Celtic Thorn

In the year 382 CE, the Romans are abandoning their hold on Britain. They leave behind disaffected soldiers, angry Celts, and competing religions. Darcy Morgan, orphaned at birth, adopted into a new tribe, and kidnapped into slavery at age nine, just wants to go home. In the strange world of Britain in the 4th century CE, religions, cultures, barbarian invasions, the ambitious plans of a Roman general, and warring armies stand in her way. They may not survive the encounter. Based in actual history, this story explores a relatively unknown period and culture. Britain, in the late 4th century CE, had a lot going on. The Romans, suffering many troubles in their empire, were pulling out leaving behind a power vacuum that many would try to fill. Three religions vie with one another: the newly introduced official Christian religion of Rome; the recently outlawed, but still popular, ancient polytheistic religion of Rome; and the druidism of the Celts, nearly destroyed 300 years earlier by Julius Caesar and others, now with a chance for renewal. Three cultures compete for control of the land. The Romans are ordered to return to Gaul, but their general, Magnus Maximus, refuses and instead tries to build his own empire in Britain; Celtic tribes who see the Roman retreat as their chance to establish their own unified kingdom; and barbarian invaders who look to take the rich lands of Britain for their own. And, finally, there is Darcy Morgan, a nine-year-old orphan girl of mysterious origins who is adopted into a tribe of druidic Celts, but is then kidnapped by raiders and taken to a distant land. She spends years in slavery, then makes a harrowing escape. Her attempt to find her way home brings her to new and strange places, people, and religions. Along the way, she collects good friends and vicious enemies, and discovers the truth about her own past. No one, not religions, not generals, not cultures, not even Britain itself, will survive unchanged their contact with this remarkable young girl. ** Formats : EPUB, ORIGINAL_EPUB Edit : e Q : R Genre : Historical Fiction