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The Innisfail Cycle #1
The Sons of Mil: The Innisfail Cycle: Book One
On the continent of Innisfail, Old Gods reign. Following five hundred years of vicious conflict, the High King has negotiated an armistice between the immortal Sidhe in the North, and the human populations of the South- the Sons of Mil. In this land of treacherous magic and ageless blood feuds, the peace is precarious at best.
An outcast with few loyalties, Ben Maeden has no interest in the political strife brewing in the South. Convinced a man without pride has nothing left to lose, he's content to fade into drunken obscurity in the wilderness. That is, until a rare moment of conscience compels him to rescue a young noblewoman from a band of mercenaries. This auspicious encounter hurls him into the heart of a far-reaching conspiracy, for Una Moura is no ordinary girl. Branded a heretic and scourged by her own people, she harbors a secret that could spell disaster for everyone. Hunted by militant nobles, dark creatures, and ambitious zealots; Ben and Una find themselves in a desperate race to prevent a war. Though, not every enemy lurks in the shadows. Haunted by the ghosts of a former life; Ben may discover his greatest challenge lies within. Can he reconcile his past to safeguard Innisfail's future, or is he doomed to repeat his mistakes...to the detriment of all?
An outcast with few loyalties, Ben Maeden has no interest in the political strife brewing in the South. Convinced a man without pride has nothing left to lose, he's content to fade into drunken obscurity in the wilderness. That is, until a rare moment of conscience compels him to rescue a young noblewoman from a band of mercenaries. This auspicious encounter hurls him into the heart of a far-reaching conspiracy, for Una Moura is no ordinary girl. Branded a heretic and scourged by her own people, she harbors a secret that could spell disaster for everyone. Hunted by militant nobles, dark creatures, and ambitious zealots; Ben and Una find themselves in a desperate race to prevent a war. Though, not every enemy lurks in the shadows. Haunted by the ghosts of a former life; Ben may discover his greatest challenge lies within. Can he reconcile his past to safeguard Innisfail's future, or is he doomed to repeat his mistakes...to the detriment of all?
548 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2019
About the author
L.M. Riviere
6 books93 followersL.M. Riviere is the author of the epic fantasy series 'The Innisfail Cycle', the historical fairy tale 'A Dark Most Fair,' and the Appalachian folk horror 'A Vow For Breaking.' She has another folk horror titles due for release in 2026.
She is obsessed with hot coffee, hiking, and refusing to wear 'real pants' in public. She lives in Appalachia.
She is obsessed with hot coffee, hiking, and refusing to wear 'real pants' in public. She lives in Appalachia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 24, 2021
Absolutely amazing! Full review to come as soon as my life is a little less stressful 😅
June 23, 2023
A hidden gem of adult epic fantasy!
Ben Maeden is a lost existence, a man without a goal. That is until he accidentally saves a girl that is at the center of an emerging nationwide conflict and becomes her unwilling bodyguard.
I can't believe this book has so few ratings. This is a well-written book and if someone told me it was a best-seller, I would have believed them.
Innisfail is a rich world based on Irish mythology. Humans and Sidhe live in fragile peace. Besides the obvious magic of the Sidhe, there also exist some in the human population that wield power, which generally grows stronger in women. This magic was not yet fully explored or explained, but it had a certain scientific base to it that I found refreshing.
The story mostly follows the companions on the run while here and there we get a POV from one of the parties that chases them. I appreciated these side POVs as they made the enemies humans with goals rather than just "evil people".
Ben and Una made for very interesting main characters. We slowly learn about their past as the story progresses and find out about their secrets. They have a very "unwilling companions" energy and I enjoyed their banter.
I am giving this book 4,5 because I had some small issues. We get a lot of hints about what is happening through the various POVs that eventually build the whole picture, but I felt like I was still missing some parts, although no major ones. Especially one past event was really bugging me, as knowing what actually happened might completely change how I think about Ben. Other than that, the characters' abilities seemed a bit inconsistent, depending on what the story needed.
The first book was already full of story, discoveries, and interesting characters but I have a feeling there is much more to come in the sequels.
I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ben Maeden is a lost existence, a man without a goal. That is until he accidentally saves a girl that is at the center of an emerging nationwide conflict and becomes her unwilling bodyguard.
I can't believe this book has so few ratings. This is a well-written book and if someone told me it was a best-seller, I would have believed them.
Innisfail is a rich world based on Irish mythology. Humans and Sidhe live in fragile peace. Besides the obvious magic of the Sidhe, there also exist some in the human population that wield power, which generally grows stronger in women. This magic was not yet fully explored or explained, but it had a certain scientific base to it that I found refreshing.
The story mostly follows the companions on the run while here and there we get a POV from one of the parties that chases them. I appreciated these side POVs as they made the enemies humans with goals rather than just "evil people".
Ben and Una made for very interesting main characters. We slowly learn about their past as the story progresses and find out about their secrets. They have a very "unwilling companions" energy and I enjoyed their banter.
I am giving this book 4,5 because I had some small issues. We get a lot of hints about what is happening through the various POVs that eventually build the whole picture, but I felt like I was still missing some parts, although no major ones. Especially one past event was really bugging me, as knowing what actually happened might completely change how I think about Ben. Other than that, the characters' abilities seemed a bit inconsistent, depending on what the story needed.
The first book was already full of story, discoveries, and interesting characters but I have a feeling there is much more to come in the sequels.
I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 24, 2019
This was an epic “epic” fantasy! I highly enjoyed and recommend this book. From the complex plot to the richly-layered characters, it was easy to be immersed in this dangerous and exciting world the author created. I found myself frustrated by the characters I was rooting for, and understanding, if not sympathizing, with the ones I loathed. This is no light read—plenty of violence, blood and gore to go with the action, full of despicable and flawed characters—but as real as a work of fantasy can be and masterfully told.
April 5, 2021
As a longstanding disciple of Irish and Celtic mythologies, I couldn't be more enthralled with L.M. Riviere's debut title, The Sons of Mil, in the The Innisfail Cycle. This particular mythos has been often overlooked or cheaply represented in the world of fantasy literature, but Riviere more than does it justice while still taking it further than it's ever been in a far-reaching Ireland that almost dabbles in science fiction. She flawlessly executes what few fantasy authors pull off: a world of limitless imagination coupled with magic and science that abides by strict rules and laws and whose dues must always be paid. There's no hand-waving in this book to flippantly free the characters from the dilemmas and debacles that plague them. I was equally delighted by Riviere's exquisite command of prose and her simply brilliant fight scenes. And there's plenty of them - although her writing is lyrical, her characters are notably-less-than-perfect creatures who often tumble from one fiasco to another. I loathe an either unrealistic or a pedantically perfect fight scene equally, but Riviere's had me holding my breath and dodging blows. I did my best to put this book down and fulfill my other obligations, but I failed miserably. Lovers of fantasy, mythology, adventure, and history will all find themselves hopelessly absorbed by this wonderful book. Should be top billing in fantasy bays in bookstores of every town!
