"Just glorious! This LoveReading Star Book rings with authenticity as it seamlessly blends fantasy with history and brings Ireland to vivid life in 1011AD.
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Roaring into being, this oh-so readable and rewarding novel combines warring enemies, both human and magical, and sets them down among Irish history and myth. The Gael Song series is one of my favourites, and the third book adds to the collection with fiery attitude. It all began with The Children of Gods and Fighting Men which was followed by The Words of Kings and Prophets, both of these novels were LoveReading Star Books, and I’m thrilled that this new novel joins them. Author Shauna Lawless has the most beautifully eloquent yet fierce writing style. If she had a sword instead of a pen, she would wield it with powerfully concentrated energy, this added to her ability to be emotionally astute and compassionate ensures a superb read. The characters are vibrantly alive, and those with magical abilities feel as bitingly real as can be, set as they are within a very human world. The two main characters are oh-so thought-provoking, in a realm dominated by males, their differences and similarities are all the more fascinating. The battle scenes are absolutely ferocious. The sense of place is immense and it feels as though this land is much beloved. I can highly recommend these novels, there is so much to offer from this colourful tapestry and I really do hope Gael Song continues. Highly recommended by the LoveReading team, The Land of the Living and the Dead is as entertaining as it is enthralling.
With war on the horizon in medieval Ireland, everything is at stake for mortal and magical folk alike. The new volume in the critically acclaimed GAEL SONG historical fantasy series from Shauna Lawless.
THE OLD WORLD WILL DIE IN FLAMES...
Ireland, 1011 AD. The mortal kingdoms rise up against High King Brian Boru as they seek to wrest his crown from him. Yet the real struggle is between the two magical races of Ireland, the Fomorians and the Descendants, eternal enemies who both now seek dominion over the mortal world.
Gormflaith, queen of King Brian, remains unmasked as the powerful Fomorian she is. Gormflaith plans to establish control over Ireland and destroy the Descendants in one fell swoop... but she cannot do it alone.
The Descendants are divided, for not all their kind wish to dominate the mortals. Fódla, a Descendant who was once part of King Brian's inner circle, must use this division to thwart treacherous plots that have been long in the making - even if it means sacrificing herself. But with other lives on the line, can Fódla reveal the evil in time?
As secret schemes come to deadly fruition, the only possible outcome is war. Ireland has bled red and often, but the coming clash will change the course of history for ever.
Reviewers on Shauna Lawless' Gael Song series
'Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect.' SFX 'Lawless's writing is absolutely luminous.' Irish Independent 'Swept me along and refused to be put down.' H.M. Long 'Utterly magical and completely captivating.' Sarah Underwood 'A fine piece of storytelling.' Mark Lawrence
