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The Warrior's Daughter
Luaine is daughter to the greatest of Irish warriors, the legendary Cuchulainn. Although known throughout Ireland as the most fearsome of killers, to Luaine he is a loving playful father who amuses her with his exciting tales and marvelous feats. When the unthinkable happens—Cuchulainn returns from war injured nearly to the death—it is the first intimation of the hero's downfall, and Luaine's first painful step toward an adult life unlike anything she has imagined. As she faces loss, betrayal, suffering and fear, Luaine must find a strength that comes neither from the sword nor from her proud parentage, but from her own courageous spirit.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
7 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Holly Bennett
27 books31 followersI was born and grew up in Montreal before moving with my family to Markham, Ontario as part of the “great Anglo exodus,” that strange era when head offices were moving out of Quebec in a panic to avoid having to do anything in French. I finished high school in Ontario and went on to study English and Native Studies at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. I wasn’t done with Quebec though, going back for two summers in Quebec City to study and work in French.
After graduation I moved with my husband John to Toronto, where I worked as a researcher for a social research company and as school secretary at the Wandering Spirit Survival School, while completing my M.Ed in adult education at OISE.
Eventually we moved back to Peterborough in search of cheap housing, and I worked as a youth employment counsellor and on a number of aboriginal research projects before landing a junior editor job with Today’s Parent magazine. It was an instant, perfect “fit” and I was there for over 25 years, ending up as editor-in-chief of Special Editions. Now I work from home as a freelance writer and editor, including as editor of Education Canada magazine, and work on my fiction whenever I can find the time.
Along the way I’ve raised three boys and have read untold numbers of wonderful books with them. But I’m not sure what flipped the switch and turned me from a person who loves reading stories to a person who loves writing them. In any case, once I got started, I became instantly addicted. Now, if I'm not working on a story, I'm looking for one!
In my “non-writing” spare time I enjoy singing in choirs, gardening, birdwatching, reading in the bathtub, and hanging out at the cottage. I volunteer with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. And I’m a very good Scrabble player.
After graduation I moved with my husband John to Toronto, where I worked as a researcher for a social research company and as school secretary at the Wandering Spirit Survival School, while completing my M.Ed in adult education at OISE.
Eventually we moved back to Peterborough in search of cheap housing, and I worked as a youth employment counsellor and on a number of aboriginal research projects before landing a junior editor job with Today’s Parent magazine. It was an instant, perfect “fit” and I was there for over 25 years, ending up as editor-in-chief of Special Editions. Now I work from home as a freelance writer and editor, including as editor of Education Canada magazine, and work on my fiction whenever I can find the time.
Along the way I’ve raised three boys and have read untold numbers of wonderful books with them. But I’m not sure what flipped the switch and turned me from a person who loves reading stories to a person who loves writing them. In any case, once I got started, I became instantly addicted. Now, if I'm not working on a story, I'm looking for one!
In my “non-writing” spare time I enjoy singing in choirs, gardening, birdwatching, reading in the bathtub, and hanging out at the cottage. I volunteer with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. And I’m a very good Scrabble player.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 5, 2012
Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com
THE WARRIOR'S DAUGHTER, loosely based on Irish myths, is the gripping story of Luaine, daughter of the feared warrior Cuchulainn.
In her young life, she faces war and the first hints that her father may not be invincible--and those are only the first few hardships endured by young Luaine. Her life isn't always bad, though. She is looked after by the powerful druid Cathbad, and given care of his raven, Fintin, who is always a friend to Luaine, but may turn out to be even more than he seems. Luaine is forced to grow up much too quickly, but she does it well, remaining strong and (eventually) true to herself.
THE WARRIOR'S DAUGHTER is, I believe, Holly Bennett's best book yet, and I loved her first two (THE BONEMENDER and THE BONEMENDER'S OATH). It's full of interesting, three-dimensional characters, and it takes place in the fascinating world of ancient Ireland.
Holly Bennett has an obvious gift for world-building as well as characterization. She is a talented writer, and I can't wait to read her next novel!
THE WARRIOR'S DAUGHTER, loosely based on Irish myths, is the gripping story of Luaine, daughter of the feared warrior Cuchulainn.
In her young life, she faces war and the first hints that her father may not be invincible--and those are only the first few hardships endured by young Luaine. Her life isn't always bad, though. She is looked after by the powerful druid Cathbad, and given care of his raven, Fintin, who is always a friend to Luaine, but may turn out to be even more than he seems. Luaine is forced to grow up much too quickly, but she does it well, remaining strong and (eventually) true to herself.
THE WARRIOR'S DAUGHTER is, I believe, Holly Bennett's best book yet, and I loved her first two (THE BONEMENDER and THE BONEMENDER'S OATH). It's full of interesting, three-dimensional characters, and it takes place in the fascinating world of ancient Ireland.
Holly Bennett has an obvious gift for world-building as well as characterization. She is a talented writer, and I can't wait to read her next novel!
May 7, 2013
Loosely based on various tales of Irish mythology, this is the story of Luaine, daughter of the great warrior Cuchulainn. Narrated in first person, the book follows her from a young age, as she witnesses the return of her father from a battle, all through her adolescence and the several hardships she has to face after the death of her parents.
The historical parts are accurate and well depicted, but this is certainly a book of magic, where a druid's or a poet's magical powers are just as matter of fact as a blacksmith's ability with his hammer, and the world of the sidhe is just hair's breadth away.
The story is surprisingly simple, but the strength of this book is not much in the action and the plot twists, but rather in the strong characterization of the main character and the world she lives in.
