Cwen by Bryce Gibby is a book that takes the reader on a wild ride through ancient Briittannia and Germania. Gwen is the beautiful, peasant daughter of an Italian glass blower who is “purchased “ from her parents by a witch who intends to transform her into a cultivated woman who can then be sold to the queen’s court. The book is the seventh in a series, I had not read any of the previous books but there was no need. The book does well as a stand alone novel. It’s a delightful mixture of fairytale, history, fantasy, mythology and magic that kept me reading into the night. If this type of book is your cup of tea, I think you will savor this one. I did.

A huge thank you to Perlycross Publishers, Bryce Gibby and last but certainly not least NetGalley for this ARC for my honest review.

This is an absolutely riveting story on a woman finding her way through life. She is striving to be the best she can be while finding herself. She deals with trauma from a very young age and learns the ways of survival/ the way of the world very quick.

I enjoy how Cwen found herself in darkness but came to realize that it’s wrong and not the right way of thinking / believing and quickly turned to believe in “The great magician.”

This story has a lot of family aspects to it including family that is not blood.

I did not find a single dull part to this story.

The author had a way to make it such a full and enjoyable story every step of the way.

I like how the book changed perspectives but only for brief points and mainly kept the book from Cwen’s POV.

The first couple chapters were hard to get through with a death of a child, but I am so glad I didn’t let that deter me from reading this book. I rate this book 5 of 5 stars.

This one grabs and pulls, maybe because the characters were so relatable. It felt familiar, but not at the same time if that makes sense. I feel like everyone could learn a thing or two and apply it towards real life. I was rooting the whole time! Well done.

I really thought this was a well done book, it worked with the other six books in the Annals of the Heroic series and still be a standalone book. The world worked with what I was looking for and thought the characters were smartly written. I enjoyed the way Bryce Gibby wrote this and am excited to reading more.

Cwen is a redemption story at its core about a young girl's journey to living in a way that feels right and good. Author Bryce Gibby's archaic prose felt nostalgic and was relatively easy to read, and fit well with the ancient Germania and Britannica setting. The pacing of the story felt more well-balanced at the beginning and ending of the story; its conclusion wrapped up the narrative with the best kind of fairytale-esque ending and moral theme. Readers who enjoy fantastical and historical fiction centered around religion/faith-based messages may appreciate Cwen!

Cwen by Bryce Gibby is an enchanting adventure set in Germania and Britannia, and the illustrations added in this edition only add to the fairytale-like story. If you like fairytales and high fantasy adventures, you’ll love this book.

Title: A Mesmerizing Journey of Magic and Destiny: A Review of "Cwen" by Bryce Gibby

As an ARC reader of "Cwen" by Bryce Gibby, I was captivated by the rich tapestry of adventure, magic, and romance woven throughout this beautifully illustrated edition.

Set in ancient Germania and Britannia, "Cwen" follows the life of a raven-haired beauty born into humble beginnings. Raised amidst the splendor of nature and nurtured by her love for an ancient codex, Cwen's journey takes a perilous turn when she is abducted by a Sorceress of Seidr. From there, she rises to become a High Priestess of Ashtoreth, guided by unearthly powers but plagued by doubts about her true path.

Gibby's narrative is spellbinding, drawing readers into a world of dark magic and mystical intrigue. Cwen's quest for enlightenment is both thrilling and thought-provoking as she confronts challenges that test her resolve and beliefs. The contrast between her devotion to the moon goddess and her desire for true enlightenment creates a compelling tension that drives the story forward.

What sets "Cwen" apart is its exquisite illustrations, which enhance the immersive experience of the narrative. Each image brings the ancient world to life, from the lush forests of Germania to the mystical rituals of pagan worship. The attention to detail and the evocative artistry truly elevate the reading experience, making it a feast for the eyes as well as the imagination.

Throughout the book, Gibby explores themes of identity, faith, and the search for meaning, inviting readers to ponder the nature of destiny and the power of individual choice. Cwen's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring quest for truth and enlightenment.

For fans of epic fantasy and historical fiction, "Cwen" is a must-read. Gibby's masterful storytelling, coupled with stunning illustrations, transports readers to a mysterious world where magic and destiny collide in unexpected ways. Whether you're drawn to tales of adventure, romance, or the supernatural, "Cwen" offers something for everyone, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

Having grown up with Norse mythology told by my English professor father, I was quite looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The Norse mythology underlying Cwen is presented first as polytheism, which is appropriate, but as the story continues, it becomes clear that the goddess Cwen serves is really the devil - the Christian devil, to be specific, As with many ancient religions, practices in the past included blot, which is animal sacrifice, and occasionally human sacrifice; Cwen, as a priestess of Ashtoreth (a goddess anything from war to fertility, depending on the myth in question), is supposedly in charge of such sacrifices, but always avoids this significant part of her cultural religion as "wrong", instead foisting these responsibilities off on others rather than objecting to them, Over the course of the novel, Ashtoreth transforms from from a beloved goddess to a literal devil, a demon whispering in Cwen's ear, encouraging her to do things that she somehow, despite the norms within her culture, knows are wrong. A different voice begins to whisper more acceptable options in her ear, transforming her from a priestess of Ashtoreth to a devotee of the Christian deity, a conversion which leads her to flee her responsibilities as the queen of her country with a small band of women who, like herself, are fleeing their culture because they no longer believe in its central tenets. While teaching her small band of followers about her new understanding of her supportive deity - a god that, in contrast to the female deity she once served, is clearly the patriarchal god of Christianity - Cwen encounters a past acquaintance who, like herself, has rejected his cultural training to become Christian, who adds Christ to her conception of "god". The overall theme appears to be that one must reject anything other than Christianity, which will find you and lead you to salvation. I found the entire concept underlying this novel to be unacceptable, with a clear (to me) intention of proselytizing. Whether this was intentional or not, I find it quite off-putting.

In addition, the writer's style appears to be an attempt to create a feeling of saga, or perhaps the slightly archaic language often found in religious texts of a century or two in the past, but it often falls short, using language apparently intended to be majestic, but which often comes across as stilted and forced. This issue is intensified by the overuse of exclamation points in dialogue. Had the attempt at formal language been better done, I might not find it so annoying, but as it was, I found it incredibly difficult to read. It got better as I became more accustomed to it, but it never stopped seeming forced. That the author misuses homonyms or words with similar spellings in multiple places (e.g. "scared" for "scarred", "site" for "sight", and - my favorite - "marital" for "martial") throughout the volume only adds to this issue.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First time Reading a book from Bryce Gibby. I really didn’t have very high expectations, but I really enjoyed reading this book.. Its a good story about a young girl who is trying to find her true purpose..

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!