THE OATH

Three individuals from two warring religions begin to form a family in this debut adventure.

This historical fiction series opener is set in 788 in Britain, a nation that has largely been taken over by Christian Germanic Saxon invaders from the Indigenous Druids. At the novel’s center is a man on a mission. After the Druids are forced to abandon their hidden sanctuary, Caelym, a young priest, is sent to find Annwr, the sister of the supreme priestess Feywn. Annwr was abducted 15 years prior by a Saxon war band. He discovers Annwr on the grounds of a convent, where her charge, Aleswina, the dead king’s teenage daughter, resides. The teen was banished by her cousin King Gilberth. Caelym also has his own secret crusade: to find his two young sons, Arddwn and Lliem, who were sent away with a faithful servant two years ago. When the cruel Gilberth’s men come for Aleswina because he has decided to marry her, she throws in with Annwr and Caelym in an effort to escape that fate. The trio, rife with conflict, must cross unknown territory for three purposes: to locate Arddwn and Lliem, to find a safe place for Aleswina, and finally to connect with the remaining Druids en route to their new homeland. Linden’s well-researched tale eloquently brings to life a lesser-known period of transition in Britain. The riveting story illustrates that religious strife has been woven into that country’s tapestry for centuries. And life was difficult for the underclass even back then. The author has created a strong foundation for her series with well-developed characters whom readers can embrace. Still, with all those Welsh-sounding Druid names missing some vowels, the book could have used a pronunciation guide to go with its cast of characters. But that’s a small quibble. What’s important is that readers will care about what happens to Annwr, Caelym, Aleswina, and the others in future volumes. In the interim, this installment is a sterling exploration of a tumultuous era.

Characterization reigns supreme in this layered, gripping historical fiction tale set in Britain.