The Rise of Synne

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Pub Date Feb 14 2024 | Archive Date Apr 18 2024

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Description

1066: England’s Darkest Hour. A Young Woman's Destiny Beckons.

In the bloody aftermath of the Battle of Hastings, Synne, an orphan healer, navigates a perilous path.

Descended from a royal lineage long whispered about, Synne is thrust into a world about to change violently. Her fate is soon entangled with Magnus, the arrogant son of the fallen King Harold, who offers her a dangerous mission.

Driven by a desperate need to rescue her sisters from the clutches of slavers, Synne becomes a spy in the enemy's camp. Her quest might be aided by the powers of a seer she inherited from her mother, but she must learn how to use her powers first.

Captured by the forces of the man destined to be King of England, William the Conqueror, Synne carries a message that could alter the course of history. She navigates the treacherous halls of power, only to find herself standing before the assembled nobility at William's coronation feast, branded a traitor.

In a world where alliances are as shifting as the winds, Synne must fight not only for her family's legacy but for her life.

Will Synne survive? Why does her accuser want her dead, and will Magnus ruin her?

If you enjoy the novels of Philippa Gregory or Anne O’Brien, you will love this.

Praise for LP O’Bryan’s novels:

‘O’Bryan is a master storyteller providing us a view rarely seen in historical fiction.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Verified Reviewer

“A brisk plot...which draws the reader into a conspiratorial rapport…' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Telegraph

‘The strength of this novel handsdown is the author’s fabulous characterizations and precision details.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Verified Reviewer

‘…well written, beautifully descriptive, and with a smart dialogue and a compelling air of menace throughout.'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Lancashire Evening Post

‘I didn't know what to expect going into the book, it being a historical fiction and all, and I have loved every bit of it wanting more even as I was reading the last sentence' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon Verified Reviewer

1066: England’s Darkest Hour. A Young Woman's Destiny Beckons.

In the bloody aftermath of the Battle of Hastings, Synne, an orphan healer, navigates a perilous path.

Descended from a royal lineage...


Available Editions

ISBN 000B0CVQJDZ13
PRICE $3.66 (USD)
PAGES 319

Links

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Average rating from 11 members


Featured Reviews

This was an interesting and very entertaining read! I loved reading this period of time and I found the mixture of superstitions and Christianity fascinating. It gave a good atmospheric touch to the novel. Synne's character is convincing and I can't wait for the sequel to learn more about her, her hopes and her relationship with Magnus .

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The Rise of Synne by LP O'Bryan was an interesting interpretation of the events surrounding the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The storyline has great potential to develop further as the premise is interesting in itself. The writing style is not my usual taste but I can see how it is more stilted to match the narrative of the times perhaps

Full disclosure, I read this purely as a work of fiction and enjoyed the dynamics between Synne and those she encountered. Synne is a character that is easy to get behind. The writing style is challenging but notsomuch as to detract from the storyline itself

Thank you very much to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this interesting ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

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Initially, I found the language a bit stilted and awkward at the start, which made it difficult to fully concentrate. However, O'Bryan discovers their voice as the story goes on, and it becomes a fast-paced, historical adventure with a strong and likeable heroine.

O'Bryan captures the medieval world well, and helps create a vivid picture of the turmoil England was left in after the Battle of Hastings. I recently read a book set in the same period told from one of the male survivors, so it was refreshing and empowering to see it from the point of view of a female with a burning agenda and resolve to get revenge.

The novel was bingeable, had a great plot and set the scene for more to come.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers (BooksGoSocial) for accepting me for this ARC!

I was immediately drawn into the story, and intrigued by the character Synne. The story is written beautifully (in a way that easily evoked pictures in my head) and it kept my interest throughout.

While I know that it is historical fiction I have to admit that I read it as a Fantasy novel (I am a Fantasy nerd so I cannot turn it off I guess) and I really enjoyed it! However, this means that I am not sure about the historical correctness. So, if that is something you’re looking for I am not the reviewer to enlighten you.

I’m excited to read more!

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This was well-researched, with a fiery FMC, and descriptions that draw you right into the center of the story. O'Bryan did an excellent job of bringing the historical setting to life, and I felt like I'd stepped back in time and traveled across the world at the same time. I adore Synne's inner fire and determination to find and rescue her sisters, although I know in reality it might've gotten her into much more trouble than it actually did. She makes some missteps along the way, but it just makes her feel more real. There's plenty of danger, intrigue, allies, backstabbing, and a little romance woven throughout the whole story, and more than just a few secrets. That said, I can't wait to dive into book two!

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