The Last Iceni

Summary

This is the epic story of the Roman invasion of Britannia, the battles, the burning of Londinium, the rise and fall of Boudica, and the great fire of Rome, told through a fast-moving historical adventure romance novel.

The Iceni establish a trading partnership with the Romans resulting in Ceridwen meeting an intriguing foreigner named Marek, an Egyptian serving as an officer with the fourteenth legion. While from vastly differing cultures, Marek and Ceridwen discover they share much in common.  A perfect match, they develop plans for an idyllic life together once Marek’s time in the army is up.

Political change comes first, however. The emperor Claudius who advocated for foreigners to achieve the rights of citizens and rank in the army, is assassinated and replaced by Nero who seeks to undo all of Claudius’ advances. All things Roman begin to sour for Marek, but he is bound by his pledge and must serve out his time. His disdain for the Romans intensifies as he is first ordered to destroy the Druids, and when the Iceni queen Boudica organizes a rebellion, to fight against the Iceni.

Boudica’s army ambushes and annihilates the Roman ninth legion, burns the Roman city of Londinium killing all 70,000 inhabitants. Despite Marek’s appeal for her to stay out of the conflict, Ceridwen, the consummate Iceni warrior, knows she must fight alongside her people, even when called on to march against Marek and the overwhelmingly outnumbered fourteenth legion. Each believing the other did not survive; both Ceridwen and Marek are so overcome by loss that they become driven by blinding anger and the need for vengeance. Sustained for so long by their rage, what do they do when circumstances bring them face to face once again as opponents in the Roman arena? Will Ceridwen fight to reclaim her freedom as undefeated gladiatrix or will she remember Llyn’s prophecy from so long ago when faced with that crucial moment?