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Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)
'Watson deftly blends fact and fancy, action and romance in her
splendid historical fantasy debut, set in first-century A.D. Alba (aka
Scotland). . . An appealing love story, well-researched settings and
an interesting take on goddess worship rooted in Neolithic times.'
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
'With
nods to Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon and Diana Gabaldon's
Outlander series, newcomer Watson presents an ancient Scotland
peopled by strong-minded women and powered by ancient, goddess-based
magic. There are plenty of plotlines, but Watson keeps them nicely
dovetailed and tightly laced with romantic tension, treachery, and
cliffhangers aplenty.'
Sarah Broadhurst, www.lovereading.co.uk
It’s glorious stuff, both deep and
wholly absorbing. I really enjoyed it.
The
Daily
Express
(London)
‘It
requires
a
special
sort of
imagination
to
create a
plausible
vision
of
Britain
at the
time of
the
Roman
conquest.
The
White
Mare
rises
effortlessly
to the
challenge.’
aussiereviews.com
‘The
White
Mare is
a
stunning
debut
novel
for
Western
Australian
author
Jules
Watson.
The five
years
spent
researching
and
writing
the
novel is
apparent
in the
attention
to
detail
and
authentic
feel for
the
times.
The
White
Mare is
the
first in
a
trilogy.
The next
instalment
will be
eagerly
awaited
by those
who read
the
first.’
Good
Book
Guide
(UK)
‘Wanton
queens
and evil
druids
stalk
the
mists in
a book
that is
packed
with
action.
Lovers
of all
things
Celtic
will
find
much to
satisfy
in this
incredible
tome.’
The
Historical
Novels
Review
‘Watson
has
researched
her
locations
and
history
well,
but has
also
confidently
used the
latitude
provided
by a
little-known
era.
Although
this
novel is
being
sold as
historical
fiction,
it’s
firmly
in
historical
romance
territory,
as the
love
story is
the main
focus.
This
fresh
and
interesting
page-turner
is a
confident
and
assured
debut.’
Sunday Mail (Australia)
'Lose yourself in a long, luxurious and
vivid recreation of Celtic Britain.'
Ladsmag
‘This
one’s a
cut
above.
Where
Watson
wins is
in the
detail —
there’s
loads —
plus
earthy
politics.
As good
as any
about
right
now.’
The
Sydney
Daily
Telegraph
‘From
the
outset
of this
vast
historical
novel,
it is
clear
that
power is
a major
issue.
The
White
Mare
moves
along at
a fair
clip as
empires
expand
and
contract.’
Lancashire
Evening
Post
‘Truly
sumptuous
reading.’
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A reader from Canada (5 stars)
I loved this book! It
is the first of a trilogy in which the second two have
yet to be released. It took me the first little bit to
relate to the characters but once after those first 30
or so pages you fall in love with them and feel like
you're experiencing everything with them. This is a
great historical fiction novel and deals with some very
interesting issues. Once you pick up this book you can't
set it down. It's one of those books where you just
can't stop reading. I'm am left in suspense waiting for
the second book "The Dawn Stag" which doesn't come out
until April 2006, but it's well worth the wait. I
recommend this book to everyone it is just an exquisitly
written book!
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Reviewer:
Ly
de
Angeles
from
Australia
|
Jules
Watson
has a
thorough
grasp of
*pagan*
spirituality
and its
earth-focussed
mythologies
and
sacredness
and this
book is
written
through
such a
perspective.
Whilst
understanding
that
this is
a work
of
fiction
I have
only the
deepest
respect
for the
author's
use of
valid
and
well-researched
indigenous
content.
This is
a highly
intelligent
story
that
submerges
the
reader
into the
culture
of which
she
writes,
using
terminology
that is
neither
superficial
nor
invented.
She
invokes
the
atmosphere
of a
tribal
inheritance
only
recently
recognised
outside
of the
Roman
Empire-esque
"we have
a right
to be
here"
mentality,
rejuvenating
discussion
and
excitement
relative
to one's
own "Celticness".
Most
books of
a
similar
ilk lack
the
courage
to
tackle
the
Roman
incursions
into the
clan
lands
north of
Hadrian's
Berlin
Wall and
for that
I say
"go
raibh
maith
agat!"
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Reviewer:
Brett
Turner
from
Australia
|
Where
'Lord of
the
Rings'
is an
adventure
inspired
by
Mythology,
'The
White
Mare'
draws
it's
inspiration
from the
pagan
ideology
found in
ancient
Scotland.
Jules
Watson
beautifully
explores
the
relationship
between
the
people
of that
age and
the
earth,
between
man and
woman
during a
time
when two
great
civilizations
clash on
the
battlefield
and in
the way
they
live
their
lives.
