Mythical Monday (24)

It seems there are many books based on or influenced by Myths and Mythological Beings.

There are so many different Mythology and Mythological Beings recorded. Some are very popular and well known, others not so much. There are many similar beings, yet different depending on the culture it’s based in.  The definition of Myth covers about anything in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy realm to me.

I’ve invited authors to share briefly the Mythological being or Myth that influenced their character(s) or story, or what their character(s) are based on influencing their books.  Hosting here, one author and being or myth per week.

This week we have:

Fantasy author Celine Kiernan

Talking of Ghosts.

So many thanks to Melissa for inviting me to participate in Mythic Mondays. I am so so very sorry for being late with the post though! I swear I meet myself coming in these days - I've become the ghost haunting my own life!

I chose to write about ghosts today as they feature in many of my books and short stories. I used to believe in them, very much so, and come from a family where ghosts and ghostly appearances were recounted with absolute sincerity (I still believe in the sincerity of those accounts today ) Since my father's death I've become more ambivalent about my belief in an afterlife and so my actual believe in ghosts has declined. This doesn't mean I'm not open to any and all possibilities though, and certainly as a literary device they still fascinate me. (and probably never will considering my plans to write a children's novel in which a ghost plays a major role)

So...

Ghosts: sentient echoes of the hidden past.

I have always been fascinated by the stories people keep from each other: the things we won’t tell and the histories we don’t discuss. I'm most especially fascinated by silences that are maintained (or enforced) out of the belief that forgetting is the best for everyone - as if ignorance of the past can ever help ensure a better future. These self -imposed silences exist everywhere. Mankind is always suppressing its own history-- or reshaping it in the telling. On a domestic level, many people go about happy lives blissfully unaware of the family dramas that have preceded them, the memories of which have been purposefully and tacitly consigned to silent cupboards and 'forgotten' by those involved.

Photo By: Adventures in Photography by Grace Kiernan,

But silencing the past doesn't always kill it. Sometimes the past seeps up through the cracks, like pollution in the ground water, often to the discomfort and despair of later generations. Emotional residue, social tension, instability: regardless of whether their origins are understood or not, these things can remain.

Ghosts are like walking scraps of such unwanted history. Pressing themselves into the world of the living, they intrude into the silence of the older generations. Unignorable and unavoidable, they force us, for better or for worse, to face our past. They demand that things long broken be fixed, or maybe just that they seen, recognized, and accepted as true.

In my books, this forced unearthing of buried conflict or pain can often come at a price for the innocent members of the present generation. It can be uncomfortable, even damaging, to be made fully aware of the truth. The age-mellowed grandfather or kindly mother may have - in other, younger, circumstances - been less than gentle, and worse than ruthless. The deeds performed, in war, in poverty, the sadnesses lived through, may indeed have been be better left alone. But - in my books - ghosts have no choice about telling the truth; they are nothing but the truth. They are the past crystallized, the very essence of never having moved on. Regardless of the consequences they cannot help but drag everything out into the light. Sentient echoes of the hidden past they will continue to sidle and creep and badger and wail, until the living are forced to turn and look and - for better or for worse - recognize them for what they are.



Author Bio:
Celine Kiernan is the author of the award winning and critically acclaimed The Moorehawke Trilogy, a dark, complex trilogy of fantasy YA books set in an alternative renaissance Europe. The three books of The Moorehawke Trilogy are The Poison Throne, The Crowded Shadows and The Rebel Prince. First published in Celine’s native Ireland in 2008, the trilogy has since been published in 15 different territories, and as of this typing has been translated to 10 different languages. In 2009 the first book of the Moorehawke Trilogy, The Poison Throne, won The Readers’ Association of Ireland Award for best book, it was included in the White Raven Collection and short listed for the 2009 Irish Book Awards in two categories (best newcomer and best children’s book snr catagory). In 2010 it was long-listed for an Australian Silver Inky Award.

