Book Review: Like the Break of Dawn by Bree Wolf

Historical romance author Bree Wolf puts a new spin on the time travel theme in her novel Like the Break of Dawn, the first installment in her Lass of Legend saga.  Dovetailing a Romeo and Juliet style romance into the time travel tale along with interlocking Fey lore, Wolf certainly whets the reader's interest to seek out the following books in the series.

The story begins with Yvaine, a little girl, found by Aiden MacKinnear and his son Duncan, beaten and bruised and left in the wilderness of Scotland's highlands.  The year is 1801.  Wolf takes the reader on a deep dive into Yvaine's well articulated and documented introspections, self-discoveries and conflicting emotions, opening the path for readers to develop an emotional bond with Yvaine.  The writing is very effective, ensconcing Yvaine's fate into the reader's care.

So when the story takes a turn and transports Yvaine into 1401 through a hidden cavern, the reader's feelings plummet, experiencing every trial and tribulation that Yvaine goes through.  Except, the time travel takes Yvaine back in time to when she was born and back to her birth family.  

Yvaine learns it had been a fey who saved her life, taking her to 1801, into the safe arms of the MacKinnear family.  Then at 16 years old, the fey takes her back to her time of 1401 to help mend the family feud between her birth father, the MacLeòir chieftain and his enemy, the MacCarmaig chieftain.

In the vane of Romeo and Juliet, Yvaine, a MacLeòir, and Caelen, a MacCarmaig, fall in love.  The entanglements grow more complex as both clans have maidens to marry the Morganach chieftain.  Yvaine from the MacLeòir's and Gwyneth, Caelen's little sister, from the MacCarmaig's.  Thus, the animosity between the two clans is inflamed, making for an entrenching read.

Wolf immerses the reader into the fate of Yvaine and Caelen, as well as offering a budding romance between Gwyneth and Fergus, Caelen's good friend and fellow warrior.  Combining elements of adventure, heroism, and Fey lore, the reader becomes entwined in unfolding Wolf's historical fantasy romance.  This book leaves the reader with a cliffhanger, teasing the reader to learn of Yvaine and Caelen's fate in follow up story By the Grey Light of Morning.

https://www.breewolf.com/