The Light Bearer

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Summary: Teaches you a lot about ancient Rome
Review: After I read this book, I felt like I had met some of Rome's greatest philosophers, senators and emperors. Diana Gillespie does such a good job in blending fact and fiction, and in such a seamless way that you can't tell who really existed and who didn't. I can't even imagine the amount of research she must have done to write this book because the scope of it is amazing.
The story grabs you from about the second chapter. Even the secondary characters are done well and portrayed fairly. There are no true bad guys or solid gold good guys, although Marcus Julianus and Auriane come across as superhuman sometimes. This book is full of action and description of the squalor of ancient Rome and the wild Germanic forests. I did enjoy reading about ancient Rome just a little bit more, but I think it was because I found the subject matter more interesting.
Towards the end, the book does seem to drag a little bit, but I think that the momentum that this book began with is enjoy to drag it the final couple paces across the finish line. I also agree with the reviewers who complained about Marcus Julianus treating Auriane like a "little savage". I don't see why he would have done that, since he was so openminded about everything else. Also, they only meet about 3/4 of the way through the book, and so the anticipation of their meeting is stronger than the actual event and you might find yourself disappointed by the way they behave.
Anyways, you should listen to Enya when you read some of the battle scenes in this book. It put me in this odd, sleepy sort of trance. It was out of this world. (This doesn't happen to me all the time)

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Summary: Historical Fiction at its best
Review: As a post-graduate student in Roman History, I can safely say that this is one of the most thoroughly researched historical novels I've ever read, and ranks as one of my favourite books. Compelling drama is woven with intricate historical detail (I especially enjoyed the intrigues of the Imperial circle).

**Another reviewer wondered why she refers to M. Julianus always as Marcus Julianus; it's because Patricians (nobles) had three names- praenomen, nomen and cognomen; one is generally known by praenomen and cognomen. A cognomen is very often descriptive, e.g. Magnus (great) or Rufus (red). A plebeian like Lucius Grannus only has a praenomen and nomen.**

Gillespie never puts a step wrong, seamlessly integrating fictional characters like Auriane and Marcus Arrius Julianus with real historical figures- emperors, philosophers and tyrants. The action moves from Rome to Germania, from the battlefield to the arena. The characters live, love and suffer, both pain and disappointment, their lives moving inexorably forward as directed by the Fates. Perhaps one of the strongest themes running throughout this book is that of loyalty and betrayal. One has to decide who are the more 'civilized'- the 'barbarian' Chattians, or the decadent Romans?

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!
Review: Gillespie has an instinctive talent for letting her knowledge of history seep through the writing, rather than "telling" the reader the things she knows. Her characters are full and vibrant, and the plot is just as fascinating. This is my first "historical fiction" novel, and I am coming away deeply impressed.

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Summary: Really draws you in.
Review: I have had this book for several years now, and it remains in pride of place on my bookshelf. I havent found another book to match it. I may soon need a new copy as mine is sadly starting to fall apart from overreading - its a book you can read over and over again. The characters are so real and well rounded; you really care about them.
Like another reviewer, I have also heard from the author that the sequel 'Daughter of the Ash' is with publishers in N.Y. If you can read German however, you're in luck because the German version of the book is already out, named Mondschatten.

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Summary: The best book i have ever read
Review: I have reviewed this book previously, about 3 years ago, and it still remains my favorite novel. I have good news to those who, like me, are anxiously awaiting the sequel to be released in english. I heard, straight from the author, that it should be released next year, assuming everything goes right with the publishing company. The sequels title will be "Daughter of the Ash." Keep your eyes open for it!!

Rating:
Summary: One of My favorites
Review: I loved this book! I see that there are two sequals only available in German. I wonder when they will publish them in English.

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Summary: This book combines history and action brilliantly.
Review: It is no easy feat to successfully combine deep historical research with clean narrative line. Hollywood is full of failed attempts. In her debut novel, Donna Gillespie packs over a thousand pages with tense and luscious drama that simultaneously delivers a series of detailed history lessons. Travelling between Ancient Rome, in the reign of Nero and Domitian, and Germania, the narrative tracks the fabulous adventures of Auriane, aka The Light Bearer.

Historical fiction is not my usual read of choice, but there's no denying the superb qualities of both Gillespie's heroine and her story. Auriane is gutsy, deadly and true. Resolutely heroic, this proto-Freudian warrior doesn't know the meaning of the word "angst". She makes a refreshing change from doubt-ridden modern antiheroines and is a continuing source of inspiration.

Can't wait to read the sequel!

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fantastic
Review: The last book I read was The Light Bearer by Donna Gillespie. What can I say? Awesome. Simply a great, great epic novel.

The Light Bearer tells the duel story of the Germanic tribeswoman Auriane and the Roman Senator Marcus Julianus. From the reviews I've read, this is a very thoroughly research book. It takes place during the reigns of Nero, Vespatian, Titus, and Domitian. While the books caption leads one to think it's a love story, it is first and foremost a book about people trying to preserve their way of life. The Romans view the Germanic tribes as uncivilized and little more than groups of animals. The Germans view the Romans as domineering, unreligious, and misogynistic.

Auriane is the daughter of the head of the tribe. A priestess deemed at birth that she is destined for so much and that comes to fruition as Auriane grows older. She has a Roman serf teach her how to fight because she sees that the ways her people fight are not effective against the Romans. But still, she cannot completely reconcile her feelings for the Roman ways of war with her people's way of life, creating an interesting and heartfelt internal conflict.

Meanwhile, the governor of Germania (Marcus Arrius Julianus) finds his long lost son (Marcus Julianus...confusing, I know) in the slums of Rome and raises him to take his mantle as a strong Roman figure. What he doesn't expect is that his son's life in the slums has taught him the value of intellectual and social equality...which causes more than one Roman eyebrow to lift in suspicion. But when Nero targets the Julianus family as traitors, Marcus's father takes his own life.

Okay,that's enough, because if I were to summarize this novel appropriate, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from telling too much. This book is slow enough that you can absorb the cultures, lives, and emotions of the characters, but fast enough that the 1000+ pages seems no more than any other novel.

It's fabulous. A new favorite book of mine.

I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: The Light Bearer
Review: The Light Bearer was absolutely an incredible book. The passion and heart-breaking truth to the plot allowed the reader to enter the book, as if the story came alive before them. The brutal and blissful reality of the plots brought the trails and triumphs of the characters into a spectrum where there was no fiction. The struggles of Auriane, Marcas Julianus, Baldemar, and the othes of the Chattian tribe can become your own in this story. You can feel anger, anxiety, pain, as the characters experience these emotions themselves. I am eagerly awaiting the sequil, in which I hope to learn more of the fate of Avenahar and the Chatti. I commend Donna Gillespie for writing such a remarkable saga.

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Summary: Finally, a strong female character..
Review: This is without a doubt my fav book of all time. A truely well written work, the words weave a magic of there own as the unfolding story captivates you. I read it every year, again and again. I never let my copy leave the house.