Unfortunately this book was not for me. I ended up getting through about a third of it, but I really struggled to get that far.

this book had zero TWs available any where I looked...

**SPOILERS AHEAD**
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This book opens with an extremely detailed recollection of a child being trampled by horses in front of their sister.
This scene lasts for over 4 or 5 mins. in GRAPHIC DETAIL!!
And this memory is constantly referred back to through out the book.

This is not okay to have without TWs listed somewhere.

I really wanted to love this but just couldn’t get into the story. I thought the narration was well done and the story started off well but after the first 10% or so I was just completely lost. I persevered to 47% but was just listening to it for the sake of this review so decided I’d given it a decent chance and I could move onto something else.

Cwen (Annals of the Heroic, #7)
by Bryce D. Gibby
Narrated by Michael Troughton
Beautiful story as like Arthurian legend of the peoples of Britannia fleeing the Pegan horde of Saxony. The struggles of the church religion against the Pegan rights and ceremony. Giving hope and freedom in the Welsh countryside to religious tolerance and Christian ventures. There is magical and demonic aspects to the conflict.
Michael Troughton has a sonorous voice and adds mystic to the telling.

A historical fantasy set in medieval Britain, 'Cwen' offers an alluring premise, but a biased delivery undermines its potential. The initial use of mythology, though intriguing, is seldom explored and often portrayed in a negative light, as either evil or fraudulent.

The use of archaic language initially evokes the charm of a fairytale, but the narrative quickly reveals a pronounced religious agenda. While the storytelling has its merits, it is frequently interrupted by jarring and overtly biased commentary that aims to tell rather than show, not unlike a sermon. This not only disrupts the flow of the plot but also risks alienating readers with pagan beliefs, particularly those who follow Norse traditions.

Character development is largely superficial, with protagonists and antagonists depicted in stark, black-and-white terms, despite the heroine's many encounters with morally ambiguous situations.

In conclusion, while 'Cwen' had ample potential to be an epic tale, its heavy-handed promotion of Christianity ultimately overshadows its strengths. The failure to authentically explore what could have been a poignant spiritual journey, coupled with the dismissal of other belief systems, significantly detracts from the overall reading experience.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The narration of this audiobook by Michael Troughton was TOP NOTCH! He gave each character a distinct personality and identity. This allowed the story to have a good pace and it kept you engaged in this well-written story.

I had to listen to this book twice to understand what was happening which caused the book to lose a star. It seemed to blend Norse Mythology and Christianity which caused me to scratch my head a bit. It is a fascinating book, the world-building was great, the characters were all solid and the conflict was absolute.

Thank you Netgalley, BryceGibby.com Audiobooks, and Bryce Gibby for the audio-ARC for this amazing ride. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I tried and tried to get through this one. I was just uninterested and finally threw in the towel at 56%.

Despite my appreciation for high fantasy, I found myself struggling with *Cwen* by Bryce Gibby. Even with both the ebook and audiobook versions at my disposal, I could only manage to get through 30% of the book. Multiple attempts to reengage with the story proved unsuccessful, as I was unable to connect with its focus on the conflict between paganism and Christianity. The use of old English style writing further impeded my immersion. Ultimately, I decided to DNF this book. However, it may appeal to readers who appreciate a narrative centered on religious struggle and are comfortable with an archaic writing style.

In "Cwen" by Bryce Gibby, I found myself immersed in a world where beauty and danger entwine in equal measure. This new edition promises a journey through ancient Germania and Britannia, following the life of Cwen, a girl of humble origins whose fate is shaped by her affinity for nature and an enigmatic codex.

Gibby's narrative weaves a spellbinding tapestry of adventure, magic, and romance, drawing readers into Cwen's transformation from a spirited forest dweller to a High Priestess of Ashtoreth. Yet, beneath the allure of dark sorcery and unearthly powers lies a deeper quest for truth and identity, as Cwen grapples with her devotion to pagan rituals and a clandestine pursuit of ultimate enlightenment.

The allure of "Cwen" is undoubtedly enhanced by its stunning illustrations, which vividly evoke the landscapes and rituals of its ancient setting. Each image enriches the narrative, offering readers a visual feast that complements Gibby's prose and intensifies the immersive experience.

However, while the book excels in its visual presentation and thematic exploration of identity and faith, it occasionally falters in its treatment of character depth and narrative pacing. Cwen herself, despite her compelling journey, sometimes feels overshadowed by the grandeur of the world around her, leaving her emotional evolution somewhat underexplored amidst the broader strokes of epic fantasy.

Moreover, while the juxtaposition of Cwen's dual allegiances — to the moon goddess and the elusive Great Magician — adds layers of complexity, the resolution of these conflicts occasionally feels rushed, diminishing the impact of her personal revelations.

