Song Of Ireland
Song of Ireland, Osborne-McKnight’s fourth novel, once again gives insight into all things Irish. Reaching back into Irish myth, she draws readers into the legendary world of the invasion of Ireland by the Sons of Mil (aka the Celts) and the battle put forth by the Tuatha de Danaan (also called the Danu or Little People).
As the Sons of Mil are influenced by their long-held dream of the Island of Destiny, their bard, Amergin, pushes them forward to secure their dream. However, upon encountering the Danu they are forced to reexamine both their motivations and their very beliefs. At the time of the Milesian invasion, the Danu are ruled by the Three Sisters, Banba, Fodla and Eriu. The ensuing struggle builds to a battle for the island and finds the characters examining love, war, and magic.
The characters, well fleshed out, and the setting – perfect in its descriptions of the evocative Milesian journey from Egypt and Europe, and highly evocative of the emerald-green, misty sweeps across Ireland – combine to create a well-crafted mix of mythology and fantasy. To any reader reasonably versed in Irish mythology, this book provides an intriguing look at these two fabled peoples. (Neophytes to the subject should read the notes at the back first.) This is definitely an addictive read, provided one pauses now and again to make sure everything’s straight in the mind before turning the page.