January 16, 2021
Wow, what a debut! I could really see the influence of George R.R. Martin in Riviere's world building, combined with the slow-burn character development and mythological inspiration of Naomi Novik.
Innisfail is a fully-formed world, inspired by Celtic lore, with complex plot lines that span genres: it's a political thriller, family drama, and high fantasy epic all rolled into one. With careful pacing and atmospheric writing, readers are introduced to the continent and its human and immortal inhabitants. The trilogy's two heroes, Ben and Una, are interesting foils for each other; their similarities and contradictions create an amusing dynamic that pushes the plot forward.
Ultimately, there's something for everyone here: a matriarchal parliament (!!!), burgeoning religious fanaticism, ZOMBIES, sword fights, timely revelations of parentage, and a band of smugglers with hearts of gold. If any of this sounds intriguing, you should give the Innisfail Cycle a try. Also, don't sleep on the back-of-the-book Glossary and Reference content like I did for most of my read! I don't want to give anything away, but the ending was very satisfying. Riviere has the stage set for an even more impactful conflict to come.
Innisfail is a fully-formed world, inspired by Celtic lore, with complex plot lines that span genres: it's a political thriller, family drama, and high fantasy epic all rolled into one. With careful pacing and atmospheric writing, readers are introduced to the continent and its human and immortal inhabitants. The trilogy's two heroes, Ben and Una, are interesting foils for each other; their similarities and contradictions create an amusing dynamic that pushes the plot forward.
Ultimately, there's something for everyone here: a matriarchal parliament (!!!), burgeoning religious fanaticism, ZOMBIES, sword fights, timely revelations of parentage, and a band of smugglers with hearts of gold. If any of this sounds intriguing, you should give the Innisfail Cycle a try. Also, don't sleep on the back-of-the-book Glossary and Reference content like I did for most of my read! I don't want to give anything away, but the ending was very satisfying. Riviere has the stage set for an even more impactful conflict to come.
November 23, 2023
3/5 stars, this was interesting with the mythology!
Thank you to Lights Out Ink for the arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
I don't remember a ton about this book, which reminds me that it was quite forgettable. However, I do remember that I was very intrigued by the mythology behind this story. I have not read anything that has been based on Irish mythology before, so I definitely want to try to find more books like that in the future. However, a lot of the rest of this book was forgettable and I wish that I remembered more, but unfortunately that does happen from time to time.
[TW: violence, death of a friend, war themes, blood and gore]
Thank you to Lights Out Ink for the arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
I don't remember a ton about this book, which reminds me that it was quite forgettable. However, I do remember that I was very intrigued by the mythology behind this story. I have not read anything that has been based on Irish mythology before, so I definitely want to try to find more books like that in the future. However, a lot of the rest of this book was forgettable and I wish that I remembered more, but unfortunately that does happen from time to time.
[TW: violence, death of a friend, war themes, blood and gore]
May 13, 2021
This review begins with a content warning: there are several chapters that depict violence, attempted rape, and general debauchery. The author also writes masterful depictions of dark magic and terrible creatures; the imagery is terrifying. If you can stomach these chapters, you’ll be in for a great book.
*The Sons of Mil,* drawing on Celtic mythology, follows two young women, Una and Rian, and a mysterious figure named Ben Maedan. The three characters have different backgrounds and vastly different goals, but circumstances dictate that they become unlikely allies. Though the story begins with them simply trying to survive, they quickly find themselves at the center of a plot involving the most powerful people in the world, and the implications are bigger than any of them.
The characters have relatable goals; many of them are capable, but broken. Take Ben, for example: even though he is a talented swordsman with a penchant for accidental heroism, he frequently states his desires for a drink and a bed.
The women in this book are powerful and capable. If you are in the market for a book with strong female leads, this is a book for you.
I also love the character development. Una has spent her entire life being used by others for her looks, abilities, or bloodlines. By the end of the book she has developed her own agency and shows that she can carve out her own place in the world. Other characters undergo similarly compelling arcs.
Finally, the reader gets the sense that this story is indeed part of a much larger world; one filled with religion, schemes, history, and purpose. I’m excited for future installments in this series.
I’ll add a few caveats to this review: (1) The use of Celtic mythology is great, but is sure to leave some readers lost. There is a helpful glossary in the back of the book, but use this sparingly, for it contains spoilers!
(2) I’ll try and explain this without spoiling the plot; right around the climax of the action, there is a significant scenery change that I, the reader, was unprepared for. I may have missed some foreshadowing though.
(3) I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This has not impacted my review in anyway.
*The Sons of Mil,* drawing on Celtic mythology, follows two young women, Una and Rian, and a mysterious figure named Ben Maedan. The three characters have different backgrounds and vastly different goals, but circumstances dictate that they become unlikely allies. Though the story begins with them simply trying to survive, they quickly find themselves at the center of a plot involving the most powerful people in the world, and the implications are bigger than any of them.
The characters have relatable goals; many of them are capable, but broken. Take Ben, for example: even though he is a talented swordsman with a penchant for accidental heroism, he frequently states his desires for a drink and a bed.
The women in this book are powerful and capable. If you are in the market for a book with strong female leads, this is a book for you.
I also love the character development. Una has spent her entire life being used by others for her looks, abilities, or bloodlines. By the end of the book she has developed her own agency and shows that she can carve out her own place in the world. Other characters undergo similarly compelling arcs.
Finally, the reader gets the sense that this story is indeed part of a much larger world; one filled with religion, schemes, history, and purpose. I’m excited for future installments in this series.
I’ll add a few caveats to this review: (1) The use of Celtic mythology is great, but is sure to leave some readers lost. There is a helpful glossary in the back of the book, but use this sparingly, for it contains spoilers!
(2) I’ll try and explain this without spoiling the plot; right around the climax of the action, there is a significant scenery change that I, the reader, was unprepared for. I may have missed some foreshadowing though.
(3) I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This has not impacted my review in anyway.
July 21, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Lights Out Ink for the ARC.
My god, this was good. It scratched such a deep itch for some heavily magical, action-packed epic fantasy. The author is very good at creating a rich world based on Celtic mythology. The narration is heavily descriptive, especially in moments of combat. The story bounced between many different characters, all of them well-rounded, complex characters. My one complaint is that as a main character, Una doesn't have a lot of agency, and it's hard to get a sense of what her motivations are, even when we're in her perspective. Other than that, I had a great time with this, and I can't wait to read the next book.
My god, this was good. It scratched such a deep itch for some heavily magical, action-packed epic fantasy. The author is very good at creating a rich world based on Celtic mythology. The narration is heavily descriptive, especially in moments of combat. The story bounced between many different characters, all of them well-rounded, complex characters. My one complaint is that as a main character, Una doesn't have a lot of agency, and it's hard to get a sense of what her motivations are, even when we're in her perspective. Other than that, I had a great time with this, and I can't wait to read the next book.
January 29, 2021
I love Celtic and Irish mythology and folklore, so the premise of this book grabbed my attention. But I never expected that I’d love it as much I did!
