The Horse Goddess

The Horse Goddess follows Epona, a young Celtic woman in 700 BCE who defies her tribe's traditions by pursuing the path of a horse trainer. She leaves her home to travel eastward across Europe with a group of Scythian horsemen, learning their ways of riding and warfare. The narrative spans several years and territories as Epona moves between the worlds of Celtic Europe and the Scythian steppes. Through her experiences, readers encounter the customs, beliefs, and daily life of these ancient peoples, particularly their relationship with horses and the gods they worship. The story tracks Epona's transformation from an outsider seeking knowledge to a figure of power and significance in both Celtic and Scythian cultures. Her journey intersects with historical events and cultural shifts that shaped the interaction between European and Asian peoples of the Iron Age. This historical novel explores themes of female empowerment, cultural exchange, and humanity's ancient bond with horses. At its core, it is a tale about breaking boundaries - both physical and social - and the price of forging new paths.

Readers applaud Llywelyn's detailed research into Celtic and Scythian cultures, with many noting her ability to transport them to ancient times through sensory descriptions. Reviews highlight the strong character development of the protagonist Epona and her growth throughout the story. What readers liked: - Rich historical authenticity - Complex female lead character - Descriptions of horse training and nomadic life - Cultural details about ancient peoples What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some historical liberties taken - Romance elements felt forced to some readers - Occasional modern-sounding dialogue Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) "The details about ancient horse training techniques were fascinating" - Goodreads reviewer "Started strong but dragged in the middle" - Amazon reviewer "Made the ancient world feel alive and real" - LibraryThing review

The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge The tale of Boudicca and the Celtic resistance against Roman rule follows the same attention to historical detail and Celtic mythology found in The Horse Goddess.

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley This retelling of the Arthurian legend through the eyes of the women explores Celtic priestesses and their sacred relationship to the land.

Red Branch by Morgan Llywelyn Set in Celtic Ireland, this story of warrior Cuchulain presents the same blend of mythology, warfare, and ancient Celtic culture.

The Last of the Druids by William Hutton This historical narrative traces the fall of Celtic spiritual traditions through the Roman conquest of Britain and Gaul.

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier Set in ancient Ireland, this tale weaves Celtic mythology with historical elements while focusing on a strong female protagonist's journey.

🏹 Morgan Llywelyn based the novel on archaeological evidence of Celtic migrations during the Iron Age, particularly focusing on the historical movement of horse-riding warriors from the steppes into Western Europe. 🐎 The book explores the origins of Celtic horse training methods, including the possible invention of the iron bit, which revolutionized mounted warfare and transportation in ancient Europe. ⚔️ The character of Epona in the novel is connected to the actual Celtic goddess of horses, who was so widely revered that she became the only Celtic deity officially adopted into the Roman pantheon. 🏺 The novel accurately depicts the cultural transition between Bronze Age and Iron Age technologies, showing how iron weapons and tools gradually replaced bronze ones around 800-600 BCE. 🖋️ Author Morgan Llywelyn has written over 40 historical novels, and is considered one of the leading authorities on Celtic history and culture in fiction, having won multiple awards including the Novel of the Year Award from the National League of American Pen Women.