It was a lot of fun getting back into the Gael Song trilogy and seeing where the story went from the end of Children of God's and Fighting Men.

Like the first book this is a multi POV, largely from Fódla and Gormflaith but also Colmon and even a little from Rónnat. I think those two extras really added a lot, even though they were less present than our main leading ladies. Additionally, with the POVs, I have to say Shauna Lawless has an excellent sense of pacing to move between the views at dramatic and also less busy points.

Gormflaith continues to be the calculating woman we've come to know (I can't say 'and love' because let's be honest, she is not someone you want to be stuck in a house with). But we see her integrate herself more among the Munster Kingdom and its King. As always, her scheming with her brother means there is rarely a dull moment and in all of them you know she can't be trusted. But she learns some pretty ground-breaking things in this book and that can only mean things will hit the fan for at least one other character as the story progresses.

Fódla continues her healing, raising Broccan and balancing her roles in life with her wants and changing views. I was interested in her conflict from the get-go and that hasn't changed. I think we're going to see some unexpected strength and power from her in the next book and I am here for it.

These two characters were not passive in the first book at all but you can definitely feel their characters have had enough and are taking control for themselves now. With the underlying Tuatha Dé Danann and Fomorian rivalry we've seen already, and the changing alliances, allegiances and politics of the story, this is going to be big. Which shouldn't come as a surprise since Rónnat basically tells Colmon this.

What I loved, just as with the first book, was the constant pull from documented history, the magic, the depth of characters to paint a vivid picture of ancient Ireland. Loved it then. Love it now. I've only just closed the book and I am ready to find out what comes next (even though I suspect I am probably not prepared for it, nor do I really want the story to end).

*Side note and as vague as possible without spoilers: I did NOT see the Senna scene playing out that way*

I loved this as much as book one, if not more. The blend of Irish history, mythology, magic and politics is beautiful. Thiws book picks up right where the last one left off, and in much the same manner, has several storylines going on at once which interwine seemlessy. This book I also felt deepened the readers connection with the characters, you really get a feel for who everyone is, and what has driven them to their actions. There is just as much political scheming, betrayals and twists and turns, and you are never quite sure who is going to pull through where, or how all the pieces will fall, espieically with ever-looming war over-arching the story.. Thestory just flows and i found it passing by almost too fast! the ending leaves us open to so many possibilities I can't wait to see how this series ends.

What a phenomenal sequel! Shauna Lawless continues her epic tale in this second instalment of the Gael Song series. This book continues exactly where the previous one ended, at year 1000 in Ireland. Just as the previous book, this story makes history come alive, with added spices of magic and mythology.

The book is an absolute page turner full of intrigue and I found myself constantly reading “just one more chapter” wondering what would come next. The story is fast paced and unpredictable, I couldn’t put it down. So much happens from the first page to the last that I can’t really give a synopsis without spoiling too much.

The Gael Song series is a world of manipulation, treachery and deceit, full of insidious villains and political machinations. But this story also includes epic romance, a complex look at motherhood and gripping depictions of the struggles women face in a society created by men for men. I especially love that there are no cartoon villains in this story, everyone is acting the way they do for a reason and the characters come in all shades of grey rather than black and white.

I adored this book just as much as the first one and I’m so excited for the rest of this series! I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fantasy with a lot of political intrigue and strong female characters.