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A review by books_and3cats
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was an absolute joy to read from page 1; it is an epic, character driven fantasy that doesn't sacrifice on plot.
Set in 10th century Ireland, and weaving together Irish history and mythology, this follows two female main characters who are not only very different to each other, but are both very different to the type of FMC I am used to seeing in fantasy. I really enjoyed the vibes of the setting and the world (reminiscent of The Last Kingdom to me) and I found both POVs equally refreshing and compelling.
We have Gormflaith, an immortal fire mage known as a Fomorian, who was married to the Viking King of Dublin at the age of 13 by her father. She is incredibly smart, unapologetically ruthless, and would do anything for her son, for whom she has set her eyes on her late husband's throne. We also have Fódla, a healer descended from a race of warriors called the Tuatha Dé Danann who are sworn to kill Fomorians. She is Gormflaith's opposite in many ways; she is kind, gentle and nurturing (although do not mistake this for weakness, she has a quieter, more emotional strength than Gormflaith that is just as present).
These two women may be very different, and members of enemy clans, but they mirror each other in many ways, which was so intriguing to follow. They are both driven by love for family, they are both navigating a patriarchal society in which they have no real power, as well as battling instructions from their own clans which they do not necessarily agree with themselves. For Gormflaith: marry, breed, move on before someone notices you are not aging. For Fódla: spy on the mortals but do not trust them.
The plot of this book was very political and very gripping; I delighted in watching Gormflaith manoeuvre the men around her (to varying levels of success), and I loved getting to know Fódla and her personal history. Watching these women move in men's circles in their own way was so compelling and I can't wait to see how the conflict set up in this book moves forward in the next one.
If I hadn't been buddy reading this at 3 chapters a day, I would have probably read it within a couple of days; it was simply unputdownable.
Set in 10th century Ireland, and weaving together Irish history and mythology, this follows two female main characters who are not only very different to each other, but are both very different to the type of FMC I am used to seeing in fantasy. I really enjoyed the vibes of the setting and the world (reminiscent of The Last Kingdom to me) and I found both POVs equally refreshing and compelling.
We have Gormflaith, an immortal fire mage known as a Fomorian, who was married to the Viking King of Dublin at the age of 13 by her father. She is incredibly smart, unapologetically ruthless, and would do anything for her son, for whom she has set her eyes on her late husband's throne. We also have Fódla, a healer descended from a race of warriors called the Tuatha Dé Danann who are sworn to kill Fomorians. She is Gormflaith's opposite in many ways; she is kind, gentle and nurturing (although do not mistake this for weakness, she has a quieter, more emotional strength than Gormflaith that is just as present).
These two women may be very different, and members of enemy clans, but they mirror each other in many ways, which was so intriguing to follow. They are both driven by love for family, they are both navigating a patriarchal society in which they have no real power, as well as battling instructions from their own clans which they do not necessarily agree with themselves. For Gormflaith: marry, breed, move on before someone notices you are not aging. For Fódla: spy on the mortals but do not trust them.
The plot of this book was very political and very gripping; I delighted in watching Gormflaith manoeuvre the men around her (to varying levels of success), and I loved getting to know Fódla and her personal history. Watching these women move in men's circles in their own way was so compelling and I can't wait to see how the conflict set up in this book moves forward in the next one.
If I hadn't been buddy reading this at 3 chapters a day, I would have probably read it within a couple of days; it was simply unputdownable.