I have loved Shauna Lawless' previous series so was extremely excited to get my hands on this.

Shauna Lawless is such a unique storyteller with how she mixes fantasy and mythology and keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Full transparency, I had only read the first Gael Song novel before this but I really enjoyed it and Shauna Lawless as an author by extension. I don't read enough novels based in Ireland or Irish mythology so the Gael Song books really fill that void for me.

I didn't really realise the set up for this book going in so I wasn't sure whether it was more of a sequel to the other novels or a standalone story. It's essentially a sequel with a time jump but it works on its own though too and is well worth a read. I'll have to give it a reread to catch any references I might have missed once I catch up on the rest of the books.

The next era of the Gael Song trilogy takes us 100 years into the future, on the eve of the Norman invasion, and we finally get to see Fodla’s daughter take centre stage! A mix of her parents, she enters into a world that is vastly different from the first trilogy with an Ireland that is changing, politics that will never be the same and the slow decline of both the descendants and the fomorians. Entering in the petty politics of the men of Ireland and the newly powerful Normans, Lawless is able to weave history and fantasy together in a way that is captivating - the ever changing loyalties of the Irish and vikings, and the introduction of the more structured and regimented Normans set the stage for a complex and enthralling political fantasy, and the mix of fantasy that comes from both magical races just adds something to the storyline that takes it to the next level. Gormflaith returns with a vengeance, and as always is manipulating her way to the top - the new additions to the fomorians change the dynamic in such an interesting way, and the ending has me devastated that I have to wait for the next book - the reveals and secrets were set up so well that I’m angry I didn’t predict them (although I was a bit suspicious of one of our characters and that last chapter!). Lawless has a way of writing the women characters in a way that highlights their strengths and abilities, even while they are constrained by the world they live in and the men around them. I love the viewpoints that they have, and I think that it makes the story the success that it is. If you love political fantasy with a mythological bent, you can’t go wrong with Shauna Lawless.

This book was everything I fell in love with in the first Gael Song trilogy and more. Being back in this timeline was magical and it had just enough hints from the past for my shattered heart’s sake, whilst also adding fresh elements.

I think Isolde, whilst naive and sheltered in a lot of this book, showed us morsels of who she’s set to becoming in later books and I can’t wait to get to know her more. I’m also sensing a stronger romantic plot that the original trilogy, which I really can’t wait for.

I find Ireland’s history and rich mythology fascinating and Shauna Lawless’ expertise at seamlessly blend history and fantasy will always be one of my favourite things. That, and her ability to create the most hateful, yet utterly compelling villains!

REVIEW: Daughter of the Otherworld by Shauna Lawless
Shauna Lawless returns to her Gael Song Saga with Daughter of the Otherworld. This is the first novel in a second trilogy set in Lawless' Irish historical fantasy world. It is with great happiness that I can say that this story is more of the same that readers will know and love – an incredibly readable, well-paced, believable fantasy tale, inspired by Irish mythology. If you have already read Lawless' other novels and novellas in this world, you will feel very comfortable hitting the ground running and immediately re-immerse yourself in this saga. However, I think you would be able to begin with The Daughter of the Otherworld and still enjoy it. Lawless is a very thorough writer, and there is usually a detailed Dramatis Personae (including a pronunciation guide for those of us who butcher the Irish names) available to refer to if needed.
The Daughter of the Otherworld is the story of the next generation of Descendants and Fomorians. The children we met in the first trilogy are all grown up, and still hell bent on destroying each other. For Broccan, this is a very personal vendetta; he blames the Fomorians for the death of almost everyone he has ever loved. For Isolde, it is prophesied that she will be the one to destroy fire. But Isolde presents no magical gift; she is young, untested, and horribly naïve of the world beyond the tiny island where her cousin raised her in near isolation. Before, the Fomorians, Gormflaith, her brother, and their offspring, plotted to rule Ireland. Now that they are returning to their homeland, they still desire it and will burn everyone who stands in their way.
So, as I said, this is a follow on from the earlier trilogy. The first chapters are relatively soon after the ending of The Land of the Living and the Dead, but then there is a time jump of one hundred and fifty or so years. Given that the magical characters have a life span of half a millennium, it is enough time for the mortal world to move on and forget, but not a tremendous amount of time for our main characters. I've always liked the historical details in Lawless' writing, which continues in The Daughter of the Otherworld in a slightly different era. There are more Normans than Vikings now, they travel to ports and castles that I regonise with Bristol and Chepstow Castle (which is still a very cool castle to visit if you ever find yourself around the area).
There is a shift in perspectives in The Daughter of the Otherworld. Where Lawless' first novel, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, was told exclusively from female perspectives, there is more variation here. We switch from male and female POVs, Fomorian and Descendants, first- and second-generation perspectives. Increasing the number of narrators is a great way to show how the power is shifting in this new trilogy and the contrasts between them, but I miss that female-focused viewpoint. It showcased how Fódla and Gormflaith had to exist (and persuade or scheme) whilst not actually being in a position of power, and we don't get as much of that here.
However, there remains the same mix of mythology, history, and magic that I enjoyed so much. There are some violent moments, and a lot of betrayal and double crossing, making it enjoyable to fans of dark fantasy, even if it might not tick all their boxes. If you liked the first trilogy and were left wanting more like me, you will not be disappointed with the next era and your time spent reading Daughter of the Otherworld. Thank you to Shauna Lawless and our friends at Head of Zeus / Ad Astra for sending me an eARC for review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Daughter of the Otherworld is such a beautifully written, immersive story. I didn’t realise at first that this was part of a trilogy, but I never felt lost - Shauna Lawless does such a wonderful job of giving enough context that you can easily fall straight into the world and follow the characters.

The writing is rich and atmospheric, blending history, politics, and Irish mythology so seamlessly that it feels both grounded and magical. The characters were a real highlight for me - especially Isolde and Broccan - layered, compelling, and so easy to root for. Their journeys had me hooked from the beginning.

If I had one small wish, it would be for an index or pronunciation guide, as I’m certain I’ve butchered more than a few names along the way! But honestly, that didn’t detract from how much I enjoyed the story.

This is a book that will appeal to anyone who loves myth-inspired fantasy, political intrigue, and strong character arcs. I’ll definitely be going back to buy the other books in the series, because this world has completely captured me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Head of Zeus, and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shauna Lawless is a master of prose, her writing is sharp, purposeful, and never weighed down by unnecessary fluff. Every sentence feels intentional and impactful. One of the greatest strengths of her series is the way she seamlessly blends history with mythology, and Daughter of the Otherworld is no exception.

I initially struggled to connect with the events on Rathlin at the beginning of the book, but by the end I understood why I felt this way. At this stage in my own life, I think it was harder to relate to the naivety of a younger character and the sheltered world she inhabited. In hindsight, that distance actually serves the narrative well, as it underscores Isolde’s isolation and makes her eventual growth and widening perspective all the more impactful.

Whereas Gormflaith’s chapters do an extraordinary job of balancing her power-hungry, strong, and often villainous side with glimpses of very human emotions across the series, I didn’t find that same depth in Donchad’s perspective. His chapters felt more focused on driving the historical plot forward, full of names, dates, and shifting alliances, which is important for the wider context but at times harder to stay invested in. They may land better on a reread, but on first pass it didn’t capture me as much as the other characters’ storylines.

Overall though, this is another strong installment from Lawless - rich, mythic, and deeply atmospheric. If you enjoy historical fantasy woven with Irish myth and legend, this series is absolutely worth diving into. I can’t wait to read Dreams of Chaos

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Daughter of the Otherworld is an enthralling continuation of Shauna Lawless’s Gael Song world, set fifty years after the original trilogy and filled with magic, prophecy and political intrigue. Isolde, the daughter of a mortal king and an immortal Descendant, reappears after more than a century missing. Yet she is giftless, with no magical power to call her own, a dangerous truth when the Fomorians are rising in strength and seeking to manipulate Norman lords into invading Ireland.

Isolde is a fascinating protagonist. At first she knows nothing of her family’s magical heritage and is cautious, self-sufficient and quietly curious. Her gradual awakening to the truth of her identity is both compelling and believable, as her story unfolds with the weight of prophecy on her shoulders. In contrast, Gormflaith continues to weave manipulation and cruelty with her own dark ambitions, her pessimism and hunger for power making her a chilling presence throughout.

Lawless’s writing blends Irish history, myth and folklore with strong character work and high-stakes drama. The atmosphere is rich, and the tension between Descendants and Fomorians gives the book both a mythic grandeur and a sharp political edge.

