Song for a Dark Queen

Considering the ripe market for Xena-Warrior-Princess-type juvenile fiction, it is rather astounding that SONG FOR A DARK QUEEN has never been reprinted. With a sleek new cover a la Keira Knightley from "King Arthur" and a small publicity push, this novel would do quite well. Not only is this story more plausible than those found in the usual girl power paperbacks, it is rooted in historical fact. This is the story of Boudicca (Boadicea), the Iceni queen who led the revolt that very nearly ended the Roman Empire's domination of Britain. It is told in the first person by Cadwan, harpist to the queen, who loves Boudicca without being blind to her faults. Because of his position within the royal household, Cadwan possesses an intimate knowledge of the Iceni's last queen and an understanding of her greater than anyone in the tribe besides only that of Boudicca's nurse Rhun. As a character, Boudicca is aloof. She is tragic, noble, and fearless in a manner very similar to Tolkien's elves. Rosemary Sutcliff gives Boudicca four very human moments: one as a young girl trailing after her father's war host, one as a young bride, one as a new widow, and one as a fallen queen being brought home after her final battle. The author reveals just enough to prevent her from becoming a cold cardboard figure, but Boudicca is always encircled with the mystique of legend, distanced from everyone else in the tale. In contrast, Cadwan is warm, though reserved, with an unflinching devotion to his queen and a heartbreaking bond with her doomed youngest daughter Nessan. The plot is fairly simple: The free tribes of Britain want to remain free under Roman occupation, and the Roman forces want their complete submission. The narrative would be flawless if it weren't for the letters of Gneus Julius Agricola, which first appear a third of the way through the book. This device was probably designed to supply certain historically details unavailable from anyone belonging to the Iceni, and although the Roman perspective does provide a greater background and prevents the story from being completely one-sided, it is more of a jarring interruption than a useful addition. These letters are set apart with a border and can be easily skipped without losing anything. SONG FOR A DARK QUEEN is closely akin in style and content to THE EDGE ON THE SWORD by Tingle, and it is a story that fans of Tamora Pierce's lady knight series or legends of old Britain such as Springer's Rowan Hood series could really sink their teeth into. Also, recommended is SONG FOR ELOISE by Sauerwein and PEREGRINE by Goodman.

I hope that every histprical fiction fan gets around to reading this great book! It's got a touch of everything that it needs to have, and it really gets to you. it's ending will leave you changed, and you'll most likely want to read it again. This is a good book that deserves more popularity that it gets; too bad it's out of print!