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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I never thought a book would take me in so quickly, but then I picked this up in a shop one day and decided to give it a go. It piqued my interest solely because it was an Irish mythology mixed historical story that was actually written by an Irish author — I’m so used to being disappointed when finding out an author just simply “loves Ireland” and “adores Celtic mythology” that I was excited to go home and begin reading this series.
To say I was instantly blown away is such an understatement. The way Lawless has sewn the mythology of the Tuatha Dé Danaan and the Fomorians into the history of Ireland, particularly upon the invasion of the vikings and Brian Boru’s rise to power, is done so seamlessly that I didn’t even skip a beat when reading into the historical events that happen in the narrative.
As I have mentioned in previous reviews where this kind of storytelling occurs, I love that the narrative jumps between Fódla and Gormflaith’s points of view as the timeline progresses. Both of these characters are very different yet so similar, and seeing their paths ultimately reach closer and closer to one another until they are in each other’s presence was so satisfying and the tension for this was done so well. Both of these women are so three-dimensional and believable, with Gormflaith being so utterly complex that I had to keep reminding myself what her intentions were and why she worked so hard for what she wanted.
I think that it’s a no brainer that I will immediately jump to the next instalment in the Gael Song series. I’m desperate to know what happens next and see how the politics in the world progress. I’m also shocked to learn that this was Lawless’ debut novel; it is such an elegant retelling of Ireland’s own tales and legends that as I was reading I just assumed this was her dipping her toes into Irish historical fiction. Needless to say I plan on reading her entire catalog and keeping up to date with anything new she creates.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Grief
Moderate: Sexual violence
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book is very well written and is just a great mix of fantasy and history. However i think it could‘ve gripped me a bit more. There could have been a bit more action and thrill. But overall i quite enjoyed it
emotional
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
It's definitely a good historical fiction book, I loved the history, setting, world building, the Last Kingdom/Vikings vibes. And I like Fódhla amd Murchagh a lot but hated everyone else! Gormlaith was the worst! I don't like when there's noting to root for in a character. I was always looking for some romance and was sad when none came. Or even some character or relationship ship development. Great books for anyone interested in Irish history, but there wasn't enough fantasy or romancd for me.