"Men have always been afraid of women's anger. Have shushed and shooed us away. And so they should be afraid."

The Morrigan, Irish goddess of battle and war (and many other things) tells her own story. It's not a straightforward plot with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Instead it's kind of meandering, the Morrigan retelling the various myths she features in - always focusing on the women in them. I don't always enjoy that type of storytelling, but it really works here. This is not a book to read in one sitting, but I enjoyed dipping in and out of it over the past week.

The writing is beautiful, lyrical and evocative, and it really suits the story. The Morrigan is a complex figure, and I really appreciated that the author didn't try to fit her in a simple box. A gloriously angry book, and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in Irish mythology.

Many thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

Powerful, beautiful and fierce writing from the very start!

I was somewhat familiar with The Morrigan and Irish mythology prior to reading the book but certainly not in this much depth and with this level of intricacy. This retelling gives the mythological tales a new female voice, one which is extremely empowering.

Following The Morrigan's story over an epic time span made me want to learn even more about the myths and legends of Ireland. However, I do wonder if the text should have been split into short stories so that the message behind each "chapter" of The Morrigan's life can really hit home. As there are so many stories and myths depicted in this one storyline some of the sentiments and concluding messages do get a bit lost and the story as a whole doesn't really have a strong plotline to follow because of this. Even so, the words are captivating and I was hooked to learn how The Morrigan dealt with the many challenges she faced.

The writing is beautiful, descriptive and poetic and I was shocked to hear that this is a debut novel for the author. I will certainly be looking out for more of her work.

The Morrigan is a sweeping, mythological retelling that brings Ireland’s Goddess of War to life. Spanning centuries of Irish history and mythology, to create a book that is epic, both in scale and ambition.

The story follows the titular Morrigan, and while she’s known as the Goddess of War, we get to see so much more than that. She’s a mother, a sister, a friend, and a daughter, and through all of that, you really feel her pain. It’s impossible not to root for her and revel in the moments when she takes her revenge on the men who scorn her. The book is at its absolute best when fully immersed in her fury—it’s feral and unapologetic in the best way.

That said, I initially struggled to immerse myself in the story. I’m not overly familiar with Irish mythology, so I found it initially challenging to keep track of the characters and their connections. But once I hit about 20% of the way through, I was hooked.
The book’s vast timeframe is both a strength and a weakness. While the scope enhances the epic nature of the story, it also creates moments that feel somewhat disjointed—like a collection of shorter tales stitched together. Yet, thanks to the Morrigan’s compelling presence, you stay invested even as the supporting characters come and go.

Ultimately, The Morrigan is an unapologetically feminist retelling that shines with rage, resilience, and a refusal to be forgotten. For fans of mythological retellings that center powerful, complicated women, this book is a must-read.

Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Unfortunately I did decide to DNF this book at 58% after one too many dead child storylines but my review is for the book that I did read.

While not immediately special, this was a good feminist mythological retelling filled with rage, love, loyalty and transformation. Having no prior knowledge of the celtic goddess Morrigan, I really appreciated the story told from her perspective, watching as she learns to fulfil her bloody, rageful desires, find her place amongst her tribe and within the mortal world, and learn how to deal with grief, love, loneliness and anger. She's a well written character making us feel her emotions along with her.

The book did feel a little like a slew of short stories, cramming as more of her lore in as possible, but it wasn't detrimental to the pacing of the story so it didn't bother me too much. Had there been less dead/murdered offspring storylines involved I definitely would have continued reading this book but it's not a trope I can deal with too much of.

A captivating read from start to finish, full of action, adventure, mystery and romance. I enjoyed every second of this!!

Yes, this book is pretty dark. I mean it is the story of The Morrigan, a goddess that loves war and bloodshed but this story also does a good job of showing other facets of her and the experiences she goes through in the hundreds of years in Ireland. You see her relations with her family (also beings of great power) that she is a part of but also feels separate from as she feels something missing when there is peace in the land. Though she also loves fiercely (like with her son Meche) and that is balanced by the lengths she goes to to protect or wreak vengeance on those that hurt her or her children. The Morrigan is not a simple goddess and this book is a great way to get to know her.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this really interesting and well written book on The Morrigan.

Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph at Penguin Random House and Kim Curran for the opportunity to review this text early.

I was absolutely thrilled when I saw this was being released. I am a huge fan of mythology and the re-tellings that have flooded the market the last few years. But with these re-tellings mostly taking from Greek or Norse mythology, I was elated to find that Kim was bring Irish mythology back into the public eye!

The Morrigan is an elusive figure and I loved how Kim brought her to life, showcasing her complex nature. It was fantastic to see familiar aspects of the character and mythology blended with Kim's own unique and original ideas. The raw power of the main character drove the books from start to finish making it a quick read for me whilst never lacking in detail.

I am a big fan of fictional mythology and the like, and have read a lot in this genre, so I requested this with enthusiasm. I did engage with the main character of the Morrigan and liked the strength of her and the other female characters. And indeed the supporting cast were all interesting and well portrayed. But I didn't get on with the narrative as a whole really and found myself wanting to finish so I could get on with another book on my pile/list. I found the storytelling around the characters to be a little functional - I think I expected more innovation away from the traditional style of folklore narration.
I wouldn't NOT recommend this as there is a lot of excellent character exploration and development, but it might not engage those expecting more of an accessible reworking

I selected this book because I thought it would be the Irish version of Circe. Or Silence of the Girls. Mythology meets feminine rage etc. But I’m afraid this just felt really masculine to me. - the entire last 20% of the book is a huge drawn out battle and in fact most of the beginning and middle is as well.

I felt like I was wading through hundreds of pages of graphic violence without any respite or contrast in tone. I did wonder if maybe Irish readers would connect more fully to the legends, but then I’m not Greek either and I delight in novels about Achilles and Hera.

The prose is good, don’t get me wrong; she’s clearly a decent writer but whereas I could feel the divine feminine in the Arthurian lore in Mists of Avalon and feel the choking suffering of forgotten women in the Medusa tale of Stone Blind - The Morrigan just never seemed female. Nothing seemed to ever have happened to her to make her a battle fury, filled with rage and violence. She just turned up on page one that way. It just didn’t work for my expectations and it felt like an incredibly long slog.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of The Morrigan. I couldn’t put this book down and it was hands down one of the best mythology retellings I have read and easily stands with books such as Circe and Song of Achilles. I would 1000% recommend this book, especially to those who read a lot of mythology and are looking for something different. I loved the way that this story was retold and the new angle that the author came from. The description, characters, and story were so vividly and beautifully written that they jump off the page!

This was a fascinating take on Irish mythology- the nonhuman perspective was so unique as The Morrigan took on different personas. Due to the nature of the story and The Morrigan’s status as an outside observer living different lives, I think it would perhaps have worked better as a short story collection, though I get why the author didn’t make that choice.
I really liked how unique and interesting the overall story was. It’s depressing at times (almost too much so- it was a little frustrating to just read about horrible things happening over and over again) though I ended up satisfied and fulfilled by the ending. I also appreciated how complex and developed the character of the Morrigan was. She was very compelling, though not always the easiest to empathise with due to her inhuman nature. It was very true to the portrayal of an immortal, god figure but I struggled to connect with her at points and that sometimes detracted from the overall story.
The prose was gorgeous though and it really did immerse me into the world.
So overall, a really interesting, unique and original story, even if I did struggle to invest in it personally sometimes due to the nature of the narrative and protagonist.

A rare feminist retelling of Irish mythology. This contained tales I was unfamiliar with and kept me engaged throughout. Full of witchy magic, I’d definitely recommend picking it up

This was an amazing look into Irish mythology. I especially liked how there was a pronunciation guide at the start. it helped greatly when reading the book.

'A woman who has mastered her rage, learned not to fear the power that stems from it, that is terrifying to little men'

The Morrigan by Kim Curran is an exquisite storm of mythology, rage, and resilience—a fiercely feminist retelling that captures the raw essence of Ireland’s goddess of war. The writing is electric, weaving myth with mastery, and reminds me of Lucy Holland’s poignant storytelling, saturated with emotion and unrelenting power.

From the very first page, The Morrigan demands your attention. She is fierce, untamed, and unapologetically herself—a shape-shifting goddess whose rage and love fuel a journey spanning millennia. Curran threads multiple Irish myths into the narrative with ease, creating a tapestry of battles, heartbreak, and rebirth that feels timeless yet urgently modern. The themes of female defiance and resilience echo strongly, laced with a healthy dose of righteous fury.

What sets this apart is the prose: ferocious, lyrical, and alive with intensity. Every sentence pulses with energy, pulling you deeper into The Morrigan’s world. It’s a story of transformation, of embracing power and loss in equal measure, and it will leave you wanting for more.

For lovers of Lucy Holland, Costanza Casati, or anyone seeking a narrative that howls with female rage and mythic beauty—this is an unmissable triumph. I honestly cannot believe this is a debut, Curran is surely a new voice to watch.

Huge thanks to NetGalley & Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for my ARC of 'The Morrigan'.

’It begins, as all the best stories do, in darkness.’

Anyone whose fond of mythology retellings will surely find themselves longing to check out ’The Morrigan’ as soon as possible. A debut offering that tells the story of Ireland’s Goddess Of War and covers a time span that can’t be considered anything other than epic. How could any fan of these sorts of tales possibly resist? Especially if, like me, you constantly find yourself watching out for more examples that branch into more mythology than that of the Greeks alone.

For me there were two elements of ’The Morrigan’ that truly stood out: its voice and its mythological basis. Irish mythology isn’t something that I know much, if anything, about so I can’t truly say how well this book does at retelling the tale of the Morrigan, but it certainly left me longing to discover more of the country’s myths and legends. Many figures, presumably from a variety of stories, are depicted across this novel and I’d happily spend time learning more about them all. It was utterly riveting to lose myself within a tale like this where pretty much everything was new to me. Discovering new mythology always delights me and I’m sure that many readers feel similarly. So, for that alone, ’The Morrigan’ is well worth checking out if you’re in a similar position.

Likewise its narrative style and beautiful prose makes this novel well worth a read. There were so many enchantingly crafted sentiments and vivid imagery. There were beautifully depicted tender moments and disturbingly detailed scenes of carnage too. There was love, hunger, despair and hatred along with an underpinning theme of feminine rage. Like many of these kinds of stories it shows how women have suffered throughout mythology but depicted through the eyes of a fiery Goddess of War its painted in a whole new light. Needless to say I was utterly hooked.

Yet I can’t deny the fact that there were a couple of times when I longed for a bit more depth. Much of the novel is beautifully described and vivid but some of its scenes, such as one of its early battles, felt a little too swift to me. In the grand scheme of things I can understand why, as condescending thousands of years of live into one book is no small feat, but I did long for a little bit more on occasion.

Similarly there was the odd incident that didn’t quite ring true. Actions were made or feelings described that felt somewhat contradictory to what had previously been established. It was never strong enough to truly pull me away from the story but it did tend to disappoint me somewhat in the moment, as much of what surrounded those scenes was easily worthy of five stars. So there were times that I felt slightly disheartened but regardless I was hooked upon this novel throughout.

Ultimately I certainly advice checking ’The Morrigan’ out, particularly if you’re fond of mythological retellings in general. Its a beautifully written and powerful novel that’s left me longing to discover more of Ireland’s myths. There were a few moments when I craved more but on the whole I adored this book. I, for one, will certainly be keeping an eye out for whatever the author pens next.

I have mixed feelings about this book.

I mostly really enjoyed it - I was eager to keep reading, and there were some absolutely delicious bits of writing, like "poets are in love with women's pain." I felt the Morrigan's pain when she was confronted with grief, and cheered her on when she was exacting revenge.

My biggest problem with the book was the lack of overall narrative arc...the author crammed so many short stories into one book, which I liked, but it never felt like it was building towards an ultimate climax, which meant the ending felt a little empty to me as there was no final goal or battle that usurped any of the earlier stories.

I also felt like it could have been worthwhile to build on the Morrigan's reason behind her thirst for blood and battle - it was never really WHY she wants to see so much violence.

But overall, I enjoyed reading this fresh and feminist folk tale.

Oh wow, this book was fantastic!

It was absolutely epic! I have no idea how the author managed to fit so much in to this number of pages! I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This is a novel exploring Irish mythology and it was absolutely fascinating! It took me a minute to get used to the timelines jumping ahead so much and how much time passes in relation to a human lifetime but it was so gripping! This was a real page turner! I was so invested in the main character! She was so raw, powerful, driven. She’s an outsider and yet has these incredible moments of connection with people at different points. She suffers so much tragedy, so much cruelty in a way that was absolutely rage inducing! I hated the way certain people treated her and the tragedy she suffered as a result. Often in spite of her immense power, she’s actually powerless against those who wrong her creating an interesting conflict and a tempering that makes her approach her foes in creative ways.

This was some of those most engaging exploration of mythology I’ve read and I will definitely be buying this book. It was magical, with other worlds, prediction, shape shifting and mythical beings and heroes. It was epic in the span of time that passed and the rise and fall of kings and queens. It was ferociously written in the intensity of the prose. What a brilliant book!

The Morrigan is a fierce, feminist retelling of Irish mythology, from the perspective of the titular goddess herself. The Morrigan is boldly and unapologetically herself, powerful and unyielding beyond our mortal comprehension- yet she is every woman. The writing style is blunt, poetic without waxing lyrical. There is no place for flowery prose on the battlefield.

As we follow the goddess of war whilst she shapeshifts and reinvents herself, there is a flavour of Patrick Suskind’s Perfume: Grenouille hibernates and travels, deciding who to portray himself as next; the Morrigan changes her form and is reborn over time to yield power and connect with others. Both characters, despite having completely opposing values (does Grenouille really have any?), are at peace with their unusual disposition that sets them apart from their peers. It was refreshing to read of a female character like this!

I LOVED this book and it has become an instant favourite. It grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go, then left me feeling stronger and more in tune with myself than I was before I picked it up. I found myself laughing, crying, and smirking along with the characters. Read this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A novel based on Irish mythology is relatively rare and I really enjoyed the story in this novel. Highly recommended and would give it 10 stars if I could.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not familiar with much Irish mythology, and this was well told and interesting. A great sense of female rage. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.