RED QUEEN, WHITE QUEEN

by Henry Treece ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 29, 1958

This completes the cycle of four different aspects of early Britain -- The Dark Island, 1953, The Great Captains, 1956, and The Golden Strangers, 1957 -- which ranged from the earliest Bronze Age to the coming of the Romans, 200 years after the Romans have left, and here, in the first century after Christ, is the panel that recreates the rebellion fomented by Boudicca (Boadicea) against the Romans. The story has its center in Gemellus, a Decurion in the Second, whose soldiering is interrupted when he is sent, as punishment, with his half-brother, Celtic Duatha, to kill Boudicca before she destroys Rome. Loved by the prefect's daughter, the Lady Lavinia, Gemellus in turn loves Eithne, a king's daughter who becomes his companion on his lethal travels. There are bloody adventures before they confront Boudicca - and fail in their mission, but the Roman troops wipe out the Queen's army. Gemellus, wounded, finds Eithne, stays on in Britain as a local ruler... Again the energetic sense of history, the feeling for the clash between cultures and the high color in the incidents marks this recreation. For his previous readers and all those who like their ancient history active and bloody.

Pub Date: Sept. 29, 1958

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1958

Categories: FICTION