Overall, "Cwen" stands as a captivating blend of historical fiction and epic fantasy, offering readers a mesmerizing tale of adventure and self-discovery. Gibby's narrative prowess and the book's visual allure make it a commendable addition to any fantasy enthusiast's library. However, for those seeking deeper character introspection and a more nuanced exploration of philosophical themes, "Cwen" may leave them yearning for a narrative as intricate and profound as its beautifully illustrated facade promises.

"Cwen" is a beautifully written and enchanting book that follows the main character, Cwen, from her humble beginnings as the daughter of a glassblower to her rise as the High Priestess of Ashtoreth. Set in ancient Germania and Britannia, the story is rich with historical and mythological elements, blending dark magic, sorcery, faith, and personal discovery.

Cwen’s journey, prompted by her abduction by a witch, is a captivating tale of self-identity and redemption. While the strong Christian themes may not appeal to everyone, the story’s exploration of faith and morality adds depth and intrigue. The author's writing style is fantastic, vividly bringing to life the ancient world and Cwen's adventures within it.

Listening to the audiobook version, narrated by Michael Troughton, was an immersive experience. Despite initial reservations about a male voice for a female protagonist, Troughton’s skillful narration and distinctive character voices kept the story engaging. His performance enhanced the beautiful prose, making it easy to get lost in Cwen’s epic journey.

Special thanks to NetGalley, BryceGibby.com Audiobooks, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #Cwen #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

Although this is not my kind of fantasy I could see fans of old school fantasy liking it so I'm giving it 5 stars

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I struggled through the audiobook and quit about a third of the way through. I was just lost with it. The narration wasn’t working for me. I may try again later.

This book was such a good read! The character development alone was outstanding! If you love high fantasy with deep worldly undertones, this book is definitely for you!

So I didn’t realize this was book seven in a series, I believe, but I did see it could be read as a standalone. It was more of a fantasy with romance, I would say. It was pretty good, I don’t know that I’d read the other books, only because 7 books seem like a lot.

Cwen is the daughter of a glassblower who is stolen by a witch and the story is about her adventures as she tries to deal with all that she encounters from this point. The book is beautifully written and I enjoyed listening to it although I did get rather muddled times.

Unfortunately, I did not appreciate this book. I struggled through the audiobook until about a third of the way through and I still had no idea what was going on. I was not overly impressed with the narration. I may give it another go, but it didn't work for me this time.

Thank you Netgalley and BryceGibby.com audiobooks for sending this audiobook in return for an honest review.
Cwen is set in ancient Germania and Britannia. It is about a young girl called Cwen, daughter of a glass blower, who is taken by a witch that wants to train her and then sell her to the queen's court. Guided by greater powers, she becomes High Priestess of Ashtoreth.
The story is somewhat of a redemption story as Cwen confronts and brings herself out of a world of dark magic and evil. She essentially goes on a personal quest for truth and enlightenment.
This novel explores self identity, faith and the search for meaning. It makes you think.
With this, I do not feel too comfortable with how this story seems to suggest that Christianity is the only right faith and will lead you to salvation. This does not sit right with me.
I also found it hard to get into this story at the beginning and feel connected to the characters. I wonder if this is because of the narrator being male when so many of the characters in this story are female. I probably would have enjoyed the story a bit more if I had read it myself.
The authors writing style is fantastic and the story is beautifully written. I just don't think this story is particular was for me, personally.
Although this is 7th in a series, you can read it as a standalone.

This one wasn’t my favorite. I wanted and expected an epic fantasy but instead got a long dry convert to Christianity propaganda. This one is a no from me.

Cwen is a beautifully written and enchanting book that follows the main character, Cwen, from the time she was born through the trials and successes of her life as she raises to incredible power and position within her world. This character development Cwen undergoes as her story unfolds is engaging and truly well rounded. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator's voice was perfect, he just drew you into the story, and the vocal effects for certain things were absolutely spot on. A male voice for a young female character wouldn't have been my first choice, but the narrator, Michael Troughton, did a fantastic job of changing his voice to fit each character in a distinctive manner and it really kept you enthralled with the writing. There is some magic, demons, gods and God in this book. Death, grief, triumph, and finding the truth. The only thing I didn't completely like is the strong Christina religious theme that ran through this book and built as it went, personally not my favourite thing to read. It is historically accurate and this is a historical fiction, so to be expected. But if that is something you like included in your historical fantasies, then you will love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and BryceGibby.com audiobooks for sending this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is a part of series yet can be read as a standalone thus it was interesting and this special thing about this particular title attracted me the most.
The writing style is beautiful and magical, i hadn't read a good thought provoking book and this was such a delightful one. The protagonist grew throughout the whole book and long with it we get to see so many different aspects like history, mystery and magic. It was such a refreshing and unique book.