Oh my, Shauna Lawless has done it again.

The Words of Kings and Prophets is the (much anticipated) sequel to Lawless' brilliant historical fantasy debut The Children of Gods and Fighting Men. The book picks up where we left off and begins in Ireland in 1,000 AD and we continue to follow Gormflaith and Fódla - I believe everyone who enjoyed the first installment should go into this with no knowledge of what is to come so I will include below my review of the first installment to act as a reminder.

Note: I could not recommend this series more highly, Lawless is an absolute master at their craft and re-reading the first book prior to picking up the latest was an absolute treat. Bring on book 3!

My Children of Gods and Fighting Men review:
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.

Absolutely devoured The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, and thank the gods NetGalley allowed me to read the sequel immediately. This book starts right after its events with just as much delicious political scheming and nuanced character development as the first—plus a little more of a romance subplot. Although I will say that I initially had different expectations for the contents of this book (keeping it vague to avoid spoilers), the pacing never flagged, with secrets and discoveries dropped just right.

My terrible queen Gormflaith is as cunning as ever in dealing with her new home and circumstances, and GAH did I love and hate being in her head. These types of FMCs are my absolute favourite to read and her characterisation was so wonderfully layered. It’s a 10 from me!

Fódla continues to drive herself deeper into my heart with her kindness and love, and we get more background on her toxic relationship with Tomas. I absolutely loved her and Murchad’s dynamic. She deserves so much happiness (universe, heed me!!).

We also get some of Colum’s POV in this book, and, like Gormflaith and Fódla, his voice is so distinctly <i>his</i>, and it is wonderful to read, adding more layers to this saga.

At its centre though, this is a saga about complex women, strong in different but convincing ways. They have gone through amazing character arcs, and I am so incredibly ready for book 3.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I loved The Words of Kings and Prophets, and I'm save to say it's my new book series obsession. That's how much I loved it!

The story starts right where it was left and it gets going immediately. The timeframe of the second book is done on much smaller scope than the first one. That's why I got invested to the story and characters' lives more, as we are provided more details and insights about the events happening.

I got so attached to my favourite characters and I was rooting for them the whole time. There were so many dangerous twists and unexpected events that I was on the edge to find out what happens next almost throughout the whole book. Even though Fódla and Gormflaith are polar opposites, both of them have their owm charm. Fódla is my favourite character. I love how kind she is and how she's starting to gain her courage and stands up for what is important. Gormflaith is a great villain and her scheming is very interesting to read about. I loved the character development both for Fódla and Gormflaith. The prevalent theme of the second book is mainly to start getting things into our main characters' hands and to finally start doing what they want (even though these are completely different things with a different approach for both women).

This series is a perfect combination of historical fiction and fantasy. The Irish mythology is effortlessly woven into the story inspired by Irish history. Once again, I got interested to learn more about the history after finishing it. In this second book, the magical elements are becoming a more important part of the story and were explored more compared to the first book and I just loved that!

I can't wait for another installment in this historical fantasy series inspired by Irish history and mythology! I would honestly recommend it to anyone who is even slightly interested in the history mixed with mythology because they get such a compelling series to be excited about!

“The river song could be heard by the Tuatha Dé Danann, it was said – heard when they were dying, or their hearts were breaking. I knew it was true because I heard it after Aoife died. And I heard it now.“

Shauna’s prose for me is so clean and easily readable that, despite not remembering totally the events of Children Of Gods And Men (head like a sieve, honestly), I was immediately drawn back into her world. Gormflaith: a queen cunning and confident in her beauty and power. Fódla: A spy under a spell of concealment, desperate to preserve what she loves. Both of them struggling against the influence and decisions of men.

“Why did mankind have to always be at odds with itself? Why did one group have to be better than another?”

Gormflaith is absolutely as awful and as fascinating as ever. It’s like reading the diaries of Regina George if she were gifted with fire magic and also living in Ireland in the year 1000. And yet I’m always hungry to read more about her…

Fódla - I love Fódla in a very different way to Gormflaith. Why must anything bad ever happen to her? She deserves better, Shauna.

Secrets, lies, love affairs, betrayal, rivalries, feasting, fighting, intrigue, murders and magic… all of this and more!!!

“Waiting is always the hardest. Waiting for men to go off to war. To find out who wins, who loses. Who lives, who dies.”

Do you know what’s hardest, Shauna?! WAITING FOR THE NEXT BOOK.

I am new to this story (having not read Book 1, nevertheless I was so enthralled by the characters and especially the setting in this superbly told story. A phenomenal read!

Shauna Lawless’ unique blend of historical fiction and fantasy set in Medieval Ireland continues with this worthy follow up in the Gael Song Trilogy. Full of political intrigue, betrayal and devious villains. This was a gripping episode in the series. My only ongoing bugbear is the perception that women did not have equal rights to men in this particular part of history, especially within a marriage. It seems to be that when ever anyone bases fantasy in Medieval times, they have to import 18th – 20th C sexism into it. Which is very annoying in an otherwise brilliant book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for a review copy of this book. I read the first book in this series, Gael Song, and was so thrilled to find an extremely well written book set in Ireland during the Brian Boru Viking period, with the added bonus of descendants of Irish gods woven into the mix to stir trouble and create drama. This book continues the story and definitely doesn’t disappoint, but rather effortlessly weaves the reader back into the story of Fódla, a healer descended from the Tuatha de Danann, who lives disguised as a disfigured healer in the household of Brian Boru’s son, Murchad. She is there to spy on the mortals for her former lover and head druid, Tómas so that she might look after her precious nephew until he finds a place among the mortals. But enough years have passed since she left the island where the descendants isolate themselves that all the questions and concerns she had over the wisdom of Tómas’s direction of the Descendants have become more pressing, especially now that she’s broken Tómas’s rule and used her magic healing gift to save Murchad, because of her growing feelings for him.

Gormflaith’s story continues too. A secret Fomorian descendant, is now Brian’s wife and Queen of Munster and arrives at her new home to continue her plotting to help her brother eventually rule over all of Ireland. Events and people thwart her plans constantly until she suspects the presence of a Tuatha de Danann Descendant and is determined to use that knowledge to her own ends.

The two primary viewpoints drive the storyline along with the historic events of Irish history and Brian Boru’s rule, creating a complexity of fast paced tension filled chapters, richly developed characters and a wonderful backdrop of landscape and colour that make for a fabulous read. As a historian myself, living in Ireland with a passion for the Irish myths, I found this novel a compelling and absorbing read that I just flew through. A definite five star read.

I've finished 'The Words of Kings and Prophets' by Shauna Lawless during the night and I'm not gonna shut up about it from now on. The fact that I've refused to go to sleep before finishing the book is a strong indication about my feelings about it.
Basically, we follow mainly two women with significant magical powers, but they’re nothing compared to the power this book had over me. Every aspect of the story that I’ve loved in the first installment in the series got even better- the characters, the magic itself, the action, the reveals. This book spans much shorter period of time than the first one, but we have much more happening. It was an absolute page turner, and if I didn’t have some things happening in my personal life, I’m sure I’d have finished reading it in two days.
I am aware this review sounds like a paid one- I assure you it’s not, I always am very honest about my thoughts, even if they are unpopular opinions. Sorry for the chaos here also, it’s hard to write a spoiler free review about a book that isn’t a stand-alone or a first one in the series, and one that evoked such strong feelings at that. I will just say for now that if you have enjoyed ‘The Children of Gods and Fighting Men’ and it was at least ‘okay’ for you, I don’t think there’s an option for you being disappointed in the continuation, and if you haven’t read it yet, I strongly recommend you do. In my personal opinion, the first book feels almost like a prologue compared to the second one and it is so worth it to dive into this world.

About the negatives, there are a few: I refused to sleep because of this read, and I was really stressed because I’ve cared about some of the characters too much and I was worried about my poor heart. :D Take it as you will.

I’m very grateful for the ARC granted by Netgalley and the Publisher and I really hope I’ll be able to get one for the next book in the series as I’m sure whatever happens in it, it will also be my favorite.

Similar pace to the first one but I felt I enjoyed it more and okay taking my time getting through it. I panicked so much towards the end. Love the relationship development and how the plans are started to intercede and big game plans are forming. Think shit is gonna go down in the next book!

The Words of Kings and Prophets
by Shauna Lawless
Pub Date: 14 Sep 2023

The sequel to the critically acclaimed The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, The Words of Kings and Prophets is the powerful new historical fantasy novel by Shauna Lawless.

Ireland, 1000 AD. Gormflaith is unhappily married to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, and although a queen she struggles with her limited position. As an immortal Fomorian with the secret gift of magic, Gormflaith has a burning desire: to find and destroy the hidden fortress of her sworn enemies, the Descendants, who seek to kill her kind at all costs. She begins to use her magical powers, and discovers she is more skilled than she ever realised... but can she control what she will become?

Meanwhile Fódla, the Descendants' healer, mourns her banished sister but clings to life as the guardian of her young nephew. She seeks a place of safety for them both, but he has secrets of his own that could threaten everything – and Fódla must do all in her power to keep him hidden away from those who would use him for evil.

When a mysterious man comes to King Brian's court, his presence could spell disaster or deliverance for both Gormflaith and Fódla – and for Ireland herself. For he is Tomas, an ambitious immortal with few scruples – and he will do anything to see his plans become reality.

Soon, mortals and immortals alike are drawn towards a bitter conflict that could decide the future of Ireland and all her people.

*A tense, emotional, and exciting return to Ancient Ireland*

I loved The Children Of Gods And Fighting Men so much that I was nervous in anticipation of whatever came next. But The Words Of Kings And Prophets certainly does not fall down as a book #2; this is even better than the trilogy opener. Picking up straight from the dramatic ending of TCOGAFM, not only do we get to see even more into our main characters but also we're introduced to Colman and his pov.

This tense book had me on the edge at all times, but it's handled deftly by Lawless and I never once felt like anything was happening for the sake of it. There are high risks, manipulation, lies, betrayals & treachery - inside & outside families - but also the very opposite: friendship, trust, love, community. It's not a plain good v evil story, with everyone having their reasons and we get to see more of what's happening - and why - for everyone in book #2.

Lawless has again brought this amazing part of Ireland, and Irish history. to life and it is wonderful to see so many people discovering the magic of the Tuatha De Danaan, the Fomorians, and the stories of the kings of Ireland...except she goes one better and raises the women to the same legendary status. Ancient Ireland comes to life in this exceptional book, and I already can't wait for book #3.

This series is an absolute triumph, I cannot wait for book 3! The two leading heroines in this series are exquisitely written! The themes and imagery used from Irish mythology are so captivating that it just makes the reader want to keep turning those pages! A brilliant brilliant read!

The Words of Kings and Prophets picks up where The Children of Gods and Fighting Men left off.

Gormflaith lives in Munster now, unhappily married to Brian Boru, shunned by her son Sitric and manipulated by her power-hungry brother. She is still trying to secure a victory for the Fomorians, with some unexpected surprises helping her along the way.

Fódla is also in Munster, healing people, raising Broccan, getting closer to Murchad and trying to escape Tomas's spies. But the peace she is dreaming of is further than ever, with Brian joining his forces with Sitric's Vikings and aiming for the title of the High King.

Although the scope of history is just as large here as in TCOGAFM, the scope of the story is somehow smaller. Although Gormflaith and Fódla both claim to worry about larger events - the first about the return of the Fomorians and her brother's ambition to find the Descendants and wipe them out, and the second about Tomas grabbing all the power he can get his hands on and isolating the Descendants from the humans - the story mostly follows their everyday troubles.

But although we spend a long time in their heads, I felt no development, no growth with either of the main narrators. I am fond of flawed characters and tragic mistakes, but I very much dislike it when the characters don't see what is obvious to the readers and refuse to learn from their past mistakes. Gormflaith is supposed to be clever, but all her machinations just alienate people and leave her alone and despised, and she cannot see that Maelmorda is incapable of achieving anything despite all the evidence before her. Likewise, Fódla (and also Colmon) should have realized by now what Tomas's plans are and how corrupt he is. The manner in which this obvious blindness is repeated throughout the book, causing much trouble for the main characters, is jarring for me.

However, despite my objections, TWOKAP is a gripping book, demonstrating once again that the author can make a very complicated story with a huge cast clear and interesting for the reader. I just hope that by the end of this trilogy Gormflaith and Fódla will grow and change and take the reins of their destiny into their own hands.

It was a lot of fun getting back into the Gael Song trilogy and seeing where the story went from the end of Children of God's and Fighting Men.

Like the first book this is a multi POV, largely from Fódla and Gormflaith but also Colmon and even a little from Rónnat. I think those two extras really added a lot, even though they were less present than our main leading ladies. Additionally, with the POVs, I have to say Shauna Lawless has an excellent sense of pacing to move between the views at dramatic and also less busy points.

Gormflaith continues to be the calculating woman we've come to know (I can't say 'and love' because let's be honest, she is not someone you want to be stuck in a house with). But we see her integrate herself more among the Munster Kingdom and its King. As always, her scheming with her brother means there is rarely a dull moment and in all of them you know she can't be trusted. But she learns some pretty ground-breaking things in this book and that can only mean things will hit the fan for at least one other character as the story progresses.

Fódla continues her healing, raising Broccan and balancing her roles in life with her wants and changing views. I was interested in her conflict from the get-go and that hasn't changed. I think we're going to see some unexpected strength and power from her in the next book and I am here for it.

These two characters were not passive in the first book at all but you can definitely feel their characters have had enough and are taking control for themselves now. With the underlying Tuatha Dé Danann and Fomorian rivalry we've seen already, and the changing alliances, allegiances and politics of the story, this is going to be big. Which shouldn't come as a surprise since Rónnat basically tells Colmon this.

What I loved, just as with the first book, was the constant pull from documented history, the magic, the depth of characters to paint a vivid picture of ancient Ireland. Loved it then. Love it now. I've only just closed the book and I am ready to find out what comes next (even though I suspect I am probably not prepared for it, nor do I really want the story to end).

*Side note and as vague as possible without spoilers: I did NOT see the Senna scene playing out that way*

I loved this as much as book one, if not more. The blend of Irish history, mythology, magic and politics is beautiful. Thiws book picks up right where the last one left off, and in much the same manner, has several storylines going on at once which interwine seemlessy. This book I also felt deepened the readers connection with the characters, you really get a feel for who everyone is, and what has driven them to their actions. There is just as much political scheming, betrayals and twists and turns, and you are never quite sure who is going to pull through where, or how all the pieces will fall, espieically with ever-looming war over-arching the story.. Thestory just flows and i found it passing by almost too fast! the ending leaves us open to so many possibilities I can't wait to see how this series ends.

What a phenomenal sequel! Shauna Lawless continues her epic tale in this second instalment of the Gael Song series. This book continues exactly where the previous one ended, at year 1000 in Ireland. Just as the previous book, this story makes history come alive, with added spices of magic and mythology.

The book is an absolute page turner full of intrigue and I found myself constantly reading “just one more chapter” wondering what would come next. The story is fast paced and unpredictable, I couldn’t put it down. So much happens from the first page to the last that I can’t really give a synopsis without spoiling too much.

The Gael Song series is a world of manipulation, treachery and deceit, full of insidious villains and political machinations. But this story also includes epic romance, a complex look at motherhood and gripping depictions of the struggles women face in a society created by men for men. I especially love that there are no cartoon villains in this story, everyone is acting the way they do for a reason and the characters come in all shades of grey rather than black and white.

I adored this book just as much as the first one and I’m so excited for the rest of this series! I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fantasy with a lot of political intrigue and strong female characters.