This is actually book 2 of The Isle Fincara Trilogy, but the first book that I've read in this series and indeed by this author.

I would normally not read books out of order, but sadly didn't have time to grab and read book 1 before this one.
I feel that this book still worked well as a standalone, although I definitely feel like I would have gained more from the character development than I did on this read through.

When Morag's husband (the priest) passes away, she is not only grieving her loss, but also displaced from her home as the new priest arrives.
When a stranger arrives, claiming to be a prophet, with stories of Morag's mother - she decides to go on a journey to discover where she came from and the truth of these stories.

I found this an interesting read - despite not being religious myself, I enjoy reading about this era where Christianity was just evolving and the contrast here between the traditional paganism that existed on the island previously and the new ideas coming through with the new priest.

Morag was such a strong character and although set in a completely different time, I found that she was still very relatable.
Her journey to discover her identity and to find a place in which she fitted in this new world, was profound and moving.
Also dealing with the topic of mental health, which was sensitively done and well written.

I'm keen to catch up on this series and have since got hold of book 1 - The Seaborne - and hope to get chance to read both of these ready for the final book of the trilogy.

This was a really warm, cosy read which was perfect for the change of seasons.
It made me think and made me want to know more. I loved the characters and could have easily read more.

The theme of women being unable to be fully free in the world they live in runs throughout and it makes you think of how the world is for women today.

The Priest’s Wife is the second in the Isle Fincara trilogy but also works as a stand-alone novel.

The story is set over a thousand years ago, at a time when Christianity is starting to clash with old beliefs. It takes place on an Isle Fincara, an imagined island that has elements of Scottish and Irish culture, belief and tradition.

The story centers around Morag, the Priest’s Wife. However, when he dies and her life changes, she sets out on a journey to discover herself and forge a new identity.

It felt like a very authentic historical fiction in its depiction of a Celtic civilisation and lifestyle on the cusp of new religion. There were moments of magic and myth, but these felt more like a deeply personal religious experiences, rather than turning the novel into a crossover with the fantasy genre.

This novel is unique in its voice, storytelling and setting. Whilst it’s a slow burner, it’s a novel that feels warm and personal and is very gentle. There were some times where I did wonder whether I would continue to the end, just because it didn’t quite have the bite I would have liked and isn’t driven by action or adventure. Yet it still has a sense of pace and purpose, and it always pitches up some new, creative twist.

Morag is a warm, likeable character who I was rooting for. She’s an older protagonist but her determination, resilience and willingness to learn makes her affable, and she continues to evolve throughout the whole of the novel.

There were also other stories threaded throughout, such as Dhion, who comes to the Island as a traveller from our age (a story explored in the first book - which I haven’t read). There was also Father Aiden who brings with him the new religion and is pitted against a town that are content to keep their balance between the new and the old. I would have liked to hear more about Father Aiden and seen more conflict introduced between the religions as this is a catalyst that was extremely significant in history, and is incredibly interesting.

This book is perfect for cosy autumnal nights. It’s humbling, warm and an excellent journey back to a historical period that doesn’t seem, in my experience, to be a forerunner on bookshelves.

I liked the growth of Morag, the priest's wife, throughout the book. I appreciated that it wasn't all positive and that the author addressed the negative too. The pacing of the book was a little off, in my opinion. You had a lot of buildup, which was slow and nothing happening, with a little bit of important scenes, and then right at the end, everything gets resolved. It felt like the author had suddenly ran out of words and needed to wrap up quickly.

A G Rivett's "The Priest's Wife" sweeps readers away on a poignant voyage to an imagined island nestled somewhere between the shores of Scotland and Ireland. Within this realm lies a world that is comforting in its familiarity and exquisitely unique in its beauty. As the second installment of the Isle Fincara Trilogy, Rivett adeptly crafts a narrative that is touching and moving while also teeming with emotional depth.

At its heart, the story revolves around Morag, a woman whose life takes a profound and unexpected turn when her husband, the priest, passes away. In the wake of this loss, Morag finds herself not only bereft of her life partner but also displaced from her home and her cherished place in the community. The abrupt shift in her circumstances thrusts her identity into uncertainty, setting in motion a transformative journey of self-discovery.

Woven into Morag's exploration of self is the arrival of the new priest, bearing a religion that challenges the island's longstanding blend of Celtic myth and Christian traditions. The collision between tradition and change becomes the crucible for a conflict that compels each character to explore deep into their innermost selves, confront their beliefs, and unveil the fresh roles that await them.

"The Priest's Wife" immerses readers in the emotional core of the characters. Morag's struggles and triumphs are vividly depicted, forging an intimate connection between readers and her personal journey. Her quest for self-discovery resonates deeply, as she navigates the turbulent waters of grief, identity, and transformation, evoking relatability and inspiration.

Rivett's words were thoughtfully selected to construct a narrative that is immersive and emotionally resonant. The imaginary island setting springs to life with captivating vividness, serving as a spellbinding backdrop to the characters' individual odysseys. Rivett's capacity to transport readers to this singular world requires artistry and ingenuity that underpin the creation of this novel.

The collision between the islanders' time-honored beliefs and the religious influences yields an additional layer of depth, igniting contemplation about the ever-evolving essence of faith and the consequences of change on communal bonds.

"The Priest's Wife" investigates the profound themes of identity, faith, and transformation. A G Rivett's storytelling is rather remarkable, and the narrative's emotional resonance will leave an impression on readers. This is a novel that touches the soul and also invites introspection into the intricate webbing of our own lives.

"A G Rivett's 'The Priest's Wife' is an exploration of identity and transformation that will touch your heart and linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the last page." - A Journey of Self-Discovery.

"In the world of 'The Priest's Wife,' grief and resilience collide in a narrative that's as moving as it is thought-provoking." - Where Grief Meets Resilience.

"A beautifully crafted tale of faith, change, and the enduring spirit of the human soul, 'The Priest's Wife' is a prime example of emotional storytelling." - Faith, Change, and the Human Spirit.

"With emotionally resonant prose, A G Rivett invites readers to an imaginary world that feels astonishingly real. 'The Priest's Wife' is an immersive journey of self-discovery." - Immersed in an Imaginary World.

"Morag's quest for identity and the clash of traditions make 'The Priest's Wife' captivating and thought-provoking while challenging the heart and mind." - A Quest for Identity.

"Step into the world of 'The Priest's Wife' and be prepared to be moved, inspired, and forever changed. A G Rivett's storytelling is powerful literature." - Moved, Inspired, Forever Changed.

"The clash between tradition and change in 'The Priest's Wife' is a universal theme that resonates. A G Rivett's novel is evidence of the enduring human spirit." - Tradition and Change.

"A G Rivett's 'The Priest's Wife' is a work of art that beautifully weaves life, love, and transformation. This is a story that will stay with you." - Weaving Life, Love, and Transformation.

A try at yet another feminist telling of spirituality set in a Celtic small town about thousands of years ago - and it’s quite good. While it definitely has its flaws (especially concerning the storytelling, which gets a bit dry when nothing of importance happens for quite some time and the protagonist Morag keeps on going on little side quests, but it feels more like a linear line of “to do lists” where she needs to face one obstacle to get to the next and so on), the writing style is good and mirrors the dialect spoken at the time, which makes reading it really interesting.
The magical realism makes the story feel more alive and interesting and the imagination of deities and their protectors is quite captivating. The whole novel tries to work with more modern labels to imply diversity and does an okay job with it.

In the end it’s a captivating story about a strong woman trying to find her place in a world that is still too patriarchal to grant her the freedom and security she wishes for, and a story which imagines a reality where she does.