What do you think?
Rate this book
Irish Witch #1
The Farrier's Daughter
In 16th Century Ireland. Young and beautiful Alainn McCreary, healer in training to the powerful O’Brien Clan, is on the cusp of discovering she possesses vast and unusual supernatural powers, which she hopes will help her unlock the secrets of her past and break the curse on the O’Brien Clan.
Alainn is counseled to hide her magical abilities, but how can she when dark forces rise up to threaten not only the O’Brien Clan, but Alainn and the life of the Chieftain’s beloved, but forbidden nephew, Killian O’Brien, a man Alainn has loved as long as she can remember?
Alainn is counseled to hide her magical abilities, but how can she when dark forces rise up to threaten not only the O’Brien Clan, but Alainn and the life of the Chieftain’s beloved, but forbidden nephew, Killian O’Brien, a man Alainn has loved as long as she can remember?
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2014
1160 people are currently reading
2432 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
February 9, 2017
A real page turner of a book about a girl with magical powers, her life, friends, love & secrets waiting to be unearthed. A love story fraught with difficulties and danger. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to finding out what the next book in the series has in store.
I wanted to give this book 3.5 stars but my app doesn't let me give 1/2 stars.
I wanted to give this book 3.5 stars but my app doesn't let me give 1/2 stars.
August 31, 2017
***I received this book courtesy of Netgallery in exchange for an honest review***
An example of a book with no direction.
Nothing happens in the book except self reflection and overly descriptive description and repetition. We know what Alaina thinks, what Killian thins, what the maid think, what the chieftain thinks, we know how many children the cook has, what kind of weapon the captain's son uses, things that in no way contribute to the story. We know Alaina grows herbs, just incase we forget, it's mention again and again and again. We know she likes to grows herbs!
When we have to deal with all that then comes preachy Alaina and also stubborn Alaina and then reckless Alaina. She had no sense of self preservation, she jumps into arguments without caution. When we are still struggling through all that, we have to go through the rigmarole of conversations that make absolutely no sense.
I cannot say what this book was about even after reading it all, there is a book two I will be reading since I have the arc, let's hope its better than this.
An example of a book with no direction.
Nothing happens in the book except self reflection and overly descriptive description and repetition. We know what Alaina thinks, what Killian thins, what the maid think, what the chieftain thinks, we know how many children the cook has, what kind of weapon the captain's son uses, things that in no way contribute to the story. We know Alaina grows herbs, just incase we forget, it's mention again and again and again. We know she likes to grows herbs!
When we have to deal with all that then comes preachy Alaina and also stubborn Alaina and then reckless Alaina. She had no sense of self preservation, she jumps into arguments without caution. When we are still struggling through all that, we have to go through the rigmarole of conversations that make absolutely no sense.
I cannot say what this book was about even after reading it all, there is a book two I will be reading since I have the arc, let's hope its better than this.
September 10, 2017
A wonderful beginning to what promises to be a compelling new series.
I found it hard to believe that this was Leigh Ann Edwards’ debut novel. It was just so well written and polished it seemed to come from a much more experienced writer.
Other reviews have criticised this book for its lack of action. Yes, action wise there isn’t much until the last chapter. However, to me, this book serves as an introduction to the world and the characters that live in it. This book is dedicated to character development and exploring relationships between the characters. Not just between our two leads, but interactions between the whole community of personalities.
This author has done an amazing job of creating a world filled with interesting and complex characters. Depth of characterisation goes beyond the two leads and gives flavour and personality to the supporting cast too. There is a broad scope of characters too varying from those you love, to those you love to hate, and everything in between. There are no cardboard cut-outs, everyone is an individual.
This book was compelling! I couldn’t put it down and found myself promising ‘just one more page. .’ It may be an introductory book but it was never bogged down in detail and flowed so well. It has set up the following books so perfectly that I can’t imagine even trying to read them without having first read this book.
I haven’t enjoyed a fantasy book so much in ages. I can’t recommend it highly enough, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
*Advanced Reading Copy received from publisher in lieu of an honest review.
May 7, 2015
Couldn't put it down! Loved the fantasy of it all! Can't wait for the second part
November 11, 2017
**There will be spoilers.** Stop now if you want some ignorance of plot. Some I have approporiately hidden behind spoiler tags, others I couldn't avoid talking about in my discussion.
Based on the summary, I thought this would be a great book for me. I was looking for some celtic historical fiction with magic thrown in, and thats what the description promised.
What I got, felt like a rough draft of a not fully thought out story. There were elements strewn about that I liked in concept, but the execution was poor.
Characters
Lets start with the characters themselves. Alainn is introduced initially around the age of eight, from what I can tell. But then we are thrust 10 years forward into the present. Should should be about eighteen, I think. Ages aren't specifically discussed. I'm basing this off Killian's discussion of first having 'dreams' about her and how they were inappropriate because he was only 13, and she was 5 years his younger. So, I'm guessing 8, 8 + 10 = 18.
Given she's an eighteen year old, her actions and emotions often felt very childlike. She would be bullheaded, stubborn and out spoken in one scene, only to be crying over mild insults in the next. It made her a hard character to like. I just couldn't relate to the vast change in mental states. If you have a strong female character, then she should be strong, not randomly devolving into crying fits. It just didn't make sense.
Killian, also felt a little out of place. He was strangely obsessed with and over protective of Alainn, yet had no problem bedding many other women. Their romance also felt... too good to be true, a bit contrived. Why was Alainn allowed into so much of the noble's day-to-day if she was truly a servant? The rationale was flimsy. It made Killian's attachments easier to believe, but at the same time, the objections to their romanace seemed flimsier. She was already half into the noble circle, why would they care?
Finally Hugh O'Brien's surprise descent.
Story Telling
The actual writing itself felt... juvenille. I mentioned it felt like a first draft. The draft where you have the components of the story you want to tell, but it needs to be polished, rearranged, and cleaned up.
The first two chapters were so dialogue heavy that 80% of it was entirely spoken by either Killian or Alainn. I couldn't help but think of the writing addage "Show Don't Tell." The next few chapters suffered similarly from a "Show Don't Tell", but this time focused on the thoughts and memories of characters. We were privy to entire years of events while Alainn reminisced or she read another's mind who was reminiscing (see spoiler above). Very little actual action took place. I would often get lost, as there would be a chapter or two of memories, then suddenly have a piece of dialogue draw us back to the present. I was left trying to remember what had been happening in the present, only to have the next paragraph saunter back down memory lane. It felt very disjointed. A better plot structure would have allowed for some of these events to play out in 'real-time' instead of reflection, or to cut down the amount of focus those reflections received.
Something that grew to bother me as the book went on, was how much the dialogue (especially between Killina and Allain) would include the speakers' names. Real World dialogue rarely says the name of the person you are speaking to in a 1-on-1 conversation. You know who you are talking to, so you don't need to repeatedly include their name. Dialogue in this story seemed to be reminding the reader with each speaker switch in the 1-on-1 who they were talking to. (First spoiler below) In other places, the dialogue got so muddled that I needed to know who was talking. Often one paragraph would include two speakers, one for the first quote and a different for the second, making the speaker switch harder to notice. (Example behind spoiler, with my commentary in [])
The reverse can be said for reminiscing exposition. A paragraph with 3 or 4 male chracters would get lost in pronouns, and I wouldn't know who "he" was. An example below, which 'he' ordered the killing? Hugh or his father? Which 'he' then attempted the deed himself? Its unclear. This poor use of identifiying pronouns littered the expository sections.
Unnecessary Plot Pieces
Part of this book felt like a diatribe against masculinism, partially steeped in the historical reality but also echoing women's treatment today. Alainn had fierce arguments with various of the boys about the rights of men to sleep around, but women are considered whores. How for a woman to marry she must remain virginal and how a woman's lot in life is to be with a man and produce male children. It served to bolster Alainn as a strong female character (you might try to argue), but it also felt very untrue to what a woman in that period would say. Especially when, around adults, Alainn would act the perfect demure woman both verbally and mentally. This relates to the clashing elements of Alainn's written character that made her hard to believe. This could have easily been rewritten to feel more like it was a thought or argument a woman in 16th century Ireland might make, and not a woman in the 21st century would consider making about 16th century practices.
There was a particularly disturbing scene that was also included.
Which brings me to Alainn's abilities. Supposedly, witchcraft is frowned upon due to the Catholic influence in Ireland. She does make an effort to hide her witchy abilities from the priest and villagers, but most either suspect or have witnessed strange things, and yet do not judge her. Sometimes her abilities were available on demand, other times they came without being bidden, other times they were not to be seen or late to the party... Given she was an extremely powerful witch, I would have appreciated seeing that be more of her day to day, rather than an afterthought or a mention when the exposition required it.
Conclusion
In addition to the flaws listed above, the story really had no discernable plot or action sequence until the last ~20% of the book. And even then, it left off without resolving anything, instead she just... ran away? I have no interest in reading the next book. The writing was poor, the characters conflicting templates, the love story sappy, and the plot... non-existant.
Based on the summary, I thought this would be a great book for me. I was looking for some celtic historical fiction with magic thrown in, and thats what the description promised.
What I got, felt like a rough draft of a not fully thought out story. There were elements strewn about that I liked in concept, but the execution was poor.
Characters
Lets start with the characters themselves. Alainn is introduced initially around the age of eight, from what I can tell. But then we are thrust 10 years forward into the present. Should should be about eighteen, I think. Ages aren't specifically discussed. I'm basing this off Killian's discussion of first having 'dreams' about her and how they were inappropriate because he was only 13, and she was 5 years his younger. So, I'm guessing 8, 8 + 10 = 18.
Given she's an eighteen year old, her actions and emotions often felt very childlike. She would be bullheaded, stubborn and out spoken in one scene, only to be crying over mild insults in the next. It made her a hard character to like. I just couldn't relate to the vast change in mental states. If you have a strong female character, then she should be strong, not randomly devolving into crying fits. It just didn't make sense.
Killian, also felt a little out of place. He was strangely obsessed with and over protective of Alainn, yet had no problem bedding many other women. Their romance also felt... too good to be true, a bit contrived. Why was Alainn allowed into so much of the noble's day-to-day if she was truly a servant? The rationale was flimsy. It made Killian's attachments easier to believe, but at the same time, the objections to their romanace seemed flimsier. She was already half into the noble circle, why would they care?
Finally Hugh O'Brien's surprise descent.
Story Telling
The actual writing itself felt... juvenille. I mentioned it felt like a first draft. The draft where you have the components of the story you want to tell, but it needs to be polished, rearranged, and cleaned up.
The first two chapters were so dialogue heavy that 80% of it was entirely spoken by either Killian or Alainn. I couldn't help but think of the writing addage "Show Don't Tell." The next few chapters suffered similarly from a "Show Don't Tell", but this time focused on the thoughts and memories of characters. We were privy to entire years of events while Alainn reminisced or she read another's mind who was reminiscing (see spoiler above). Very little actual action took place. I would often get lost, as there would be a chapter or two of memories, then suddenly have a piece of dialogue draw us back to the present. I was left trying to remember what had been happening in the present, only to have the next paragraph saunter back down memory lane. It felt very disjointed. A better plot structure would have allowed for some of these events to play out in 'real-time' instead of reflection, or to cut down the amount of focus those reflections received.
Something that grew to bother me as the book went on, was how much the dialogue (especially between Killina and Allain) would include the speakers' names. Real World dialogue rarely says the name of the person you are speaking to in a 1-on-1 conversation. You know who you are talking to, so you don't need to repeatedly include their name. Dialogue in this story seemed to be reminding the reader with each speaker switch in the 1-on-1 who they were talking to. (First spoiler below) In other places, the dialogue got so muddled that I needed to know who was talking. Often one paragraph would include two speakers, one for the first quote and a different for the second, making the speaker switch harder to notice. (Example behind spoiler, with my commentary in [])
The reverse can be said for reminiscing exposition. A paragraph with 3 or 4 male chracters would get lost in pronouns, and I wouldn't know who "he" was. An example below, which 'he' ordered the killing? Hugh or his father? Which 'he' then attempted the deed himself? Its unclear. This poor use of identifiying pronouns littered the expository sections.
Hugh often wished his father had related the exact wordage of the hex. Though a fearless warrior, Hugh had noticed the unmistakable consternation on his father’s gaunt face when he had broached the subject. He had been completely unwilling to discuss it and had died only weeks after the encounter with the witch. Hugh only knew the O’Briens’ line was to suffer the pain that had been forced upon her. He’d ordered her killed, hoping that would put an end to it, but she was elusive. Even the captain and his guard, the most bold and loyal of soldiers, feared the witch.
Once, he had attempted the deed himself and nearly been killed for his trouble.
Unnecessary Plot Pieces
Part of this book felt like a diatribe against masculinism, partially steeped in the historical reality but also echoing women's treatment today. Alainn had fierce arguments with various of the boys about the rights of men to sleep around, but women are considered whores. How for a woman to marry she must remain virginal and how a woman's lot in life is to be with a man and produce male children. It served to bolster Alainn as a strong female character (you might try to argue), but it also felt very untrue to what a woman in that period would say. Especially when, around adults, Alainn would act the perfect demure woman both verbally and mentally. This relates to the clashing elements of Alainn's written character that made her hard to believe. This could have easily been rewritten to feel more like it was a thought or argument a woman in 16th century Ireland might make, and not a woman in the 21st century would consider making about 16th century practices.
There was a particularly disturbing scene that was also included.
Which brings me to Alainn's abilities. Supposedly, witchcraft is frowned upon due to the Catholic influence in Ireland. She does make an effort to hide her witchy abilities from the priest and villagers, but most either suspect or have witnessed strange things, and yet do not judge her. Sometimes her abilities were available on demand, other times they came without being bidden, other times they were not to be seen or late to the party... Given she was an extremely powerful witch, I would have appreciated seeing that be more of her day to day, rather than an afterthought or a mention when the exposition required it.
Conclusion
In addition to the flaws listed above, the story really had no discernable plot or action sequence until the last ~20% of the book. And even then, it left off without resolving anything, instead she just... ran away? I have no interest in reading the next book. The writing was poor, the characters conflicting templates, the love story sappy, and the plot... non-existant.
October 12, 2017
Take care as this would appear to be a book for YA fantasy readers, but it contains much adult activity and discussion. Set during the 1500s in Ireland, the book doesn't actually show us the farriery trade but follows a herb-witch girl. She lives on the outskirts of a wealthy family's community, like many others providing services, and the priest and men who would rather control women keep a sharp eye on her activities. When a young son of the landowner takes a romantic fancy, the trouble is that he's able to press his advances on any girl in the village, so they seem destined for a bitter end.
Younger readers may also find it hard to follow some of the conversations, which contain dialect. Talk of King Henry VIII mixes with a man who has sailed as far as America, for this period is a crossroads in world history. The witch has some fae powers which she uses very rarely, but folks believe in curses which can follow a family. Magic arts are not welcome.
The tale ends, not on a cliff hanger but on a pause in the telling, so you may have to read the next books to see if the ends are wrapped up for us.
Adult activity and violence feature.
I read an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
Younger readers may also find it hard to follow some of the conversations, which contain dialect. Talk of King Henry VIII mixes with a man who has sailed as far as America, for this period is a crossroads in world history. The witch has some fae powers which she uses very rarely, but folks believe in curses which can follow a family. Magic arts are not welcome.
The tale ends, not on a cliff hanger but on a pause in the telling, so you may have to read the next books to see if the ends are wrapped up for us.
Adult activity and violence feature.
