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Eilean in the Otherworld #1
The Spiral of Life: An Old Gods Story
The first lesson Eilean MacAlistair learned in blacksmithing: First, you harden, and then you temper.
Otherwise, your metal will break.
The same is true with life.A few years back, Eilean didn’t temper herself, and she broke someone. Badly. Hospital badly.
Her family had to flee Scotland because of her, but now they’ve returned, and 17-year-old Eilean’s life feels like a forge with the temperature rising around her. Mamó is sick, her family is straining at the seams, and magic is real!
An Otherworld has been calling to her from beneath Loch Lomond.
When she answers, Eilean discovers a world of blacksmiths in ballgowns, cruel cyclopses, and chronically critical kelpies.
Because she didn't have enough problems to deal with already.
Will Eilean be able to temper herself against everything in this strange new world, and withstand the weight of her past? Or will she break once again?
Find out in the first adventure of Eilean in the Otherworld, The Spiral of Life, a young adult fantasy inspired by Celtic folklore.
Otherwise, your metal will break.
The same is true with life.A few years back, Eilean didn’t temper herself, and she broke someone. Badly. Hospital badly.
Her family had to flee Scotland because of her, but now they’ve returned, and 17-year-old Eilean’s life feels like a forge with the temperature rising around her. Mamó is sick, her family is straining at the seams, and magic is real!
An Otherworld has been calling to her from beneath Loch Lomond.
When she answers, Eilean discovers a world of blacksmiths in ballgowns, cruel cyclopses, and chronically critical kelpies.
Because she didn't have enough problems to deal with already.
Will Eilean be able to temper herself against everything in this strange new world, and withstand the weight of her past? Or will she break once again?
Find out in the first adventure of Eilean in the Otherworld, The Spiral of Life, a young adult fantasy inspired by Celtic folklore.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published September 22, 2024
2 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Francesca McMahon
12 books74 followersFrancesca McMahon was born in Oxford, England, to a Scottish father and an Essex mother. They gained a B.A. in Creative Writing at Edge Hill University and was shortlisted for the university’s Dame Janet Suzman Playwriting Award in 2019. Since graduating, Francesca went onto gain a Masters in the same subject and has continued to work on their writing of fantasy, horror and romance fiction, as well as various tabletop RPGs and screenplays. As a queer person, their work is dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community, and they hope that they will all find a home in their imaginary worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 23, 2024
If the cover of this book doesn't immediately pull you in then then the description definitely should. I don't believe I have ever read a book about a female blacksmith and while that is fun enough on it's own, we also get to learn much more about Eilean and her adventure into another world.
While I do like Eilean as a character, the standout character for me is definitely the aquatic undead horse with a bad attitude!
I would say this book leans more toward middle grade/young teen but it's also fun for adults. Perfect for someone who wants to dip their toes into an easy fantasy book.
The audiobook narration was so fun with added sound effects and different voices from narrator Rebecca Daltry.
Thank you NetGalley and Bandele Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 9/22/24
While I do like Eilean as a character, the standout character for me is definitely the aquatic undead horse with a bad attitude!
I would say this book leans more toward middle grade/young teen but it's also fun for adults. Perfect for someone who wants to dip their toes into an easy fantasy book.
The audiobook narration was so fun with added sound effects and different voices from narrator Rebecca Daltry.
Thank you NetGalley and Bandele Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 9/22/24
September 10, 2024
Thank you to Francesca McMahon and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Spiral of Life is an exciting YA adventure that pulls you deep (pun intended) into a world of Celtic mythology, reminiscent of the Percy Jackson series but with its own unique flair. The story follows a compelling trio of characters—Eilean, Freya, and Bhradain—who each bring their own strengths to this magical journey.
Eilean, the main character, stands out with her strength, stubbornness, and determination. She’s a force to be reckoned with, driving the narrative forward with her fierce independence. Freya, on the other hand, is the sweet and sunshiney balance to Eilean’s tenacity, adding warmth and light to the story. Bhradain, the kelpie, is undoubtedly my favourite. His sarcastic wit and snarky attitude bring a lot of fun to the story, and he quickly became the character I looked forward to hearing from the most.
The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story and its characters to life, capturing the nuances of each personality and keeping the listener engaged from start to finish.
While the pacing sometimes felt a bit uneven, and certain plot points could have been developed further, the overall experience was enchanting and thoroughly enjoyable. The Spiral of Life is a delightful dive into Celtic myths with a fresh, youthful twist. Fans of mythology-based YA adventures will find much to love here. I cannot wait to delve into the rest of the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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The Spiral of Life is an exciting YA adventure that pulls you deep (pun intended) into a world of Celtic mythology, reminiscent of the Percy Jackson series but with its own unique flair. The story follows a compelling trio of characters—Eilean, Freya, and Bhradain—who each bring their own strengths to this magical journey.
Eilean, the main character, stands out with her strength, stubbornness, and determination. She’s a force to be reckoned with, driving the narrative forward with her fierce independence. Freya, on the other hand, is the sweet and sunshiney balance to Eilean’s tenacity, adding warmth and light to the story. Bhradain, the kelpie, is undoubtedly my favourite. His sarcastic wit and snarky attitude bring a lot of fun to the story, and he quickly became the character I looked forward to hearing from the most.
The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story and its characters to life, capturing the nuances of each personality and keeping the listener engaged from start to finish.
While the pacing sometimes felt a bit uneven, and certain plot points could have been developed further, the overall experience was enchanting and thoroughly enjoyable. The Spiral of Life is a delightful dive into Celtic myths with a fresh, youthful twist. Fans of mythology-based YA adventures will find much to love here. I cannot wait to delve into the rest of the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Connect With Me!
Blog Booksta Youtube
September 16, 2024
The audiobook for this is so great! I loved the sound effects, and the narrator. The plot was easy to follow, and the world building was well done. Bhradain is 100% the best character in this book and I really hope we get to see more of him as the series continues. With that said all the characters in here were good. This would make a really good Fantasy series for middle grade and up.
I'm really excited to see where the story will go from here!
Thank you Netgalley and the author for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
I'm really excited to see where the story will go from here!
Thank you Netgalley and the author for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
October 2, 2024
You know when you read a YA and think, why on earth is the chosen one a teenager - it makes no realistic sense? THIS book has an actual reason, and it's so refreshing 😂😂
Honestly I love everything about this book, the narration was excellent, the story was exciting, the mental health rep is on point, and the main characters are not perfect but they are relatable. My favourite is the sassy death horse though 😂🤍
I only didn't finish the audiobook in one day because I had to go to class.
Honestly one of my favourite middle grade/ YA I've read in a very long time
Thank you to NetGalley and Francesca McMahon for a ALC in exchange for an honest review! 🤍
Honestly I love everything about this book, the narration was excellent, the story was exciting, the mental health rep is on point, and the main characters are not perfect but they are relatable. My favourite is the sassy death horse though 😂🤍
I only didn't finish the audiobook in one day because I had to go to class.
Honestly one of my favourite middle grade/ YA I've read in a very long time
Thank you to NetGalley and Francesca McMahon for a ALC in exchange for an honest review! 🤍
September 11, 2024
Thank you Net Galley, Bandele Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and Members' Audiobooks for this audiobook arc!
Francesca McMahon weaves Celtic lore into a contemporary YA fantasy with LGBTQIA+ rep, mental health and therapy practices, and a bit of blacksmithing.
I think McMahon’s strengths in this novel lies in their inclusion of Celtic folklore and mental health representation. I found myself interested in the gods, creatures, and symbols that our main characters encounter with the start in world building. It’s a central part of the story throughout the novel in plot and Eilean’s, our protagonist’s, heritage. Eilean is also working though her anger with therapy and blacksmithing. Throughout the journey, she is able to use technique and skills and explore a bit of her fears and blockages. Her journey felt realistic. I thought blacksmithing was a unique hobby that aligned with the story. Furthermore, the cover (and synopsis) pulled me in with its style and colors. I will say that I did not realize this was a contemporary fantasy novel based on the aforementioned elements. The writing style and pop culture references reads for a more younger YA audience.
I found, A Spiral of Life, unfortunately, lacked development in plot area and characterization. I appreciate the story immediately starting off at a decent pace, but the journey overall felt lackluster. The characters and the plot didn’t grab my attention by the reins within its 8 hrs of narration. There was occasional glimpses at Freya and Bhradain’s character like magical power and being in the air cadets, but nothing overall that strengthened their character development or plot as some were one and done moments. I think I was missing the tension and the momentum of the story. This dark power over the land is described as “far more vicious that I believed” and “not really here” with very little explanation by the end. There was some negative effects of this dark power to both Scotland and the Otherworld, but nothing that seemed to imped their journey. I also felt like Eilean’s school conflict, relationship with her grandmother, and the “chosen one” concept could have been better fleshed out. Overall, this book felt like the slow build of “rising action” with a plateau of a climax. Honestly, the synopsis ad for the second book at the end had more interesting plot and character development.
Audiobook wise, narration was fine and fit the story. It was a bit harder to get through the climax chapters with the changes between lethargic and wheezy narration styles. There was occasional usage of effects which was cool. I didn’t see the meaning of the sound clips at the beginning of each chapter as it was [chapter title] then [sound effects]. Sometimes they matched the chapter sometimes not. Maybe put them during the title narration.
Francesca McMahon weaves Celtic lore into a contemporary YA fantasy with LGBTQIA+ rep, mental health and therapy practices, and a bit of blacksmithing.
I think McMahon’s strengths in this novel lies in their inclusion of Celtic folklore and mental health representation. I found myself interested in the gods, creatures, and symbols that our main characters encounter with the start in world building. It’s a central part of the story throughout the novel in plot and Eilean’s, our protagonist’s, heritage. Eilean is also working though her anger with therapy and blacksmithing. Throughout the journey, she is able to use technique and skills and explore a bit of her fears and blockages. Her journey felt realistic. I thought blacksmithing was a unique hobby that aligned with the story. Furthermore, the cover (and synopsis) pulled me in with its style and colors. I will say that I did not realize this was a contemporary fantasy novel based on the aforementioned elements. The writing style and pop culture references reads for a more younger YA audience.
I found, A Spiral of Life, unfortunately, lacked development in plot area and characterization. I appreciate the story immediately starting off at a decent pace, but the journey overall felt lackluster. The characters and the plot didn’t grab my attention by the reins within its 8 hrs of narration. There was occasional glimpses at Freya and Bhradain’s character like magical power and being in the air cadets, but nothing overall that strengthened their character development or plot as some were one and done moments. I think I was missing the tension and the momentum of the story. This dark power over the land is described as “far more vicious that I believed” and “not really here” with very little explanation by the end. There was some negative effects of this dark power to both Scotland and the Otherworld, but nothing that seemed to imped their journey. I also felt like Eilean’s school conflict, relationship with her grandmother, and the “chosen one” concept could have been better fleshed out. Overall, this book felt like the slow build of “rising action” with a plateau of a climax. Honestly, the synopsis ad for the second book at the end had more interesting plot and character development.
Audiobook wise, narration was fine and fit the story. It was a bit harder to get through the climax chapters with the changes between lethargic and wheezy narration styles. There was occasional usage of effects which was cool. I didn’t see the meaning of the sound clips at the beginning of each chapter as it was [chapter title] then [sound effects]. Sometimes they matched the chapter sometimes not. Maybe put them during the title narration.
September 28, 2024
Having read The Sunlit Ruins: An Old Gods Story about a year ago, I was intrigued in exploring more tales in the Old Gods verse that Bandele Books is developing. While The Spiral of Life isn’t directly connected to The Sunlit Ruins, I felt a similar, yet, unique energy to Francesca McMahon’s tale of Celtic mythology in this portal fantasy that had a questing vibe along with serious character exploration.
Eilean is back in Scotland five years after being forced to leave due to her losing her temper against a fellow student. Ever since, she’s tried to tame her anger through blacksmithing, but she’s back in town to see her Mamo (grandmother). However, she soon finds herself in another world and a task she didn’t ask for. But she might have to take that chance to bring balance into her family and world.
I enjoyed Eilean as a character. She’s tough and strong, yes, but she has a lot of self doubt, partly related to her family fracturing at the seams due to her, and feeling she’s too strong and will just hurt others. And yes, she goes through the ringer a lot in order to get through the story and I felt it when she got to the end of her journey.
I did enjoy the other characters as well, who were fleshed out and got a good basic feel for them. The two we spend the most time with are Freya and Bhradain, as they go on the quest with her. Bhradain, the mythical aquatic undead horse with grumpy and snarky energy throughout. Probably my favorite outside of Eilean herself.
The world was built well, and I didn’t get lost, as things were explained rather well and were easy to follow along. I did enjoy the aspects of Celtic mythology, some that I knew already, and others I didn’t, and it felt rather fresh to me at least. The pacing was good, though I did feel like it took a while to get started. I did think it did fall into a few cliches, especially in the early parts of the story of the character learning about themselves. However, I did think enough was done to make the story itself an entertaining listen, especially near the end of the story, with a few choices that surprised me.
The narrator, Rebecca Daltry, was a great choice, as the accents made me feel further immersed in the story. I did like the extra bits of sound effects for scene transitions and a few other spots that made the book feel a bit more alive.
I’m looking forward to the story continuing as there was a sequel hook, and if you like Celtic mythology in a portal fantasy, check this out.
*I received a review copy from Bandele Books and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.*
Eilean is back in Scotland five years after being forced to leave due to her losing her temper against a fellow student. Ever since, she’s tried to tame her anger through blacksmithing, but she’s back in town to see her Mamo (grandmother). However, she soon finds herself in another world and a task she didn’t ask for. But she might have to take that chance to bring balance into her family and world.
I enjoyed Eilean as a character. She’s tough and strong, yes, but she has a lot of self doubt, partly related to her family fracturing at the seams due to her, and feeling she’s too strong and will just hurt others. And yes, she goes through the ringer a lot in order to get through the story and I felt it when she got to the end of her journey.
I did enjoy the other characters as well, who were fleshed out and got a good basic feel for them. The two we spend the most time with are Freya and Bhradain, as they go on the quest with her. Bhradain, the mythical aquatic undead horse with grumpy and snarky energy throughout. Probably my favorite outside of Eilean herself.
The world was built well, and I didn’t get lost, as things were explained rather well and were easy to follow along. I did enjoy the aspects of Celtic mythology, some that I knew already, and others I didn’t, and it felt rather fresh to me at least. The pacing was good, though I did feel like it took a while to get started. I did think it did fall into a few cliches, especially in the early parts of the story of the character learning about themselves. However, I did think enough was done to make the story itself an entertaining listen, especially near the end of the story, with a few choices that surprised me.
The narrator, Rebecca Daltry, was a great choice, as the accents made me feel further immersed in the story. I did like the extra bits of sound effects for scene transitions and a few other spots that made the book feel a bit more alive.
I’m looking forward to the story continuing as there was a sequel hook, and if you like Celtic mythology in a portal fantasy, check this out.
*I received a review copy from Bandele Books and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.*
September 15, 2024
First off, a big thank you to Netgalley, Bandele Books, and the Independent Book Publishers Association for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback.
First off, I really liked the audiobook -- the sound effects at the start of the book and each chapter were really helpful for keeping me engaged and I think will go a long way for YA audiences. Rebecca Daltry does a fantastic job as well. The amount of representation also went a long way for me! My favorite character was probably their kelpie companion.
However, I did struggle to keep attention in parts because the story-line was so straightforward-quest oriented. It wasn't boring but I do have ADHD so I got confused in parts and it was hard to keep some characters straight. I'll definitely be recommending to my sister, who thrives on this kind of book.
First off, I really liked the audiobook -- the sound effects at the start of the book and each chapter were really helpful for keeping me engaged and I think will go a long way for YA audiences. Rebecca Daltry does a fantastic job as well. The amount of representation also went a long way for me! My favorite character was probably their kelpie companion.
However, I did struggle to keep attention in parts because the story-line was so straightforward-quest oriented. It wasn't boring but I do have ADHD so I got confused in parts and it was hard to keep some characters straight. I'll definitely be recommending to my sister, who thrives on this kind of book.
September 18, 2024
A quick listen. This was a lot of fun - great sound effects and the Narration of all the different voices was outstanding.
September 18, 2024
Thank you to Francesca McMahon, Netgalley, Bandele Books, and the Independent Book Publishers Association for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback.
*The Spiral of Life* is a compelling fantasy that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of Percy Jackson. With its blend of Celtic mythology, its strong-willed heroine, and a journey through both familiar and magical worlds, it offers a fun sense of adventure and discovery.
The stand out for me had to be the chapter titles, I couldn't help but laugh every time I heard what they were. Speaking of the audiobook, the narrator is absolutely FANTASTIC. She not only read but she SUNG, convincingly, as a young girl and an older woman. My ears have been blessed.
Overall, it's a short, easy read for fans of self-discovery, talks of mental health, and mythology!
*The Spiral of Life* is a compelling fantasy that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of Percy Jackson. With its blend of Celtic mythology, its strong-willed heroine, and a journey through both familiar and magical worlds, it offers a fun sense of adventure and discovery.
The stand out for me had to be the chapter titles, I couldn't help but laugh every time I heard what they were. Speaking of the audiobook, the narrator is absolutely FANTASTIC. She not only read but she SUNG, convincingly, as a young girl and an older woman. My ears have been blessed.
Overall, it's a short, easy read for fans of self-discovery, talks of mental health, and mythology!
October 2, 2024
I received an audiobook copy courtesy of NetGalley of this! This was such a fun audiobook experience with the sound and vocal effects. I appreciated the character development of Eilean, who I found was a very realistic representation of a mental health struggle. The development isn't linear, and it takes a while for lessons to sink in for Eilean. She's a teenager with big feelings and it's as messy as expected as she's challenged on the journey. Can't wait to dive into the rest of the series!
January 15, 2025
Very interesting read, I really enjoyed the world building and the character of Eilean! I also really appreciated the mythology references.
September 12, 2024
I really enjoyed the Spiral of Life 😍The story is captivating from the beginning and I really liked the main character Eilean. From the side characters my favourite is definitely Bhradain 🐴😁 The sound effects in the beginning of each books are a lot of fun and Rebecca Daltry does a great job overall! ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Francesca McMahon for an ALC in exchange for my honest review. 💛
Thank you NetGalley and Francesca McMahon for an ALC in exchange for my honest review. 💛
December 7, 2024
I recently bought The Spiral of Life from the author at comic-con as I was pulled in by the beautiful cover and the ‘sapphic Percy Jackson’ description…
It’s a great fantasy/mythology YA fiction and I really enjoyed the Celtic lore that was explored and the quest element to the story. The book feels like the first in a series, introducing the characters, concepts and world to set up for a bigger story. I could really see this story as a graphic novel.
The narration was pretty funny at times; I always enjoy when characters have realistic reactions to the bizarre things that happen in fantasy (eg. Eilean’s annoyance at the constantly cryptic answers). I liked that the hero isn’t a perfect god-like chosen one and has real human struggles and complicated feelings.
My only gripe is that by the end of the book, we still don’t know anything more about Eilean’s electric-y powers, they just kind of existed. I also wish there was more content and time spent in each of the seasonal places of the Otherworld with the Celtic figures they visit, but that said, I imagine they’ll be returning to this in the next book…
I just know that if I’d read this book as a teenager, I’d be obsessed. Looking forward to the next one.:-)
It’s a great fantasy/mythology YA fiction and I really enjoyed the Celtic lore that was explored and the quest element to the story. The book feels like the first in a series, introducing the characters, concepts and world to set up for a bigger story. I could really see this story as a graphic novel.
The narration was pretty funny at times; I always enjoy when characters have realistic reactions to the bizarre things that happen in fantasy (eg. Eilean’s annoyance at the constantly cryptic answers). I liked that the hero isn’t a perfect god-like chosen one and has real human struggles and complicated feelings.
My only gripe is that by the end of the book, we still don’t know anything more about Eilean’s electric-y powers, they just kind of existed. I also wish there was more content and time spent in each of the seasonal places of the Otherworld with the Celtic figures they visit, but that said, I imagine they’ll be returning to this in the next book…
I just know that if I’d read this book as a teenager, I’d be obsessed. Looking forward to the next one.:-)
October 3, 2024
I listened to the audiobook of The Spiral of Life, and it was quite enjoyable. The story is the first in a YA series, Eilean in the Otherworld, about a Scottish teenager who is pulled into a world of folklore, along the same lines as Percy Jackson but queer and Celtic which is totally my jam.
I really liked Eilean as a character, I found myself empathizing with her experiences and self-doubt. She cares a lot about her family, particularly her Mamó (grandmother), and has regret about an event that’s greatly affected her present view of herself. I also really liked Freya and her blossoming friendship with Eilean, and all of the supporting characters. Rebecca Daltry did a great job giving them all distinct voices, her narration was smooth, and this American loved her accents.
There were some sound effects that were added throughout, and some effects added to the voices here and there. I don’t know if this was done because it was a YA book and the intent was to make it more interesting for a teenage listener, but I found a bit distracting. It was still a nice production, though, and I’ll definitely check out future installments of the series.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.
I really liked Eilean as a character, I found myself empathizing with her experiences and self-doubt. She cares a lot about her family, particularly her Mamó (grandmother), and has regret about an event that’s greatly affected her present view of herself. I also really liked Freya and her blossoming friendship with Eilean, and all of the supporting characters. Rebecca Daltry did a great job giving them all distinct voices, her narration was smooth, and this American loved her accents.
There were some sound effects that were added throughout, and some effects added to the voices here and there. I don’t know if this was done because it was a YA book and the intent was to make it more interesting for a teenage listener, but I found a bit distracting. It was still a nice production, though, and I’ll definitely check out future installments of the series.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.
May 8, 2025
I received an ARC in return for an honest review
A promising start to a series, I found Eilean to be a compelling main character. She is flawed but has her endearing moments.
Depiction of mental health was realistic. There was growth but there were also setbacks and this is framed as normal, with the supporting characters coming in to provide reassurance, a good message for young adults which is who this is aimed at.
The writing isn’t too complex but it flows well and it kept me engrossed. I finished the novel in 3 days which is fast for me, picking it up whenever I had a spare moment to read.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
A promising start to a series, I found Eilean to be a compelling main character. She is flawed but has her endearing moments.
Depiction of mental health was realistic. There was growth but there were also setbacks and this is framed as normal, with the supporting characters coming in to provide reassurance, a good message for young adults which is who this is aimed at.
The writing isn’t too complex but it flows well and it kept me engrossed. I finished the novel in 3 days which is fast for me, picking it up whenever I had a spare moment to read.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
September 7, 2024
Thank you for this audio book ARC to Francesca McMahon and NetGalley.
The book follows Eilean, a moody 17-year-old girl with a knack for modern-day blacksmithing and some unresolved anger issues in her past. When Eilean and her parents return to her childhood home to visit her grandmother, Eilean is, much against her will, swept away on a dangerous quest consisting of gods, monsters, talking horses - and a pretty nice girl named Freya.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5
The author has described this book as 'Percy Jackson meets Merlin' so obviously I had to request it right away. And believe you me, my expectations were high. Surprisingly, the Spiral of Life actually met quite a few of them.
Whereas there could've been more character work and dialogue, I really liked that which there was. The main character, Eilean, felt like a more snarky Percy Jackson, whereas Freya was her total opposite, the ultimate sunshine character. However, my favorite of the three main characters was the hilarious talking kelpie whose name I am certain I would misspell. Also, A+ for the diverse representation!
Loved the worldbuilding and different entities the characters encountered. The author clearly has a great knowledge of the Celtic folklore.
The prose was quite good. The dialogue was realistic (and sometimes hilarious) and the descriptions were vivid. The only problem I had (and the reason I'm giving the book 4 stars and not 5) was that the book is riddled with adverbs. At one point a character 'laughed humorously'. That was too much for me 😅 but otherwise, like I said, the writing was good.
The plot was very Percy-Jackson-like, a straight-forward quest, which I didn't mind but also wasn't super interesting. At times I was in a bit of a lost about what was happening and where the characters were, but this could be due to my ADHD brain struggling with listening comprehension. The ending was fantastic, though, really made me look forward to book 2.
And now that I mentioned listening, let's talk about the narration. I did not care for it, to be honest. I didn't like how the narrator did Freya's voice, and some characters' speech I struggled to even understand. I wish I'd read this instead of listening. (Also, then I could spell the kelpie dude's name.) But this could just be me not being used to audio books. I really liked the soundscapes at the beginning of each chapter, though!
Altogether, I liked this book. It certainly gave me Percy Jackson vibes and wasn't boring for a second. It gets my approved-stamp and I recommend reading it. Might even check out the author's other books, too.
The book follows Eilean, a moody 17-year-old girl with a knack for modern-day blacksmithing and some unresolved anger issues in her past. When Eilean and her parents return to her childhood home to visit her grandmother, Eilean is, much against her will, swept away on a dangerous quest consisting of gods, monsters, talking horses - and a pretty nice girl named Freya.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5
The author has described this book as 'Percy Jackson meets Merlin' so obviously I had to request it right away. And believe you me, my expectations were high. Surprisingly, the Spiral of Life actually met quite a few of them.
Whereas there could've been more character work and dialogue, I really liked that which there was. The main character, Eilean, felt like a more snarky Percy Jackson, whereas Freya was her total opposite, the ultimate sunshine character. However, my favorite of the three main characters was the hilarious talking kelpie whose name I am certain I would misspell. Also, A+ for the diverse representation!
Loved the worldbuilding and different entities the characters encountered. The author clearly has a great knowledge of the Celtic folklore.
The prose was quite good. The dialogue was realistic (and sometimes hilarious) and the descriptions were vivid. The only problem I had (and the reason I'm giving the book 4 stars and not 5) was that the book is riddled with adverbs. At one point a character 'laughed humorously'. That was too much for me 😅 but otherwise, like I said, the writing was good.
The plot was very Percy-Jackson-like, a straight-forward quest, which I didn't mind but also wasn't super interesting. At times I was in a bit of a lost about what was happening and where the characters were, but this could be due to my ADHD brain struggling with listening comprehension. The ending was fantastic, though, really made me look forward to book 2.
And now that I mentioned listening, let's talk about the narration. I did not care for it, to be honest. I didn't like how the narrator did Freya's voice, and some characters' speech I struggled to even understand. I wish I'd read this instead of listening. (Also, then I could spell the kelpie dude's name.) But this could just be me not being used to audio books. I really liked the soundscapes at the beginning of each chapter, though!
Altogether, I liked this book. It certainly gave me Percy Jackson vibes and wasn't boring for a second. It gets my approved-stamp and I recommend reading it. Might even check out the author's other books, too.
January 16, 2025
Thank you to Francesca McMahon, Netgalley, Bandele Books, and the Independent Book Publishers Association for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback.
Eilean is the kind protagonist that could appear in the "You want complicated female leads, but you couldn't even handle her" memes. And I do mean this in the best possible way. At times, she is endlessly vexing, but because she reminded me of myself as a teenage girl. McMahon did not write adults masquerading as teens for the sake of plot and audience appeal. Eilean and Freya are young women drawn into this magical adventure for very different reasons. They face and deal with obstacles in a way that speaks true to their youth. But while Freya brings an air of joy and optimism to the adventure, Eilean often struggles with her internal doubts and fears.
Eilean does not view herself as a hero. She takes part in the narrative for entirely selfish reasons. And it's honestly a breath of fresh air for the genre. I can see many readers used to bold, slick, grand protagonists not clicking with Eilean. But her imperfections make watching her growth all the more satisfying as a reader.
Another thing The Spiral of Life brings to the genre is a much-needed departure from mythology adventures based on ancient Greek myth. In exploring Celtic myth, McMahon invites readers to a lore that general audiences won't be so familiar with. This offers two perks that I very much enjoyed. First, I had fun exploring a mythology I was not familiar with and meeting characters that were new to me. Second, because I had no preconceived notions about these mythic figures, everything was surprising to me. I could not predict where the plot was going because I really had no idea whether these deities were truth worthy. (The story also introduced me to a fabulous frightening figure that I can't wait to cosplay.)
Also, the story is intentionally told through a queer, sapphic lens. Another thing the genre needs more of! As a queer, sapphic reader myself, I felt seen in McMahon's story.
I eagerly await the sequel. I look forward to being introduced to more figures from Celtic lore and seeing how Eilean and Freya's bond grows.
Eilean is the kind protagonist that could appear in the "You want complicated female leads, but you couldn't even handle her" memes. And I do mean this in the best possible way. At times, she is endlessly vexing, but because she reminded me of myself as a teenage girl. McMahon did not write adults masquerading as teens for the sake of plot and audience appeal. Eilean and Freya are young women drawn into this magical adventure for very different reasons. They face and deal with obstacles in a way that speaks true to their youth. But while Freya brings an air of joy and optimism to the adventure, Eilean often struggles with her internal doubts and fears.
Eilean does not view herself as a hero. She takes part in the narrative for entirely selfish reasons. And it's honestly a breath of fresh air for the genre. I can see many readers used to bold, slick, grand protagonists not clicking with Eilean. But her imperfections make watching her growth all the more satisfying as a reader.
Another thing The Spiral of Life brings to the genre is a much-needed departure from mythology adventures based on ancient Greek myth. In exploring Celtic myth, McMahon invites readers to a lore that general audiences won't be so familiar with. This offers two perks that I very much enjoyed. First, I had fun exploring a mythology I was not familiar with and meeting characters that were new to me. Second, because I had no preconceived notions about these mythic figures, everything was surprising to me. I could not predict where the plot was going because I really had no idea whether these deities were truth worthy. (The story also introduced me to a fabulous frightening figure that I can't wait to cosplay.)
Also, the story is intentionally told through a queer, sapphic lens. Another thing the genre needs more of! As a queer, sapphic reader myself, I felt seen in McMahon's story.
I eagerly await the sequel. I look forward to being introduced to more figures from Celtic lore and seeing how Eilean and Freya's bond grows.
Read
September 17, 2024Sometimes destiny isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.
First of all, thank you Francesca McMahon and Bandele Books for giving me the chance to read an ARC of the book to review! The Spiral of Life follows Eilean MacAlistair, consumed by guilt and uncertainties about her past and herself, as she finds herself unwittingly dragged into the business of ancient Celtic legends.
I enjoyed the dive into Celtic mythology throughout – it was the major pull of this book for me and I was looking forward to reading more about Celtic stories. Those were some of my favourite parts and they were really interesting as someone who adores mythological stories of any kind. The lush descriptions of the ever-changing setting in the Otherworld and its inhabitants painted such a fantastic picture. In terms of characters, I enjoyed Bhradain! He was entertaining and I love the constant sass he annoys Eilean with. He was definitely a highlight of the book for me and kept things funny even when they seemed dire.
Overall, while I was taken by the mythological aspect of this book, there was more that I wanted out of it. Still, what may not have worked for me, may be something someone else finds interesting!
First of all, thank you Francesca McMahon and Bandele Books for giving me the chance to read an ARC of the book to review! The Spiral of Life follows Eilean MacAlistair, consumed by guilt and uncertainties about her past and herself, as she finds herself unwittingly dragged into the business of ancient Celtic legends.
I enjoyed the dive into Celtic mythology throughout – it was the major pull of this book for me and I was looking forward to reading more about Celtic stories. Those were some of my favourite parts and they were really interesting as someone who adores mythological stories of any kind. The lush descriptions of the ever-changing setting in the Otherworld and its inhabitants painted such a fantastic picture. In terms of characters, I enjoyed Bhradain! He was entertaining and I love the constant sass he annoys Eilean with. He was definitely a highlight of the book for me and kept things funny even when they seemed dire.
Overall, while I was taken by the mythological aspect of this book, there was more that I wanted out of it. Still, what may not have worked for me, may be something someone else finds interesting!
September 15, 2024
The cover is beautiful with colours with a strong protagonist, if that doesn’t intrigue you I don’t know what will. The spiral of life follows Eilean, Freya, and Bhradain trying to save the magical world, a world dying. The YA fantasy inspired by Celtic folklore, bring a cozy slow read perfect for the winter months. The importance of nature and folklore was very well integrated and made this read an experience in itself. This was well written for a YA, with pop references, and a urban setting in one of the two worlds.
The novel has wonderful representation, from LGBTQIA+ rep to mental health and therapy rep. Her journey felt very realistic with coping skills and therapy practices, this gave representation for mental health. This novel being written with a younger audience is really amazing, from being hopeful it is also validating different emotions that might bring shame, like anger, guilt and the mixed emotions of our past actions. The low-key LGBTQIA+ rep was beautiful, having two queer teenagers going through adventure is really pretty.
I enjoyed having a unique creative hobby; blacksmithing. Especially as it is shown to bring skill in the magical world. The skill is both a coping mechanism and a way to express herself. It was used beautifully to represent her inner emotions.
I believe this is a perfect cozy fantasy, perfect for autumn and winter, if you want something that is mainly vibes and just soft and slow. It was not fast past with lots of plot twits. I do believe the novel could of done with more depth on the magical aspects, and maybe slightly longer to give us enough time to really dive into the magical world. I really enjoyed description of the landscapes in both world but which there was more.
The audio book felt wonderful, honestly having the Scottish accents really made me immerse more into the story. I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
I recommend this to anyone that was a comfort, cozy winter/autumn fantasy, this really was wonderful.
[ARC Netgally - Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)- Sep 22 2024]
The novel has wonderful representation, from LGBTQIA+ rep to mental health and therapy rep. Her journey felt very realistic with coping skills and therapy practices, this gave representation for mental health. This novel being written with a younger audience is really amazing, from being hopeful it is also validating different emotions that might bring shame, like anger, guilt and the mixed emotions of our past actions. The low-key LGBTQIA+ rep was beautiful, having two queer teenagers going through adventure is really pretty.
I enjoyed having a unique creative hobby; blacksmithing. Especially as it is shown to bring skill in the magical world. The skill is both a coping mechanism and a way to express herself. It was used beautifully to represent her inner emotions.
I believe this is a perfect cozy fantasy, perfect for autumn and winter, if you want something that is mainly vibes and just soft and slow. It was not fast past with lots of plot twits. I do believe the novel could of done with more depth on the magical aspects, and maybe slightly longer to give us enough time to really dive into the magical world. I really enjoyed description of the landscapes in both world but which there was more.
