Grania: She-King of the Irish Seas

Llywelyn follows the story of Grania's life. For the most part, it happens in chronological order, starting from near the end of her first marriage to Donal O'Flaherty, but there are some dips into the past, but this only enhances the story and the characters, never disrupting the flow. As any real person is, Grania was a complex figure. Sure, she was intelligent, brave, charismatic, and daring. But she was also brash, vindictive, quick to anger, and unforgiving. A lot of her decisions are made for the good of her people, but she sometimes acts in ways that is detrimental to them. She loves her children, but she has a hard time showing it because they are so different from her yet so similar. She's not always likable or even relatable, but you can't help but love and admire her all the same. She lived in a rough time and was given a tough time of it. She did her best, even if it wasn't the best, but can any of us say that? Grania is human, for all her achievements, and that makes her fascinating to read about.

I've always been fascinated by the story of Grace O'Malley (sp) the Pirate Queen. Or Granuille. (The book actually covers the different names and spellings but I have forgotten them already). I love anything by Morgan Llewelyn. I wasn't disappointed. It's a well-written and intriguing tale of a fascinating life. It's entertaining, interesting, and seems historically accurate. Llywelyn's writing brings her to life. If you like historical novels, if you are fascinated by Irish history, you will like this book.

Grania-She-King of the Irish Seas. What a wonderful experience it was to read of this remarkable woman's life. She is a contemporary of Elizabeth I of England, and she lived life on her own terms. Not for her was a life of sitting by the fire spinning and sewing. No, she needed to be out on the open seas dealing with all the natural and human elements that she met out there. We see her living life on her terms, and with the men that she was involved with. Ms. Llywelen knows how to write a story, especially when she is delving back in history in her beloved Ireland. This was a page-turner and I couldn't put it down. I read a lot of books, and most recently have been reading a lot of mysteries, but when I started this book, I realized how much I have missed my favourite genre - historical fiction.

Llywelyn has out done herself again! Grania made me want to move to Ireland and become a pirate merchant. If you don't like reading boaring books, read this one.

Morgan Llywelyn has outdone herself this time. A wonderful novel about a woman's struggles and triumphs in a man's world. A woman, not remarked for her beauty, but for her skills and wits, overcomes all that stands in her way. Grania is truly a treat for anyone who reads it.

Truly a novel of a little remembered Irish Heroine, in a patriachial society. Morgan has given a gutsy, gravelly personification of this lady of the Seas. Her loves and her husband, not necessarily the same, are presented in a down to earth reality of the battles being fought against the crown of so called Virgin Queen. A good read, enjoyable, and nice to see some of the less written about Leaders of that time.