I read an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
October 12, 2014
Awesome book. I highly recommend this book. Romance, witchcraft, and excellent writing. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Want to read
April 18, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/18/2020)! 🎁
Read
October 21, 2024Dnf.
What if. What if we had historical fantasy romance novels without rape?
What if. What if we had historical fantasy romance novels without rape?
September 16, 2017
The Farrier's Daughter by Leigh-Ann Edwards is the debut book by this rising star writer. Ms. Edwards dedicates this book to two strong women in her life, of course so I expected that the main character, Aliann would be strong. What I didn’t expected was to fall so in love with this character while she was still a young child. The opening scene just between Aliann and Killian simply stole my heart and sealed support for these two not matter what else happened.
What else I didn’t expect was how the intricate weaving of the plot that connects everything., Starting with the beginning scene with events or people simply mentioned so that later you see the importance so that you say to yourself, “Oh, yeah, I remember that reference early in the story.” This also includes the actions of the characters, their secrets the magic, and how history is repeating itself.
Besides having characters to love there are several to loath and a few to even pity. While the readers cannot read auras like Aliann, you began to suspect that good may be covering for evil and what is thought to be evil is not always as it seems.
I was encouraged to read this series in order. Now I am so glad that I heeded that wisdom. The Farrier's Daughter ends with a parting that seems to be a finality but in reality is a major cliffhanger much in the way of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. (The stories are not anything like but the ending style is what is similar.)
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.
What else I didn’t expect was how the intricate weaving of the plot that connects everything., Starting with the beginning scene with events or people simply mentioned so that later you see the importance so that you say to yourself, “Oh, yeah, I remember that reference early in the story.” This also includes the actions of the characters, their secrets the magic, and how history is repeating itself.
Besides having characters to love there are several to loath and a few to even pity. While the readers cannot read auras like Aliann, you began to suspect that good may be covering for evil and what is thought to be evil is not always as it seems.
I was encouraged to read this series in order. Now I am so glad that I heeded that wisdom. The Farrier's Daughter ends with a parting that seems to be a finality but in reality is a major cliffhanger much in the way of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. (The stories are not anything like but the ending style is what is similar.)
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.
July 24, 2016
Killian O'Brien is near death. He doesn't want to live. Not after the death of his family. When he meets the witch child, Alainn McCreary, she heals him. She too is alone abandoned by her parents. As they grow up they form a bond and fall in love, but they have no future. He is the nephew of the laird and a man of substance and she is a servant and the farrier's daughter. I liked Alainn. She's feisty and fierce in her opinions of the male dominated world she lives in. The magic that she possesses adds so much to the story. Killian O'Brien is honorable and loyal. He will fight for his people and honor his Uncle who took him in and raised him. When they became lovers, it was perfect, but they are torn apart by his greedy and cruel Uncle. Leigh Ann Edwards pulled me into their story. Her characters are compelling, the setting has both brutality and magic and the plot has unexpected twists. I need answers, but I'll have to wait for the release of book two to get them. I can't wait.
September 28, 2016
The first book in the Irish Witch series introduces us to Alainn McCreary and Killian O'Brien. Young Killian is near death when 7-year-old Alainn heals him, thus beginning a lifelong friendship between the two, of different classes, in 16th Century Ireland. Alainn is afforded many opportunities that others in her station don't have. She also has beauty and magical abilities, that her mentor counsels her to hide. Given opportunities that others don't have, she grows up side-by-side with Killian and his cousins, future Lairds.
As adults, Alainn and Killian embrace a love that is doomed by their stations. As they grow closer, Alainn's powers grow, and she begins to question her past and who she really is.
I enjoyed the way the story and the characters were developed, and can't wait to read the next book to see what happens with Alainn and Killian.
**I received an advanced copy from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As adults, Alainn and Killian embrace a love that is doomed by their stations. As they grow closer, Alainn's powers grow, and she begins to question her past and who she really is.
I enjoyed the way the story and the characters were developed, and can't wait to read the next book to see what happens with Alainn and Killian.