The audio book felt wonderful, honestly having the Scottish accents really made me immerse more into the story. I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
I recommend this to anyone that was a comfort, cozy winter/autumn fantasy, this really was wonderful.
[ARC Netgally - Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)- Sep 22 2024]
October 13, 2024
ALC Review/Audio ARC: DNF at 85%! 🙈
I tried! I really did but it was grating! I rarely DNF this far into the story and had tried to make it more bearable by setting first 1.25x and then 1.5x speed but to no avail. The reason was the narration. While the narrator actually does a really good job with all the human characters, I absolutely hated the voices of the gods. One was (probably digitally) slowed down so much my ADHD made me want to rip my hair out. Then that character was gone and the other creature remaining was okay and didn't talk as much. But at 85% another character appeared who not only spoke as slowly as the one mentioned, but also in a disgusting breathy death rattle sort of voice that was like fingernails on blackboard to me!
To the story: it was quite interesting. A 17 year old girl is drawn into the world of celtic mythology and gets a mission to save some god. She is accompanied by another human girl who knows of her troubled past and a kelpie.
I am not that big on fantasy "hiking" missions where they have to wander somewhere to find/do something and encounter random threats on the way.
I don't even know how to rate this because of the DNF. I would love to hear an audiobook by that narrator with out those creature voices but those gave me chills (not in a good way. The disturbing kind).... and the story was fine.
You might love it if you like YA fantasy quests. The Celtic element made it more interesting since I have not read too many of those. Idk if their is going to be a love story part because of the DNF, but if there is, it would be sapphic and slow-burn.
I would recommend you try reading the book, if you have noise-sensory issues.
I got the book because i loved the cover drawn by LLstarcasterLL. It is pretty! 😅
I tried! I really did but it was grating! I rarely DNF this far into the story and had tried to make it more bearable by setting first 1.25x and then 1.5x speed but to no avail. The reason was the narration. While the narrator actually does a really good job with all the human characters, I absolutely hated the voices of the gods. One was (probably digitally) slowed down so much my ADHD made me want to rip my hair out. Then that character was gone and the other creature remaining was okay and didn't talk as much. But at 85% another character appeared who not only spoke as slowly as the one mentioned, but also in a disgusting breathy death rattle sort of voice that was like fingernails on blackboard to me!
To the story: it was quite interesting. A 17 year old girl is drawn into the world of celtic mythology and gets a mission to save some god. She is accompanied by another human girl who knows of her troubled past and a kelpie.
I am not that big on fantasy "hiking" missions where they have to wander somewhere to find/do something and encounter random threats on the way.
I don't even know how to rate this because of the DNF. I would love to hear an audiobook by that narrator with out those creature voices but those gave me chills (not in a good way. The disturbing kind).... and the story was fine.
You might love it if you like YA fantasy quests. The Celtic element made it more interesting since I have not read too many of those. Idk if their is going to be a love story part because of the DNF, but if there is, it would be sapphic and slow-burn.
I would recommend you try reading the book, if you have noise-sensory issues.
I got the book because i loved the cover drawn by LLstarcasterLL. It is pretty! 😅
September 17, 2024
I'd like to thank Bandele Books and Francesca McMahon for the Audio and Ebook Arc of The Spiral of Life.
The Spiral of Life follows the story of Eilean MacAlistair, who fled Scotland because of what she did but has to come back to face the town and the actions that haunt her because her Mamó is sick. She gets sucked into the world of Celtic Gods as family secrets come undone and she has to risk everything to save everything she's come to know.
There were some aspects of the book I did enjoy. The exploration of Celtic Myths was really nice and seeing the world that was designed was really interesting. I loved seeing the different Gods/Deities related to Celtics Myths as I've never really looked into them before and it was fun.
I did appreciate the author's humour in little moments of the book. Bhradain was a true hater in the best way and it was very funny. I also distinctly remember a line before the chapter titled "Dreams do come true" reading something along the lines of tall buff women and yea same.
I will say this book wasn't for me. I think there were things in this story that lacked the chemistry between Eilean and Freya who seem likely to end up together. There was some inconsistency with the characters that made some actions and decisions hard to buy and the ending, for me, was a little lack luster. I had other issues with the audiobook but it could just be personal preference so there isn't much to comment there.
While it isn't for me, it's not to say you won't enjoy it. It definitely has its moments and it is a relatively easy read. If you like YA mythology this might be for you.
The Spiral of Life follows the story of Eilean MacAlistair, who fled Scotland because of what she did but has to come back to face the town and the actions that haunt her because her Mamó is sick. She gets sucked into the world of Celtic Gods as family secrets come undone and she has to risk everything to save everything she's come to know.
There were some aspects of the book I did enjoy. The exploration of Celtic Myths was really nice and seeing the world that was designed was really interesting. I loved seeing the different Gods/Deities related to Celtics Myths as I've never really looked into them before and it was fun.
I did appreciate the author's humour in little moments of the book. Bhradain was a true hater in the best way and it was very funny. I also distinctly remember a line before the chapter titled "Dreams do come true" reading something along the lines of tall buff women and yea same.
I will say this book wasn't for me. I think there were things in this story that lacked the chemistry between Eilean and Freya who seem likely to end up together. There was some inconsistency with the characters that made some actions and decisions hard to buy and the ending, for me, was a little lack luster. I had other issues with the audiobook but it could just be personal preference so there isn't much to comment there.
While it isn't for me, it's not to say you won't enjoy it. It definitely has its moments and it is a relatively easy read. If you like YA mythology this might be for you.
September 17, 2024
I was provided with a free advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Eilean once let her anger get so out of control that she hurt someone badly, and now as a teenager she struggles to let anyone close at all. Her life is centered around keeping her temper in check, from her blacksmithing classes, to her therapy, to her exercise routine. Despite her best efforts, she senses that even her parents flinch away from her strong emotions. When she returns home for the first time since the incident, she finds her beloved grandmother ill. While trying to care for her, Eilean is drawn into a fae world of gods where the stakes are higher than her own life. How do you protect what’s most important to you when your greatest fear is yourself?
I felt that the ending was too abrupt of a cliffhanger, but that may be down to personal preference. I received an audiobook arc and in Chapter 28 I find it difficult to understand the new character introduced in this chapter.
The Spiral of Life is a fast paced coming of age story in the vein of Tamora Pierce’s Alanna the Lioness that drew me in from the first page. The story explores guilt, recovery, identity, and facing fears in a way that challenged me to explore preconceived notions about morality and myself. We can be corrigible, and still forgive ourselves for past mistakes. The friendship, adventure, rich mythology, and a sassy animal sidekick will have me coming back for more.
Eilean once let her anger get so out of control that she hurt someone badly, and now as a teenager she struggles to let anyone close at all. Her life is centered around keeping her temper in check, from her blacksmithing classes, to her therapy, to her exercise routine. Despite her best efforts, she senses that even her parents flinch away from her strong emotions. When she returns home for the first time since the incident, she finds her beloved grandmother ill. While trying to care for her, Eilean is drawn into a fae world of gods where the stakes are higher than her own life. How do you protect what’s most important to you when your greatest fear is yourself?
I felt that the ending was too abrupt of a cliffhanger, but that may be down to personal preference. I received an audiobook arc and in Chapter 28 I find it difficult to understand the new character introduced in this chapter.
The Spiral of Life is a fast paced coming of age story in the vein of Tamora Pierce’s Alanna the Lioness that drew me in from the first page. The story explores guilt, recovery, identity, and facing fears in a way that challenged me to explore preconceived notions about morality and myself. We can be corrigible, and still forgive ourselves for past mistakes. The friendship, adventure, rich mythology, and a sassy animal sidekick will have me coming back for more.
September 24, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC!
This was fun! I don't really know much about Scottish mythology, so I liked learning more about it. Otherwise it's kind of a typical YA fantasy, with a Chosen One MC and two sidekicks, even if one of them happens to be a monster horse (otherwise known as a kelpie). I would have liked a little more depth to the story, but it was still definitely an enjoyable read. Oh and it's sapphic!!
Unlike most other audiobooks, this one had some sound effects, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. At the start of every chapter there would be some kind of sound (which differed from chapter to chapter), like birds chirping, and while it made me jump every time it did also add to the atmosphere. The mythological beings also had special effects on their voices, and while I can appreciate how not-human it made them sound, it did sometimes make it hard to make out what they were actually saying.
I will be looking forward to continuing to follow Elaine's journey, but in the meantime there is a prequel out! It's called The Green Man Falls, and it's (at least currently) free, so I recommend checking it out. It gives the backstory to what happened for the gods to need Elaine's help, from the POV of one of the gods. However, I'd recommend reading The Spiral of Life first, as there are a lot of spoilers in the prequel.
rep: lesbian MC with depression and anxiety, Scottish-Nigerian bisexual SC
This was fun! I don't really know much about Scottish mythology, so I liked learning more about it. Otherwise it's kind of a typical YA fantasy, with a Chosen One MC and two sidekicks, even if one of them happens to be a monster horse (otherwise known as a kelpie). I would have liked a little more depth to the story, but it was still definitely an enjoyable read. Oh and it's sapphic!!
Unlike most other audiobooks, this one had some sound effects, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. At the start of every chapter there would be some kind of sound (which differed from chapter to chapter), like birds chirping, and while it made me jump every time it did also add to the atmosphere. The mythological beings also had special effects on their voices, and while I can appreciate how not-human it made them sound, it did sometimes make it hard to make out what they were actually saying.
I will be looking forward to continuing to follow Elaine's journey, but in the meantime there is a prequel out! It's called The Green Man Falls, and it's (at least currently) free, so I recommend checking it out. It gives the backstory to what happened for the gods to need Elaine's help, from the POV of one of the gods. However, I'd recommend reading The Spiral of Life first, as there are a lot of spoilers in the prequel.
rep: lesbian MC with depression and anxiety, Scottish-Nigerian bisexual SC
September 26, 2024
A splendid amount of wit, charm, and folklore!
The Spiral of Life expertly builds a world without being too overwhelming (shout-out to Fran for the pronunciation guide!). My favorite thing about this novel is how we grow with the character. Eilean is hesitant of her strength and powers and she learns about the Otherworld and her quest to help the Gods.
"How do you explain that you’re afraid of hurting people so much that the idea of even making weapons terrifies you?" (p. 17). Kindle Edition.
She teams up with two character that are so well fleshed out that as the trio travel we learn about why their personalities are the way they are and there are bits of humor thrown in. It adds balance to the more dramatic scenes.
Some quotes that made me laugh out loud:
"They had only been traveling for, Eilean guessed, around two hours and she already wanted to turn the kelpie into a minced kel-pie." (p. 117). Kindle Edition.
"“You need to stop apologizing. I’m just saying, if this friendship is going to work, there’s gotta be a little tit for tattas.” Freya frowned. “Wait, that’s not the way you say it." (p. 189). Kindle Edition.
This was a fun read, especially for a gal like me who doesn't read fantasy often. I can't wait to read the next one!
Thank you to the author and Bandele Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Spiral of Life expertly builds a world without being too overwhelming (shout-out to Fran for the pronunciation guide!). My favorite thing about this novel is how we grow with the character. Eilean is hesitant of her strength and powers and she learns about the Otherworld and her quest to help the Gods.
"How do you explain that you’re afraid of hurting people so much that the idea of even making weapons terrifies you?" (p. 17). Kindle Edition.
She teams up with two character that are so well fleshed out that as the trio travel we learn about why their personalities are the way they are and there are bits of humor thrown in. It adds balance to the more dramatic scenes.
Some quotes that made me laugh out loud:
"They had only been traveling for, Eilean guessed, around two hours and she already wanted to turn the kelpie into a minced kel-pie." (p. 117). Kindle Edition.
"“You need to stop apologizing. I’m just saying, if this friendship is going to work, there’s gotta be a little tit for tattas.” Freya frowned. “Wait, that’s not the way you say it." (p. 189). Kindle Edition.
This was a fun read, especially for a gal like me who doesn't read fantasy often. I can't wait to read the next one!
Thank you to the author and Bandele Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2024
more of a 2.5-3
This book had a super cool premise. I love the involvement of Celtic mythology and I was also intrigued by the emotional arc of the MC dealing with anger issues. Unfortunately, there was a lot lacking in the execution:
- the setting never felt interesting or particularly well-described, I generally had no clue where they were and what it looked like (the answer was usually trees). This was exacerbated by my being uninterested for most of the book.
- the plot was both confusing and very basic- it was a classic YA fantasy quest, but each step was unclear, not just for the reader, but also for the characters. the amount of times one of the characters was like "I think we have to do this but IDK" or the magic horse was asked a question about the magical world and said 'I don't know" or "I am not aware" I was so frustrated. Its not interesting when the characters have no clue what to do
- Finally, I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator was too committed to the voices for some side characters, it made for some extremely unpleasant listening experiences. Like I get that this one character is injured and has a raspy voice and is coughing but hearing him speak in that voice for like 45 MINUTES is horrible!!
The book does get points for a Ribena mention, I miss Ribena <3
Thanks to NetGalley and Francesca Mc Mahon for the ALC! Sorry I didn't really like the book!
This book had a super cool premise. I love the involvement of Celtic mythology and I was also intrigued by the emotional arc of the MC dealing with anger issues. Unfortunately, there was a lot lacking in the execution:
- the setting never felt interesting or particularly well-described, I generally had no clue where they were and what it looked like (the answer was usually trees). This was exacerbated by my being uninterested for most of the book.
- the plot was both confusing and very basic- it was a classic YA fantasy quest, but each step was unclear, not just for the reader, but also for the characters. the amount of times one of the characters was like "I think we have to do this but IDK" or the magic horse was asked a question about the magical world and said 'I don't know" or "I am not aware" I was so frustrated. Its not interesting when the characters have no clue what to do
- Finally, I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator was too committed to the voices for some side characters, it made for some extremely unpleasant listening experiences. Like I get that this one character is injured and has a raspy voice and is coughing but hearing him speak in that voice for like 45 MINUTES is horrible!!
The book does get points for a Ribena mention, I miss Ribena <3
Thanks to NetGalley and Francesca Mc Mahon for the ALC! Sorry I didn't really like the book!
September 13, 2024
Story: 3/5 Stars
Narration: 4/5 Stars
What initially drew me in to this story was the cover- gorgeous and unique and I think it matches the protagonist perfectly. A queer female protagonist that dabbles in black smithing is a cool concept.
While I found both Eilean’s and Freya’s anxieties realistic, I honestly did not feel much about either characters personalities nor did I feel they grew much in character development by the end of the book. I did love the Kelpie.
I think the pacing of the book was good, however I wish there was more (fantasy) world building and more exploration into magic- I feel like the whole magic aspect would be anyone’s first priority to learn about but the characters really mostly ignored it. Also- I didn’t know much about Nordic mythology and I still really don’t after the end of this book, I just wish there was more information provided about it!
I think the narration was good however I found the voice effects/filters really distracting and sometimes hard to understand- especially the coughing sickly voice was hard to discern. The sound effects at the start of each chapter were fine but I feel like some didn’t fit the mood or scene at all.
Overall the story was an easy read and while some parts were enjoyable, I don’t think I’ll find myself picking up the second book.
Thank you to Francesca McMahon for the ARC.
September 6, 2024
Eilean fights against the expected narrative in a way that feels genuine and cathartic, bringing a fresh twist to the classic heroes journey storyline in a way that will maintain the interest of younger and older teens alike. Eilean is a well-realized character whose flaws are not glossed over, which makes her all the more compelling as a protagonist. Besides Eilean herself, I would honestly recommend this book for Bhradain alone, whose grumpy dad energy and scathing remarks are endlessly quotable ("BRA-dane, not BRUH-dane. I am not your 'bruh'"). This book is perfect for anyone who still has love for YA like Percy Jackson and is looking for books that pass the queer vibe check (queer protagonists where the narrative isn't just a romance and actually addresses how their sexuality shapes them as an individual? Heck yes!) I've read other books by Francesca and can honestly say that this is my favorite yet, the pacing was so good that I didn't want to put it down (I may have read this under my desk at my office, shh). I'm already looking forward to the next installment in this series!
**I received an advanced digital copy of this book but was not compensated in any other way, this review was written voluntarily and contains my honest opinions!**
**I received an advanced digital copy of this book but was not compensated in any other way, this review was written voluntarily and contains my honest opinions!**
September 19, 2024
I loved the narration for this audiobook! I found this book enjoyable because of the world building and unique characters. The world was immersive, and the environment was a major factor in the plot of the story. The characters were also well written, and the mythical creatures were unique and fun. Gods and giants and kelpies!
The dialogue was well written, but rather predictable. There were many parts of the book where I wish the characters would just stop talking and get to the point or get to the action. And while I loved seeing the growth of the main character, there were moments where we were in their heads for far too long going over their insecurities and quirks again. It felt like the author didn't quite trust us to remember certain things about them.
I was not a fan of the ending. I still had many questions at the end, and the epilogue didn't really offer anything to the story. The main conflict that shows in the beginning of the book and persists through the entire story is never addressed or resolved. This book is part of a series so I'm not sure if the epilogue will be meaningful to the next book, or if more questions will be answered in the next book.
The dialogue was well written, but rather predictable. There were many parts of the book where I wish the characters would just stop talking and get to the point or get to the action. And while I loved seeing the growth of the main character, there were moments where we were in their heads for far too long going over their insecurities and quirks again. It felt like the author didn't quite trust us to remember certain things about them.
I was not a fan of the ending. I still had many questions at the end, and the epilogue didn't really offer anything to the story. The main conflict that shows in the beginning of the book and persists through the entire story is never addressed or resolved. This book is part of a series so I'm not sure if the epilogue will be meaningful to the next book, or if more questions will be answered in the next book.
October 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this audiobook for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this YA romp through Celtic mythology. Eilean was a very compelling character to me. I grew quite attached to her throughout this story, and I loved her interactions with the other characters.
The story was a little slow to start, but once the setting shifted to the Celtic other world, I found myself more invested. I am intrigued to see what happens in the other books in the series, since I feel like this one only scratched the surface of Celtic mythology and all the different gods/goddesses involved. The narration of this audiobook was also spectacular. It was fun to have other sound effects and singing on occasion!
My one complaint, and the reason this is a four star review and not a five star one is the cringey chapter titles. They are almost all cheesy cliches or puns, and they honestly took me out of the story a little bit hearing each one. I would quite rather have no chapter titles at all than these ones that made me cringe so much.
Publication date: 22 September 2024
I really enjoyed this YA romp through Celtic mythology. Eilean was a very compelling character to me. I grew quite attached to her throughout this story, and I loved her interactions with the other characters.
The story was a little slow to start, but once the setting shifted to the Celtic other world, I found myself more invested. I am intrigued to see what happens in the other books in the series, since I feel like this one only scratched the surface of Celtic mythology and all the different gods/goddesses involved. The narration of this audiobook was also spectacular. It was fun to have other sound effects and singing on occasion!
My one complaint, and the reason this is a four star review and not a five star one is the cringey chapter titles. They are almost all cheesy cliches or puns, and they honestly took me out of the story a little bit hearing each one. I would quite rather have no chapter titles at all than these ones that made me cringe so much.
Publication date: 22 September 2024
September 9, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Bandele Books for approving my request to listen to an audiobook arc of this book.
This book follow Celtic mythology and is a subject I loved learning more about and hearing of all the different folk tales and myths surrounding the gods and goddesses. I also really enjoyed the fact that the mc was so passionate about being a blacksmith. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the persons chosen skill in craftsmanship was so well suited and incorporated into the story.
I really enjoyed the first instalment of this new series and I am so excited to see where the story goes next and also how the characters relationship develops going forwards.
This story deals with intense anger and guilt and also the start of a journey towards healing. I enjoyed the lgbtqia+ representation and also the scathing kelpie companion. This book had so much world building and I’m excited to see where it goes next.
This book follow Celtic mythology and is a subject I loved learning more about and hearing of all the different folk tales and myths surrounding the gods and goddesses. I also really enjoyed the fact that the mc was so passionate about being a blacksmith. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the persons chosen skill in craftsmanship was so well suited and incorporated into the story.
I really enjoyed the first instalment of this new series and I am so excited to see where the story goes next and also how the characters relationship develops going forwards.
This story deals with intense anger and guilt and also the start of a journey towards healing. I enjoyed the lgbtqia+ representation and also the scathing kelpie companion. This book had so much world building and I’m excited to see where it goes next.
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