The Heart of Winter
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $4.99
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
Readers of Sistersong by Lucy Holland, Cast Long Shadows by Cat Hellisen and The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead wil love this fantasy tale of folklore and myth from Scotland.
When Brigit is faced with a forced marriage to Aengus, god of Summer, she flees into the highlands in search of the Cailleach, the Queen of Winter. There, she hopes to learn how to live on her own terms, without the need for a man to speak for her, but can she persuade the Cailleach that she is worthy? Caught between two gods and finding an unlikely ally in the Fae witch, Nicnevin, Brigit will be tested to her limits and beyond.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Despite a fiercely independent heroine and a fascinating pantheon of gods, Kinsella (The Flame and the Flood) underwhelms in this languid retelling of the origin story of the Irish goddess Brigit. When starvation threatens Brigit's village, the elders bring their plight to Aengus, the god of summer. In return for blessing the village with mild weather, Aengus demands a bride—and he has his sights set on Brigit after witnessing her perform a heroic act. The agreement is made without Brigit's consent. Rather than accept her fate, she seeks the help of the Cailleach, the Queen of Winter. As Brigit's life becomes increasingly intwined with the two opposing deities, she finds herself changing as well. With the help of Nicnevin, Queen of Witches, and other members of the Tuatha Dè Danann pantheon, Brigit, the Cailleach, and Aengus work toward a solution that will maintain a balance between the seasons, grant Brigit some measure of freedom, and still fulfill the parameters of the elders' bargain. Though Brigit is an admirable protagonist, Kinsella's telling feels stiff and somewhat simplistic. Die-hard fans of remixed mythology may find something to enjoy, but others will be disappointed.
Customer Reviews
Soul-sustaining in all the right ways
I wasn’t sure, at first, if this book was going to land with me. Slowly it won me over and in the end, I was quite enchanted. An excellent read.