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Queen Among the Dead
A stunning Celtic YA fantasy adventure set in the ancient kingdom of Eire, inspired by the legend of the first true queen of Ireland, perfect for fans of Shelby Mahurin and Adrienne Young.
In the kingdom of Eire, banshees chill the air, and water-wights lurk in the rivers. But magic is outlawed by the king, and jealously hoarded by his Druid priests.
Neve is the youngest daughter of the king, and Ronan is a Druid's apprentice-turned-thief, making a living by selling stolen spells. They should be enemies, but their shared hatred of the Druids-and a dark magic that has marked them both-makes them unlikely, if uneasy, allies.
When Eire is threatened by a power struggle, Neve must seize the chance to take her rightful place on her family's throne, with the help of Ronan and the realm's most dangerous outcasts. Their journey takes them to the outskirts of Eire where magic still runs free . . . and where an outlaw and a warrior princess might carve out a future with spells and swords.
Lesley Livingston vividly reimagines Irish legends and fairytales to craft a YA fantasy adventure that will captivate readers of Brigid Kemmerer and Tricia Levenseller.
In the kingdom of Eire, banshees chill the air, and water-wights lurk in the rivers. But magic is outlawed by the king, and jealously hoarded by his Druid priests.
Neve is the youngest daughter of the king, and Ronan is a Druid's apprentice-turned-thief, making a living by selling stolen spells. They should be enemies, but their shared hatred of the Druids-and a dark magic that has marked them both-makes them unlikely, if uneasy, allies.
When Eire is threatened by a power struggle, Neve must seize the chance to take her rightful place on her family's throne, with the help of Ronan and the realm's most dangerous outcasts. Their journey takes them to the outskirts of Eire where magic still runs free . . . and where an outlaw and a warrior princess might carve out a future with spells and swords.
Lesley Livingston vividly reimagines Irish legends and fairytales to craft a YA fantasy adventure that will captivate readers of Brigid Kemmerer and Tricia Levenseller.
406 pages, Hardcover
First published January 17, 2023
69 people are currently reading
10104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews
August 22, 2024
If you ask me about my favorite places that I have ever been, Ireland often tops the list. Sure, there are others, but you can thank Darkfever for introducing me to Fae Dublin.
Less so lately, but I've read a lot of YA fantasy in my day. I don't remember seeing any that are Celtic inspired. Between that and the beautiful cover, I had to request. For those that love the genre, I'm sure this will be a win. I personally think I've outgrown it, but I did enjoy the bits of worldbuilding. This isn't super romance heavy, which is very nice in a sea of romantasy.
I liked Neve and Ronan's characters equally. Sometimes when we have dual characters, one tends to shine. I think the magic system was explained quite well. I wasn't expecting the twists and turns, although I admit they added to a nice conclusion of the story. If this genre is your safe space, I'd say give this a try. It's not exactly the norm, but it feels very familiar. Does that even make sense?
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Zando Young Readers
Less so lately, but I've read a lot of YA fantasy in my day. I don't remember seeing any that are Celtic inspired. Between that and the beautiful cover, I had to request. For those that love the genre, I'm sure this will be a win. I personally think I've outgrown it, but I did enjoy the bits of worldbuilding. This isn't super romance heavy, which is very nice in a sea of romantasy.
I liked Neve and Ronan's characters equally. Sometimes when we have dual characters, one tends to shine. I think the magic system was explained quite well. I wasn't expecting the twists and turns, although I admit they added to a nice conclusion of the story. If this genre is your safe space, I'd say give this a try. It's not exactly the norm, but it feels very familiar. Does that even make sense?
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Zando Young Readers
January 7, 2023
I just loved this book so much! Everything was so amazing : the world building, the characters, the main story as well as the "side" stories... I think I could have read a thousand more pages of this adventure as I really got attached to Neve and Ronan... the writing is just so smooth and beautiful. Really a big YES for me and I truly hope there will be a sequel to this book as I feel like I can't get enough of this story!!
October 24, 2022
DNF: 26%
I was drawn to this novel for two reasons: the Celtic mythology and the comparisons made to other prominent young adult fantasy authors. Unfortunately, I could not finish reading this novel. From the first page, this story was riddled with story construction issues that I could not overlook; if anything, they were distracting as I wanted to fix everything I was seeing.
First, I could tell that Lesley Livingston has a deep love for fantasy novels and for Celtic mythology. The passion for both was dripping off the pages of this story. However, that passion did not translate into the greater story. From page one, I was incredibly confused about the world-building and the trajectory of the plot. Both proved to be fatal flaws for the novel.
Looking at the world-building, I can’t deny that there was a great amount of it. But the amount doesn’t necessarily equate to clarity for the reader, which was the case here. The world-building was often dumped on the reader (at least one dump per chapter, by my count) and was always delivered in the same way: through paragraphs of summary storytelling. By chapter nine, I was craving other means to get the world-building by, such as, through dialogue. I also wanted more explanation for the Celtic names and terms; a glossary would be an asset for this novel.
Bigger than the world-building issue was the plotting. By the 26% mark (roughly chapter nine), I had no idea of what the story trajectory was. The characters did not have goals they were moving toward—which means they have no agency as well—and there was no clear antagonist. Without the character agency and story stakes, the story fell flat and felt empty. This story was floundering as it attempted to find its footing, but the fact that it never found it within the first 25% was discouraging. By that percentage mark, the story should have been heading into the second act after an inciting event had taken place.
While the synopsis presented a standard young adult fantasy novel, the story failed to live up to those expectations. With clearer world-building explanations and better characterization, this book would have much to offer a reader.
Thank you to Zando Young Readers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
I was drawn to this novel for two reasons: the Celtic mythology and the comparisons made to other prominent young adult fantasy authors. Unfortunately, I could not finish reading this novel. From the first page, this story was riddled with story construction issues that I could not overlook; if anything, they were distracting as I wanted to fix everything I was seeing.
First, I could tell that Lesley Livingston has a deep love for fantasy novels and for Celtic mythology. The passion for both was dripping off the pages of this story. However, that passion did not translate into the greater story. From page one, I was incredibly confused about the world-building and the trajectory of the plot. Both proved to be fatal flaws for the novel.
Looking at the world-building, I can’t deny that there was a great amount of it. But the amount doesn’t necessarily equate to clarity for the reader, which was the case here. The world-building was often dumped on the reader (at least one dump per chapter, by my count) and was always delivered in the same way: through paragraphs of summary storytelling. By chapter nine, I was craving other means to get the world-building by, such as, through dialogue. I also wanted more explanation for the Celtic names and terms; a glossary would be an asset for this novel.
Bigger than the world-building issue was the plotting. By the 26% mark (roughly chapter nine), I had no idea of what the story trajectory was. The characters did not have goals they were moving toward—which means they have no agency as well—and there was no clear antagonist. Without the character agency and story stakes, the story fell flat and felt empty. This story was floundering as it attempted to find its footing, but the fact that it never found it within the first 25% was discouraging. By that percentage mark, the story should have been heading into the second act after an inciting event had taken place.
