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The morrigan
Not yet published
Expected 31 Dec 99PRE-ORDER THIS FIERCE, WITCHY RETELLING OF IRISH MYTHOLOGY, FROM AN UNFORGETTABLE NEW VOICE IN MYTHIC FICTION
RULER. MOTHER. GODDESS. WARRIOR.
PERFECT FOR FANS OF ELODIE HARPER'S THE WOLF DEN , ROSIE HEWLETT'S MEDEA AND COSTANZA CASATI'S CLYTEMNESTRA
-----
They called me The Morrigan. I was magnificent. I was multitudes.
They twisted my story, stripped me away. But I will tell it now in my own voice.
It begins, as all the best stories do, in darkness.
From an ancient, storm-tossed sea, a tribe of gods reach the rocky shores of Ireland.
Among them, a strange, hungry, red-haired girl. A girl who can change shape, from bird to beast to goddess. A girl who dreams of battle, of blood, of death and power.
She does not know yet that a woman who seeks to rule will always be in danger – or that there are far more treacherous figures in this land than the gods who raised her.
She does not know that one day love will burn so deep in her heart that its scars will never heal. That she will know pain so raw and pure it will almost tear her apart.
She does not know that her journey will take a thousand years. That her name will be remembered for a thousand more.
She is The Morrigan, and she is a girl with rage coiled in her chest. Beautiful, powerful, ravenous rage. A rage that will live forever.
An electric debut retelling of Ireland’s mythic goddess of war, from a bold and powerful new voice.
RULER. MOTHER. GODDESS. WARRIOR.
PERFECT FOR FANS OF ELODIE HARPER'S THE WOLF DEN , ROSIE HEWLETT'S MEDEA AND COSTANZA CASATI'S CLYTEMNESTRA
-----
They called me The Morrigan. I was magnificent. I was multitudes.
They twisted my story, stripped me away. But I will tell it now in my own voice.
It begins, as all the best stories do, in darkness.
From an ancient, storm-tossed sea, a tribe of gods reach the rocky shores of Ireland.
Among them, a strange, hungry, red-haired girl. A girl who can change shape, from bird to beast to goddess. A girl who dreams of battle, of blood, of death and power.
She does not know yet that a woman who seeks to rule will always be in danger – or that there are far more treacherous figures in this land than the gods who raised her.
She does not know that one day love will burn so deep in her heart that its scars will never heal. That she will know pain so raw and pure it will almost tear her apart.
She does not know that her journey will take a thousand years. That her name will be remembered for a thousand more.
She is The Morrigan, and she is a girl with rage coiled in her chest. Beautiful, powerful, ravenous rage. A rage that will live forever.
An electric debut retelling of Ireland’s mythic goddess of war, from a bold and powerful new voice.
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2025
162 people are currently reading
5867 people want to read
About the author
Kim Curran
16 books131 followersKim was born in Dublin and moved to London when she was seven. She got her first typewriter when she was eight, had a poem she wrote about a snail published in a magazine when she was nine, and that was it – Kim was hooked on writing.
Because she never thought she’d actually be able to make a living as a writer, she decided she needed a trade to fall back on. So, naturally, she went to Sussex University to study philosophy.
While Kim’s plan of being paid big bucks to think deep thoughts never quite worked out, she did land a job as a junior copywriter with an ad agency a week after graduating. She’s worked in advertising ever since, specialising in writing for videogames.
Because she never thought she’d actually be able to make a living as a writer, she decided she needed a trade to fall back on. So, naturally, she went to Sussex University to study philosophy.
While Kim’s plan of being paid big bucks to think deep thoughts never quite worked out, she did land a job as a junior copywriter with an ad agency a week after graduating. She’s worked in advertising ever since, specialising in writing for videogames.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
May 7, 2025
A beautiful piece of writing and a wonderful retelling of Irish mythology through the eyes of the Morrígan. A must read for anyone who is interested in Irish mythology.
February 7, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC.
My expectations for this book were high but nothing could’ve prepared me for how much I adored The Morrigan. Curran’s writing style here gripped me from the beginning and I found myself wanting more and more. It was poetic and expressive, fully immersing me in the story and made reading from the Morrigan’s perspective incredibly interesting.
The most interesting aspect of modern retellings to me is seeing how the author expands on our existing knowledge of a figure and fleshing them out into someone we can recognise. Curran does this excellently by showing us the Morrigan’s love, grief, anger, and empathy, making a decidedly non-human figure, incredibly human. This is only furthered by the exploration of the Morrigan’s relationships, and I particularly enjoyed seeing the dynamics evolve with her sisters, (Ériu, Fódla, and Banba), Lugh, the Dagda, Meche, and Medb.
While there isn’t a traditional story arc, the combination of tales and events from the Ulster Cycle and the Mythological Cycle allow for a clear character arc and journey for the Morrigan. I loved watching her grow and learn as a person and am looking forward to reading Curran’s future work. I would recommend to people looking for mythology retellings and enjoy poetic and evocative language.
My expectations for this book were high but nothing could’ve prepared me for how much I adored The Morrigan. Curran’s writing style here gripped me from the beginning and I found myself wanting more and more. It was poetic and expressive, fully immersing me in the story and made reading from the Morrigan’s perspective incredibly interesting.
The most interesting aspect of modern retellings to me is seeing how the author expands on our existing knowledge of a figure and fleshing them out into someone we can recognise. Curran does this excellently by showing us the Morrigan’s love, grief, anger, and empathy, making a decidedly non-human figure, incredibly human. This is only furthered by the exploration of the Morrigan’s relationships, and I particularly enjoyed seeing the dynamics evolve with her sisters, (Ériu, Fódla, and Banba), Lugh, the Dagda, Meche, and Medb.
While there isn’t a traditional story arc, the combination of tales and events from the Ulster Cycle and the Mythological Cycle allow for a clear character arc and journey for the Morrigan. I loved watching her grow and learn as a person and am looking forward to reading Curran’s future work. I would recommend to people looking for mythology retellings and enjoy poetic and evocative language.
