Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for this ARC Copy!

I loved the continuation of the story, the steeping in Irish Mythology and the fast pace kept me hooked from start to finish. I was a but surprised by the ending being the end of a trilogy, but I am exited for the world to continue in the next series.

Breathtaking
Spectacular
Astounding
Stunning
EPIC

Holy smokes! What a way to end. I cannot express how utterly brilliant and talented I think Shauna Lawless is. She brought to life and color the Irish history and mythology in such a remarkable way.

And I cried my heart out.

I think I was confused throughout this book as I’ve just realised this was the third book in the series which I guess makes sense.

I love the combination of history and magic in this book. The magic system was interesting and I loved the way that a lot of the magic was interwoven with the land and the elements around (this is my favourite type of magic system).

I liked some of the POVs, others I really didn’t like which I think is the reason it took me so long to finish this book just because I could not stand to read some of them as I just found them infuriating to read.

I liked how the book was divided into seasons which made the book easier to digest. I also really like how passionate you can tell the author is about the history and about the characters and the world.

Overall, I liked the book but I just wish I realised this was the third book before I read this as I think I would have been less confused and enjoyed this book a lot more.

This is the third and final book in the series. One of the best authors out there. Steeped in folklore, human emotions, magic and Irish history, this is the tale of battles, love, sadness, death and survival. It is gripping from the start (as the series itself has been). I simply could not put this book down until I had finished it. The characters are formed with skill so you even love the ones you dislike. The story is a rollercoaster of twists of power, manipulation, personal connections, love and fear. Simply wonderful.

What a beautifully satisfying conclusion. This series is wonderful to read, the political machinations and juggling is so skillful and clever its been wonderful to follow. And the characters! So well written, I love to hate them all. And yet you understand why so many of them are doing what they do and why they act that way, even if it's terrible. Every character is so well fleshed out, and there is no more weight given to our heroes than our villians, everyone has a role to play.

There is more action in this than the previous instalments, however that fits exactly with what you expect with the stakes as high as they are, and of course these are cleverly written as well. Both the battles on screen and off screen seem to hold huge importance though, and the stakes for every character you love and hate are high, and can change at a moments notice.
The Irish history and lore beneath the series and the mythology and magic breathe a deeper level of life into the series, and ultimately all these parts interact and create a strong emotional journey for the reader. Its heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. It will give you every single emotion in one book and I am not okay after that ending. If you havent already, go pick this series up!

What a book.

Normally I don't care for long battle scenes, and this book had plenty, but in this case I was tense and gripped the entire time. This author knows how to hold your interest and describe things in detail without it boring me.

And the romance in this series was built up so well, I was rooting for them since they met and even though it took a long time for them to truly be together, it didn't feel like it was dragging on like a lot of slow burn romances do, but in a realistic way. Not everything works out the way you want it to and when you want it to.

I got so attached to Broccan too, as we got to watch him grow from a small child into a young man. I need him to be happy in potential future books I beg. Senna too, I loved the novella and would love to see more of that character.

I'm not sure what else to say other than I'm so sad to finish this. God what a fantastic series. I have no idea if or when this series will continue but I desperately want more.

Thank you to NetGalley as always for the ARC. Here's hoping I can get another ARC for any future books by this author.

In the latest instalment of the Gael Song series Shauna Lawless masterfully crafts and concludes a story arc that the readers have been following since her first novel in this series - The Children of Gods and Fighting Men.

It's not easy to write about the 3rd book in a series (5th if you count the novellas) without spoilers, but it's sufficient to say that The Land of the Living and the Dead is written in a true Shauna Lawless way. This book will make you go through a rollercoaster of emotions; the reader will be at the edge of their seat, flipping through pages to anxiously find out what happens next. You will fear for your favourite characters and rejoice when something goes right for them.

For anyone who enjoys historical fantasy, fabulous (but deeply flawed and human) characters who have plenty of (page) time to develop and grow, a lot of political and other shenanigans + an emotional rollercoaster of a read, I cannot sufficiently praise this series. Pick it up, you will not regret it, and the journey at the end of this instalment is worth it!

Thank you once again Shauna for the emotional trauma xxx

Shauna’s character work is impeccable. As a supporter of women’s crimes I love Gormflaith as much as Fódla, but it is richly populated with so many more people - with wickedness and wholesomeness that you’ll just delight to revel in. Their loves, their hates, their jealousy and savagery and treachery and companionship - it’s a gorgeous human tapestry, even when the characters aren’t entirely human.

Set this against the backdrop of continuing royal drama and political struggle, add magic to the mix and whip it up to an exciting pace, add a healthy dose of heartbreak and you have this novel. Shauna just kicks me in the heart every time. I should have learned to expect it now. Another excellent piece of historical fantasy.

