Yes, this book is the sequel to the book "A Shadow of Gulls". It continues the story of Lugh the Harper and the terrible Queen of Connaught. As I read the book I knew what was going to happen in the end in the final battle, but it did not diminish my pleasure in the story. This book, like the first one, is written in the first person, so it really personalizes the story. It felt like I was there as a guilty observer to the grand passions, intrigue, love and battle scenes. Ms. Finney is a wonderful writer, and her research is superb. Even though these books are out of print, I strongly recommend that you try to order them from your local library. For anyone who loves ancient Celtic history, this two-part series is a must.

The Crow Goddess is the sequel to Shadow of Gulls in which Patricia Finney introduces us to a well researched view of 1st century Ireland. She blends characters form the celtic Irish classics (the cattle raid of Cooley etc) such as Cuchualian and Connor king of Ulster with historical characters, notably Emperor Hadrain. The most important facet of her writing however is the ability to create characters who while appearing at home in the iron age (or the stone age in the case of the Tuatha de Danna) are still hugely sympathetic for the modern reader. The development of the central characters effortlessly draws the reader into the semi-mythic plot. Lugh the harper and ex-king of Connaught must return to Ireland to attempt to save his friend Cuchaulain and face the wrath of Maeve Queen of Connaught. On the way he becomes entangled in the Roman's plots to invade Ireland as they are added to the increasing weight of Cucaulain's enemies.

The first book in the double-book series of Lugh the Harper is quite wonderful. The detail the author offers is remarkable. The story is a fantasy in some respects, but it is also realistic. It's a story of love and vengeance, honour and cowardice, treachery and bravery quite like none I've read before. If you would like to know what this very distant past was like in the island of Ireland, you will certainly get a good idea by reading this book.he incidents and battles that occurred are remembered from legend and they are very carefully and completely described by this very talented author. Because the story is told in the first person by the narrator, who is Lugh, it gives a really personal slant to these events, and we as readers become directly involved. Luckily I have the sequel The Crow Goddess waiting for me to read right away. I truly want to find out what happens after the famous battle of Erin and Ulster in the second century AD.

An historical novel with more in common with fantasy than is usual, though mercifully free of the more annoying cliches and assumptions of that genre. Patricia Finney creates a realistic feeling Ireland at the time of the Roman Empire and weaves her story around Irish myth and legend to stunning effect.
One hesitates to mention her age at the time of the writing of the novel (she was 17) as one does not wish to add a novelty value to what is a unique and exciting novel that will stay with you. The sequel "The Crow Goddess" where the protagonist, Lugh MacRomain, travels to Roman occupied Britain is, if anything, better. Buy both immediatley.

The Tain Bo Culainge (Cattle raid of Cooley) often simply called the Tain, is the greatest story of the Cycle of the Red Branch Knights, a noble cycle of poems from ancient Ireland. It told the tales of the Celtic knights and their brave battles with human foe and with non- humans as well. This book is the tale of the Tain told from an interesting point of view, a potential mate of Maeve of Connaught who cannot be corn king because he crashes his sportscar (or the local version anyway - his chariot). It is a good rendition of the story and well worth a read. If you don't think you like ancient irish mythology, then forget all the above - all you need to know is that it's a brilliant and exciting story. You will want to read the sequel afterwards -the crow goddess.

As many have already said, this book has wonderful characterization, but for those who aren't really familiar with the way England was during the 16th century, everything can be rather confusing. Finney obviously has an excellent understanding about her topic and characters, but the term "user-unfriendly" comes to mind when reading between the lines for some of the plot. In some cases, I found myself wanting to put the book down, but preservering because I was reading it for and Independant Studies class. For those who like to have headaches after they read, and those who study Elizabethan times, this is a wonderful book. Everything is terrifically accurate. But for those who like an easy, clear plot and simple characters without many levels, this is not the book for you.

This book is a continuation of the same author's FIREDRAKE'S EYE, but the writing is even better. The premise is fascinating: the Queen of England once wrote down information in a diary that, if found by her enemies, could destroy her and bring down her reign. Many of the characters from FIREDRAKE'S EYE return in this reprise, but the plotting is more intricate, the characters even more sophisticated. And Queen Elizabeth is worth the price of the book herself. Highly recommended. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was that the same narrative style that Finney used in FIREDRAKE'S EYE (which allows characters to view the proceedings as if from heaven) is rather stilted and takes some getting used to. Other than that, it's a great historical novel.

The Elizabethans loved to plot and intrigue, and Patricia Finney sends a most unusual cast of characters after a very unusual quarry-a small velvet book with a unicorn embroidered on the cover in which the young Princess Elizabeth wrote of how she could not possibly now be the Virgin Queen. Persecuted Catholics, Protestant courtiers wanting to control the now mature, cranky and very savvy Queen, enemies of Mary, Queen of Scots, a defrocked nun and a midget acrobat are some of those whose causes need that diary. Finney (Firedrake's Eye) weaves a tight, complex plot that is skillfully revealed through surprising and marvellously developed characters. Readers beware: no one and nothing is safe in Unicorn's Blood, and Finney's willingness to risk characters we have become very fond of makes this the kind of book you either stay home from work to read or lose several nights' sleep over.

I couldn't make head nor tail of it all and got rather upset about it. What a waste of time and energy!

This book has very well conceived gritty characters. The three main ones are David Becket, a toughened gentleman and swordmaster who fell on hard times fighting in the Netherlands; Simon Ames, a Jewish Portuguese agent of spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham, and 'Tom O'Bedlam' an old law school buddy of Becket's who has given way to madness, who sees angels and devils everywhere, and has an alternate personality called "The Clever One." The story has action and intrigue which is made all the more compelling since it is narrated, at least mostly, by "The Clever One," who because of Tom's discourse with angels can see events as they happen to others. The Elizabethan color permeates the text in an attractively idiosyncratic way. Walsingham makes for the most lively Historical character. In the beginning of the book he is suffering from kidney stones, and Ames' uncle, Dr. Hector Nunez, attends him. Finney takes the time to delve into Walsingham's psyche pondering the effect that being present at St. Bartholomew's massacre when he was Ambassador to Paris may have had on him. This only adds to our understanding of both his role and the intrigue which is the main portion of the story. Other historical characters presented, include Walsingham's son-in-law Sir Phillip Sidney who is working on a procession float for the Queen in the shape of "The Dragon of Discord." And another not so well known historical character, Laurence Pickering, 'the King of Thieves', makes an important contribution to the plot. There are still more interesting characterizations and relationships developed, many quite sad, but I don't want to give too much away. The writing style, above all, impresses. It is really effective and poetic. I felt as though every word was being read to me and didn't want to miss a single one.

As an performer who protrays Elizabeth, I found this book a very entertaining and informative glimpse into daily life in Elizabethan times. The writing style the author uses gives a flavor of the period while still being understandable. The characters are colorful, sympathetic and skilfully drawn. The plot weaves through historical fact and political intrigue so cleverly that the reader ingests a great deal of the historical period without even being conscious of being taught (a hallmark of a skillful writer). I highly recommend this historical novel which is more authentic than many so-called scholarly historical books. This is a great read for anyone with an interest in Elizabethan times. However, do not expect to learn much about Elizabeth the person, for although the book deals with an assassination plot against her, she is only in the background of the book.