While the synopsis presented a standard young adult fantasy novel, the story failed to live up to those expectations. With clearer world-building explanations and better characterization, this book would have much to offer a reader.
Thank you to Zando Young Readers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
July 1, 2022
*This review is for a sample of the book*
Neve is the youngest daughter of the King and yearns for more freedom than she is supposed to. She often sneaks out of her home and frequents the streets of the nearby town. One evening, she encounters Ronan, someone she’s met once before. When a chance encounter turns aggressive, they’re forced to flee into the wild and face the monsters that lurk there.
I’m excited to read more of this work! The setting is dark and well written – I loved how many details were included concerning the monsters and nature of the area. I have high hopes for the worldbuilding of this work and the setting.
The characters were well written. It’s difficult to know about the character development and growth from a short sample, but the characters in these chapters were relatable and enjoyable. I hope that there’s more information included concerning the parameters of the world and its magic system. The magic of this world seems like it will be interesting and rooted in traditional folklore. Similarly, I’d love to see explanations concerning the creatures and beings (e.g., Fir Bolg villagers were referenced several times with no real explanation what they are).
I know this isn’t the final draft, but there were some serious formatting issues and many typos and errors throughout the text. Hopefully this work will go through a few more rounds of editing before final publication.
Based off of this sample, I highly recommend this work and am looking forward to reading the whole thing!
I received a complimentary copy of this work through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 22, 2022
Neve is the youngest daughter of the king. As a child, she meets Ronan, a druid apprentice turned thief. The two seemingly have nothing in common, except for their desire to see Eire peaceful, and .
Thanks to NetGalley and Zando Young readers for the ARC. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I think that if I was more familiar with Celtic mythology that I'd have liked it a bit more. I didn't always have a frame of reference for some of the things in the book. Pacing was great. There were some events that I was able to easily anticipate but others were a complete surprise. Overall, would recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Zando Young readers for the ARC. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I think that if I was more familiar with Celtic mythology that I'd have liked it a bit more. I didn't always have a frame of reference for some of the things in the book. Pacing was great. There were some events that I was able to easily anticipate but others were a complete surprise. Overall, would recommend.
January 17, 2023
I received an ARC and I’m leaving an honest review.
I was initially thrown off by the pacing. The first chapter in my opinion started a little slow and then it suddenly picked up the pace— with Neve and Ronan meeting for the first time, saying goodbye and then meeting again seven years later all in the same chapter. It continued fast for a couple more chapters then suddenly slowed down again. The pace picked up once more towards the end (like the last 25% or so).
I wasn't bored, and I still read it fairly quickly so it didn’t really bother me that much, but it kind of felt as if nothing happened for like 200-ish pages.
It was a little hard to follow all the names of the creatures and clans, but that was a me problem because I know nothing about Celtic mythology. You get used to it after a while so obviously it becomes easier to remember as you keep on reading.
It felt frustrating to see the constant indecisiveness of Neve and Ronan (mainly in the first half), like they could never decide if they wanted to be allies or not, if they wanted to give in and like each other or not. But in general I really liked Ronan’s character and liked his sarcastic/sassy side, so that makes up for it.
There was potential for a polyamory plotline with Neve, Ronan and Sakir there and I’m a little sad that it didn’t happen!!!!
[ Ronan’s resolve in trying to hurt Neve is exactly like me with studying. He keeps telling himself that he’s going to make her pay for what she did to him and then the next time he sees her he starts doing the exact opposite, trying to save her instead. He just like me fr 😂 ]
I was initially thrown off by the pacing. The first chapter in my opinion started a little slow and then it suddenly picked up the pace— with Neve and Ronan meeting for the first time, saying goodbye and then meeting again seven years later all in the same chapter. It continued fast for a couple more chapters then suddenly slowed down again. The pace picked up once more towards the end (like the last 25% or so).
I wasn't bored, and I still read it fairly quickly so it didn’t really bother me that much, but it kind of felt as if nothing happened for like 200-ish pages.
It was a little hard to follow all the names of the creatures and clans, but that was a me problem because I know nothing about Celtic mythology. You get used to it after a while so obviously it becomes easier to remember as you keep on reading.
It felt frustrating to see the constant indecisiveness of Neve and Ronan (mainly in the first half), like they could never decide if they wanted to be allies or not, if they wanted to give in and like each other or not. But in general I really liked Ronan’s character and liked his sarcastic/sassy side, so that makes up for it.
There was potential for a polyamory plotline with Neve, Ronan and Sakir there and I’m a little sad that it didn’t happen!!!!
[ Ronan’s resolve in trying to hurt Neve is exactly like me with studying. He keeps telling himself that he’s going to make her pay for what she did to him and then the next time he sees her he starts doing the exact opposite, trying to save her instead. He just like me fr 😂 ]
March 18, 2023
Overall, I would give this 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to 4.
This book was entertaining, and I found myself heavily invested (at times) in the plot and characters. However, there were two things that knocked the rating down for me.
1. The romance felt forced. I understand feeling a connection, but it felt a bit like insta-love/fated love to me, which is not a favorite trope of mine.
2. The ending was too fast. It went from a pretty good pace to breakneck.
Otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised by the book.
This book was entertaining, and I found myself heavily invested (at times) in the plot and characters. However, there were two things that knocked the rating down for me.
1. The romance felt forced. I understand feeling a connection, but it felt a bit like insta-love/fated love to me, which is not a favorite trope of mine.
2. The ending was too fast. It went from a pretty good pace to breakneck.
Otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised by the book.
Want to read
May 20, 2021AHHHH FINALLY SOME MORE CELTIC MYTHOS
December 5, 2022
I was drawn to this novel for the Celtic mythology which was fairly abundant, and I could tell the author was extremely passionate about this book and the mythology its based on. The Celtic influence woven through the story was very stimulating and a nice new pace for me. I was immediately hooked...then after about the first 10%, I wasn't.
I feel the writing could have used a bit more editing. There was so much world building but it didn't necessarily translate into clarity for the reader. Additionally, the story lacked a clear direction or antagonist until much later on. I felt a bit lost at all times, and was unable to fully immerse myself into the plot. And because I couldn't focus on what was happening, reading this took me a couple months.
I did enjoy Neve's character. Though a bit chaotic, the love she has for her people and Eire is palpable and admirable. Una was a great side character and I'm still upset with what happened to her. I wish there had been more of Sakir. I preferred him over Ronan--who wasn't an entirely disagreeable love interest himself.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando Young Readers for providing me with an ARC of this book. in exchange for my honest review.