The Sons of Mil opens strongly, introducing us to Ben Maeden and all the questions that surround him and his past. Honestly, that's something I'd like to acknowledge right off the bat. Riviere is a veritable master when it comes to creating a sense of mysterious intrigue around her characters. It's largely seen with Ben (and with Una and Aoife!), but all throughout the book, Riviere reveals just enough information to hook you without fully revealing the truth of things. And the reveals aren't just cheap plot twists, they're genuinely shocking and satisfying moments that I guarantee will leave you blown away.
As for the plot as a whole, Riviere masterfully wove together so many different threads! From political intrigue to exciting battle scenes to haunting pasts, there was quite a bit going on. Still, despite the complexities, everything remained clear and not confusing. I find that, sometimes, books that deal with a great deal of politics and plotting can get too wrapped up and become overcomplicated. That didn't happen here, though; all the alliances and plans had a great deal of complexity, but, again, Riviere kept things from becoming muddled.
The characters played a large role in making the plot so amazing, of course. Riviere followed multiple characters, all of whom contributed to making things interesting. I enjoyed seeing the differing views characters had on the same people, places, and events. And I loved seeing the different relationships from both sides, too!
The last thing I want to say about this book is that the world is beautiful and skillfully developed. I mentioned politics before, but a large part of this story involved alliances and wars, rulers and coups. Riviere developed all that expertly; the same can be said for the physical and magical elements of this fictional world. Everything felt tangible and so, so real--and I absolutely loved it!
In short, I would recommend this book to everyone! The plot had me on the edge of my seat; the setting had me in awe over its detail; the characters made me feel so attached to them and their stories. I completely and irreversibly fell in love with everything about this book, and I encourage you to give it a chance so you can, too!
(I received a copy of this book for free through BookSirens. This review consists wholly of my own unbiased opinions, and many thanks to BookSirens and LM Riviere for the chance to read this book!)
The Sons of Mil opens strongly, introducing us to Ben Maeden and all the questions that surround him and his past. Honestly, that's something I'd like to acknowledge right off the bat. Riviere is a veritable master when it comes to creating a sense of mysterious intrigue around her characters. It's largely seen with Ben (and with Una and Aoife!), but all throughout the book, Riviere reveals just enough information to hook you without fully revealing the truth of things. And the reveals aren't just cheap plot twists, they're genuinely shocking and satisfying moments that I guarantee will leave you blown away.
As for the plot as a whole, Riviere masterfully wove together so many different threads! From political intrigue to exciting battle scenes to haunting pasts, there was quite a bit going on. Still, despite the complexities, everything remained clear and not confusing. I find that, sometimes, books that deal with a great deal of politics and plotting can get too wrapped up and become overcomplicated. That didn't happen here, though; all the alliances and plans had a great deal of complexity, but, again, Riviere kept things from becoming muddled.
The characters played a large role in making the plot so amazing, of course. Riviere followed multiple characters, all of whom contributed to making things interesting. I enjoyed seeing the differing views characters had on the same people, places, and events. And I loved seeing the different relationships from both sides, too!
The last thing I want to say about this book is that the world is beautiful and skillfully developed. I mentioned politics before, but a large part of this story involved alliances and wars, rulers and coups. Riviere developed all that expertly; the same can be said for the physical and magical elements of this fictional world. Everything felt tangible and so, so real--and I absolutely loved it!
In short, I would recommend this book to everyone! The plot had me on the edge of my seat; the setting had me in awe over its detail; the characters made me feel so attached to them and their stories. I completely and irreversibly fell in love with everything about this book, and I encourage you to give it a chance so you can, too!
(I received a copy of this book for free through BookSirens. This review consists wholly of my own unbiased opinions, and many thanks to BookSirens and LM Riviere for the chance to read this book!)
February 3, 2022
I received a free copy from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Today marks the end of a three and a half month journey. I had a good time with the book, but it didn't fit. IT GOT DIFFICULT whenever I picked it up: too detailed, too many connections, a super complex world, and Irish folklore that I have only limited knowledge of. In addition, large parts of the story were written in dialect, which also slowed me down. I give the book positive credit because the characters are fascinating and root for them quickly. The index was super helpful and has saved me several times. The world is highly complex and has many twists and turns. But it wasn't enough for me, and that's why I only gave it three stars.
Today marks the end of a three and a half month journey. I had a good time with the book, but it didn't fit. IT GOT DIFFICULT whenever I picked it up: too detailed, too many connections, a super complex world, and Irish folklore that I have only limited knowledge of. In addition, large parts of the story were written in dialect, which also slowed me down. I give the book positive credit because the characters are fascinating and root for them quickly. The index was super helpful and has saved me several times. The world is highly complex and has many twists and turns. But it wasn't enough for me, and that's why I only gave it three stars.
May 6, 2023
This was an epic fantasy story with elves, battles, and mythology.
I found that you really have to take the time to immerse yourself in this story. There are a lot of characters, so the POV switches and you have to keep track of who is who. I liked that there were strong females in this story, something that will always draw me to an author’s works.
There’s action and adventure, but some parts did feel a bit dry. I totally understand that the author was creating this world for the reader. The last half picked up and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Lights Out Ink for a copy!
PS, I love the cover art! It really draws the eye.
I found that you really have to take the time to immerse yourself in this story. There are a lot of characters, so the POV switches and you have to keep track of who is who. I liked that there were strong females in this story, something that will always draw me to an author’s works.
There’s action and adventure, but some parts did feel a bit dry. I totally understand that the author was creating this world for the reader. The last half picked up and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Lights Out Ink for a copy!
PS, I love the cover art! It really draws the eye.
July 23, 2019
In her breakout first novel, L.M. Riviere gives a stunningly beautiful epic fantasy rich in detail and character. In my mind's eye, I could literally smell the forest pine and taste the chill air. Watch out Tolkien, Riviere has your number!
March 7, 2023
I received an arc from Net Galley to read. So, thank you to Net Galley and to Episodic!
I swear to God, this book snuck up on me. First off, yes, this is a pretty stereotypical High Fantasy/Epic Fantasy novel. There were times in the beginning where I felt the plot lulled but after the halfway mark, I understood all of what I had just read was had built up to the action of the second half of story, which was fantastic. I have to say, I'm a fan of the setting, especially with the backdrop of the Red City, Bethany, (especially) Rosweal, there were a lot of places that I got to see and I liked the vast majority of them.
Second off, the characters. Besides the large amounts of (perhaps unnecessary) attempted rapes, I generally liked our small cast of heroes. I despised the villains with great vitriol, as one should with villains, and I really don't know why but I LOVED the Sluagh. Need more. Let the next book a Halloween book too. Give me more beasties. In any case, despite his ruthlessness, I found myself really liking Ben and the dynamic he had with Una and Rian. I did feel like the romance in the story came a little out of nowhere, but apparently it was the right amount of buildup for me because I was gnashing my teeth, thinking of said romance, when I got to the ending.
All of that being said, third off. The reason why I said this book snuck up on me is because the plot really looped me in after I became more used to the settings and started loving the characters. Damn you, Riviere, I really started caring about each main/side character's wellbeing and when damnit, there was a death, I literally screamed and caused my roommates to panic. When a book makes me ask, "How could you?!?!?!?", that's when it's in my good graces.
I will be purchasing this book on my own to include in my collection. Would recommend to readers of High Fantasy/Epic Fantasy if they want a fun romp that borders "Game of Thrones" violence that turns satisfying (after a hot sec). Trigger warning for attempted rape (I am not a fan of this but most of the guys get wonderfully doled out justice). Additionally, "Sons of Mil" has HUGE references to Irish mythology and ancient history, which I found I well appreciated but also happen to lack knowledge in. Give this book a shot!
I swear to God, this book snuck up on me. First off, yes, this is a pretty stereotypical High Fantasy/Epic Fantasy novel. There were times in the beginning where I felt the plot lulled but after the halfway mark, I understood all of what I had just read was had built up to the action of the second half of story, which was fantastic. I have to say, I'm a fan of the setting, especially with the backdrop of the Red City, Bethany, (especially) Rosweal, there were a lot of places that I got to see and I liked the vast majority of them.
Second off, the characters. Besides the large amounts of (perhaps unnecessary) attempted rapes, I generally liked our small cast of heroes. I despised the villains with great vitriol, as one should with villains, and I really don't know why but I LOVED the Sluagh. Need more. Let the next book a Halloween book too. Give me more beasties. In any case, despite his ruthlessness, I found myself really liking Ben and the dynamic he had with Una and Rian. I did feel like the romance in the story came a little out of nowhere, but apparently it was the right amount of buildup for me because I was gnashing my teeth, thinking of said romance, when I got to the ending.
All of that being said, third off. The reason why I said this book snuck up on me is because the plot really looped me in after I became more used to the settings and started loving the characters. Damn you, Riviere, I really started caring about each main/side character's wellbeing and when damnit, there was a death, I literally screamed and caused my roommates to panic. When a book makes me ask, "How could you?!?!?!?", that's when it's in my good graces.
I will be purchasing this book on my own to include in my collection. Would recommend to readers of High Fantasy/Epic Fantasy if they want a fun romp that borders "Game of Thrones" violence that turns satisfying (after a hot sec). Trigger warning for attempted rape (I am not a fan of this but most of the guys get wonderfully doled out justice). Additionally, "Sons of Mil" has HUGE references to Irish mythology and ancient history, which I found I well appreciated but also happen to lack knowledge in. Give this book a shot!
January 26, 2021
I really wanted to give this work five stars - the way magic worked, the setting, the Celtic lore and names, and the worldbuilding all came together to make a truly fascinating read. BUT there were so many errors that they detracted from the work. For example: some paragraphs were a whole page with dialogue buried in the middle while others were just a sentence; there were way too many commas used; there were so many incorrect usages of punctuation in general; phrases like "literally and physically" were used instead of "literally and figuratively;" and there would be random words and letters at the ends of paragraphs. If this book underwent a heavy editing I'd be happy to change my rating, but the number of mistakes per page were horrendous.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 18, 2025
Una has been selected by her scheming father, her scheming grandmother, and her scheming cousin to be the Queen. Even if she doesn't want to , especially because this will be war to Innisfail's doorstep, so in a last desperate attempt to avoid the fate her family has written for her, she runs. Right into Ben Maeden, a man who has been banished from the place he's called home for the last twenty six years and unable to return to his real home the last thing he needs is a girl who is clearly trouble with a capital T tagging along with him. But as it becomes increasingly clear that Una may be the key to getting his life back and finally being able to go home. That is if they are able to stay alive.
Did I get into this book right away? No, not even a little bit. Honestly, for about half of the book, the only reason I stuck with it was because I was determined to not DNF another eArc. I'm really glad I made that decision because while the it was extremely slow to start and I believe revealing certain things earlier in the book (how the "magic" works specifically) would have helped the start of this book immensely. That being said there is a breaking point where this went from something I was barely interested in that had taken me a full week to get to that point to a book I stayed up until 2am to finish last night. Honestly, it had less to do with anything I just said up there, getting better and more about a clear confidence in the story Riviere was writing and beginning to shine through. Dialogue became more polished, and battle scenes were more intense and throughly well written. There is simply a point where you can almost see her realizing she was writing a damn good story.
In terms of character development, this was excellent. While the main character Ben has the most growth, Una demonstrates a lot of growth as well. And I think what makes her growth a little better is that she realizes she still has a lot of growing to do as she interacts with the general population of Innisfail. The progression of their relationship is well done as well. They support each other, and while yes, Ben tries to protect her, he also realizes that she can protect herself and others too. Quite honestly, between the two of them, they could probably destroy half of Innisfail and barely break a sweat, which is great. OP power couple is definitely my jam.
The bad guys are insane. Like insane. Especially Damek and Aoife and The Dema. Look, their all nuts, but Damek is like a sleazy, slimeball type of insane but also intelligent, so you really want to punch him in the face.
The magic system isn't really a magic system, and I'm not going to go into it because it'll give it away, but while it's not really groundbreaking, it's simple and devastatingly effective.
The pacing, once we get past the beginning, is excellent. This is an action paced adventure fantasy that takes us from one end to Innisfail and back again while balancing battle scenes against plot and character development perfectly.
Overall, if you start reading this and get frustrated like I did, don't give up. I promise it's worth it. This is one of the bloodiest, funniest fantasy stories I've read written by a woman in a long time and quite frankly I feel like given the level of violence in here if Riviere could have she would have included piggy bombs here. And as we all know, that's the highest honor I can bestow an author.
As always, thanks to Lights Out Ink and Netgalley for the eArc!
Did I get into this book right away? No, not even a little bit. Honestly, for about half of the book, the only reason I stuck with it was because I was determined to not DNF another eArc. I'm really glad I made that decision because while the it was extremely slow to start and I believe revealing certain things earlier in the book (how the "magic" works specifically) would have helped the start of this book immensely. That being said there is a breaking point where this went from something I was barely interested in that had taken me a full week to get to that point to a book I stayed up until 2am to finish last night. Honestly, it had less to do with anything I just said up there, getting better and more about a clear confidence in the story Riviere was writing and beginning to shine through. Dialogue became more polished, and battle scenes were more intense and throughly well written. There is simply a point where you can almost see her realizing she was writing a damn good story.
In terms of character development, this was excellent. While the main character Ben has the most growth, Una demonstrates a lot of growth as well. And I think what makes her growth a little better is that she realizes she still has a lot of growing to do as she interacts with the general population of Innisfail. The progression of their relationship is well done as well. They support each other, and while yes, Ben tries to protect her, he also realizes that she can protect herself and others too. Quite honestly, between the two of them, they could probably destroy half of Innisfail and barely break a sweat, which is great. OP power couple is definitely my jam.
The bad guys are insane. Like insane. Especially Damek and Aoife and The Dema. Look, their all nuts, but Damek is like a sleazy, slimeball type of insane but also intelligent, so you really want to punch him in the face.
The magic system isn't really a magic system, and I'm not going to go into it because it'll give it away, but while it's not really groundbreaking, it's simple and devastatingly effective.
The pacing, once we get past the beginning, is excellent. This is an action paced adventure fantasy that takes us from one end to Innisfail and back again while balancing battle scenes against plot and character development perfectly.
Overall, if you start reading this and get frustrated like I did, don't give up. I promise it's worth it. This is one of the bloodiest, funniest fantasy stories I've read written by a woman in a long time and quite frankly I feel like given the level of violence in here if Riviere could have she would have included piggy bombs here. And as we all know, that's the highest honor I can bestow an author.
As always, thanks to Lights Out Ink and Netgalley for the eArc!
April 2, 2021
I received a free copy of the book trough BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
On the continent of Innisfail, Old Gods reign. Following five hundred years of vicious conflict, the High King has negotiated an armistice between the immortal Sidhe in the North, and the human populations of the South; the Sons of Mil. In this land of treacherous magic and ageless blood feuds, the peace is precarious at best.
Ben Maeden is an outcast. He doesn’t have many loyalties and also has no interest in the political strife brewing in the South. Since he believes he has nothing left to lose, he’s content to fade into drunken obscurity in the wilderness. When a rare moment of conscience compels him, he rescues a young girl from a band of mercenaries. The heroic act gets him in the middle of a far-reaching conspiracy since Una Moura is no ordinary girl. Branded a heretic and scourged by her own people, she hides a secret that could spell disaster for everyone. Haunted by militant nobles, dark creatures and ambitious zealots, Ben and Una find themselves in a desperate race to prevent a war. But not every enemy lurks in the shadows. Haunted by the ghosts of his former life, Ben may discover the greatest challenge lies within. Can he reconcile his past to safeguard Innisfail’s future, or is he doomed to repeat his mistakes?
This is a story that has been told many times. A mighty hero and damsel in distress. But there’s a twist. The mighty hero is a lone drunk and he hides a big secret. The damsel? Turns out she’s not so helpless after all.
I have to say I really loved this book and it has to be one of my favorite debut novels I’ve read lately. It really is epic fantasy in every way possible. It has heroes, monsters, complex political schemes and plenty of magic. I didn’t know much about Celtic Mythology, so for me it was a breath of fresh air and I loved learning about it.
The plot of the book was masterfully written. Like I mentioned before, there are so many different threats. Political intrigue and large battles, which are so vividly written, you can get a taste of bloodshed. To be aware: there are many characters to get to know, but everything fits so perfectly together, there’s nothing confusing about it. The characters made this book really great. I loved getting to know Ben and Una. Their stories connected the whole plot of the book, from their past to their time together and are developed beautifully. The pacing is very methodical and the story delivered to the point. The whole world of Innisfail is quite atmospheric and skillfully developed but the book doesn’t bore you with too many details, just the right amount to get the perfect picture.
There is one more aspect of the book I have to mention: the language. I absolutely loved the dialogues and there is one particular reason about it. The dialect. Since English is not my primary language the dialect was so well incorporated within dialogues I could actually hear it when I was reading the book. I’m sure it’s not really a big deal to native English speakers but for me it made all the difference.
The conclusion about the book? There was a little problem here and there but since the book is so very well done, you can easily ignore them. I really suggest to everyone who loves epic fantasy to pick this book up. I promise, you won’t regret it. Since this is supposed to be a series I can hardly wait for the second book to be announced because I’ll be picking it up right away.
On the continent of Innisfail, Old Gods reign. Following five hundred years of vicious conflict, the High King has negotiated an armistice between the immortal Sidhe in the North, and the human populations of the South; the Sons of Mil. In this land of treacherous magic and ageless blood feuds, the peace is precarious at best.
Ben Maeden is an outcast. He doesn’t have many loyalties and also has no interest in the political strife brewing in the South. Since he believes he has nothing left to lose, he’s content to fade into drunken obscurity in the wilderness. When a rare moment of conscience compels him, he rescues a young girl from a band of mercenaries. The heroic act gets him in the middle of a far-reaching conspiracy since Una Moura is no ordinary girl. Branded a heretic and scourged by her own people, she hides a secret that could spell disaster for everyone. Haunted by militant nobles, dark creatures and ambitious zealots, Ben and Una find themselves in a desperate race to prevent a war. But not every enemy lurks in the shadows. Haunted by the ghosts of his former life, Ben may discover the greatest challenge lies within. Can he reconcile his past to safeguard Innisfail’s future, or is he doomed to repeat his mistakes?
This is a story that has been told many times. A mighty hero and damsel in distress. But there’s a twist. The mighty hero is a lone drunk and he hides a big secret. The damsel? Turns out she’s not so helpless after all.
I have to say I really loved this book and it has to be one of my favorite debut novels I’ve read lately. It really is epic fantasy in every way possible. It has heroes, monsters, complex political schemes and plenty of magic. I didn’t know much about Celtic Mythology, so for me it was a breath of fresh air and I loved learning about it.
The plot of the book was masterfully written. Like I mentioned before, there are so many different threats. Political intrigue and large battles, which are so vividly written, you can get a taste of bloodshed. To be aware: there are many characters to get to know, but everything fits so perfectly together, there’s nothing confusing about it. The characters made this book really great. I loved getting to know Ben and Una. Their stories connected the whole plot of the book, from their past to their time together and are developed beautifully. The pacing is very methodical and the story delivered to the point. The whole world of Innisfail is quite atmospheric and skillfully developed but the book doesn’t bore you with too many details, just the right amount to get the perfect picture.
There is one more aspect of the book I have to mention: the language. I absolutely loved the dialogues and there is one particular reason about it. The dialect. Since English is not my primary language the dialect was so well incorporated within dialogues I could actually hear it when I was reading the book. I’m sure it’s not really a big deal to native English speakers but for me it made all the difference.
The conclusion about the book? There was a little problem here and there but since the book is so very well done, you can easily ignore them. I really suggest to everyone who loves epic fantasy to pick this book up. I promise, you won’t regret it. Since this is supposed to be a series I can hardly wait for the second book to be announced because I’ll be picking it up right away.
May 27, 2024
This was a book I struggled to get into at first, but the writing style kept me engaged as it was incredibly descriptive and engaging. I think one of the things I enjoyed most through the novel were the references to Celtic lore. This is something I seek in books and found in abundance in The Sons of Mil. I enjoyed Ben's journey throughout the book and watching him transition from a highly reluctant ally to more traditionally heroic protagonist.
Some of the reveals within the story weren't as surprising as I think they were meant to be, but with the language tracking needed to keep things straight, this didn't bother me. One thing I wish I knew when I started the book was that there was a glossary and reference guides at the back. Though, I think I failed to find this until the end of the book due to reading it as an ebook rather than with a physical copy where flipping back and forth would be easier.
My one true gripe was wishing Una, our leading female protagonist, had more agency. It often felt that she was being pushed around at the whims of others, including Ben at times. While this was a key problem for women that was established in this world, her being sidelined and waiting around for males to return was something I wish there was less of. However, as this was central to her role in the story and her motivations I am hoping that in the next book she is able to break free more as the plot progresses.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and plan on reading the sequel. A big thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for reviewing it!
