What can I say, but, wow.....although this book seems in a way similar to her other work "Druids", this is only slightly so. I can't imagine how others on this page have called this book "Boring"....From the time you pick it up to the moment you put it down, you will be engrossed in the story. You will feel the struggle to win Ierne...you will be the people in this story...Llwelyn's gift for taking a reader out of his/her own place in time and putting them right in the middle of a situation is very well demonstrated in this book.....From Amergin's struggle to fit in to the triumph in which he takes part at the end of the story, to the ever-present machinations of Colptha (a bit 1-dimensional a character, but one that in reading you will see is necessary to make the story a complete piece).....You can't go wrong with this book.

First of all this is a work of "Historical Fiction" as our Irish Ancestors never wrote anything down we have to realize this is not a retelling of history, but rather one author's interpretation of the events that "may have" happened. That said, the book is great! If anyone could bring Amergin and Millesos to life it is Morgan Llewelyn. I honestly can't say it's her best book...I've read them all and have been equally pleased with each and every one of them. But I guess the important thing to remember about this story is that the "sons of the Mil" in this book are not actual people but each one symbolizes the traits that make up the Irish: the farmer, poet, warrior,drunk, lunatic, and informer. A great book for anyone interested in all things Irish!

Ms Llywelyn in this exceptional book about the legendary be- ginnings of the Irish people blends together the conceivable hypothesis of an Iberian migration and the ephemeral mythology of Irish fairy folk origins. Her depiction of Amerghain, the main character in his quest to achieve the poem of his lifetime is intertwined with the equally intense quest that his family members have to make their own marks on the landscape of time. There is here all the pagentry of a royal court and there is also the intangible essence of faith, magic, and deep seated beliefs. Notable is the research that went into this book which gives it the inescapable element of being more than fiction and yet the author proves quite capable of endowing the distant legends and lore with all the flesh and blood and emotions that are the keys to connection with these seemingly faceless names from a time now often forgotten. A superbly written and highly enjoyable book for anyone with even a remote interest in history or magic that is always associated with the land of Eire!

Alas, it seems that every legendary writer must have his low point. After an amazing streak of masterpieces Morgan Llwellyn has proved she is only human after all with the muddled, confusing, and boring "Grania". I skimmed over the past previous and I must say I am surprised by the amount of credit and praise this book received. It truly deserves neither. It was pointless and trivial, Ms. Llwellyn never made me care whether Grania lived or die, and frankly after about 100 pages of her stupidity I almost wish she had. A waste of paper and time. Save yourself the trouble and read "Lion of Ireland" again.

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.

This would best be read in conjunction with "The Twilight Lords" for a great view of the bitter end of the Irish self rule at the dawn of the 17th Cent. Like many of the stories about the period, it is depressing. Well, so was living in Ireland then. Sure, no potatoe famine yet, but war is just as deadly.

An interesting story of Donal O Sullivan, one of the men who falls often into the shadow of the other big fellas of the times, Hugh O Neill.

Following the Battle of Kinsale (i.e., slaughter, massacre, etc.), the lord of the land, The O Sullivan, decides to lead his people away from the ravaged land northward to the bastion of the remaining "irish", ironically, to the modern mind, in Ulster. In the dead of winter, an unusually hard one, with little food and mostly desperation, how do you lead your people to the tentative safety far away? This paints a vividly bitter picture of the devastation wrought upon the Irish poor by the English army and Foreign Policy.

This is an intense story, if a bit thin on character development and plot. Survival is a plot, even if it doesn't move quickly. Survival was the goal - physical survival. But, physical survival was always seen by the lords as concurrent with survival of what was "Irish". That seems the bitter truth - in the effort to simply survive, much of what we once treasured is lost to the ravages of time and expediency.

