Boudicca

Sprawling mythology meets precise period detail and character-driven action in this vivid historical epic from bestseller Cast (the House of Night series), which reimagines the life of an Iron Age Celtic queen who dared to take on the Roman army. In 60 C.E., following the death of Prasutagus, chief of the Iceni tribe in Tasceni (present-day Norfolk, England), his widow, 33-year-old Boudicca, becomes queen. The Iceni’s patron goddess, Andraste, admonishes her for Prasutagus’s decision to make a treaty with Rome and give up Tasceni land. Andraste foresees the Romans’ destruction of Tasceni, but proclaims to Boudicca, “a great blue tide of vengeance will sweep across your world and you will ride its crest, leading the charge.” Like all Iceni women, Boudicca has been trained in combat, so she agrees to become a warrior queen. That day, the Romans attack Tasceni, whip Boudicca, and rape her two daughters. She curses the Romans and enlists high Druid Derwyn and seer Rhan to help lead her army in successful attacks against the region’s brutal Roman governor. Despite the many victories, Rhan sees a dire omen for Boudicca’s future and attempts to change her fate. Cast imbues Boudicca’s narrative voice with strength and resilience as she encounters enemies, traitors, lovers, and gods. Boudicca is a heroine readers will root for. Agent: Rebecca Scherer, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Nov.)