Tag: gael song

Book Review: Daughter of the Otherworld – Shauna Lawless

Book Review: Daughter of the Otherworld – Shauna Lawless

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Gael Song Era 2 #1
Release date: September 11th 2025
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Pages: 448
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Over a hundred years after she went missing, Isolde, born to the family of a famous Irish king and a powerful immortal, inexplicably reappears.

Her mother’s kin, the Descendants, are one of the two magical races of Ireland. But no Descendant can understand the reasons for Isolde’s disappearance, and worse yet, she is giftless – born with no magical ability, a dangerous thing when the magic-rich Fomorians, ancient enemies of the Descendants, are growing in strength.

The Fomorians no longer control any Irish kingdoms, but they still desire control over the mortal world. They seek to spread their dangerous webs wider by manipulating England’s Norman lords to invade Ireland.

Not yet eighteen, Isolde’s world is about to change for ever. But when death and destruction seem inevitable, her true worth will show itself, for Isolde is far more than she seems.

Review

Shauna Lawless is back with a new book in The Gael Song series, and it is absolutely unputdownable. Isolde, daughter of Fódla, has reappeared after her disappearance one hundred years ago. But worringly, Isolde has no magical abilities, and the strength of the Fomorians is growing. Soon, everything Isolde knows begins to change, and war is once again on the way. Will Isolde be able to stop the Fomorians from taking control, and at what cost?

I’m pretty sure I could read fifty books about Gormflaith and never grow bored. She’s an absolutely magnificent character, and I’m so happy to be back seeing her scheme and manipulate to get what she wants. Lawless is a master storyteller, and I got completely swept away in this story. The plot is engaging, and I was pretty much on the edge of my seat for the last few chapters of the book. This series feels incredibly detailed and well-researched, and I love the way Lawless weaves magic and history together in this story. Lawless has such a beautiful writing style that you can’t help getting swept up in the story.I really liked that there were some old familiar faces in this story, as well as some new ones. Isolde is a great protagonist, and I loved getting to see her develop and grow as a character. Daughter of the Otherworld is definitely one of my favourite reads of the year, and I am already dying to get my hands on the next instalment. If you’re a fan of historical fantasy and haven’t had the chance to check out The Gael Song series yet, this should absolutely be your next read.

Book Review: The Land of the Living and the Dead – Shauna Lawless

Book Review: The Land of the Living and the Dead – Shauna Lawless

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Gael Song #3
Release date: September 12 2024
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Pages: 576
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

The old world will die in flames…

Ireland, 1011 AD. Brian Boru is now High King of Ireland. His queen, Gormflaith, instructs their young son in his heritage – but only on his mother’s side. For Gormflaith, an immortal Fomorian skilled in fire-magic, intends to finally defeat the Fomorians’ hated foes, the Descendants, and establish control over Ireland. And if King Brian stands in her way, so much the worse for him…

Fódla, the Descendants’ spy in King Brian’s camp, treads a wary path. She must protect her magically powerful young nephew from their leader, Tomas, who will do anything to achieve his aim of the Descendants returning to the mortal world and ruling Ireland. And Fódla is on dangerous ground, for she has broken one of the sacred rules of the she has fallen in love with a mortal.

As the schemes of Gormflaith and Tomas come to fruition, the only possible outcome is war. Ireland has bled red and often… but the coming clash will be a battle for the ages. Strange alliances will form, old defences will fail, and the land will never be the same again.

Review

The Land of the Living and the Dead is the third and final installment in Shauna Lawless’s Gael Song trilogy. Following on from the events of The Words of Kings and Prophets, we find Ireland on the brink of war. Gormflaith is determined to beat the Descendants and see her son crowned High King of Ireland. Meanwhile, Fódla does everything she can to protect her nephew from the Fomorian leader Tomas. Tomas wants nothing to see the Descendants ruling the world and will stop at nothing to achieve his aims, but as war continues to brew, who will be victorious?

I have thoroughly enjoyed each installment in this series and The Land of the Living and the Dead was no exception. Lawless has crafted such a compelling tale and I was completely swept along in this story. This final book felt quite quick paced, and there is tons of action. There is lots of scheming and political intrigue and Lawless definitely gave us a few twists that I wasn’t expecting. The story comes to a satisfying conclusion, though I must say the ending was not what I expected (in a good way). The ending has definitely made me excited to see what Lawless is going to write next.

Where this story really shines is the brilliantly vivid characters. I’ve grown really attached to the characters in this series and I really like them all. Fódla is a great protagonist, standing up for what is right, protecting those she loves, and doing her best to support the Descendants. As much as I enjoyed Fódla’s POV my favourite had to be Gormflaith. She is so clever and cunning, she is completely ruthless and she will do anything to get what she wants. I loved watching her plot and scheme to achieve her aims, she has a really strong narrative voice and I thought she was an exceptional character, and I think I could read another ten books with her as the main character.

Overall this is an incredibly well plotted historical fantasy series, full of beautiful writing, captivating characters, and a gripping premise. If you’re looking for a series that is rich in detail and will keep you engrossed right to the very last page, this is definitely a series you need to add to your TBR.

Book Review: Dreams of Fire – Shauna Lawless

Book Review: Dreams of Fire – Shauna Lawless

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Gael Song #0.5
Release date: March 14 2024
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Pages: 105
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: I received an E-ARC via Netgalley
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

The immortals of Ireland renew their ancient warfare as the new generations come to terms with their place in the world. Part of Shauna Lawless’s critically acclaimed Gael Song series, Dreams of Fire introduces medieval Ireland as it was a century before The Children of Gods and Fighting Men.