Celine’s forth book, Taken Away (aka Into The Grey) – a YA ghost story set in 1970′s Ireland – is the winner of the 2012 CBI Book of the Year (formerly The Bisto award) and the CBI Children’s Choice Award. It is the first book to have won both categories.

Celine lives in rural Ireland with her husband and two teenage children. Her next novel Resonance - A supernatural/sc-fi which her publishers are calling ‘metaphysical gothic’ – is set in 1890′s Ireland and is due for publication in 2013.


Find Celine Kiernan:
Site:  The Writing of Celine Kiernan
Blog:  All Things Moorehawke and Otherwise
Twitter:  @Celine_Kiernan

Musical Sound Track Tour, INTO THE GREY by Celine Kiernan

I read the Moorehawke series by Celine Kiernan, and fell in love.  Now Celine is releasing a new book, Into the Grey.  And I'm thrilled to have her by today with a guest post telling a bit about Into the Grey and one of the playlist songs.


Into the Grey is a ghost story about twin brothers, Pat and Dom Finnerty, whose lives are turned upside

down by the loss of their home and by a subsequent haunting. The book has quite a few chills, there's quite a bit of political history in it, much exploration of death and loss--but there’s also a lot of love and kindness in it, a fair few laughs and a lot of bravery. I thought I’d have a bit of fun with that side of the book on this blog tour, so these posts will be all about music! Why certain songs feature in the story, what they mean to me, what memories are associated with them etc . Into the Grey is set in the Irish seaside town of Skerries in 1974, all the songs featured are evocative to me of both that time and that (very real) place As you will see, they all speak very much to the story, too, and to the characters and the rather desperate situation with which they find themselves entwined.

WaterLoo: ABBA (Chapter: Waterloo)
NOTE: How could I set in a story in April 1974 without mentioning ABBA’s outstanding Eurovision victory? In this scene, Pat’s frantic attempt to have a poptastically good time, while underneath secretly falling apart, is something I recall from my early teens: the feeling that everything is darkness under a plastically smiling exterior, the constant struggle to seem normal when you feel anything but. I recall always wondering why I seemed to be the only one noticing all the brokenness – why couldn’t I just get on board with the rest of the well adjusted, laughing human-race and have a great time like everyone else? It took me a long time to figure out everyone feels the exact same, that we are all dragging our invisible demons around.

I remember when ABBA won, the TV station cut to the news before the victory performance was over, and Ma leapt up and ran into the kitchen to turn on the radio. Larry Gogan was still commenting on the show and he played the song all the way to the end. Ma raced back in and grabbed me by my hands and hauled me to my feet, and we danced all around the kitchen, singing along at the tops of our voices.

In that moment, I felt feverishly happy. I was almost hysterically happy. And when the song was over I remember thinking, No! No! Don’t let it stop. Let it go on forever. So that I could go on forever, dancing and singing in the kitchen with Ma. And not have to go upstairs.

But it did stop, and it was dead late, and Dad carried Dee to bed, and Ma started doing the dishes. I stood in the middle of the kitchen, the harsh centre light beating down on me, while Ma and Dom had a conversation with each other that was all sound and no words and seemed to come from very far away. I stood there in my pyjamas and dressing-gown, tired and lost and bloody terrified, looking at nothing in particular, thinking of nothing but how scared I was. Then Dom came quietly up behind me, took my elbow in his hand, and led me up the stairs.

This is Musical Book Playlist #3.  (Curious about the rest of the books?  You can visit the tour stops.)

Into The Grey
A pacy, chilling ghost story from the creator of the internationally acclaimed Moorehawke Trilogy.


I think the fire changed us – me and Dom. I think that’s how the goblin-boy was able to see us. Though he’d been there for every summer of our childhood, we’d only been stupid boys until then. Stupid, happy, ignorant boys. And what in hell would he have had in common with two stupid boys? But after the fire we were different. We were maybe a little bit like him. And so he saw us, at last, and he thought he’d found a home…

Purchase at:
 or at Book Depository

Looking Forward To...(64)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Into the Grey

(or in other parts of world called Taken Away)

By:  Celine Keirnan

Due Out:  September 6, 2011

This book caught my eye after reading Celine's Moorehawke trilogy.  This one has a different sound to it, but I really like what I've seen on her blog/site of the excerpts. It sounds spooky, but yet reminds me of the old fey/goblin celtic tales.  I really like the feel of this one.  Now this book will be releases overseas, or overseas to me.  She is in Ireland.  And I don't know if it's coming to the US or not.  But thanks to Book Depository I can still order it. :) YES!

I do have to say Celine is going to be doing a giveaway for this book this week too.  So go check out her blog and see if she has it up yet. :) If not, keep visiting as it will be up soon.

If you would like to read an excerpt, visit Celines blog on this direct link to the excerpt.

Goodreads Synopsis:
A pacy, chilling ghost story from the creator of the internationally acclaimed Moorehawke Trilogy.

I think the fire changed us – me and Dom. I think that’s how the goblin-boy was able to see us. Though he’d been there for every summer of our childhood, we’d only been stupid boys until then. Stupid, happy, ignorant boys. And what in hell would he have had in common with two stupid boys? But after the fire we were different. We were maybe a little bit like him. And so he saw us, at last, and he thought he’d found a home…

And depending on where you live this might be the book and title.

Book Review: The Rebel Prince

The Rebel Prince

By:  Celine Kiernan

Publisher:  Orbit Books

Publish Date:  October 2010

Format:  Paperback 402pgs, Trade size

Genre:  Fantasy, YA Fantasy

Series:  3rd book in The Moorehawke Trilogy; Book 1 ~ The Poison Throne, Book 2 ~ The Crowded Shadows

Recommendation:  Oh Yes!  Wonderful ending to a great trilogy.

Book Synopsis:
Wynter Moorehawke has braved bandits and Loup-Garous to find her way to Alberon - the exiled, rebel prince.  But now that she's there, she will learn firsthand that politics is a deadly mistress.  With the king and his heir on the edge of war and alliances made with deadly enemies, the Kingdom is torn not just by civil war - but strife between the various factions as well.  Wynter knows that no one has the answer to the problems that plague the Kingdom - and she knows that their differences will not just tear apart her friends - but the Kingdom as well.

First Sentence:
When Wynter was five, her father dressed her in a little red coat, put her on the back of his horse, and took her on a picnic.

My Thoughts and Summary:
This is the third and final book of the trilogy, some spoilers for the previous books could be present.

Wynter, Razi, and Christopher are traveling with the Merron warriors, who are on their diplomatic mission to find the Rebel prince.  They have all started to come to terms with the happenings of The Crowded Shadows.  In trying to find the Rebel Prince they try different rendezvous points with no avail.  Finally, they come across Alberon's military men and make it to camp.  After some quick work with words Razi and Wynter make it to see Alberon.  What they learn of his plans surprise and astound them.  Could they work?  Would they even want them to work?  With everything that has happened between Prince Alberon and his father King Jonathan, could they repair the damage done to the kingdom?  Razi and Wynter have the fate of the kingdom laying in their hands.

This was a wonderful read for me.  One I barreled quickly through, not wanting to put the book down.  I have enjoyed these characters and the world here since the first book.  This was a wonderful end to an amazing trilogy.  I'm still a little sad to see it end, but in this book all the remaining questions are answered and wraps up gracefully.  And yes, we learn about the Bloody Machine talked about in the first book.  We also get to see more of the Merron ways, which I grew to love in The Crowded Shadows.

The characters have grown in strength through these books.  Especially Wynter.  Wynter has grown into a wise and brave young woman.  Not that she wasn't brave in the beginning, but she has learned much on her path and accepted a lot.  She has found love and hate in these woods and how to express both.  We get to meet one of Wyn's old friends here, one of the talking cats she had taken care of when at the castle before her and her father went North.  And we learn more of Christopher and his hidden secret, and how Wyn deals with it.  Razi is the constant rock and voice of reason, as always, but there is something that will shake his world as well.  Then, we finally get to meet the Rebel Prince Alberon. 

Hmmm, yes.  Alberon.  I have to say when we first meet Alberon I had wondered of his state of mind.  He seemed as he could be a little off from all the war and bloodshed he has seen at such a young age.  But as the book went on I learned of why the Prince is the way he is and that he is aware of it.  But, he has to be strong and almost cold as he is the heir to the throne... or so he believes.

The story starts right in the thick of the woods with trouble all around.  We get the feel of the danger in the woods still.  Even when in the camp there is always danger lurking around.  And even the different agents from different kingdoms and areas of this world there is friction between them.

I also enjoyed the different degrees and angles in which we see danger coming at the main characters.  All the characters are tested to their limits.  We even get to see at the end, the characters that survive, a close future to see what has come of them. 

Lovely ending to a wonderful trilogy.  I'm proud to say this is one that will stay on the shelves for years to come and I will revisit again and again.  I will be keeping my eye out for any future work by Celine Kiernan.

If you are interested and would like to see you can visit Celine Kiernan's blog, and if you click on the links on her side bar can see some amazing art work of the memorable characters of this trilogy.  Do go and enjoy.


I purchased this book for my reading enjoyment.


This book qualifies for the Speculative Reading Challenge hosted by Floor to Ceiling Books and YA Reading Challenge 2011.

Looking Forward To (22)...

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down.  Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

The Next Book Is...

Rebel Prince

By:  Celine Kiernan

Due out:  October 18, 2010

Well, as many of my long time followers know I am addicted, hooked on (what ever you would like to call it) this trilogy.  This is a wonderful world to get lost in with the main characters on their mission to find the Rebel Prince to... well read the books. :)  These books have come out relatively close and tell the story of three characters; Razi, Wynter, and Christopher.

I have reviews of the first two books up (click the title to jump over to read them):
     The Poison Throne
     The Crowded Shadows

I did a Favorite Fictional Character post based on one of these characters.
     Christopher Garron (after reading The Poison Throne)

I am looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy.  Although I will miss the characters and the world, so I will keep them on the shelf for a long time.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Wynter Moorehawke has braved bandits and Loup-Garous to find her way to Alberon-the exiled, rebel prince. But now that she's there, she will learn firsthand that politics is a deadly mistress. With the king and his heir on the edge of war and alliances made with deadly enemies, the Kingdom is torn not just by civil war - but strife between the various factions as well. Wynter knows that no one has the answer to the problems that plague the Kingdom - and she knows that their differences will not just tear apart her friends - but the Kingdom as well.

Book Review: The Crowded Shadows

The Crowded Shadows

By:  Celine Kiernan

Publisher:  Orbit Books

Publish Date:  July 1, 2010

Genre:  Fantasy

Format:  Paperback, 474 pgs - 5 1/2" x 8"

Series:  2nd in The Moorehawke Trilogy, review of 1st book ~ Poison Throne here.

Recommendation:  YES!!  If you love wonderful characters and writing that will just absorb you into their world, start with the first book Poison Throne then dive right into this one.  This is a fantastic fantasy journey to take!

Book Synopsis:
Every tyrant who ever threatened the Kingdom is gathering to Alberon's table, and the forest is alive with spies, wolves and bandits. Within these crowded shadows, Protector Lady Wynter Moorehawke travels alone and unprotected, determined that she shall find the rebel prince and heal the rift that has come between the King and his legitimate heir. But who is an ally and who is a foe? In this, the second of The Moorehawke Trilogy, old friends and even older enemies ensure that Wynter is never certain of who she can trust.

First Sentence:
Wynter sank closer to Ozkar's neck and slowly dipped her head so that the dark brim of her hat hid her eyes.

My Review and Synopsis:
We start off right where Poison Throne left off.  Wynter is traveling alone in the dense forests to find the adored and disowned Rebel Prince Alberon.  Wynter has many worries and trials while traveling through the crowded forest.  She never imagined the woods in this direction to be so full of people... people who just may not be welcome in the Kingdoms lands.  There is much more going on in the woods of the Kingdom than anyone ever expected.  In the shadows of the Kingdom Forests there are many new worries and Wynter, Razi, and Christopher find themselves in the middle.

This book is of the tribulations and trials the characters undergo while traveling alone in the dangerous forests of the Kingdom.  You see that word has traveled far and wide that there is chaos in the Kingdoms lands and in other parts of the world as well.  But this book focuses on our main characters.  This is the middle child, being a second book, but this is the next section of the story in getting to the end results - getting to the Rebel Prince Alberon and seeing chaos has erupted in the kingdom.  This book has a wonderful story to tell and add to the trilogy.  As we don't hear much of the Bloody Machine or meet the Rebel Prince Alberon yet, we do see that Alberon is bringing many different cultures; ally and enemy alike to his table.  What is this young man up to?

Celine pulls the punches from the start.  Right into the troubles and worries of Wynter's along with all the new ones in the crowded woods she's traveling in.

I just have to say off the start here, I loved this book, and for many reasons.  Now I will try to not to gosh my love to much after stating this here. :)

I was so drawn into this book that my whole house could have burnt down around me, and I would not have known.  Celine's writing style flowed very nicely for me, very fluint and absorbing.  I could easily visualize everthing in my mind through Celine's writing.  I love when I can easily see what is going on, it makes the story flow faster for me.  I found myself going back and rereading sections of the book; NOT because I was lost but because I loved them fore how they where worded, the meaning in them, or from the shock of the happening.

The characters are amazing and I really started to see much more going on in the woods of the kingdom.  I learned more of the characters and really feel in love with them - all old and new.  The story built on the suspense of the dark forest and had me worried for the characters, not knowing why I was worried but feeling is through the writing.  But then in the end I got all my explainations and answers for the worries.  The building of the cultures and world was amazing.  Through learning more of the Merron people, and Christopher, I also learned of the cultures of the others by the way they reacted and compared the Merron religion to.

This story had a quick pace for me, even though it was 474 pages.  And there was lots happening to keep me wanting more.  The momentum kept going and I just couldn't put the book down.  Then there were a few unexpected twists to the story as well, which made me love it even more.


This book qualifies for my Speculated Fiction Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.

Favorite Fictional Character (26)

Meme sponsored and hosted by the creative mind of Ryan at Wordsmithonia.

I just started the second book in a fantasy trilogy.  And doing so reminded me how much I loved one of the male characters... Christopher Garron.  I met Christopher first in The Poison Throne and now again in The Crowded Shadows.

So he sounds like a nice looking young man, tall, thin, and long black hair.  But there is more than that to his character.  He is a ladies man for sure.  He has a smile when used makes the women think they are something special.  But, Christopher also has a great sense of humor and no matter how ugly things get he holds this humor to lightens any mood.  There is a dark side to Christopher as well... don't mess with the ones he loves or he could take your head off and not think twice about it.  I love that he is so loyal to his friends. 

Christopher is the best friend to the bastard - now named - Prince Razi, and in being such a close friend he has to attend some parties and such.  But as much of a front as he puts up, he is not as educated on the political ways of the sly torments and manipulations.  But he makes it through with the help of friends, his quick learning, and quickness to think on his feet.  But being a close friend to an unwanted named Prince could be dangerous too.  Christopher takes an ugly beating in order to upset the Prince and get him to do as his father wants him to.

In the end, I saw Christopher more than the character he plays around the beautiful women, or to get his way.  Christopher is a loyal friend who would die to protect those who mean more to him than the world.  He is also a decent young man of a potential love for another character in the book.  And now that I am getting further into The Crowded Shadows, I am loving Christopher even more... history and all.