The Land of the Living and the Dead

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, Head of Zeus, via NetGalley. Thank you to the author, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the opportunity.

The Land of the Living and the Dead is the third and final book in Shauna Lawless’ Gael Song trilogy and it continues the gripping, many-layered tale of the remaining fire magic-wielding Fomorians trying to discover the home of the Descendants of the Tuatha De Dannan in order to wipe them out. They have inveigled themselves into the court of the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru and their schemes and machinations to put themselves in a position where they will one day rule Ireland are completely gripping. They have also discovered the magical knife which allows them to steal magical gifts from the Descendants through murdering them – if they can only find some.

The characters of this trilogy are unbelievably nuanced and their relationships are complicated yet extremely believable. The morally grey Fomorians are easy to hate, but there are also morally grey characters on the side of the Descendants as we discovered in previous books. Fódla must navigate the legacy of slavery and manipulation left by Tomas’s leadership and explain her discoveries to the other Descendants in the hope that they will believe her. She has hidden away with her warrior cousin, Colmon, while her nephew Broccan grew and trained as a warrior, but now, a decade later, they are all ready to reenter the world in order to save the other Descendants.

Medieval Ireland is heading into war and the author’s extensive knowledge of these actual historical battles lends authenticity and dramatic tension to the build-up to the war between Gormflaith’s son Sitric, with Vikings (and magical immortal Fomorians) on his side and Brian Boru.

The ending of this story is tragic for characters who the reader has come to care for, but history continues without regard for who survives and there are hints that more will be seen from the world of the Gael Song trilogy – I for one can’t wait for more, each of the books in this trilogy have been utterly gripping and the trilogy is up amongst my favourites of all time. Lawless’ prose is atmospheric and tightly-written. Her words are well-chosen and draw the reader into medieval Ireland with ease. I will happily read anything she writes!

I am not rating this book in stars, I will be rating it in sobs. 5 sobs. 5/5 sobs and so many emotions.

As a book, this was incredible and I loved every second of it. As the close in a trilogy I adore, it was everything I hoped it would be despite being distraught and mad about certain character's endings. I don't disagree with anything Shauna did but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

I genuinely don't even know where to start with this.

We first start 9 years later, with Gormflaith reminding us why it's perfectly acceptable that she gives you the chills. She is unbelievably ruthless from the get-go. Then we jump ahead another two years, now 11 years on from The Words of Kings and Prophets. Fódla meanwhile is with Colmon and Broccan on Rathlin Island, where they are protected by Colmon's spell over the land, but of course they have to rejoin the world. That means Gormflaith and Tomas too.

We absolutely know there will be a big confrontation between Fódla, Gormflaith and Tomas but I can absolutely say I did not see it going the way it did. I was always not a Tomas fan but after everything in this book alone, he is hands down on my literary hit-list. Nevertheless, nothing he did stood out from what you'd expect from him. It made sense for his character. Just like nothing Gormflaith did deviated from her character. There were definitely some characters that surprised me and I think will very much surprise everyone else who reads the Gael Song trilogy.

I could talk about the Irish politics happening in and around all this but Shauna's note on the historical side of the book really lays out the true events nicely. Consequently, I think this was a fantastic meeting of magic and history and just brought it all together.

Without question, and despite the endless 'no, no, no' I silently cried while reading, The Land of the Living and the Dead closes off Gael Song beautifully. Not everyone got the ending I would have liked for them, but they certainly didn't feel wrong. And with all three books now done and two novellas to add to the world, I can say with absolute certainty, this has cemented Gael Song as one of my favourite series, if not my no. 1 favourite.

Another brilliantly detailed and engaging historical fantasy set in 11th C Ireland. Really enjoyable - I was hooked from beginning to end.

Thanks to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for a review copy of this novel. Packed full of drama and tension Lawless offers us another instalment of the sweeping and moving tale of Irish God descendants and mortals in the time of Brian Boru. Like the others before it, the novel provides engaging, rich characters, immersive plot and a real sense of the time period to create an unputdownable read.

When the novel opens Ireland is experiencing peace, united under one king, Brian. His son, Murchad, though still missing his beloved Fodla, is proud of his father’s accomplishments and wishes only for peace, and proud of his son, who has become a skilled warrior in his own right. Brian’s second wife, Queen Gormflaith, now possessing the witch power of a descendant to add to her own Fomorian fire magic, watches and observes events, plotting to shape them to her advantage, along with her brother, Murchad, the King of Leinster. Fodla herself, a descendant, hides with her now grown nephew in Raithlinn with her cousin Colmán. Away from Tomas, her former husband, and away from the dangers in the mortal world. But peace is short lived. The machinations of those who are greedy for land, power and wealth ultimately bring both the Descendants, the Fomorians and mortals into perilous conflict with deadly consequences.

