Llywelyn, Morgan ; Lion of Ireland "Informal Buddy Read" (Start Date: July 1, 2013)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

This topic is open for discussion of "Lion of Ireland" by Morgan Llywelyn. This is an "informal" buddy read so there will be no suggested reading schedule

BE PREPARED FOR SPOILERS

King, warrior, and lover Brian Boru was stronger, braver, and wiser than all other men-the greatest king Ireland has ever known. Out of the mists of the country's most violent age, he merged to lead his people to the peak of their golden era.

His women were as remarkable as his adventures: Fiona, the druidess with mystical powers; Deirdre, beautiful victim of a Norse invader's brutal lust; Gormlaith, six-foot, read-haired goddess of sensuality.

Set against the barbaric splendors of the tenth century, this is a story rich in truth and legend-in which friends become deadly enemies, bedrooms turn into battlefields, and dreams of glory are finally fulfilled. Morgan Llywelyn has written one of the greatest novels of Irish history.

[~Leslie~]

Now I'm getting really excited to read this again!! Thanks, Vi!!

[Chris]

I'm ready to go!

[Vi]

Me too!

[Vi]

I have it ready to go on my kindle. I'll start maybe tonight.

[~Leslie~]

I will be starting this today sometime.

[Vi]

I had a early night yesterday but I started it today. I'm just at the part where Brian meets Fiona and there was this (view spoiler)[ick Scene - though I can't understand exactly what happened but the grandfather going through Fiona's and twining with Brian????. ICCCCK (hide spoiler)] I'll post the exact passage later.

[Chris]

I knew I was supposed to read sometthing about Ireland and started the wrong book... what a dummy :-[ Finally started the right one.

[~Leslie~]

Just finished with that passage, Vi. I think it has something to do with the Druid concept of time and imbuing every living thing with spirit. So his spirit has now become joined with Brian's. I just feel bad (view spoiler)[for their first sexual encounter. A little rushed - but in actuality probably very realistic.

I'm liking it though. The writing is easy to read.

Glad you found the right book, Chris! (hide spoiler)]

[Vi]

I sort of understand but still. It reminds me of this Emma Holly book I once read by mistake (view spoiler)[where a couple have sex and the third guy does some magic and enters into the guy due to some reason. That couple was not aware of this.(ICK!!!) This was supposed to be a threesome book, I think. (hide spoiler)] This was long back and it really turned me of explicit scenes and anything labelled Erotica.

I agree - the scene was realistic. The book I finished today - also had a similar first-time scene.

I haven't read anything after I finished that book. I'm at 15% but will catch up to you tomorrow.

[~Leslie~]

I'm at 40% now. Still really enjoying it. Brian is an interesting character. We are about to get into a bigbattle scene. (view spoiler)[I feel so bad for him in his marriage. He really did not pick well. (hide spoiler)] He's such a mixture of strength and arrogance.
Since I read a lot of books with explicit scenes, to me, this is pretty tame. But I remember when I first read it. But I agree there was an ick factor. But not as bad as some of the sex scenes in the Amanda Stevens books. Those are pretty weird!

[Vi]

I think I'm at 30% ish so I'm not clicking the spoiler yet. I had a doc appointment that lasted ALL day yesterday and I'm still recovering. I didn't manage to get any reading done at all. *Sigh*

[~Leslie~]

I am not terribly fond of doctor offices so that would not make happy. Hope everything is okay with you and baby.

It's not a big spoiler. You are probably past it by now.

[Vi]

Baby is doing great! She was just not cooperating for the scan. I had to get it done 4 times before it was acceptable.

I just got past the scene of (view spoiler)[Deirdre's rape (hide spoiler)] I really felt for her.

[Vi]

OK, I finally caught up. I finished Part 1. Some thoughts: (There are MILD SPOILERS ahead)

1. (view spoiler)[I agree about the marriage. Talk about a disaster!! I wish Deirdre would have been more forthcoming. Brian's unexperienced as well so they're not a good combination. (hide spoiler)]
2. The battle with the Northmen was interesting in many aspects:
- It really highlighted the difference between Mahon & Brian. I wish Brian would imbibe some aspects of a diplomat.
- Brian's study of the other war generals - I was impressed when I first read about and I was still impressed.
- The conversation between Mahon & Brian regarding the wounded: I'm torn in between. I can't exactly accept Brian's decision. I wish there was a middle ground.
- The conversation between Mahon & Brian when they are back at the Castle from the battle: that was really illuminating.
3. And the Aw! moment - when Brian hands over the 3 Norse Babies to a couple for them to raise. It was good to see he still has his conscience.

And Gormlaith is kicking ass so far. She might be my favorite h in the book so far. Even Fiona is paling in comparison to her but I can help but wonder how/when she'll turn up again.

So, up till this point, with the latest developments of the battle, I can't say I'm liking Brian much. I was rooting for him at the start but his decisions at the battle aren't something that I can stomach easily. Oh, I still admire him but like? I still have half the book left to go so that might change.

[Chris]

I enjoyed your summary, Vi.

I see them both as opposite sides of the same coin. Mahon, lived a gilded life as a child and Brian experienced horror at such a young and impressionable age. Does Brian's need for revenge overshadow his conscience?

[Vi]

You put it way better than I could, Chris! That's true. I can see them both learning from each other. But, the thing was Brian was already sort of programmed or should I say, inclined towards this path. Take his dream worlds and such. Of course, he might not have walked this path if not for the events happening as they had but he had all inclinations for it. And that along with their difference in age has lead them to the present situation. If you can understand what I'm saying.

It's interesting.. this contradiction. It'll probably have even more play if the other brothers survived. They were more moldable than Mahon.

The other interesting thing in the book - Christianity vs Druidism and the Norse religion. Interesting how religion is being played.

[Chris]

I'm finding Brian to be most tragic. Although he shapes events, he's also at their mercy. A man with vision and ambition, but not able to allow those close to him to be part of his life's work.

I wonder about Fiona, and her daughter...

[~Leslie~]

Love your summary, Vi and your response Chris. I definitely see Brian in a very mixed way. I had to go look him up and get a historical perspective and that was interesting.
He is obviously a man shaped by the events in his life, and those made him hard. But doesn't a King with such a vision have to be that way. It's through people like him that history has been shaped. On the other hand, he is so clueless about personal relationships. And I just feel so bad for him.

As to the clash between Druidism, Christianity and the Norse gods - I have read so many books with this theme, that I don't think too much about it anymore. It is very interesting however. The advent of Christianity into Ireland and the British Isles is what the entire Arthur legend is bound up in. His story occurs at the crossroads when the Druidic way of life was being replaced by Christianity. It is very fascinating, especially since I am a practicing Catholic.
What do y'all think of the writing style?

And I also wonder about Fiona and her daughter. As to Gormlaith, she is an interesting character - but I find her to be completely devoid of anything good. She is repellant to me.