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Warrior Queen: The Story of Boudica: Celtic Queen
A meticulously researched historical novel chronicles the epic story of Boudica, the queen of a Celtic tribe, who united the Celts in a fierce struggle against the power of the Roman conquerors and who became one of Britain's greatest heroines. Original.
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2005
About the author
Alan Gold
58 books45 followersAlan Gold began his career as a journalist, working in the UK, Europe, and Israel. In 1970, he emigrated to Australia with his wife, Eva, and now lives in St. Ives, Sydney, where he divides his time between writing novels and running his award-winning marketing consultancy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 26, 2009
I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it had been strictly about Boudica. However, every other chapter was about a Roman woman or Roman general or Roman emperor. I could have done without the incestous thoughts and ways of the Romans. Lots of it was irrelevant to the story of Boudica. Boudica, in this novel, is an arrogant person. She literally bit off more than she could chew. What really did not sit well with me, throughout the entire novel, was the fact that she catered to Rome and allowed them to rape and enslave and rob her people and enjoyed immense riches UNTIL they took HER stuff. Only THEN did she want to fight for her country. Only after they raped her daughters, stole her home, and publicily whipped her, did this woman lift a finger for her people. Nevermind that what had happened to her and her children had already happened to a thousand others in her country. So it was a story of revenge, not of honor.
July 18, 2008
This book makes you want to go out screaming and kick some Roman ass! Unfortunately, the ending is the same as always...dammit.
September 11, 2015
This was unquestionably a well-written historical fiction book, about a fascinating character in a very engrossing time in history. Unfortunately, it felt depressing to me because of the ending.
To be fair to the author, he did a fabulous job of making historical events into a very action-packed, exciting and engaging read. The character of Boudica, in particular, but also all the people around her were written in an interesting way and felt very three-dimensional and realistic.
Certainly the events surrounding the life of Boudica were exciting and dramatic. This is a story that totally lends itself to become an action/thriller movie.
I think the reason this fell a bit flat for me is much more of a reflection of me and my mindset at the time I was reading this, more than any criticism of the writing or the book. I knew before I read this how the history played out for Boudica and the early Britons so it isn't like I was surprised about what happened to her. But it was still sad and depressing about how the Romans conquered other lands and people in such a brutal and self-absorbed manner. But the last third of the book I was getting worn down by all the political intrigues and the brutality and scheming of the Romans and everyone related to them.
Still, I will reiterate that this was a very well-written historical fiction story. It makes history exciting and engaging thanks to the terrific writing of the author Alan Gold. And Boudica is a strong female character who is even more impressive because of when she lived and how little respect most women received. She fought her way to a power few females could have in the time, and she was an honourable woman in time when there was very little actual honourable behaviour by anyone, male or female.
An interesting time, and an interesting character, but for me at the moment in time when I read this, I wanted something more upbeat. For those interested in the early Britons, Druids and the Roman conquests, this is a great historical fiction offering.
To be fair to the author, he did a fabulous job of making historical events into a very action-packed, exciting and engaging read. The character of Boudica, in particular, but also all the people around her were written in an interesting way and felt very three-dimensional and realistic.
Certainly the events surrounding the life of Boudica were exciting and dramatic. This is a story that totally lends itself to become an action/thriller movie.
I think the reason this fell a bit flat for me is much more of a reflection of me and my mindset at the time I was reading this, more than any criticism of the writing or the book. I knew before I read this how the history played out for Boudica and the early Britons so it isn't like I was surprised about what happened to her. But it was still sad and depressing about how the Romans conquered other lands and people in such a brutal and self-absorbed manner. But the last third of the book I was getting worn down by all the political intrigues and the brutality and scheming of the Romans and everyone related to them.
Still, I will reiterate that this was a very well-written historical fiction story. It makes history exciting and engaging thanks to the terrific writing of the author Alan Gold. And Boudica is a strong female character who is even more impressive because of when she lived and how little respect most women received. She fought her way to a power few females could have in the time, and she was an honourable woman in time when there was very little actual honourable behaviour by anyone, male or female.
An interesting time, and an interesting character, but for me at the moment in time when I read this, I wanted something more upbeat. For those interested in the early Britons, Druids and the Roman conquests, this is a great historical fiction offering.
December 1, 2018
While the novel centers on the titular character, we get fictionalized accounts of many historical figures that existed at the time. There is more going on than the battle of the Celts against the invading Romans. Rome brought many innovations, often welcome ones, to the Celtic people yet that has to be balanced against the negative aspects of their incursions on foreign land.
Rome was indeed a mighty nation. But this book makes it clear just how much continual efforts it took to keep it that way. A series of effete, ineffectual, cruel and frankly mad emperors made keeping the Romans in power extremely challenging. It took advice by notable figures like Seneca and shrewd generals like Suetonius to maintain empirical power and even that was dicey at best.
The Celts are not presented as being entirely good, kind or blameless. While Boudica fumes at how Romans regularly raid and carry away Celtic men, women and children to be enslaved, the novel will casually mention how the Iceni and other Britons keep slaves as well. The Druidic priests are both terrifying and ridiculous and you see the horrors they commit to maintain their control on the people. The scene where a priest snaps that he already knew of the Roman invasion on a local beach comes off as suspicious; the moments after when he demands and enacts the sacrifice of a child is one of unspeakable horror.
The novel ranges far and wide, mentioning conflicts in Judea, Syria, Germania and other countries, not just the land of the Britons. The book is also terrific at incidental details from harvesting fruits and vegetables to the worships of differing cultures. (The bit where the Jew Abram explains to Prasutagus and Boudica about the bizarre worship of a crucified Jew 20 years dead is rather humorous.)
At the center of it all is Queen Boudica, a woman of fierce temper and keen intelligence, whose leadership of her people goes so disastrously wrong. But such was her presence it is her name that many modern English folks remember. (The name of the Roman general who opposes her and whose army handily defeats the crazed but doomed Britons under her command are usually recalled only by scholars and historians.)
However, by placing Boudica’s fate within the larger framework of history, Mr. Gold ultimately shortchanges his heroine. The final chapter largely occupies itself with two men squabbling about an emperor’s intention to replace his wife with his latest amorous plaything. The conversation dispenses of poor Boudica and her fate within a few short lines and ends with the elderly philosopher thinking about his retirement.
England is a land ruled by an array of indomitable queenly figures and Boudica deserves her place among their ranks. She should have had a better epilogue; the rest of the novel will have to make up for that.
Rome was indeed a mighty nation. But this book makes it clear just how much continual efforts it took to keep it that way. A series of effete, ineffectual, cruel and frankly mad emperors made keeping the Romans in power extremely challenging. It took advice by notable figures like Seneca and shrewd generals like Suetonius to maintain empirical power and even that was dicey at best.
The Celts are not presented as being entirely good, kind or blameless. While Boudica fumes at how Romans regularly raid and carry away Celtic men, women and children to be enslaved, the novel will casually mention how the Iceni and other Britons keep slaves as well. The Druidic priests are both terrifying and ridiculous and you see the horrors they commit to maintain their control on the people. The scene where a priest snaps that he already knew of the Roman invasion on a local beach comes off as suspicious; the moments after when he demands and enacts the sacrifice of a child is one of unspeakable horror.
The novel ranges far and wide, mentioning conflicts in Judea, Syria, Germania and other countries, not just the land of the Britons. The book is also terrific at incidental details from harvesting fruits and vegetables to the worships of differing cultures. (The bit where the Jew Abram explains to Prasutagus and Boudica about the bizarre worship of a crucified Jew 20 years dead is rather humorous.)
