Fianna

by Helen Walsh Folsom

Fianna Fitzmichael is hopelessly in love with Jamie Rooney. So when he mysteriously vanishes, she’s beside herself. Hoping a visit to her sister in London will put her broken heart on the mend, Fianna catches a train — and the unwelcome attention of a lecherous man. Though a kind university student named Neill McBride comes to her rescue, the headstrong Fianna still falls prey to a mob of Gypsies who steal her luggage and abandon her by the cave of Crazy Nan, a self-professed witch.

But the strangest leg of her journey comes when Fianna overhears Crazy Nan talking to members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood — including her Jamie. The brotherhood doesn’t take kindly to interlopers, though, and suspect Fianna is an undercover agent for the British. To prove her loyalty to Ireland, Fianna embarks on a perilous mission that plunges her deep into political conspiracies and treacherous secrets. She seems to have a guardian angel in the dashing, enigmatic Neill, but can even he keep her safe as the danger mounts?

252 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2012

Reviews

[Alanna Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read the description for this book, I was naturally expecting a bit of political intrigue in this story, but found myself disappointed by the fact that the political elements seemed to overwhelm the romance which I was hoping would take centre-stage.

On the whole, I liked Fianna as a character - she was bold, brave, determined and opinionated - but I did struggle with the speed at which her affections seemed to switch places, it didn't feel as natural as it could have done given the lengths that the author went to in dropping hints throughout the story. Some of the secondary characters in the story felt like they had more depth to them than the heroine, but it was never fully explored - again, because it felt like the author was too focused on tying together all of the political strands that she had plotted throughout the story.

An easy read, but not something that I felt overly attached to in any way.

[Gail Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came with lots of recommendations and I wasn't disappointed. I did not want to stop reading. The story is fast paced with really likeable characters and a good female lead character who is feisty and not at all swooney. Not a book to raise your intellect by but a good read non the less. Ideal for weekend or holiday reading.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terribly disappointing as I had high hopes for this story. The story line is great & I love all the ideas but the writing felt too fast paced, it didnt flow & some of the characters felt forced or fake.