Gael Song
2 primary works • 3 total works
Book 1
The first in a gripping new historical fantasy series that intertwines Irish mythology with real-life history, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is the thrilling debut novel by Shauna Lawless.
They think they've killed the last of us...
981 AD. The Viking King of Dublin is dead. His young widow, Gormflaith, has ambitions for her son – and herself – but Ireland is a dangerous place and kings tend not to stay kings for long. Gormflaith also has a secret. She is one of the Fomorians, an immortal race who can do fire-magic. She has kept her powers hidden at all costs, for there are other immortals in this world – like the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of warriors who are sworn to kill Fomorians.
Fódla is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann with the gift of healing. Her kind dwell hidden in a fortress, forbidden to live amongst the mortals. Fódla agrees to help her kin by going to spy on Brian Boru, a powerful man who aims to be High King of Ireland. She finds a land on the brink of war – a war she is desperate to stop. However, preventing the loss of mortal lives is not easy with Ireland in turmoil and the Fomorians now on the rise...
Reviewers on The Children of Gods and Fighting Men:
'Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect.' SFX
'A novel that celebrates the extraordinary history and cultural traditions of Ireland while giving voice to the women who helped shape it. Highly recommended.' Lucy Holland
'An excellent read.' Mark Lawrence
'Highlander meets The Last Kingdom... I was hooked from page one.' Anthony Ryan
'Gripping and beautiful. A Celtic Last Kingdom with wild magic and fierce heroines.' Anna Smith Spark
'A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics.' D.K. Fields
'A vividly written story that makes the ancient past feel contemporary.' Joseph O'Connor
'Rife with atmosphere and armies, magic and compelling characters, it swept me along and refused to be put down.' H.M. Long
'An epic historical fantasy that weaves myth and history into a sprawling tale of magic, intrigue, and war. Absorbing and richly detailed.' Ian Green
'With all the complex political machinations of A Song of Ice and Fire and the bloody battles of The Warlord Chronicles, it's ideal for fans of both.' Stephen Aryan
'An atmospheric journey into a thrilling historical fantasy world.' R.J. Barker
They think they've killed the last of us...
981 AD. The Viking King of Dublin is dead. His young widow, Gormflaith, has ambitions for her son – and herself – but Ireland is a dangerous place and kings tend not to stay kings for long. Gormflaith also has a secret. She is one of the Fomorians, an immortal race who can do fire-magic. She has kept her powers hidden at all costs, for there are other immortals in this world – like the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of warriors who are sworn to kill Fomorians.
Fódla is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann with the gift of healing. Her kind dwell hidden in a fortress, forbidden to live amongst the mortals. Fódla agrees to help her kin by going to spy on Brian Boru, a powerful man who aims to be High King of Ireland. She finds a land on the brink of war – a war she is desperate to stop. However, preventing the loss of mortal lives is not easy with Ireland in turmoil and the Fomorians now on the rise...
Reviewers on The Children of Gods and Fighting Men:
'Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect.' SFX
'A novel that celebrates the extraordinary history and cultural traditions of Ireland while giving voice to the women who helped shape it. Highly recommended.' Lucy Holland
'An excellent read.' Mark Lawrence
'Highlander meets The Last Kingdom... I was hooked from page one.' Anthony Ryan
'Gripping and beautiful. A Celtic Last Kingdom with wild magic and fierce heroines.' Anna Smith Spark
'A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics.' D.K. Fields
'A vividly written story that makes the ancient past feel contemporary.' Joseph O'Connor
'Rife with atmosphere and armies, magic and compelling characters, it swept me along and refused to be put down.' H.M. Long
'An epic historical fantasy that weaves myth and history into a sprawling tale of magic, intrigue, and war. Absorbing and richly detailed.' Ian Green
'With all the complex political machinations of A Song of Ice and Fire and the bloody battles of The Warlord Chronicles, it's ideal for fans of both.' Stephen Aryan
'An atmospheric journey into a thrilling historical fantasy world.' R.J. Barker
Book 2
AVAILABLE TO PREORDER NOW - THE PAPERBACK EDITION OF THE WORDS OF KINGS AND PROPHETS!
The sequel to the critically acclaimed The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, The Words of Kings and Prophets is a powerful historical fantasy novel by Shauna Lawless, set in war-torn medieval Ireland.
Power fades but fire endures...
Ireland, 1000 AD. Clouds of war gather for mortals and immortals alike as the Irish kingdoms strive for supremacy.
Gormflaith, unhappy queen of Brian Boru, schemes to destroy the Descendants, sworn enemies of her Fomorian kind. As her plans take an unexpected turn, Gormflaith discovers her magic is more powerful than she ever realised – but at what cost?
Descendant healer Fódla dwells disguised in the mortal world, seeking to protect her young nephew – but the boy has secrets of his own. Fódla must do all in her power to keep him hidden from those who would use him for evil.
When a mysterious man comes to King Brian's court, his presence could spell disaster for both Gormflaith and Fódla – and for Ireland herself. For he is Tomas, an ambitious immortal – and he will do anything to see his plans become reality…
'A fine piece of storytelling.' Mark Lawrence
'Utterly magical and completely captivating.' Sarah Underwood
Reviewers on Shauna Lawless' GAEL SONG series:
‘Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect.’ SFX
‘Celebrates the extraordinary history and cultural traditions of Ireland while giving voice to the women who helped shape it.’ Lucy Holland
'A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics..' D.K. Fields
The sequel to the critically acclaimed The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, The Words of Kings and Prophets is a powerful historical fantasy novel by Shauna Lawless, set in war-torn medieval Ireland.
Power fades but fire endures...
Ireland, 1000 AD. Clouds of war gather for mortals and immortals alike as the Irish kingdoms strive for supremacy.
Gormflaith, unhappy queen of Brian Boru, schemes to destroy the Descendants, sworn enemies of her Fomorian kind. As her plans take an unexpected turn, Gormflaith discovers her magic is more powerful than she ever realised – but at what cost?
Descendant healer Fódla dwells disguised in the mortal world, seeking to protect her young nephew – but the boy has secrets of his own. Fódla must do all in her power to keep him hidden from those who would use him for evil.
When a mysterious man comes to King Brian's court, his presence could spell disaster for both Gormflaith and Fódla – and for Ireland herself. For he is Tomas, an ambitious immortal – and he will do anything to see his plans become reality…
'A fine piece of storytelling.' Mark Lawrence
'Utterly magical and completely captivating.' Sarah Underwood
Reviewers on Shauna Lawless' GAEL SONG series:
‘Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect.’ SFX
‘Celebrates the extraordinary history and cultural traditions of Ireland while giving voice to the women who helped shape it.’ Lucy Holland
'A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics..' D.K. Fields
The old world will die in flames…
Ireland, 1011 AD. Brian Boru is now High King of Ireland. His queen, Gormflaith, instructs their young son in his heritage - but only on his mother’s side. For Gormflaith, an immortal Fomorian skilled in fire-magic, intends to finally defeat the Fomorians’ hated foes, the Descendants, and establish control over Ireland. And if King Brian stands in her way, so much the worse for him…
Fódla, the Descendants’ spy in King Brian’s camp, treads a wary path. She must protect her magically powerful young nephew from their leader, Tomas, who will do anything to achieve his aim of the Descendants returning to the mortal world and ruling Ireland. And Fódla is on dangerous ground, for she has broken one of the sacred rules of the Descendants: she has fallen in love with a mortal.
As the schemes of Gormflaith and Tomas come to fruition, the only possible outcome is war. Ireland has bled red and often… but the coming clash will be a battle for the ages. Strange alliances will form, old defences will fail, and the land will never be the same again.
Reviewers on Shauna Lawless' Gael Song series
‘Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect.’ SFX
‘Lawless’s writing is absolutely luminous.’ Irish Independent
'Swept me along and refused to be put down.' H.M. Long
Ireland, 1011 AD. Brian Boru is now High King of Ireland. His queen, Gormflaith, instructs their young son in his heritage - but only on his mother’s side. For Gormflaith, an immortal Fomorian skilled in fire-magic, intends to finally defeat the Fomorians’ hated foes, the Descendants, and establish control over Ireland. And if King Brian stands in her way, so much the worse for him…
Fódla, the Descendants’ spy in King Brian’s camp, treads a wary path. She must protect her magically powerful young nephew from their leader, Tomas, who will do anything to achieve his aim of the Descendants returning to the mortal world and ruling Ireland. And Fódla is on dangerous ground, for she has broken one of the sacred rules of the Descendants: she has fallen in love with a mortal.
As the schemes of Gormflaith and Tomas come to fruition, the only possible outcome is war. Ireland has bled red and often… but the coming clash will be a battle for the ages. Strange alliances will form, old defences will fail, and the land will never be the same again.
Reviewers on Shauna Lawless' Gael Song series
‘Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect.’ SFX
‘Lawless’s writing is absolutely luminous.’ Irish Independent
'Swept me along and refused to be put down.' H.M. Long