At the center of it all is Queen Boudica, a woman of fierce temper and keen intelligence, whose leadership of her people goes so disastrously wrong. But such was her presence it is her name that many modern English folks remember. (The name of the Roman general who opposes her and whose army handily defeats the crazed but doomed Britons under her command are usually recalled only by scholars and historians.)
However, by placing Boudica’s fate within the larger framework of history, Mr. Gold ultimately shortchanges his heroine. The final chapter largely occupies itself with two men squabbling about an emperor’s intention to replace his wife with his latest amorous plaything. The conversation dispenses of poor Boudica and her fate within a few short lines and ends with the elderly philosopher thinking about his retirement.
England is a land ruled by an array of indomitable queenly figures and Boudica deserves her place among their ranks. She should have had a better epilogue; the rest of the novel will have to make up for that.
August 29, 2022
As a child, Boudica always felt it was wrong that the Britons should cooperate with their Roman overlords. Yet as queen of the Iceni people, she could well understand the advantages to living under Roman rule: the wealth from being an active trading partner, a luxurious villa (complete with indoor plumbing!), and above all, an end to the endless fighting between rival Briton tribes. However, all that changed after her husband died, and, unable to pay the steep Roman taxes, she and her daughters were betrayed and humiliated. With her fury for revenge, she was able to unite the Celtic tribes, but they still faced a formidable adversary with the arrival of a new Roman general.
The story absorbed me completely and immediately. Not only was it the fascinating story of a strong woman, but also interspersed were descriptions of why the power of Rome was failing, Roman battle tactics, and Boudica’s own realization that the Britons were unprepared to rule themselves as a unified nation if and when they might be able to defeat their conquerors. Recommended for anyone interested in history.
The story absorbed me completely and immediately. Not only was it the fascinating story of a strong woman, but also interspersed were descriptions of why the power of Rome was failing, Roman battle tactics, and Boudica’s own realization that the Britons were unprepared to rule themselves as a unified nation if and when they might be able to defeat their conquerors. Recommended for anyone interested in history.
August 2, 2018
I liked how this books switched between the romans perspective and the britons perspective giving the reader two sides of the same story and a greater depth of understanding as to what happened and why. Despite being able to guess the ending before even starting, this book keeps you rooting for the britons to win until the very end. It does give some insight into how crazy the Roman rulers were with their incest, affairs, and assassination plots. I wish that the epilogue gave more insight into what happened to the remaining britons, however, I think it succeed in showing how little this enormous rebellion weighed on the minds of the Roman rulers and what a vital role the military commanders played in the continued occupation of foreign lands at the time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2023
Impactante documento, con su parte ficticia en base a suposiciones, como no podría ser de otra forma, que dibuja realmente bien el contexto histórico, tanto en Britania como en Roma. Es interesante como se ponen de manifiesto las diferencias entre ambas sociedades, y como el ser humano es capaz de las mayores barbaridades, sea en base a un falso ideal romántico o a un ideal crematístico, pero que al final deja al descubierto lo egoístas que podemos llegar a ser.
Y lo más triste: 2000 años después, no hemos aprendido nada y seguimos cayendo en los mismos errores una y otra vez.
Y lo más triste: 2000 años después, no hemos aprendido nada y seguimos cayendo en los mismos errores una y otra vez.
March 23, 2024
Hace tiempo quería leer algo sobre Boadicea y sorprendentemente no es mucho lo que se haya escrito, desde la narrativa me refiero. Está historia es cumplidora, entretenida, se lee rápido y se nota que el escritor está muy bien documentado respecto a la Britania de los primeros años de ocupación del imperio Romano. Sin embargo algo falla en la ejecución. Creo que el uso de las elipsis le quita fluidez y el hecho de que haya un par de personajes que no tienen su cierre argumental es lo que le resta puntos. Como dije, una novela histórica cumplidora.
April 26, 2022
This book is, as the synopsis indicates, extremely well researched. It's also engagingly written, and well worth the effort to get through the thickness of the book. But near the end for some reason I just .....lost interest, and I don't know why. I should have wanted to follow it through but I couldn't make myself, right about the time the Romans arrived and began to commit atrocities. Maybe somebody else would have better luck.
