The Land of the Living and the Dead Review
By Sioph W. Leal
The third book in the Gael Song series opens in 1011 AD. Ireland faces a conflict between the mortal kingdoms and the Fomorians and Descendants, who both seek dominion over the mortal world. Gormflaith, the queen of King Brian, plans to establish control over Ireland and destroy the Descendants, but she cannot do it alone. The Descendants are divided, and Fódla, a former member of King Brian's inner circle, must use this division to thwart treacherous plots. With lives on the line, Fódla must reveal the evil in time. As secret schemes come to fruition, the only possible outcome is war, and the clash will change the course of history forever.
With Ireland united under a single monarch, the book begins with Ireland enjoying peace. Together with her brother Murchad, Queen Gormflaith watches and plots to shape events to her own advantage, with the added edge of now possessing the witch power of a descendant to augment her own Fomorian fire magic.
Fódla and Gormflaith continue to shine in the Gael song series, and adding different viewpoints from other characters, such as Murchad and Colmon, adds to a more complex and compelling story. The Land of the Living Dead allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the mythology of Ireland while creating a more character-driven, perfectly paced story, making it impossible to put the book down until you finish it.
Ending a series is no easy feat, and while Lawless delivers in almost every way possible, the ending of The Land of the Living Dead felt somewhat rushed. The rest of The Land of the Living Dead was perfectly paced, but the ending felt like there wasn’t enough time to fully digest the events of the book, from the loss of certain characters to the victories. Some plot points were left to have an ambiguous ending, and while it does work, it will leave readers a little frustrated, but perhaps that is because Lawless has plans to continue the series in some way. Either way, it’s a fantastic read that will have you wanting more of the world that Lawless creates.
A book can only be as good as the characters, and Lawless creates fantastic, intricate characters that allow you to be fully enthralled in the series while learning about history in a way that doesn’t feel like a lesson. Murchad, Broccan, and Tairdelbach are characters that could have done with a little more time on the page, purely because these were fantastic characters to read. Lawless sets up the scene for the next generation of characters, and if her next piece of work is anything like The Land of the Living Dead, it will be an excellent read.
Ending the Gael song trilogy with The Land of the Living Dead offers a near-perfect end with complex, exciting storylines with Irish mythologies as its backdrop. Lawless creates an engrossing, twisting story that dramatically weaves in history, culminating in an unexpected ending, making it a perfect choice for readers who enjoy myth and history.
The Land of the Living Dead will be released on September 12, 2024.