The Gael Song Series
For fans of historical fiction and Celtic mythology, The Gael Song Series by Shauna Lawless is the perfect mix of genres. Currently, there are two books in the series (with book two being released 9/14/2023). The author is working on a third installment to be published at a future date. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of the second book in the series, The Words of Kings and Prophets, so I picked up the first book, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, in the series to get established with the story. When I say I read these books in a matter of days, I am not exaggerating. Both novels are compelling and engrossing, leading the reader through a myriad of history and mythology that will leave you wanting to know more!
About the Author, Shauna Lawless
A lover of Irish history, Shauna Lawless lives in County Down with her husband and children. She takes inspiration for her writing from the beautiful Irish landscapes and history surrounding her home.
Lawless “wanted to explore the history and mythology of Ireland in a more authentic way,” after reading many Irish mythologies over the years. In The Gael Song Series, Lawless certainly succeeds in this endeavor.
You can learn more about the series and Shauna Lawless by visiting her website here, which features author insights as well as book reviews.
My Thoughts on The Gael Song Books
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men (Gael Song Series 1) by Shauna Lawless
Book one of her Gael Song series, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless opens with the death of Dublin’s Viking King. His widow, Gormflaith, has ambitions and a closely guarded secret: she is a Fomorian. This means that she’s of an immortal race who can practice fire-magic.
The Formorians are in conflict with the Tuatha Dé Danann, a similarly powerful race of immortals who once lived amongst mortals.
With this otherworldly conflict in mind, the novel takes us through Irish history and politics in the late 10th Century AD, when the land is on the brink of war. It took me a little bit to get oriented with the plot, but once I did, I was hooked!
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless is available
from from Amazon and Bookshop.org.
The Words of Kings and Prophets (Gale Song Series 2) by Shauna Lawless
Shauna Lawless’ second installment of the Gael Song series is a masterpiece. Building off of the incredible world building from the first book in the series, Lawless continues her dramatic historical tale with all the intriguing details I had hoped for.
Not only is Lawless’ novel beautifully written, with robust characters who are well-rounded and realistic (albeit magical in some cases), but the historical research into the non-magical aspects of the story is compelling, as is the attention to detail she weaves throughout.
If you’re at all interested in Irish history or Celtic folklore, this series was made for you!
The Words of Kings and Prophets by Shauna Lawless is available for pre-order
from Amazon and Bookshop.org. It will be released on October 3, 2023.
Where to Buy The Gael Song Series
Currently, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless is available from from Amazon and Bookshop.org. The second novel in the Gael Song series, The Words of Kings and Prophets by Shauna Lawless is available for pre-order from Amazon and Bookshop.org. The Words of Kings and Prophets will be released on September 14, 2023.
This post is a part of my What to Read series, where I share themed reading lists and book guides based on genre, time period, theme, or author.
You can peruse more of my What to Read reading guides here!
*The second novel in this series, The Words of Kings and Prophets by Shauna Lawless, was gifted to me as part of a review program that Cats & Coffee is a part of. I was not required to post about the novel in exchange for getting a copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my honest own.
