The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is a good read, although I went into it expecting a little bit more of a focus on the mythological. The first third of the book was brilliant. I was immediately pulled into the world and the culture - both of which I never really knew much about. The mythological races were fascinating to me and it has a lot of potential to escalate into a very interesting conflict. That was around the time where I started having some doubts because the structure of the story makes it very difficult to showcase that mythology. Both of our protagonists need to hide their powers from everyone around them and their paths don't intersect for basically the entire book. They are also really good at hiding their powers - I never felt scared enough for them. What we are left with then is largely a historical fiction novel - which to its benefit is quite well written and filled with political intrigue as our protagonists try to influence the course of events to their factions gain. The end does swing back a bit towards the mythological with promises of future escalation so I am quite excited to see what it's all building up to. It's very possible that the slow gradual build up will be worth it in the end, but only time will tell.

A fantastic tale weaving myths and legends into the history of Ireland. I loved this book, the writing is wonderful and grips you from the first page. The characters are so interesting and it is amazing to see how their ambitions play against other characters in the intricate politics of this world that Shauna Lawless has created. The two different perspectives of Gormflaith and Fódla work so well together as you see the two sides of the story being pulled together, Gormflaith's ambition is a driving force in this story and I loved that, she is so clever and knows exactly how to get where she wants. Overall this was a fun political fantasy steeped in Irish Mythology and History and I can't wait for the sequel!

First, I’d like to say thank you to Paige and the team at Head of Zeus for sending me this work and including me on the tour – this in no way affected my opinion of the book.

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is a mix of political intrigue, intimate character-work, and vast, effective world-building; it was a joy to read and would certainly appeal to those fantasy fans who don’t necessarily need their action upfront and overwhelming, for its pages are etched with rich characters and a complex storyline.

The plot is as vast as the sea of characters that popular it, but the POVS number two main characters: Fodla, a Tuatha De Danann, a sect of mages that have manipulated and protected Ireland from the shadows, a sect that grows smaller in number and members born with actual power. These legendary magicians are first and foremost foe to the Fomorians, ‘descendants from the line of King Balor himself, and with fire-magic in our blood.’ Both characters are a part of a war, fought by Viking convert Kings and Irish Kings as they butt heads and act unknowingly as proxies to this war that has been going on for hundreds of years. For me, the pace was a lot slower than I’d normally read, with a lot of the initial fifty-percent of the book focusing on political maneuvering between both POV characters, manipulating from the shadows, and a lot less on the brutalities of war, battle, and everything in between. Yes, there’s bloodshed, but I’m someone who usually enjoys the odd duel or two and certainly a lot more throwing-of-magic, that isn’t to say this book isn’t beautifully written.

When it comes to efficiency of sentence and delivery of world-building Shauna is an expert; there were passages, and sentences that were both deliberate and absolutely magical in terms of world-building:

‘The way Fomorian descendants aged was strange. We lived hundreds of years in the blood of youth, and then in the last year, age rotted us like over-ripened fruit.’

Simple, powerful, and only in the first chapter are we told enough to get through the book knowing exactly what Fomorians are and how they can wield fire-magic; often, writers are told to show, and this can dilute the sense and increase confusion but – from a world-building point of view – I felt comfortable right away. These speak of a writer comfortable with their craft; there are many examples of why this book is so efficiently world-built, but I wouldn’t want to spoil them for you. I found myself many times jealous of the craft that went into this book, and this is why primarily I’ve focused on this in my review.

With efficiency of world-building comes clarity of writing and so that flows into character-work and the depth that is presented. Both characters you’re forced to follow, forced to turn the page because of their very human motivations, despite their other-worldy powers. Both have family, often in the form of sons, they want to see thrive and protect, which you cannot help but want to see out until the end.

Overall, if you like your fantasy doused in political intrigue and maneuvering, your plots complex, and that steer away from outright violence, this would be the perfect read for you. Couple that with Shauna’s writing prowess, and you’re in for a great read.

Wow! Just wow. Historical fantasy’s are my favourite genre to read and this book did not disappoint. Now that it’s over my nerves are on edge and I am desperately craving for more.

The way Lawless laces together Irish mythology, magic and authentic history is knowledgeably impressive; she completely enchanted my mind with this gripping masterpiece of a story.

The characters Lawless brings to life are remarkable engaging characters. The two main POV’s in this tale are both strong willed women, Fódla a descendant of the Tuatha Dé Danann; a magical linage that is suppose to no longer exist and has the gift of healing and Gormflaith who is one of the last Fomorians yields the mystical power of fire magic and is also immortal.

Fódla is sent by her people to spy on one of the Irish Kings and becomes the healer for his people but must suppress her actual power of healing and not use it on mortal men and follow the laws of her kind. Gormflaith is a women of power and influence and strives to secure the throne for her son Sitric, she must also suppress her magical despite being one of the last of her kind as she is also hunted by the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Both of these women have strong challenges ahead submerge with life and death choices and political schemes.

I am utterly invested in this new series, and will be impatiently awaiting the next instalment.

I have never read any book centered around either Irish history or Irish / Viking mythology before, so I went into this one without really knowing what to expect. Due to my lack of background knowledge, it took me some time to understand the world building and the different, clashing beliefs. I do think that they could have been introduced in even more detail during those chapters without a lot of action, but I did manage to follow the plot either way.

Something that played into the issues I had with the world building was that while both Gormflaith and Fodla were well-developed characters, I don’t know anything about how either of them feels about their magic. Is healing a calling or just a job to Fodla? How does Gormflaith feel when she wields her power? What are their limits?

As for the plot, I liked to have the alternating views between Fodla and Gormflaith, where Fodla mostly seemed like an innocent woman who was dragged into the schemings of other people while focusing on protecting those she holds dear, and Gormflaith was the influential queen who pulled the strings from the shadows. For most of the book I liked Fodla‘s perspective better, but switching between the sceneries from one chapter to the next was a great way for the reader to have all the information to understand what was going on.

What did bother me a bit about Fodla was that despite being over a hundred years old, she oftentimes seemed rather naive and clueless about what was going on. At that age, I would expect her to be able to see through most mortal men‘s little tricks and deceits. Her plot line seemed fairly convenient and while the lack of scheming in it was a relief from having to follow all the alliances and pacts in Gormflaith‘s world, I would have liked for Fodla to face more of a struggle and have more obstacles in her way.

Either way, this was a great debut with a unique and intriguing plot. I‘m very much looking forward to reading the sequel when it is published!

4/5 stars.

"I will kill them. All of them. And then I will rule Ireland, as is my right. We are the children of gods, and the people of Ireland are the children of men."

Thank all the gods this is a series because as soon as it ended, I wanted more and more. Historical fiction with threads of magic/fantasy......yes please!!! And this story hits all the notes to perfection! I am coming across more novels that are female centered and am loving how writers of HF are featuring the stories of these strong women who were powerful forces but whose stories have been buried in time.

The story is set in 10th century Ireland and features two main POV's. Gormflaith is the new widow of the Viking King of Dublin, who schemes to see her son on the throne and also happens to be an immortal Fomorian possessing fire-magic. However, she must keep her powers hidden as the Fomorians are hunted by the Tuatha Dé Danaan. Fódla is one of the Tuatha Dé Danaan and has the gift of healing. Her kind have removed themselves from the lives of mortals and reside in a hidden fortress. With continuing turmoil and battles among mortals both the Fomorians and Tuatha Dé Danaan are forced to become involved in trying to steer events and remaining apart becomes impossible. These events lead Fódla and Gormflaith on a deadly collision course.

The mix of historical figures like Brian Boru, combined with Irish and Norse mythology and legends truly makes for a fantastically entertaining read. The roles that women played and how they worked to have control over their own lives is so well portrayed and both Gormflaith and Fódla are compelling characters. There is no easy line to separate characters into good and bad, only realistic choices that these women make to protect their loved ones and their peoples. A wonderful story and terrific start to this series, cannot wait for book two!!!!

Thanks to Head of Zeus books and Netgalley for the ARC.

A magical tale woven intricately with facts of a rich vivid Irish history that grabbed a hold of me and would not let go. The characters were interesting and full of life and color and I loved and hated them at the same time. I am in awe of this story and am beyond desire for more! I need to know what happens next! I commend the author on her decision to include the Irish folklore into this historical tale, it really made the story so much more. I really hope people will give it a chance even if they only enjoy fantasy or historical. Together, the story became everything!

I am in love with this book. The characters, the setting, the story, everything about this book is so good, so detailed and so well written. I am so happy to have found a book that has myth, folklore and all the ingredients needed in a good YA book but that as an adult I can appreciate. A must read if you enjoy mysticism and magic and a story so perfectly told you won’t be able to put it down.

I loved this!

An historical fantasy, set in the late 10th Century Ireland, told from the perspective of two women in very male lead misogynistic world.
This is a time of change, Irish kings fight or make allegiances with Viking rulers, pagan beliefs mingle with the new Christian religion.
The two main characters offer a slightly outside perspective. They are from two supernatural/mythical peoples - both dying out. The Fomorians seek power and control, the Tuatha Dé Danann hide themselves away but spy on the activities of the humans - only helping to heal women and children.

This isn't heavy fantasy - both of the supernatural people avoid using their powers - but it is well combined with real history (a lot of the major characters are real historical figures) and gives a feel of a time when myth was closer to reality.

The story is primarily focused on the politics, plotting and scheming of kings, which may sound like it should be dry but rather than be dense or slow, the writing is engaging. The characters feel genuine and realistic, the world complex and dangerous.

I flew through this book and can’t wait to see how the story continues.

4.5/5 stars: THE CHILDREN OF GODS AND FIGHTING MEN is a superb novel that weaves history and Irish mythology into a cunning game of political maneuvering. Told from two points of view, the reader follows the immortals Gormflaith and Fódla over a span of nearly 20 years in 10th century Ireland. Gormflaith, one of the last of the Fomorians, will do anything to ensure her mortal son stays king. Fódla, one of the Tuatha Dé Danann who hunt and kill Fomorians, will do anything to protect her sister's son. Set in a time period of political uncertainty as Irish and Viking cultures slowly amalgamate, the Fomorians seek to integrate and rule the land while the Tuatha Dé Danann continue to distance themselves from the violence of men.

I loved the assemblage of true historical events with fantasy elements. At the end of the book the author explains that a lot of the names and events actually happened. She took some liberties with the timeline and names to push events closer together and avoid name repetition. But I found this created a believable and atmospheric vibe true to the time because of the historical records available for incorporation. Though I don't know much about Irish mythology or medieval Irish history, this book made me inspired to learn more.

The political chess game also really drew me in. It's been quite a while since I read a book that included this much foresight by characters playing the long game of king of the castle. Though these characters are based off of real people, records can only tell us so much and cannot fully portray their personalities. I felt that the author really put a lot of thought into how to depict Gormflaith and Fódla in their respective situations.

Because the Tuatha Dé Danann have sworn to kill all Fomorians, the Fomorians do what they can to survive. This means no magic, integrate with the mortals, and breed. As a result Gormflaith's early life is as a pawn in her mother's machinations to keep the Fomorian race alive. But once her mother dies, Gormflaith puts all of her energy into ensuring her mortal son won't have to bend to another's whim by planning his ascendance as king.

The Tuatha Dé Danann, however, want nothing to do with the mortals, for they seem them as a violent race hellbent on war and death. They believe this so strongly that they implemented laws forbidding living among mortals and interfering with their squabbles. But when the Tuatha Dé Danann cast out Fódla's sister, Ronnan, for lying with a mortal, Fódla begins to question whether their laws are fair. Fódla's task to spy on King Brian introduces her to a side of humanity not frequently described by her kin. That is, not all men are cruel and not all men want war. Some men are honorable and brutally passionate about bringing peace to their land, which makes Fódla reevaluate what she knows and was taught about humankind.

Though I would have appreciated more descriptions of the magic system, there's enough history and displays of magic to get the gist. Since this is the first book in a series, I have no doubt we'll learn more as the story progresses. Perhaps if you're familiar with Irish mythology you may have a more informed idea of the history of these magical races. I, however, shall be pleasantly surprised as it unfolds.

I don't feel my review does this book justice even though I enjoyed it (and read it fairly quickly relative to recent reads). But at its heart THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND FIGHTING MEN is about making the world a better place for the survival of one's family. Not everyone agrees on the right way to accomplish this, whether it's by raiding and conquering, brokering peace treaties, retreating to prejudice and isolationism, or integrating with other races and cultures.

DNF around 35%.
Unfortunately, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men didn't have enough to keep me engaged. There are several characters the story jumps back and forth between, and while they are perfectly fine characters, none of them gripped me.
The synopsis hints at a story of gods and men and this book doesn't have a lot of fantasy elements to it. There is a race of humans that live longer, have a little bit of magic, but nothing beyond that. There are secret societies that are sworn never to interact with humanity and so on, but it only serves to add a little fluff to an otherwise mundane historical tale.
If you like a brush of magic with your historical fiction, definitely look into this.

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is a lovely blend of history, fantasy, and mythology. The story is told in alternating perspectives of two magical women whose ancestors and peers are mortal enemies. The two women never interact, but their stories are very much intertwined, I really appreciated the cast of characters and pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book. There were a lot of traditional Irish names used. A nicely paced story, it left me wanting to know more since it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. Hopefully there's more to come!

First, I wanted to say that I really enjoyed this book. Books about Irish history and mythology are not extremely common, so I was pleased to discover this one.

The story is good and it kept me interested through the whole book, which is why I rated it highly.

Character wise, I found the book lacked a single truly likable or sympathetic character. Out of the two main characters I believe you were supposed to like Fodla, but I found her to be somewhat boring and uninteresting. The second main character, Gormflaith, was morally corrupt and obviously the "villain" of the two, but her chapters were more interesting even when I hated what she was doing.

The writing is good, but I found it to be a bit out of place for a historical fiction/fantasy novel that takes place in the 10th century. Characters would use very modern words and it would jar me out of my immersion in the world.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone with a interest in Irish history and mythology. Or just to anyone who likes a good fantasy story.

THE CHILDREN OF GODS AND FIGHTING MEN is a stunner of a historical fantasy novel, weaving magic into the real event of late 10th century Ireland as kings vie for power, and two magical groups of people play long games of power.

I love historical fantasy, particularly one that takes real events and adds magic - which this does. The book probably veers more on the historical side than the fantastical, but I really enjoyed that. I love history and the 10th century in Northern Europe as a whole is one of shifting powers and cultural clashes between the Vikings and the people they settle with finding ways to live together or resist. Against this constantly shifting (in terms of dominance) cultural background is set a story of women trying to survive the upheavals of power struggles - and shape it for their own ends.

The book is told from the perspective of two women, Fódla and Gormflaith, both of whom have power they keep hidden. Gormflaith is the one really getting her hands stuck in to the politics, manoeuvring the men around her. I loved how unashamedly she pursued her goals and used everyone to make her (and her son's) position secure. She knew what she wanted and was ruthless in pursuit of it.

Fódla by contrast observes. She's there to spy but has preconceived notions instilled by her magical community that are broken down as she starts to question some of their rules. Through her we get this hope for peace and stability as she's so full of compassion but also instilled fear.

They don't really cross paths in the book, mostly leading very separate lives, only touching each other thanks to the politics they observe (or in Gormflaith's case, participate in.) Usually, unlinked POVs are something I don't particularly enjoy (one POV is my favourite and any not linked to them I don't care about) but their voices and struggles were so richly drawn that I wanted to see more of both of them - and how they'd eventually meet up. And it looks like they'll be interacting a lot more in the next book.

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men was well-written, informative and the plot had a very strong start. That said, I started to lose interest by the halfway point, as things started feeling repetitive and I didn't quite know where the plot was going to go. Overall, while this wasn't my favorite, it also was not a bad debut and I look forward to reading more of Shauna Lawless.

This book may be for you if you like...
- Strong, female leads
- High fantasy with a GOT vibe
- Nonlinear timelines
- Historical fiction

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

To some, the Tuatha Dé Danann and their foes the Fomorians are the stuff of legend, but their descendants are very much alive in 10th century Ireland. The descendants of both the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians use their magic to interfere in dynastic struggles: the Tuatha Dé Danann to keep the peace, and the Fomorians to seize power.
When the king of Dublin dies, his death sets off a chain of events that will cause the descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians to become involved in a mortal war that may have supernatural consequences.
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless is a historical fantasy that is steeped in history and legend much like Lucy Holland’s Sistersong but also steeped in magic and dynastic battles much like George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. An epic and compelling read I couldn’t put down!

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is the most promising debut I've read all year.

I have received this book in exchange of an honest review, thank you to Head of Zues and Netgalley for the opportunity.

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Historical fantasy is one of my favourite sub genres, and to me personally, it doesn't really matter which side of the spectrum does a series fall as long as I'm having fun. For a first book, I'll classify The Children of Gods and Fighting Men to be closer to historical fiction, than fantasy. Which in turn, makes me super glad that I didn't come into the book expecting the opposite.

Don't let the above imply in any shape or form that the book wasn't good, because that's simply not true. It's just that, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men can be considered a setup book for the conflicts to come and it's mostly done in a battle of politics and alliances more so than anything else. And even then, there is nothing to worry about because this is going to be a staple recommendation from my side when it comes to books with amazing politicking henceforth.

The nations in question, the different entities involved, the religious side, misconceptions, challenged ideas, the double standards, survival, alliances and betrayals to name a few are what the book revolves around for the bigger part of its plotline. The author wastes no time in establishing the sides of the conflict and letting me see their lives in this very horrible world.

What made it even more interesting for me personally, is that it seemingly handles a side of real history that I haven't been exposed to much just yet. I really enjoyed the brief lessons of Irish / viking history, religions, lore, and legends. There was one mentioned possible plotline that I really hope comes back later on, in much bigger details with the same set of point of views.

Speaking of which, the choice of point of view characters in The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is incredibly smart and is also unique.

There are only two of them in the book, and they are both women. But, the sides they discuss and/or focus on, are similar in one area and different in almost everything else. Though they are the main point of views, the role of men in this very patriarchal society is in the spotlight just as much as Gormflaith and Fódla, not diminished or ignored in any way.

The role of women in general in a historical setting is usually very clear, and this time was no different. I'll argue that it's the ONLY book I've read so far where the argument of "things like this happen because it's realistic" is actually applicable. If I separate the book into quarters, then the third quarter was the hardest one to read for me in this book because of how much of it I could actually see as a reality and there was one side about it that I didn't enjoy as much.

Despite that however, both of them tried their best to survive and make the best of the cards they were dealt. Intelligence, compassion, grief, thoughtfulness, scorn, hate, cunning and ruthlessness were some of the traits I saw in both of them and they were truly fantastic to follow. And that's why I call it unique.

It's easier to create a point of view character who is in the middle of the action at all times, it's much much harder to create an engaging character who is theoretically on the side with a very rigid designation. But Shauna Lawless did. Gormflaith is easily one of the best characters I've come across this year/ever and depending on what happens later on for Fódla, I'm certain she'll end up joining the favourites list as well.

I look forward to the continuation of their stories so much (hopefully it won't be too heavy with a certain something I 99.99% hate), and I'm almost certain that it's going to be just as good as this one was, if not more.

"Hate was what consumed me now. And I had so much of it."

It was a very fun and addicting book, I enjoyed my time a lot and I can't wait to continue whenever I get the chance to do so! Incredible debut!

Final rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This is a difficult one for me to review because while it is objectively very good, I just personally struggled and DNFed it at 73%. I'm still giving it 3 stars though.

What I liked:
- The writing style is great for the most part. It's well-written and fits the time. However, there were some pieces of dialogue that struck me as odd because they felt too short for the significance of the situation.
- The historical aspect. This was clearly very well researched and flawlessly combined history and mythology. I will definitely be recommending this book to lovers of historical fiction. I also think the complexity of the world and plot is doing a good job at setting up this series.
- Gormflaith's character. She reminded me a lot of Cersei from Game of Thrones. She's cunning and clever, but sometimes her plans work against her, and ultimately she's just another pawn in the game. I loved that she was a bit of an anti-heroine/villainness.
- The first 30% of the book. At the beginning, I thought this was going to be a 5-star read. I found it easy to get into, and I loved how authentic the world felt.

However, it became repetitive after that. At around 60%, I paused and thought... what has even happened for the past 20-30 % ? The plot was moving so slowly, and it became repetitive. I love historical fantasy, I love political intrigues, but I also need some actual action in between. I also found it hard to keep track of the worldbuilding as the story progressed. I hope the final copy of the book comes with a map because I think that would help a lot. The list of character names helps, but a glossary would have also been helpful.

I also struggled with Fodla's storyline, it was intriguing at first but then... nothing happened?
The time jumps were also confusing, I missed the first one because I didn't really pay attention to the year numbers at the beginning of each chapter and was confused why the kid is suddenly 4 years old.

Because of all that, I found myself not caring about the story anymore. It was all tangled up and very... non-linear and slow-moving, and every page started feeling like a chore. I stopped reading at 73 %.
Overall, I think this series has a lot of potential, and I'm sure other readers will really appreciate it, I just personally struggled a lot.

Already, I am looking forward to the sequels for this book! This novel quickly sucked me in to its magical, history- and mythology-inspired world. Much like Madeline Miller's mythology retellings, this story could be mistaken for historical fiction were it not for the occasional burst of magic, the latter blending in to this world seamlessly despite its fantastical nature.

Full of political intrigue, magic, Vikings, and family feuds, this is a retelling of Ireland's history and mythology that made me eager to learn more about Ireland's cultural history. In short, this is a quick and engaging read and the start of what looks set to be a very strong series.

(Thank-you very much to the publishers and Netgalley for sending me an advance copy of the book!)

A spellbinding novel steeped in heart and vengeance that blends myth and history whilst being led by ferocious heroines!

Shauna Lawless arrives in the fantasy world with a magical explosion! Fans of Game of Thrones, Sarah J. Maas and Bernard Cornwell get ready to read your new favourite author! Shauna Lawless weaves Irish myth with history like a master at the loom! I knew nothing of Irish history or myth and thanks to Shauna, I am fully invested. The series ‘Gael Song’, which ‘The Children of Gods and Fighting Men’ kicks off, is already one of my favourite current series and I’m already counting down the days to the next release. At the time of writing this, the first one hasn’t seven released yet!!

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is a tale of generational rivalry, magical gifts and centred at its heart…humanities bonds. Within these covers is the start of what promises to be a magnificent series. Masterfully depicted battle scenes and treacherous tales of deceit keep the story alive and kicking. Never, at any point, did I feel that the pace slowed or was starting to burn out. From chapter to chapter there is so much to intake but not so much that the story becomes convoluted. There is the perfect amount of storytelling.

Gormflaith and Fódla are powerful female leads with sometimes literal fire flowing through their veins. Their individual journeys throughout the novel are riveting. The growth and development of all of the characters, not just the leads, is superb. Each has a well thought out and described backstory and all of them have a unique part to play in the novel. Shauna created beautiful character based imagery in my mind that stayed with me through each chapter.

A fast-paced blending of myth and history awaits you in this book. Let Shauna Lawless take you on a magical trip through ancient Ireland and fill your mind with beautiful stories and a diverse set of captivating characters. The Gael Song series promises to be a new fantasy classic so jump on board right at the start! Thank you Head of Zeus and Ad Astra for the ARC.

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is out September 1st!