Perhaps with the looming shadow of war today, we could read through this and take another look at the geography of the world today - and ask ourselves whether our government is just allied with the English, or acting like their forefathers.

i have read 1916,1921,Lion of Ireland,Pride of Lions,Finn Mac Cool,Bard:Odyssey of the Irish,Brian Boru (short novel) as well as Last Prince. Llywelyn seems to be a more historical writer than a dramatic writer. and for anyone who wants to 'learn' about Irish history and know why and how things happened( from a mostly Irish point of view) these books are great. they lack character development and never give the chance to really relate to the characters ( main & minor etc...) but you really can relate to the times and the trials and triumphs of the Irish in any book/era that she writes about. all of her books are great for anyone who is Irish or has an interest in (Irish) history.i have read 'Prince' 3 times, 'Lion' 2 times, 'Finn' 2 times etc...etc... great reading which gives you many ranges of emotions: love,hatred,disbelief,shock,pride,pity,shame,happiness,sadness.. i enjoy every 'read' of every book she has made on the subject of Ireland and wait for forthcoming books with anticipation. much much credit and thanks to Morgan Llywelyn!!!
'Last Prince' is a good book about an unbelievable journey(strategic withdraw!)of 1000 IRISH people across munster into connaught escaping english forces after the disaster of the Battle of Kinsale.battling enemy,weather,time and each other(to a degree)these people made an epic,heroic and historical journey to freedom. one main character and at least 8 interesting minor supporting characters. all descriptions/subjects about the irish Gallowglasses and Kernes (warrior classes) are great!

*The Last Prince of Ireland,* though its historical accuracy seems to be above par, does not have the same impact that other Llywelyn novels have had.

The details are rich and abundant, but instead of bringing the suffering and minior triumphs to life, they seem to weigh the novel down. Point of view shifts are numerous and abrupt, though not necessarily confusing, but I wonder about how truly effective they are. However, what bothered me the most about this novel is that the characters inspired little emotion in me. After being blown away by Llywelyn's *Lion of Ireland,* I was fully prepared to fall in love with the characters. I was waiting to be absorbed by every word, every action, every tiny detail. And I wasn't.

Though this novel is not bad by any means, it is, if you've read any other Llywelyn novel, disappointing. I would not recommend starting with this one. Read *Lion of Ireland* first to see what this normally wonderful author is capable of.

At first I didn't understand that it was four shorter stories, each focusing on an element. I was a bit disappointed because I truly wanted more to read in regards to the first two stories. I was also a bit disappointed with the dark and hopeless way the fourth story was told, but the last sentence and what it implicated sent chills up my spine and made this a very very good book. I also like the way each story was connected to the one before it. I recommend it.

This is not a book for light reading. It has 4 stories involving 4 elements of earth. Each elemental story has a central character descended from the first, each element involves a powerful story of nature. A very good read that affected me and how I perceive what we're doing to our world, which, I believe, was the authors point.

This book initially seems to begin as a series of rather odd short stories, until the author sneaks up behind you like a thief, stealing your breath and your heart, and you find your jaw was left on the ground about a mile back. I've never been an environmental fanatic, but upon closing this book I immediately went and threw out my aerosol hairspray cans. Well worth reading, and VERY well worth reading a second time!

Don't be misled by the category of children's book when it comes to reading Morgan Llywelyn. This book appears to be closer to her real life than any others. It is charming, warm and witty. It is an easy read, one that I recommend for all adults and for children too.

This is an excellent overview of the subject. Presents comprehensive information in plain and simple language. It didn't get the fifth star only because it lacks a bibliography. There are no references for someone who'd like to read further on the subject. Otherwise, recommended.

I expected a lot more from this book and the marvellous Ms. Llywelyn. Unfortunately, the characters are very one-dimensional. They either prematurely terminate, or fail to develop with any intensity as the "story" progresses.

