Having read The Sunlit Ruins about a year ago, I was intrigued in exploring more tales in the Old Gods verse that Bandele Books is developing. While The Spiral of Life isn’t directly connected to The Sunlit Ruins, I felt a similar, yet, unique energy to Francesca McMahon’s tale of Celtic mythology in this portal fantasy that had a questing vibe along with serious character exploration.

Eilean is back in Scotland five years after being forced to leave due to her losing her temper against a fellow student. Ever since, she’s tried to tame her anger through blacksmithing, but she’s back in town to see her Mamo (grandmother). However, she soon finds herself in another world and a task she didn’t ask for. But she might have to take that chance to bring balance into her family and world.

I enjoyed Eilean as a character. She’s tough and strong, yes, but she has a lot of self doubt, partly related to her family fracturing at the seams due to her, and feeling she’s too strong and will just hurt others. And yes, she goes through the ringer a lot in order to get through the story and I felt it when she got to the end of her journey.

I did enjoy the other characters as well, who were fleshed out and got a good basic feel for them. The two we spend the most time with are Freya and Bhradain, as they go on the quest with her. Bhradain, the mythical aquatic undead horse with grumpy and snarky energy throughout. Probably my favorite outside of Eilean herself.

The world was built well, and I didn’t get lost, as things were explained rather well and were easy to follow along. I did enjoy the aspects of Celtic mythology, some that I knew already, and others I didn’t, and it felt rather fresh to me at least. The pacing was good, though I did feel like it took a while to get started. I did think it did fall into a few cliches, especially in the early parts of the story of the character learning about themselves. However, I did think enough was done to make the story itself an entertaining listen, especially near the end of the story, with a few choices that surprised me.

The narrator, Rebecca Daltry, was a great choice, as the accents made me feel further immersed in the story. I did like the extra bits of sound effects for scene transitions and a few other spots that made the book feel a bit more alive.

I’m looking forward to the story continuing as there was a sequel hook, and if you like Celtic mythology in a portal fantasy, check this out.

I had mix reviews about The Spiral of Life. The characters were very well thought out, vivid, and showed growth throughout the book. The narrator was PHENOMENAL. Listening to her voice put me in a very happy place.

The issues I had with this book feel as though it was just too YA for me. The main character was very distraught, constantly fighting against those that want to help her, and was a little too stubborn. Not to say that can't exist in books, or that a main character can't be flawed. But for SOL it felt almost too much. I didn't emphasize with her as much as I did the other characters. Overall a three, because the world building, descriptions and narration was beautiful, but I didn't like Eileen.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio arc.

I'm struggling a bit with how to rate this one. On one hand I loved the worldbuilding, mythology aspects and inclusion of blacksmithing. On the other hand the plot, characters and actual writing were often quite simple. The pacing was a little off at times. The climax in particular felt a little rushed and glossed over and I left it feeling a little confused. I did like Eilean though and enjoyed her emotional journey more than the physical/fantasy one.

I similarly have mixed opinions about the audiobook. The narrator is clearly very talented and did a great job creating distinct voices for the characters. I also enjoyed the inclusion of sounds and music (including singing). I just wish there hasn't been such a major pace difference between them as I found this very jarring. As a reference, I was listening to this at 1.5X speed and when some of the characters (especially the gods and otherwise fantastical ones) spoke it sounded like it had dropped down to 1x speed. While differences in speaking pace can be helpful for characterisation and the like, this took it too far and there were times when I considered speeding it up further (but constantly switching between speeds would have been frustrating, especially since audiobooks have the advantage of being hands free).

This book had a super cool premise. I love the involvement of Celtic mythology and I was also intrigued by the emotional arc of the MC dealing with anger issues. Unfortunately, there was a lot lacking in the execution:
- the setting never felt interesting or particularly well-described, I generally had no clue where they were and what it looked like (the answer was usually trees). This was exacerbated by my being uninterested for most of the book.
- the plot was both confusing and very basic- it was a classic YA fantasy quest, but each step was unclear, not just for the reader, but also for the characters. the amount of times one of the characters was like "I think we have to do this but IDK" or the magic horse was asked a question about the magical world and said 'I don't know" or "I am not aware" I was so frustrated. Its not interesting when the characters have no clue what to do
- Finally, I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator was too committed to the voices for some side characters, it made for some extremely unpleasant listening experiences. Like I get that this one character is injured and has a raspy voice and is coughing but hearing him speak in that voice for like 45 MINUTES is horrible!!
The book does get points for a Ribena mention, I miss Ribena <3

The premise of this book was very intriguing - a female blacksmith in a fantasy world?! Sign me up. Paired with its ties to Celtic mythology and this book was a winner through and through.

I had a great time listening to the audiobook! The narrator did an excellent job, and the sound effects added a fun touch. The story was straightforward and easy to understand, with solid world-building. Really just a good book overall but not my favorite. But I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting something fun and chill.

ALC Review/Audio ARC: DNF at 85%! 🙈

I tried! I really did but it was grating! I rarely DNF this far into the story and had tried to make it more bearable by setting first 1.25x and then 1.5x speed but to no avail. The reason was the narration. While the narrator actually does a really good job with all the human characters, I absolutely hated the voices of the gods. One was (probably digitally) slowed down so much my ADHD made me want to rip my hair out. Then that character was gone and the other creature remaining was okay and didn't talk as much. But at 85% another character appeared who not only spoke as slowly as the one mentioned, but also in a disgusting breathy death rattle sort of voice that was like fingernails on blackboard to me!

To the story: it was quite interesting. A 17 year old girl is drawn into the world of celtic mythology and gets a mission to save some god. She is accompanied by another human girl who knows of her troubled past and a kelpie.
I am not that big on fantasy "hiking" missions where they have to wander somewhere to find/do something and encounter random threats on the way.

I don't even know how to rate this because of the DNF. I would love to hear an audiobook by that narrator with out those creature voices but those gave me chills (not in a good way. The disturbing kind).... and the story was fine.
You might love it if you like YA fantasy quests. The Celtic element made it more interesting since I have not read too many of those. Idk if their is going to be a love story part because of the DNF, but if there is, it would be sapphic and slow-burn.
I would recommend you try reading the book, if you have noise-sensory issues.
I got the book because i loved the cover drawn by LLstarcasterLL. It is pretty! 😅

I really wanted to love this book, and on paper it seems like it has all the things I’d love - badass blacksmithing, queer representation, old gods, magic, Celtic folklore, a quest, but for some reason it just wasn’t my jam. I think it’s a fun story and the characters are likable, but I just couldn’t get too invested. Even though it’s teen/YA, it felt younger at times/not as complex as I was hoping for. And while I enjoyed some of the sound effects from time to time, some of the voices got to be a bit much for me, which I think impacted my investment in the story. Again, I think the narrator is great and it’s a good production, just not for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this audiobook for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this YA romp through Celtic mythology. Eilean was a very compelling character to me. I grew quite attached to her throughout this story, and I loved her interactions with the other characters.

The story was a little slow to start, but once the setting shifted to the Celtic other world, I found myself more invested. I am intrigued to see what happens in the other books in the series, since I feel like this one only scratched the surface of Celtic mythology and all the different gods/goddesses involved. The narration of this audiobook was also spectacular. It was fun to have other sound effects and singing on occasion!

My one complaint, and the reason this is a four star review and not a five star one is the cringey chapter titles. They are almost all cheesy cliches or puns, and they honestly took me out of the story a little bit hearing each one. I would quite rather have no chapter titles at all than these ones that made me cringe so much.

Publication date: 22 September 2024

The plot line for this book is epic! The narrator pulls you into the story and does a beautiful job of keeping you there. I had a hard time putting this book down! The coming of age story along with overcoming obstacles, and self beliefs and lack thereof are wonderful I enjoyed this book thoroughly!

The Spiral of Life is a portal fantasy, aimed primarily at a young adult audience. And when I say that, I mean it. This book reads very YA. On top of that: While the novel has some engaging elements, it ultimately reads as a foundation for what could (and probably will) be a larger series rather than a standalone work. It's giving set-up in the way the characters are introduced, the way the story plays out, the way pieces are move across the chessboard.

At its core, The Spiral of Life follows a well-trodden path of portal fantasy, transporting its protagonist into a new world (in this case the world of celtic mythology) and setting up a classic “fetch quest” adventure (in this case its a god we're picking up, not an object, but still). The plot itself may feel somewhat predictable for seasoned readers of fantasy, it certainly did for me, offering few surprises as the characters work through a series of tasks to achieve their goal. Although this set-up lends a certain simplicity and familiarity, it doesn’t particularly stand out, which may leave some readers wanting more from the storyline. I wasn't bored but I also wasn't as entertained as I could've been.

The Kelpie honestly carried the story in some parts. I loved that demon horse and his sass. He just adds a spark of humor to the story. He steals the show in a handful of scenes, bringing a fresh and much-needed liveliness to the narrative (which is hilarious to say, given that he is death, as he never gets tired of telling people).

With Kelpies, Gods, and the otherworld being mentioned, the novel dips its toes into Celtic mythology, offering a brief glimpse into the lore that might pique readers’ interest. However, the mythology doesn’t feel fully fleshed out, and the story could benefit from a deeper exploration of this fascinating source material. Which is a bit heartbreaking almost, given that we spend most of our time in this celtic otherworld, dealing with all kinds of creatures from celtic mythology. You do get infodumps from a bunch of sources about everything but that's just it: they are infodumps. The world felt kind of empty given that we never meet anything outside the times we have to fight something, and when we meet something, we get a textbook excerpt about it by the Kelpie, a God, or a conveniently present and nice druid. I love me some good worldbuilding but this felt lacking.

Where The Spiral of Life shines is in its handling of anger and impulse control issues. It's addressed thoughtfully, showcasing a protagonist - and their immediate social surroundings - who struggles with these challenges in a realistic way. This aspect of the book is both refreshing and valuable, especially within the YA genre, where these issues are often overlooked or simplified. The author's approach provides an honest look at the complexities of managing emotions, and it’s likely to resonate with readers who face similar struggles. The book also normalizes therapy, another important point to make!

Though the novel handles certain themes with care, the story itself doesn’t quite deliver the excitement or depth that one might hope for in a portal fantasy. For those new to the genre or seeking a light introduction to Celtic-inspired stories, it may hold some charm; for others, it could feel more “mid” than memorable.

This story is such a fun adventure, a heartwarming story of making friends and saving family. I am excited for the second book. I listened to the audio book and enjoyed the voices and sound effects. I love the connection to myths and gods and how we discover more and more myths are actually true!

I really enjoyed this book! I was sucked in from the very beginning! The sound effects from the narrator did an amazing job with everyone's voices! The plot is easy to follow and I love that when a new chapter starts you can tell. I really enjoyed this read and cant wait to see what happens next!

I listened to the audiobook of The Spiral of Life, and it was quite enjoyable. The story is the first in a YA series, Eilean in the Otherworld, about a Scottish teenager who is pulled into a world of folklore, along the same lines as Percy Jackson but queer and Celtic which is totally my jam.

I really liked Eilean as a character, I found myself empathizing with her experiences and self-doubt. She cares a lot about her family, particularly her Mamó (grandmother), and has regret about an event that’s greatly affected her present view of herself. I also really liked Freya and her blossoming friendship with Eilean, and all of the supporting characters. Rebecca Daltry did a great job giving them all distinct voices, her narration was smooth, and this American loved her accents.

There were some sound effects that were added throughout, and some effects added to the voices here and there. I don’t know if this was done because it was a YA book and the intent was to make it more interesting for a teenage listener, but I found a bit distracting. It was still a nice production, though, and I’ll definitely check out future installments of the series.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It has a bit of everything: Celtic gods, female blacksmiths, a girl with anger issues, a fantasy adventure, and hints of a sapphic romance!

That said, it didn’t completely feel like YA and seemed to often dip into more middle grade territory. This, of course, isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just felt a bit jarring at times.

In terms of narration, I love Rebecca Daltry. I know it’s almost certainly done with effects but Brahdaine’s voice (if that’s how you spell it? That’s the trouble with audiobooks) was INCREDIBLE and so very effective at being both chilling and comforting.

