into it, i needed some time, as in an uninterupted hour or more, to read it. (Sorry for the run-on sentence!)
Some of the content may be considered "for adults only" by many people, such as when, towards the end of the book Breaca sleeps with a man to whom she is not married, but we all know enough about that by the time we turn 13, and if we don't, then we need to learn.
Altogether, I say that this is a book well worth the price and time it takes to read and I say we should all propose a toast of long life to Manda Scott for writing this beautiful series!
Rated by buyers 
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I really loved the premise for this book. What could be better than the life story of a warrior queen who defended her people from the Romans? I expected this book to be somewhat like the Light Bearer by Donna Gillespie, and so I was excited to read it.
Unfortunately the book proved to be a disappointment.
This book, quite frankly, is boring. Nothing that happens in it is described in a way to be exciting and the culture of Breaca (Boudica of the title) is never really explained, the author just seems to expect the reader to know a lot about pre-roman British culture.
Which of course the average reader does not.
Because of this the book is confusing and vague at times and just plain boring at others. Other complaints: way too much time is spent talking about how much all the characters love their horses, and the romance is never really explored that well.
I still may read the subsequent book in this series, but only if I can get it cheaply. Over all, if you want a good book about a warrior woman fighting back against Rome, read The Light Bearer by Donna Gillespie.
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