AWAKENING THE GODS (RISE OF THE CELTIC GODS) by KRISTIN GLEESON – Review by Jennifer Gordon

Awakening the Gods by Kristin Gleeson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy novel filled with magic, myth, romance and Irish music with a Celtic twist. It’s an original story which held me gripped from start to finish. Failed barista Saoirse and reclusive blacksmith Smithy hear the call of the Irish Gods but can they avoid their fate. Saoirse is happy playing traditional music once a week in a local Dublin pub until her father dies and an unknown grandmother appears upending her life. Music is also Smithy’s love and the one joy that he has left that he feels has a residue of his lost magic to it. Smithy lives in rural Cork working in his forge trying to resist the requests of the Tuatha De Danann who want him to join them in their battle. The battle is against a powerful God who is threatening to destroy the land of Eire. As the Gods conspire and fate intervenes Saoirse and Smithy are bought together as the Gods awaken to answer the call to defend the land even if it means risking death. This “music-filled romantic urban fantasy with a Celtic twist” is a great mix of Irish myth and folklore, music, romance and suspense and I was happily turning the pages well into the night. The author really brings the setting to life making me feel immersed in the storyline and I loved the characters especially Saoirse and Smithy. I found the notes at the end of the book on where the Irish myths and legends had come from fascinating and how to pronounce certain Irish words very helpful. I look forward to reading future books in this series.

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