Customer Reviews

Bright Sword of Ireland

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This third book shows once again this author's skill in creating a special atmosphere with an enchanting mix of the otherworldly and the everyday in an ancient setting. I particularly like her light touch with the fledgeling Christian faith as it appears alongside the myths and magic of the Irish people. In contrast to some reviewers here, and especially to the person who appears to be abusing Amazon's site by posting multiple negative reviews and thus adversely affecting the rating, I liked Finnabhair very much. She grows in strength and confidence through the book; her relationship with her husband becomes one of equals in which he needs her as much as she needs him; and she is by the end a powerful and influential character. Besides, it takes the most strength of all to put aside one's pride, and forgive.

In every chapter a new story wove several characters together which kept me reading to find out how all the characters' lives would eventually connect. Be prepared for the surprising and wonderful ending to this book.

This is a wonderfully written book (as are all of the books I have read by this author). In addition to putting her own spin on old irish tales, she puts so much emotion into her characters that they come alive. Each one grows and evolves in such a natural way that you are sucked into their lives and feel joy inside when they are joyful and sometimes even weep when they weep. I have to say, this is one of my new all time favorite books that I could read over and over again, which I cannot say for most.

I enjoyed this book as much, if not more than McKnight's first two. Maybe it was because I had waited so long for it. Although I'm not a student of Celtic myth, I love the stories McKnight weaves so well.

I found Bright Sword of Ireland a source of never ending delight. I love Finnabair?s bird sight, her growth, her seeking of wisdom and grace as she travels her difficult path.

Juilene Osborne McKnight again brings a time and culture to vibrant life. Storytelling at its best. Get caught up into its waves of enchantment.

I'm starting to notice a pattern of the "Reader Of USA" seems to be pretty set in bringing this book rating down. Personally I loved the book and was able to understand that at one point in time the female was obligated to seek a husband. I know that femanism is largely accepted by the American culture and the book isn't encouraging the readers to reverse the progress of any of the femanist movements. I feel that this could be a personal problem driving the motivation to continue to post these reviews in which case it needs to be taken elsewhere becuase that isn't the purpose of the site.

I found this third publishing of the author to be both exciting and interesting. Although I'm not very knowledgeable on the Celtic Myths I still feel that it was a magnificent story. I strongly recommend this to anyone in search of a wonderfully adventurous novel.

I felt like that there was something missing with this book. I felt robbed of a good story. I wanted to read about Medb story not her daughters. I was always intrigued with the story of Medb and her passion to find the white bull, and I found this story did a dis-service to a myth that I love so much. The sad part is the author did know her mythology and the story did have a potential to be good. I didn't like Finnabair, I felt that she was very selfish, mean spirited, holier than thou, and annoying. No you don't need to like the main character to read a story, but it takes away from the enjoyment of it. I found no redeeming characteristic in her. I wasn't going to post this, but the reader from Oklahoma chastised the person that didn't like it, and I wanted to say I didn't like this book for a different reason. If you need to read this book, take it out from the library -- I wish I did.

The author just continues to turn out these amazing books. Once again I found myself isolated from the world as I was engulfed in the Celtic Myth. This book is really a page turner and I strongly recommend it to anyone with imagination.

But it stops there. Bright Sword of Ireland - Is less than good. The author is very knowledgeable about Irish Myth and Legend, however the story was lacking in originality and likeability of the lead character. The review says it's Medb story but it really is not. The author uses the first person POV from Medb's daughter Finnabair.

Finnabair, the main character, is a whinny, unlikable, spoiled brat who thinks that she is better than anyone else. It is a very predicable story, where the romance story heroine puts her very strong powerful mother in her place, and shows her mother the proper woman's place in society; subservient to men. I also didn't like the endings overtone that somehow Christianity saved Ireland.

I would not recommend this book.