Finn Mac Cool
The epic story of Ireland’s greatest hero
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- €2.99
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- €2.99
Publisher Description
Somewhere in the shadowlands between myth and history wanders a warrior poet who transformed a nation…
Finn has always been an outsider. The son of a disgraced druid and an outlaw who defied a High King, he is raised in secrecy by foster mothers who train him to hunt and kill.
When Finn is apprenticed to a local bard, he finds strength and solace in the sorcery of poetry, and for the first time dares to dream of something more than the hand the gods dealt him.
As soon as he learns of the legendary warriors of the Fianna, the army his father lost along with his life, Finn longs to reclaim his honour and heritage as their rightful leader.
This is a spellbinding historical adventure of an iconic Celtic folk hero, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Juliet Marillier.
Praise for Finn Mac Cool
‘This is vintage Llywelyn, full of colour and poetry and the wonderful flavour of real Irish speech’ Booklist
‘She exhibits a mastery of complex, emotional themes’ Irish American Post
‘The reader remains captivated from first page to last’ Jean M. Auel, bestselling author of the beloved Earth’s Children series
‘She writes about ancient Ireland as if she just had breakfast there’ Parke Godwin, World Fantasy Award-winning SFF author
‘Morgan Llywelyn is surely the modern-day Bard of the Irish’ Beatrice Small, bestselling historical romance author
‘One of my all-time favourite authors’ Jude Deveraux, bestselling historical romance author
‘The best there is in the field of historical fiction’ Jennifer Wilde, bestselling gothic romance author
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Too many characters with too many names (most given in Gaelic, in their Anglicized form and with descriptive adjectives) involved in too many actions subvert Llywelyn's retelling of an important Irish legend. Finn MacCool is a warrior/poet, a leader of the Fianna , the first Irish army, in third-century Ireland. Separated from his parents after a battle with their ancient enemies, the clan of Morna, Finn is brought up in primitive circumstances. After learning of his heritage, he determines to become the strongest man in Ireland so that he will never have to run away from anything again. His early allegiance to Cormac MacAirt, the high king, alters with the ascension of MacAirt's son, Cairbre, who favors Finn's old enemies, the clan of Morna. In middle age, Finn recruits the legendary Diarmait, who--aided by Finn's son, Oisin--reestablishes their hold on the country. A romantic triangle ensues, involving Finn, Diarmait and Grania, daughter of Cormac MacAirt. This is a morality play of the highest order, with trust and sincerity winning out over more basic instincts. Llywelyn, whose The Lion of Ireland was said to be a favorite of Ronald Reagan, has produced a plodding narrative that does not rise above its mythic/historical details. $100,000 ad/promo; author tour.
