When Skaaha’s mother dies in a chariot accident, her entire life changes. Instead of being the prized daughters of a leading warrior queen, Skaaha and her sister are separated, sent off with their fathers to learn trades. Skaaha has never met her father before but quickly grows to like him and to enjoy forging. As she grows to maturity, she begins to suspect irregularities in her mother’s death and falls in love with a man who is not entirely suitable. After Skaaha’s first Beltane, she realizes that she must find the answers and become a warrior to match her greatest enemies.
Though Warrior Daughter isn’t massive at under 500 pages, it feels epic in scope. I loved learning about the 2000-year-old Celtic world that Skaaha inhabited. Her character is based on the legendary Scathach, one of the many mythical figures in the Ulster cycle, as a young woman. The society is matriarchal; women are warriors, leaders, and free to choose as many husbands as they’d like. The gods are women. Pregnant women are essentially worshipped and looked up to. I’m thinking this doesn’t sound so bad!
Of course, it’s not so easy for Skaaha. She has the blood of the gods running through her veins thanks to her mother, but that only makes her life harder as others envy her. Skaaha grows quite strong throughout the novel, growing and changing as she faces new obstacles constantly. I really liked her. I suspected who was behind much of the conflict in the novel – it’s really quite obvious from the beginning – and I was firmly on Skaaha’s side throughout the novel.
Possibly the only warning I might give to this novel is that it’s quite graphic. There is a violent rape and the characters have a lot of sex with each other. The rape in particular was extremely difficult for me to read, as I imagine it would be for any woman, but it did have bearing on the plot, as did much of the other graphic scenes. Everything, whether scarring or healing, furthers the development of Skaaha’s character, so in that sense I don’t think I would call it gratuitious, but I could have done without so many details.
After reading Warrior Daughter, I find that I’d love to learn more about the Celtic culture which the author researched and recreated. Her author’s note only further piqued my interest, especially when she discussed archaeological discoveries and comparisons she drew in order to make this society as close as possible to the real one. I found it fascinating and I can’t wait to do some of my own research.
This is a fantastic historical novel. While not for everyone, I was absorbed in the story and enjoyed my time with it greatly. I would definitely recommend it and I’m eager to read Janet Paisley’s first novel.
Warrior Daughter is available from Amazon UK.
Shoot. I really need to win the lottery and stop working. Or you need to quit reading books that I think I would like.
Beth F’s last blog post..Thursday Tea (June 4): Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
I’m with Beth. This sounds really fascinating, and I haven’t read much abut the Celts, so I am even interested than I would normally be.
Nicole’s last blog post..The Ten Year Nap, by Meg Wolitzer
Well, I’m glad you’re both interested!
I’d heard that the book was being released in the US next month, but it’s not on Amazon, so I’m not 100% sure on that.
I have a reading friend who loves all things Celtic – this sounds like the perfect birthday present for her. Great review. Thanks for the warning about the graphic scenes.
This sounds intriguing, Meghan. My interest in all things Celtic has come later in life, I admit. Thanks for another great review!
Literary Feline’s last blog post..Interview with Author Mary Stanton, Angel’s Advocate
Yup, I would love to read this one.
Tea’s last blog post..Laura Rider’s Masterpiece by Jane Hamilton
This book sounds so interesting – and there you go again, putting to shame my “I don’t read historical fiction” claim.
Belle’s last blog post..June and July Giftaway
Yes this sounds really good. Big huge sigh. Wish I had time and space for all these books.
Amy @ My Friend Amy’s last blog post..This Social Media Thing
This sounds fascinating. I love to read about celts, especially when it goes that far back in time.
That’s another for my TBR list… *sighs*
Kay’s last blog post..The Artsy Shelf – 2 – Let’s go Barefoot!
I love old Celtic myths and legends, so any book with that setting will immediately make me interested! And this sound like a good one. The rape sense does sound very hard to read, though
Sounds very interesting, and the fact that it deals with the Celts is a selling point for me. Besides, you can’t really go wrong with a book about a female dominated society!
Zibilee’s last blog post..Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean – 432 pgs
I just finished this novel. I couldn’t put it down!!! Fantastically written, completely enthralling. This reviewer had it spot on re graphic violence, but it serves it’s purpose in the narrative. I found this book by chance in the library -what a good find. I can’t stop thinking about it. Great author’s note at the end too. Highly recommended.