Her
background
in
archeology
lends
itself
to an
authoritive
description
of a
matriarchal
society
steeped
in
ritual
and
attuned
with the
rhythm
of
nature.
Guided
by the
earth,
her
characters
navigate
their
way
through
social
upheaval
with the
invasion
of a
foreign
army
vastly
superior
in
technology
and
shows
that
love can
be a
greater
force
than
war.
I
thoroughly
enjoyed
this
journey
through
time and
recommended
it to
any who
have
sometimes
wondered
what
life in
a bygone
age may
have
been
like.
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Reviewer:
Jeanne
from
Scotland
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I found
this
book
took a
while to
get into
but I
was glad
I
persevered.
I liked
the
mixture
of
history
with the
Celtic/
Pictish/
Pagan
details.
As
someone
living
in
Scotland
its nice
to read
a book
that's
not all
Braveheart
nonsense
but
instead
makes
you want
to find
out more
about
the time
and the
places.
I look
forward
to
future
stories
by Jules
Watson.
Next
March is
too far
away!
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Reviewer:
A
reader
from
Australia
|
The
White
Mare is
a unique
blend of
romance,
battles,
lust and
spirituality
tossed
together
in a
beautifully
written
first
volume.
What
stands
out is
the
author's
ability
to
develop
strong
characters,
particularly
female
characters.
Rhiann
(the
heroine)
is
immediately
appealing,
drawing
the
reader
inside
her very
soul and
taking
us on
her
journey
- and
our own
-
towards
self
discovery
and
enlightenment.
In
addition
to
strong,
appealing
(if not
always
likeable)
characters,
Jules
Watson
manages
to
create a
compelling
story
set in
an era
which
few
authors
have
touched
on. Her
ability
to paint
a
picture
with
words
draws
the
reader
into AD
Alba
(Scotland)
with an
ease not
managed
by many
authors.
This
ability
to tell
a great
yarn is
mixed
with her
attention
to
detail,
adding
to the
enjoyment
of the
book.
As you
progress
through
the
story
you
start to
love
and/or
hate the
characters,
crying
their
tears or
feeling
their
joy, or,
in some
cases,
hoping
the
sword
would
rid the
earth of
their
presence.
Similar
to the
epicness
and
richness
of Jean
Auel's
Ayla
novels,
The
White
Mare
leaves
you glad
to have
started
the
journey,
but
wishing
the
second
in the
trilogy
was
already
on the
shelves.
An
excellent
read.
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Reviewer:
A
reader
from
London
United
Kingdom
|
Hard to
believe
that
this is
the
first
book
written
by Jules
Watson
as the
writing
style
and
attention
to
detail
show all
the
polish
of a
seasoned
veteran.
An
adventure
reminiscent
of the
Lord of
The
Rings
trilogy
which
keeps
you up
way past
bedtime
as you
read
more and
more to
find out
what
awaits
the key
characters.
The
attention
to
historical
detail
is
impressive
and
gives a
depth to
this
book
which is
sadly
lacking
in the
average
read.
Waiting
impatiently
for the
sequel.
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Reviewer:
A
reader
from
Australia
|
I just
finished
'The
White
Mare'
and have
to say,
I loved
it and
am
jumping
out of
my skin
to talk
about it
with
someone.
This is
inspirational
historical
fiction.
Looking
back I
can't
believe
how much
action
gets
squeezed
into the
book.
Imagine
Braveheart
meets
Gladiator
but add
a whole
lot more
emotional
depth,
spirituality
and
detail.
Although
the
story
line is
based
around
real
historical
events
and the
roman
invasion(see
synopsis)it
is the
thread
of
female
spirituality
and
emotions
of the
characters
that
drew me
in. I
love the
characters!
They are
often
emotionally
damaged
and
trying
to
recover
from
deep
trauma,
the
battleground
is as
much in
their
hearts
as it is
with the
conflicts
of
tribes
upon
roman
invasion.
I know
this
might
sound
fluffy
but I
don't
know how
to write
about
how
different,
how
entertaining
and
satisfying
this
book
really
is.
Fans of
description
will
like the
beautifully
rendered
scenes
dripping
with the
smells
of lost
ages.
The
details
about
herbs
and
rituals
are
amazing.
The
author
was once
a real
archaeologist
and it
seems
like if
a
character
is using
a
particular
herb or
plant,
it would
be the
one
actually
used in
that
area and
at that
particular
time of
season
the
story is
at. This
adds a
powerful
sense of
really
being
there
amidst
the
priestess
and
druids
doing
their
work.
This has
been a
great
read and
I can't
wait for
the
second
part of
the
trilogy
now. I'm
missing
these
characters
and
their
story
already.
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