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martacorreia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
aquinas's review against another edition
4.0
Would of been 5 stars if not for the repeated sex scenes.
rosemmaa's review against another edition
4.0
This book read like a tv show. The pacing was excellent.
leighnonymous's review against another edition
5.0
This is straight-up indulgent Irish Historical porn and I loved every minute of it. I feel spend and exhausted; my emotions were tossed back and forth, every which way as I followed Brian from early childhood to the end of the book. I just want to sit and bask in the glory of it all - how it made me feel. I want to cry that it's over. And when I recover, I know I'm going to want more.
If you're like me, you've at some point lost your voice after a night of drinking and yelling about the evils of the English during the Scottish Clearances. Reading this will only make you want to yell at the same decibel level in support of Ireland, for whatever they do. (But my goodness, they do seem to fight a lot for no good reason in this book).
Brian is as beautiful and flawed a character as ever there was one. His lifelong struggle with religion and constant doubts made him approachable and likeable. I didn't always understand his choice of women but the author handled that part well. I was even interested in the innumerable brutal battles that seemed to never end throughout the book.
Llywelyn deserves her reputation as an excellent historical researcher; the amount that went into this book is nothing short of astounding. How she could use so much source material from so many differing sources to come up with this novel amazes me. I truly, truly appreciate the essential "real" part of the story - where things don't tie together, where strands are left hanging, where characters you'd think would see each other again simply don't. Because that is real life and this is supposed to be true to history.
If you're like me, you've at some point lost your voice after a night of drinking and yelling about the evils of the English during the Scottish Clearances. Reading this will only make you want to yell at the same decibel level in support of Ireland, for whatever they do. (But my goodness, they do seem to fight a lot for no good reason in this book).
Brian is as beautiful and flawed a character as ever there was one. His lifelong struggle with religion and constant doubts made him approachable and likeable. I didn't always understand his choice of women but the author handled that part well. I was even interested in the innumerable brutal battles that seemed to never end throughout the book.
Llywelyn deserves her reputation as an excellent historical researcher; the amount that went into this book is nothing short of astounding. How she could use so much source material from so many differing sources to come up with this novel amazes me. I truly, truly appreciate the essential "real" part of the story - where things don't tie together, where strands are left hanging, where characters you'd think would see each other again simply don't. Because that is real life and this is supposed to be true to history.
nazad1th's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled to finish it. It had a good premise, but was clearly written by someone who had read a hell of a lot of viking literature but not enough Irish stuff, and was a good play from an American at authenticity that fell short. Too much focus on the tragic and not enough on the Irish. Better understood as a viking story than an Irish story.
duplica123's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating look at a time period I knew nothing about. Felt like it should have been an epic fantasy, but it's really about a historical figure. Definitely enjoyed it, though I wish Fiona had been in the story more. Maybe she's a spin off in another book by the same author? (hope hope hope)
I read this because it was on a list of books to read while you're waiting for more [b:A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons|12177850|A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1-5)|George R.R. Martin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339340118s/12177850.jpg|21619530], and it definitely fit the niche. Politics, plots, kingdoms - it was all great. Highly recommend if you are missing your [a:George R.R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1351944410p2/346732.jpg] but don't want to read the whole series so far for the xth time.
I read this because it was on a list of books to read while you're waiting for more [b:A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons|12177850|A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1-5)|George R.R. Martin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339340118s/12177850.jpg|21619530], and it definitely fit the niche. Politics, plots, kingdoms - it was all great. Highly recommend if you are missing your [a:George R.R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1351944410p2/346732.jpg] but don't want to read the whole series so far for the xth time.
chuckri's review
4.0
For the most part, this is an interesting story. Llywelyn does a good job of developing Brian from a somewhat unlikable character early in the story to a decent, compassionate leader at the end. It was a bit frustrating that he never developed any skills in communicating with his son or wives on a personal level. Maybe that was because of the times in which they lived. There are a few unanswered questions with some of the characters. What ever happened with Fiona and why does Brian barely think about her? What happened with Fiona's daughter and why does Padraic forget her so quickly? What was going on with the naked woman Brian met at the seaside?
disreputabledog's review
DNF, 39%
I read Llywelyn's novel "Fin Mac Cool" a few years ago and remembered really enjoying, so I went into "Lion of Ireland" expecting to like it, too. Unfortunately, this book is a bit of chore to get through. After 200 pages I realized that I didn't like any of the characters (including the protagonist, Brian Boru, who is one of those "perfect hero" archetypes) and the plot is just downright boring. Add into that an awful love triangle (and, in general, very poorly written female characters) and I decided to cut my losses early.
I read Llywelyn's novel "Fin Mac Cool" a few years ago and remembered really enjoying, so I went into "Lion of Ireland" expecting to like it, too. Unfortunately, this book is a bit of chore to get through. After 200 pages I realized that I didn't like any of the characters (including the protagonist, Brian Boru, who is one of those "perfect hero" archetypes) and the plot is just downright boring. Add into that an awful love triangle (and, in general, very poorly written female characters) and I decided to cut my losses early.