**I received an advanced copy from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2019
Definitely recommend.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I don’t often write reviews and I read a lot, so that says something right there. I have yet to read any of her other books but a solid series starter if you ask me, I want to go back for more! I could say a lot about this book but you should just read it yourself and find out!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I don’t often write reviews and I read a lot, so that says something right there. I have yet to read any of her other books but a solid series starter if you ask me, I want to go back for more! I could say a lot about this book but you should just read it yourself and find out!
August 10, 2016
The Farrier's Daughter by Leigh Ann Edwards is a fantasy romance story. The Farrier's Daughter is book one in The Irish Witch Series and is not a stand alone book. Book two, The Witch's Daughter takes of where The Farrier's Daughter ends. So if you don´t like "cliff hangers" or this type of stories where they simply continues from book, to book, don´t begin on this series.
But, if you on the other hand love fantasy romance stories this one is a really good one. It´s well written, flows of the pages and you just want to keep on reading. It almost feels like a young adult type of story. The characters are younger but it is also set in sixteenth century Ireland so that probably explains the younger characters a lot.
But, if you on the other hand love fantasy romance stories this one is a really good one. It´s well written, flows of the pages and you just want to keep on reading. It almost feels like a young adult type of story. The characters are younger but it is also set in sixteenth century Ireland so that probably explains the younger characters a lot.
August 14, 2016
The Farrier's Daughter, book one of the Irish Witch series is a page turner. Loved the characters of Alainn and Killian, they have known each other for years, now they have fallen in love. Alainn is a very strong willed witch that is not afraid to stand up for herself. Loved the romance and the magic. Wonderful history and description that will keep you entertained.
This is a cliffhanger, so get ready to read the next book in the series. This is not my typical read but so happy that I read out of my comfort zone. Off to read the next installment, The Witch's Daughter.
This is a cliffhanger, so get ready to read the next book in the series. This is not my typical read but so happy that I read out of my comfort zone. Off to read the next installment, The Witch's Daughter.
March 23, 2018
Great quick read! I loved this book. The writer was able to transport me to the time of the events. The language was colorful and vivid. The plot moved along nicely. I truly enjoyed my time spent. I just purchased the second in the series!
Great quick read! I loved this book. The writer was able to transport me to the time of the events. The language was colorful and vivid. The plot moved along nicely. I truly enjoyed my time spent. I just purchased the second in the series!
Great quick read! I loved this book. The writer was able to transport me to the time of the events. The language was colorful and vivid. The plot moved along nicely. I truly enjoyed my time spent. I just purchased the second in the series!
November 14, 2019
Awesome
Awesome read with twists and turns as witch craft and magic reveal family lineage secrets while young love is tested.
Awesome read with twists and turns as witch craft and magic reveal family lineage secrets while young love is tested.
January 19, 2020
What I really enjoyed about this book was the well developed, and the fantastic yet believable magic! To me, what makes a fantasy book great is if I can suspend disbelief and be pulled into the world the author creates. With Edwards' book that's exactly how it is. Check it out for an entertaining read!
March 15, 2018
Ended too soon
This is such a good read. The way the story develops and broadens keeps the reader entranced. I am glad I found this book and encourage others to take a chance on this novel.
This is such a good read. The way the story develops and broadens keeps the reader entranced. I am glad I found this book and encourage others to take a chance on this novel.
December 8, 2018
Absolutely loved this book. A bit of a new relationship blooming and bit of magic while the main character discovers who she is. And what she’s capable of. Never a lull in the story. I already bought the next 2 books in the series and look forward to reading them.
January 12, 2015
Good reading
Just the kind of fairytale that's easy-to-read , with Just enough adversity to keep it interesting and believable. The end
Just the kind of fairytale that's easy-to-read , with Just enough adversity to keep it interesting and believable. The end
January 4, 2017
Love love love it!!
February 26, 2017
This book was full of magic, romance, danger and the storyline was great. Loved it.