February 7, 2025
The Morrigan is a feminist Irish mythology retelling, written from the perspective of the shape-shifting war goddess herself. I was unfamiliar with Irish mythology but who doesn't love a fierce female protagonist that defies the men around her?
I was immediately blown away by the author's beautiful writing and I was highlighting left, right, and centre. This book is written with a slow, sweeping narrative as I imagine the author stitching together various mythological tales to form one comprehensive storyline. This narrative style definitely isn't for everyone but if you have enjoyed other mythological retellings (to me, it was very reminiscent of Clytemnestra) I would recommend you give this one a go!
I highly recommend listening to the audiobook (which I switched to at around 50%) - the narrator did a great job and hearing the Irish pronunciations only enhanced my reading experience.
In summary: you should pick up The Morrigan if you enjoy:
- feminist mythological retellings
- fierce female protagonists
- stories that are dark and gritty
- slow, sweeping narratives
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for the opportunity to review this book.
"...wrote me out entirely because I didn't fit their narrative. I was too messy. A warrior and a mother? A seductress and crone? Poet and prophetess? No, no, no. Be neater. Be smaller. They reduced me to an old woman wailing for the dead. But I was so much more than that."
I was immediately blown away by the author's beautiful writing and I was highlighting left, right, and centre. This book is written with a slow, sweeping narrative as I imagine the author stitching together various mythological tales to form one comprehensive storyline. This narrative style definitely isn't for everyone but if you have enjoyed other mythological retellings (to me, it was very reminiscent of Clytemnestra) I would recommend you give this one a go!
I highly recommend listening to the audiobook (which I switched to at around 50%) - the narrator did a great job and hearing the Irish pronunciations only enhanced my reading experience.
In summary: you should pick up The Morrigan if you enjoy:
- feminist mythological retellings
- fierce female protagonists
- stories that are dark and gritty
- slow, sweeping narratives
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for the opportunity to review this book.
January 16, 2025
This book reminded me of Circe a little, with its sweeping narrative and feminist themes. It’s definitely an intense retailing of a figure from Irish mythology, with a deep focus on detailing the Morrigan’s whole life.
It’s quite dark at times, as it contains assault, child death and war but not in incredibly graphic detail. As the Morrigan is the goddess of war, this was to be expected. But there’s a certain apathy to some of the non-combat violence that I found a little awful at times.
Honestly, this felt a little directionless at times. It tells the linear story of Morrigan’s life with quite a few times jumps and a massive cast of characters. But every time it built up to something big, it deflated again. I think it just needed a stronger thread running through it. My other issue was the dialogue. There were a lot of more modern phrases mixed into very formal language, which made it feel a little messy and the characters were juvenile at times.
The Morrigan was an interesting character. Throughout she felt very out of place in the world, constantly trying to find a role that suited her. I enjoyed reading about her coming to understand her true nature and I felt like this worked well as a narrative device. Howeve, it felt like the author was falling into the trap of presenting women in the past as only one dimensional; as wives, mothers, widows. Perhaps this is because the Morrigan only actually spends time with very few women, and judges others quite harshly, without thinking of the consequences. This is framed as a learning curve, but I would have enjoyed a more nuanced takec, especially with the violence against women shown.
I’m glad that there’s beginning to be more retellings of women from mythologies around the world, after the dominance of Greek and Roman for so long.
Thank you to the publisher for this arc. All thoughts are my own.
Publishers on;
It’s quite dark at times, as it contains assault, child death and war but not in incredibly graphic detail. As the Morrigan is the goddess of war, this was to be expected. But there’s a certain apathy to some of the non-combat violence that I found a little awful at times.
Honestly, this felt a little directionless at times. It tells the linear story of Morrigan’s life with quite a few times jumps and a massive cast of characters. But every time it built up to something big, it deflated again. I think it just needed a stronger thread running through it. My other issue was the dialogue. There were a lot of more modern phrases mixed into very formal language, which made it feel a little messy and the characters were juvenile at times.
The Morrigan was an interesting character. Throughout she felt very out of place in the world, constantly trying to find a role that suited her. I enjoyed reading about her coming to understand her true nature and I felt like this worked well as a narrative device. Howeve, it felt like the author was falling into the trap of presenting women in the past as only one dimensional; as wives, mothers, widows. Perhaps this is because the Morrigan only actually spends time with very few women, and judges others quite harshly, without thinking of the consequences. This is framed as a learning curve, but I would have enjoyed a more nuanced takec, especially with the violence against women shown.
I’m glad that there’s beginning to be more retellings of women from mythologies around the world, after the dominance of Greek and Roman for so long.
Thank you to the publisher for this arc. All thoughts are my own.
Publishers on;
November 27, 2024
The Morrigan is a fierce, feminist retelling of Irish mythology, from the perspective of the titular goddess herself. The Morrigan is boldly and unapologetically herself, powerful and unyielding beyond our mortal comprehension- yet she is every woman. The writing style is blunt, poetic without waxing lyrical. There is no place for flowery prose on the battlefield.
As we follow the goddess of war whilst she shapeshifts and reinvents herself, there is a flavour of Patrick Suskind’s Perfume: Grenouille hibernates and travels, deciding who to portray himself as next; the Morrigan changes her form and is reborn over time to yield power and connect with others. Both characters, despite having completely opposing values (does Grenouille really have any?), are at peace with their unusual disposition that sets them apart from their peers. It was refreshing to read of a female character like this!
I LOVED this book and it has become an instant favourite. It grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go, then left me feeling stronger and more in tune with myself than I was before I picked it up. I found myself laughing, crying, and smirking along with the characters. Read this book!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
As we follow the goddess of war whilst she shapeshifts and reinvents herself, there is a flavour of Patrick Suskind’s Perfume: Grenouille hibernates and travels, deciding who to portray himself as next; the Morrigan changes her form and is reborn over time to yield power and connect with others. Both characters, despite having completely opposing values (does Grenouille really have any?), are at peace with their unusual disposition that sets them apart from their peers. It was refreshing to read of a female character like this!
I LOVED this book and it has become an instant favourite. It grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go, then left me feeling stronger and more in tune with myself than I was before I picked it up. I found myself laughing, crying, and smirking along with the characters. Read this book!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
December 30, 2024
I have mixed feelings about this book.
I mostly really enjoyed it - I was eager to keep reading, and there were some absolutely delicious bits of writing, like "poets are in love with women's pain." I felt the Morrigan's pain when she was confronted with grief, and cheered her on when she was exacting revenge.
My biggest problem with the book was the lack of overall narrative arc...the author crammed so many short stories into one book, which I liked, but it never felt like it was building towards an ultimate climax, which meant the ending felt a little empty to me as there was no final goal or battle that usurped any of the earlier stories.
I also felt like it could have been worthwhile to build on the Morrigan's reason behind her thirst for blood and battle - it was never really WHY she wants to see so much violence.
But overall, I enjoyed reading this fresh and feminist folk tale.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!!
I mostly really enjoyed it - I was eager to keep reading, and there were some absolutely delicious bits of writing, like "poets are in love with women's pain." I felt the Morrigan's pain when she was confronted with grief, and cheered her on when she was exacting revenge.
My biggest problem with the book was the lack of overall narrative arc...the author crammed so many short stories into one book, which I liked, but it never felt like it was building towards an ultimate climax, which meant the ending felt a little empty to me as there was no final goal or battle that usurped any of the earlier stories.
I also felt like it could have been worthwhile to build on the Morrigan's reason behind her thirst for blood and battle - it was never really WHY she wants to see so much violence.
But overall, I enjoyed reading this fresh and feminist folk tale.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!!
May 3, 2025
Weer een retelling van een mythe. Uitgelezen op de heenvlucht en nu heel de week overal mee naartoe sjouwen🤪 Maar wat een top boek! The Morrigan is de Ierse godin van de oorlog.
‘Ze werd geassocieerd met het aanwakkeren van oorlog, het aanwakkeren van de woede en razernij van de strijd, en uiteindelijk als brenger van de dood’
Het heeft the same vibe als Atalanta maar dan met een beter verhaallijn en betere boodschap
‘Ze werd geassocieerd met het aanwakkeren van oorlog, het aanwakkeren van de woede en razernij van de strijd, en uiteindelijk als brenger van de dood’
Het heeft the same vibe als Atalanta maar dan met een beter verhaallijn en betere boodschap
March 28, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.25 / 5
The Morrigan was a fierce retelling of Irish Mythology.
📖 Following The Morrigan Ireland's goddess of War and Fate through 1000's of years.
📖 She doesn’t fit in with her people. She is powerful but cannot heal; her magic causes harm. She longs for bloody battles, for death and destruction. She is used as a weapon in the wars of her people and otherwise largely ignored. She stands alone, apart from them, and apart from the humans who later settle on the same green shores. Until they, too, need her battle cries and fury. They will know her by many names, and she will have many forms, but over a thousand years later, they will not have forgotten her.
They twisted her story, stripped her away. But she will tell it now in her own voice.
✨ Review ✨
I was instantly gripped by the prose, it was captivating and drew me in straight away. The feminine rage, the vengeance was spilling off the pages and I loved it. I would check triggers as this is a cynical violence and the tone is heavy.
The world building was fantastic and I felt transported however I will say somewhere in the middle it lost me a little. This spans such a huge amount of time that some things felt rushed while others things dragged a little.
The highlight of this is Morrigan herself. It's a introspective character study and explores how woman who seek to rule will always be in danger – and that there are far more treacherous figures in this land than the gods who raised her.
If you are interested in a powerful story of Irish Mythology that explores grief, rage and vengeance then I highly recommend.
The Morrigan was a fierce retelling of Irish Mythology.
📖 Following The Morrigan Ireland's goddess of War and Fate through 1000's of years.
📖 She doesn’t fit in with her people. She is powerful but cannot heal; her magic causes harm. She longs for bloody battles, for death and destruction. She is used as a weapon in the wars of her people and otherwise largely ignored. She stands alone, apart from them, and apart from the humans who later settle on the same green shores. Until they, too, need her battle cries and fury. They will know her by many names, and she will have many forms, but over a thousand years later, they will not have forgotten her.
They twisted her story, stripped her away. But she will tell it now in her own voice.
✨ Review ✨
I was instantly gripped by the prose, it was captivating and drew me in straight away. The feminine rage, the vengeance was spilling off the pages and I loved it. I would check triggers as this is a cynical violence and the tone is heavy.
The world building was fantastic and I felt transported however I will say somewhere in the middle it lost me a little. This spans such a huge amount of time that some things felt rushed while others things dragged a little.
The highlight of this is Morrigan herself. It's a introspective character study and explores how woman who seek to rule will always be in danger – and that there are far more treacherous figures in this land than the gods who raised her.
If you are interested in a powerful story of Irish Mythology that explores grief, rage and vengeance then I highly recommend.
July 25, 2025
3.5 stars
January 18, 2025
3.5 !
I love the Morrigan so much and this is a very compelling and gorgeous retelling of her story.
If you feel the need for female rage, this book is for you ! If you feel like you want to know more about Irish mythology, this book is for you ! If you want a good time with beautiful prose then this book is also for you !
I love the Morrigan so much and this is a very compelling and gorgeous retelling of her story.
If you feel the need for female rage, this book is for you ! If you feel like you want to know more about Irish mythology, this book is for you ! If you want a good time with beautiful prose then this book is also for you !
March 30, 2025
"For when women realize that raging alone is like screaming into the wind, but raging together, raising their voices as one, is when they can change the world, that is when the time of men will be over.
The Morrigan is a prominent figure in Irish Mythology, sometimes depicted as a trio of goddesses and often associated as the Goddess of war, death, fertility, and fate. She is one of the Tuatha De Danann, a prophetess and a shapeshifter, taking many forms, though a crow is most common.
In Kim Curran's debut novel, The Morrigan is given the chance to tell her own story in her own words. The novel spans centuries and touches on various notable moments in Irish history. Female rage is a prominent piece of this book and I am living for every single second of it. Our protagonist makes no apologies for being the harbinger of death and destruction where it is warranted.
I have quite a few tabs in my copy due to being so moved by the prose, and the author's ability to embody the plight of women since the beginning of time. Some moments were truly moving.
I do think that at points the pacing was a bit off for me, we lingered too long where we could have moved on, and rushed through parts where I would have like to meander a bit longer. Suffice it to say, I will buy anything else this author puts out. What a phenomenal debut showing.
The Morrigan is a prominent figure in Irish Mythology, sometimes depicted as a trio of goddesses and often associated as the Goddess of war, death, fertility, and fate. She is one of the Tuatha De Danann, a prophetess and a shapeshifter, taking many forms, though a crow is most common.
In Kim Curran's debut novel, The Morrigan is given the chance to tell her own story in her own words. The novel spans centuries and touches on various notable moments in Irish history. Female rage is a prominent piece of this book and I am living for every single second of it. Our protagonist makes no apologies for being the harbinger of death and destruction where it is warranted.
I have quite a few tabs in my copy due to being so moved by the prose, and the author's ability to embody the plight of women since the beginning of time. Some moments were truly moving.
I do think that at points the pacing was a bit off for me, we lingered too long where we could have moved on, and rushed through parts where I would have like to meander a bit longer. Suffice it to say, I will buy anything else this author puts out. What a phenomenal debut showing.
March 23, 2025
Since my teens I've been interested in paganism. In The Morrigan, Kim Curran depicts a mythical Ireland where gods and creatures roamed free in the land. Curran uses her bold writing to explore The Morrigan, goddess of war and prophecy, and her people the Tuatha Dé Danann, arriving from the liminal space to a land later called Ireland. The "second" part of the book is related to the Ulster Cycle, where the famous hero Cuchulainn and queen Medb meets The Morrigan.
The Morrigan is a ferocious, shapeshifting, warmonger, short-tempered, priestess, goddess, with long and unruled red hair, who is constantly plotting and desiring war. Her relationship with her kinsman is complicated, with some harrowing moments. With time, they follow different paths, leading her to isolate herself in Ireland. The themes explored in this book (sexual assault, war, violence, abortion, feminism) are dark and may not be for everyone. The feminist rage in this book compares well with many current feminist retellings.
Once in Ireland, The Morrigan becomes involved in several parallel stories, serving more as a background character to depict the Ulster Cycle (around 1200 CE). I honestly did not enjoy this second part as much as I did the first part. While the first half of the book, the story of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was extremely impactful and dark and fun, this second felt rushed and lackluster. Here, the feminist rage goes berserker and the banter between characters is childish. The book never recovers.
Even with these issues, The Morrigan is a fun book that perhaps would benefit from a narrower scope of story. Nonetheless, it is a powerful book (especially the first half) that opens an important door for Irish mythology retellings. I would recommend this book if you enjoy fantasy, historical fiction and feminist rage. I am grateful for receiving this advanced copy from Kim Curran and Penguin.
I received this advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Morrigan is a ferocious, shapeshifting, warmonger, short-tempered, priestess, goddess, with long and unruled red hair, who is constantly plotting and desiring war. Her relationship with her kinsman is complicated, with some harrowing moments. With time, they follow different paths, leading her to isolate herself in Ireland. The themes explored in this book (sexual assault, war, violence, abortion, feminism) are dark and may not be for everyone. The feminist rage in this book compares well with many current feminist retellings.
Once in Ireland, The Morrigan becomes involved in several parallel stories, serving more as a background character to depict the Ulster Cycle (around 1200 CE). I honestly did not enjoy this second part as much as I did the first part. While the first half of the book, the story of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was extremely impactful and dark and fun, this second felt rushed and lackluster. Here, the feminist rage goes berserker and the banter between characters is childish. The book never recovers.
Even with these issues, The Morrigan is a fun book that perhaps would benefit from a narrower scope of story. Nonetheless, it is a powerful book (especially the first half) that opens an important door for Irish mythology retellings. I would recommend this book if you enjoy fantasy, historical fiction and feminist rage. I am grateful for receiving this advanced copy from Kim Curran and Penguin.
I received this advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 21, 2025
2.5 stars 🌟
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where so much happened to so many characters, yet I barely found anything that was happening captivating.
The actual mythology side of it was new to me and I’m definitely interested in learning more, but I just wasn’t a fan of the execution of this. It’s definitely too broad for my tastes - like we’re following one character throughout so I should feel like I understand her but it was such a huge span of time with new characters at almost every time jump that not much of it felt particularly meaningful. There were a few moments where the narrative spent a little more time in one place and they were a bit more impactful.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where so much happened to so many characters, yet I barely found anything that was happening captivating.
The actual mythology side of it was new to me and I’m definitely interested in learning more, but I just wasn’t a fan of the execution of this. It’s definitely too broad for my tastes - like we’re following one character throughout so I should feel like I understand her but it was such a huge span of time with new characters at almost every time jump that not much of it felt particularly meaningful. There were a few moments where the narrative spent a little more time in one place and they were a bit more impactful.
Read
June 27, 2025DNF @19%
I think this month has made me realise that mythology retellings aren’t for me 🫠
I think this month has made me realise that mythology retellings aren’t for me 🫠
April 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Penguin/Michael Joseph for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.
TW: murder, death, miscarriage, violence, war, injury, abuse, child death, sexual violence
‘The Morrigan’ is a retelling of the Irish war goddess, from the moment she lands on its shores as part of a tribe of long wandering gods, as she finds her place as the goddess of warfare amongst decades of battles and fighting, and as she grows to become legendary. Forced to learn that even goddesses are forced to bow before kings, the Morrigan experiences love, loss, violence and hatred throughout the centuries, watching as the land she loves and the people she helps change and develop over time. This is a beautiful retelling and I followed it very easily despite knowing little about Irish mythology, her character is strongly written and passionate. She is so powerful and angry but forced consistently to shackle her anger and try to conform with the society her fellow gods have built; the moments when she finally lets loose and is completely herself were beautiful. The Morrigan is blunt and stark in its storytelling, even in its most beautiful moments. I loved the idea that she has never truly had a voice throughout mythology, though everyone knows her various names and deeds, and that this is her opportunity to finally have her say. Her different selves were all so engrossing and the relationships she built, whether as a wife, a mother, a friend or a goddess (particularly with women) were a highlight. This is a slow build of a book but it’s worth it, you get to see the Morrigan's relationships with her fellow gods, her family and eventually the legendary humans of myth. It’s a brilliant debut novel that seamlessly retells the various stories around the Morrigan while letting her speak it. I have so many new things to read up on!
TW: murder, death, miscarriage, violence, war, injury, abuse, child death, sexual violence
‘The Morrigan’ is a retelling of the Irish war goddess, from the moment she lands on its shores as part of a tribe of long wandering gods, as she finds her place as the goddess of warfare amongst decades of battles and fighting, and as she grows to become legendary. Forced to learn that even goddesses are forced to bow before kings, the Morrigan experiences love, loss, violence and hatred throughout the centuries, watching as the land she loves and the people she helps change and develop over time. This is a beautiful retelling and I followed it very easily despite knowing little about Irish mythology, her character is strongly written and passionate. She is so powerful and angry but forced consistently to shackle her anger and try to conform with the society her fellow gods have built; the moments when she finally lets loose and is completely herself were beautiful. The Morrigan is blunt and stark in its storytelling, even in its most beautiful moments. I loved the idea that she has never truly had a voice throughout mythology, though everyone knows her various names and deeds, and that this is her opportunity to finally have her say. Her different selves were all so engrossing and the relationships she built, whether as a wife, a mother, a friend or a goddess (particularly with women) were a highlight. This is a slow build of a book but it’s worth it, you get to see the Morrigan's relationships with her fellow gods, her family and eventually the legendary humans of myth. It’s a brilliant debut novel that seamlessly retells the various stories around the Morrigan while letting her speak it. I have so many new things to read up on!
October 9, 2025
I love me a book about female rage, and this is it.
Like any aspiring nerd, I took some dubious classes in uni, in my case Celtic Studies. The classes on literature did touch upon Manannán (though I confess often confusing him with Manawydan who is a prominent character in the second and third branches of the Mabinogi and who was discussed much more in class) and Cú Chulainn, not much emphasis was ever placed on females, and if they were featured, they were either promiscuous or tragic. The Morrigan sets to change this narrative.
We follow the long life of Morrigan, through her many names and through the many changes of Ireland. From her not quite fitting in with the Tuatha Dè, to her becoming High Queen of Ireland, to her fading from the Great Deeds. Morrigan herself is flawed, and while often raging at the limitations placed upon her as a woman, she herself often sees women as weak. Her internalized misogyny shows, and she prides herself on her battle lust and wits (which even she sees as more male attributes). These views change somewhat over the course of the book, but it is only in the final few chapters she makes her peace with it.
Cú Chulainn was painted in a much different light than what I remember from the Táin Bó Cúailnge (which admittedly isn't much), and I think I prefer this take for the attitude that is portrayed in the rest of the book. In The Morrigan Cú Chulainn, like his uncle Conchobar, is not a good person. He takes what he wants -especially from woman- and yet is lauded for his battle prowess. His fate felt entirely deserved.
A stand out side character was Medb, a woman who turns her shame into hate and power. Even if I already knew how it would end, I felt myself rooting for her and excusing all her wrongs. If a next book is written about her I will eat it up.
Definitely worth your time.
Like any aspiring nerd, I took some dubious classes in uni, in my case Celtic Studies. The classes on literature did touch upon Manannán (though I confess often confusing him with Manawydan who is a prominent character in the second and third branches of the Mabinogi and who was discussed much more in class) and Cú Chulainn, not much emphasis was ever placed on females, and if they were featured, they were either promiscuous or tragic. The Morrigan sets to change this narrative.
We follow the long life of Morrigan, through her many names and through the many changes of Ireland. From her not quite fitting in with the Tuatha Dè, to her becoming High Queen of Ireland, to her fading from the Great Deeds. Morrigan herself is flawed, and while often raging at the limitations placed upon her as a woman, she herself often sees women as weak. Her internalized misogyny shows, and she prides herself on her battle lust and wits (which even she sees as more male attributes). These views change somewhat over the course of the book, but it is only in the final few chapters she makes her peace with it.
Cú Chulainn was painted in a much different light than what I remember from the Táin Bó Cúailnge (which admittedly isn't much), and I think I prefer this take for the attitude that is portrayed in the rest of the book. In The Morrigan Cú Chulainn, like his uncle Conchobar, is not a good person. He takes what he wants -especially from woman- and yet is lauded for his battle prowess. His fate felt entirely deserved.
A stand out side character was Medb, a woman who turns her shame into hate and power. Even if I already knew how it would end, I felt myself rooting for her and excusing all her wrongs. If a next book is written about her I will eat it up.
Definitely worth your time.
June 21, 2025
The Morrigan / Kim Curran
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
~ I was too messy. A warrior and a mother? A seductress and crone? Poet and prophetess? No, no, no. Be neater. Be smaller. They reduced me to an old woman wailing for the dead. But I was so much more than that… ~
She is rage, she is war, she is trying.
An entertaining read, a feminist retelling of the legend of The Morrigan. I learned a lot more on Irish legends than I remembered, and as such these were all showcased in a different set.
This is a mix of many legends all conglomerated into a steady flow. With the main legend being Queen Mebd, Concobhur of Ulaid, and Cuchullainn. It’s all shown that she is the goddess of war, but she tries throughout through many different ways to be more, but to be her.
What resonated most was how The Morrigan’s rage isn’t one-note. It evolves. Her journey is not just about destruction, but about identity. The transformation into the Banshee at the end felt particularly powerful: a name reclaimed, rather than bestowed.
This though showcases the many versions of female rage that occur. In many different guises, it is there. The story flows through various legends, blending them into a narrative that explores the many faces of female rage: divine, personal, political.
A good book to get back into reading and see a different version of Irish mythology.
Picked up from the TBR Pile: Graiguenamanagh
Bought from: Duffys, Westport - 03/03/25
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
~ I was too messy. A warrior and a mother? A seductress and crone? Poet and prophetess? No, no, no. Be neater. Be smaller. They reduced me to an old woman wailing for the dead. But I was so much more than that… ~
She is rage, she is war, she is trying.
An entertaining read, a feminist retelling of the legend of The Morrigan. I learned a lot more on Irish legends than I remembered, and as such these were all showcased in a different set.
This is a mix of many legends all conglomerated into a steady flow. With the main legend being Queen Mebd, Concobhur of Ulaid, and Cuchullainn. It’s all shown that she is the goddess of war, but she tries throughout through many different ways to be more, but to be her.
What resonated most was how The Morrigan’s rage isn’t one-note. It evolves. Her journey is not just about destruction, but about identity. The transformation into the Banshee at the end felt particularly powerful: a name reclaimed, rather than bestowed.
This though showcases the many versions of female rage that occur. In many different guises, it is there. The story flows through various legends, blending them into a narrative that explores the many faces of female rage: divine, personal, political.
A good book to get back into reading and see a different version of Irish mythology.
Picked up from the TBR Pile: Graiguenamanagh
Bought from: Duffys, Westport - 03/03/25
December 15, 2024
"Men have always been afraid of women's anger. Have shushed and shooed us away. And so they should be afraid."
The Morrigan, Irish goddess of battle and war (and many other things) tells her own story. It's not a straightforward plot with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Instead it's kind of meandering, the Morrigan retelling the various myths she features in - always focusing on the women in them. I don't always enjoy that type of storytelling, but it really works here. This is not a book to read in one sitting, but I enjoyed dipping in and out of it over the past week.
The writing is beautiful, lyrical and evocative, and it really suits the story. The Morrigan is a complex figure, and I really appreciated that the author didn't try to fit her in a simple box. A gloriously angry book, and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in Irish mythology.
Many thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
The Morrigan, Irish goddess of battle and war (and many other things) tells her own story. It's not a straightforward plot with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Instead it's kind of meandering, the Morrigan retelling the various myths she features in - always focusing on the women in them. I don't always enjoy that type of storytelling, but it really works here. This is not a book to read in one sitting, but I enjoyed dipping in and out of it over the past week.
The writing is beautiful, lyrical and evocative, and it really suits the story. The Morrigan is a complex figure, and I really appreciated that the author didn't try to fit her in a simple box. A gloriously angry book, and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in Irish mythology.
Many thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
January 7, 2025
I didn’t know much about the Morrigan in Irish mythology, but after reading this I want to know so much more! A powerful retelling of this goddess of war (among other things), representing the rage and complexity of women. We follow her across battlefields and worlds and experience her cunning, vengeful nature as well as her grief and love. The descriptions were beautiful and jumped off the page. I’d highly recommend for those who love a mythology retelling but have been seeking something new.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
December 22, 2024
As much as I have been thoroughly enjoying the trend of feminist retellings of stories from Greek mythology, even I have started to hit a wall. With perfect timing, along comes 'The Morrigan'. I confess to having known absolutely nothing about Irish mythology prior to this novel, so this was a real treat.
So, who is 'The Morrigan'? The Morrigan was a powerful Celtic goddess that represented war, fate, sovereignty and fertility. During the novel, we watch The Morrigan as she takes on many different forms and many different lives. What is particularly affecting is that every time the Morrigan shapeshifts, it is painful. It tears her limb from limb. She may be a Goddess, but nothing in the lives she chooses is easy.
The clever nature of the narrative is that it carefully parallels her lives with the lives of mortal women and questions if there is any true path of satisfaction for women. The Morrigan is unapologetically bloodthirsty and furious - she doesn't need to be likeable for you to be riveted by her story, only compelling, which she certainly is.
Thank you so much to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC!
So, who is 'The Morrigan'? The Morrigan was a powerful Celtic goddess that represented war, fate, sovereignty and fertility. During the novel, we watch The Morrigan as she takes on many different forms and many different lives. What is particularly affecting is that every time the Morrigan shapeshifts, it is painful. It tears her limb from limb. She may be a Goddess, but nothing in the lives she chooses is easy.
The clever nature of the narrative is that it carefully parallels her lives with the lives of mortal women and questions if there is any true path of satisfaction for women. The Morrigan is unapologetically bloodthirsty and furious - she doesn't need to be likeable for you to be riveted by her story, only compelling, which she certainly is.
Thank you so much to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC!
June 14, 2025
This book was so good. All the things she went through and she was still so strong. I felt every page.
July 25, 2025
4.25/5
December 1, 2024
'A woman who has mastered her rage, learned not to fear the power that stems from it, that is terrifying to little men'
The Morrigan by Kim Curran is an exquisite storm of mythology, rage, and resilience—a fiercely feminist retelling that captures the raw essence of Ireland’s goddess of war. The writing is electric, weaving myth with mastery, and reminds me of Lucy Holland’s poignant storytelling, saturated with emotion and unrelenting power.
From the very first page, The Morrigan demands your attention. She is fierce, untamed, and unapologetically herself��a shape-shifting goddess whose rage and love fuel a journey spanning millennia. Curran threads multiple Irish myths into the narrative with ease, creating a tapestry of battles, heartbreak, and rebirth that feels timeless yet urgently modern. The themes of female defiance and resilience echo strongly, laced with a healthy dose of righteous fury.
What sets this apart is the prose: ferocious, lyrical, and alive with intensity. Every sentence pulses with energy, pulling you deeper into The Morrigan’s world. It’s a story of transformation, of embracing power and loss in equal measure, and it will leave you wanting for more.
For lovers of Lucy Holland, Costanza Casati, or anyone seeking a narrative that howls with female rage and mythic beauty—this is an unmissable triumph. I honestly cannot believe this is a debut, Curran is surely a new voice to watch.
Huge thanks to NetGalley & Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for my ARC of 'The Morrigan'.
The Morrigan by Kim Curran is an exquisite storm of mythology, rage, and resilience—a fiercely feminist retelling that captures the raw essence of Ireland’s goddess of war. The writing is electric, weaving myth with mastery, and reminds me of Lucy Holland’s poignant storytelling, saturated with emotion and unrelenting power.
From the very first page, The Morrigan demands your attention. She is fierce, untamed, and unapologetically herself��a shape-shifting goddess whose rage and love fuel a journey spanning millennia. Curran threads multiple Irish myths into the narrative with ease, creating a tapestry of battles, heartbreak, and rebirth that feels timeless yet urgently modern. The themes of female defiance and resilience echo strongly, laced with a healthy dose of righteous fury.
What sets this apart is the prose: ferocious, lyrical, and alive with intensity. Every sentence pulses with energy, pulling you deeper into The Morrigan’s world. It’s a story of transformation, of embracing power and loss in equal measure, and it will leave you wanting for more.
For lovers of Lucy Holland, Costanza Casati, or anyone seeking a narrative that howls with female rage and mythic beauty—this is an unmissable triumph. I honestly cannot believe this is a debut, Curran is surely a new voice to watch.
Huge thanks to NetGalley & Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for my ARC of 'The Morrigan'.
November 27, 2024
Oh wow, this book was fantastic!
It was absolutely epic! I have no idea how the author managed to fit so much in to this number of pages! I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This is a novel exploring Irish mythology and it was absolutely fascinating! It took me a minute to get used to the timelines jumping ahead so much and how much time passes in relation to a human lifetime but it was so gripping! This was a real page turner! I was so invested in the main character! She was so raw, powerful, driven. She’s an outsider and yet has these incredible moments of connection with people at different points. She suffers so much tragedy, so much cruelty in a way that was absolutely rage inducing! I hated the way certain people treated her and the tragedy she suffered as a result. Often in spite of her immense power, she’s actually powerless against those who wrong her creating an interesting conflict and a tempering that makes her approach her foes in creative ways.
This was some of those most engaging exploration of mythology I’ve read and I will definitely be buying this book. It was magical, with other worlds, prediction, shape shifting and mythical beings and heroes. It was epic in the span of time that passed and the rise and fall of kings and queens. It was ferociously written in the intensity of the prose. What a brilliant book!
It was absolutely epic! I have no idea how the author managed to fit so much in to this number of pages! I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This is a novel exploring Irish mythology and it was absolutely fascinating! It took me a minute to get used to the timelines jumping ahead so much and how much time passes in relation to a human lifetime but it was so gripping! This was a real page turner! I was so invested in the main character! She was so raw, powerful, driven. She’s an outsider and yet has these incredible moments of connection with people at different points. She suffers so much tragedy, so much cruelty in a way that was absolutely rage inducing! I hated the way certain people treated her and the tragedy she suffered as a result. Often in spite of her immense power, she’s actually powerless against those who wrong her creating an interesting conflict and a tempering that makes her approach her foes in creative ways.
This was some of those most engaging exploration of mythology I’ve read and I will definitely be buying this book. It was magical, with other worlds, prediction, shape shifting and mythical beings and heroes. It was epic in the span of time that passed and the rise and fall of kings and queens. It was ferociously written in the intensity of the prose. What a brilliant book!
December 16, 2025
✨Mythology lovers check in! This one is for you!✨
“I was made to bring death, not life. If I couldn’t be a mother, I would be a destroyer.”
The Morrigan is a beautiful story of Irish mythology. While I’ve seen her mentioned in some of the other myths and legends I’ve read, I’ve never read her whole story to find out who she was!
“Hag. That word again. Why was it that being old was the worst thing they could think of for a woman?”
She is a single goddess with many forms, including shapeshifting! She also represents the trio goddess Mother Maiden Crone and I loved how the author presented her story organically with the myth and magic shining thru!
“I will be your vengeance.”
A story of love and betrayal and loss and power and motherhood, I recommend this book to fans of Circe and Morgan is my Name!
I would def reread and I look forward to reading more by this author! She recently revealed her next book will be Brigid! (I have preordered) 😂😍
“I was made to bring death, not life. If I couldn’t be a mother, I would be a destroyer.”
The Morrigan is a beautiful story of Irish mythology. While I’ve seen her mentioned in some of the other myths and legends I’ve read, I’ve never read her whole story to find out who she was!
“Hag. That word again. Why was it that being old was the worst thing they could think of for a woman?”
She is a single goddess with many forms, including shapeshifting! She also represents the trio goddess Mother Maiden Crone and I loved how the author presented her story organically with the myth and magic shining thru!
“I will be your vengeance.”
A story of love and betrayal and loss and power and motherhood, I recommend this book to fans of Circe and Morgan is my Name!
I would def reread and I look forward to reading more by this author! She recently revealed her next book will be Brigid! (I have preordered) 😂😍
January 7, 2025
You know that feeling when Shania Twain says 'lets go girls' and you feel like you can take on the world? That is exactly how I felt reading this book.
