Started: 9th September 2023
Finished: 10th September 2023
Rating 5/5
Here we are. As promised. Though later than intended. Honestly there’s no staying away from Shauna Lawless’ Gael Song series (2022-) and suffice to say The Words Of Kings and Prophets (2023) was worth the wait. As readers will know from my previous post, The Words of Kings and Prophets is the sequel to Lawless’ The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, a historical fantasy set in Middle Ages Ireland that follows the lives of Tuatha Da Danann descendant, Fódla and Formorian descendant, Gormflaith.
In The Words and Kings and Prophets, the story is set a year later, early eleventh century if you want the specifics. In this sequel readers find Fódla and Gormflaith adjusting to their new roles; the former being King Brian’s full-time healer, the latter his wife. While Fódla tries to provide a simple life for Broccan, Fódla’s nephew, and Gormflaith schemes her way to power, another figure join the chessboard, one in the form of Fódla’s ex-husband, Tomas.
While not hard to believe by those closest to me, I could not put this book down. In fact I was so absorbed by it I managed to finish it in two days. I know right. Now if I could just convert that kind of skill into my own writing. Personal matters aside, The Words of Kings and Prophets was a gripping sequel, whose overall strength still lies in its characters.
Much like the first book, the narration is told from the first person perspectives of Fódla and Gormflaith. However an additional character in the form of Colmon, Fódla’s cousin, has been introduced. This is Lawless’ first male narrator in the text and while his voice is limited, Colmon provides readers further insight to Danann’s actions, presenting himself as a warrior, who, like Fódla, begins questioning his loyalties to Tomas and wondering if peace can be achieved without warfare. His involvement in this sequel hints as to what is to come, especially with regards to Broccan, who has been experiencing changes of his own. However, while his inclusion did offer a change of perspective, it is Fódla and Gormflaith that still hold sway over its readers.
Even though they are at the start of their journeys, I feel the direction of these characters are starting to unfold.
With Fódla readers find her coming to terms with her grief and putting her people’s duties aside for her nephew’s wellbeing and growing feelings towards King Brian’s son, Murchad. Let’s be honest everyone knew that as soon as that dual sword-wielding Irishman appeared on the scene it was going to happen. And I for one approve. The only negative thing I will say about the development of this relationship (spoiler alert!) is the speed of Murchad’s acceptance of Fódla, lineage. I mean if I found out the woman I loved was an immortal being capable of healing from mostly anything I would need another day or two to sit and process this. But hey what does a thirty-year-old woman whose love for books extends beyond human interaction know about love?
Even so, I do feel that when comparing Fódla alongside Gormflaith, the latter has altered my expectations completely.
When first reading The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, I was sympathetic to Gormflaith’s plight. And considering how it ended I could understand her pain. However, after reading The Words of Kings and Prophets, she has become far more complicated, her actions so shocking and unprecedented that she will get readers panicking over what she has planned next. Especially when it involves Fódla. She is becoming more of a villainess than an anti-hero, Hollywood’s rendition of Morgan Le Fay, whose goals are more in line to her own needs rather than her brother Máelmorda, and son, Sitric Silkbeard’s. The power of this scorned woman is a force to be reckoned with and will surely influence the coming chaos planned ahead.
All in all, The Words of Kings and Prophets is a thrilling sequel that, without any unwanted interruptions, will keep you reading from beginning to end.
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