 Dawnflight: The Legend Of Guinevere
By Kim Headlee (A Sonnett Book Published by Pocket Books) Reviewed by Sandy Cummins Click here to purchase this book now from Amazon.com! |
 f you were like me, then “Guinevere” conjured pictures of kirtles and demure ladies embroidering in the Solar. Not so with Kim Headlee’s “Gyanhumara,” who will soon be synonymous with savage female warriorhood. Using Guinevere’s
Caledonian name is just the start of the incredible transformation wrought upon our expectations of this well-known tale.
Born a warrior princess in a matriarchal society, Gyanhumara is the Chieftainess of Clan Argyll. Raised to lead her clan, both as a warrior and spiritual leader, she will do anything to keep her Pict countrymen safe. Even marriage to a man she does not love, if it will satisfy the terms of the treaty forced upon her by a recent Caledonian defeat. Not only must she endure an unwanted betrothal, Gyan must also leave behind her family and friends and travel to an Island School controlled by the Roman Conqueror, Arthur the Pendragon.
Dawnflight starts dramatically at Gyanhumara’s tumultuous birth, and keeps us enthralled as we enter her world and experience her life. From the slavery and barbaric religious rites of the ancient Caledonians to the sophisticated and “learned” civilisation of the Roman Empire we experience it all. With Gyan, we can we journey through exotic lands, experience new cultures and meet colourful characters that will change our lives. Together we can meet traitors and hostages, oathbreakers, conquerors and slaves. This book transports us to an earlier, more savage time where the right of Conquest really does change lives and everybody must fight for their own existence. A tale of bravery and daring, love and lies, betrayal and loyalty. Written superbly, Kim really does make it hard to put down this book, but who would want to when they are reading the most romantic and enduring love story of all time?
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