A big thank you to Kim Curran and Net Galley, as well as Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this absolute gem of a book.
Typically, this type of writing style isn't one I would go for. But this almost 'autobiographic' story telling completely blew me away. I was in love with her strength, how she kept her rage at bay. How she tried to strengthen the woman around her & how she desperately above it all, just wanted to be seen and loved.
There were some fabulous strong feminine lines throughout that just took my breath away and gave me chills. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves a strong FMC.
just. bravo for this.
A big thank you to Kim Curran and Net Galley, as well as Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this absolute gem of a book.
Typically, this type of writing style isn't one I would go for. But this almost 'autobiographic' story telling completely blew me away. I was in love with her strength, how she kept her rage at bay. How she tried to strengthen the woman around her & how she desperately above it all, just wanted to be seen and loved.
There were some fabulous strong feminine lines throughout that just took my breath away and gave me chills. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves a strong FMC.
just. bravo for this.
February 18, 2025
Who was I? If not a warrior, if not a queen, if not a goddess? Was I nothing?
I had no knowledge of Irish mythology before this, and knew only of the Morrigan by her name. It was an enjoyable story. I would’ve liked a deeper study on why the main character is the way she is, to better understand her from the beginning. There were times when it was hard for me to get her, and others in which I truly empathized with her motives, her rage and grief. It really is a book about female rage. Maybe I would’ve liked it more if it stuck to only just one period of time, instead of spanning so many years and so many characters that just come and go. So, overall, it was nice getting a first glimpse of this mythology and diving into the story of the Morrigan. I look forward to reading more about it.
I had no knowledge of Irish mythology before this, and knew only of the Morrigan by her name. It was an enjoyable story. I would’ve liked a deeper study on why the main character is the way she is, to better understand her from the beginning. There were times when it was hard for me to get her, and others in which I truly empathized with her motives, her rage and grief. It really is a book about female rage. Maybe I would’ve liked it more if it stuck to only just one period of time, instead of spanning so many years and so many characters that just come and go. So, overall, it was nice getting a first glimpse of this mythology and diving into the story of the Morrigan. I look forward to reading more about it.
March 10, 2025
Currently very obsessed with books that make me want to go and k*ll men
April 5, 2025
This started out real strong and I appreciate the way Kim Curran gave voice to The Morrigan's rage, but by the half way marker this started to feel long-winded for me.
November 17, 2025
Review to come! 🐦⬛
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fantastic retelling and reimagining of the Irish goddess of prophecy, death, and war. I've been drawn to this figure since getting into Irish mythology (so much so that I got a pendant of hers from Awe Inspired as [horribly] pictured), and I think Curran did an incredible job bringing this goddess into the light and providing her a personality outside of the cruel and bloodthirsty persona she's really only ever seen as. 😔
The book starts off with The Morrigan as a young goddess first setting foot on Ireland. I loved that Curran portrayed a "softer" version of the goddess even though she is still just as bloodthirsty as the myths portray her; she's a goddess looking to find her place in this world and secretly hiding a need to be understood and loved for who she is, not what she can do for the tribe and later on the island. The focus on her connection to the island as a sovereignty goddess on top of her other traits as a goddess was something that I was so excited to see as it is an area of interest in research for me. I was also really fascinated with the way in which Curran went about depicting this goddess and her form as a triple goddess. I won't say too much on it as I feel like it will spoil the book, but just know that as someone who is currently in a program that focuses on Irish myths and legends (and mind you, I'm doing this for fun and not because I need to), this made my academic heart INCREDIBLY happy. 🫶🏼
All in all, I was just so happy reading this book. I can tell a lot of research went into this book and that Curran wanted to portray the characters in the best ways possible. Again, I am the kind of reader that loves reading the gods and goddesses of old as beings that are all to similar to that of humans, but with powers and immortality to boot and a love to create drama because how else is an immortal being supposed to be entertained? 😂
To Curran, thank you again for crafting such a wonderful tale for this goddess and I can't wait to get my grubby hands on Brigid next year! Also, what is the flower that The Morrigan pricks her finger on at the beginning of the book? I want a tattoo of that!! ❤️
Overall 5/5
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fantastic retelling and reimagining of the Irish goddess of prophecy, death, and war. I've been drawn to this figure since getting into Irish mythology (so much so that I got a pendant of hers from Awe Inspired as [horribly] pictured), and I think Curran did an incredible job bringing this goddess into the light and providing her a personality outside of the cruel and bloodthirsty persona she's really only ever seen as. 😔
The book starts off with The Morrigan as a young goddess first setting foot on Ireland. I loved that Curran portrayed a "softer" version of the goddess even though she is still just as bloodthirsty as the myths portray her; she's a goddess looking to find her place in this world and secretly hiding a need to be understood and loved for who she is, not what she can do for the tribe and later on the island. The focus on her connection to the island as a sovereignty goddess on top of her other traits as a goddess was something that I was so excited to see as it is an area of interest in research for me. I was also really fascinated with the way in which Curran went about depicting this goddess and her form as a triple goddess. I won't say too much on it as I feel like it will spoil the book, but just know that as someone who is currently in a program that focuses on Irish myths and legends (and mind you, I'm doing this for fun and not because I need to), this made my academic heart INCREDIBLY happy. 🫶🏼
All in all, I was just so happy reading this book. I can tell a lot of research went into this book and that Curran wanted to portray the characters in the best ways possible. Again, I am the kind of reader that loves reading the gods and goddesses of old as beings that are all to similar to that of humans, but with powers and immortality to boot and a love to create drama because how else is an immortal being supposed to be entertained? 😂
To Curran, thank you again for crafting such a wonderful tale for this goddess and I can't wait to get my grubby hands on Brigid next year! Also, what is the flower that The Morrigan pricks her finger on at the beginning of the book? I want a tattoo of that!! ❤️
Overall 5/5
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