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Summary: Brian Boru's tale, told with relish by Mrs. Llywelyn
Review: 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.
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Summary: A great Powerful story
Review: This book is for sure in my typ 3 favorites.. It is dramatic, Action pacted, and puts out emotion to the extreams, throughout every chapter. A must read, especially for those who love irish lore.
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Summary: A book that can change your life
Review: 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.
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Summary: An incomparible read
Review: To anyone who tries to compare this book to the story of 'Braveheart'....these are two totally different men in two distinctly different countries. They had the same ambitions and integrity, but that is where the comparison ends. The Scottish can be pround of William Wallace, and the Irish should be just as pround of Brian Boru. And we should all feel both proud and priviledged to have a fine storyteller as Morgan L. in our midst. Hopefully this will move other writers to follow her example, as well as any authority figures to follow the example of Brian Boru. BORU! BORU! BORU!
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Summary: Morgan Llywelyn is truly our present day Bard! SLAINTE!
Review: I have read many celtic fantasy books, none compare to the works of Morgan Llywelyn. I have read most of her work, but I have been fortunate enough to have read her works sequentially starting with Bard and following the chronology to Lion of Ireland, and Pride of Lions, and in so doing, have gotten a deeper appreciation for being Irish. I love Ireland although I have never set foot on her, Morgan Llyweln has brought Ireland to me. Through The Lion of Ireland I was able to walk on the Hill of Tara, touch the Stone of Fal. and fight for What is Irish. We truly need this kind of work to continue. Morgan Llywelyn is a genius, bringing to life all that is Irish. She is our present day Bard.
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Summary: I read this 5 years ago, and read it again, and again.....
Review: Finally had to buy a new copy because the old one fell apart. This is one of my favorite Authors, if you are Irish, or of that line, buy all of her books right now and save yourself from having to come back over and over like I did. If your not, I'm terribly sorry to hear that... go find yourself someone Irish so your kids will have better lives. Loved all of her books. A little bit of history, with a novel built around them. Her style is hard to find anywhere. By the luck of the Irish we got her!
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Summary: Has its moments, but is mostly inconsistent
Review: The first 150 pages of this book are terrific, and I couldn't put it down, but then it begins to dwindle. Although 550 pages, it really is sparse. It moves through Brian Boru's life with rapid speed, which would be okay if certain parts were emphasized, but Llewelyn doesn't do this. At the end the reader is left unable to seperate any of the battles or achievments of Boru. They all run together. Boru's achievement of conquering Ireland was a life-long struggle, but Llewelyn writes as if there was never any doubt he would conquer Ireland. War is also romaticized, and Boru is portrayed in battle as he is in life - he can't lose. However, the novel was mostly based on facts, and except for a couple characters, Llewelyn writes what really happened. This is refreshing change from the Braveheart-like stories, where more than half of the content of the stories have no historical backing.
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Summary: This book was excellent.
Review: I came across this book by accident. I was browsing the store for something new to read and the title caught my eye. For anyone who likes a book with a lot of action this book is for you. I loved it.
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Summary: best read
Review: I was introduced to this novel after I had seen the movie Braveheart, Brian Boru would kick Wallaces' a**. Everyone should continue reading the works of Morgan Llywelyn, she creates a vision in your imagination you cannot find in a movie.
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Summary: Excellent
Review: I thought this book was an Excellent review of Irish History, I myself am irish and have a great love of Irish History, this had the facts and protrayed them in an excellent manner, when youread this book, you are there fighting with Boru, crying with him and seeing through his eyes. Once again....amazing!
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