Some of the reveals within the story weren't as surprising as I think they were meant to be, but with the language tracking needed to keep things straight, this didn't bother me. One thing I wish I knew when I started the book was that there was a glossary and reference guides at the back. Though, I think I failed to find this until the end of the book due to reading it as an ebook rather than with a physical copy where flipping back and forth would be easier.
My one true gripe was wishing Una, our leading female protagonist, had more agency. It often felt that she was being pushed around at the whims of others, including Ben at times. While this was a key problem for women that was established in this world, her being sidelined and waiting around for males to return was something I wish there was less of. However, as this was central to her role in the story and her motivations I am hoping that in the next book she is able to break free more as the plot progresses.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and plan on reading the sequel. A big thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for reviewing it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
There is nothing I love so much as a good, meaty, chunky fantasy novel to get lost in. The Sons of Mil more than delivered on that front, and I absolutely loved it! I don't think this is a book for everyone, but I do think it's quite the hidden gem for fans of high fantasy.
As high fantasy, this one definitely requires some patience and some careful reading, but I found the glossary and the character list to both be immensely helpful. The effort it takes to truly delve into this world is so worth it. The politics are intricately woven, and all of the various relationships between characters are elaborately drawn, but to me, that really brought this story to life and kept me turning pages.
L. M. Riviere writes absolutely beautifully. Her prose is so lush and atmospheric, I was able to truly sink into this story. The witty dialogue was so entertaining that by the end, I was left feeling so attached to our main characters that I can't wait to continue this series. I also found it very impressive that this book didn't "feel long" as I was reading, given that it's over 500 pages long.
All in all, I could keep rambling on about how much I enjoyed this read, but suffice it to say that I'm planning on immediately adding this trilogy to my shelves so that they can live with my other high fantasy favorites.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions presented here are my own.
As high fantasy, this one definitely requires some patience and some careful reading, but I found the glossary and the character list to both be immensely helpful. The effort it takes to truly delve into this world is so worth it. The politics are intricately woven, and all of the various relationships between characters are elaborately drawn, but to me, that really brought this story to life and kept me turning pages.
L. M. Riviere writes absolutely beautifully. Her prose is so lush and atmospheric, I was able to truly sink into this story. The witty dialogue was so entertaining that by the end, I was left feeling so attached to our main characters that I can't wait to continue this series. I also found it very impressive that this book didn't "feel long" as I was reading, given that it's over 500 pages long.
All in all, I could keep rambling on about how much I enjoyed this read, but suffice it to say that I'm planning on immediately adding this trilogy to my shelves so that they can live with my other high fantasy favorites.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions presented here are my own.
December 28, 2020
Fantasy lovers, run - don't walk - to get your copy of The Sons of Mil (or just run to your e-reader and download it now!!) It can be quite difficult to find an epic fantasy that pulls you in as quickly as this story does. L.M. Riviere skillfully connects storylines and interactions without overwhelming you. The characters are real - there's no unbelievability here. The story flows and you find yourself completely immersed in this world.
L.M. Riviere paints a rich picture of a world bursting with Celtic lore and legend. She keeps you wanting to turn the page, even at 3am!! Epic fantasy can be cumbersome and overwhelming sometimes, but Riviere draws you in and skillfully weaves a story full of well-rounded characters and a plot that takes you by the hand and never lets you go. I highly recommend this book!
L.M. Riviere paints a rich picture of a world bursting with Celtic lore and legend. She keeps you wanting to turn the page, even at 3am!! Epic fantasy can be cumbersome and overwhelming sometimes, but Riviere draws you in and skillfully weaves a story full of well-rounded characters and a plot that takes you by the hand and never lets you go. I highly recommend this book!
March 12, 2024
**I received a review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was an excellent addition to the epic fantasy genre. It was a well paced, exciting read that had compelling characters, descriptive yet digestible writing style and engaging plot.
The plot of this story is an innovative take to the quest/adventure fantasy sub genre. We have people traversing the landscape fleeing pursuers. This allows us to be familiarised with the land in question as well as having a clear motivation for the characters. I think the author played with this well established setup in the genre in a really innovative way.
The characters were interesting and their interpersonal dynamics proved to be very entertaining. Their motivations and backstories were deftly revealed throughout the story in organic ways which I also very much appreciated.
The book was really intricately written. The world was crafted in a way that felt rich and immersive. You felt the climate and arduous nature of the journey while also the culture and customs of the society very vividly.
Overall it was a great first book in the series and I look forward to continuing the series and seeing how the sequels continue the scope and epicness of this first instalment.
This was an excellent addition to the epic fantasy genre. It was a well paced, exciting read that had compelling characters, descriptive yet digestible writing style and engaging plot.
The plot of this story is an innovative take to the quest/adventure fantasy sub genre. We have people traversing the landscape fleeing pursuers. This allows us to be familiarised with the land in question as well as having a clear motivation for the characters. I think the author played with this well established setup in the genre in a really innovative way.
The characters were interesting and their interpersonal dynamics proved to be very entertaining. Their motivations and backstories were deftly revealed throughout the story in organic ways which I also very much appreciated.
The book was really intricately written. The world was crafted in a way that felt rich and immersive. You felt the climate and arduous nature of the journey while also the culture and customs of the society very vividly.
Overall it was a great first book in the series and I look forward to continuing the series and seeing how the sequels continue the scope and epicness of this first instalment.
January 21, 2019
I was given a sneak peak at the first ten chapters of ‘The Sons Of Mil’; Book One of ‘The Innisfail Cycle.’ As a foreigner to pre-Christian Irish myth, it took me a minute to acclimate to my new surroundings. Beautiful descriptions of Innisfail lay nestled amongst the lovely (and sometimes unintelligible) traditional Irish names and titles, but it was the story that allowed me to get my bearings in Gaelic Ireland.
Having to pause ten chapters in, I had a chance to digest both the content and a culture heavily inspired by Gaelic myth. I found myself missing the characters, wanting to know what happened to Ben Maeden, Una, and Rian, and how the political rivalries that L.M. Riviere introduced would affect their progress down the road. What I wasn't anticipating, however, was how addicting the story would become once I got my full copy.
I finished the remaining 27 chapters in just over 24 hours. Riviere's characters are deep, flawed, and hold their own perspectives based on their backgrounds, which allows for natural conflict to emerge amidst the major conflicts of the plot. The Sons of Mil masters the balance between action, character development, and political intrigue without allowing them to get too heavy-handed, adding levity with humor and hints of romance. Impactful, haunting imagery places you alongside the protagonists and forces you to empathize with their pain and frustration as they interact with people, armies, and Otherworldy creatures.
I completed ‘The Sons Of Mil’; Book One of ‘The Innisfail Cycle’ feeling completely emersed in the story and emotionally attached to the characters. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book! If you enjoy an epic adventure with realistic issues and implications, I would highly recommend checking it out!
Having to pause ten chapters in, I had a chance to digest both the content and a culture heavily inspired by Gaelic myth. I found myself missing the characters, wanting to know what happened to Ben Maeden, Una, and Rian, and how the political rivalries that L.M. Riviere introduced would affect their progress down the road. What I wasn't anticipating, however, was how addicting the story would become once I got my full copy.
I finished the remaining 27 chapters in just over 24 hours. Riviere's characters are deep, flawed, and hold their own perspectives based on their backgrounds, which allows for natural conflict to emerge amidst the major conflicts of the plot. The Sons of Mil masters the balance between action, character development, and political intrigue without allowing them to get too heavy-handed, adding levity with humor and hints of romance. Impactful, haunting imagery places you alongside the protagonists and forces you to empathize with their pain and frustration as they interact with people, armies, and Otherworldy creatures.
I completed ‘The Sons Of Mil’; Book One of ‘The Innisfail Cycle’ feeling completely emersed in the story and emotionally attached to the characters. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book! If you enjoy an epic adventure with realistic issues and implications, I would highly recommend checking it out!
May 14, 2019
Excellent book!!!
January 5, 2019
I recieved an advanced copy of Sons of Mil. I have not read much fantasy outside the YA tier of books so I was excited to read a fantasy geared toward adults. I was not disappointed.
The novel is a hard one to put down. I found myself up way past my bedtime reading "just one more" chapter. The writing flows nicely and it was easy to picture each scene in my mind. I didn't even mind going to the appendix to look up the pronunciations of places or characters.
The only flaw I found was the introduction of too many characters... well, I thought it was a flaw at first, but now I realize that while they may only be in this book for a short time the characters will surely appear to serve an important role in the books to come!
Yes, LM Rivere is new to the Fantasy author game, but I already can't wait to see where her books will take me next!
The novel is a hard one to put down. I found myself up way past my bedtime reading "just one more" chapter. The writing flows nicely and it was easy to picture each scene in my mind. I didn't even mind going to the appendix to look up the pronunciations of places or characters.
The only flaw I found was the introduction of too many characters... well, I thought it was a flaw at first, but now I realize that while they may only be in this book for a short time the characters will surely appear to serve an important role in the books to come!
Yes, LM Rivere is new to the Fantasy author game, but I already can't wait to see where her books will take me next!
June 9, 2021
ARC Review: Received for free via BookSirens for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you to L. M. Riviere for the opportunity.
Book Content Warning: Contains graphic violence. This is not a YA book.
CW/TW: ableist slurs, animal death, death, murder, death, knives, stabbing, graphic gore, blood, poaching, graphic violence, kidnapping, recreational drinking, bigotry, gore, misogyny, threats of rape, parental death, mention of parental illness, self-harm, graphic description of wounds, ableist slurs, ableism, incest, vomiting, graphic torture, child abuse, PTSD, racism, racial slurs*, mention of rape/sexual assault/sexual harassment, attempted rape,
The whole thing took less than a month but so much happened it might as well have been a year! So much drama happened within a month and my head is still spinning because Siora's tits, so much was happening.
So this book goes for the kill right from the beginning, let me tell you. From the very beginning we are thrown into a battle that does not let up for a single moment the entire time. Nobody has the time to relax, not even the reader. Which is how I got through this in one day, because I could not put it down and my body would not let go! And to think I was reading another book along with it which was just as intriguing and was finished right after. Ah mean, it was a good night (it's been a few good days truth be told because this is the third book I've enjoyed one following after the other).
You can tell that this book is not written by a man. You can see it in the way the female characters are treated throughout the whole thing. Like yes, men are scum even in the best of times, so obviously they'll be down right animalistic during war and will definitely pillage and rape because they think they have the right to. HOWEVER because this wasn't written by a man, the women aren't subjected to graphic rape scenes, the most we get are passing mentions of it. AND the female characters are they're own people, despite one of them literally being chased around because they want to marry her off or murder her, she fights tooth and nail the whole time and does not let up.
Speaking of characters. Whoweee are these characters incredible or what. Not a one of these characters is lacking. Even our villains are fully fleshed out and dubious as hell and I love me some scheming mamafafas and these mamafafas are always scheming and we stan, as per the use. The 'heroes' of the tail aren't lacking either.
I've found sometimes that the MCs can start lacking and the antagonists are given more, or the story takes centre stage and the protagonistend up feeling like they're just floating in their own story. But not here, friend, not in this one. The entire time the protagonists carried their story on their shoulders and then the antagonists carried their stories too. As I said: No. Body. Was. Lacking!! Everyone knew what they were and what they were doing and how they were doing it! Even a character that usually would've been subjected to the sidelines was not lacking, she was fighting tooth and nail to be remembered like the rest of them. We. STAN!
And the story. This book is so rich in story and world building and character and just. I absolutely love this book so damn much, holy shit (excuse the language) this book is just everything I didn't know I wanted and got. AND THE ROMANCE!!! I am weak because I need it more than my lungs need air!
And to think that I was so nervous to start it because I wasn't sure I'd like it. Welp, welp, WELP, it seems like all the books I've been too nervous to begin have been the most enjoyable.
I cannot wait to dive into the second book and die of stress beause holy wow I know some hectic things are going to go down and I. Am. Not. READY!
* I realise the racial slurs aren't human race related, but even just hearing that a racial slur was used on someone can be triggering, I think, so.
Book Content Warning: Contains graphic violence. This is not a YA book.
CW/TW: ableist slurs, animal death, death, murder, death, knives, stabbing, graphic gore, blood, poaching, graphic violence, kidnapping, recreational drinking, bigotry, gore, misogyny, threats of rape, parental death, mention of parental illness, self-harm, graphic description of wounds, ableist slurs, ableism, incest, vomiting, graphic torture, child abuse, PTSD, racism, racial slurs*, mention of rape/sexual assault/sexual harassment, attempted rape,
The whole thing took less than a month but so much happened it might as well have been a year! So much drama happened within a month and my head is still spinning because Siora's tits, so much was happening.
So this book goes for the kill right from the beginning, let me tell you. From the very beginning we are thrown into a battle that does not let up for a single moment the entire time. Nobody has the time to relax, not even the reader. Which is how I got through this in one day, because I could not put it down and my body would not let go! And to think I was reading another book along with it which was just as intriguing and was finished right after. Ah mean, it was a good night (it's been a few good days truth be told because this is the third book I've enjoyed one following after the other).
You can tell that this book is not written by a man. You can see it in the way the female characters are treated throughout the whole thing. Like yes, men are scum even in the best of times, so obviously they'll be down right animalistic during war and will definitely pillage and rape because they think they have the right to. HOWEVER because this wasn't written by a man, the women aren't subjected to graphic rape scenes, the most we get are passing mentions of it. AND the female characters are they're own people, despite one of them literally being chased around because they want to marry her off or murder her, she fights tooth and nail the whole time and does not let up.
Speaking of characters. Whoweee are these characters incredible or what. Not a one of these characters is lacking. Even our villains are fully fleshed out and dubious as hell and I love me some scheming mamafafas and these mamafafas are always scheming and we stan, as per the use. The 'heroes' of the tail aren't lacking either.
I've found sometimes that the MCs can start lacking and the antagonists are given more, or the story takes centre stage and the protagonistend up feeling like they're just floating in their own story. But not here, friend, not in this one. The entire time the protagonists carried their story on their shoulders and then the antagonists carried their stories too. As I said: No. Body. Was. Lacking!! Everyone knew what they were and what they were doing and how they were doing it! Even a character that usually would've been subjected to the sidelines was not lacking, she was fighting tooth and nail to be remembered like the rest of them. We. STAN!
And the story. This book is so rich in story and world building and character and just. I absolutely love this book so damn much, holy shit (excuse the language) this book is just everything I didn't know I wanted and got. AND THE ROMANCE!!! I am weak because I need it more than my lungs need air!
And to think that I was so nervous to start it because I wasn't sure I'd like it. Welp, welp, WELP, it seems like all the books I've been too nervous to begin have been the most enjoyable.
I cannot wait to dive into the second book and die of stress beause holy wow I know some hectic things are going to go down and I. Am. Not. READY!
“...I’m a bloody prize.”
* I realise the racial slurs aren't human race related, but even just hearing that a racial slur was used on someone can be triggering, I think, so.
January 7, 2019
I received a very early edition of this book and loved it! The author's words paint very vivid pictures of the setting, the feel of the time and the characters. It is a great book to enjoy for all. I really liked looking up the characters in the index and how they are related to one another or not. Also learning their place and hierarchy was very interesting. The vocabulary was fun too! The author definitely did her research before writing this book! She takes you on a journey to another place and time! The story is exciting and suspenseful and a page turner for sure. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read the released version that I have on order.
January 5, 2019
I received an advance copy of this book and I was a little skeptical at first. While I love adventure novels, I tend to get easily disinterested when it comes to fictional history and politics. This book surprised me on so many levels. I wasn't able to put it down! The story is so well written that you become entirely invested in the characters and the world around them. One of my favorite things about this book is the authors ability to trigger character empathy in the reader. You find yourself emotionally invested very early on, which makes it difficult not to turn the page! This book is a work of art that paints not just a story, but an entire world! Whether you are into suspense, romance or historical fiction, this book is definitely worth a read.
January 3, 2019
I received an advance copy of The Sons of Mil for review, and I have to say... I'm hooked. I don't typically read books in the fantasy genre but I really enjoyed this one. The story is extremely well-paced, the characters are all interesting, and the ending was WOW.
It did drag a bit in the middle but I realize it was necessary to build appropriate tension for the climax. Plus, lots of very important plot points were introduced so it was far from boring. Lots of action, mystery, bits of mythology and adventure, and my sole complaint about the romance was that I need more please! Ben Maeden is a killer main character (pun intended), and the world of Innisfail was beautifully described and realized.
I am super excited for the sequel!
It did drag a bit in the middle but I realize it was necessary to build appropriate tension for the climax. Plus, lots of very important plot points were introduced so it was far from boring. Lots of action, mystery, bits of mythology and adventure, and my sole complaint about the romance was that I need more please! Ben Maeden is a killer main character (pun intended), and the world of Innisfail was beautifully described and realized.
I am super excited for the sequel!
March 14, 2023
Good fantasy writing entails creating a believable world and a system of magic that makes sense. Characters that are three dimensional and consistent within their individual philosophies, with realistic interactions between them, are also required. Throw in some necessary likable secondary characters and a good plot and voila - a good novel.
Riviere has provided all of the above with book one of the Innisfail Cycle. There was action aplenty and the pacing was excellent. I liked most of the characters, baddies included, though even the ones I didn’t like were more than caricatures - they just weren’t likable.
Five stars for “The Sons of Mil.” This novel has tropes sure to satisfy most readers, action to keep you turning pages well past bed time, and a plot that will keep you wondering what’s next. My thanks to the author via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are strictly my own and offered without recompense.
#TheSonsofMil #TheInnisfailCycle #NetGalley #IfCatsCouldRead #RescuedIsMyFavoriteBreed #Bookstagram #Catstagram #BooksAndCats #CatsAndBooks #KindlesAllTheWayDown
Riviere has provided all of the above with book one of the Innisfail Cycle. There was action aplenty and the pacing was excellent. I liked most of the characters, baddies included, though even the ones I didn’t like were more than caricatures - they just weren’t likable.
Five stars for “The Sons of Mil.” This novel has tropes sure to satisfy most readers, action to keep you turning pages well past bed time, and a plot that will keep you wondering what’s next. My thanks to the author via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are strictly my own and offered without recompense.
#TheSonsofMil #TheInnisfailCycle #NetGalley #IfCatsCouldRead #RescuedIsMyFavoriteBreed #Bookstagram #Catstagram #BooksAndCats #CatsAndBooks #KindlesAllTheWayDown
June 25, 2024
4 .5. Ben is my all time fav character of this series! He is such a real character, by this I mean he is genuine with his emotions but his moral compass always wins! I love how this gets him into crazy situations be absolutely hates. I did have a hard time with the politics but in all it was an interesting read. Thank you for a copy. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and publisher for the copy of this book.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and publisher for the copy of this book.
February 14, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When I started to read the book, I was a bit shocked of the violence in it. Dead bodies are piling up through out the story. But in all it's rawness and blood, like sometimes life is, there hidden was a little gem. Ben Maeden is about to make a journey into who he really is, instead of a coward immersing himself in women and booze. Until he rescues a woman and thought his duty was done. On the contrary, they meet again and they are hunted by every party in the country. Some for their own benefit and some want to kill.
Throughout the story there is a lot of action, fighting, violence but there is also betrayal, friendship and a little romance on the fly. I love the characters, love the mix of magic, Irish folklore, fantasy and the mythical creatures, fairies and Aes Sidhe.
But there are moments where it was hard to read the Irish kind of words. Also the political game that was playing, it was hard to follow and being honest kind of boring. I love books where the view is only coming from the main characters even though I acknowledge that the view of other characters was necessary to deepen the plot. But I wished that it wasn't so long as I was eager to follow the journey of Ben and Una.
Even though I had to trudge through the beginning of the story, once it was running I couldn't stop reading. It is your worth while if you like Irish folklore and fantasy mixed in the world of man.
When I started to read the book, I was a bit shocked of the violence in it. Dead bodies are piling up through out the story. But in all it's rawness and blood, like sometimes life is, there hidden was a little gem. Ben Maeden is about to make a journey into who he really is, instead of a coward immersing himself in women and booze. Until he rescues a woman and thought his duty was done. On the contrary, they meet again and they are hunted by every party in the country. Some for their own benefit and some want to kill.
Throughout the story there is a lot of action, fighting, violence but there is also betrayal, friendship and a little romance on the fly. I love the characters, love the mix of magic, Irish folklore, fantasy and the mythical creatures, fairies and Aes Sidhe.
But there are moments where it was hard to read the Irish kind of words. Also the political game that was playing, it was hard to follow and being honest kind of boring. I love books where the view is only coming from the main characters even though I acknowledge that the view of other characters was necessary to deepen the plot. But I wished that it wasn't so long as I was eager to follow the journey of Ben and Una.
Even though I had to trudge through the beginning of the story, once it was running I couldn't stop reading. It is your worth while if you like Irish folklore and fantasy mixed in the world of man.
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