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Uprising
One man fights to destroy his family, another to save his. Only one can be victorious.
Ireland 1594. Eunan’s village is destroyed, the rebellion appears over. As the forces of the English crown pillage the countryside, the rebel leader goes into hiding. Eunan’s past has come back to haunt him.
Eunan goes forth to seek the rebel leaders. He must take control of his family lands and turn them from supporting the crown to declaring for the rebellion.
All that stands before him are the forces of the crown, the deserted ranks of the rebellion and the minor matter of his own family.
Meanwhile, Seamus faces a dilemma. Consequences from the past loom large. He must save his own family, but to do so could stop the rebellion in its tracks.
Who will succeed if the other needs to fail?
‘Uprising’ is the next instalment of the gripping ‘Exiles’ Irish historical family saga.
If you love fast-paced action and adventure orientated historical fiction, then you will love this book. Buy ‘Uprising’ to discover this exciting new series today.
Ireland 1594. Eunan’s village is destroyed, the rebellion appears over. As the forces of the English crown pillage the countryside, the rebel leader goes into hiding. Eunan’s past has come back to haunt him.
Eunan goes forth to seek the rebel leaders. He must take control of his family lands and turn them from supporting the crown to declaring for the rebellion.
All that stands before him are the forces of the crown, the deserted ranks of the rebellion and the minor matter of his own family.
Meanwhile, Seamus faces a dilemma. Consequences from the past loom large. He must save his own family, but to do so could stop the rebellion in its tracks.
Who will succeed if the other needs to fail?
‘Uprising’ is the next instalment of the gripping ‘Exiles’ Irish historical family saga.
If you love fast-paced action and adventure orientated historical fiction, then you will love this book. Buy ‘Uprising’ to discover this exciting new series today.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2021
About the author
C.R. Dempsey
9 books10 followersC R Dempsey is the author of Viking Dawn and Viking Oathbreaker, both set in the Viking age and the Exiles book series, set in Elizabethan Ireland. History has always been his fascination, and historical fiction was an obvious outlet for his accumulated knowledge. C R spends lots of time working on his books, mainly in the twilight hours of the morning. C R wishes he spent more time writing and less time jumping down the rabbit hole of excessive research.
C R Dempsey lives in London with his wife and cat. He was born in Dublin but has lived most of his adult life in London.
C R Dempsey lives in London with his wife and cat. He was born in Dublin but has lived most of his adult life in London.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 2, 2021
“Luck deserted me long ago if she was ever acquainted with me!”
One man fights to destroy his family, another to save his. Only one can be victorious.
This is the continuing saga of Eunan Maquire and the land battles of Ireland in the mid-1500s as they fight the English who are flooding their lands in the name of Queen Elizabeth I of England. As already noted in the previous book, Bad Blood, Eunan’s village lay in ruins and the rebellion appears to be over. While the English continue to pillage the countryside, destroying village after village and killing hundreds, the rebel leader, Hugh Maquire, and his men go into hiding. Eunan’s past and his insecurities come back to haunt him and he goes forth to seek out the rebel leaders in an attempt to refire the doused rebellion. He is determined to take control of his family’s lands and turn them from supporting Queen Elizabeth to supporting the rebellion once more.
I highly recommend you reading “Bad Blood” first in this series so you can get a full sense of what is happening in the time period and you can get an overall view of Eunan’s life, as well as his companion, Seamus.
Seamus has a different dilemma in this book as he is captured with threats to his family looming over his head. To save them, his actions might stop the rebellion in its tracks. But the English, who hold no quarter against prisoners, especially these Irish rebels, tend to make good on their threats so Seamus is forced to a task, knowing if he fails, his wife and the families of his Irish kinsmen will be murdered.
Once tenuously bonded to one another, Eunan and Seamus now find themselves in two precarious situations – and the resonating issue of who will succeed comes to the fore. If Eunan succeeds, then Seamus fails and his family destroyed; if Seamus succeeds, then the rebellion is squashed once and for all, and Eunan’s ultimate desire to rebuild his village and support his clan would fail.
As in the first book, the author’s love for the era and the immense amount of research done is astounding as the book feels very authentic and true to the time period. I must insert a disclaimer here, noting that some of the action, the fighting, is quite brutal and at times, I found myself rushing through the imagery just to get on with the story. While the author presents this very authentically, very “Braveheart’-like, for the most part I tend to shy away from such thick bloody scenes and flip past pages in order to get back to the heart of the story. For fans of Game of Thrones, or Bernard Cornwell, this might be a good fit for you.
Overall, though, this is another action packed adventure filled with rich historical information about Ireland in the 16rh century embedded in the storyline.
Eunan emerges a bit more than in the first novel and his quivering nature is revealed in this passage which shows that even the other characters in the book recognize this feature of Eunan’s personality - “Desmond knew him too well. A quivering boy in the body of a man, trying to steady himself. A boy who thought the path to adulthood was to have an axe in his hand and the threshold when he found someone to use it on, a boy crying out for guidance, a sense of belonging and some unconditional love.”
But Eunan finds his voice and the courage, shouting “Let us vanquish our enemies with the CRY OF THE MAQUIRE!”
“That’s what war and being a Gallowglass is all about, splitting some man’s head open in a wet and windy bog so that the person giving the orders can gain revenge, feel more important, or gain more cows.”
And this statement is this series in a nutshell – the back and forth fighting between clan leaders and the leaders of two countries as they seek revenge, feel more important, and gain more cows; all the while the common soldiers are used as chattel, or expendable pawns, as the leaders make treaties behind their backs and selling out others to make alliances and gain more land. As I stated before in my previous review of “Bad Blood”, this is very ‘Braveheart’ kind of action, as you are reminded of the betrayal of Robert the Bruce which led to the arrest and execution of William Wallace to ensure his place on the throne of Scotland.
I found this book, along with its companion, a harsh read, yet a refreshing new eye on the era since most of the Tudor books focus on Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth. The pure essence of the book is Irish, with authentic dialogue and depictions of the stark realities of living in this time period, and filtering over into the subsequent reign of King James as he recalls most of the Scottish mercenaries from Ireland as his show of support for Queen Elizabeth in an attempt to garner favour as her supposed heir. This part two of the series captures more of the story of Eunan than the first, at least to me, while the history-laden narrative laced in a more balanced way; and for anyone who loves GOT stories, well this has it all – including a bloody battle at a wedding ceremony.
Along with the first book in the series, which I recommend you read first, this book “Uprising” is awarded four stars from The Historical Fiction Company.
One man fights to destroy his family, another to save his. Only one can be victorious.
This is the continuing saga of Eunan Maquire and the land battles of Ireland in the mid-1500s as they fight the English who are flooding their lands in the name of Queen Elizabeth I of England. As already noted in the previous book, Bad Blood, Eunan’s village lay in ruins and the rebellion appears to be over. While the English continue to pillage the countryside, destroying village after village and killing hundreds, the rebel leader, Hugh Maquire, and his men go into hiding. Eunan’s past and his insecurities come back to haunt him and he goes forth to seek out the rebel leaders in an attempt to refire the doused rebellion. He is determined to take control of his family’s lands and turn them from supporting Queen Elizabeth to supporting the rebellion once more.
I highly recommend you reading “Bad Blood” first in this series so you can get a full sense of what is happening in the time period and you can get an overall view of Eunan’s life, as well as his companion, Seamus.
Seamus has a different dilemma in this book as he is captured with threats to his family looming over his head. To save them, his actions might stop the rebellion in its tracks. But the English, who hold no quarter against prisoners, especially these Irish rebels, tend to make good on their threats so Seamus is forced to a task, knowing if he fails, his wife and the families of his Irish kinsmen will be murdered.
Once tenuously bonded to one another, Eunan and Seamus now find themselves in two precarious situations – and the resonating issue of who will succeed comes to the fore. If Eunan succeeds, then Seamus fails and his family destroyed; if Seamus succeeds, then the rebellion is squashed once and for all, and Eunan’s ultimate desire to rebuild his village and support his clan would fail.
As in the first book, the author’s love for the era and the immense amount of research done is astounding as the book feels very authentic and true to the time period. I must insert a disclaimer here, noting that some of the action, the fighting, is quite brutal and at times, I found myself rushing through the imagery just to get on with the story. While the author presents this very authentically, very “Braveheart’-like, for the most part I tend to shy away from such thick bloody scenes and flip past pages in order to get back to the heart of the story. For fans of Game of Thrones, or Bernard Cornwell, this might be a good fit for you.
Overall, though, this is another action packed adventure filled with rich historical information about Ireland in the 16rh century embedded in the storyline.
Eunan emerges a bit more than in the first novel and his quivering nature is revealed in this passage which shows that even the other characters in the book recognize this feature of Eunan’s personality - “Desmond knew him too well. A quivering boy in the body of a man, trying to steady himself. A boy who thought the path to adulthood was to have an axe in his hand and the threshold when he found someone to use it on, a boy crying out for guidance, a sense of belonging and some unconditional love.”
But Eunan finds his voice and the courage, shouting “Let us vanquish our enemies with the CRY OF THE MAQUIRE!”
“That’s what war and being a Gallowglass is all about, splitting some man’s head open in a wet and windy bog so that the person giving the orders can gain revenge, feel more important, or gain more cows.”
And this statement is this series in a nutshell – the back and forth fighting between clan leaders and the leaders of two countries as they seek revenge, feel more important, and gain more cows; all the while the common soldiers are used as chattel, or expendable pawns, as the leaders make treaties behind their backs and selling out others to make alliances and gain more land. As I stated before in my previous review of “Bad Blood”, this is very ‘Braveheart’ kind of action, as you are reminded of the betrayal of Robert the Bruce which led to the arrest and execution of William Wallace to ensure his place on the throne of Scotland.
I found this book, along with its companion, a harsh read, yet a refreshing new eye on the era since most of the Tudor books focus on Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth. The pure essence of the book is Irish, with authentic dialogue and depictions of the stark realities of living in this time period, and filtering over into the subsequent reign of King James as he recalls most of the Scottish mercenaries from Ireland as his show of support for Queen Elizabeth in an attempt to garner favour as her supposed heir. This part two of the series captures more of the story of Eunan than the first, at least to me, while the history-laden narrative laced in a more balanced way; and for anyone who loves GOT stories, well this has it all – including a bloody battle at a wedding ceremony.
Along with the first book in the series, which I recommend you read first, this book “Uprising” is awarded four stars from The Historical Fiction Company.
March 31, 2024
I had a bit of trouble getting into this book, and I think the problem was not being grounded enough in the story. We open with Eunan falling from a tower, but there’s no indication of when or in what country the story is taking place. (I don’t depend on blurbs for that information—I feel it should be easily found within the story.) It isn’t until almost 20 pages in that I felt acclimated to the environment.
The same goes for the initial characterization. The author seems to assume the reader has just finished reading “Bad Blood”, the first book in the series, but for me it’s closing in on 3 years. Yet once I’d gotten to the point where I could again picture Eunan, my heart went out to him. He’s a young man who’s supposed to be the local leader of a clan, but all of his family are dead and his villagers pay him no mind. It’s a frustrating situation, for sure, but he eventually becomes somewhat stronger and earns some self-confidence, though not without adversity.
There were technical issues, including anachronisms and a consistent but contrived use of punctuation that piqued my grammar-geek heart. Added to that, the novel seemed to end abruptly in mid-scene: I can’t help but wonder why.
Like the first book, there’s a lot of history embedded. I’m a big fan of conflict in novels, but the deliberations to act by the clan leaders took much more time than the actions themselves, and the bickering that went on between the clans was exasperating. In the end, you will understand how Ireland fell to the English: there was not only an enormous advantage in the weapons available to them, but the Irish rebels seemed to have no sense of loyalty to their country—only to their clans.
I think that a bit more characterization and a bit less history would have made the book more exciting. Nevertheless, it’s a balanced look at the sources of the “Irish problem”, and worth reading for that alone.
I received a free copy of UPRISING through Story Origin in return for my honest review, which is represented here.
The same goes for the initial characterization. The author seems to assume the reader has just finished reading “Bad Blood”, the first book in the series, but for me it’s closing in on 3 years. Yet once I’d gotten to the point where I could again picture Eunan, my heart went out to him. He’s a young man who’s supposed to be the local leader of a clan, but all of his family are dead and his villagers pay him no mind. It’s a frustrating situation, for sure, but he eventually becomes somewhat stronger and earns some self-confidence, though not without adversity.
There were technical issues, including anachronisms and a consistent but contrived use of punctuation that piqued my grammar-geek heart. Added to that, the novel seemed to end abruptly in mid-scene: I can’t help but wonder why.
Like the first book, there’s a lot of history embedded. I’m a big fan of conflict in novels, but the deliberations to act by the clan leaders took much more time than the actions themselves, and the bickering that went on between the clans was exasperating. In the end, you will understand how Ireland fell to the English: there was not only an enormous advantage in the weapons available to them, but the Irish rebels seemed to have no sense of loyalty to their country—only to their clans.
I think that a bit more characterization and a bit less history would have made the book more exciting. Nevertheless, it’s a balanced look at the sources of the “Irish problem”, and worth reading for that alone.
I received a free copy of UPRISING through Story Origin in return for my honest review, which is represented here.
December 30, 2021
„Uprising”, the sequel to “Bad Blood” in C.R. Dempsey historical series “Exiles” and an interesting fictional approach to historical facts. The story is set in the later years of sixteen century Ireland, and focus on Eunan Maguire, a young man, once forced to flee his town to survive the English raiders who killed his parent, an event he still feels responsible for, and has sworn to avenge. His chance came earlier on as he met Seamus McSheeny, who encouraged him to become the leader of the Maguire Clan, claim his deceased father’s voting rights, support the rebellion against the Elizabethan English intruders and reclaim the land. Eventually Eunan realizes that McSheeny has his own hidden agenda. The English attack on Fermanagh put Seamus misgivings on hold, while he joined the fight and managed to fall into the hands of the English, who promptly assured Seamus ‘cooperation’ by threaten to kill his wife, and the families of his comrades, should he resist. And thus Seamus finds himself a highly reluctant traitor to the cause, just to save those he loves, the first step in a journey of hardship and retribution that puts Eunan and Seamus in opposite fronts, a battle from where only one of them can emerge alive.
C.R. Dempsey’s series offers a very balanced blend of historical facts and fiction, interwoven into a very interesting story-arc, that highlights the realities of Irish life in the late 1500s. Eunan is an immediately recognizable and relatable character, whose struggles and reactions to his environment and peers are always coherent and credible, while Seamus embodies his perfect counterpart. The story is very well-written, fast-paced, and action-filled, with a good mix of though-provoking plot and character development. A compelling, inspiring, and interesting story on an extremely important (even if not always widely known) time in Irish history.
C.R. Dempsey’s series offers a very balanced blend of historical facts and fiction, interwoven into a very interesting story-arc, that highlights the realities of Irish life in the late 1500s. Eunan is an immediately recognizable and relatable character, whose struggles and reactions to his environment and peers are always coherent and credible, while Seamus embodies his perfect counterpart. The story is very well-written, fast-paced, and action-filled, with a good mix of though-provoking plot and character development. A compelling, inspiring, and interesting story on an extremely important (even if not always widely known) time in Irish history.
May 25, 2023
Much like the first in this series, I had some idea of where it might be going. It's a long book, an historical fiction account of the late 1500's Ireland. It's brutal, but it's really good. It's a time period I love. There are long places in the book where there's no dialogue and much description, including a lot of description of battles, land acquisition, and different lords or clans who are choosing one side the battle or the other or one clan over the other. However, again, I recommend reading through it and pushing through, even if it isn't your cup of tea, because getting to the guts (not the gore) of the story is what it's all about. In the end, this is really an epic saga about a young man who's becoming a grown man, a fighter, and who will one day become not only the leader we're seeing, but likely a clan leader. It's also about the people he cares about and those who have chosen to believe in him and have seen something great sparkle deep within. At least, that's how I see it...
August 19, 2021
When Sampson is taken as a prisoner by the English he is given a task that if he doesn’t complete his wife and the families of his Irish kinsmen Will be murdered. He hast to turn his back on his people or of all the love ones from his village Killian. This is just one of the stories in this book. There is so much to this book it would be hard to explain in a quick summary but having run and I can honestly say it is worth the read. I found it very interesting and very hard to put down. The action begins from the very first day and at first I didn’t understand what all the mythological characters or or third door one and ion had to do with the story but it all comes together and what a story it is. This is a book I highly recommend and would give it more than five stars if I could.
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September 13, 2021One man fights to destroy his family, another to save his. Only one can be victorious.
Ireland 1594. Eunan’s village is destroyed, the rebellion appears over. As the forces of the English crown pillage the countryside, the rebel leader goes into hiding. Eunan’s past has come back to haunt him. ‘Uprising’ is the next instalment of the gripping ‘Exiles’ historical Irish family saga.If you love fast-paced action and adventure orientated historical fiction, then you will love this book. You will need to read these novels in order. I read the first novel and was thrilled to read the second. I highly recommend this novel. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book with no monetary compensation.
Ireland 1594. Eunan’s village is destroyed, the rebellion appears over. As the forces of the English crown pillage the countryside, the rebel leader goes into hiding. Eunan’s past has come back to haunt him. ‘Uprising’ is the next instalment of the gripping ‘Exiles’ historical Irish family saga.If you love fast-paced action and adventure orientated historical fiction, then you will love this book. You will need to read these novels in order. I read the first novel and was thrilled to read the second. I highly recommend this novel. I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book with no monetary compensation.
February 19, 2022
Uprising is the second book in a series by C.R. Dempsey. The book picks up where Bad Blood left off, bringing us right back in to the violent and dangerous life of the main character, with a slight more focus on some side characters than the first book had. Uprising is just as exciting as Bad Blood. There is plenty of adventure and the characters continue to be well thought out.
As with the first book in the series, the history surrounding the world during Uprising was well researched and the lore of the fictional parts of the story fit the setting properly.
Uprising, much like Bad Blood, should be picked up by fans of historical fiction stories!
As with the first book in the series, the history surrounding the world during Uprising was well researched and the lore of the fictional parts of the story fit the setting properly.
Uprising, much like Bad Blood, should be picked up by fans of historical fiction stories!
April 24, 2024
Exciting historical fiction book,.
Eunan wants to be the Cassidy Maguire, but the path is difficult. Eunan spends time with Desmond, regaining stability.
When Eunan needs to make a decision, his thought is "What would Seamus do?" That thought process enables Eunan to save Dervenna, Seamus's wife. Seamus and Eunan work to stop the marriage of Art Roe and Caoimhe O'Cassidy. They are successful at that, but at what price?
The book is entertaining and enjoyable.
I received the book to provide an honest review.
Eunan wants to be the Cassidy Maguire, but the path is difficult. Eunan spends time with Desmond, regaining stability.
When Eunan needs to make a decision, his thought is "What would Seamus do?" That thought process enables Eunan to save Dervenna, Seamus's wife. Seamus and Eunan work to stop the marriage of Art Roe and Caoimhe O'Cassidy. They are successful at that, but at what price?
The book is entertaining and enjoyable.
I received the book to provide an honest review.
November 2, 2021
This is the secound book.ofnthe series but can easily be read as a stand alone. I've read book one and had to go on to book two. The characters are well portrayed with enough history and fictional storytelling to keep you reading.. Action enough for anyone whilst keeping the story moving forward.if you are a fan of stories about the Irish troubles these books will immerse you into the story and have your heart beating in time with the clans.
September 12, 2022
This is the second book in the series and like the first one it has a lot of historical events. I enjoy reading stories like this, it is fast paced and adventurous and it holds your attention to the end. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 23, 2022
I was eager to read the next book in this series. The author has a very good way with words. Sometimes stories about war and it's consequences can be very boring and dull. I didn't find this story to be so. Highly recommended and I look forward to the next installment.
June 13, 2025
Red wedding
Wonderful, wonderful story, great plot development and well written. This is definitely a building story for the next book. Yet still enough action to keep your interest.
Wonderful, wonderful story, great plot development and well written. This is definitely a building story for the next book. Yet still enough action to keep your interest.
August 15, 2025
Even better than the first! If you like historical fiction, you will love this book. You do need to read the first book in the series before this. Bad Blood leads right into this one and both are very exciting. I strongly recommend this book.
March 27, 2025
This 2nd book didn't capture me as much as the first. I didn't like how much it focused on Seamus; especially the many times he saved Eunans life.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews