I really found this to be an intriguing novel! I like Riona and thought that she was a strong character! I also love the setting of Ireland! The writing tended to be choppy! Nevertheless, I. recommend this novel for fans of Melanie Karsak!

Great concept and I love the setting and the use of Irish myth. Didn't really connect with the style.

Echoes of the Otherworld was a beautifully written, lyrical and atmospheric story centred around Riona- priestess of the Morrigan and her own journey of self discovery and what she encountered along the way.
The aspects I enjoyed in the story were the world building, the different types of rituals, the variety of characters as well as the plot (although it was a bit slow in some parts).
This is my first foray into the authors work and I found it to be immersive and a unique, interesting writing style.
Thankyou to Net galley and Forgotten Rites Publishing as well as the author for an arc of this book.

Here’s your rewritten version with smoother flow and a slightly more polished, review-ready tone:

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This story follows Riona, a Priestess of the Morrigan—bridge between past and present and keeper of the land’s memory—on her journey beyond the veil to retrieve the Heartstone of Danu. Her quest is both physical and spiritual, exploring themes of remembrance, transformation, and sacrifice.

*The Echoes of the Otherworld* delivers exactly what it promises: lyrical prose and stunning imagery. The author paints an atmospheric, vividly detailed world that’s easy to sink into, and I found myself highlighting passage after passage that struck me.

Where I personally struggled was feeling fully invested in the journey itself. While I connected to some of Riona’s fears—especially her worry about losing memories and, with them, the essence of who we are—I never felt deeply attached to her as a character.

That said, I suspect this may be a case of me not being the target audience. Readers with a deeper familiarity or love for Irish mythology will likely connect more strongly. For the right audience, I can absolutely see this being a 5-star read.

Beautiful, poetic writing in this story full of Irish mythology and history. It’s quite a dreamy experience reading it.

“Echoes of the Otherworld" immerses readers in a mythic version of ancient Ireland. Donald Quill’s lyrical prose follows Riona, the High Priestess of the Morrigan, on her quest for the Heartstone of Danu as she navigates the haunting Otherworld.

Riona's struggle with fading gods and tradition is compelling, supported by a rich cast. Quill skillfully explores themes of memory and the importance of honoring the past.

This enchanting tale is a rewarding read for fans of myth and immersive storytelling. Special thanks to Forgotten Rites Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the inclusion of classic Celtic mythology was really well done. The writing style was dynamic and kept the reader on their toes. I connected with the characters well and I think it’s an excellent set up to the rest of the series!

We are in Ireland in ancient time.
Riona is a High Priestess of the Morrigan. At an early age she knew that her live will not be an ordinary one, instead that the biggest test possible is waiting for her. The old good are fading and the world is shifting. Knowledge is lost, rites are no longer practiced.
She feels that now is the time for her to choose what will become of the world and her live. She is called to retrieve the Heartstone of Danu. This journey brings her beyond the veil and she must choose which sacrifices she is willing to do so a bridge between the world and the veil can exist.
But she is not on her own on this journey. She has allies in an ancestral spirit as a Crown, a silent warrior and a blind poet. Together they walk the path between our mortal world and the divine.

I struggle to rate this book.
The idea is really interesting. I like old Irish Myth so I thought this book is perfect for me when this is brought into a story.
It is well written especially the path between the mortal world and the divine but somehow I did not really get a connection to Riona and the story didn´t really hook me. It might me, that my knowledge of old Irish Myth is not deep enough, to really enjoy this book.
The writing uses wonderful wording which creates a great mystical atmosphere. So this is from my point of view perfectly done in this book.
I think for persons really fond of ancient mythology, old rites, symbolism, this will be a better and maybe even a perfect book.

This book takes you on an enchanting adventure alongside Riona as she embarks on her journey to unravel the lost secrets. I liked having the opportunity to encounter the past and present throughout the book, with the flashbacks appearing throughout.

It was beautiful descriptive read, with Irish Mythology interwoven throughout. I did struggle with the pace of the book at some points and had to take a break and then return. But glad I finished it.

I enjoyed the spiral pattern of the book. It echoed an obvious theme from the book. I did find the story to be a bit repetitive and hard to follow at times. I really liked the lyrics at the end of the book. I would love to hear how these songs would sound. I also very much appreciated the pronunciation guide at the end of the book and the information about the historical places. This book was obviously well researched. I just feel that the execution was a little dry.

Arc review:

DNF 15%

I unfortunately couldn’t finish the book. I was really struggling with the writing style. It was an interesting premise. Things were jumping all over the place and it was hard to understand why certain breaks in the text were taken, as well as the random bits of information that were thrown in

First of all thanks to NetGalley, the author Donald Quill and Forgotten Rites for this e-arc!
This book was not for me. I finished reading it but I unfortunately felt no connection to the characters and felt no interest in the plot.
I did enjoy Irish mythology and the rituals etc!

The writing is both poignant and poetic.

I initially had trouble getting into the cadence until I forced myself to slow down by reading out loud.

I enjoyed the historical detail that went into this book. The magic system is intricate and in everything. The character and world development is heavily detailed and yet easy to follow. Great read and looking forward to more.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Forgotten Rites for the opportunity to review this book.

I thought the writing was deeply atmospheric and poetic: the lyricality serves the mythology and lore of Ireland really well. The depiction of Riona's journey as a priestess of Morrigan heavily meandered and lingered, so this isn't necessarily a book to pick up if you want a straightforward answer conventional plot and storytelling.
If you’re into Irish mythology (or appreciate mythology at all) I think you'd appreciate how this book honors the symbolism, rituals, and quests. There were moments when the pacing dragged a bit too much, but overall, this was captivating and I enjoyed the uniqueness of the songs woven in throughout.

📖✨ ARC Review – Echoes of the Otherworld by Donald Quill
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)
Genre: Mythic Fantasy | Irish Folklore | Lyrical & Dreamlike

“And the crow is calling…”

If you’re the kind of reader who loves to be swept into lush, poetic prose and wander through ancient, mist-wreathed lands woven from myth and memory—this book will absolutely enchant you.

Set in a mythic reimagining of ancient Ireland, Echoes of the Otherworld is the story of Ríona, a flame-bound priestess walking the path between life and death. Her journey leads through haunted lands, fading gods, ancestral truths, and the silences of the Otherworld—where something old is beginning to stir.

This isn’t a fast-paced fantasy full of plot twists and action. Instead, it’s a deeply atmospheric, spiritual tale that unfolds like a song or a sacred rite. Think whispered prophecy, forgotten gods, dream logic, and the steady echo of memory in the bones of the land. I found it meditative, immersive, and gorgeously written.

The writing is lyrical—at times almost hypnotic—and the worldbuilding is richly grounded in Irish myth and cosmology. There are original chants, echoes of ancient rites, and so many beautiful details I wanted to underline half the book. 🌿✨

💭 That said, this is a book that asks for patience. It meanders like an old river—sometimes slow, sometimes unclear—and the focus is more on atmosphere and emotion than traditional narrative drive. It might not be for everyone. But if you love books like The Children of Gods and Fighting Men or The Book of the Most Precious Substance, and if you enjoy symbolism, mythic structure, and stories that leave space for reflection—you’ll likely be as spellbound as I was.

🔮 Perfect for readers who love:
– Irish mythology & spiritual quests
– Lyrical, poetic prose
– Abstract storytelling & deep symbolism
– Dreamlike journeys between worlds
– Powerful priestess energy and sacred femininity

📚 This is the first book in the Songs of the Crowmother trilogy – and book two is already in development. I’ll be keeping an eye out 👀

Thank you to NetGalley and Forgotten Rites Publishing for the ARC 🖤

Echoes of the Otherworld by Donald Quill is a 5 star read for me. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forgotten Rites Publishing for an ARC copy.
A beautifully written story, immersed in magic and Irish mythology. There were so many things to love about this book, and I am sure many people will devour it.

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I struggled to get into the story. While I enjoyed the descriptive and lyrical writing and found the irish mythology very interesting, I couldn't invest in the characters, and the plot didn't hook me. I definitely got lost in the world, which was so clearly painted by the author, but I found the descriptions overshadowed the story.

“Some are born to hear what the world has buried,” she whispered. “And some to become its voice.”

This story follows Riona, a Priestess of the Morrigan, the bridge between past and present, and the memory of the land, on her journey beyond the veil to retrieve the Heartstone of Danu. Riona’s journey is both physical and spiritual, with themes of remembrance, change, and sacrifice.

The Echoes of the Otherworld delivered on its promise of beautiful prose and imagery. The author painted a vivid and atmospheric world that was easy to get lost in. I found myself highlighting much of the prose that resonated with me.

Where I struggled with this book was not feeling personally engaged with the journey itself. While I understand and connect to some of Riona’s fears, specifically around the loss of our memories, and in consequence, the loss of who we are and once were, I didn’t feel connected enough to be deeply attached to her journey.

Perhaps I’m not the target audience for this book and it would be better suited for someone with a richer knowledge of Irish mythology. For the right audience, I absolutely can see this being a 5 star read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Donald Quill, and Forgotten Rites Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Beautifully written, quite surreal at times, I’d recommend if you like quite a dreamy experience in a book.
I thought the songs were suggested songs and looked them up on a music app, I found them very fitting until I realised they were actually written songs at the end. Probably easier to see in a physical book as you flick through it. Although the veilIbound song I found is now on hard repeat as is the album I thought I’d found it in so all is well and the sleep deep volume 5 album suits the book.
I do think this is the sort of book you read a chapter before you go to sleep and dream of. The narrative meandered and at times felt repetitive. I wasn’t always sure what was happening but that not a criticism of the book. It felt like a dream, you don’t question it you experience it. It was a very different reading experience to any other book I’ve ever read and felt very poetical.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC for my consideration this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinions.