About 1/3 in I checked to see if this was the author's first book, the writing and flow of the story had the sort of lack of maturity you find in seasoned author's stories. (From what my quick Google search found it is the first) Intriguing plot points of reincarnation, mythology, and hidden wars being waged in the "mortal" realm but everything didn't quite tie together for me. The romance between the leads felt forced through the reincarnation point and forced by how the author seemed to overwrite the sex scenes with sexually charged words. I love dirty words myself but they just didn't fit in that it felt like "Hey, I said cock so this should be a hot and heavy scene on that alone!"

I would be interested if anyone has continued in the series and if the author's writing has matured at all, of course maybe this author's style just might not be for me. The story is tantalizing in its unique feeling. ( )

So this was an original storyline, you don't see many books that feature Boudica, Celtic Warrior Queen, especially as the main character. So I was excited for this story, as I am a big fan of mythology-based books.

The book starts off in Central England, AD 60, on the eve of the Roman conquest of Britain. This gives us the backstory so we know who our main characters will be. We get to see a little of Boudica to jog our memory as to who she was as I don't recall that we spent any amount of time learning about her when I was in school. (Though I did know who she was, so I must have learned it somewhere. The only other book I can remember her character appearing in was [b:The White Mare|698939|The White Mare (Dalriada Trilogy, #1)|Jules Watson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1431819745s/698939.jpg|685253], but I knew of her before I read that one.) As this is the first book of the series, it has some world building, but not overly much. Basically we learn the bare minimum about the characters we meet and the Praesidium, a university for the mytheans that is located at the base of Arthur's Seat in Scotland.

Okay so once we have our backstory, we jump ahead nearly 2,000 years and meet Cadan (again) who has been made an immortal mythean guard. He is a downtrodden soul, feeling like he failed his family and Boudica because he was unable to protect them during the war. I liked Cadan, but he used the word "lassie" way too much. It came off as weird when I don't recall that he spoke with any heavy Scottish/Irish dialect. Cadan is given a new assignment by Walter (head of the Praesidium?), to guard Boudica reincarnated while she completes the task for which she has been reincarnated. Boudica was reincarnated as Diana, but she does not have the knowledge of her prior life. This must be triggered by some event, which gives us the first part of the story. Then she must complete her task, and then she will die. Sounds fun, huh?

Unfortunately, I was in a bit of a reading slump while I was reading this one and it was not holding my attention. It took me 4 days to finish it, and that is unheard of for me. I am a 1 book per day type person. I just couldn't get swept up in the plot like I wanted to. I think part of the reason is that I really didn't care for Diana. She was hard-headed, reckless and bitchy. And once Diana was paired with Esha, a soulceress, the dislike grew even more. These two just rubbed me the wrong way. But I like the mythological theme, and the story was original, so I'm not gonna say that I didn't like it. I did - I just wish I could've focused on it a bit more. 3 stars / 3 flames.
( )

The great thing about this book is that there is a whole new range of supernaturals, something beyond your regular werewolves & vampires. Covering a variety of mythological characters we have the greek underworld, harpies, celtic goddesses, soulceresses who gain their power from the souls of beings and walk the aether between dimensions, Jinns, millennia old immortal guardians and reincarnated souls to name a few. A new series to whet the appetites of all supernatural junkies. ( )

Well, well, well. Fourth book in the series, and my fangirlism over the Mytheans is still going strong.

I don't have much to say about the book, other than the fact it really rocked my world - like the rest of the series, of course. The romance was perfect, with tons of action and well-placed drama, and just the right dose of heat. I adored Fiona from the previous book anyway, but here I simply loved her! Not to mention that her choice in man, Ian, was a really delicious one!

Now I can't wait for Loki's book! I'm sure I'm gonna love it just the same, if not more!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.*** ( )

Now THIS was something new - and you know me, new is most of the times translation for "I've never seen this, now I have, and GOD it was awesome"!

Cadan Trinovante is a Mythean Guardian, an Immortal whose duty is to protect those that affect humanity greatly. He's loyal to his cause, and never gets completely attached to those he protects. But his new mission is about to prove tricky. Diana Laughton, a woman seeking to work as a professor one day, is the reincarnation of Boudica, the ancient Celtic warrior queen, and she's in real trouble. Demons are after her, an enemy of Boudica's wants to kill her, and a man she's instantly attracted to is trying to protect her, but hides a ton of secrets that could very well bring back her past life's memories. Can she survive even against the odds saying she's meant to die after fulfilling her mission? And will Cadan be able to get a second chance for his heart, when the same woman who once threw it away is once again by his side, about to be taken by death once more?

I simply LOVED this book. And I'm ecstatic that it's the first of the series, because I couldn't possibly be able to be satisfied with just one story about the Mytheans.

What to praise first? The story that was full of plot twists and surprises? The pace that never let me take a breath? The characters that were a perfect mix of contemporary and legend?

Well, this book was all this, and more. It was fast in pace, packed with action, and the characters were wonderful in the mixed natures. I mean, usually immortal characters are overdoing it with using modern facilities, like the writers are trying their hardest to prove that those beings that came from the ancient times can really live in our century. Ok, we don't doubt they can, no need to keep rubbing it in our faces.

But Ms. Hall did her characters justice. They were fairly good in blending with modern society, but they hadn't forgotten their roots, their history. They were modest in using technology, and while they did that, they didn't overdo it with their supernatural abilities, either.

A perfect balance!

What is more, the romance in the story was equally hot AND emotional. For the first time in so long, we actually see a guy who finds the woman he believed to be his one true love, NOT trying to change the reincarnation into her original form. See, Cadan knew he was falling in love with Diana. He did fight it, but he didn't try to turn her into another Boudica. He saw her for who she really was. It was refreshing to read, and yes, I think deep down, he instinctively knew Boudica hadn't really loved him, not the way Diana did.

Well done, Cadan!

Diana was also an interesting female. She was scared out of her wits, didn't try to hide it or act tough, yet didn't become a useless damsel in distress, either. No, she tried to become stronger, to find answers to her questions, and was always willing to help as long as it was within her powers to do so. The way she treated Cadan had me cringing at times, of course, but then I kept reminding myself that Boudica played a major part in that, so it was easy to transfer my dislike towards her person and enjoy the rest of the story.

Now I can't wait to read Warren and Esha's story. Something tells me theirs is a love-hate relationship, and I love those! ( )