A magical tale woven intricately with facts of a rich vivid Irish history that grabbed a hold of me and would not let go. The characters were interesting and full of life and color and I loved and hated them at the same time. I am in awe of this story and am beyond desire for more! I need to know what happens next! I commend the author on her decision to include the Irish folklore into this historical tale, it really made the story so much more. I really hope people will give it a chance even if they only enjoy fantasy or historical. Together, the story became everything!

I am in love with this book. The characters, the setting, the story, everything about this book is so good, so detailed and so well written. I am so happy to have found a book that has myth, folklore and all the ingredients needed in a good YA book but that as an adult I can appreciate. A must read if you enjoy mysticism and magic and a story so perfectly told you won’t be able to put it down.

I loved this!

An historical fantasy, set in the late 10th Century Ireland, told from the perspective of two women in very male lead misogynistic world.
This is a time of change, Irish kings fight or make allegiances with Viking rulers, pagan beliefs mingle with the new Christian religion.
The two main characters offer a slightly outside perspective. They are from two supernatural/mythical peoples - both dying out. The Fomorians seek power and control, the Tuatha Dé Danann hide themselves away but spy on the activities of the humans - only helping to heal women and children.

This isn't heavy fantasy - both of the supernatural people avoid using their powers - but it is well combined with real history (a lot of the major characters are real historical figures) and gives a feel of a time when myth was closer to reality.

The story is primarily focused on the politics, plotting and scheming of kings, which may sound like it should be dry but rather than be dense or slow, the writing is engaging. The characters feel genuine and realistic, the world complex and dangerous.

I flew through this book and can’t wait to see how the story continues.

4.5/5 stars: THE CHILDREN OF GODS AND FIGHTING MEN is a superb novel that weaves history and Irish mythology into a cunning game of political maneuvering. Told from two points of view, the reader follows the immortals Gormflaith and Fódla over a span of nearly 20 years in 10th century Ireland. Gormflaith, one of the last of the Fomorians, will do anything to ensure her mortal son stays king. Fódla, one of the Tuatha Dé Danann who hunt and kill Fomorians, will do anything to protect her sister's son. Set in a time period of political uncertainty as Irish and Viking cultures slowly amalgamate, the Fomorians seek to integrate and rule the land while the Tuatha Dé Danann continue to distance themselves from the violence of men.

I loved the assemblage of true historical events with fantasy elements. At the end of the book the author explains that a lot of the names and events actually happened. She took some liberties with the timeline and names to push events closer together and avoid name repetition. But I found this created a believable and atmospheric vibe true to the time because of the historical records available for incorporation. Though I don't know much about Irish mythology or medieval Irish history, this book made me inspired to learn more.

The political chess game also really drew me in. It's been quite a while since I read a book that included this much foresight by characters playing the long game of king of the castle. Though these characters are based off of real people, records can only tell us so much and cannot fully portray their personalities. I felt that the author really put a lot of thought into how to depict Gormflaith and Fódla in their respective situations.

Because the Tuatha Dé Danann have sworn to kill all Fomorians, the Fomorians do what they can to survive. This means no magic, integrate with the mortals, and breed. As a result Gormflaith's early life is as a pawn in her mother's machinations to keep the Fomorian race alive. But once her mother dies, Gormflaith puts all of her energy into ensuring her mortal son won't have to bend to another's whim by planning his ascendance as king.

The Tuatha Dé Danann, however, want nothing to do with the mortals, for they seem them as a violent race hellbent on war and death. They believe this so strongly that they implemented laws forbidding living among mortals and interfering with their squabbles. But when the Tuatha Dé Danann cast out Fódla's sister, Ronnan, for lying with a mortal, Fódla begins to question whether their laws are fair. Fódla's task to spy on King Brian introduces her to a side of humanity not frequently described by her kin. That is, not all men are cruel and not all men want war. Some men are honorable and brutally passionate about bringing peace to their land, which makes Fódla reevaluate what she knows and was taught about humankind.

Though I would have appreciated more descriptions of the magic system, there's enough history and displays of magic to get the gist. Since this is the first book in a series, I have no doubt we'll learn more as the story progresses. Perhaps if you're familiar with Irish mythology you may have a more informed idea of the history of these magical races. I, however, shall be pleasantly surprised as it unfolds.