Rónnat and Fódla are Descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann. They live a peaceful life with their aged warrior father in the north of Ireland. The Fomorians – age-old enemies of their kind – are thought to be battle-vanquished, for no conflict has been fought between their immortal races for generations.

But rumours of war and endless shifting allegiances mean that the Descendants’ position is not secure in the mortal world. There are powerful voices among the Descendants who want their kind to dwell permanently in strongholds hidden from mortals – threatening Rónnat’s love of freedom.

And the Fomorians, though greatly reduced in number, are far from vanquished. Led by their mighty prince, Balorach, the remaining Fomorians, with their gift of fire-magic, seek to destroy the Descendants.

The Descendants have the advantage of their own magical powers, and mighty warriors defend them… but if they cannot be beaten, why do the voices Rónnat hears on the wind speak of death and destruction?

Review

Dreams of Fire is a short novella set in the world of Shuana Lawless’s Gael Song series. The story follows Rónnat and Fódla at a much younger age. They live a quiet life with their father, safe in the knowledge that the Fomorians have been vanquished from the world. When rumours start to stir about war, the descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann begin to suggest they should remove themselves from the mortal world. Rónnat is dead set against this, but with those she loves being threatened, will she have a choice?

I really loved both The Children of Gods and Fighting Men and The Words of Kings and Prophets so I was incredibly excited to pick up this new release from Shauna Lawless. This story might be just over 100 pages, but it definitely packs a punch. Full of beautiful writing, I loved being back in this story and reading Dreams of Fire has made me even more excited for the release of book three. The story is well paced and contains quite a bit of action.

I loved being back with Rónnat and Fódla and it was so intriguing to see them as young girls and see how their relationship has changed between the events of Dreams of Fire and The Children of Gods and Fighting Men. This novella is definitely a great addition to the series, but I also think this would be a terrific place for new readers to start the series. The story hooks you in straight away and will have you itching to pick up the main series.

Dreams of Fire is a captivating story and I read the entire thing in one sitting. If you’ve read the main series already this is an excellent tale that gives the reader the chance to learn more about the descendants and their history. If you’ve not yet had a chance to pick the series up yet and you’re looking for a fantasy series full of brilliant characters, magic and action, then Dreams of Fire is the perfect introduction.

Book Review: The Words of Kings and Prophets – Shauna Lawless

Book Review: The Words of Kings and Prophets – Shauna Lawless

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Gael Song #2
Release date: September 14 2023
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Pages: 476
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

The sequel to the critically acclaimed The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, The Words of Kings and Prophets is the powerful new historical fantasy novel by Shauna Lawless.

Ireland, 1000 AD. Gormflaith is unhappily married to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, and although a queen she struggles with her limited position. As an immortal Fomorian with the secret gift of magic, Gormflaith has a burning desire: to find and destroy the hidden fortress of her sworn enemies, the Descendants, who seek to kill her kind at all costs. She begins to use her magical powers, and discovers she is more skilled than she ever realised… but can she control what she will become?

Meanwhile Fódla, the Descendants’ healer, mourns her banished sister but clings to life as the guardian of her young nephew. She seeks a place of safety for them both, but he has secrets of his own that could threaten everything – and Fódla must do all in her power to keep him hidden away from those who would use him for evil.

When a mysterious man comes to King Brian’s court, his presence could spell disaster or deliverance for both Gormflaith and Fódla – and for Ireland herself. For he is Tomas, an ambitious immortal with few scruples – and he will do anything to see his plans become reality.

Soon, mortals and immortals alike are drawn towards a bitter conflict that could decide the future of Ireland and all her people.

Review

The second book in the Gael Song series, The Words of Kings and Prophets follows on from the events of The Children of Gods and Fighting Men. Gormflaith is now married to Brian Boru, and finds herself without the power she once had. She is unhappy at being sent to marry Brian and will do anything to regain her power. Gormflaith still desires to wipe out the Descendants and soon realises there is more to her power than she ever thought possible. Meanwhile, Fódla continues to live in the mortal world to protect her nephew, but can she hide him from the evil in this world, especially when war is brewing? Back home there is trouble brewing amongst the Tuatha Dé Danann, but who is behind it and will Fódla be able to see the truth?

I really enjoyed reading The Children of Gods and Fighting Men so I was incredibly intrigued to see where Lawless would take the story in book two. This time, the stakes are even higher and Lawless does a brilliant job of creating tension. The story is well paced and I loved being back with Gormflaith and Fódla. Lawless has created some truly fascinating characters and I particularly love Gormflaith. She’s ruthless and determined to succeed at all costs. The way she schemes and manoeuvres is fascinating and I found her chapters particularly compelling. I also felt Fódla came into her own more in this installment, determined to do what is right even if it goes against the rules of her people.

The story is full of political scheming and makes for a really engrossing read. The story did go in some directions I didn’t quite expect, and I am so looking forward to seeing what Lawless has in store for book three. I was lucky enough to hear Shauna Lawless talk at Cymera Festival this year and one of the things she mentioned was the research that went into this series. The story does feel incredibly well-researched and the sights and sounds of Ireland in the 10th Century really come to life in Lawless’s writing. The Irish mythology in this story is utterly fascinating and I love the way Lawless weaves this into the story.

The Words of Kings and Prophets is a fascinating, well crafted story and if you’re looking for some historical fantasy that will keep you hooked right till the very last page, this series is a must read.