Preview
  • The Children of Gods and Fighting Men

  • Gael Song, Book 1
  • By: Shauna Lawless
  • Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
  • Length: 14 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (53 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men

By: Shauna Lawless
Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.99

Buy for $21.99

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The first in a gripping new historical fantasy series that intertwines Irish mythology with real-life history, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is the thrilling debut novel by Shauna Lawless.

They think they've killed the last of us...

981 AD. The Viking King of Dublin is dead. His young widow, Gormflaith, has ambitions for her son – and herself – but Ireland is a dangerous place and kings tend not to stay kings for long. Gormflaith also has a secret. She is one of the Fomorians, an immortal race who can do fire-magic. She has kept her powers hidden at all costs, for there are other immortals in this world – like the Tuatha DE Danann, a race of warriors who are sworn to kill Fomorians.

FOdla is one of the Tuatha DE Danann with the gift of healing. Her kind dwell hidden in a fortress, forbidden to live amongst the mortals. FOdla agrees to help her kin by going to spy on Brian Boru, a powerful man who aims to be High King of Ireland. She finds a land on the brink of war – a war she is desperate to stop. However, preventing the loss of mortal lives is not easy with Ireland in turmoil and the Fomorians now on the rise...

'Highlander meets The Last Kingdom in this assured and captivating debut... I was hooked from page one.' Anthony Ryan

'Gripping and beautiful. A Celtic Last Kingdom with wild magic and fierce heroines.' Anna Smith Spark

'I really enjoyed the book. It's an excellent read.' Mark Lawrence

'A beguiling blend of fantasy, history, and politics. A gripping start to this series.' D.K. Fields

'A vividly written story that makes the ancient past feel contemporary.' Joseph O'Connor

'Rife with atmosphere and armies, magic and compelling characters, it swept me along and refused to be put down.' H.M. Long

'An epic historical fantasy that weaves myth and history into a sprawling tale of magic, intrigue, and war. Absorbing and richly detailed.' Ian Green

'With all the complex political machinations of A Song of Ice and Fire and the bloody battles of The Warlord Chronicles, it's ideal for fans of both.' Stephen Aryan

'An atmospheric journey into a thrilling historical fantasy world.' R.J. Barker

©2022 Shauna Lawless (P)2022 Head of Zeus
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Children of Gods and Fighting Men

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    35
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    38
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    31
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such a great listen!

Honestly, I bought this for my favorite narrator, but the story was really intriguing. I am glad I chose to listen instead of reading so I could hear the proper pronunciation of names and places. Well done! can't wait for the next.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a great book, don't think twice!

I loved it so much, it captivated me from the beginning. The story was gripping, world-building is immersive. This if my first time reading about Irish folklore and I absolutely love it. l'm excited to dive into the rest of the series! Great narration!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic storyline and well written book

I found this book through a recommendation by one of my favorite authors and am so glad I bought it.
A wonderfully woven tale with beautiful character development and a well-paced story.
Warriors and kings, magic and lore, all wrapped up with surprising plot twists in warm, beautiful narration that took you straight to Ireland.

I just finished book two and am even more in love with this series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mood Reading FTW!

This was truly a perfect March audio listen.

I wasn’t sure I was ready for Irish-historic-anything (because my bookish heart is deeply invested in the Exit Unicorn saga… which I *highly* recommend also), but Lawless was able to hook my attention quickly with sibling love. Oh, and what solid villain/grey character work at play here too- I’m nervous to see how they progress in this series.

I already pre-ordered book two, due out September 2023- because my curiosity is bursting at the seams to see what happens to Fódla and Murchad! Maybe a new favorite fictional couple on the horizon? *fingers crossed* (Oh, and I’m excited to see what happens to sweet Broccan, too!

Recommend to fans of Juliet Marillier, Genevieve Gornichec and Amy Harmon.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible Performance

Aoife McMahon really did this wonderful book justice! I can’t wait for the next in the series!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Characters hard to follow

This story has many characters and they are hard to keep straight because the narrator uses a very similar voice for them all,

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful