Changing Names: the changeling and the witch

by Ross Howard

'Beith breathed in the cold air, and blew it back out in a cloud. I will bring you to the Morrigan tomorrow. To one of her temples. We’ll go together. 'In ancient Ireland the God slaying has begun. Beith Ni Dearg, a witch's foster daughter, is worried for her favourite goddess, the Morrigan, and flees home to save her life. Beith will face kings, princes, changelings, druids, Gods and Goddesses, and her monstrous foster family on her journey. The things she finds will change how she views the world, and eventually how the world views Beith.

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2023

Reviews

[Eimhin Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howard is a master of his craft – Changing Names is filled with beautifully written prose that takes the reader on a journey through Irish folklore, on par with the ingenuity of Eddie Lenihan, all while vividly building tension and emotion like the best of Michael Crichton. A book that can be picked up and enjoyed by all ages, and one that will leave you with a feeling of connection to– and appreciation for– the unique mythologies of Ireland.

[Saintly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating, unsettling, dark and densely rich fairy tale that slammed me into ancient Celtic lands with insanely vivid writing.
Changing Names is a book about Beith, a girl who is more than she appears, and her adventures of glory and fury with elder creatures and enchanting characters. I could practically smell the moss and feel the inspiring energy of the heroine, but also a subtle and pervading disquiet of the primordial power of true names and ancient Irish gods.
It is impossible to not picture it as a Tomm's Moore's folkore movie and at the end it felt like everything was a poignant yet haunting dream.