Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: Stone Heart

Subtitle: An Epic Tale of Love and War in Celtic Ireland (The Ailigh Wars Saga Book 1)

Author: Peter J Merrigan

Genre: Fiction, Saga, Historical fiction

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54844376-stone-heart

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

War is never far away in Celtic Ireland. Soon after his father returns from the war, Áed is called to train to become a soldier while his sister starts training as a Druid. Can he and his friend survive and can they keep the enemy away from their lands?

What I liked about the book:

The book is action-packed and full of suspense, love and heartbreak.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I loved the entire book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I would like what will happen next.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a saga full of suspense.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No

Young Adult Yes

Adult Yes

If you like historical fiction and Irish sagas, this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

"THRILLING, MOVING, AND AN UTTERLY UNEXPECTED ENDING. PURE ENJOYMENT." - International Review of Books

"ENTHRALLING. IF YOU ENJOY SHOWS LIKE VIKINGS, YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE STONE HEART." - Readers' Favorite

Ireland, 279 BC. A nation at war.

For two boys, it will be grueling. For Ireland . . . it will be bloody.

When the first raiding skirmishes of a foreign army are crushed and Ireland mourns her dead, one king knows their newfound peace is destined to fail. As Overking of Ailigh, Keeper of the North, he calls for the boys of his Celtic tribes to train as formidable warriors under his command.

For Áed, it begins as a fantastical quest. For Rónán, it helps him escape a cruel chieftain. Together, they must train and grow in strength and might. And when the invading army returns, a nation goes to war, united under one banner.

Meanwhile, Áed's sister begins her training as a druid, learning the spiritual ways of the earth. And when the goddess Cáer speaks to her in her dreams, she knows that Ireland's future hangs in the balance.

With Áed skilled in close combat, and Rónán blessed with an archer's eye, they fight side by side, champions of the Celts. But death is close. And the tides of war are forever in flux.

The Irish Celts know one thing: if the warmongering foreigners aren't defeated, not even the druids can change the course of destiny.

STONE FORGED (Book 2) and STONE SOUL (Book 3) are out now!

About the Author:

Peter J Merrigan was born in Northern Ireland and became interested in writing from an early age. He was first published at the age of 17.

He went on to study a Bachelor of Arts in Writing at university in London. He has worked in advertising and marketing for almost 20 years and now freelances as a copy writer.

Peter returned to Ireland in 2016 where he now lives with his partner.

His latest novel, STONE FORGED, is his second venture into historical fiction, following on from STONE HEART, set in ancient Ireland in a time of Celtic warriors.

He is now working on the AILIGH WARS SAGA.