Customer Reviews

Lion Of Ireland

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Morgan Llywelyn has done a fantastic job in this novel. She does outstanding research and builds a framework that will have you walk away from this book having a very good understanding of the history of Ireland in terms of its small kingdoms constantly warring with each other to where outside invaders can waltz in and mop up. The greatest king who accomplished what no other could was Brian Boru, Ard Ri (High King) and unfortunately his descendents proved incapable of maintaining what was created. If history had been different then, perhaps today's situation and recent past of continued fighting and occupation would have been different.

If that was all there was to offer in this situation, however, then Llywelyn's book would not stand out from much of the common fare in historical fiction. Far too often, characters are developed but left somewhat lacking and no real story develops and stands out.

This is not the case here. The characters are rich and personal and capture the spirit of the ages in a way that few historical fictional works ever do.

Llywelywn explores the conflict between druidic and Christian culture and religion and personifies it within her characters to where the discerning reader will pick up a lot that is caught more than told.

Be aware that some of the scenes are fairly adult in nature. It is not gratuitous. It does add to the story line, but some readers with sensitivities in this area will want to know that in advance.

Overall an excellent read with much to recommend it!

I picked up this book knowing nothing about Irish history and going on a single recommendation. I am so glad I picked up because I couldn't put it down, it is easily one of the most engaging books I have ever read. Llywelyn seamlessly combines the heat of battle with the passion of love for women and country. A great read even for folks with no knowledge of Irish history. I highly recommend!

Once again Morgan Llywelyn has written a wonderful book. This time she brings you back to the time of Brian Boru, one of the great kings of ancient Ireland.

As with many of her books Morgan has spent a lot of time researching her subject before writing the book. This historically accurate book gives you a glimpse of what life in ancient Ireland was like.

It left me craving more and dreaming of my heritage.

Lion of Ireland is one of the best books I've ever read; and for the record, I'm not one of those guys who makes that statement when the only other nominees are The Catcher in the Rye and The Cat in the Hat. I read voraciously, averaging a book a week, and this novel gripped and inspired me like few others since my childhood Rauld Dahls. Each chapter is full of well-drawn, 3-Dimensional characters, dramatic (and rarely corny) dialogue, and breathtaking, illistrative battle scenes. It doesn't do much good to keep throwing out superlatives, but I don't know how else to get you to read it. If you're one of those puritans, don't be put off by the smutty back cover. You owe it to yourself to pick up the most gripping royal adventure since Henry V. (Lion of Ireland would make an instant classic of a movie, but I fear that the uneducated public would simply see it as a "Braveheart rip-off". Not quite. Brian came first, and Brian won!)

The story starts out with the all powerful, all conquering, Norse attacking the peaceful, sleeping seat of the then relatively unknown and insignificant Dalcassian Clan. The Northmen loot and burn without fear of reprisal. It is a fatal mistake for Norse interests in Ireland. They have made an enemy of a small boy with great dreams.

His name is Brian mac Cennedi and he will become the last true High King of Ireland. He will unite his land as no one has done before or since and extract a terrible toll of vengeance from his Viking enemies. The small boy grows up to become the great Boru. A true larger than life hero straight from the pages of history. A good king with an unquenchable lust for life, a keen and prescient sense of justice, and battle rage that even the fearless Norse and Danes recoiled from. Boru is, for my money, the greatest hero of all time.

Read this book and compare Boru to any of the heroes of mythology. They will not stand a chance! If you want to feel passion, read this book. If you want to walk in the shoes of greatness for once in your life, read this book. I read it twice and I can't wait to read it again someday.

I read this book (the first time, at least) when I was 15. I agree, some of the content may not be appropriate for adolescents. However, the message the book gave me has changed my life for the better. In Brian, I saw the power of dreaming big, of not forgetting and to never stop persuing your dreams. It opened my eyes and the world became a much more exciting, magical place - much like the wonderful places Llywelyn describes in her books. All of her books are moving, and often leave you shaken and begging for more - but this one contains so many powerful lessons wrapped up in an engrossing, epic, and mostly true story! If you havent read it yet, you are truly missing out.

All I can say is that is simply the greatest book I've yet to read in my life. I first came across it when I was 6 yrs old, my father was reading it. I wanted to know what he was reading and he began to tell me about this "Boru". I was fascinated, however I was too young to read a book of this level. I kept a copy of it for 6 yrs until I was "mature" enough to comprehind it. It succeeded my greatest expectations. That was 12 yrs ago and I have hence read it somewhere around 14 times.

The life of Brian Boru is chronicled in this fascinating novel of Ireland. I started reading this novel early in the afternoon and I couldn't put it down until early next morning! You'll follow this man's incredible journey to unite all of Ireland as one nation, changing forever the destiny of the Irish people. If you want to travel into the history of the emerald isle without paying airfare, you'll want this book!

Having first read her book "Druids" and absolutely loving it, I decided to take a chance on this one. A true masterpiece, this......even though the pace seems to drag midway, it picks up by the end to pick up the slack. From the early days when he was simply Brian mac Cennedi, from the destruction of his home, to his latter efforts to rise an army, and build a kingdom, this story will compell you to finish it. You just can't put this one down.

You want to find out how successful Brian's next campaign is, or read on to see who will be the next less than worthy man laughed at by the excessively lustrous Gormlaith (or, for that matter, what machinations she herself is in the middle of, as the story does paint her at odds with the tradition of the day, that being women being mostly subservient to their husbands)

Gormlaith defies this throughout, in decision and cunning a man, but the picture of womanhood by appearance. To tell more would give too much away. That which you see here is only packaged snippets of lush plot elements for you to discover upon reading this book. Pick it up today. You won't be disappointed.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a true historical novel, since I learned a lot about Irish history of the times, and also came to very much like Brian of Boruma and all that he felt and accomplished for his country.

The characters are vey alive and real and all the facts presented, like wars, marriages are very well presented and not boring to read. The places as well as life in those ages are also very alive and easy to read and learn about.

A very good book and a pleasure to read.