I absolutely loved getting to know the characters, the world building was spot on and I felt like I was there. I loved how there were twists that I didn’t see coming, so many books have similar stories that it’s hard to be surprised but there were a few times I was shocked! Only negative is I have to wait for book 2!

She lived and breathed archaeology

Same Ash, same. And talking about Aisling, welcome to this honest review of Realm of Lore and Lies, a book I had the opportunity to read as an advance copy.

Like I said, this is Ash’s story, a girl who ran from her clan and years after that she is in her last year of her archaeology degree. The only connection she has with her family is through her brother’s letters she receives monthly. One day like any other, she is working on an archaeological site, and she saw a Banshee, a creature that according to Irish folklore is a signal if someone will die soon. Oh surprise, not much time after that, Ash found a body in a tomb, but obviously this is not a skeleton from an ancient group, nope, it’s a person that had been murdered and now, Ash is a suspect.

But that is not the only thing that complicates Ash’s life, she also has to return home and take an active role on her clan, and be part of the Cath, something like a competition on Tír na nÓg AKA the land of youth or the Irish otherworld. Dun dun dun… Here is where things became interesting, that’s means you have enough information to make yourself an idea of what this book is about.

With the help of Maebh, Setanta and Tiernan, Ash has to claim her birthright, find a murderer and win some quest for the High King, nothing could go wrong right? Well, everything could go wrong when magic and ancient forces are involved, so you can figure out that Ash’s journey isn’t easy.

Quick opinion, I loved this book. The world in this book feel so real, magical and it’s so full of myths that this archaeologist and myths lover writing this review fangirled a lot. This book brings to life a lot of Irish folklore and combines this with a murder mystery and a fantasy story, and even with these elements, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming or dense.

Now, what I think is the strongest point of this book, the characters, this story follows multiple points of view, and every single one of them was really good, but my favorite was Ash’s POV. But the four of them were fascinating. I love that every one of the four main characters, Ash, Set, Maebh, and Tier; had their own adventure and space to grow through the story, to feel their fears and to make their own choices.

Talking about the characters I can’t talk about one of them, letting the others behind so, what can I say without spoiling you? That I loved them and I really need them happy and living their best life. Another thing I can say is #leaveMaebhbehappy please, this girl has been through a lot; also I can say that I loved that Ash fangirled with ancient symbols, and I’ve never been so identified with a character, in terms of their love for the past, like I was with Ash. And of course, I can’t forget that Tiernan is so smart, I love how clever he is, and also how cute Setanta is, I mean he could kill me, but I think he is like a big teddy bear ready to kill.

Finally, let’s talk about that final part of the book, it was so good, I love it, the way everything tided up together to make the big revelation of the real evil one was epic. Now I'm patiently waiting for book two on this series because I need to read what will happen to these guys in the trials they’ll have to face in the future.

Sooooo, I gave Realm of Lore and Lies 4.5/5 because even when I loved this book, and it’s such an amazing story full of myths and folklore, it was a little difficult for me to follow every character’s storyline at the beginning, but in my defense, I was more focused on Ash’s story because I just wanted to know, and I am an impatient person :D. But when I did it, I couldn’t stop reading until the end.

Aisling has been different since she ran away from home 7 years ago. She rediscovers her roots of being a Fianna warrior against the Fair Ones when an unexpected tragedy strikes.

Maebh has always been second fiddle to her twin brother Setana in their mothers eyes. She’s tired of constantly feeling the need to prove herself “just as golden” as Set.

These two become unlikely friends and Allie’s as they have to navigate the ins and outs of clan life.

This is a wonderful debut novel set deep in Irish mythology!

Fanyasy book set in Ireland and it is so good !! The story follows Ash , a girl who ran from her clan years ago and is in school at she is in her archaeology. One day she saw a Banshee, a creature that signals someone is going to die Soon after that, she discovers a murder victim and become a suspect. To make things worse, she has to return to her clan, and become part of the Cath, a competition in the Irish otherworld. With the help of others along the way, she has to win the quest for the High King, claim her birth right , and find the real murderer. Myth lovers will love this as it involves magic and lots of Irish folklore.