Wow, go get this one as soon as possible. It’s like an adult Percy Jackson meets a mysterious Brandon Sanderson book.

The first in a gripping new historical fantasy series that intertwines Irish mythology with real-life history, Wow what a rollercoaster of a ride… jaw-dropping and edge-of-the-seat… Instantly hooked… I literally couldn't put it down… I can't recommend this book enough!!!!

I had mixed feelings about his book and when i actually started reading it, guess what? I couldn't stop. Wonderfully crafted with plot inspired from Irish myths and legends and well built characters, you simply cannot help but get enamoured with the book. An absolute delight!

This is one of those stories where as soon as I put it down, I thirst for the rest of the series.
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men felt long but every second where I wasn't doing something, I had to read it. The urge to keep reading, and acquaint myself with the characters, swelled within me as soon as I woke up in the morning.
First, the most compelling part of this story are it's characters. The POV is mainly split between two characters: Fodla and Gormflaith. Two powerful, and vital women. The ways in which these two channel their power, and influence a society that women are widely unaccepted in as anything besides a mother, is fascinating. The Children of Gods and Fighting Men bleeds femininity, god knows I love it.
There is not a lot to say about this book without spoiling it, but if you thirst for a solid fantasy with strong female main-characters, invest in this one! Honestly, I don't care what your preferences usually are, invest in this novel anyways. I am confident Lawless' series will go far. Her characters and world are wonderfully forged. This is just the beginning.

I absolutely love it when I end up being blown away by a book that I had virtually no knowledge about before reading it. Such is exactly the case with THE CHILDREN OF GODS AND FIGHTING MEN by Shauna Lawless. All I knew going into it was that it dealt a good deal with Irish mythology/history and also had a solid basis in the pagan vs Christian split in Ireland at that time. And yes, there are Vikings, so I had some inkling that this book would be right up my alley. But I wasn't prepared for just how "up my alley" it was.

So many things kept me glued this story. One in particular was the amazingly executed political maneuvering and intrigue. I mentioned in one of my updates that it is really hard to pull off a story with lots of political intrigue because you have to make it interesting or you will quickly lose the reader. Well, this is some of the most tightly written and compelling maneuvering that I've come across quite honestly. The newly widowed Gormflaith is determined almost to the point of obsession to help her only son Sitric rise to become King of Dublin. And the lengths that she goes to try and place him on the throne are limitless. I was inspired by her dedication and yes, also her calculated scheming at times. But we all know that a mother's love can sometimes lead to extraordinary measures being taken in defense of their children, am I right? (See Orka from John Gwynne's Bloodsworn trilogy).

As the story goes on we get introduced to other characters who are on the complete opposite side of the coin in their motivations and desires. And that is really what made this book such a captivating read, both sides are given equal time through the alternating POVs and we get to view how the ensuing conflict develops through each of their perspectives. One thing is very clear, both sides think they are the "good guys" despite the growing feeling that neither one of them may be in actuality. And yet each has a strong sense that they should lead, resulting in many a violent altercation as you would expect.

I feel like there is so much that I want to say about this book but nothing seems profound enough or nearly sufficient to do it justice. All I can say is as I was reading it, with every passing chapter, I got the sense that I was reading the start of a series that is going to make big waves once it is released into the world. There's so much crossover appeal here with plenty to enjoy for fantasy fans, historical fiction aficionados, and those who love a good dose of folklore. Honestly, I can't wait until more people get an opportunity to experience it.

Lawless writes historical fiction steeped in fantasy and mythology like Bernard Cornwell, Mary Stewart, and Stephen Lawhead at the top of their games. I don't say this lightly either, I'm aware of the track record and accomplishments of these authors. But I have to say that Lawless more than holds her own among that lofty company. If you are an admirer of those books, you will absolutely love this.

Okay, i'm done gushing. Maybe. I'll just finish by saying that I was so impressed with every single aspect of this book. Shauna Lawless has loudly and triumphantly announced her presence to the world with this unforgettable debut and first book in the Gael Song series. Preorder it now because this is just one of those books that you must read the moment it is available. THE CHILDREN OF GODS AND FIGHTING MEN is truly an epic tale that nobody is going to want to miss. Now I just have to figure out how I'm going to deal with waiting for book two!

Part history, part fantasy, mostly a bloody good read, this book sweeps the reader along and keeps you engaged all the way, you almost don't want the end of the book to happen

This was a beautifully written story. From the first page where the names were also written phonetically to the last I couldn’t put it down. It had a root in ancient Irish history and on that base the author has written an awesome tale. I look forward to reading more from Shauna Lawless.

This was such a riveting read that was well written, with an enchanting storyline and well developed characters that i really liked. This was much better than I expected and I couldn't put it down. I will definitely be reading more by this author.