I don't feel my review does this book justice even though I enjoyed it (and read it fairly quickly relative to recent reads). But at its heart THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND FIGHTING MEN is about making the world a better place for the survival of one's family. Not everyone agrees on the right way to accomplish this, whether it's by raiding and conquering, brokering peace treaties, retreating to prejudice and isolationism, or integrating with other races and cultures.

DNF around 35%.
Unfortunately, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men didn't have enough to keep me engaged. There are several characters the story jumps back and forth between, and while they are perfectly fine characters, none of them gripped me.
The synopsis hints at a story of gods and men and this book doesn't have a lot of fantasy elements to it. There is a race of humans that live longer, have a little bit of magic, but nothing beyond that. There are secret societies that are sworn never to interact with humanity and so on, but it only serves to add a little fluff to an otherwise mundane historical tale.
If you like a brush of magic with your historical fiction, definitely look into this.

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is a lovely blend of history, fantasy, and mythology. The story is told in alternating perspectives of two magical women whose ancestors and peers are mortal enemies. The two women never interact, but their stories are very much intertwined, I really appreciated the cast of characters and pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book. There were a lot of traditional Irish names used. A nicely paced story, it left me wanting to know more since it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. Hopefully there's more to come!

First, I wanted to say that I really enjoyed this book. Books about Irish history and mythology are not extremely common, so I was pleased to discover this one.

The story is good and it kept me interested through the whole book, which is why I rated it highly.

Character wise, I found the book lacked a single truly likable or sympathetic character. Out of the two main characters I believe you were supposed to like Fodla, but I found her to be somewhat boring and uninteresting. The second main character, Gormflaith, was morally corrupt and obviously the "villain" of the two, but her chapters were more interesting even when I hated what she was doing.

The writing is good, but I found it to be a bit out of place for a historical fiction/fantasy novel that takes place in the 10th century. Characters would use very modern words and it would jar me out of my immersion in the world.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone with a interest in Irish history and mythology. Or just to anyone who likes a good fantasy story.

THE CHILDREN OF GODS AND FIGHTING MEN is a stunner of a historical fantasy novel, weaving magic into the real event of late 10th century Ireland as kings vie for power, and two magical groups of people play long games of power.

I love historical fantasy, particularly one that takes real events and adds magic - which this does. The book probably veers more on the historical side than the fantastical, but I really enjoyed that. I love history and the 10th century in Northern Europe as a whole is one of shifting powers and cultural clashes between the Vikings and the people they settle with finding ways to live together or resist. Against this constantly shifting (in terms of dominance) cultural background is set a story of women trying to survive the upheavals of power struggles - and shape it for their own ends.

The book is told from the perspective of two women, Fódla and Gormflaith, both of whom have power they keep hidden. Gormflaith is the one really getting her hands stuck in to the politics, manoeuvring the men around her. I loved how unashamedly she pursued her goals and used everyone to make her (and her son's) position secure. She knew what she wanted and was ruthless in pursuit of it.

Fódla by contrast observes. She's there to spy but has preconceived notions instilled by her magical community that are broken down as she starts to question some of their rules. Through her we get this hope for peace and stability as she's so full of compassion but also instilled fear.

They don't really cross paths in the book, mostly leading very separate lives, only touching each other thanks to the politics they observe (or in Gormflaith's case, participate in.) Usually, unlinked POVs are something I don't particularly enjoy (one POV is my favourite and any not linked to them I don't care about) but their voices and struggles were so richly drawn that I wanted to see more of both of them - and how they'd eventually meet up. And it looks like they'll be interacting a lot more in the next book.

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men was well-written, informative and the plot had a very strong start. That said, I started to lose interest by the halfway point, as things started feeling repetitive and I didn't quite know where the plot was going to go. Overall, while this wasn't my favorite, it also was not a bad debut and I look forward to reading more of Shauna Lawless.

This book may be for you if you like...
- Strong, female leads
- High fantasy with a GOT vibe
- Nonlinear timelines
- Historical fiction

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

To some, the Tuatha Dé Danann and their foes the Fomorians are the stuff of legend, but their descendants are very much alive in 10th century Ireland. The descendants of both the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians use their magic to interfere in dynastic struggles: the Tuatha Dé Danann to keep the peace, and the Fomorians to seize power.
When the king of Dublin dies, his death sets off a chain of events that will cause the descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians to become involved in a mortal war that may have supernatural consequences.
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless is a historical fantasy that is steeped in history and legend much like Lucy Holland’s Sistersong but also steeped in magic and dynastic battles much like George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. An epic and compelling read I couldn’t put down!

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is the most promising debut I've read all year.

I have received this book in exchange of an honest review, thank you to Head of Zues and Netgalley for the opportunity.

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Historical fantasy is one of my favourite sub genres, and to me personally, it doesn't really matter which side of the spectrum does a series fall as long as I'm having fun. For a first book, I'll classify The Children of Gods and Fighting Men to be closer to historical fiction, than fantasy. Which in turn, makes me super glad that I didn't come into the book expecting the opposite.

Don't let the above imply in any shape or form that the book wasn't good, because that's simply not true. It's just that, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men can be considered a setup book for the conflicts to come and it's mostly done in a battle of politics and alliances more so than anything else. And even then, there is nothing to worry about because this is going to be a staple recommendation from my side when it comes to books with amazing politicking henceforth.

The nations in question, the different entities involved, the religious side, misconceptions, challenged ideas, the double standards, survival, alliances and betrayals to name a few are what the book revolves around for the bigger part of its plotline. The author wastes no time in establishing the sides of the conflict and letting me see their lives in this very horrible world.

What made it even more interesting for me personally, is that it seemingly handles a side of real history that I haven't been exposed to much just yet. I really enjoyed the brief lessons of Irish / viking history, religions, lore, and legends. There was one mentioned possible plotline that I really hope comes back later on, in much bigger details with the same set of point of views.

Speaking of which, the choice of point of view characters in The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is incredibly smart and is also unique.

There are only two of them in the book, and they are both women. But, the sides they discuss and/or focus on, are similar in one area and different in almost everything else. Though they are the main point of views, the role of men in this very patriarchal society is in the spotlight just as much as Gormflaith and Fódla, not diminished or ignored in any way.

The role of women in general in a historical setting is usually very clear, and this time was no different. I'll argue that it's the ONLY book I've read so far where the argument of "things like this happen because it's realistic" is actually applicable. If I separate the book into quarters, then the third quarter was the hardest one to read for me in this book because of how much of it I could actually see as a reality and there was one side about it that I didn't enjoy as much.

Despite that however, both of them tried their best to survive and make the best of the cards they were dealt. Intelligence, compassion, grief, thoughtfulness, scorn, hate, cunning and ruthlessness were some of the traits I saw in both of them and they were truly fantastic to follow. And that's why I call it unique.

It's easier to create a point of view character who is in the middle of the action at all times, it's much much harder to create an engaging character who is theoretically on the side with a very rigid designation. But Shauna Lawless did. Gormflaith is easily one of the best characters I've come across this year/ever and depending on what happens later on for Fódla, I'm certain she'll end up joining the favourites list as well.

I look forward to the continuation of their stories so much (hopefully it won't be too heavy with a certain something I 99.99% hate), and I'm almost certain that it's going to be just as good as this one was, if not more.

"Hate was what consumed me now. And I had so much of it."

It was a very fun and addicting book, I enjoyed my time a lot and I can't wait to continue whenever I get the chance to do so! Incredible debut!

Final rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This is a difficult one for me to review because while it is objectively very good, I just personally struggled and DNFed it at 73%. I'm still giving it 3 stars though.

What I liked:
- The writing style is great for the most part. It's well-written and fits the time. However, there were some pieces of dialogue that struck me as odd because they felt too short for the significance of the situation.
- The historical aspect. This was clearly very well researched and flawlessly combined history and mythology. I will definitely be recommending this book to lovers of historical fiction. I also think the complexity of the world and plot is doing a good job at setting up this series.
- Gormflaith's character. She reminded me a lot of Cersei from Game of Thrones. She's cunning and clever, but sometimes her plans work against her, and ultimately she's just another pawn in the game. I loved that she was a bit of an anti-heroine/villainness.
- The first 30% of the book. At the beginning, I thought this was going to be a 5-star read. I found it easy to get into, and I loved how authentic the world felt.

However, it became repetitive after that. At around 60%, I paused and thought... what has even happened for the past 20-30 % ? The plot was moving so slowly, and it became repetitive. I love historical fantasy, I love political intrigues, but I also need some actual action in between. I also found it hard to keep track of the worldbuilding as the story progressed. I hope the final copy of the book comes with a map because I think that would help a lot. The list of character names helps, but a glossary would have also been helpful.

I also struggled with Fodla's storyline, it was intriguing at first but then... nothing happened?
The time jumps were also confusing, I missed the first one because I didn't really pay attention to the year numbers at the beginning of each chapter and was confused why the kid is suddenly 4 years old.

Because of all that, I found myself not caring about the story anymore. It was all tangled up and very... non-linear and slow-moving, and every page started feeling like a chore. I stopped reading at 73 %.
Overall, I think this series has a lot of potential, and I'm sure other readers will really appreciate it, I just personally struggled a lot.

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 could be mistaken for historical fiction were it not for the occasional burst of magic, the latter blending in to this world seamlessly despite its fantastical nature.

Full of political intrigue, magic, Vikings, and family feuds, this is a retelling of Ireland's history and mythology that made me eager to learn more about Ireland's cultural history. In short, this is a quick and engaging read and the start of what looks set to be a very strong series.

(Thank-you very much to the publishers and Netgalley for sending me an advance copy of the book!)

A spellbinding novel steeped in heart and vengeance that blends myth and history whilst being led by ferocious heroines!

Shauna Lawless arrives in the fantasy world with a magical explosion! Fans of Game of Thrones, Sarah J. Maas and Bernard Cornwell get ready to read your new favourite author! Shauna Lawless weaves Irish myth with history like a master at the loom! I knew nothing of Irish history or myth and thanks to Shauna, I am fully invested. The series ‘Gael Song’, which ‘The Children of Gods and Fighting Men’ kicks off, is already one of my favourite current series and I’m already counting down the days to the next release. At the time of writing this, the first one hasn’t seven released yet!!

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is a tale of generational rivalry, magical gifts and centred at its heart…humanities bonds. Within these covers is the start of what promises to be a magnificent series. Masterfully depicted battle scenes and treacherous tales of deceit keep the story alive and kicking. Never, at any point, did I feel that the pace slowed or was starting to burn out. From chapter to chapter there is so much to intake but not so much that the story becomes convoluted. There is the perfect amount of storytelling.

Gormflaith and Fódla are powerful female leads with sometimes literal fire flowing through their veins. Their individual journeys throughout the novel are riveting. The growth and development of all of the characters, not just the leads, is superb. Each has a well thought out and described backstory and all of them have a unique part to play in the novel. Shauna created beautiful character based imagery in my mind that stayed with me through each chapter.

A fast-paced blending of myth and history awaits you in this book. Let Shauna Lawless take you on a magical trip through ancient Ireland and fill your mind with beautiful stories and a diverse set of captivating characters. The Gael Song series promises to be a new fantasy classic so jump on board right at the start! Thank you Head of Zeus and Ad Astra for the ARC.

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is out September 1st!

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, by Shauna Lawless. See link below for my booktube style review.

https://youtu.be/JlHERCvT4nQ

(3.5 stars)

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is a healthy mix of historical fiction and fantasy, set in 10th century Ireland and combining Irish history with folklore. As a lover of folklore and folktales, the choice of setting and story felt very true, as folklore is entrenched in history, culture, and tradition.

The story is told from two perspectives, following two women from opposing magical forces as they support two opposing mortal kingdoms. The main appeal of the story is human nature and political intrigue, so if you enjoy a book that has a solid plot and action, this might not be the story for you. I also assume this is the first in what will be a series, as this first book was mainly build-up of tension and very little release. I felt that there could have been a little more payoff for how much investment you put into the characters as a reader, however I'm sure it will get incredibly tense and exciting in future books!

The world building and character development was solid, however, for the first book in a series. It did feel a little slow for my personal taste in the first half, but this is in part due to its genre as historical fiction/fantasy. The pace was fairly meandering, as is the course of history, but there were time-jumps throughout which I felt gave me little time to feel properly connected to the characters. In turn, the characters' connections to each other would suddenly change which each time-jump, which was a little jarring.

Perhaps this illustrates more how I feel about this genre in particular, however, and is not necessarily a reflection on the writing, which I found engaging. There was plenty of dialogue (which I love, and helps increase the pace), and quite a few lovely, poetic sentences, especially in regards to nature and the elements. The story felt very grounded in the landscape, which is crucial in a story like this.

Recommended for readers who don't mind a slower journey, and who want to explore more of Irish history and folklore (as from the writer's note, it is meant to be fairly historically accurate).

Thank you so much Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the arc of The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

What can I say, I was unsure about a book that merges history with magic, I’ve read a few previously that didn’t gel, but this book achieves the perfect merger between the two. Combining the ferocious and thrilling history of Ireland during the 10th century with elements of magic, myth and viking lore, it delivers an engaging and intriguing story from the perspective of two female protagonists who are mythical enemies from distinct magical lines, the Fomorians, and the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Fódla of the Tuatha Dé Danann and Gormflaith of the Fomorians are on opposing sides at a time in Irish history where conflict was rife as battles are fought to regain control of Ireland from the Vikings. Both have magic, and their stories are woven so beautifully into the narrative that there’s no questioning the existence of myth, and magic during these times.

The storyline is blended into key historical events and times, and the author has endeavoured to be as true to history as possible, which only serves to reinforce the world she has created and illustrate a genuine desire to be as real as fantasy can be.

I was truly engaged in this story from the first page, please don’t be daunted by the reams of characters and pronouncing names. (There are some great sites to help you get those names right when you are reading, and honestly they don’t detract from this story. The names are actually amazing,

I absolutely loved how this book brought history to life, displaying the politics, scheming and betrayals that went behind the battles and wars, which were also described with an excellent touch, displaying the rawness and pave of events.

This was a great read and I’m definitely picking a copy up, and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book, as there is so much more to come for Fódla, Gormflaith, and for this author.

First off, this is probably the best historical fantasy debut I have ever read. Lawless had me in their palm of their hand from the first chapter.

Set in Ireland in the late 900s, we follow Gormflaith and Fódla. Gormflaith's husband, the Viking King of Dublin, has just died and she wants to get her son on the throne and fast. Amongst all her courtly secrets, she also has a secret of her own, she's a Fomorian. Fomorians are an immortal being that can perform fire magic and she has had to keep this secret to stay alive and stay safe from the other immortals of this world, the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Fódla is one such Tuatha Dé Danann who sets out on an undercover mission to spy on the battling kings of Ireland and send word back to her people. Along the way Fódla must fight against what she has been told and what she believes to be true.

This is a truly glorious piece of fiction with a lot of well research Irish history mixed in, Lawless' masterpiece shows how historical fantasy can and should be done. I cannot wait for the next installment.

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 well with my current reading trends. I enjoyed the complexity of the story as the reader bounces back and forth between two warring factions each with their own magical ability and the need to safeguard that knowledge from the other and mankind. Men, Vikings especially, pose quite a risk to each and though they sometimes live among them, it can come at a high price.

This novel is so easy to sink into. The world building and character development brings the age to life. I am always pleased to enjoy the first of a trilogy and this is no exception. There is much more story left for the follow on books.

I’m always ready for a high fantasy that shares secrets of a country’s folklore, gods and magic. In this historical fantasy work, our author shares the myths and legends of Ireland in a loose retelling of the country’s history.

This story follows two female POV’s of women who have very separate magical powers and whose family histories have held conflicts for generations. Queen Gormflaith’s husband has died and she is consumed with having her son take the crown and making her voice heard, all while hiding her true self and magic. Our second POV, Fodla, carries the grief of a lost daughter and struggles to find her place and trust in a world of dangerous men.

I enjoyed this book and the history that it carried with it; however, I would have preferred a bit more action in the book (my own personal preference in any fantasy novel). The author did an amazing job of weaving together different beliefs in mythology and Catholicism and sharing so much folklore regarding Ireland.

Thank you to Head of Zeus Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley.