Makes you think about some heavy life stuff for sure!!

This book takes you through a journey of history religion.

Very well written and highly enjoyable.

The writing is beautiful. Loved the setting of ancient Germania and Britannia. The illustrations in the book were exquisite. There were poetic prose too. I connected with the character. So unexpected things happens in book and it kept me hooked from page one till the end. The author has woven mythology and history in this epic fantasy filled with magic, twist of fate, destiny, adventure, war and dark secrets. There were two religions; Christianity and Paganism at that time. While there were also influence of Saxon and Scandinavian.

Cwen is beautiful and passionate. She always felt connected to the forest and could speak with animals. She is not only gifted with the exquisite beauty but also feels deeply connected with the ancient codex gifted by her father and she could speak with spirits too. She always believed in moon goddess and she wanted to be her worshiper but with a twist of fate, she ended up to sorceress of Seidr and her world filled with dark magic, dangers, deception, blood sacrificial rituals and dark powers. The memory of her brother’s death still haunts her. Destiny takes her there but she couldn’t fathom all the secrets as not only the sorceress is the one with secrets but the dark forest is harbouring a secret too. She is trying to discover herself and her journey while after some time, she becomes the High Priestess of Ashtoreth. And so many things happens with revelation, truths and secrets. Loved the ending.. She finds her true purpose and discover secrets.


Thanks to the Author.

"Cwen" by Bryce Gibby is a riveting exploration of history, mythology, and personal growth. Bryce D. Gibby's adept character development draws readers into a tale that transcends mere historical fiction, delving into profound themes of faith and identity. Set against the backdrop of a diverse and divided Britain, the novel skillfully contrasts Christianity and paganism, prompting readers to contemplate the complexities of belief systems and cultural influences. The narrative unfolds with a rich tapestry of symbolism, inviting readers to ponder life's intricacies and their own capacity for change and growth. "Cwen" promises a captivating journey through history and the human spirit, with compelling characters and thought-provoking themes.

I like how it's able to be read alone which honestly really drew me into the series, I think the illustrations are an amazing addition to the book and honestly made me not want to put it down at all.

Cwen by Bryce Gibby is a fascinating reimagining of historical fact and mythology that at its heart compares Christianity and paganism, but also the bustling era of Britain, where Anglo-Saxon, Germanic and Scandinavian influence was heavy yet geographically and socially divided. Even Cwen's parents are symbolic of this, her father an Italian glassblower, her mother Danish

The journey of this book is intriguing. I thought I was getting into a historical retelling along the lines of the old Britons like Boudicea, but this was so much more. There is a strong storyline and character development, but also a significant chonk of symbolism whereby Cwen is exploring whether she remains a pagan as she has been raised, or strives for a different type of faith as detailed in the codex. The juxtapositions and comparisons are thought provoking without being dogmatic, encouraging reflection and compromise and this is absolutely to be celebrated no matter your perspective in this ancient debate

While the audiobook was highly enjoyable, I was entranced by the written copy a lot more. In addition to the illustrative prose, the images within are simply gorgeous. To quantify, I am not usually a fan of illustrations in novels, especialy when the writing is so good and the storyline so strong, but in this instance, it is the icing on the cake, not over-egging the pudding. Stunning and I cannot recommend it enough. Essential reading

Thank you to Netgalley, Perlycross Publishers and the author Bryce Gibby for this beautifully presented, thought provoking ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I was expecting more about this book. I rated it 3 stars. I liked it, don't get me wrong but something was off about it.

This book was incredible and I can’t wait to check out more from the author. I was sucked in right away but the atmospheric writing. It was so enjoyable. Top tier fantasy!