A review by kierano
Knight of Gaelgara by Gary J. Martin

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

  ‘Knight of Gaelgara’: One Bad Day in a World of Epic Fantasy – Book Review

 

I’m only a little ashamed to admit that, over time, I have developed a small bias against novel writers from my own nation. Ireland has a proud literary tradition—one that continues strong to this day. Note the word ‘literary’. As someone who studied Creative Writing at both an Undergraduate and Masters level in Ireland, let me tell you it is hard out here for a genre writer.

Capital L ‘literary’ fiction is what is prioritised by our nation’s culture. Even my own mentors and lecturers struggled to engage with my fantasy writing. They just didn’t know what to do with me. And as I struggled to keep my eyes open through Important Irish Fiction Novel after Important Irish Fiction Novel, it was ‘peace out’ from me.

I turned my reading attention firmly abroad, where the genre fiction I enjoyed could be found in abundance—not somewhat shamefully shunted off to the side (if you ever meet me in person, ask me about an Irish zombie book for an infuriating anecdote).

It took me joining a fantasy book club turn my eyes back to the writing being published on my own island. Knight of Gaelgara is written by Irishman Gary J. Martin, and published by the Irish press, Temple Dark Books. And it is, miraculously, pure epic fantasy for adults. Not ‘speculative fiction’ or ‘genre-bending’ or whatever fancy people call books they read with ghosts in them.

Still, I did experience some trepidation before reading the novel. I was worried that the story would be overly ‘Irish’; the cover features a lady with red hair, and the title has the syllable ‘gael’ in it. It brought to mind American stereotypes of Irishness that had me wondering if Martin’s book was really going to be for me.

Thankfully, it very much was. 

Full review:
https://www.kieran-obrien.com/post/knight-of-gaelgara-one-bad-day-in-a-world-of-epic-fantasy-book-review