Irona 700 by Dave Duncan

429 Pages
Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
Release Date: August 18, 2015

Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy

Trigger Warning: Rape

Irona is a young poor girl hoping to be selected. As luck would have it, or not, Irona is selected by the goddess and a jade necklace is locked around her neck. Now she has a house and a position of power. She oversaw the navy and engaged in battles. She is a confident woman and leader. While on the Isle of Vault, her lover becomes possessed and rapes her. Ashamed of his actions, he jumps to his death. Irona finds herself pregnant. As the child grows, she sees a savage side of him. Even punishment does not keep him in line. As he grows into a man and a leader in his own right, there is a power struggle between the two of them.

The book has a steady pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. Irona reminds me of Boudica. If you like strong women leaders, you may enjoy this book.

This is a terrific book. It has world-building that reminds me of Tolkien or GRRM, and I am surprised it hasn't become better known. The writing is very well done, so you can imagine what is being described. It is quite easy to get into, unlike many recent fantasy novels, as you can pick up the background as the story goes along, rather than it all being presented at the start.
It is an intriguing tale, with the politics reminding me of Game of Thrones, and I didn't find any parts that dragged or bored me. I wonder if the book has not become more well known because the main protagonist is a female, but a strong one, or whether it is because the ending is, well, I'm not going to spoil it for you but it may surprise you and is quite emotionally strong.
If you like great stories, I suggest you try this!

On her 16th birthday, Irona is chosen by the Goddess to join the ruling council. As years go by she gains power while making friends and enemies.

I enjoyed the attention to detail and how I felt I was a part of this story, but at time I felt I was reading only to see what happens in the end. Then once I got to the end, I felt it came up short! I was angry how abruptly it ended and much without a point to me. Maybe this is what the author was trying to convey, but I don't feel like I received a suitable payoff for the journey I was on.