Hi everyone,
Today’s post is my review for hag of the hills by J. T. T. Ryder. Thanks to Dave, the author and publisher!
- Publication date: March 1st, 2022
- Age group: Adult
- Content/Trigger Warnings: Slavery, violence, suicide, child death
Synopsis;
“Nothing is unconquerable; even our gods can die.”
Brennus is destined from birth to become a warrior, despite his farmer’s life. But when the Hillmen kill his family and annihilate his clan, he now has the opportunity to avenge those who he loved.
Brennus must survive endless hordes of invading Hillmen and magic-wielding sidhe, aided by only a band of shifty mercenaries, and an ancient bronze sword.
Failure means his family and clan go unavenged. Victory will bring glory to Brennus and his ancestors.
Hag of the Hills is a heroic fantasy novel set in 200 B.C. on the Isle of Skye, steeped in Celtic mythology and culture.
My thoughts;
I’ve been in a mood reading mood these past couple weeks and I was a little worried I wasn’t going to like this or even pick it up. I think that’s why it took me a while to get into it.
I’m really glad that the characters hooked me because I was having trouble getting into the story in the first few chapters but I’m glad I continued otherwise I would have missed out on a really good book. I love Celtic mythology and it would have been a shame if my reading mood had put me off.
In this book we follow Brennus who, at the start of the book was trying to find himself whilst shuffling from bad situation to bad situation. I find it so satisfying to watch characters grow and Brennus is definitely a character that really grows.
I know the the author specialises in archaeology of both the Viking age and Celtic Iron Age and it defiantly shows. I don’t read a lot of historical fantasy but I enjoyed this one and I became more invested in the story as it went on. I liked the ending and will read book two at some point when it comes out. If you like fantasy, history and mythology with interesting characters then give this one a try.
Author bio;
Joseph Thomas Thor Ryder is an archaeologist and author of the heroic fantasy novel HAG OF THE HILLS, book 1 of THE BRONZE SWORD CYCLES duology. He is a published author of Viking archaeology, and a doctoral candidate specializing in the Viking Age and Celtic Iron Age. He resides in Norway where he conducts archaeological research and writes heroic fantasy set in historical periods.
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Holly reads a lot 