Darkcliff masterfully weaves action, revenge and madness in this wild fantasy.
Rawena is a bit different from her fellow Celts. In fact, most people have written her off as a madwoman. So when Rawena has a run in with would-be invaders, she’s not sure the townsfolk will even believe her. But before she can warn her neighbors about the imminent threat, Rawena’s life is both endangered and then spared by a hysterical rat goddess. Intent on paying back humankind for their eternal cruelty and hatred for rats and rodents everywhere, the goddess Queen Pandemia determines that a horrific pestilence is in order. The plan begins by bestowing unwanted immortality upon a furious Rawena. Still holding out hope to save her people and unite with her true love, Rawena falls into Pandemia’s trap and may do more harm than good. Other prominent players include a beautiful younger sister, an ambitious suitor, and an enigmatic druidess named Agira.
Celts and the Mad Goddess begins in a mad flurry of activity. Right away readers are entangled in a lopsided love-triangle and a demented plan to cleanse the earth. The people, given to superstition, are guided by an inept chief and are subject to the visions of the local druidess. While Rawena is a pouty and vengeful character, limited by her immaturity, her sister Arvasia is all beauty and light. I loved the way their spirits are tested as they each deal differently with the lunatic rat goddess looking to destroy them. For antiquity enthusiasts, the backdrop for this unusual fantasy novel has its roots in historic Europe. Darkcliff masterfully weaves action, revenge and madness in this wild fantasy that is perfect for lovers of a darkly imagined historical adventure.
