Synopsis
In the tenth century, the Norsemen assault the minor relatively peaceful Irish Clan. They pilfer, rape, and randomly kill without a second thought. Observing the cruel attack in shock is a young lad, Brian mac Cennedi. He vows that one day there will be vengeance for the wanton death and destruction that the marauders brought to his clan.
As he grows into adulthood, Brian never forgot his vow. He begins his quest of revenge starting with efforts to unite the Irish clans under his rule. His battles with Viking and Irish alike become legendary as no one fights more ferociously than Brian does in battle. Eventually he conquers and unites the land, becoming known as Boru, the High King of Ireland.
King, warrior, and lover Brian Boru was stronger, braver, and wiser than all other men-the greatest king Ireland has ever known. Out of the mists of the country's most violent age, he merged to lead his people to the peak of their golden era. His women were as remarkable as his adventures: Fiona, the druidess with mystical powers; Deirdre, beautiful victim of a Norse invader's brutal lust; Gormlaith, six-foot, read-haired goddess of sensuality.
Set against the barbaric splendors of the tenth century, this is a story rich in truth and legend-in which friends become deadly enemies, bedrooms turn into battlefields, and dreams of glory are finally fulfilled.
Lion of Ireland is an exciting fantasy fictional tale that cleverly blends known facts, legends, and Morgan Llywellyn's wonderful imagination into a great epic story. The story line vividly provides a feel for tenth century Ireland without skimping on the action or on character development. The heroic Brian, the three key females, and his foes are fully developed so that the audience understands their motives while obtaining more insight into an interesting era. Llywellyn is the bard of Irish fictional history.
Author
New York-born author Morgan Llywelyn is one of the world's leading popular chroniclers of Celtic culture and history. A prolific storyteller, she has written more than twenty books over the past two decades. Her fiction has received several awards and has sold more than 40 million copies, and she herself is recipient of the 1999 Exceptional Celtic Woman of the Year Award from Celtic Women International.
In the words of Judith A. Gifford of the reference publication Twentieth-Century Romance and Historical Writers, "Drawing on the history and lore that are part of her own heritage, the works of Morgan Llywelyn concern themselves with Celtic heroes and heroines, both real and mythical, bringing them and the times they inhabited to life with stunning clarity." Pauline Morgan, writing in the St. James Guide to Fantasy Writers, has explained, "[t]he majority of Morgan Llywelyn's books may be regarded as fictional biographies. Each book takes a person, often historical or legendary, and relates the story of their life. Most of the novels with a fantasy connection rely heavily on Celtic mythology, particularly that of the Irish.
Morgan Llywelyn now lives outside of Dublin, Ireland, and has become an Irish citizen.