December 3, 2022
Guess I’ll have to look further for an interesting read about Boudica. Half the book is about Romw, most of which is irrelevant to the story in Briton
The first part of the story about Boudicca is decent, then it’s like Gold ran out of time, energy, etc
If anyone can reccomend a good book about Boudica, I’d love to here it
The first part of the story about Boudicca is decent, then it’s like Gold ran out of time, energy, etc
If anyone can reccomend a good book about Boudica, I’d love to here it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2019
Really enjoyed the book until the ending. Boudica has such a compelling story to which the ending didn’t do her justice as far as I’m concerned. I hate to say it but appeared as though the author lost interest in the last chapter or two.
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 8, 2019I'd like to learn more about Boudica/Boadicea but at this point I'd rather find some non-fiction (and something that doesn't go into so much detail about Druidic ceremonies and all the ickiness entailed there!).
June 3, 2023
After DNFing Dreaming the Eagle this hit all the right notes for me. I like my historical fiction to entertain and educate at the same time. The general history of the time seems to accurate. I really liked the Roman sections.
December 28, 2015
I'm not sure what I was expecting going into this book. Maybe a feel-good, women empowerment epic? Well, it definitely didn't leave me with warm fuzzy feelings. If I had actually looked up the story of Boudica before reading this novel, I'm not sure I would have had the guts to go through with reading it, but I'm glad I did.
An epic spanning the breadth of the Roman Empire, Warrior Queen focuses on multiple plots that coalesce into one story line. First and foremost, there's the story of Boudica of the tribe of the Iceni of Briton. Boudica is a strong female character as a child, and she matures into a conflicted young woman who struggles with her desire for independence (as a woman and a citizen of Briton), for partnership (with her husband and other leaders), and for prosperity (as a friend/client of the Roman Empire). There follows the stories of various Roman and British characters who intersect Boudica's life: namely the various emperors and emperors' wives of Rome and the General that comes to Briton to quash rebellion.
At its heart, Warrior Queen is about the plight of foreign cultures under Roman rule and more importantly the plight of marginalized women. While Boudica's story may not be pleasant in the traditional sense, the final notes of the novel encapsulate what Alan Gold has been writing about all along with poignant prose: Boudica is never viewed by Rome to be an equal both because of her culture and her sex. But, the novel, like her life-long journey of self-discovery, leave a sense of satisfaction that while Boudica's efforts might not have impressed the Romans, they meant the world to her and her family.
While I wouldn't say this was "enjoyable" to read, I would definitely say it was worthwhile. Definitely not a beach read, but next time you're itching for a historic epic, you should give it a whirl. The prose is truly beautiful and the plot/history is thoroughly researched.
An epic spanning the breadth of the Roman Empire, Warrior Queen focuses on multiple plots that coalesce into one story line. First and foremost, there's the story of Boudica of the tribe of the Iceni of Briton. Boudica is a strong female character as a child, and she matures into a conflicted young woman who struggles with her desire for independence (as a woman and a citizen of Briton), for partnership (with her husband and other leaders), and for prosperity (as a friend/client of the Roman Empire). There follows the stories of various Roman and British characters who intersect Boudica's life: namely the various emperors and emperors' wives of Rome and the General that comes to Briton to quash rebellion.
At its heart, Warrior Queen is about the plight of foreign cultures under Roman rule and more importantly the plight of marginalized women. While Boudica's story may not be pleasant in the traditional sense, the final notes of the novel encapsulate what Alan Gold has been writing about all along with poignant prose: Boudica is never viewed by Rome to be an equal both because of her culture and her sex. But, the novel, like her life-long journey of self-discovery, leave a sense of satisfaction that while Boudica's efforts might not have impressed the Romans, they meant the world to her and her family.