This is not a book to enter without the foundation of the first trilogy, as past characters and conflicts play vital roles in the unfolding story. For returning readers, however, it is a deeply rewarding continuation that expands the world and raises the stakes even higher.

Daughter of the Otherworld is a vivid, immersive and thrilling book, perfect for fans of myth-inspired fantasy filled with complex characters, danger and destiny.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Start of a new trilogy in the same world as the Gael Song Series, picking up around a hundred years on and focusing on Isolde, who vanished into the earth as a baby. Still in danger from the Fomorians, she attempts to get to the descendants on the mainland, before getting tied up in the politics of 1100s, Normans and all.

Similar in style to the first trilogy, with surviving characters featuring, this feels like the continuation it is. It took me a while to become engaged with Isolde’s story, but once I got on board this fair flew by. Less immediate for me than the first books, but I’m looking forward to more myth and history coming to life

Daughter of the Otherworld continues the Gael Song saga. I went in expecting a rich tapestry of Irish myth, but instead found a world far more electrifying than I’d bargained for. Isolde barely eighteen yet returned after vanishing for over a century hooked me from the start. Giftless in a land brimming with magic, she feels both doomed and destined to shake things up. Shauna Lawless’s prose is nothing short of luminous; her blend of historical depth and tangled fantasy is vivid, breathless, and wildly immersive.

The backdrop medieval Ireland under the looming Norman invasion, with Fomorians stirring trouble and political webs spun by the Pope is utterly compelling. I found myself turning pages into the early hours. That said, while the story feels fresh, it isn’t the best entry point, as you’d miss the first three Gael Song books.

Still, Lawless delivers a high-stakes, character-driven fantasy that punches well above its weight. I’m already scheming how to get hold of the next one this book simply refused to be put down. My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for a e-arc and an honest opinion.

✨ 4.5 stars ✨
This book marks such a promising beginning for this new era...new timeline, new characters, same sharp storytelling. I did feel the pacing dipped a little in the middle, but the ending? Perfection. It already has me desperate for the next one.

It’s definitely a book that stands on its own, but if you’ve read the original trilogy, you’ll appreciate the depth and worldbuilding even more. The atmosphere isn't quite as rich as in the first books, but the character arcs? Absolutely stellar.

I just love the way Shauna weaves politics, myth, and emotion into every chapter. She’s quickly become a must-read author for me.

A wonderful addition to the Gael Song Saga by Shauna Lawless. Continues with her tradmark combination of Mythology and Fantasy, with complex political manoeuvring and some hard hitting emotional moments.

I came into this book with big expectations and it still impressed me so much. The writing felt rich and beautiful. I loved how every character had real voice, they all felt alive, layered, and complicated in the best way. The emotions were strong, and I liked how grief and love were treated with care. The balance between history and fantasy worked perfectly for me, it was both magical and grounded at the same time. I felt the tension rising page after page and yet there was softness too. Honestly, I was consumed from start to end, and when I reached the last page, I just wanted more. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

Thank you Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC!

I didn't realise this was the start of a new trilogy in a series, but I didn't feel lost, the author gave plenty of context all the way through, so my enjoyment of this book wasn't lost. What I missed was a pronunciation guide of some sort which I hope it will be included in the completed book.

The story was enjoyable and the characters and their relationships were strong, specially Broccan and Isolde. It was so beautiful to watch the warrior, that was so set on revenge against the Fomorians in the beginning of the book, to settle to raise little Isolde and protect her.

There is so much packed in this book, the scheming Fomorians trying to regain a foothold in Ireland circle of power, the flight of Isolde trying to reach the reach of the Descendants after the Fomorians attack left her alone, the treachery between the the different kings of Ireland and the intricacies of politics and family feuds.

There is much to keep you turning the page without feeling overwhelming or too slow. And the writing style is definitely captivating! Will for sure read the previous trilogy before the next book is published!

Daughter of the Otherworld

Rating: 3

A continuation of the Gael series, picking up 150 years after the end of the third book in the series.

This book continues with Shauna Lawless' melodic writing which captures the trials the characters face in ancient Irish history.

An enjoyable read, but it felt a smidge predictable in the last third of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC! As always, flawless work from Shauna Lawless.

This is the first book in the second ‘era’ of the saga focusing on the fight between the Formorians and the Descendants of Tuatha De Danann. Lawless seamlessly blends fiction and fantasy in what feels as an old-fashioned adventure novel (/complimentary ;)).

Though it’s set 150 years later than the previous saga, it’s nevertheless filled with familiar characters and places. I appreciated how the ‘time away’ for some of the main characters allowed for interesting reflections on history and human nature.

Our main character Isolde is very much her parents’ daughter: naive, too trusting, and says whatever insult comes to mind when she hears men say stupid shit 🙂‍↕️💖 I loved Cuan and I can’t wait to discover where the story goes from here. So many mysteries! That’s another thing Lawless is really good at: setting up the stage for the next story arc without making the current one feel unfinished or leaving her readers unsatisfied.

My only (tiny) issue is that unlike the other novels, this book didn’t have an overview of the characters and how to pronounce their names.

Can’t wait for more!

I'd give it 3.5/5 stars

Coming to Daughter of the Otherworld without any prior experience in Shauna Lawless’s Gael Song series was both intriguing and a little disorienting, and I could tell it made a difference. The context was usually made clear with exposition, so I never felt completely lost, but I still feel like I missed something.

The positives are easy to spot: Lawless’s writing is lush and lyrical, with a clear love for Irish history and mythology. The setting feels alive—full of political tension, supernatural undercurrents, and a sense of real stakes. The characters are well written, making it easy to put yourself in their shoes. The compelling mix of court intrigue, personal struggles, and hints of bigger forces at play makes for a fun cocktail, mostly due to the execution of Shauna herself.

Where it didn’t fully click for me was the emotional weight behind certain moments. There were references to past events and family legacies that I understood in a basic way from the context given, but I had the nagging feeling those scenes would have been much more powerful if I’d known the history firsthand. I sometimes felt like I’d walked into season two of a TV show without watching season one—still able to follow the plot, but not entirely part of the emotional conversation.

The cast is varied and interesting, from the determined and pragmatic Meallan to the politically shrewd—but morally complicated—Étain, and the mysterious Aed, whose ties to the Otherworld hint at deeper layers yet to be revealed. Even without the background from previous books, I found several characters immediately engaging, especially in how their personal stakes intersect with the larger conflicts. That said, as already mentioned, I sometimes felt like I was being introduced to old friends at a party—people clearly important to those around them, but whose significance I could only partly grasp. Their relationships are layered and believable, but I suspect the earlier books would have made those connections feel richer and more immediate.

In general, the central storyline here stands on its own well enough to keep me reading, and I was invested in seeing how the characters’ choices played out. If you’re willing to accept that you might miss some of the deeper resonance, this works fine as an entry point. But for maximum impact, I suspect this is a series best read from the beginning, which is what I'll do. With the help of the original trilogy plus the novella's, this review might turn into a 4 or 4.5 star rating.

Actual rating: 3.75

I went into this book blindfolded, thus knowing nothing about the trilogy that comes after it. While having read it might enhance the enjoyment of Daughter of the Otherworld, I was never in the dark during this journey. In fact, Shauna Lawless hints to events of the previous books just enough to carry you through this new chapter without feeling lost because I have missing information. Also, I am now curious about the backstory and I'll definitely catch up with the first trilogy.

The prose flows nicely, sometimes reminiscent of Medieval poems, and the different point of views are written in different enough ways to add to the characterization and to not be confusing.

The plot is well-structured, with flashbacks that help understand the background story, and with interesting use of dreams and visions to add further magic to the whole story. Moreover, I really appreciated the various explanations about Irish customs of kingship and similar and the differences between them and English ones. In fact, I found the historical inserts about such things and also Christianity and its spreading to add depth to the whole story. In the same way, Irish folklore is well woven into the plot, and recalled when needed without overshadowing the story.

My only note is that I wish the romance had been slower and, most importantly, better-built and explored, but this has obviously more to do with my taste than with the author's writing skills.

I'm really glad NetGalley, the publisher and the author allowed me to read the ARC of this book, because I've discovered both a new author and a new story, of which I'll absolutely read more.

Shauna Lawless never fails to leave me in awe. Her stories weave myth, history and heartbreak into something utterly breathtaking and Daughter of the Otherworld is absolutely no exception.

Coming back to this world felt like stepping through a familiar door only to find the entire landscape transformed. Over a century has passed, Ireland is shifting, power changes hands, old grudges fester and yet myth and magic still weave through the land, never truly gone. It’s like watching legends refuse to rest, determined to carve out their next chapter and I just couldn’t get enough.

Isolde is such a compelling lead—Torn between who she is and who everyone expects her to be. I loved the way she balanced quiet vulnerability with a hidden spark of her mother Fódla’s fierce spirit. I just know there is so much more to come with her and I can’t wait to see it unfold.

And Broccan… gods, he shattered me. Carrying centuries of grief and loyalty, his moments with Isolde felt raw and painfully human. Their bond was tender and magnetic, and I was completely swept up in it.
Cuan added a beautiful undercurrent of quiet sorrow, his steadfastness tinged everything with a bittersweet note that I adored.

Let’s not forget Gormflaith—her return hit like a lightning strike. Watching events twist through her eyes left me reeling between empathy and dread. Lawless never gives us simple villains … her characters are flawed, aching, vividly human, and that’s what makes them truly unforgettable. Even the secondary characters are written to utter perfection.

There’s also such a profound exploration of grief and loss here and all handled with incredible tenderness. Lawless’s writing is gorgeous!! Immersive and lyrical, yet always anchored in raw emotion. By the end, as always, I was desperate for more. It’s killing me knowing I have to wait to see how it all plays out. I don't regret picking this up so soon, but also, I do!!

This series has more than earned its place on my all-time favourites shelf … and Lawless on my all-time fave author list.
It’s stories like this — rooted in folklore, tangled in politics, brimming with heartbreak and love — that remind me exactly why I read fantasy. I’ll be championing these books to anyone who’ll listen.

If you crave historical fantasy that feels rich, lived-in, and achingly real, please do yourself a favour and pick this up. 💛 You honestly won’t regret it.

I was a little apprehensive going into this book. It's the start of a new trilogy in the world of Gael Song, set more than a hundred years after the events of the third book. I picked up Children of Gods and Fighting Men immediately after its release and loved it, then waited a year for Words of Kings and Prophets and adored it, and then waited another year for Land of Living and the Dead and... just liked it. I'm definitely in the minority with that opinion, as everyone says it's the best in the trilogy, but it did make me nervous about this latest installment. Was the series still for me? Was I even going to like a book without Fódla in it?
Yes and yes, I'm happy to report.

It has a slow start but once it gripped me, even the relatively slower pace and set-up-heavy first part could not make me put the book down.
The writing style is so fluid that even the slowest parts go by fast, aided by short sentences and the multiple first-person POVs.

Isolda is not her mother, but after a few unsteady initial chapters she found her stride. She's younger and even more naive, which makes for a less compelling main character but perfectly places her to introduce the Ireland of the late 12th century to us readers. That's still the field in which Lawless shines the most: She makes the setting feel truly alive, not only with descriptions and interactions, but also by conveying the differences in worldview and customs between the Irish and other people. We get to see what changed in a century and what didn't: slavery is back, the Vikings are more integrated, Christianity has taken over. The threat now to the Irish way of life is Norman knights fueled by the Crusades and in search of new land, and their new combat style that puts more emphasis on logistics and personal honor rather than cunning and individual prowess.

The secondary cast highlight different aspects of the society and have distinct personalities that make them interesting to read about. The most compelling is of course Cuan, Isolde's love interest, half Viking and considered an outsider by his Irish family, even if he's related to the High King. It will be hard to top Murchad's charm, but there's a tragic conflict being set up for him and I'm doing my best not to go on a Wikipedia rabbit hole to read all about the following historical events to try to guess what will happen next.

Gormflaith is back as well, though for this book she takes the back seat and leaves the stage to her son Donnchad, now an adult with a son of his own, whose ambitions and treachery rival those of her mother. He was a window on the Norman side that we sorely needed, but his internal thoughts did not captivate me; his son Angelo however, mute and violent, is clearly being positioned to play a more important role later in the series and I can't wait to see what he does.

I will advise any interested reader who has not done so already to read the previous trilogy before picking this one up. I understand it's being marketed as being able to stand on its own, but I disagree. You may enjoy the story, but what makes this series great are its historical elements; and not knowing what came before would make certain events or details, not to mention character interactions, less impactful. As for me, I will be waiting impatiently for book two, once again. Especially after that avalanche of an ending!