Rating

About the book

When a fifth century pagan priest is unearthed in Ireland fifteen hundred years after being entombed, archaeologist Caitlin O’Connell is convinced it’s the find of the century. The body is in perfect condition, right down to the intricate tattoos adorning the Celt’s skin. In fact, if scientific data hadn’t proved otherwise, she would swear he hadn’t been interred more than a few hours.

Eager to discover more about the mysterious Celt, Caitlin accompanies the body back to the New York museum where she’s employed, but before she has time to study him, the priest disappears without a trace. Rumors surrounding the event begin to circulate and result in the excavation’s benefactor pulling the plug on the entire expedition.

The rumors are not far off the mark though. After being buried alive for betraying his goddess and his priesthood in the dawning age of Christianity, Ciarán wakes to a strange new world. Alone and frightened in an unforgiving city, he stumbles upon the only thing familiar to him and seeks sanctuary within the church walls. With the help of the parish’s pastor, Father Mike, Ciarán slowly grows accustomed to his surroundings, though he’s plagued by dark dreams and the disturbing sensation that an evil from his past has followed him into the future. But a more immediate danger lurks on his doorstep.

Caitlin is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery concerning her missing Celt, and when she meets her Uncle Mike’s new handyman, Ciarán Donnelly, she’s convinced the handsome Irishman knows more about the theft than he’s letting on. Yet, even she can’t deny the attraction between them, simmering below the surface and blurring the lines between her personal and professional life. But will Ciarán’s secrets draw them together or shatter their future forever.

Cross of Ciaran Book 1

Review

Setting

The book goes through 5th century Ireland to 20th century New York, it’s pretty imaginative and have very good descriptions of both times, truly magical really, will let you wanting to go to Ireland right away.

First Impressions

As with any time traveling romance the beginning it’s a little slow because we need to get into the story who they are, what’s going on and why, but after al this is laid out in the firsts chapters it’s pretty nice and coming along the plot.

Characters

In this regards my only complaint it’s that it seemed our protagonist was made a little unaware of things like come on she is an archeologist you describe her like very intelligent and then she misses all the critical points? seems unlikely not that it’s impossible but that part I didn’t love it.

The building of relationships didn’t seemed rushed that was a good thing, you have time to enjoy how the tension keeps rising and the dynamic changing between all of them.

Themes

It does touch the religions points between Celtic and Christianity clashing together in Ireland, on early Christianity it was very hard to be a Christ follower really it seems no one really wanted it, but it did become a thing afterwards so the struggles between religions are interesting.

Overall

By the end I was very confused usually this type of books are self conclusive but this one didn’t really reach any conclusion I do know there’s a second book but it was a little weird that path, to see what it will get us later on.

The end was intriguing but since I didn’t feel anything was solved it felt like something was missing of the book but not bad really just I will advice to read them in a row so you can get all the picture.