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In the year 84 AD, the Romans swept across the land, defeating all in their path, destroying homes and families, and leaving nothing in their wake. They were determined to conquer the world. But a child had been born 24 years earlier who would defeat the Romans and lead the people to freedom.
After a fierce battle with the Caledonians, Ambiorix, a Roman soldier, follows a group of fleeing warriors into some trees where they disappear—but instead of capturing them, he gets knocked on the head and passes out. When he awakes, he’s being attended by a half-human, half-water-faery named Nemu. She nurses him back to health, and then, because he’s disgusted by what she is, they go their separate ways.
Nemu cannot forget Ambiorix, so she sets out to find him. She even clips her wings so he’ll accept her as human. Finally, she catches up to him, only to witness his marriage to another woman. Heartbroken, she travels with a warrior woman named Rhonwyn and becomes involved in the Druids’ plans to destroy the Romans. The Druids believe that the only way to defeat a powerful army like the Romans is for Nemu to raise a dragon from the depths of the lake, but, in order to do so, she’d have to make a sacrifice she’s not sure she’s willing to make.
Ambiorix marries Valeria not only for political reasons but also because he thought he loved her—but he still can’t get Nemu out of his mind. Though he’s a Roman, he doesn’t feel Roman, and something is urging him to fulfill a destiny he knows nothing about—a destiny he’s to share with Nemu.
Of Water and Dragons is a charming fantasy, filled with adventure and unconventional situations. Though the hero and heroine spend much of their time apart in the story, Ms. Heckart still manages to convey their love for each other in a satisfactory manner. Though the story also includes lesbian sex, it wasn’t added for shock value. In fact, I found the love scenes to be done tastefully and not at all offensively.
At times, however, Ms. Heckart’s use of repetitive words and descriptions can be a bit distracting. She also uses unfamiliar Roman or Druid words when she refers to places and things, immediately following them with the English equivalent, so readers will know what she’s talking about—and that proves to be annoying at times, as well. But it wasn’t annoying enough to make me want to put the book down.
All in all, Ms. Heckart did a fine job with this novel, and I predict that her next novel will be even better.
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