With high stakes playing out on all sides, Lawless leads us through an incredibly tense and twisting narrative that weaves the history in such a compelling and at once compulsive manner to a dramatic and in some aspects fairly unexpected conclusion. An amazing series and a must read for any lovers of history and myth, especially Irish history and myth. Highly recommended.

I must admit the Gael Song series are probably some of the best historical fantasy books which I have had the pleasure of reading. I was looking forward to this instalment so much.

It did not disappoint, the amazing world that Shauna Lawless has created pulls you straight to where The Words of Kings and Prophets left off.

The two leading ladies Fódla & Gormflaith continue to shine through but the additional points of view from other characters such as Murchad & Colmon are a brilliant addition to the story. These allowed me to really feel the story.

This series has everything a fan of historical fantasy fiction could want, brilliant villains, a great story and a powerful ending.

5 stars and I cannot wait to see what Lawless does next in the amazing world she has created.

This blending of historical and fantastical is fantastic. The amount of research by Lawless is astounding, and I can't wait for further novels from this era.

I honestly do not know how Lawless does it, this series gets better and better with each book and this was the perfect ending to the trilogy.

If you have read the previous two books in the series, The Land of the Living and the Dead picks up almost a decade after the end of the second book and throws you right back into the characters that you know and love (as well as the characters you love to hate, I am looking at you Gormflaith) and the twists and turns begin.

As with the entire Gael Song series, this is a slow burn and is more character driven than action driven (although there is a fair amount of action in this installment) but it is perfectly paced for the story that you are pulled in from the first few pages and it is impossible to put down.

I never want to give anything away for this series and will say no more given it is a third / final book in a series but I cannot recommend this highly enough. Do yourself a favour and pick up this series!

Yep, I binged this. Absolutely excellent and Shauna Lawless is extremely talented at what she does. Was completely sucked in.

I have loved reading the Gael Song trilogy. Shauna Lawless has taken aspects of Irish mythology and folklore and crafted them into a living, breathing tale that harness its inspirations while creating something new, vibrant and bold.

The main and side characters have been developed excellently throughout the series and there’s no exception in this instalment. Character growth is organic and true to the individual and the path they’ve taken.

Ending an excellent series is always a challenge and leaves scope for decisions that readers questions and debate but I think Land of the Living and the Dead closes the trilogy in a way that’s true to the series.

Shauna is a great author and has channelled something truly entertaining and special with this book (and the series). Cannot wait to read more from her in the future.

Not just recommending, probably buying copies of the series for family and friends this Christmas.

A truly fantastic end to this wonderful trilogy.

I was hesitant to pick this book up early as I didn't know whether I was ready for the trauma I knew Shauna Lawless was going to inflict on me, but I'm so glad I did. I have been thinking about this book every day since I finished it

We pick back up with Fodla and Gormflaith a decade after The Words of Kings and Prophets and hurtle towards one of the most devastating, but beautiful endings. It's obvious how much Lawless loves Irish mythology and how much care goes into the research of Irish history as well.

I'm excited to read more from Lawless in the future and would encourage anybody to pick up this trilogy in a heartbeat

I've thought about this book and the characters every day since I finished it!

The Land of the Living and the Dead picks up ten years after The Words of Kings and Prophets. However, Shauna has created such a well developed world and characters that you feel like you haven't missed anything.

Before reading, I wasn't sure I was emotionally prepared for what might happen to the characters l've come to love. I felt all of the emotions while reading - happiness, anxiety, anger, heartache, joy and sadness. There were so many twists and turns and it was difficult to put down.

The ending was simultaneously heartbreaking and beautiful - I loved it! I cannot wait to see what Shauna writes next and I will definitely be reading whatever it is.

If you love books with realistic and flawed characters, well developed settings, politics and strategy, The Gael Song series is absolutely for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Wow what a book. Picking up around a decade after book 2, The Land of the Living and the Dead is another triumph by Shauna Lawless. I am constantly on the hunt for well-written, nuanced FMCs that range from a little twisted to morally black, and Gormflaith classes up there among my favourites with her cunning.

The POV characterisations in general have been so incredible throughout this entire trilogy, and this book continued this to make the ending pack a PUNCH; I was fighting for my life tearing up 😅

There are a few aspects to the ending that I think would’ve made it even stronger if they had been expanded on/hinted at just a little more (no spoilers but specifically about Donnchad), but all in all, this series was delightful and I’ll be looking to continue the journey in this world with her next series!

Oof this series was amazing in every way. I never got an arc for a series I'm so invested in . I dropped everything and read it. This series got me im a chokehold. Sad it ended but , thank you so much for allowing me to have this arc.

I don’t know how Shauna Lawless to balance character driven and plot driven writing, yet she’s done it again. After two books and two novellas, the third and final book of the “Gael Song” series dances between the two concepts like she would dance an Irish jig. She makes it look easy from the outside but it is actually a very complicated goal to achieve. In a way, it is like trying to untangle a Celtic knot.

I recognize that I was a bit afraid of this book before reading it, mainly because I am deeply emotionally involved in these characters and their development. Knowing that Irish legends, myths, and songs almost always have a gloomy or tragic feel beneath the words and the melodies I was prepared for something great in terms of storytelling but I had no hope of a happy ending (which isn’t a bad thing per se). A few months prior to reading this book Shauna herself without unveiling anything plot-wise, had warned me that I would probably cry. And she was right. But you know, there are tears of sadness and rage and there are tears of joy as well, what kind of tears I shed I won’t tell so don’t take anything for granted before the end of this book.

The only certainty is that Fódla’s and some other characters’ stories end here. Forgive me for keeping the plot of this third book a secret, but I believe that these secrets and tribulations are for you to unveil, just know that it’s so worth the while. I can guarantee that the “Gael Song” books leave a tattoo in your heart and your soul, that’s all you need to know. As for the end of the series, well, it is an end. Some doors are closing here but also some others are opening, there’s hope for the future and some of the characters’ paths are only beginning. Something new, as fearsome and as hopeful as the day that Fódla started her own journey, is being born. Ancient legends and myths never end, they just become other people’s stories, tangled with other stories in the unfihished tale that is History, combined with folklore, magic, and fantasy. After all, this is how legends are born. How lucky we are that we have a master storyteller to guide us through the darkness into the light.

This is not over. YET.

Read The Dreams of Fire and The Land of the Living and the Dead one after the other. It was a wild ride into myth, an experience that kept turning pages.
Great world building and excellent storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

THE LAND OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD completes this sage of Irish history and magic with epic battles and lots of betrayal.

This is an epic instalment, as you'd expect for a finale that brings together a history full of family squabbles and battles with magic and mythology. There is a giant battle and lots of bickering (not all of it fermented by Gormflaith, but a lot is as she cannot stop stirring the pot.) There is also the most magic used in this book, and I loved seeing it unleashed and used in a variety of ways.

There is a large cost to this book, so many characters dying and the ones who don't, often paying heavy prices for survival - except those who fall into the category of "life/those around them drops things into their laps and take it as their due." It was certainly a wrench when some of my favourites died to further the aims of those I didn't like as much.

Murchad is a narrator in this book! I was so excited when I saw his first chapter (he is a minor POV like Ronnat and Colman). He's been so important to events through the books, so to finally get a glimpse into his thoughts was great. Plus his perspective let the book sit in the thick of the battles and all their chaos.

While this closes off the main part of the series, there is a novella to come later on, which is excited - a bit more time left in this world!

The Gael Song series is one the most satisfying reads! The character arcs are just amazing, I absolutely love to hate characters and I definitely did! The political juggling and intrigue is immense and honestly at times nail biting. I love the Irish history, the battles, the magic and the high stakes! I know there is more to come in this world and the ending is definitely open for a new flame haired badass FMC! I wasn’t sure at one point how it was going to end when I was at 85% and I knew so much action was to come - I think it all happened quickly but also true to life as that’s how fast change does happen. This is a series I will constantly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

If you haven't been keeping up with the Gael Song Saga by Shauna Lawless the third installment The Land of the Living and the Dead is due out in September. I've had the luxury of not only keeping up with the series but absolutely loving it even if it has some of my usual struggles present. I'll get into that in just a moment. Leading up to the third book, I first want to take a brief look back and mention that I have previously given both The Children of Gods and Fighting Men as well as The Words of Kings and Prophets 5-Stars each. I had high hopes for this one and it was not only on my radar but I was watching almost daily for it to become available as soon as I first heard mention of it hitting the UK.

The pacing was smooth as far as timing goes. I will say The Land of the Living and the Dead seemed even more intense than the previous two. I'm not sure if it was due to the anticipation of reading it, wondering if this would be the last book in the series or simply a writing design by the author. I posted online last night immediately after finishing the book that I was emotionally drained. This is where I'll mention that I still struggle with so many of the names within this book, series and story. I believe I did a bit better with them this time though. I don't know if I'm getting more familiar with many of them or if the added index of names at the beginning of the book continue to help me. I'm thinking a bit of both. I do love the fact that Shauna includes this addition section to start the book, not only to help me with internal pronunciations but also as a bit of a refresher of things that have already passed in the story.

The world building is still simply amazing. Shauna mentions in each of her books that she has done considerable amount of research from Irish history when putting these together. It's difficult to believe just so much of this epic tale might have actually taken place. I think this fact alone helps me get lost in this world. This is certainly a dark and gritty world but those moments of hope or happiness shin all the brighter when we do come across them. Considering some of my recent reads are on such a grand scale of complete worlds or even universes, this world seems just as epic due to the descriptive writing the author brings to us. One other thing I will mention beyond Irish history and I won't get into any debate as to religions or magics but in this story these are woven in to perfection to make an extraordinary story.

The character development was once again top shelf! So many character arcs came full circle as our core groups returned to locations setting up history altering moments in book three. Seeing so many relationships begin, change directions or conclude is just one of the aspects that made this read so intense for me. Epic battles where you aren't sure who may turn sides or who may become the heroes. There is rather large amount of loss experienced in this story, so prepare yourself. I will say that I couldn't be happier with one specific pair that finally get to come together and experience happiness if only for what seems a very short amount of time. Shauna also does a fantastic job in writing characters I simply cannot stand and need to see them get what's coming to them. Oh are there plenty of these!

Seeing some of the younger generation grow up in this read was also really good to see. It also put some of the other arcs of more magical characters into perspective when you take a step back and consider how many generations they have seen come and go over the decades or centuries.

In the end I'm still not sure where things go from here. It was a great ending to this story but it's certainly open for more. I'm not aware if Shauna continues to add to this saga and if so how many books she has in mind. If she doesn't I'm still happy where things left off here. If she does, I'll be keeping up with what comes next.

If you haven't had a chance to read any of Gael Song Saga yet and you enjoy a solid mix of Irish Mythology, Historical Fiction and Epic Fantasy, do yourself a favor and pick up book one The Children of God and Fighting Men. If you have already started this journey and liked what you read in books one or two, keep going!

What a beautiful book and series.

Shauna Lawless has an amazing ability to take you through the world building while continuing to integrate the narrative of the story. Truly a skill as an author.

The story is so full. From well round characters, a complex story, politics, magic, fight scenes, and more. It's a wonderful mix of Irish mythology, history, and fiction. This series is one of my favourites of all time, and I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to read an ARC.

The ending landed beautifully and impactfully. This story has taken me through some many emotions, and the last novel of this trilogy has met the standard the other two novels set. A gut wrenching, heart pounding, and emotive read all round.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book, as the rest of the series was so good! The characters are complex and multi-faceted, and we get to see a lot of hidden layers in this book. Now that Broccan and Tairdelbrach have grown up, and Donnchad has become older, we get to see more of their characters in action. I'm really hoping that there are more books in this series, as there were some loose ends that I really want to see completed!
The writing was immersive, atmospheric, and hard-hitting. I loved all the different political plots and the spin that the author took on the Battle of Clontarf. While I am not very well-versed in Irish mythology or history, I definitely want to learn more after reading these books!
Fans of the series can expect action, intrigue, suspense and heartbreak in the newest installment of the Gael Song series. I can't wait to read what Shauna Lawless writes next!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the eARC!

To start, I will say that Gael Song is one of the best series I have ever read. I devoured the first two books and two novellas last month and was desperate to get to this book. I stopped everything when I was approved for this ARC. Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the opportunity to read and review The Land of the Living and the Dead.

What a conclusion. I am devastated that this portion of the story has ended, but elated to know there will be a next era of this world. The way Shauna Lawless wraps Irish history, mythology and fantasy elements together so seamlessly into one beautiful story makes you feel like this could have actually happened the way she wrote it. The way you become so intimate with these characters who are real players in the bloody history between the Irish and the Vikings is so well crafted that you cannot help but be immersed in this story.

The opening of this third installment is a decade after the second book ends. Ireland is united under High King Brian Boru, with both Irish and Vikings (omentarily) living peacefully. If we know the ambition of Gormflaith though, we know this will not last. She sees to it to set her son, Sitric onto her husband's throne. War ensues and Shauna brings an accuracy to the battle of Clontarf that will make you wish you could change history.

Meanwhile Fodla, Coleman and Broccan are ready to uncover the treachery that Tomas has been sewing so that they can return to their friends in Killaloe. Fodla has been waiting many years to see Murchad again in hopes that he still loves her as he once did. Her sister's prophecies sit in the back of her mind, knowing danger could be around every corner, threatening to take those who she loves most.

I love these books, the characters, the backdrop of Ireland is so well described throughout that you can feel the salt air on your skin. Shauna Lawless is now an autobuy author for me. I will never stop thinking about or talking about this series. Well done. NOW I NEED THE LAST NOVELLA!

I am speechless. I've been trying to write this review for like ever now. I know this is the end of the first era but I honestly dont' know what I'm going to do. I need more. I NEED TEN MORE PLEASE.

My review for the first book in this series started with "I loved this!", so I might as well repeat myself and say, "I loved this!"

This is the third book in the Gael Song series, and the final book in the first era trilogy.
This series started in the late 900s AD in Ireland and this one finds us in the 1010s (for anyone with a clue about Irish history, you may guess where the book ends).

I don't want to give anything away in this review, but if you love real history mixed with mythology and fantasy, lots of politics and scheming, then go and pick up The Children of Gods & Fighting Men (or the prequel novella Dreams of Fire) now. This series focuses on Viking-era Ireland with a secret, centuries old war between the The Fomorians and the Descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann going on in the background. If that sounds slow and dense, don't worry, it isn't and there are two great female main characters to help you navigate this warrior-filled world.

For those who have already started this series, The Land of the Living and the Dead is a perfect, anxiety-ridden conclusion to this first era. We've been with our characters now for several decades, we've lost people, met new ones, grown attached, grown infuriated. Shauna Lawless has crafted a beautifully realised world with characters you can't help to love or to loath or sometimes both (except Tomas - we can all agree to loath him for all time, right?). All of the threads and schemes set up throughout the series come to a satisfying conclusion whilst still leaving room for the series to move on.

My only slight complaint(?) is that I wished we'd had time to see Broccan and Tairdelbach together more (and more Murchad, obviously) but maybe that's just a sign of how much I liked all of these characters.

Thank you Shauna for creating this brilliant series

"The Land of the Living and the Dead" by Shauna Lawless was one of my most anticipated reads this year, and I am very glad to say that it did not disappoint. It is actually the best book I have read in 2024 so far.

It picks up the story a few years after the end of the second book, with Gormflaith eager to conquer Ireland and eliminate the Descendants and and Fódla hiding away with Breccan and Colmon.

A part of me is very eager to fangirl hard for this book, and Lawless deserves all the screaming fans because this was indeed an incredible ending for the first trilogy in her Gael Song series. It did emotionally wreck me, and after finishing it, I was so overwhelmed that Ι stayed up awake until 3 in the morning, and I had to get up for work at 6:30. Very few books in my entire life have ever stolen my sleep, and this might be the only one that did this to me AFTER I finished the book.

This book brings to the boiling point all the tensions and all the simmering emotions from the previous two books. But, after finishing the whole trilogy now, I would argue that the most central theme for all the characters and all the plotlines is love. Not simply as the specific bond between two (or more) people but about how love appears within human nature and how love sometimes blossoms and sometimes fester. Whether it is romantic, familial, or friendship, love in "The Land of the Living and the Dead" declared the fate of each character and what kind of ending they got. I might analyse this again in a different post, which will be filled with spoilers and aimed at those who have read the book, but I wish to keep this review spoiler free.

If you love historical fiction and mythology, this trilogy is for you. Lawless is a star in the making!

Well that emotionally destroyed me! I mean, really?! What just happened?!

Suffice to say, Shauna Lawless has done it again, brilliantly combining folklore and fantasy to create a richly detailed and vividly real imagining of medieval Ireland.

In this third novel in the Gael Song series, the various competing interests of the Tuatha de Danaan, the Fomorians, the Vikings and the Irish come to a head. Love, family and friendship, on all sides, is tested by ambition and betrayal, with political machinations ultimately leading to an epic and costly battle.

It's impossible to comment too much on the book without revealing spoilers, but if you read and loved the first two books in this series, you will not be disappointed by this third. Spectacular, spell-binding and just leaves you desperate for more..

eARC Review: The Land of the Living and the Dead by Shauna Lawless 🥀

If I could use emojis to just tell my entire reaction to this conclusion of the first Gael Song series, they would be: 😭😍😈🤬😰🤯😭 Shoutout to @lookmairead for fangirling with me on Storygraphs and making this such a fun buddy read! 🫶🏼

But seriously, I had an incredible time reading this even though it had me stressed to the NINES. I’m devastated in the best way I could be, and honestly if I had to say there was a book written for me, it’d be this. 🥹

If you haven’t read the first two books of the series (first of all, WHY ARE YOU READING THIS AND NOT THOSE BOOKS??), this review may contain spoilers for those two plots. You have been warned! ‼️

The story continues a decade after the events of the second book. Fódla and Gormflaith have evolved in ways that I both loved with all my heart (the former) and loved to hate (the latter). Fódla, my sweet sweet girl, has put her life literally on hold to help raise her nephew, Broccan. I loved the dynamic between the two as they go back out into the world. And her reunion with Murchad? I’m dead with happiness though their ending is a close second after having my heart in my throat. 🥲

Gormflaith, my lord girl. Her scheming stressed me out sometimes and as much as I would love to celebrate a woman making so many despicable decisions, man was it fun celebrating her getting hit in the face with karma, especially with her youngest. 😈

God what else can I talk about without giving out super spoilers? I just loved the conclusion even though I did stress cry for the characters. I’m also starting a petition for a novella about Broccan and Tairdelbach because I need more of them! I have a feeling I know who the last novella coming out this year will be about, but how can I voice it without again giving away more spoilers? 🫣

HUGE thank you goes to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for accepting my request to be lovingly traumatized in exchange for an honest review. And a MASSIVE thank you goes to the author, Lawless, for crafting the Irish historical fantasy of my dreams. I’m so excited to see what your next series and what period of Irish history will be about (the Norman invasion of Ireland??). 💚

Publication date: September 12 (UK)/17 (US)!!

Overall: 5/5 (DUH!)⭐️

✨Book Review-ish✨

I’m not sure how Lawless expects us to coherently write a review after that ending.

My goodness, I can’t even give constructive notes- just, more please. (Thank goodness two more series are in the works.)

I knew I was invested in the series after book 1- but book 3 made me realize how emotionally invested I was. 😮‍💨 This series begs to bring out all your feelings.

👏Do👏not👏sleep👏on 👏this👏series👏.
Please.
Pretty please.
To my #historicalfiction friends, my girlies that love #JulietMarillier, #GenevieveGornichec #AmyHarmon – I’m telling you, #shaunalawless is auto-buy TBR worthy.

She takes the history you might vaguely know, and infuses it with magic, drama and romance (though it’s all tastefully done, I wouldn’t mind the next layer of spice 👀🥰).

Speaking of drama- this is some of the most fascinating villain character work… and I’m about to start book 3 of the Nevernight Chronicle. TBH- I might be in my villain era😅😅😅.

Though I read book 3, I listened to books 1 & 2. No matter how you consume it- it’ll be a win.

It’s Christmas in July this week - and boy, oh, boy- did this feel like a gift. Thank you #Netgalley & #headofzeus for this ARC!

I also want to thank @mythslleniouslibrary for fangirling over this with me in @the.storygraph - the buddy read function in there is awesome.

I am obsessed and I am sobbing, Fodla, Broccan, Ronnat, Murchac Brian, Colmon, and Senna deserve the world and i am devastated! I love this series it has quickly become one of my favorites. The mythology of the Tuathade Danann and the history of Ireland the Viking is interesting and very addicting. I do hope that Gormflaith gets what she deserves, She did get a little bit of her just desserts but she needs to be defeated asap I am pulling for you Isolde. This was a very satisfying ending to the era of Fodla and Murchad and everyone in between. But i am excited to see what happens next. I am going to have to go back and reread the series now because i already miss everyone. I knew how the historical figures stories were going to end and i still was ready or expecting it, cannot believe Shauna has me mourning fictional and real people who don’t exist or died a thousand years ago. The Tuatha de Dananna and Fomorians mythology is super interesting as well I’m going to have to read more about them to because i am now thouroghly obsessed with Irish/celtic mythology and history.