Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book! I adore this series, and was thrilled to receive an arc of this novella. This serves as a prequel to the other two books in the series, and helps fill in the events that occurred between the time the Decendents were left to protect Ireland, and “present” day in the series. There was a lot of backstory introduced here, but it didn’t feel cramped or heavy. It adds weight to a lot of what happened in the other two books. This is a great companion to the series, and I’m looking forward to the release of the third!

I've made absolutely no secret about how much I love the Gael Song series and Shauna Lawless' writing. And given that I am going more and more feral waiting for The Land of the Living and the Dead, this has been the perfect balm to help me through the wait.

As Shauna says in her author's note, "If you've read The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, [she] hopes this novella has answered some of those questions lurking in the back of your mind about the elusive Rónnant." It absolutely does.
I'm going to do my best to keep this spoiler free if you've not dipped into Gael Song yet.

From the opening passage from The Annals of the Descendants of Tuatha, we're weaved back into the magical landscape that we've come to know and love from Shauna. I'm a sucker for anything that feels like a dreamy story or someone telling a story around a fire and it ticks that box with a bold marker.

What we know about the Formorians and Gormflaith's mother in particular is more or less limited. We know there are few Formorians left, like single digits left, and this really provides the first fuller glimpse about the war between them and the Descendants. We also know that the Descendants had a Gathering to vote to live in their fortress and we get those gaps filled in to a point as well. As Shauna points out herself, it most of all answers some questions about Rónnant, which if you're like me you've been wondering about the choices she made that kicks things off in The Children of Gods and Fighting Men.

Now, I was with Rónnant before on her distrust of Tomas, and following this I am still with Rónnant on her distrust of Tomas, if not doubling down on it. But there is more lurking in his story with Fódla than we could have known from the two books so far. Consequently, I am actually left with more questions about everyone, which is not making me less feral in my wait for the final book. Talking of the final book, the scene where Rónnant is talking to the wind, something we know is warned against from Gael Song #1,, The Land of the Living and the Dead goes much deeper into the lore of this magical Ireland than just the final book's title. I am very excited for this.

This is just one of the things that Shauna has weaved into the book to hint at what's to come and also provide background for what's passed that we've, up to now, only heard of. The conversation between Rónnant and Colmon, Rónnant's gifts, Fódla's role in all this. If you've already read Gael Song up to now, this is going to leave you wanting to go back through and put the puzzle pieces together. There is just so much hiding between them and this novella. If you haven't started Gael Song yet, and this is your first dip into it, you will get to see so much more at how seemingly separate occurrences connect together.

This might be a short read but by no means is it less impactful than Gael Song so far.

This novella is set in the Gael Song universe of medieval Ireland. It’s immersive and thrilling. I was initially worried about the short length and this impacting on the depth of writing, I worried needlessly. There’s a whole story in these short pages that not only enriches the main trilogy but holds its own. I just love fantasy, myth and history woven together. I cannot recommend this series more. It’s beautifully written and you are absolutely transported into another world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

It was wonderful to read a take on the Formorians and Tuatha Dé Danann. As this was my first Shauna Lawless novel, I'm sure I would have enjoyed this even more had I read the first book in the series beforehand, but I still found it accessible, and enjoyable as someone who's familiar with Irish Mythology and the characters mentioned!

All in all, a quick, mythical read I recommend to lovers of high fantasy and Irish mythology, it's definitely intrigued me about the rest of the series!

There’s something so robust and hearty and moreish about Shauna’s prose. It’s not exactly poetic and lyrical. It’s just ferociously compelling. This short story is immediately immersive and is satisfying my cravings until the third book is out - I enjoyed the focus on Rónnat, who isn’t a narrating character in the main trilogy, as she experiences a confrontation between Formorians and Descendants, long before the events of Children of Gods and Fighting Men. As usual, Shauna goes in for the kill with maximum emotional impact in shortest possible space. The tale she weaves is self contained but also deepens the story she’s telling in the main trilogy: proper chills.

Honestly, I would probably read anything Shauna Lawless writes at this stage. I'm fairly sure even her shopping list would be a work of story-telling genius. The world of the Gael Song is so exquisitely rich, detailed and engrossing that each book leaves me wanting more and this prequel to Children of Gods and Fighting Men is no exception. A fairly short (too-short!) novella, it's an enticing glimpse of a much younger Ronnat and Fodla, just as they're coming into their powers as descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann. It's a heartbreaking read at times because we know some of what lies ahead for them, but has just the right amount of hints and teasing to make anticipation for The Land of The Living and The Dead even greater. Shauna Lawless has yet again flawlessly combined mythology, fantasy and Irish history into unmissable story - more please!

Wonderful novella that serves as a bit of a prequel of sorts to her amazing Gael Song series. This whet my appetite considerably for the upcoming book 3 in this saga. Just love the blend of Irish history and mythology and the way Lawless beautifully depicts these characters through flawless dialogue and action scenes. Larger review to follow.

Shauna Lawless is a fantastic writer and she is the gift that keeps on giving. Super talented writer and this was another fantastic read.

When I saw Shauna Lawless had a new novella out, I jumped at the chance of getting to read it. I've read the other two Gael Song books, and am eagerly awaiting the third (even though I know the general history her books are following... and I don't know if my heart is ready for the third book). This novella is a prequel to the existing Gael Song books, and is easily read as a standalone.

I loved getting to know more of the back story for Lawless' existing series. The story is extremely well written. There's always a fine line when writing a novella, and it's hard to get enough detail while also staying within the shorter story time frame. I think people who are not writers would be surprised at how hard it is to write a shorter story that's succinct but also giving enough of the story to keep the reader engaged and not feeling like they're missing something. This story packed a punch, gave much more background and history of the groups we follow in the Gael Song series, and felt complete. I didn't feel like I was left wondering if there were things I was missing.

I also love the use of Gaeilge and the mix of folklore and myth. I would love to listen to this as an audiobook, as while I've had some lessons in Gaeilge, I have a feeling hearing the names via audio versus reading would make the story even more beautiful. I also enjoy being able to hear how things are supposed to be pronounced, as even when looking up words or names that I'm not familiar with there's something different about hearing them spoken. Having more of the backstory of the characters was helpful in framing the rest of the series as well.

All this to say, I really loved the novella and I look forward to the third Gael Song book being released later this year. I pre-ordered it, but I am also hoping there will be a beautiful boxed set of the existing series available for purchase when it's released.

Please be advised I received an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Short and bittersweet but good background for the characters. Enjoyed knowing more of the history and motivations of Ronnat

Shauna Lawless continues to entrance me with her writing. These characters feel like old friends by now and the world feels as real as every day life. In this novella prequel to the Gael Song series we get to see events that happened some 100 years before the main series timeline. I loved the chance to see things from Ronnat’s point of view and learning more about how she and Fodla grew up. I really related to Ronnat and learning about her troubles navigating social situations puts her behaviour in a new light. There were so many aspects of mythology and magic that this novella shed new light on, all I can say is if you love the Gael Song series you must read this! And if you haven’t heard of this series before, do yourself a favour and check it out: mythological fantasy set in historical Ireland with a focus on strong female characters. That’s not something you see every day and the whole series is excellent. I’m very much looking forward to the third book this year!

A series I've been praising is Gael Song by Shauna Lawless. Its story is set in medieval Ireland and shows the struggles between the Descendants of Tuatha Dé Danann and The Fomorians.

I've read The Children of Gods and Fighting Men and really liked it and then read The Words of Kings and Prophets and fell madly in love with that book. I really can't explain to you how deeply it made me feel and how invested I've became in the lives of the characters.

That's why, when I've seen Dreams of Fire on Netgalley, I've requested it in an instant.

The new release is a prequel novella told from the viewpoint of Rónnat. The author suggests it can be read as an introduction to the series, but I'm personally really glad I've read it at this point.

The novella shows us the characters roughly a century before the events of the main books.

First of all, I really appreciate the characters list in every installment of the series.

Second of all, Dreams of Fire is great from the very start to finish. End of the review. 😅

No, but honestly, the characters were great, the emotional impact was huge for a story this short, and I've, again, felt really invested the whole time when I was reading. It also added a lot to my understanding of characters' motivations and why some events in the main books played out a certain way. These books are truly magical and make me feel like I'm watching the story unravel before my eyes and forget I'm reading.

I can't recommend this whole series enough and I really can't wait for book 3, The Land of the Living and the Dead, that comes out in September. First of all, the novella made me understand more what we can expect from the next installment in the series, and secondly, I'm fully prepared to be emotionally gut punched after reading it. 😅

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for granting me access to an e arc.

A series I've been praising is Gael Song by Shauna Lawless. Its story is set in medieval Ireland and shows the struggles between the Descendants of Tuatha Dé Danann and The Fomorians.

I've read The Children of Gods and Fighting Men and really liked it and then read The Words of Kings and Prophets and fell madly in love with that book. I really can't explain to you how deeply it made me feel and how invested I've became in the lives of the characters.

That's why, when I've seen Dreams of Fire on Netgalley, I've requested it in an instant.

The new release is a prequel novella told from the viewpoint of Rónnat. The author suggests it can be read as an introduction to the series, but I'm personally really glad I've read it at this point.

The novella shows us the characters roughly a century before the events of the main books.

First of all, I really appreciate the characters list in every installment of the series.

Second of all, Dreams of Fire is great from the very start to finish. End of the review. 😅

No, but honestly, the characters were great, the emotional impact was huge for a story this short, and I've, again, felt really invested the whole time when I was reading. It also added a lot to my understanding of characters' motivations and why some events in the main books played out a certain way. These books are truly magical and make me feel like I'm watching the story unravel before my eyes and forget I'm reading.

I can't recommend this whole series enough and I really can't wait for book 3, The Land of the Living and the Dead, that comes out in September. First of all, the novella made me understand more what we can expect from the next installment in the series, and secondly, I'm fully prepared to be emotionally gut punched after reading it. 😅

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for granting me access to an e arc.

I adore every opportunity that I have to dive into the Gael Song world, and this was an excellent addition to have while waiting for book 3 (The Land of the Living and the Dead) this fall. Even if you haven’t started the series, you can still read Dreams of Fire as a prequel novella. It dives into the history of the Descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann and Fomorians, and I loved getting to know more from Rónnat’s point of view. It was really interesting to see the backstory for events that happen in the novels and understand how the characters end up where they do.

This will only be available in ebook format for now, and is only $1.99 in the US. As I understand it, there will be two more novellas that will later be bound into a book together. I highly recommend giving it a read if you’re curious about the series and Shauna Lawless’s writing.

Thank you to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the ARC!

My friend Evie messaged me to make sure I knew this novella was available on NetGalley - I immediately requested a copy of the ARC from the publisher, Head of Zeus, and was approved in exchange for consideration of a review. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader. (Thank you, Evie!!)

This novella was written for fans of the Gael Song historical fiction series. You'll never convince me otherwise. The delight I felt to be afforded the opportunity to see the moment where it was foretold what the culminating conflict of this series would be - I don't have the words, friends.

Don't let me scare you off if you have not read the first two books - this is a rare occurrence where the prequel novella can be read first instead of publication order. It is the beginning of our story - a century before conflict boils over in The Children of God and Fighting Men - told in a way that would make an excellent series teaser for new readers.

For readers who are already fans of the series, like me, it's an added bonus. A literary love story to accentuate our current reading experience.

Shauna Lawless was very clever with her choice of using a different POV - Rónnat - than the ones readers of the series are accustomed to. This gave a fresh feel to the narrative, provided insight and answered some niggling questions as to the character's motivations.

As has been the case with the previous two novels, the writing was just exquisite. When I read the first book, I immersion read using the audiobook, Aoife MacMahon was the narrator. Aoife did such a wonderful job that I still "hear" her voice when I read this one.

