Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Druid King
Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Norman Spinrad
Class/Genre: Fiction Historical
Knopf, Aug 2003, $24.95, 413 pp.
In Ancient Gaul, after watching treachery lead to the defeat and subsequent death of his tribal leader father, Vercingetorix flees, taking shelter with the Druids. The Arch Druid Guttuatr and the swordswoman Rhia become the lad’s teachers training him in the art of magic and war.
Gaius Julius Caesar recruits the young man to become Rome’s client ruler over Gaul. Vercingetorix accepts the position thinking that Caesar is now his mentor. However, their relationship abruptly changes when Vercingetorix learns that Caesar was the devious force behind the death of his father. Now Vercingetorix turns feral against his former benefactor leading his people in war against the Roman legion.
This exciting insightful historical fiction thriller provides the audience with an interesting look at Ancient Gaul without the victorious Roman filter altering the view. The story line is very vivid as Norman Spinrad points quite a panorama. The hero is an engaging individual who comes to life in THE DRUID KING. Though Mr. Spinrad’s loyal science fiction fans should be aware that this book is not anything like his Sci Fi tales, readers will appreciate the rest of the story from the loser’s perspective as opposed to the victors goes the history books.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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