Deftly intertwining Irish history with evocative folklore, the first instalment of Lawless' epic fantasy finds competing immortal races battling for control of tenth-century Ireland.
They think they've killed the last of us...
981 AD. The Viking King of Dublin is dead. His young widow, Gormflaith, has ambitions for her son - and herself - but Ireland is a dangerous place and kings tend not to stay kings for long. Gormflaith also has a secret. She is one of the Fomorians, an immortal race who can do fire-magic. She has kept her powers hidden at all costs, for there are other immortals in this world - like the Tuatha De Danann, a race of warriors who are sworn to kill Fomorians.
Fodla is one of the Tuatha De Danann with the gift of healing. Her kind dwell hidden in a fortress, forbidden to live amongst the mortals. Fodla agrees to help her kin by going to spy on Brian Boru, a powerful man who aims to be High King of Ireland. She finds a land on the brink of war - a war she is desperate to stop. However, preventing the loss of mortal lives is not easy with Ireland in turmoil and the Fomorians now on the rise...
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781803282626
Number of pages: 448
Dimensions: 229 x 148 mm
Highlander meets The Last Kingdom as feuding clans of magical undying vie for control of tenth-century Ireland in this assured and captivating debut. Themes of motherhood and conflicted obligation lie at the heart of Shauna Lawless's historical fantasy, explored through the eyes of two powerful women compelled to navigate a land where men hold sway, or think they do. I was hooked from page one - Anthony Ryan
A compelling and fascinating tale, written with great skill, that draws the reader into a world full of magic, betrayal, warring kings and mythology. With all the complex political machinations of A Song of Ice and Fire and the bloody battles of The Warlord Chronicles, it's ideal for fans of both - Stephen Aryan
Gripping and beautiful. A Celtic Last Kingdom with wild magic and fierce heroines - Anna Smith Spark
I really enjoyed the book. It's an excellent read - Mark Lawrence
Lawless writes historical fiction steeped in fantasy and mythology like Bernard Cornwell, Mary Stewart, and Stephen Lawhead at the top of their games. I don't say this lightly either, I'm aware of the track record and accomplishments of these authors. But I have to say that Lawless more than holds her own among that lofty company. If you are an admirer of those books, you will absolutely love this... Shauna Lawless has loudly and triumphantly announced her presence to the world with this unforgettable debut and first book in the Gael Song series - Out Of This World SFF
A vividly written story that makes the ancient past feel contemporary - Joseph O'Connor, author of Star of the Sea and Shadowplay
A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics... Every turn of the page ratchets up the tension. To read this novel is to fall into a richly imagined web of lives. A gripping start to this series - D.K. Fields
An atmospheric journey into a thrilling historical fantasy world that feels like it should be real - R.J. Barker
An epic historical fantasy that weaves myth and history into an sprawling tale of magic, intrigue, and war. Through the perspectives of Gormflaith and Fódla we pass through the years at a breakneck speed... Lawless weaves a complex and enticing narrative: there are plots and counterplots, and we move through the years swiftly as these slow plans grow to fruition. The intricacies of life in tenth-century Ireland are lovingly portrayed, from the cultural mix of Vikings, Irish, and English, to the merchant markets full of traders from far off lands. A must-read for those who love Irish mythology and history. An absorbing and richly detailed historical fantasy - Ian Green
A great debut and an enjoyable read for any fantasy fan - SF Crowsnest
Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect - SFX
Delivers an intriguing blend of Irish history and folklore fantasy... Quietly excellent - Geek Dad
Absolutely luminous... It's a huge, epic, admirable sweep of a novel - Sunday Independent
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... More
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is a heady mix of real medieval Irish mythology and magical fantasy. I have spent a great deal of time recently immersed in ancient history of this period so this novel slotted in... More
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is an apt title because it is the summary of the entire story that is written in this novel. A novel about two female protagonists that shape and influence the world of men around... More
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