I feel the writing could have used a bit more editing. There was so much world building but it didn't necessarily translate into clarity for the reader. Additionally, the story lacked a clear direction or antagonist until much later on. I felt a bit lost at all times, and was unable to fully immerse myself into the plot. And because I couldn't focus on what was happening, reading this took me a couple months.
I did enjoy Neve's character. Though a bit chaotic, the love she has for her people and Eire is palpable and admirable. Una was a great side character and I'm still upset with what happened to her. I wish there had been more of Sakir. I preferred him over Ronan--who wasn't an entirely disagreeable love interest himself.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando Young Readers for providing me with an ARC of this book. in exchange for my honest review.
Want to read
June 2, 2022I LOVED Lesley Livingston's Valiant trilogy, and now she's giving us a book inspired by Celtic mythology, aka my favorite mytholgy?!? I NEEEED!!!
March 22, 2023
2.5 stars★★☆☆☆
**I was provided with an ARC from Zando Projects and Netgalley for an honest review**
☞ Trigger warnings: **contains spoilers**
✿ My review is also posted right here on my blog ✿
I loved The Valiant by this author so I had such high hopes.
Livingston knows how to weave an enchanting story set in a rich historical setting. Her last series The Valiant was set during the Roman Empire, and for Queen Among the Dead is a Celtic tale in the land of Éire (google says its what Ireland used to be called before Britain made them change it). It's a story that involves the deities of the the Irish, but also surprisingly also the Egyptian deities. Personally, I don't know much but it was a bit of a surprise seeing both within this story, entwined with the fae, werewolves and wights.
Personally, I don't believe the synopsis does this book justice. It feels wanting, and almost deceitful. It says that Neve, the youngest daughter of the king, will become allies with an ex-Druid apprentice to seize the throne taking them to the outskirts of Eire, carving their future out with spells and swords. Sure, thats technically true but most of all that, the outskirts, the seizing of thrones, the carving of spells happens in the 80% mark. Thats almost the entire book before we get to what the synopsis tells us. Again, sure, Neve and the ex-Druid apprentice Ronan become allies but I think they are barely allies but people in a bad situation that are thrust in to each others orbit.
One of my many issues with this book was the emotional connection I felt towards most characters. I was starkly aware of this during big climatic scenes and I felt an overwhelming sense of apathy. I was more interested in finishing the book than what was going on in the book.
Given this is a Celtic tale, there are many Celtic mythology, words and meanings that not only need to be explained well but also used effectively. I was enjoying the mythology and learning more about a mythology I wasn't overly versed in. I soon realised the lore really bogged down the story, stopping the flow and changing the At a certain point I realised I was just generally confused about the world-building and how the fantasy aspects connected to the mythology. It was all muddled together in my head, with certain aspects explained more complicated than it needed to be.
"The heart of the tale is a woman. A woman loved and grieved and wanted - and took for herself - what men have always taken for granted. Power."
As much as I wanted to be invested and immersed within this story, I found myself checked out around 40% the way through. The overarching story is about Neve, and how she ascends into power, both in magic and into the seat of power in Éire. It is also about the threat of war. What I found confounding nothing much happened until 70% of this book. I kept looking at how much time was left in the book at the bottom of my kindle, and I was getting frustrated when I reached 80% only around then did the war start. The war didn't even last very long, only a few pages and then everything is resolved with a pretty little bow quite quickly afterwards. It was non-sensical as there are many issues that were never brought up like Neve's heritage and how she will navigate that, her relationship with the Ronan and their future as well as the logistics of the invaders settling onto the Éire. The ending felt rushed and I truely felt nothing during any harrowing moments.
Ronan's characterisation felt all over the place. He was annoying and unnecessarily mean towards Neve, which I think is uncalled for as she doesn't do anything too illicit such a reaction. Yes, in his P.O.V.'s its shown he wants to push her away for both their sakes but it comes so abrasive I don't really care about his reasonings and wish he would kick rocks. The love story was flat and I wished was developed more.
My last (small) gripe was the name of the book. I was lead to believe the main character was going to be the Queen Among the Dead, but not only is Neve who the book is named after, it isn't explained until the very end. I found myself forgetting what the name of this book was because it felt like there wasn't any connection to what the story was about.
I loved this author's work before but this was honestly very disappointing. I would read from them again but maybe after seeing reviews, and lowering my expectations.
Would I recommend this book?
No.
I recommend it for people who like
Will I re-read this book/series?
No.
✧ 23rd October 2022 ✧
happy halloween to me and one of my most anticipated books of 2023
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April 10, 2023
i was pleasantly surprised. full RTC, when i’m not on a bus so i don’t get nauseous.
January 7, 2023
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really don't like to leave bad reviews, especially on ARCs, but I want to be 100% honest here.
I was originally drawn to this book as it is inspired my Celtic mythology which I have not read very much of in the fantasy genre. I was hoping for an exciting and refreshing story that gripped me from start to finish. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
One of the issues I had with this book was characterization. Few of these characters had any discernible qualities, and even though it was a dual perspective story, neither of the narrators had unique voices. The characters needed to be fleshed out more and given more personality in order to make me care. Also, the chemistry between the characters were lacking. The dialogue was very flat and one-dimensional. I was hoping for more chemistry to shine through, but in the end I felt no connection to any of these characters.
The second part of this book I found issues with was the world building. Though I could tell the author gave a lot of thought to this aspect, the communication of the ideas to the reader was not executed well. Each chapter had somesort of info dump including terms that were not defined well. Not only do constant info dumps give a sort of whiplash to the reader being constantly taken out of the present story and then thrown back in, I could not remember what certain terms meant since so many were thrown at me at once.
The last issue I had was the plot. Or lack-thereof. Even being a third of the way through this book there were no goals, nothing being worked on by the characters, and I really could not tell where this story was going. There are many books where I can be "along for the ride" but in those cases, I need to care about the characters at least, which was an issue as mentioned before.
Would I recommend this? Probably not. The concept is intriguing but this book just felt like a blander version of a stereotypical YA fantasy Book I've read a million times, but with worse characters.
I really don't like to leave bad reviews, especially on ARCs, but I want to be 100% honest here.
I was originally drawn to this book as it is inspired my Celtic mythology which I have not read very much of in the fantasy genre. I was hoping for an exciting and refreshing story that gripped me from start to finish. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
One of the issues I had with this book was characterization. Few of these characters had any discernible qualities, and even though it was a dual perspective story, neither of the narrators had unique voices. The characters needed to be fleshed out more and given more personality in order to make me care. Also, the chemistry between the characters were lacking. The dialogue was very flat and one-dimensional. I was hoping for more chemistry to shine through, but in the end I felt no connection to any of these characters.
The second part of this book I found issues with was the world building. Though I could tell the author gave a lot of thought to this aspect, the communication of the ideas to the reader was not executed well. Each chapter had somesort of info dump including terms that were not defined well. Not only do constant info dumps give a sort of whiplash to the reader being constantly taken out of the present story and then thrown back in, I could not remember what certain terms meant since so many were thrown at me at once.
The last issue I had was the plot. Or lack-thereof. Even being a third of the way through this book there were no goals, nothing being worked on by the characters, and I really could not tell where this story was going. There are many books where I can be "along for the ride" but in those cases, I need to care about the characters at least, which was an issue as mentioned before.
Would I recommend this? Probably not. The concept is intriguing but this book just felt like a blander version of a stereotypical YA fantasy Book I've read a million times, but with worse characters.
December 6, 2022
Celtic fantasy is not explored often enough in YA fantasy, so it was fun to read something more unique in the YA fantasy genre. While this book had a good plot and characters, some sections of the book needed work. A majority of the world-building was done through info-dumping. This made sections of the book hard to slog through. While Ronan and Neve were well-written separately, their relationship was awkward. It was way too rushed; they started kissing after just a few chance meetings. Overall, I think it was okay. I would be interested to read some of her other books.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 28, 2022
Eire was once a land of magic, before it was outlawed by the king and hoarded by his Druid priests. Neve, the youngest princess, has always considered herself a warrior first, a stance that makes her decidedly unpopular in her father's court. After a chance meeting with Ronan, a former Druid apprentice-turned-thief, Neve learns that a mysterious magic runs in her blood. And soon, ancient truths will cause devastation on the land of Eire unless Neve can seize the throne, despite the fact that a woman cannot become king.
Queen Among the Dead is not new territory for Livingston. With several mythological adaptations under her belt, one might say that she's in her zone. This book is based off of Celtic mythology, which is brimming with ancient histories and monsters, and twisted into a fantasy in which a young woman must fight for her country, though her culture would say she is unfit to lead. 3 stars.
If I'm completely honest, this is a book that was a decent read, but it will not be one that sticks with me. I would not be surprised if the majority of reviews hover somewhere in the middle of the rating scale; the novel is well-written, but it's nothing fantasy readers haven't seen before, even with the added bonus of the not-oft-seen Celtic myth.
The book switches between the third-person viewpoints of Neve and Ronan, who should be enemies but find themselves as uneasy allies. These two characters are opposite in nearly every way, yet they have an intense attraction to one another from the very beginning. And even when they try to stay away from each other, they find themselves gravitating to the other repeatedly. On a personal level, I feel like the third-person narrative tends to be a little too dry and distanced, and this novel supported that feeling in me. I never truly felt connected to Neve nor Ronan, and therefore their story was one that failed to grab me.
I was very excited to receive an arc of this book. I've read several of Livingston's books long ago and had mixed feelings about them, so I was hoping that this would be one that I would love. Unfortunately it ended up being one of those books that's hard to give attention to; I often found myself counting down the pages I had left. I do think that the book picked up a bit towards the end, but by then it felt a little too rushed and too late to make a big impression.
I did enjoy the mythological aspect of the novel. I do not know much about Celtic histories or folklore, and so I preempted this novel by reading up a bit on the "big picture" of these myths, which is a hard thing to do with a folklore as intense and prolific as Celtic myth. Livingston's focus in on the different magical peoples that had control over the land--and their connection with the gods--and does take certain artistic liberties in order to build a fantasy world. I personally think readers with a broad understanding of this particular mythology would enjoy this more--and be able to make the special connections--than those who go in blind. However, I also think that those deeply interested in the myth might be a little miffed by Livingston's poetic license.
At the end of it all, I'm a little on the fence with this one. There were some aspects that I really enjoyed, but I can't deny that I failed to feel taken with this novel or these characters. I still think that it was an enjoyable novel that many who read it will enjoy for the most part, yet I do not feel like this book will be able to stand out in a crowd of its peers.
I received my ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the publisher, Zando Projects, for the chance to read and review. All opinions are my own. Publication date: 01.17.2023.
Queen Among the Dead is not new territory for Livingston. With several mythological adaptations under her belt, one might say that she's in her zone. This book is based off of Celtic mythology, which is brimming with ancient histories and monsters, and twisted into a fantasy in which a young woman must fight for her country, though her culture would say she is unfit to lead. 3 stars.
If I'm completely honest, this is a book that was a decent read, but it will not be one that sticks with me. I would not be surprised if the majority of reviews hover somewhere in the middle of the rating scale; the novel is well-written, but it's nothing fantasy readers haven't seen before, even with the added bonus of the not-oft-seen Celtic myth.
The book switches between the third-person viewpoints of Neve and Ronan, who should be enemies but find themselves as uneasy allies. These two characters are opposite in nearly every way, yet they have an intense attraction to one another from the very beginning. And even when they try to stay away from each other, they find themselves gravitating to the other repeatedly. On a personal level, I feel like the third-person narrative tends to be a little too dry and distanced, and this novel supported that feeling in me. I never truly felt connected to Neve nor Ronan, and therefore their story was one that failed to grab me.
I was very excited to receive an arc of this book. I've read several of Livingston's books long ago and had mixed feelings about them, so I was hoping that this would be one that I would love. Unfortunately it ended up being one of those books that's hard to give attention to; I often found myself counting down the pages I had left. I do think that the book picked up a bit towards the end, but by then it felt a little too rushed and too late to make a big impression.
I did enjoy the mythological aspect of the novel. I do not know much about Celtic histories or folklore, and so I preempted this novel by reading up a bit on the "big picture" of these myths, which is a hard thing to do with a folklore as intense and prolific as Celtic myth. Livingston's focus in on the different magical peoples that had control over the land--and their connection with the gods--and does take certain artistic liberties in order to build a fantasy world. I personally think readers with a broad understanding of this particular mythology would enjoy this more--and be able to make the special connections--than those who go in blind. However, I also think that those deeply interested in the myth might be a little miffed by Livingston's poetic license.
At the end of it all, I'm a little on the fence with this one. There were some aspects that I really enjoyed, but I can't deny that I failed to feel taken with this novel or these characters. I still think that it was an enjoyable novel that many who read it will enjoy for the most part, yet I do not feel like this book will be able to stand out in a crowd of its peers.
I received my ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the publisher, Zando Projects, for the chance to read and review. All opinions are my own. Publication date: 01.17.2023.
October 6, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of #QueenAmongTheDead in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this books along with the titles it was compared to had me eager to get this book in my hands. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like it lived up to my expectations. Livingston created a historically rich world teeming with threats of all kinds. The regal and Druid influences reminded me a bit of stories like Game of Thrones or other politically influenced stories and how power can be wielded and such.
However, as a whole, this book fell flat for me. I struggled to keep reading in parts where writing felt clunky, like Livingston was trying too hard to craft beautiful lines, when keeping it simple would have sufficed. Portions felt a bit info-dumpy and pulled me out of the action, and a lot of the times I wasn't sure it was pertinent information. It was a beautiful idea, the execration just flopped for me.
The premise of this books along with the titles it was compared to had me eager to get this book in my hands. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like it lived up to my expectations. Livingston created a historically rich world teeming with threats of all kinds. The regal and Druid influences reminded me a bit of stories like Game of Thrones or other politically influenced stories and how power can be wielded and such.
However, as a whole, this book fell flat for me. I struggled to keep reading in parts where writing felt clunky, like Livingston was trying too hard to craft beautiful lines, when keeping it simple would have sufficed. Portions felt a bit info-dumpy and pulled me out of the action, and a lot of the times I wasn't sure it was pertinent information. It was a beautiful idea, the execration just flopped for me.
September 8, 2023
3.5 stars Not a hugely complex plot, and I’m not sure I quite understand how some of this works, but if you look upon it as a simpler extended fairy tale—where the princess saves herself and her country—it’s quite enjoyable. The author also writes some pretty swoony kisses. :D
Also glad that
Audio Notes: Fiona Hardingham has a lovely narrative style, as always. And she handles some harsher words and accents in this world with ease. A pleasant, undemanding audio experience.
Also glad that
Audio Notes: Fiona Hardingham has a lovely narrative style, as always. And she handles some harsher words and accents in this world with ease. A pleasant, undemanding audio experience.
November 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando Young Readers for a review copy of this book.
I picked up this book because I was thrilled at the rise of books with Celtic/Irish mythology settings! This one, unfortunately, missed the mark for me.
Queen Among the Dead *does* have an interesting premise! A Merlin BBC-esque setting with a tyrannical king who has outlawed magic, a childhood encounter between a thief and a princess who are fated to meet again, and the youngest daughter forced to attempt and save her family’s throne from ruin? It sounded great. Unfortunately, this book read like an early edit. Riddled with typos even in my published library copy, there’s even a scene involving a mask where its location seems to bounce around between in the MC’s hand, in her bag, etc. That stuck out to me as it’s meant to be a pivotal moment in the plot, and yet I was immediately drawn out of the story and never managed to get back in. I officially DNFed at 60%, then heavily skimmed the rest. The romance was very insta-hate to insta-love with really no buildup or chemistry. (Also, Sakir was right there!!!) Lots of things never really seemed tied up or explained, and yet this is apparently a standalone! I also couldn’t really tell the dual POVs apart, which was difficult as they sometimes switched during the same chapters. I did find Sakir to be intriguing and have a more unique voice than the others, though! I wouldn’t recommend this book to my audience, but I would be willing to give the author another chance a few books from now. Plot and romance aside, the actual writing was not poor and I appreciated the detailed glossary.
I picked up this book because I was thrilled at the rise of books with Celtic/Irish mythology settings! This one, unfortunately, missed the mark for me.
Queen Among the Dead *does* have an interesting premise! A Merlin BBC-esque setting with a tyrannical king who has outlawed magic, a childhood encounter between a thief and a princess who are fated to meet again, and the youngest daughter forced to attempt and save her family’s throne from ruin? It sounded great. Unfortunately, this book read like an early edit. Riddled with typos even in my published library copy, there’s even a scene involving a mask where its location seems to bounce around between in the MC’s hand, in her bag, etc. That stuck out to me as it’s meant to be a pivotal moment in the plot, and yet I was immediately drawn out of the story and never managed to get back in. I officially DNFed at 60%, then heavily skimmed the rest. The romance was very insta-hate to insta-love with really no buildup or chemistry. (Also, Sakir was right there!!!) Lots of things never really seemed tied up or explained, and yet this is apparently a standalone! I also couldn’t really tell the dual POVs apart, which was difficult as they sometimes switched during the same chapters. I did find Sakir to be intriguing and have a more unique voice than the others, though! I wouldn’t recommend this book to my audience, but I would be willing to give the author another chance a few books from now. Plot and romance aside, the actual writing was not poor and I appreciated the detailed glossary.
January 17, 2023
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
Queen Among the Dead follows Neve, the youngest daughter of the king of Eire, and Ronan, a Druid apprentice who has turned to thievery in a world where magic is outlawed by the king. The two meet as children, and then meet again on the brink of a power struggle that threatens the kingdom and yet also provides an opportunity for Neve to secure her rightful place on the throne, and maybe just save the kingdom along the way.
Richly rooted in Celtic mythology, Queen Among the Dead was a breathtaking adventure that often felt so drenched in detailed worldbuilding that characters and plot were pushed to the wayside. On the one hand, this was incredibly enjoyable, because there is nothing like a well-built world. On the other hand, this book’s four hundred pages felt, at times, like they stretched ahead of me forever. Though the pacing of the action was relatively solid, much of it didn’t feel new or fresh. There’s not necessarily anything wrong about a fantasy that delivers exactly what you’d expect, but for readers who are looking for a totally fresh take on the genre, this book will likely disappoint.
Even so, this was a rather pleasant read, and certainly one I would not shy away from revisiting in the future.
Queen Among the Dead follows Neve, the youngest daughter of the king of Eire, and Ronan, a Druid apprentice who has turned to thievery in a world where magic is outlawed by the king. The two meet as children, and then meet again on the brink of a power struggle that threatens the kingdom and yet also provides an opportunity for Neve to secure her rightful place on the throne, and maybe just save the kingdom along the way.
Richly rooted in Celtic mythology, Queen Among the Dead was a breathtaking adventure that often felt so drenched in detailed worldbuilding that characters and plot were pushed to the wayside. On the one hand, this was incredibly enjoyable, because there is nothing like a well-built world. On the other hand, this book’s four hundred pages felt, at times, like they stretched ahead of me forever. Though the pacing of the action was relatively solid, much of it didn’t feel new or fresh. There’s not necessarily anything wrong about a fantasy that delivers exactly what you’d expect, but for readers who are looking for a totally fresh take on the genre, this book will likely disappoint.
Even so, this was a rather pleasant read, and certainly one I would not shy away from revisiting in the future.
January 26, 2023
Solid YA Fantasy - Not only was the world building strong, there was also good character development and an intriguing plot. Oh...and monsters...there were monsters.
Neve and Ronan meet as children when they fight for their lives against a demon. Then when they run into each other again, years later, their actual identities are surprising. But so begins their fated destiny as their lives continue to collide.
With a basis in Celtic mythology, this book kept me interested from the beginning. Even though there may have been a few slow spots, it would quickly pick up again. The storyline was one that kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. Neve and Ronan had "battles" to fight in more ways than one and a simmering chemistry that was undeniable. It was a well-balanced read.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own,
Neve and Ronan meet as children when they fight for their lives against a demon. Then when they run into each other again, years later, their actual identities are surprising. But so begins their fated destiny as their lives continue to collide.
With a basis in Celtic mythology, this book kept me interested from the beginning. Even though there may have been a few slow spots, it would quickly pick up again. The storyline was one that kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. Neve and Ronan had "battles" to fight in more ways than one and a simmering chemistry that was undeniable. It was a well-balanced read.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own,
November 10, 2022
Rounded to 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Zando Young Readers, and YA Books Central for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CONTENT WARNING: violence, blood, death, grief, murder
While I’ve always found Druids and Celtic mythology to be fascinating, I never really learned much about it. Naturally, I was thrilled to get a copy of this book, and see a whole fantasy novel built around it, and hopefully learn more about these intriguing stories.
Throughout the book, it felt as though I was reading a cross between historical fiction and fantasy. The way the author incorporated a historical landmark that still exists as a central focus of the story made it feel more realistic. However, I found it difficult to keep track of all of the different terms, and frequently flipped back to the list in the beginning of the book that kept track of the different folk of Eire, although some of the terms weren’t defined, and I struggled to understand what some of them were. While the world-building was beautiful and vivid, I did wish that the magic system was explained better. The Druids were mysterious and unexplained, which I expected, but the way that the magic worked was never explained, and we never learn what the limits are or why some people are able to access magic while others can’t.
I loved Neve’s character. She’s the fierce female protagonist that is easy to identify with, for me at least. As a female who is expected to be quiet and demure and work behind the scenes, Neve doesn’t fit into the box that’s supposed to define her. She’s rowdy and unruly, and prefers to be out riding in her chariot, learning how to fight, whether it’s hand-to-hand combat, with a sword, her double headed axe, or with a bow and arrow. Neve is a warrior princess in a time when that is not socially acceptable, but she never tries to hide who she really is, and the people closest to her fully accept her for who she is.
Ronan was orphaned in the unrest that swept through Eire when he was young. He apprenticed with the Druids, but when that didn’t work out for him, he left and makes his way through the world as a thief. When his path crosses with Neve’s, things don’t go well, and they don’t exactly hit it off well. When they meet up again in the future, their second meeting doesn’t go any better. However, they don’t quite fit into the “enemies” category. They’re forced to work together, and there’s something going on that connects them, so it’s more like an uneasy truce rather than enemies.
It takes a long time for the underlying plot to actually appear, but once it does, I was sucked into the story. The book is fast-paced, and there’s a lot of action, right from the start. I found myself fully invested in the story rather quickly, despite the issues mentioned above. I did enjoy the story itself, and even though I predicted a few of the plot twists in advance, more than a few blindsided me and kept everything exciting. Overall, this was a good story set in a fresh setting that kept me intrigued and reading avidly straight until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley, Zando Young Readers, and YA Books Central for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CONTENT WARNING: violence, blood, death, grief, murder
While I’ve always found Druids and Celtic mythology to be fascinating, I never really learned much about it. Naturally, I was thrilled to get a copy of this book, and see a whole fantasy novel built around it, and hopefully learn more about these intriguing stories.
Throughout the book, it felt as though I was reading a cross between historical fiction and fantasy. The way the author incorporated a historical landmark that still exists as a central focus of the story made it feel more realistic. However, I found it difficult to keep track of all of the different terms, and frequently flipped back to the list in the beginning of the book that kept track of the different folk of Eire, although some of the terms weren’t defined, and I struggled to understand what some of them were. While the world-building was beautiful and vivid, I did wish that the magic system was explained better. The Druids were mysterious and unexplained, which I expected, but the way that the magic worked was never explained, and we never learn what the limits are or why some people are able to access magic while others can’t.
I loved Neve’s character. She’s the fierce female protagonist that is easy to identify with, for me at least. As a female who is expected to be quiet and demure and work behind the scenes, Neve doesn’t fit into the box that’s supposed to define her. She’s rowdy and unruly, and prefers to be out riding in her chariot, learning how to fight, whether it’s hand-to-hand combat, with a sword, her double headed axe, or with a bow and arrow. Neve is a warrior princess in a time when that is not socially acceptable, but she never tries to hide who she really is, and the people closest to her fully accept her for who she is.
Ronan was orphaned in the unrest that swept through Eire when he was young. He apprenticed with the Druids, but when that didn’t work out for him, he left and makes his way through the world as a thief. When his path crosses with Neve’s, things don’t go well, and they don’t exactly hit it off well. When they meet up again in the future, their second meeting doesn’t go any better. However, they don’t quite fit into the “enemies” category. They’re forced to work together, and there’s something going on that connects them, so it’s more like an uneasy truce rather than enemies.
It takes a long time for the underlying plot to actually appear, but once it does, I was sucked into the story. The book is fast-paced, and there’s a lot of action, right from the start. I found myself fully invested in the story rather quickly, despite the issues mentioned above. I did enjoy the story itself, and even though I predicted a few of the plot twists in advance, more than a few blindsided me and kept everything exciting. Overall, this was a good story set in a fresh setting that kept me intrigued and reading avidly straight until the end.
Want to read
October 25, 2022Thank you so much to NetGalley & Zando Young Readers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2022
Thank you for netgalley and the publisher for giving me an EARC if this book.
I normally don't like to read books that have political intrigue in them but the synopsis of this one instantly gripped me. The world building is great I loved how the author described everything precisely and connected all of it together. Also I was amazed that this is based on Irish history it's such an interesting thing! The book literally had everything from a great fantasy world to badass characters to a great romance and finally one of the best plots I've read in fantasy. I recommend this if you're in for a wild ride if fantasy with a little dash of politics and romance, yes all this combine perfectly.
I normally don't like to read books that have political intrigue in them but the synopsis of this one instantly gripped me. The world building is great I loved how the author described everything precisely and connected all of it together. Also I was amazed that this is based on Irish history it's such an interesting thing! The book literally had everything from a great fantasy world to badass characters to a great romance and finally one of the best plots I've read in fantasy. I recommend this if you're in for a wild ride if fantasy with a little dash of politics and romance, yes all this combine perfectly.
December 30, 2022
Princess Neve of Eire and a common thief, Ronan, share one thing in common, magic. After forming an unlikely bond and with the help of a stable boy, embark on a journey to stop the Scathach Queen from reentering their realm and restore Eire with the one true Dadga and lost magic.
I absolutely loved the Celtic mythology of this story. Lesley Livingston did a really good job with the world building and really brought the characters to life. I would have given this book 4 stars, if it weren't for the last 20 minutes of the book. This whole time the book is about Neve realizes the power she has and making sure that the Scatach Queen, her cruel ancestor, does not return to their realm, but once she actually gets to the point of stopping her, its done and over in a minute. The ending was just too rushed, and not alot of was explained as to how Scatach was stopped or how Ronan survived. And when Ronan does not actually die and its just brushed over as not knowing where his heart was, I was thrown from a loop... I was expecting that part of the story to be a lot more powerful considering he was a huge part of this book and I had no time to mourn the loss of him.
