After Whorl Bran Reborn (Celtic Fervour, #2)

by Nancy Jardine

[Lynn]

This second book picks up after the battle of Whorl. Brannus of Garrigill is a long way from home and presumed dead. Badly injured he's nursed back to health by an old woman called Meaghan. Meanwhile, Nara is now free from her betrothal to follow her heart and into the arms of his brother, Lorcan. 

With the focus of this book on Brannus, I was a little sad because I really enjoyed getting to know Lorcan and Nara in The Beltane Choice. However, Bran is such a lovely gentle giant of a man so I quickly warmed to his personality and enjoyed his interactions with Meaghan's teenage granddaughter, Ineda. 

After regaining his strength and learning to live with his disabilities, it's only fitting this warrior takes on a new name, it's a rebirth to allow him to blend in with his new surroundings as he attempts to continue helping his people from a distance by collecting information about the Romans and their plans. Aided by Ineda, she proves to be a strong, feisty, and resourceful companion as well as a distraction. 

The narrative is bursting with facts and the author's attention to detail is admirable. All this, wrapped around an intriguing narrative with fascinating characters. Still, in 71AD, I absorbed the lifestyle of these resilient people with respect and admire how they managed to survive in such hostile surroundings. Now I need to find out the fate of Bran and Ineda in Donning Double Cloaks. 

***arc generously received courtesy of Ocelot Press***