Song of Ireland
This well-researched historical fantasy retells the origins of the Irish, splitting the narrative between Celtic explorers and the mythical Danu, "little people" native to Celtic Ireland who have power over nature and time. Amergin, a Celtic bard verging on manhood, narrates the story of his family's perilous voyage from Egypt to Inisfail, the Isle of Destiny enshrined in Gaelic legend and the lifelong pursuit of his still-vigorous Galician-born father. The Danu leaders, meanwhile, prepare for the invaders' foretold arrival, debating the threat the newcomers will pose. The explorers' first contact with the enigmatic Three Sisters, who rule the Danu, leads to an uneasy meeting of cultures; rumors of war, actual magic and the miracle survival of Amergin's unborn child fuel tension between the tribes, and disgruntled factions soon begin pursuing more aggressive agendas. Though the abundance of plots makes the final chapters difficult to follow, the conflict makes for a good story. McKnight (Bright Sword of Ireland) is a better folklorist than narrator, but her characters are vivid and her action scenes well handled, making her latest a sure winner among Irish history buffs and fans of rich, multilayered fantasy.(Feb.)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.