All and all I loved the writing and mythology behind the story, but the ending was a missed opportunity for something great, in my opinion. I will still be reading more of Lesley Livingston's work and am grateful to the author, netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
I absolutely loved the Celtic mythology of this story. Lesley Livingston did a really good job with the world building and really brought the characters to life. I would have given this book 4 stars, if it weren't for the last 20 minutes of the book. This whole time the book is about Neve realizes the power she has and making sure that the Scatach Queen, her cruel ancestor, does not return to their realm, but once she actually gets to the point of stopping her, its done and over in a minute. The ending was just too rushed, and not alot of was explained as to how Scatach was stopped or how Ronan survived. And when Ronan does not actually die and its just brushed over as not knowing where his heart was, I was thrown from a loop... I was expecting that part of the story to be a lot more powerful considering he was a huge part of this book and I had no time to mourn the loss of him.
All and all I loved the writing and mythology behind the story, but the ending was a missed opportunity for something great, in my opinion. I will still be reading more of Lesley Livingston's work and am grateful to the author, netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley & Zando Young Readers for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
4.5 stars
I’m seriously hoping that Queen Among the Dead is the start of a series because I have not gotten enough of this incredible world.
I loved the subtlety of Livingston's writing. As the worldbuilding takes place, you’re introduced to these young characters who quickly win you over. And as things start to come together, you’re not really sure where it’s headed, but you can tell it will be big. I had no idea what to expect or who would survive, and I was hooked on every page.
The sheer amount of worldbuilding that takes place is incredible. Did I understand every word? No. Did I love all of it? Most definitely. The magic system and its potential after years of eradication was breathtaking. As Ronan and Neve discover their powers and are consistently drawn to each other despite usually trying to stay as far away as possible, you’re drawn into their world. I did feel a little bad for Sakir - he spent so much time by Neve’s side, training her and covering for her, and he’s totally blindsided when Ronan comes on the scene. Then, suddenly, there’s magic and betrayals and tough choices to be made. I think Una and Lorcan and a lot of the other side characters (particularly from Ronan’s side of town) were a little underdeveloped, but they did serve their purpose.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for this to turn into a series (as long as no annoying love triangle develops). I’m not ready to leave this world, particularly Neve, behind.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
4.5 stars
I’m seriously hoping that Queen Among the Dead is the start of a series because I have not gotten enough of this incredible world.
I loved the subtlety of Livingston's writing. As the worldbuilding takes place, you’re introduced to these young characters who quickly win you over. And as things start to come together, you’re not really sure where it’s headed, but you can tell it will be big. I had no idea what to expect or who would survive, and I was hooked on every page.
The sheer amount of worldbuilding that takes place is incredible. Did I understand every word? No. Did I love all of it? Most definitely. The magic system and its potential after years of eradication was breathtaking. As Ronan and Neve discover their powers and are consistently drawn to each other despite usually trying to stay as far away as possible, you’re drawn into their world. I did feel a little bad for Sakir - he spent so much time by Neve’s side, training her and covering for her, and he’s totally blindsided when Ronan comes on the scene. Then, suddenly, there’s magic and betrayals and tough choices to be made. I think Una and Lorcan and a lot of the other side characters (particularly from Ronan’s side of town) were a little underdeveloped, but they did serve their purpose.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for this to turn into a series (as long as no annoying love triangle develops). I’m not ready to leave this world, particularly Neve, behind.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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January 23, 2023
I’d like to thank Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I dnf’d about a third of the way into this book because this book is essentially a reverse colonialism fantasy where Ireland was colonized by Egypt. Going in I knew it was Celtic based which was what I was expecting and as you read you learn about how Neve’s ancestors « conquered » (read: colonized) this land/country. First warning sign that the colonizers were Egyptian was a mention of gods with animal heads. Second was when it said her ancestor that came and colonized the land was from Kemet. I tried to push a bit further but the more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I was so I had to drop it.
I dnf’d about a third of the way into this book because this book is essentially a reverse colonialism fantasy where Ireland was colonized by Egypt. Going in I knew it was Celtic based which was what I was expecting and as you read you learn about how Neve’s ancestors « conquered » (read: colonized) this land/country. First warning sign that the colonizers were Egyptian was a mention of gods with animal heads. Second was when it said her ancestor that came and colonized the land was from Kemet. I tried to push a bit further but the more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I was so I had to drop it.
December 4, 2022
DNF’ed at 20%
I can’t even tell you of all I read because I stumbled and tripped over words that I would love to see a young teen pronounce—or try to, anyway! This book is supposed to be YA. High praise to the 14-year-old who actually makes it through this book. O.o
This book had so much potential yet the unique (and stupidly complicated) word use made it harder to focus on the story.
The beginning felt a bit clunky. I didn’t understand the conflict between the two MCs and even afterwards it seemed whatever issues they had were resolved fairly quickly…
I can’t even tell you of all I read because I stumbled and tripped over words that I would love to see a young teen pronounce—or try to, anyway! This book is supposed to be YA. High praise to the 14-year-old who actually makes it through this book. O.o
This book had so much potential yet the unique (and stupidly complicated) word use made it harder to focus on the story.
The beginning felt a bit clunky. I didn’t understand the conflict between the two MCs and even afterwards it seemed whatever issues they had were resolved fairly quickly…
January 4, 2025
4,75⭐️
One of my new favourite books!
The magic, the world, the lore and the characters, it was all amazing! The only downside was that it was a bit slow before the plot actually started but in the end that just made the story so much better because there was a lot of build-up and foreshadowing that made so much sense in the end!
One of my new favourite books!
The magic, the world, the lore and the characters, it was all amazing! The only downside was that it was a bit slow before the plot actually started but in the end that just made the story so much better because there was a lot of build-up and foreshadowing that made so much sense in the end!
November 26, 2022
Thank you so much Zando Projects Publishing for sending me an eARC to read and give an honest review!
"'Do you think Eire is invulnerable, lords? Impervious to assault? I don't think that. I can't know that. I only know this: in the face of a darkness rising - and darkness follows dusk follows bright daylight, always - an unjust kingdom will never stand. A false king will ever come to ruin. And faithless tuaths will, in the end, burn to ash and scatter on the winds.'"
*4.5 stars*
This book was SO good. I absolutely loved the Irish mythology, the political intrigue, the worldbuilding, and the characters! There is so much to say, but I want to start off with the one thing I did NOT like, so I can move on to all of the good parts: the beginning. Don't get me wrong, I loved the past and then fast-forward to the future, but there was also a LOT of info-dumping near the beginning, courtesy of both Neve and Ronan. However, that was truly my only complaint about the whole book.
Now to the good parts! The way that Livingston wrote about Irish mythology displayed her deep passion and respect for it. It was very well done (though I would have liked to see a glossary for the meanings instead of them being explained by the narrator). I read the first book in her other series, Valiant, in 2020 and enjoyed it for the same reason. I also enjoyed the political side of the worldbuilding. The reader is told that Úna understood and manipulated the politics in Eire, and near the end, we really see how the political system is important to the story
I have seen some complain that they couldn't anticipate the trajectory of the story since the characters had no clear goals, which led to them disliking the book. I personally enjoyed this fact (although I did have theories as to where it was going based on Livingston's subtle hints throughout the first couple of chapters), as it keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of their seats to see what happens next. Additionally, the pacing was perfect because it built suspense. It is definitely YA though.
Next, the characters were good. I suppose this is a minor complaint, but I feel like the side/main characters weren't QUITE fleshed out enough. Neve was pretty much the only one I felt was, as her characterization was on-point the whole novel: headstrong, stubborn, and not afraid of the consequences. She was kind of an anti-hero/ morally gray character too because she made decisions based on her desires. On the other hand, Ronan, Sakir, her father, her mother (who I wished I could've seen more backstory for, by the way), Úna, and Lorcan could've all used a little more characterization. However, the lack of this didn't affect my enjoyment of the book overall (I mean, I BINGED this book in one sitting).
And then the romance . . . enemies to lovers, a knife-to-throat scene, and a sarcastic thief? I mean, what more could I want?? Also, this was a dual POV story told in the third person, which didn't confuse me as I read that a lot (SUPER common in YA fantasy), but it can be confusing to some readers. Finally, while this is a standalone, I'm glad Livingston left the ending open so that we may one day return to the land of Eire.
All in all, a book I definitely would recommend readers check out when it releases in January!
"'Do you think Eire is invulnerable, lords? Impervious to assault? I don't think that. I can't know that. I only know this: in the face of a darkness rising - and darkness follows dusk follows bright daylight, always - an unjust kingdom will never stand. A false king will ever come to ruin. And faithless tuaths will, in the end, burn to ash and scatter on the winds.'"
*4.5 stars*
This book was SO good. I absolutely loved the Irish mythology, the political intrigue, the worldbuilding, and the characters! There is so much to say, but I want to start off with the one thing I did NOT like, so I can move on to all of the good parts: the beginning. Don't get me wrong, I loved the past and then fast-forward to the future, but there was also a LOT of info-dumping near the beginning, courtesy of both Neve and Ronan. However, that was truly my only complaint about the whole book.
Now to the good parts! The way that Livingston wrote about Irish mythology displayed her deep passion and respect for it. It was very well done (though I would have liked to see a glossary for the meanings instead of them being explained by the narrator). I read the first book in her other series, Valiant, in 2020 and enjoyed it for the same reason. I also enjoyed the political side of the worldbuilding. The reader is told that Úna understood and manipulated the politics in Eire, and near the end, we really see how the political system is important to the story
I have seen some complain that they couldn't anticipate the trajectory of the story since the characters had no clear goals, which led to them disliking the book. I personally enjoyed this fact (although I did have theories as to where it was going based on Livingston's subtle hints throughout the first couple of chapters), as it keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of their seats to see what happens next. Additionally, the pacing was perfect because it built suspense. It is definitely YA though.
Next, the characters were good. I suppose this is a minor complaint, but I feel like the side/main characters weren't QUITE fleshed out enough. Neve was pretty much the only one I felt was, as her characterization was on-point the whole novel: headstrong, stubborn, and not afraid of the consequences. She was kind of an anti-hero/ morally gray character too because she made decisions based on her desires. On the other hand, Ronan, Sakir, her father, her mother (who I wished I could've seen more backstory for, by the way), Úna, and Lorcan could've all used a little more characterization. However, the lack of this didn't affect my enjoyment of the book overall (I mean, I BINGED this book in one sitting).
And then the romance . . . enemies to lovers, a knife-to-throat scene, and a sarcastic thief? I mean, what more could I want?? Also, this was a dual POV story told in the third person, which didn't confuse me as I read that a lot (SUPER common in YA fantasy), but it can be confusing to some readers. Finally, while this is a standalone, I'm glad Livingston left the ending open so that we may one day return to the land of Eire.
All in all, a book I definitely would recommend readers check out when it releases in January!
January 21, 2023
Thank you to Zando Young Readers for sending me this ARC. All reviews are honest reflections of my own opinions, always.
In the lush kingdom of Eire an ancient magic begins to stir. Magic forbidden by the king himself, secretly hoarded by druids, seething below the surface.
Neve, second daughter of a jealous king, more warrior child than princess. Ronan, an outcast druid turned cutpurse, dealing in stolen magic.
When a chance encounter between these two begins to weave their fates together, truth begins to surface and magic leaves its own markings. Sworn revenge, a bid for the throne, secrets & a reluctant alliance.
I'm going to echo many other reviewers here & give this a very middle of the lane rating. While not outstanding, the book was still unique & interesting enough, especially given the not often seen Celtic lore.
Our main characters, which we switch viewpoints on & off with, are well formed, but not incredibly captivating. An outcast princess, a down on his luck ragged boy, an invisible and unexplainable force pulling them together, even against their will. A lot of the book deals with their own indecisions concerning one another, which is wearing on the reader.
When it comes to world building, there is a lot to consume, keep straight, and ultimately pronounce wrong. Info dumping is a strong presence, making it nearly impossible for the reader to keep all the clans, sects, peoples, wars, etc sorted. To make matters more difficult, there is, as should be expected, a vast array of Celtic names, which would benefit from an appendix with pronunciation guides.
The plot is a little thin, but entertaining enough against it's Celtic background (which really is the saving aspect of this book), to hold the attention of the reader, but not necessarily the imagination.
In the lush kingdom of Eire an ancient magic begins to stir. Magic forbidden by the king himself, secretly hoarded by druids, seething below the surface.
Neve, second daughter of a jealous king, more warrior child than princess. Ronan, an outcast druid turned cutpurse, dealing in stolen magic.
When a chance encounter between these two begins to weave their fates together, truth begins to surface and magic leaves its own markings. Sworn revenge, a bid for the throne, secrets & a reluctant alliance.
I'm going to echo many other reviewers here & give this a very middle of the lane rating. While not outstanding, the book was still unique & interesting enough, especially given the not often seen Celtic lore.
Our main characters, which we switch viewpoints on & off with, are well formed, but not incredibly captivating. An outcast princess, a down on his luck ragged boy, an invisible and unexplainable force pulling them together, even against their will. A lot of the book deals with their own indecisions concerning one another, which is wearing on the reader.
When it comes to world building, there is a lot to consume, keep straight, and ultimately pronounce wrong. Info dumping is a strong presence, making it nearly impossible for the reader to keep all the clans, sects, peoples, wars, etc sorted. To make matters more difficult, there is, as should be expected, a vast array of Celtic names, which would benefit from an appendix with pronunciation guides.
The plot is a little thin, but entertaining enough against it's Celtic background (which really is the saving aspect of this book), to hold the attention of the reader, but not necessarily the imagination.
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