Bright Sword of Ireland

By Juilene Osborne-McKnight

Book Overview

Bright Sword of Ireland is the third in Juilene Osborne-McKnight's wonderful retelling of cherished Irish folktales. A dedicated researcher into the origins of Celtic myth and legend, Osborne-McKnight infuses her stories with passion, romance and magic. Her focus this time is the great warrior queen Medb of Connaught. Beautiful. Bold in battle . . . and in bed. A legend among her people, she lusts for the Brown Cow of Cuailnge for the power and the glory that it would bring to her. And she will use anyone, do anything, to reach her goal. Who should stand in her way? None other than the fabled hero Cuchulainn, thought to be not quite of this world and who is said to able to use the spirits of the forest and glen to conquer his enemies. Noble tales, ignoble deeds. But sometimes the biggest part of an epic tale comes not from the biggest players on the stage. What happens to those who have grown up in the shadow of greatness? And who pays when the game of power calls for sacrifice? Young Finnabair is the daughter of mighty queen Medb. Not a beauty. Not a warrior. And one who is seen as a pawn for her mother to use as she will. But Finnabair rebels when she sees that her part in her mother's schemes for power has caused pain and shame to her people. In doing so, Finnabair will embark on a journey that will change two kingdoms . . . and bring her love and loss so great as to break the hearts of the gods.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765306980
• ISBN13: 9780765306982
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 283 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Amazing

This is a wonderfully written book (as are all of the books I have read by this author). In addition to putting her own spin on old irish tales, she puts so much emotion into her characters that they come alive. Each one grows and evolves in such a natural way that you are sucked into their lives and feel joy inside when they are joyful and sometimes even weep when they weep. I have to say, this is one of my new all time favorite books that I could read over and over again, which I cannot say for most.

Personal problems

I'm starting to notice a pattern of the "Reader Of USA" seems to be pretty set in bringing this book rating down. Personally I loved the book and was able to understand that at one point in time the female was obligated to seek a husband. I know that femanism is largely accepted by the American culture and the book isn't encouraging the readers to reverse the progress of any of the femanist movements. I feel that this could be a personal problem driving the motivation to continue to post these reviews in which case it needs to be taken elsewhere becuase that isn't the purpose of the site.

Another wonderful tale

I enjoyed this book as much, if not more than McKnight's first two. Maybe it was because I had waited so long for it. Although I'm not a student of Celtic myth, I love the stories McKnight weaves so well.

Go out and buy this book!

In every chapter a new story wove several characters together which kept me reading to find out how all the characters' lives would eventually connect. Be prepared for the surprising and wonderful ending to this book.