While I wouldn't say this was "enjoyable" to read, I would definitely say it was worthwhile. Definitely not a beach read, but next time you're itching for a historic epic, you should give it a whirl. The prose is truly beautiful and the plot/history is thoroughly researched.
December 2, 2009
I learned something about Celtic and Roman history and their belief system. There are couple of things that turned me off are that:
1) redundant certain words throughout the book - it becomes dull!
2) left out some character development like where were Boudica's parents...it is like they disappeared out of thin air in middle of the book
This book is a bit grotesque due to nature of war and unethical behavior in early 1st CE, but it is expected during that time period.
I do not love nor hate this book. Don't get excited about the ending - you ought know when the Roman Empire actually fell.
1) redundant certain words throughout the book - it becomes dull!
2) left out some character development like where were Boudica's parents...it is like they disappeared out of thin air in middle of the book
This book is a bit grotesque due to nature of war and unethical behavior in early 1st CE, but it is expected during that time period.
I do not love nor hate this book. Don't get excited about the ending - you ought know when the Roman Empire actually fell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2010
I liked this book mainly because it's about a time period I don't often read about, and I love historical fiction. I thought the characterization was rough in parts but that the attention to detail made up for a lot of it. I love detail, especially when I'm reading about a time period I'm unfamiliar with.
I'm not sure I agree with the title for the book ... so much of it was about Rome; it seems like the plot just checked in on Boudica every now and then. I am curious now to learn more about her story, which is always a good sign for a historical fiction novel.
I'm not sure I agree with the title for the book ... so much of it was about Rome; it seems like the plot just checked in on Boudica every now and then. I am curious now to learn more about her story, which is always a good sign for a historical fiction novel.
January 3, 2013
I have a real affinity for the story of the queen of the Iceni, who sisted the Roman Empire, during the 1st century AD. After the Romans betrayed and murdered her husband and violated her daughters, Boudica set out to retake her lands and free her people. Fortunately, I had a chance to visit her memorial and a few key locations, in England, that are paramount to her story. An incredible woman and an even more incredible leader.
May 11, 2014
It was ok. I'm not going to take much time with this review. I'd guess the history was accurate, but the story felt more like an eighth grade social studies historical fiction read than anything else. I'm interested in the subject, so I soldiered on through it, but there was a lot of sensationalized, gratuitous sex and violence, which was real in her life, but really not too interesting. It was ok (two stars), but only becase I'm interested in the subject.
January 11, 2008
I liked this book. I liked the historical aspects of Britain fighting against Roman invasion and really failing for years. I liked the strength of Boudica but also her vulnerability when it came to love of her husband and her daughters.
April 15, 2010
Ok, it was pretty interesting, and it definitely was historically accurate. But, I just don't love reading war. At least gory details of war. And apparently, I'm a bit prudish about the icky details of Roman sexual lechery. It didn't bother everyone in the book club, though.
June 7, 2011
I think this is a good way to get to know the story of Boudica, the Celtic queen. The way it is written allows you to read it fast and it encourages you to investigate further about this theme. It also gives a realistic perspective about the Roman empire in this early years.
February 22, 2016
Fine but not memorable. The asides into imperial Roman life were interesting at first, but didn't apply to the main plot the way they could have. Boudica herself should have had more of the story, though I did enjoy the parts with Suetonius.
November 27, 2007
read 06.12.06
March 6, 2014
Human qualities redress the bones of myth
December 29, 2008
After reading the Boudica books by Manda Scott, this one just couldn't keep my attention. I didn't even finish it.
January 11, 2009
The action scenes were well-written and blew me away. It had a lot of historical and mythical aspects to the book, which also fascinated me. I really like to see a woman as a "warrior queen".
November 22, 2009
I preferred the Boudica books by Manda Scott.
July 23, 2011
a lot of history but written in a style that reminded me of the award winning series Rome. It should be successful
October 25, 2013
I enjoyed this book. I learned British history that I didn't learn in Britain!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews