The Crow of Connemara

by Stephen Leigh

Set in Ireland and Chicago, The Crow of Connemara is the spellbinding tale of Colin Doyle, a young Irish-American musician drawn to his grandfather’s homeland.

Entranced by the music and legends of the island, gifted with his grandfather’s journal and a mysterious jewel, and bespelled by dreamlike images of a woman calling to him, Colin feels his inescapable destiny lies across the waters.

On the west coast of Ireland, in the Connemara region, the music is everything he hoped it would be, and the legends seem to come to life before his eyes. In the small town of Ballemor, Colin first encounters the woman of his dreams, Maeve Gallagher.

Maeve, a raven-haired beauty with eyes of emerald green, is the leader of a small group, the Oileánach, that has taken over the island of Inishcorr just off the coast and is making their stand against government officials determined to evict them. But Maeve and her followers are more than rebellious squatters—they are the living embodiment of ancient ways, of a time before mortals ruled the lands. And Inishcorr is their last hope for survival, their portal to the place they are meant to be.

But to open that portal, Maeve needs the willing assistance of her chose Colin. Yet even as Colin falls under her enchantment, Maeve too must struggle against emotions she cannot afford to recognize. For to allow herself to truly care for Colin could spell the end of her people’s hopes, dreams, and very existence.

Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Urban Fantasy

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2015

About the author

Stephen Leigh has been writing science fiction since he was in grade school. He sold his first story in 1975 and has been publishing regularly ever since then.

He has been nominated for and won several awards for his fiction over the years. He has written and published the occasional poems and non-fiction pieces, as well.

Steve teaches Creative Writing at Northern Kentucky University in the Greater Cincinnati area. He also plays music, and studies the Japanese martial art Aikido, in which he holds the rank of Sandan.

Stephen Leigh also writes as S.L. Farrell and Matthew Farrell.

Reviews

[Mary Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like fantasy and fairies and fables and myths, you will enjoy this novel.

[P.E.R. Sprague · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first quarter of this book was fantastic! I was riveted, and couldn’t wait to pick it up. But once he hooked up with Maeve the story became...dull. I love fantasy and mythology, but the mythology was distracting. The book would have been much stronger if it was about just the people and Colin and Maeve unable to be together, rather than her being the Morrigan and needing to escape the mortal world and Colin having to be the bard. Too much and too complicated. And Fionnbharr was a pointless character. We knew hardly anything about him, so I wasn’t invested in the conflict between him and Maeve. He seems to only be in the story so they had a way to get Colin back from the pub.
I reiterate that the human relationships were what should have been the focus, and the tension with Colin’s mother went nowhere. What was the point? There should have been a resolution with his mother (whether good or ill). But that whole subject
Was dropped after the climax. How does he return to everyday life? Did he move back home? Did he work for his brother, and how is it working out? These are all questions that were raised but never answered.
All in all this book was disappointing. It had such great potential, but fell flat about midway through.

[Donna Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this book on the plane and enjoyed reading it, however, I left it in a suitcase and found the book today. I do remember the story but can't seem to get back into the book which is not the authors fault.

I'm rating this a four when others may read it and give it a five. I did read the last chapter to make sure I didn't miss out on anything.

[Kathei · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It's set in a modern Ireland amid the old songs of Eire and a belief in the old gods.

What could have been a somewhat thrown together fantasy ended up being a well thought out and entertaining story mixing Irish history and music alongside the conflicting beliefs of today.

I surprised myself by liking this as much as I did.

[Lee Pfahler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful love story about legendary Celtic myths come alive. Nicely paced story with an enjoyable lead character who winds up helping to save the Irish gods. This is the third novel by Stephen Leigh I've read this year and he is becoming one of my new favorite authors!

[Jennifer Bowlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you like fantasy, mythology, romance, and everything Irish?? If so this book is for you! There is plenty of drama, romance, fantastical characters, and a twist at the end. I was guessing the twist at the end halfway through the book. A fairly light read with an interesting pronunciation key of Gaelic words at the back.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://nethspace.blogspot.com/2017/05...

[James Roberts moved to StoryGraph. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent yarn that stretched too long to ever be anything besides just okay. For fans of myth and Celtic culture, it’s a fun read that’s ultimately not very memorable.

[Joe Dougherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this often used story as a pleasant bit of entertainment that reminded me of Koontz.

[Connie]

Not sure how to rate this, mostly nostalgia for selkies.

RTC

[Barb Lie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crow of Connemara is a contemporary Irish fantasy, with Celtic lore, and Fae mythology. This story is a romance tragedy of modern day and old time myths. Colin Doyle is our hero, who is pressured by his family to get his degree, even though his only interest is his Celtic music, and desire to go to Ireland. Colin dreams of this Irish woman, who calls to him in his visions. When his father dies, Colin decides to follow his heart and go to Ireland.

While joining other musicians playing his music in pubs, Colin with meet the woman of his dreams. Maeve Gallagher shows interest in Colin, but he finds the townsfolks do not like Maeve or her friends that live on the local island. The Oileanach’s are resented by the town, marked as outcasts, feared as witches. In a short time, Maeve and her friends are told they need to leave the island or they will be forced out.

Maeve and Colin’s relationship grows slowly, and we the reader learn quickly that Maeve is indeed more than anyone knows. This is where the fae mythology involving all the members of the island, goes into more detail as to who they are, and what is Colin needed for.

This is modern day contemporary story, with a romance that is doomed. I like Colin, but I thought that Maeve was a fascinating character. I enjoyed the mythology, and learning about them. I also love anything that takes place in Ireland.

Stephen Leigh did a wonderful job doing the world building of this story, though it was a bit slow early on as we learned more about the Oileanach and the island. It was an exciting and interesting ending, leaving me wondering if there would be another book, or we are to use our imagination.

Barb
The Reading Cafe

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin Doyle wants nothing more than to play his Celtic music and visit Ireland. His family try to guide him into better choices but he finally decides to follow his dreams and go to Ireland. While there, he meets Maeve Gallagher. But Colin finds the locals don’t like Maeve or her friends, Oileanach’s they are called, that live on a local island. Colin throws the warnings to the wind and follow Maeve. But Maeve has a big secret, she is fae and as her relationship with Colin grows it’s going to end in tragedy.

This is a great story. I loved the imagery. Colin loves Ireland and after trying to do what his parents tell him finally decides to follow his heart. I enjoyed all the mythology of Ireland and finding out more about the fae as we learn more about Maeve. I was hoping for a happy ending but this is a relationship that won’t work out. I did feel bad for Maeve because of this.

Over all this is a good story and I would recommend it for those that like romance with some Irish mythology added in.

I received The Crow of Connemara for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personally, I did not enjoy this as much as I thought I was going to. The half-dialect and part "normal" speak was weird. The beginning was interesting, and I enjoyed it right off the bat but things seemed to be a little repetitive towards the middle and a little flat feeling in depth. Having married into a spirited Irish family, much of this felt like a strange caricature and a poke at the authentic experience. However, I will say that I prefer Egyptian, Greek, and Far Eastern mythologies to Irish/Celtic ones. So if you are very much into the Arthurian mythologies, Celtic, and anything that has to do with fae folk you will find this very interesting and entertaining. It was a miss for me.

[CoffeeTimeRomance andMore · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something so otherworldly about Ireland and its rich history, and this author does a beautiful job of tying it in with a contemporary storyline. Colin’s path is riddled with obstacles. And while his journey is never easy, he cannot give up on his dream. In Maeve’s case, her course is regrettably clear, and she has little choice but to follow it. This story’s imagery is incredibly vivid, and its voice is so hauntingly beautiful I would love to actually hear its soundtrack!

Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More

[Normalene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love Stephen Leigh's book for their intensity and great character development but this one just seemed a little flat. Maeve was to manipulating and Colin was too trusting. I did like how the fae were brought into it, but with their survival also at stake I expected a little more forward-thinking of them. The end was just kind of there and I didn't get the resolution that I wanted. I still love his writing, especially his early stuff, but this one just didn't do it for me. sorry Stephen, I'll go back and re-read some of my favorites.

[Katherine Wynter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the intricate world Stephen created, blending Irish folklore with contemporary issues and problems. The beautiful songs woven throughout this show a rare talent. I was hooked from the first page :)

[Peter Fiske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Very well done.