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Brenin's Crown
Brenin's Crown is the story of a woman torn between her love for one man and her desire to protect her father’s kingdom. Growing to womanhood in dangerous times, she must face disappointment, betrayal, and isolation while keeping a secret that many would die to discover. For she alone has the power to choose who will take her father’s place as king. As the daughter and only child of Queen Morveren and King Brenin, young Addien leads a life of luxury and security. But when all that is torn from her, she must learn to survive by relying on her own courage and strength of character. In doing so, she also learns about trusting others and holding on to her faith. Set in the Dark Ages of British history, the story moves from a sophisticated Roman-built city, to a ring of standing stones on a wild moor, to an ancient Celtic stronghold, each based on actual historical sites. In this land of contrast merged the passion of the Celts, the intelligence of the Romans, and the influence of the early Christian church. This is where faith and fantasy meet, where good and evil are not always clearly defined, and it is not always possible to know the right thing to do. Have a book discussion group? Use these questions to guide your discussion. Click here to read a sample!
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite - Five Stars!
Brenin's Crown by Janet Ruth is set in fifth-century Britain in the Kingdom of Dumnonia as it falls into chaos. When the King and Queen of Dumnonia are killed, the kingdom is in a state of panic. However, the real chaos ensues when Princess Addien goes missing the same night. Fast-forward to ten years later, Addien has made a new life for herself where she lives contently. However, that comes to an end when the lives of her people are jeopardized. They need a new king, a leader who will wear King Brenin’s crown and control the power it holds. However, it is not that easy. Only Addien knows where the crown is and only she can decide who wears it. But for that, she will have to make some big sacrifices. Is she ready to do whatever it takes to find the right person to wear her father’s crown? This is part romance and part epic fantasy, both of which are handled pretty well. The plot becomes even better as the story progresses. Addien is a good lead, she takes risks when she should and she avoids them when she must. Author Janet Ruth introduces each character with a fanfare; she allows them to find their goal and then run towards it. I hate Lord Balchder with a passion, he is a shrewd man who knows where to attack to hurt the most. I feel sad for Addien and Michael and wish they get the chance to live the life they want. Although I don’t like Balchder, his complexity makes him my favorite. There are layers to his character and the reader explores that as the story progresses. Brenin's Crown is a tale that absorbed me from the get-go. I loved the fanfare; I loved the complex plot and I enjoyed the magical elements of the story. 
Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite - Five Stars!
After her father was betrayed by his best friend and right-hand man, eight-year-old Addien was left an orphan, on the run for her life. Before leaving the King’s House, however, she was entrusted with the most sacred of all duties - safeguarding the king's crown. Never had a task so big been put into hands so small. For Lord Balchder, the kingdom of Dumnonia was now his for the taking. However, he would not be recognized as a legitimate king without the king's crown. For ten years, Lord Balchder camped in his castle while his men turned the city upside down, searching for the crown. Unaware of her privileged past, a teenage girl lives her life with her adopted shepherd parents, with little concern for anything beyond her immediate neighbourhood until an accidental visitor from the city awakens strange visions in her, forcing her to go into the city in search of answers. The answers she finds will make her wish she'd never found them as they bring back dreadful memories and put her life in danger from those that still seek the crown. Addien will have to choose between her kingdom and a man she loves. Will she choose her duty or love? Brenin's Crown by Janet Ruth is an incredible work of literature. The portrayal of the city, a ghost of its former glorious self, gives a very visual and emotional image, with the danger that looms over it at the ruthless hands of Lord Balchder's soldiers. You could feel the despair of the people as they resign themselves to their new fate and go about their lives with no hope. Janet Ruth's knowledge of the region, the era in which the story no hope. Janet Ruth's knowledge of the region, the era in which the story is set, and the events of the time is evident in the depth of the details in the story and the portrayed layout of the land. The language style perfectly places the story in the intended era; even without mentioning years, one would right away tell in what time period the story was set. Lovers of historical fiction with a blend of romance and fantasy will definitely find Brenin's Crown an amazing read. |