An excellent use of History and Mythology to produce a fabulously rich read. I love both the genres of Historical Fiction and Fantasy, and this series hits my wheelhouse.
Shauna Lawless has taken Ancient Irish History, late 10th century and early 11th century, added the Irish Mythologies of the Tuatha De Danann and the Fomorian to the battles of the Irish King Brian Boru. King Brian attempt to unified Ireland and defeat the Danes aka the Vikings, at the same time. There were battles that historian have had a hard time figuring out who won. A really messy period of Ancient Ireland.
Shauna Lawless has reimagined the enigmatic historical figure Gormflaith, making her one of the main POVs in the story. Gormflaith was the wife of King Brian Boru, though Brian was her third husband. Lawless portrays Gormflaith as a Fomorian at war with the Tuatha De Danann, as seen through the POV of Fodla. The Tuatha De Danann face a division: some wish to retreat from the world, while others desire to aid humanity despite its imperfections. This group consists of Druids, warriors, healers, and seers.
Shauna Lawless use of the literary creation of Gormflaith as a member of the Fomorian gives another reason for Gormflaith actions as guided by an attempt to defeat the Tuatha De Danann and create a ruling class of the magical inclined Fomorians over the humans.
It is a fascinating trilogy that has moved into one of my all-time great reads. This book's ending had all the feels, plus gives hope that there might be more stories to tell. I certainly hope so.
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