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Author Shauna Lawless discusses Son of the Serpent, the fifth Gael Song novel, the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland and blending Irish history with mythology.
Author Shauna Lawless has released Son of the Serpent, the fifth novel in her Gael Song series and the second book in the Gael Song: Era II sequence. Set as the Anglo-Norman army prepares to invade Ireland, the novel follows Irish kings who argue over how best to deal with the threat while Ireland's immortals discover new magical powers, according to an interview about the book.
Gael Song Series and Historical Accuracy
Lawless said the main challenges of writing a historical series always revolve around accuracy. A story set in the past must be authentic and feel like a real place, she added, otherwise there is no point to it.
She stated that she did not want her retelling of Clontarf or the Anglo-Norman invasion to be invented within her imagination. She wanted it to be as accurate as possible, but going as far back as the 10th century makes this difficult.
An author must truly become a detective, she said. Questions she had to answer included what style of houses people lived in, how the language evolved between then and now, how religion was perceived and structured, whether there was a legal system and what people ate.
To answer these questions, she delved into archaeological digs, source documents, translations of source documents, monastic annals, historical textbooks and her own site visits.
The opportunities, however, are immense. Lawless said writing the series is an opportunity to explore humanity and how people have changed, and how they have not.
She added that many readers have told her the novels inspired them to read historical sources themselves or pick up historical nonfiction books. She is also often told the books reignited an interest in Irish history and mythology that readers had in childhood but let slip away, which she described as the greatest compliment of all.
Debut Novel and the Gael Song Timeline
Lawless has five novels out in the Gael Song series. The sixth novel will be released next year, and the six books are split into two eras.
The first era, made up of the first three books, is set around the Battle of Clontarf. The second era is set around the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, published in 2022, is the first novel and begins in AD 981. It follows the historical timeline while also featuring characters with magical gifts derived from Irish mythology. Lawless recommends readers begin there if they want to read her work.
Irish Mythology and Historical Fantasy
Asked how she combined Irish mythology, folklore and history to create historical fantasy, Lawless said it was honestly just the way the story came out. She was very influenced by the Irish mythology she had read.
The Táin, for example, is a story about a battle between Ulster and Connacht, but within the story there are magical elements and characters. She said this is always what she has loved about Irish mythology: the drama and the magic.
It felt natural for this story, which revolves around a historical battle, to contain elements of mythology and magic. Source documents also helped, she said. Though they do not often make it into textbooks, they are full of magical happenings.
Gerald of Wales writes about werewolves and ghost armies roaming the forests. Njal's Saga, an Icelandic saga that documents Clontarf, records incidents of scalding blood rain and of attacking flocks of ravens that seem to have claws and talons made of steel.
Lawless writes about two tribes, the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians. They are two magical tribes of people who lived in Ireland and are documented in Lebor Gabála Érenn, also known as The Book of Invasions.
The Tuatha Dé Danann have a range of magical gifts, and they include the Morrígan, Manannán mac Lir, the Dagda and Brigid. The Fomorians are described as cruel and greedy, and they fight against the Tuatha Dé Danann. Their king, Balor, has one eye with seven eyelids that can destroy everything around him.
In Irish mythology, the Tuatha Dé Danann defeated the Fomorians at the Second Battle of Moytura. In her story, however, there are some surviving descendants of each tribe who are still secretly at war with each other.
Strong Female Characters and Recommended Reading
Lawless said it was very deliberate to have strong female characters such as Fódla and Gormflaith. Historical retellings are traditionally told via the perspectives of kings and warriors, and she understands why, as they are often the more active characters.
However, she said that is only one way to view history, and the perspective of women needs to be brought to the forefront more often.
For readers seeking history books, she recommended Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf by Seán Duffy, Viking Pirates and Christian Princes by Benjamin Hudson, and Strongbow: The Norman Invasion of Ireland by Conor Kostick.
Lawless has also written three stand-alone novellas. They are all prequel stories connected to the main Gael Song series. She recommended Dreams of Fire for readers who want a story about characters with mythological powers.
Son Of The Serpent Shauna Lawless Gael Song Irish Mythology Anglo-Norman Invasion Battle Of Clontarf The Children Of Gods And Fighting Men
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