April 7, 2018
I hate when they end books at cliff hangers... so mean.
July 10, 2019
Thank goodness my sister gave me the entire series! Read the first book in a couple of days and loved it! On to the next one.
November 21, 2017
The debut of a new magical fantasy series set in sixteenth century Ireland featuring witches, a swoony hero, an evil curse and fairies!
“He snorted. "He fears you? Why ever would he fear a small girl like you, and his own daughter?"
She napped her eyes back up and whispered, "Because, I know of magic."
Killian smirked. "Of course you know of magic, everyone knows of magic. We live in Ireland. Everyone knows of fairies and druids, and the like. Magic cannot be disputed, even if the priests do not take kindly to these beliefs."
"Aye, but I can do magic.”
As Hurricane Irma bore down on Florida, I discovered a new magical fantasy series set in sixteenth century Ireland featuring witches, a swoony hero, an evil curse and fairies. It’s planned to be a seven-book series with four books having been released so far. I inhaled all four in less than three days. The Farrier’s Daughter by Leigh Ann Edwards was the series’ debut and it absolutely whetted my appetite for more!
The Farrier’s Daughter introduces readers to seven-year-old Alainn McCreary and Killian O'Brien. She is the farrier’s daughter and a servant. He is the laird’s nephew and is set to be a laird himself of his family’s lands. My favorite scene is one of the first in the tale. Young Killian is near death when Alainn surprisingly heals him and engages him in an intriguing conversation which inspires a turning point in his recovery. Thus begins a deep friendship between the two. Because of their bond, she is educated and given benefits not normally afforded to those of the lower classes. As they grow up together, they share their hopes and dreams for the future. Their friendship evolves into love – but because they are from different social stations, there can be no future for them.
Alainn is a beautiful, feisty witch who has been raised to hide her gift. Killian is honorable and torn between his love for Alainn and his duty to his uncle. As Alainn’s power grows, she begins to question her past and her future and she becomes aware that she may be the key to removing the old curse on the O’Brien family. I was swept away by the setting and their story…
Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from The Farrier’s Daughter:
“Tis a proud battle's scar you possess, Killian O'Brien," she murmured. He sat up higher at her praise. "But you've lived through the battle and now you must live on past the battle, for that is what warriors do.”
---
“He fawns over ye like flies to a dung pile.”
---
“I may not have journeyed to other lands, but a trip through the fairy glade is a journey few others have taken, and fewer still have spoken of. I will look forward to taking you with me, Killian. You will see why I always feel the need to return."
He was not remotely certain he would ever share her sentiments.”
It’s hard to believe that this book marks the author’s debut as it’s very well written and edited. This series would make a fantastic movie or mini-series. It’s engrossing and fun with wonderful characters. There’s a cliffhanger ending, but, since the next book is already available, it’s not a big deal. Just know that you will want to have the next installment ready to go! If you enjoy historical romantic fantasies with magical elements galore, I’d highly recommend that you check out The Irish Witch series!
My full review is published at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
“He snorted. "He fears you? Why ever would he fear a small girl like you, and his own daughter?"
She napped her eyes back up and whispered, "Because, I know of magic."
Killian smirked. "Of course you know of magic, everyone knows of magic. We live in Ireland. Everyone knows of fairies and druids, and the like. Magic cannot be disputed, even if the priests do not take kindly to these beliefs."
"Aye, but I can do magic.”
As Hurricane Irma bore down on Florida, I discovered a new magical fantasy series set in sixteenth century Ireland featuring witches, a swoony hero, an evil curse and fairies. It’s planned to be a seven-book series with four books having been released so far. I inhaled all four in less than three days. The Farrier’s Daughter by Leigh Ann Edwards was the series’ debut and it absolutely whetted my appetite for more!
