Rebel's Knot by Cryssa Bazos is a spellbinding historical romance with a rich setting against the backdrop of war-torn Ireland's 1652. It is the last days of the English invasion and Áine Callaghan finds herself alone, the only survivor of the murderous attacks by English marauders. She is found by Niall O'Coneill whose own kin have been killed in the same attack and who is determined to exact vengeance for his loved ones. Niall brings Áine to the safety of one of the encampments controlled by the Irish soldiers in Tipperary. As the connection between Niall and Áine grows stronger, her past begins to catch up with her as secrets are laid bare. They will have to deal with betrayal and violence. But can their love survive the impending threats?

This stunningly imagined historical romance is set against the backdrop of a vividly drawn setting, a turbulent period in Irish history, and the author writes about this period with fascinating details. The writing is infused with realism and humanity and the characters are fully drawn and multi-dimensional. Readers are thrust into a world where danger lurks at night and where uncertainty about the future grips the hearts of the characters. Themes of love, betrayal, and vengeance are cleverly developed throughout the narrative. Cryssa Bazos writes some of the most beautiful passages one hardly finds in historical romance, succeeding in creating a strong sense of the immediate by capturing the fear that casts a shadow over the psyche of the characters. This gripping and intelligently crafted novel features characters whose complexities and attitudes towards love, life, and war shine through every page as they navigate a world rife with violence. Rebel's Knot is a novel about resistance with characters worth rooting for.