Words of Kings and Prophets

The sequel to the critically acclaimed The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, The Words of Kings and Prophets is the powerful new historical fantasy novel by Shauna Lawless.

Ireland, 1000 AD. Gormflaith is unhappily married to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, and although a queen she struggles with her limited position. As an immortal Fomorian with the secret gift of magic, Gormflaith has a burning desire: to find and destroy the hidden fortress of her sworn enemies, the Descendants, who seek to kill her kind at all costs. She begins to use her magical powers, and discovers she is more skilled than she ever realised... but can she control what she will become?

Meanwhile Fódla, the Descendants' healer, mourns her banished sister but clings to life as the guardian of her young nephew. She seeks a place of safety for them both, but he has secrets of his own that could threaten everything - and Fódla must do all in her power to keep him hidden away from those who would use him for evil.

When a mysterious man comes to King Brian's court, his presence could spell disaster or deliverance for both Gormflaith and Fódla - and for Ireland herself. For he is Tomas, an ambitious immortal with few scruples - and he will do anything to see his plans become reality.

Soon, mortals and immortals alike are drawn towards a bitter conflict that could decide the future of Ireland and all her people.

Reviewers on Shauna Lawless' GAEL SONG series:

'Gripping and beautiful. A Celtic Last Kingdom with wild magic and fierce heroines' Anna Smith Spark

'Highlander meets The Last Kingdom... I was hooked from page one' Anthony Ryan

'A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics... Every turn of the page ratchets up the tension. To read this novel is to fall into a richly imagined web of lives' D.K. Fields

About the author

Shauna Lawless is an avid reader of Irish mythology, folklore and history, which inspired Gael Song, her historical fantasy series set in turbulent mediaeval Ireland. Her critically acclaimed novel, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, was nominated for Best Debut at the British Fantasy Awards. She lives in Northern Ireland with her family, where you can often find her writing or curled up with a good book.

Follow Shauna via her newsletter or shauna lawless.com

Instagram: shauna_lawless_author

Summary

The sequel to the critically acclaimed The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, The Words of Kings and Prophets is the powerful new historical fantasy novel by Shauna Lawless.

Ireland, 1000 AD. Gormflaith is unhappily married to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, and although a queen she struggles with her limited position. As an immortal Fomorian with the secret gift of magic, Gormflaith has a burning desire: to find and destroy the hidden fortress of her sworn enemies, the Descendants, who seek to kill her kind at all costs. She begins to use her magical powers, and discovers she is more skilled than she ever realised... but can she control what she will become?

Meanwhile Fódla, the Descendants' healer, mourns her banished sister but clings to life as the guardian of her young nephew. She seeks a place of safety for them both, but he has secrets of his own that could threaten everything - and Fódla must do all in her power to keep him hidden away from those who would use him for evil.

When a mysterious man comes to King Brian's court, his presence could spell disaster or deliverance for both Gormflaith and Fódla - and for Ireland herself. For he is Tomas, an ambitious immortal with few scruples - and he will do anything to see his plans become reality.

Soon, mortals and immortals alike are drawn towards a bitter conflict that could decide the future of Ireland and all her people.

Reviewers on Shauna Lawless' GAEL SONG series:

'Gripping and beautiful. A Celtic Last Kingdom with wild magic and fierce heroines' Anna Smith Spark

'Highlander meets The Last Kingdom... I was hooked from page one' Anthony Ryan

'A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics... Every turn of the page ratchets up the tension. To read this novel is to fall into a richly imagined web of lives' D.K. Fields

Foreword

The new historical fantasy adventure that intertwines traditional mythology with the eleventh-century wars in Ireland, by irish author Shauna Lawless.

Additional text

PRAISE FOR THE CHILDREN OF GODS AND FIGHTING MEN:

'A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics... Every turn of the page ratchets up the tension. To read this novel is to fall into a richly imagined web of lives. A gripping start to this series' D.K. Fields.

'Gripping and beautiful. A Celtic Last Kingdom with wild magic and fierce heroines' Anna Smith Spark.

'Highlander meets The Last Kingdom as feuding clans of magical undying vie for control of tenth-century Ireland in this assured and captivating debut. Themes of motherhood and conflicted obligation lie at the heart of Shauna Lawless's historical fantasy, explored through the eyes of two powerful women compelled to navigate a land where men hold sway, or think they do. I was hooked from page one'

Report

PRAISE FOR THE CHILDREN OF GODS AND FIGHTING MEN:

'A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics... Every turn of the page ratchets up the tension. To read this novel is to fall into a richly imagined web of lives. A gripping start to this series' D.K. Fields.

'Gripping and beautiful. A Celtic Last Kingdom with wild magic and fierce heroines' Anna Smith Spark.

'Highlander meets The Last Kingdom as feuding clans of magical undying vie for control of tenth-century Ireland in this assured and captivating debut. Themes of motherhood and conflicted obligation lie at the heart of Shauna Lawless's historical fantasy, explored through the eyes of two powerful women compelled to navigate a land where men hold sway, or think they do. I was hooked from page one'
Anthony Ryan

Product details

• Authors: Shauna Lawless
• Publisher: Head of Zeus
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2022
• EAN: 9781803282688
• ISBN: 978-1-80328-268-8
• Series: Gael Song
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; Non-fiction book; Historical fiction, Historical adventure, FICTION / Fantasy / Epic, Fiction, Ireland, Historical adventure fiction, Myths and Legends / Mythic fiction, FICTION / World Literature / Ireland / General, Early 11th century c 1000 to c 1050