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4.46 AVERAGE
4.46 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: Absolutely Loved It, 5 stars
I think this is the epitome of a slow burn series for me. I had a fantastic time with the first book, but I LOVED The Words of Kings and Prophets. From the second I opened it up, I was just absolutely thrilled to be back with these characters and in this world. I wasn't quite aware of how attached I had grown to the characters until I was back in the thick of the plotting and danger! I basically passed the halfway point and was incapable of putting this down until I was finished.
We pick up not too long after the end of the first book and continue on our adventures with Gormflaith and Fódla. We also get an extra POV to start off each part of the book, which was a fun addition. I don't want to say much about the arc of this book, but I had such a great time.
I definitely think the characters are what makes this story. They all raise such strong emotions in me, and I feel like Shauna Lawless really excels at crafting them. I despise Tomas, Gormflaith stresses me out beyond all belief, Fódla is my favorite, Colmun is my hero, Murchad is a sweet cinnamon roll of a prince, Broccan and Tairdelbach must be protected at all costs, Sitric gives me hope for a redemption arc, and I just don't know how everything is going to pan out. I had some suspicions that turned out to be correct about big plot points for two of our characters, but I truly have no idea where everything else is going to go. I feel like Gormflaith just throws such curveballs that I never know where her plotting will take us.
This is a perfect season to read in the autumnal time. The atmosphere is absolutely on point. There's something just pleasing about reading historical fantasy in the fall-times, and this installment is just absolutely bursting at the seams with witches and magic. I felt like the Descendent's gifts were much more prominent in this one. I also feel like I have a bias that historical fantasy tends to move more slowly, and while I feel that is true for this series at times, this book had so many moments that I reacted with an "oh, dang!" because of the way that a moment went down.
Overall, I highly recommend this series and think that so many people would enjoy it if they pick it up!
I received a copy for review from Kaye Publicity and Head of Zeus. All thoughts and opinions are my own
I think this is the epitome of a slow burn series for me. I had a fantastic time with the first book, but I LOVED The Words of Kings and Prophets. From the second I opened it up, I was just absolutely thrilled to be back with these characters and in this world. I wasn't quite aware of how attached I had grown to the characters until I was back in the thick of the plotting and danger! I basically passed the halfway point and was incapable of putting this down until I was finished.
We pick up not too long after the end of the first book and continue on our adventures with Gormflaith and Fódla. We also get an extra POV to start off each part of the book, which was a fun addition. I don't want to say much about the arc of this book, but I had such a great time.
I definitely think the characters are what makes this story. They all raise such strong emotions in me, and I feel like Shauna Lawless really excels at crafting them. I despise Tomas, Gormflaith stresses me out beyond all belief, Fódla is my favorite, Colmun is my hero, Murchad is a sweet cinnamon roll of a prince, Broccan and Tairdelbach must be protected at all costs, Sitric gives me hope for a redemption arc, and I just don't know how everything is going to pan out. I had some suspicions that turned out to be correct about big plot points for two of our characters, but I truly have no idea where everything else is going to go. I feel like Gormflaith just throws such curveballs that I never know where her plotting will take us.
This is a perfect season to read in the autumnal time. The atmosphere is absolutely on point. There's something just pleasing about reading historical fantasy in the fall-times, and this installment is just absolutely bursting at the seams with witches and magic. I felt like the Descendent's gifts were much more prominent in this one. I also feel like I have a bias that historical fantasy tends to move more slowly, and while I feel that is true for this series at times, this book had so many moments that I reacted with an "oh, dang!" because of the way that a moment went down.
Overall, I highly recommend this series and think that so many people would enjoy it if they pick it up!
I received a copy for review from Kaye Publicity and Head of Zeus. All thoughts and opinions are my own
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - The Brothers Gwynne
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
Shauna Lawless once again shows herself to be an author who can do it all. We are immersed into a truly unique setting that brilliantly blends the gritty history and fascinating mythology of 11th century Ireland, with a generous dose of political intrigue along the way.
Finally dived into this second instalment of the Gael Song trilogy, just before the final book is released next month! Loved book 1 and also the two prequel novellas. Now The Words of Kings and Prophets joins that group.
Once again Shauna Lawless expertly crafts character and tension. As she weaves the different arcs and plot lines together, you feel so tense, as characters cross paths, secrets are revealed and some remain hidden. This is a truly living and breathing world, with mystery lurking around every corner. Many questions are answered, but so many more are asked, so I really cannot wait to turn to book 3, The Land of the Living and the Dead, in September! So glad now that I waited until now to read book 2, as I won't have to wait long to finish this journey!
Gael Song is just a fantastically written series, within which Shauna Lawless consistently shows herself to be a writer of great talent. I will read whatever she puts out into the world.
4.5/5 STARS
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
Shauna Lawless once again shows herself to be an author who can do it all. We are immersed into a truly unique setting that brilliantly blends the gritty history and fascinating mythology of 11th century Ireland, with a generous dose of political intrigue along the way.
Finally dived into this second instalment of the Gael Song trilogy, just before the final book is released next month! Loved book 1 and also the two prequel novellas. Now The Words of Kings and Prophets joins that group.
Once again Shauna Lawless expertly crafts character and tension. As she weaves the different arcs and plot lines together, you feel so tense, as characters cross paths, secrets are revealed and some remain hidden. This is a truly living and breathing world, with mystery lurking around every corner. Many questions are answered, but so many more are asked, so I really cannot wait to turn to book 3, The Land of the Living and the Dead, in September! So glad now that I waited until now to read book 2, as I won't have to wait long to finish this journey!
Gael Song is just a fantastically written series, within which Shauna Lawless consistently shows herself to be a writer of great talent. I will read whatever she puts out into the world.
4.5/5 STARS
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yikes these books are so gripping! An emotional journey and I can’t wait to read the third in the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A good continuation of the first one. There are a few oh fuck moments which always makes the story fun.
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