This novella was a delightful addition to the unforgettable story of immortals and mortals who battle for power and control of Ireland. I cannot wait for the next installment to the Gael Song series!

Thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for a review copy of this novella. I’m a big fan of Shauna Lawless’s writing, ever since I read the first book of her trilogy, Children of Gods and Fighting Men. As I waited with great anticipation for the conclusion of her trilogy I was delighted to find that she is publishing a novella and was thrilled to receive a review copy of it. Lawless does not disappoint. A prequel to the trilogy this novel is set at the early part of the 10th century when both Rónnat and Fódla, characters from the trilogy are young women, uncertain of their path, their gifts from the Tuatha de Danann from whom they’re descended. It’s a time of perilous change, when the safety of the descendants is threatened on many sides, but most specifically from the remaining descendants of their ancient enemies, the Fomorians. Both the Fomorians and the Tuatha de Danann descendants are facing a drastic reduction in those of them born with the gifts of their gods and the concern has led each side to take extreme measures to preserve themselves. Those descended from the Tuatha de Danann gather to decide whether to move to a closed tower on an island for greater protection. Rónnat, so long free sees this as imprisonment and at the meeting warily eyes Tómas, the young druid, son of a man she doesn’t trust. Their one remaining seer, Grainne is half mad and predicts chaos and fire from the Fomorian descendants. Many of them, especially the leaders takes this as a sign of Grainne’s growing madness. Rónnat is one of the exceptions and grows increasingly uneasy in the face of her own glimpses of things she doesn’t want to believe. Tensions mount, decisions are forced upon Rónnat and everyone to lead them forward onto a path they didn’t expect.

As expected Lawless creates a vivid picture of both the Fomorian and Tuatha de Danann descendants, drawing on ancient myths to inspire the narrative to create and exciting and tense novella that will have the reader want to know more. A great companion to the trilogy.

The Dreams of Fire by Shauna Lawless is a glimpse into the fascinating world of Irish mythology with links to her amazing and critically acclaimed Gael Song series. The story being told is set about a hundred years before the main series books begin and will be enjoyed just as much by those who have never read the series as it is by those who have loved it and are eagerly awaiting the next book.
Readers who are already familiar with The Children of Gods and Fighting Men and The Words of Kings and Prophets will be familiar with the characters of Rónnat and Fódla while those who are introduced to them in this book will be drawn into their world of magic and danger.
The author's vividly descriptive writing style and ability to create captivating and compelling characters is once again a highlight, the way she tells a story is almost poetic and for a relatively short book the amount of drama and tension it contains is really impressive.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This is a novella no lover of the “Gael Song” series would want to miss and the same could be said of those who want to join us in the world of men and races of old in Ireland, for this can be read as a book to introduce them to this world. Some of us who have read the previously published books were curious about the backstory or rather Fódla’s backstory, before she even had a child, before her sister needed to be protected. This sister’s name is Ronnat and we had been given very little of her story and how she came to be who she is. This book can answer those questions. Dreams of Fire can be read as a prequel… of sorts.

The book starts with the two sisters living with her father apart from their people, the Tuatha dé Danann. This people is one of the two oldest and most magical races in old Ireland, the other one being the people of fire, the Fomorian. The enmity between them can be traced, perhaps, to the early days of the Emerald Island. But tensions can be found everywhere, and in Ronnat’s tale we find the seeds to the complex issues that might divide her own people in two factions. This division is yet to be told, or not. As it happens, there is one big battle and around that time Ronnat realizes that perhaps she is not a witch but a foreseer, when she concludes that her dreams are premonitions of what is likely to happen in the future. She can already see some people seeking power and glory and the possible consequences. But what worries her is that her own sister’s future is one of sorrow and pain and so, she swears to protect her at all cost.

Ronnat tells her story in the first person, but she manages to make us fight with her, although we are also given the perspectives of other characters here and there. Intentionally or not, the fact that they all tell their truth makes them unreliable narrators so it’s up to us to decide who is closer to the truth, I might perhaps be biased by my love for the two sisters and believe them to be looking for the end of all the senseless deaths and hatred. They both are in their stories running away from being manipulated by men. Perhaps they may look naïve and innocent, powerless even, but let’s not forget that they are incredibly young for their race, they are women and they are alone.

I cannot tell in a few words how much I enjoy Shauna Lawless’ storytelling. She follows the Irish tradition of storytelling, a powerful gift that engages the readers, captures them and binds them to her books. She can conjure images of old warriors, druids and kings in my head and I can see both Ronnat and Fódla quite vividly, their joys and their desperation. Their compassion and gentleness but their ruthless honesty too. I cannot wait to read the third installment of the series and the novellas that are going to be published this year. I can’t even wait to read about the next generation!

Thank you to Head of Zeus publishing and NetGalley for the advanced review copy. My opinions are my own and my review is unbiased.

Dreams of Fire is a wonderful tale of dreams and prophecies; of the awakening prophetic power of Rónnat, a descendant of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and one of the secondary characters from Lawless’s main novels in the Gael Song series.

Rónnat is the older sister of Fódla, who is one of the two female main characters in the Gael Song trilogy. Here we see the strength of her bond with her sister in early womanhood and Fódla’s introduction to Tomas and the rest of the Descendants. This story helps to explain why Rónnat lives where she does in the first novel of the series and answers a few other questions from the main series too.

Dreams of Fire is full of atmospheric threads of Irish folklore and mythology set amidst a backdrop of medieval history, with witches and druids pitting themselves against the murderous fire-wielding Fomorians who want nothing more than to wipe the Descendants off the face of the earth. The fight between the two sides in this novella is exciting and the losses are tragic. Rónnat has had a vision and must transform so she can fly with all haste to the aid of their father in battle. Her transformation ensures that the reader gets a bird’s eye view of the battle:

“He ran forward and threw a huge bolt of fire at the trees, aiming for the crows perched on the branches. The fire enveloped the branches, burning hot. I watched, helpless, as the debris and ash blew in the wind, the crows turned to smouldering embers along with the wood. The branches and roots of the neighbouring trees suddenly shuddered. The ground shifted again, and the trees pulled themselves out of the soil, roots heaving them forward so that their branches could swing at the Fomorians. The roots of the first yew tree weaved around the feet of the Fomorian who had killed the witches, pulling him into the ground. He disappeared from sight, his screams fading. A thick branch slammed to the ground, crushing another Fomorian as he ran underneath.”

The tragedy of individual loss that follows is described with such poignant pain-filled prose that it took my breath away. Rónnat’s vision of the ancestors arriving to claim the bodies of the fallen was beautifully moving:

“I could see our ancestors moving from within the light. One of them was Mother, wearing her silk dress and fur cloak. She kneeled beside Father and touched his face. He woke up, smiling. Without wasting another moment, he jumped onto his feet. Laughing. Throwing his arms around her and holding her in the air. Others came forward. A man who looked just like my father, save for shorter hair and a thinner nose. Grandfather, I thought, though I had never met him. Father hugged him too and together they disappeared into the light.”

The author’s Irish lilt comes through in her writing and the resultant prose is often quite poetic as a result.

Dreams of Fire is a truly gripping story that will work well as an introduction to the series for new readers but equally can be read after the other books to help fill in information about the fabulous characters of the main novels. I highly recommend it to fans of folklore, mythology and stories with intriguing strong female characters. More soon please, Shauna!

I really enjoyed this novella set before the start of The Gael Song series.
The series blends Irish mythology and history in 10th/11th century Ireland where mythical races continue a long-standing secret war as the country sees Viking invasions, battles and political turmoil.

This novella primarily follows Rónnat a Descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann and provides more backstory for her and her sister Fódla, one of the main characters in the series.

Although it's short, it was immediately immersive, quickly establishing the world and characters.
The story is engaging and compelling, and really gives a nice glimpse of the dynamics present in the rest of the series.

You definitely do not need to have read the other books before this, but if you have, this provides some nice additional information and maybe a few hints of what else is to come.

I love this series and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys myth retellings or historical fantasies