The Farrier’s Daughter introduces readers to seven-year-old Alainn McCreary and Killian O'Brien. She is the farrier’s daughter and a servant. He is the laird’s nephew and is set to be a laird himself of his family’s lands. My favorite scene is one of the first in the tale. Young Killian is near death when Alainn surprisingly heals him and engages him in an intriguing conversation which inspires a turning point in his recovery. Thus begins a deep friendship between the two. Because of their bond, she is educated and given benefits not normally afforded to those of the lower classes. As they grow up together, they share their hopes and dreams for the future. Their friendship evolves into love – but because they are from different social stations, there can be no future for them.
Alainn is a beautiful, feisty witch who has been raised to hide her gift. Killian is honorable and torn between his love for Alainn and his duty to his uncle. As Alainn’s power grows, she begins to question her past and her future and she becomes aware that she may be the key to removing the old curse on the O’Brien family. I was swept away by the setting and their story…
Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from The Farrier’s Daughter:
“Tis a proud battle's scar you possess, Killian O'Brien," she murmured. He sat up higher at her praise. "But you've lived through the battle and now you must live on past the battle, for that is what warriors do.”
---
“He fawns over ye like flies to a dung pile.”
---
“I may not have journeyed to other lands, but a trip through the fairy glade is a journey few others have taken, and fewer still have spoken of. I will look forward to taking you with me, Killian. You will see why I always feel the need to return."
He was not remotely certain he would ever share her sentiments.”
It’s hard to believe that this book marks the author’s debut as it’s very well written and edited. This series would make a fantastic movie or mini-series. It’s engrossing and fun with wonderful characters. There’s a cliffhanger ending, but, since the next book is already available, it’s not a big deal. Just know that you will want to have the next installment ready to go! If you enjoy historical romantic fantasies with magical elements galore, I’d highly recommend that you check out The Irish Witch series!
My full review is published at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
March 2, 2020
I found this book rather heartbreaking. The main character is a girl who wants to find her place and be independent in a world where the deck is stacked against her. She finds love and acceptance with her childhood friend, a young noble man, and for a time it is wonderful. Although, as a reader you realize this can only end in heartbreak.
I found myself unable to put this book down as I enjoyed the story of magic and the development of many of the characters and their motivations. However, I knew there would be a great struggle ahead for our main character. She is brash, stubborn, and headstrong in a time when those were not favorable attributes in women. Despite the challenges the main character faces, I find myself wanting to go along for the ride and see what next unfolds for this character and her love story in the next book.
I found myself unable to put this book down as I enjoyed the story of magic and the development of many of the characters and their motivations. However, I knew there would be a great struggle ahead for our main character. She is brash, stubborn, and headstrong in a time when those were not favorable attributes in women. Despite the challenges the main character faces, I find myself wanting to go along for the ride and see what next unfolds for this character and her love story in the next book.
March 21, 2020
The start of a fascinating story
Much recent literature in fantasy and science fiction has included strong women as both main and supporting characters. I especially enjoy this story because Allain is strong and collected. She knows herself. She understand more than she thinks she does, and the story is one of discovery - both of the world and herself. While this is just the first book, I know I can look forward to continuing growth, insight, and a great story of feudal Ireland.
Much recent literature in fantasy and science fiction has included strong women as both main and supporting characters. I especially enjoy this story because Allain is strong and collected. She knows herself. She understand more than she thinks she does, and the story is one of discovery - both of the world and herself. While this is just the first book, I know I can look forward to continuing growth, insight, and a great story of feudal Ireland.
February 9, 2021
This is the tale of Ireland and all the tales of magic that it encompasses! A tale of a young woman who thinks she is the daughter of the farrier but this is not really the truth! The truth is something that I cannot say as it would spoil the story. But I will say that she is in love with the Chieftan's Nephew who is not who he thinks he is. I am looking forward to hearing how this tale comes about in book 2!
January 1, 2020
Sorcery, True Love, Nd Sorrow
This book was well written. It captures the readers attention and pulls them through an array of emotions. Excitement, sorrow, fear for the Carrier's daughter and the injustice she experiences.
This book was well written. It captures the readers attention and pulls them through an array of emotions. Excitement, sorrow, fear for the Carrier's daughter and the injustice she experiences.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews