My sister bought this book for me as she knows how much I love fantasy books, and a few pages in I was a little unsure of it and where it was going, however after some perseverance, I couldn't put the book down. It was witty, adventurous, romantic and contains action scenes of war. So everything a good book needs. I would recommend this book for older teens and adults due to some of the sexual scenes, which are mild compared to some fantasy novels, but there is a warning on the back of the book so thought id point that out.
So onto the plot....Shannon parker is a school teacher from oklahoma, in the school holidays she drives to an auction to see if she can find any special items. At the auction she comes across a ceramic pot which a picture inscribed upon it, the picture is of a red headed woman looking out, palm raised which a star shaped scar on her hand. The picture has an uncanny resemblance to Shannon who even has a star shaped scar on her hand....although her hair is very slightly shorter. As she stands there, nothing else matters in the room except the pot and why does she feel so hot all of a sudden, she has to own the pot. So when the bidding begins she bids a max $200 but unfortunately loses out. The winner of the pot examines it and finds a "crack" so the item is re-auctioned and Shannon is now the owner of this pot. She begins er drive home, pot in tow but finds herself caught in a terrible storm, the suddenly the pot is glowing brighter and brighter and her mustang veers off the road.
When Shannon awakes she finds herself in another world, the world of Parthalon, however she isn't Shannon anymore she is Lady Rhiannon...beloved of Epona/ Goddess incarnate and she lives in a temple with servants and people who adore her. Her main servant is Alana, who for some reason looks exactly like shannon's best friend suzanna back in okie. Alana knows that Shannon isnt Rhiannon but explains to her that she needs to pretend that she is, there are bigger things at stake. And right now Shannon is about to be married to Clanfintan.....a high shaman and centaur (half man half horse) . Shannon goes ahead with the ceremony to keep to her duty, but duty soon turns to love and affection for Clanfintan. As weird as it sounds falling for a half man/half horse.....he is able to shapeshift into a man for the sexual scenes (thank goddess).
The servants start to notice a difference in lady rhiannon, she is not the b**** that she once was and she doesnt sleep around like she used to, so they begin to trust her more and fear her less.
So Shannon becomes Rhea....she has vivid premonitions brought to her by the goddess Epona, and is able to communicate with her beautiful horse Epi. Epona takes her on a journey in her sleep where there is a great evil they must fight. These bat like creatures known as fomorians have been ripping humans to shreds with there huge claws and drinking there blood like vampires, and impregnating the women. Rhea must stop them by gathering and army but if all this wasn't enough there is also a breakout of small pox to contend with.
will rhea, so new to this world rise to the challenge or will she find a way to get back to her real ife in oklahoma?????