....It is as fine a novel as any of Llywelyn or Scott's other work. While the characterization here is acutely archetypal, excusing it readily from Proustian descriptive depth, it is truly memorable. The dark goddess Pythia is absolutely Lovecraftian in her gross morbidity and utter vileness. Hero Horatius strides manfully from the literary gene pool that spawned Odysseus, David, Beowulf, and Superman. The sensuously depicted settings easily bring Dante and Milton to mind. This is masterful storytelling at its finest from two of contemporary fiction's best.

Although usually not a big fan of fantasy, I found this story to be exciting and almost impossible to put down. Ms. Llywelyn and Mr. Scott have done a superb job of writing with their descriptions of the netherworld, its dangers and pitfalls . The premise that Horatrim's ancestors bestow upon him the powers needed to overcome all odds and to defeat the powers of evil are certainly in keeping with the modern idea that we all inherit certain qualities from our forbearers. I hope that there will be a sequel to this book as I really want to know what happens to these characters in later life.

I am in agreement with most of the others on here. I absolutely loved the first two books. And have been waiting anxiously for the third to come out. The characters are well written and you really get a feel for them and we have been left hanging on their fate. This is a problem that just wont do to be continued as such! I really hope they will reconsider and write that third book. If just to bring a finality to the whole thing!!

This book continues the tale as vividly as did the first. I have recommended this series to all my friends and family. I have read both books numerous times and have enjoyed them more each time. My only complaint is having to wait for the next one. If you like fantasy that rivals LORD OF THE RINGS, and THE BELGARIAD, it's a must buy!!!!

Well picking up the second of the series, I was not disappointed, it really got into the whole story line, and developed the characters to their peaks. Taking from the Irish Celtic Mythology of Nuada Airegetlamh a leader of the Tuatha De Danann, it has truly given another view of the myths of all times. IT IS WITH GREAT DISPLEASURE THAT I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE PUBLISHER IS NOT GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THE FINAL BOOK. If you read this, write to Baen Books and tell them you too are anxiously awaiting the conclusion of this fine series, one so masterfully done, cannot be left incomplete.

I'm a huge fan of Llywelyn, and have read most of her books. This one isn't one of her best, although it does have some interesting information about 12th century Ireland. The book is historical fiction based on Richard "Strongbow" and his Irish wife, Aoife.

The book is written in the first person, alternating between Strongbow and Aoife narrating a chapter. This can be a bit hard to follow at times.

The reading is relatively easy even with the first person writings. Unless you are an avid Llywelyn fan buy one of her other fantastic books.

This was not the best Llywelyn book I've read. The novel, if you can call it that, was brief (more of a novella). She did not develop the main characters at all. It was like reading a biographical sketch of Richard de Clare and Aoife. Each of them tells a little of the story every other chapter. This style would work for a well developed story, but here it seems as though the characters have never met and they are supposed to be in love! The ending comes quickly and is not satisfying. A happy ending is not necessary, but with so little story it was a big disappointment. However, this book would be a good read for a young adult (7th-8th grade) and an introduction to Llywelyn and historical fiction. The back drop of the story was authentic and Llywelyn is an eminent historian. Still, if you are an adult, avoid this one and read another LLywelyn book such as Lion of Ireland or Red Branch.

Despite the negative reviews about the alternate chapter writing, I belive it was a well written book and the chapters were very easy for me to follow. If I, a junior high school student, can foolow this story i would think that just about anny literate person should find it enjoyable and inspiring. The story plot is set in Ireland/England in the 12th century. Richard de Clare, AKA Strongbow, is the son of a very popular warrior. Aoife, AKA Red Eva, is the daughter of a very important leader. I would recomend this book to anyone that enjoyed Brian Boru or who has an Irish Background.

Totally disappointing - it is nothing but a cartoon book. Avoid!!!

Some readers may not see the importance of a book that tells a story in "comic" or sequential art form, but this tale is a great way to introduce youngsters to the history of the Irish. For a teen, this "comic book" might spark the curiosity to want to learn more. Both the story and artwork are excellent.