Fierce, harrowing, very intense.

Cannot speak about the authenticity of the historical setting, as I do not know much about 10th century England, but the characters are well painted, and the story very dramatic. There are no perfect people, or wooden cutouts.

It would translate well into a movie or television series, although the violence would be too graphic for broadcast or basic cable.
**eARC netgalley** ( )

I went into this book with certain expectations (forbidden romance is always a grabber for me!); yet found myself enjoying the book for completely different reasons. I was failed a bit in one regard but rewarded in another.

Strongest point to this book is our lead, Avelynn. You want a woman with guts? Look no further! Facing a brutal, tragic timeframe for women in history, she fights for choices in her life and to lead the one she wants. She personally experiences violence and the threat thereof; yet she doesn’t let that break her. She reminds me of another female from the British Dark Ages I came across in another book recently. Badass doesn’t begin to describe Avelynn!

All of that bravado and guts is balanced out with an impulsive nature that leads to the ruin of many of Avelynn’s plans. She doesn’t always contemplate all the consequences of her actions or thinks she’s completely prepared for what may come. She makes choices that burn many of her bridges in life; regret is an emotion she’ll become familiar with in book two, I predict.

The author does a great job in making Dark Ages Britain a real location. Around the time frame of a young Alfred the Great and at the height of the Viking threat, all the gory brutality and threats make an appearance, from bloody battlefields to graphic threats against Avelynn’s person. She also shines a light on local customs, holidays, and religion. I especially liked seeing Christianity and Avelynn’s Four Goddess’ religions shown side by side; it was interesting to see the strengths and weaknesses of both religions and their adherents.

My one let-down with this one was the romance, my biggest expectation that wasn’t met. Don’t get me wrong; the chemistry and emotional connection between Alrick and Avelynn is there when they share page space. They were powerful when together and made my heart sing.

However… And it’s a big “however”. The page time these two share is ridiculous for a book that pushes its romance as a big draw. For the actions that transpire at the end, I didn’t see any build up to it. They seem to come out of nowhere and with little motivation. Their romance is one of those “insta-love” things that drive me up a wall. Little development makes it lack much of the punch that I could have had given its forbidden nature and their mutual chemistry when together. Missed opportunity there.

Where the book leaves off makes me believe that we’ll get more development of this primary relationship in book two. I mean, it can’t help but develop unless Campbell changes the story flow drastically from where it left off. So this disappointment looks to get better in future; I can only hope as this was what drew me to the book in the first place.

While it failed in some expectations for me, I still got a great story and main character. Her history provides a vivid backdrop for Avelynn and her struggles; what romance there was shining all the brighter for the background darkness. The relationship front looks like it might get more development and page time in book two. I look forward to more of that development as I would desperately love to see more of these two together. I’m looking forward to book two; Campbell, bring it on! ( )

Set in the Dark Ages, Avelynn is a debut novel by Marissa Campbell. The main character is Avelynn, a young Saxon noblewoman who helps her father rule the kingdom in Somerset. She is secretly a Pagan high priestess who every so often goes to an island by the name of Avalon to perform her rituals until the Vikings invade. Against her wishes she is betrothed to Demas, a man who she fears and despises.

While on one of her visits to Avalon, she meets a much hated Viking, Alrik who she comes to love but knows that their love is doomed as he is a hated and feared Viking. Even though he is kind and loving to her, he is still an enemy to her people and country. She knows that she needs to do her duty but when her father and young brother go off to fight the enemy and end up with the sickness, she finds herself to be in charge of the Kingdom. Demas becomes an enemy to her in her own kingdom, he does not love her or she him and all he wants is her wealth and the status. He is one evil self-serving man and will do all in his power to see that he gets what he wants. He is not the only enemy that she has as of course she is a woman and most men of the time feel that a woman does not belong in the battlefield or anywhere else other than in the running of a household.

As war is inevitable and in war comes tragedy and death including those closest to Avelynn she is tasked with being a warrior and leader that her people can trust. There is plenty of intrigue, heated romance scenes and historical detail of a time in Britain's violent history that kept me turning the pages. Can her love for Alrik endure or will she have to forsake him for duty? I love a good historical fiction story and this one kept me interested. Rich in historical detail, it appeared that the author did a lot of research without the book becoming a history book that can get pretty dry. I would recommend this story if you like your stories to be steamy but at the same time readable with a good plot without being mushy.

I received an arc of the book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my thoughts.
- See more at: http://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/2015/09/avelynn-novel-by-marissa-campbell... ( )

Avelynn is the headstrong daughter of the Eadlorman of Somerset in 869. Her father has raised her to read, write and be able to rule in his place. Before she died, her mother taught Avelynn of the ancient pagan ways. Now, at eighteen, Avelynn’s world falls apart when her father forces her betrothal to Demas, a man who wants Avelynn for no reason but her land and expects her to stay silent and obedient. When Avelynn seeks answers in a pagan ritual, she is found by Viking warriors. As soon as Avelynn and Alrik lay eyes on one another, a passionate love affair is born. When the Vikings and Saxons go to war Avelynn and Alrik must find a way to stay true to their people and themselves.

I am always interested in the female characters in medieval fiction, and Avelynn was amazing. She was not only intelligent, but strong willed and brave. The trials she is put through would deter most women, but Avelynn proves herself a warrior time and time again. The romance in the story was incredibly steamy, and may not be for anyone not comfortable with more than a light romance. Alric and Avelynn had a serious case of love at first sight, but Alric is by far the better choice over Demas. Most of all, Avelynn is steeped in passion and for fighting for what is right. Avelynn’s character definitely develops throughout the story, but she is not without her faults and mistakes. There are many surprises, twists and turns. The pagan rituals and rights add a bit of mysticism and supernatural that adds another element to the story. Overall, a steamy, historical adventure and romance set in Medieval England.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )

I tend to enjoy fiction that takes place in more ancient times. That is why I was drawn to this book. Avelynn is a young Saxon woman who was reared by her father to be almost equal to him in the ruling of his earldom – for lack of a better word. He has had her educated and given her a pretty free reign. She is outwardly Christian but truly a Pagan. The only thing he will not afford her freedom in is marriage – she has reached an age and he is determined she will wed the man she has chosen even though Avelynn despises him.

Times are not easy in England at this time as the Vikings are invading and the King is not being effective in repelling them. Despite what she knows Avelynn finds herself falling in love with just what she is supposed to despise the most – a Viking. This tears her apart and she doesn’t know what to do.

I will admit that I am a bit torn about this book. In many ways it read more like a young adult book. But it is not – the sex scenes alone take it out of that realm. The battle scenes too. There is a definite dichotomy in the writing and character. Avelynn does not seem to learn. This is all well and good for driving plot but not very good for character development. I found the overall story interesting and it seems that from how it ended that there will be a sequel. ( )