Woooooooo here we are - the conclusion to the epic historical fantasy series by Shauna Lawless. I thought I knew where this story was headed, but I was so wrong at multiple turns. The story kept me on edge the entire time, and I chewed down more than one fingernail as Gormflaith's scheming unfolded. And while there were some incredibly satisfying comeuppances for certain characters, there were also unfairly heartbreaking fates for others. The author pulled no punches, so be prepared going into it. Definitely a series that will be a top of mind recommendation for years, but Shauna, I will be very upset if we don't get a follow-up book to find out what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The land of the living and the dead is a masterpiece of a finish. The author is not afraid to kill off some characters and really hit you where it hurts. Such a satisfying ending with twist and turns I never saw coming. Magic, intrigue, betrayal, battles and romance, what more could you want? All the characters are as vivid and fabulous as ever and I cant wait to see what Shauna has in store for us next!

War lingers on the horizon, everything is at stake and eternal enemies now seek dominion over the mortal world. Secret schemes come to deadly fruition with the only possible outcome being war. The land is awash in blood and the coming clash will change the course of history. A blending of historical fiction and fantasy that brings the past into a new light.

There is something beautiful about the authors way of writing, the historical significance of the story being explored in a fantasy setting and characters that will do anything to keep their tenuous hold on their crowns. There are tangled webs of deception, royal espionage and carnage that is explored in epic proportions. This story will leave your hands blood soaked and your mind reeling.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐙𝐞𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬

Slow paced but loved the ramp up in the action towards the end. Lots of twists and turns and didn't expect the ending. Well recommended love the historical notes at the end too.

Steeped in Irish history and richly fleshed out with compelling characters and a heart racing plot, The Land of the Living and the Dead was the absolute perfect conclusion to the first era of the Gael Song series. Shauna Lawless once again proves how deft she is at balancing a breakneck, complex plot with a subtly unweaving character dynamic. Gormflaith was as motivation and cunning as always, with her goals never wavering and her plotting always two steps ahead, even when things go awry. We support women’s wrongs in this house, even when it hurts your favourite characters (hey, Fódla). Murchad once again completely stole my heart and I couldn’t be happier about how his and Fódla’s story ended, dispute how bittersweet it was. Such a fantastic ending to a truly incredible trilogy. I can’t wait to see what’s next!!

Received an advance copy of The Land of the Living and the Dead from the publisher in return for an honest review

I am NOT OKAY after that ending...

Well, the first two instalments are brilliant, but The Land of the Living and the Dead still stands head-and-shoulders over them. This is a masterful conclusion to a truly unique historical fantasy series that gives us an epic lens into Irish mythology and Irish history whilst expertly giving us an intimate story as well that we can invest and find ourselves to be truly moved in.

With The Land of the Living and the Dead we jump back into early 11th century Ireland, as its stability hangs on a thread. A level of peace has been achieved, but how long will this last? There are always those seeking power, especially when the Fomorians are closer than ever to finding the hidden strongholds of the Descendants….

The Land of the Living and the Dead takes the stakes to a whole new level. You feel the dire consequences of actions and events as they unfold, and these pages carry such a punch with them. Lawless provides a story that is moving and heartwarming, but also shocking and heartbreaking. It is such a rollercoaster of emotions, from heartfelt reunions and moments of truth to betrayals and deceit, this is a book that will MOVE you.

Whilst still prioritising political machinations and character interactions, there is far more action in this third instalment, and wow is it done well. From ambushes to skirmishes to duels to large battles, all are executed so well, but also in a way where you really feel the weight of each conflict. Also, the off-screen battles carry more weight than I can think of in any other series. You really feel the fate of our characters could change at any second.

Something particularly unique to the Gael Song series is the equal light shone on the villains as well as the heroes. You understand the reasons and motivations for each perspective you follow, so there are not villains for villains sake. Each is a fully-fleshed out character with their own dreams and ambitions.

This is a truly masterful conclusion to the Gael Song trilogy, and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the next era of the conflict between the Fomorians and the Descendants. I am not okay after the end of this book, and need time to recover….

5/5 STARS

I am not a fan or regular reader of historical fantasy (or fantasy generally) but was intrigued by the setting of this novel in Ireland in 1011 AD and the theme of the Kings of Ireland (my late husband believing he was related to them and ancestors were buried at the Clonmacnoise near Offaly) So I was interested to read about Brian Boru and the battles that took place across the island.
The book starts however with a 'huge' list of characters -and even named animals- which did slightly put me off but it was soon clear how the 'real' characters were immersed in the fantasy characters - the witchgifts and descendants particularly. The female characters were very strong eg Gormflaith and the family ties and 'true sons' undercurrents explored well.
The locations were often beautifully described - hard not to thinking still of Ireland- and the rivers, sea and mountains particularly evoked the mystical and historical past.
As with most fantasy you had to suspend belief in some area of 'really would they be able to do that'! but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the escape and can see it being very popular for both readers of this genre or someone wanting to broaden knowledge about that era of Irish history.

The Land of the Living and the Dead by Shauna Lawless is the epic conclusion of the first cycle of her Gael Song series and what a finale it is. Full of plotting and intrigue, drama and tension and with an ending that is both heart breaking and yet incredibly satisfying , this is an incredible book that fans of the series will no doubt adore. As someone who was superficially familiar with the historical context of the books, I love the attention to detail and the amount of research that has clearly gone into the series is incredibly impressive. The skill with which the author blends history and mythology is second to none. Over the course of this series I have loved and hated characters, rooted for and been repelled by them and that is because of how well they have been crafted and then brought to life on the page. The author never resorts to having characters that are morally black or white, they are much more nuanced on all sides of the conflict. I am just happy that while this cycle may be over, the song continues and I can't wait to read more.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

"The Land of the Living and the Dead" is a captivating and immersive journey into a world where the boundaries between life and death blur. V. E. Schwab's masterful storytelling, evocative writing, and complex characters make this a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and anyone seeking an epic adventure steeped in Irish mythology.

While the intricate plot and multiple perspectives may require some attention, the rewards are plentiful. If you're looking for a tale of war, power, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope, I highly recommend this book.

The Gael Song trilogy has come to an end with The Land of the Living and the Dead by Shauna Lawless. How happy are we with the conclusion? Tune in!

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/hmoPgwW1kkk
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/317-the-land-of-the-living-and-the-dead/id1489097985?i=1000669820344&ls=1
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Texyvwwc0dID5P588w9uq?si=OAdeJZD9R86YoQ2UCgotGA

***Spoiler-free***
It’s the end of an era for the Gael Song Trilogy, and I feel like a part of my heart is missing, but in a good way?

If you like history and mythology, this is 100% the trilogy for you. Shauna Lawless is so smart and intentional in the way she builds her stories and characters, and cares about the accuracies vs the artistic liberty. Beyond that, her characters are so believable and true to themselves. A week after finishing this book I can still sit here and think about characters as individuals with separate motivations and values - I want that in every book I read.

I know that this book is right up my alley for what I enjoy, but I cannot express how much I have loved this trilogy, to include the novellas that have been coming out. I’ll read anything that Shauna Lawless writes, and I’m so happy to have been here as Gael Song has been published. There is one more novella coming out that lines up with this trilogy, so catch up while you can. If you have any questions on the best reading order, please ask, but Shauna Lawless has also posted guides on her website and social medias.

The Land of the Living and the Dead is the gripping and heart-stoping finale to the historical fantasy trilogy Gael Song, written by Shauna Lawless, and published by Ad Astra. Gormflaith plans to finally end with the Descendants, and establish the Fomorian control over Ireland with the help of her son; meanwhile, the Descendants are divided over controlling humans, with Tomas scheming in order to finally make the Descendants return and rule over Ireland. Flames of war are on the horizon.

After two ambitious novels in the trilogy, this third instalment doesn't disappoint, raising the stakes to a whole new level; you can feel how Gormflaith has become much more ambitious and power focused once she's near to discover the location of the fortress, but sometimes ambition comes with a prize. Fodla is trying to reach the fortress and finally break that firm control Tomas exerts over the Descendants; but only she manages to not get caught before by his spies.

With the excellent writing style that characterizes Lawless, we still have space for exploring the difficult equilibrium between Irish and Vikings, and how our two groups involved won't doubt to play with the humans if that pushes them towards their final goal. But if something marks this book, is the weight of consequences. All the actions brought us to this point, and even with all in mind, we will be surprised by how the plot develops.

As in the previous two books, how mythology and fantasy are brought together around a relatively unknown historical moment makes this an excellent story, as it does a great work balancing both aspects while being accurate to those small aspects that transports the reader to 11th century Ireland. The pacing is excellent, allowing you to devour this book while being a bit sad that this means the ending of an era.

The Land of the Living and the Dead is the conclusion Gael Song deserved; Lawless raises the level once more to write a memorable story to close a series that is perfect if you are looking for fantasy rooted in history, and a healthy dose of Vikings. Shauna Lawless is an auto-buy author for me, and this series is the reason for it.