I will definitely be reading the sequel.

09/26/2024 || The Spiral of Life: An Old Gods Story (Eilean in the Otherworld Book 1) by Francesca McMahon and Narrated by Rebecca Daltry || #TheSpiralofLife #NetGalley #LGBTQAI+ #Fantasy #MythsandLegends #CelticMythology #Audiobook

Thank you NetGalley, Francesca McMahon and Rebecca Daltry, and Bandele Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for making this e-ALC available!
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author and myself.
All of my thoughts are my own~

4.75 stars

What worked for me:
The narration was stellar and Daltry was an excellent choice for this tale, and I hope she continues as the narrator for the rest of the series! The story over-all was lovely and the cliff-hanger was very catching! I will be keeping my eyes out for more of the Eilean in the Otherworld Book series and checking out the rest of McMahon's books. The writing was lovely, and the world-building and magic system was really interesting and I hope to learn more about it all in the next installation(s)!
I loved the edition of sound effects and music for each chapter transition as well- it really brought on a whole new reader experience for me!

What didn't work for me (and kept this book from being a full 5 star for me):
As I said, the world-building and magic system was really interesting and I want to learn more about it in the next book(s), but I feel like McMahon just barely gave us enough so that we were not left in complete dark, but not fully enough to make certain parts make total sense for me. I also feel like readers may benefit from having an understanding of Celtic mythology and lore to fully understand all that is going on here and I think that if McMahon spent some more time explaining things a bit more with the consideration that not all of her readers know what she means or is describing. Also I think this book would have benefited from having some labeled time-skips or spent a bit more time detailing out the world Eilean and co was venturing through to sort of fill more space- there were some points where time lapsed and they traveled, but not much was spoken about the environment save for a few moments given some page time (or at the very least, was not very memorial).

All in all I believe this is a really great first book for a new series and has a lot of potential to be fantastic !

An engaging fantasy story I think suits middle grade and YA readers well! I appreciated the unlikely friendships here and themes around mental health. It touched on heavy topics like grief and illness in families while balancing the magical and folklore inspired elements with the plot well. I would definitely recommend this to younger readers.

This was such a fun audiobook experience with the sound and vocal effects. I appreciated the character development of Eilean, who I found was a very realistic representation of a mental health struggle. The development isn't linear, and it takes a while for lessons to sink in for Eilean. She's a teenager with big feelings and it's as messy as expected as she's challenged on the journey. Can't wait to dive into the rest of the series!

The cover of this drew me in and the plot kept my firmly rooted in the story through to the end.
I love the Celtic folklore, blacksmith FMC, the cranky horse spirit, magical quests, LGBTQ and Alzheimer's representation and the dramatic and whimsical prose.

RaDane (sp) was sarcastic and sassy and all the interactions between RaDane and Ilene had me rolling and kicking my feet.

The audiobook was so well done. The narrator gave clear and unique voices to each character and the little moments with sound effects added so much to the story.

This was a fast fun read with lots of heart and humor amongst the seriousness our MC goes through. Made for such an easy read and a heartwarming conclusion.

A splendid amount of wit, charm, and folklore!

The Spiral of Life expertly builds a world without being too overwhelming (shout-out to Fran for the pronunciation guide!). My favorite thing about this novel is how we grow with the character. Eilean is hesitant of her strength and powers and she learns about the Otherworld and her quest to help the Gods.

"How do you explain that you’re afraid of hurting people so much that the idea of even making weapons terrifies you?" (p. 17). Kindle Edition.

She teams up with two character that are so well fleshed out that as the trio travel we learn about why their personalities are the way they are and there are bits of humor thrown in. It adds balance to the more dramatic scenes.

Some quotes that made me laugh out loud:

"They had only been traveling for, Eilean guessed, around two hours and she already wanted to turn the kelpie into a minced kel-pie."

"“You need to stop apologizing. I’m just saying, if this friendship is going to work, there’s gotta be a little tit for tattas.” Freya frowned. “Wait, that’s not the way you say it."

This was a fun read, especially for a gal like me who doesn't read fantasy often. I can't wait to read the next one!

Thank you to the author and Bandele Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.