The historical parts are accurate and well depicted, but this is certainly a book of magic, where a druid's or a poet's magical powers are just as matter of fact as a blacksmith's ability with his hammer, and the world of the sidhe is just hair's breadth away.
The story is surprisingly simple, but the strength of this book is not much in the action and the plot twists, but rather in the strong characterization of the main character and the world she lives in.
December 25, 2010
Tedious starting out, but it was interesting to see an Irish myth fleshed out. (Gaelic names are tricky- I have mixed feelings about the pronunciation guide in the back. Is it better to flip back and forth constantly to find out how things are really pronounced, or to just read with an English interpretation of Gaelic names to maintain story continuity?)
June 21, 2020
Luanie recounts her coming of age, child, with king instead of parents, fatal wound, druid training, love, not death in myths.
May 31, 2013
Ok so first of this book is REALLY SLOW LIKE A SNAIL SLOW READ especially the beginning. It picks up at the middle and end but is still a REALLY LONG READ FOR SUCH A SHORT BOOK Either way the book is good.
So, its about a girl named Luaine (LOO-in-ya) andhow she has to live through grief and suffering but she loearns to overcome those obstacles and she follows her dream. Now I know what you are thinking CHEEZY right? well you are RONG with a capital everything!!!!! it is a very sweet story.
I would have given it 3 maybe 2 stars but the end was just too sweet for that, but I felt like I was being forced to read it ya know... like i had to read it for sckool. (you know that feeling when at school you have to read a book and even though it is like your fave book you hate reading it just cause you have to... well that is what this book felt like) Overall I would recommend it. Ok so I just changed it to 3 stars cuz well I had to ok just I had to
So, its about a girl named Luaine (LOO-in-ya) andhow she has to live through grief and suffering but she loearns to overcome those obstacles and she follows her dream. Now I know what you are thinking CHEEZY right? well you are RONG with a capital everything!!!!! it is a very sweet story.
I would have given it 3 maybe 2 stars but the end was just too sweet for that, but I felt like I was being forced to read it ya know... like i had to read it for sckool. (you know that feeling when at school you have to read a book and even though it is like your fave book you hate reading it just cause you have to... well that is what this book felt like) Overall I would recommend it. Ok so I just changed it to 3 stars cuz well I had to ok just I had to
May 30, 2013
Reactions: After reading the trilogy by Holly Bennett, this book is different and yet similar. It's in first person like the other three books I've read for White Pine and I'm beginning to think that was the main theme this year. We'll wait and see if the pattern holds!
Anyways, this book in a way reminded me of Scarlet (Lawhead). Scarlet is sort of like the past version on Whelsh lore and in a way this book is a version of Irish lore. It has a bit more fantasy elements with druids and visions, but all in all it was a great read, just like Scarlet.
The main characters name is Luaine (LOO-in-ya) at the beginning and she talks a bit about her past and how her life has changed after the death of her dad and how she needed to find her own road in life. Again another trend with the White Pine books, finding your way in life.
Well on to more!
Anyways, this book in a way reminded me of Scarlet (Lawhead). Scarlet is sort of like the past version on Whelsh lore and in a way this book is a version of Irish lore. It has a bit more fantasy elements with druids and visions, but all in all it was a great read, just like Scarlet.
The main characters name is Luaine (LOO-in-ya) at the beginning and she talks a bit about her past and how her life has changed after the death of her dad and how she needed to find her own road in life. Again another trend with the White Pine books, finding your way in life.
Well on to more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2020
I had such high hopes for this book. I was expecting it to have the Warrior's Daughter actually be a bad ass fighter or something. I had such a hard time accepting that she did not go for blood when her "husband" hired 2 people to rape and murder her. No way would a warriors daughter not fight. Then to just roll over and let that same man take all of your family lands and herds too?!?!
Honestlyif not for needing this for a reading prompt. I would have dnfed.
Honestlyif not for needing this for a reading prompt. I would have dnfed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 16, 2022
I loved this series as teen.
September 18, 2014
The story was really good with action and surprises. But it took me SO long to read this and actually got boring. I had to force myself to finish it. I don't understand why that was.
August 17, 2014
Interesting story based on myths. Also intrigued by her facial scar on the left cheek. Timely for me to read.
April 6, 2017
I read this book based on the cover and title alone as I scrolled through the available eBooks at my library. I had no idea what it was even about before I started reading. I'm so glad I did because I really enjoyed this book. I have little knowledge of Ireland's myths and legends and sometimes I felt lost. Books like the Dresden Files and the City of Bones touch on the Sidhe but this book shows them in a different light.
There were times when I felt the writing was hard to follow. The author mentions trying to retell this myth in a modern format. You can see her trying to format sentences that sound both modern and ancient and sometimes it gets a little muddled. But I want to read this again just to see if I get a better handle on the pattern and flow.
Otherwise the story was enthralling and poignant. I enjoyed the character's journey as she retold the legend of her parents and then found her own place in the world. I was left wanting more. Which a book aught to do in my opinion. In this modern world of trilogies and spin off series it's nice to see a single novel hold its own.
There were times when I felt the writing was hard to follow. The author mentions trying to retell this myth in a modern format. You can see her trying to format sentences that sound both modern and ancient and sometimes it gets a little muddled. But I want to read this again just to see if I get a better handle on the pattern and flow.
Otherwise the story was enthralling and poignant. I enjoyed the character's journey as she retold the legend of her parents and then found her own place in the world. I was left wanting more. Which a book aught to do in my opinion. In this modern world of trilogies and spin off series it's nice to see a single novel hold its own.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews