Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3781 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Synopsis
The sweeping new novel from the bestselling author of 'Hiding From the Light' and 'Whispers in the Sand' switches between Roman Britain and the present day where history dramatically impacts on the lives of three women. Two thousand years ago, as the Romans invade Britannia, the princess who will become the powerful queen of the great tribe of the Brigantes, watches the enemies of her people come ever closer. Cartimandua's world is, from the start, a maelstrom of love and conflict; revenge and retribution. In the present day, Edinburgh-based historian, Viv Lloyd Rees, has immersed herself in the legends surrounding the Celtic queen. She has written a book and is working on a dramatisation of the young queen's life with the help of actress, Pat Hebden. Cartimandua's life takes one unexpected turn after another as tragedy changes the course of her future. But the young queen has formidable enemies -- among them Venutios, her childhood sparring partner, and Medb, a woman whose jealousy threatens not only her happiness but her life. Viv's Head of Department, Hugh Graham, hounds her as she struggles to hide her visions of Cartimandua and her conviction that they are real.

Her obsession grows ever more persistent and threatening as she takes possession of an ancient brooch that carries a curse. Both Pat and Hugh are drawn into this dual existence of bitter rivalry and overwhelming love as past envelopes present and the trio find themselves facing the greatest danger of their lives.

About the Author
Barbara Erskine is the author of the internationally bestselling novel `Lady of Hay', which was translated into a dozen languages and has sold over two million copies world wide. This was followed by another bestseller, `Kingdom of Shadows' and by a collection of short stories, `Encounters', which met with wide popular acclaim.`Child of the Phoenix' is based on the story of one of Barbara Erskine `s own ancestors, and provides a link between some of the characters from `Lady of Hay' and `Kingdom of Shadows', again encapsulating the authors dual themes of the supernatural and of history.In the absorbing world of the historical novel, readers of Barbara Erskine are held in thrall. `Child of the Phoenix' is set in the turbulent 13th century and tells of Eleyne, a Welsh princess whose life becomes inextricably linked with the destinies of the English, Welsh and Scottish crowns. The story is partly based on lore passed down through the author's family - for Eleyne is one of her distant ancestors. But as Barbara Erskine points out: `Eleyne is a composite, based on family legend of the type which converts dingy oil paintings into Rembrandts and Victorian paste beads into aquamarines'.A history graduate, and with one of her two earlier bestsellers set in much the same period, Barbara Erskine is well versed in the brutality of the Middle Ages. It was a time when noblewomen underwent arranged marriages, were traded both for their dowries and to cement the precarious political alliances of their male relatives. Despite their precarious social standing, women did hold power with their husbands away in Parliament or at war. More sinister was the manipulation of those who became involved in illicit romances - the dangerous truth would be concealed until it could be used to advantage.

Customer Reviews

Not as good as 'Lady of Hay'
Like others before, I too was very reluctantly disappointed in this book as it did repeat the same things over and over again. The characters always seemed to be doing the same things but in different locations. The best BE novel to my mind was 'Lady of Hay' and I have read and own them all. Of course, a lot of research must have gone into this and it IS very entertaining and yes I DID find it difficult to put down - but all the time getting more and more exasperated by the repetition .... perhaps I was waiting for something new to happen?

Repetitive and corny
My favourite type of book to read is fiction which is based on history so I was really looking forward to this book by Barbara Erskine, but I was really disappointed. Whilst some of the sections that described iron age Britain were undoubtedly fascinating, the story as a whole was so repetitive, the same things happened over and over again. The main modern-day character, Viv, went back in time in her dreams or waking visions, came back to normality, saw a ghost, was frightened and then there was a corny one liner about the evil Medb character trying to take over the story. I quite liked it when it was just Viv that experienced the past, but when other historical figures started posessing other modern day characters it became ridiculous and I didn't stop moaning about how silly my book was until I finally finished it. The ending was rubbish as well. I don't like giving up on a book once I've started but this was a real struggle to the finishing line and I was very relieved to put it down at last.

Daughters of Fire by Barbara Erskine
I absolutely loved all Barbara Erskine's previous books. I was so much looking forward to reading her latest novel. What a complete disappointment it turned out to be. I thought I'd try and get into the storyline and even put it away for a few months. Could not finish off the book as I was much too annoyed and wanting the same magic as the other books provided. I have sent this book to my mother-in-law to see what she thinks of this latest addition.