Review: Conall - The Place of Blood by David H Millar

Synopsis: Over four hundred years before the birth of Christ, the island of Eriu is a patchwork of feuding kingdoms, wide plains, and impassable bogs. Battle, intrigue, betrayals, and courage are part of life for the Celts who call Eriu home, while from their underground halls the mysterious aes sidhe seduce brave warriors, turning men in to kings and binding them with fearsome geis.

Conall Mac Gabhann is content with his apprenticeship to the local blacksmith. Content, that is, until his family is slaughtered in their home.

Two men share responsibility for the massacre: a mad Irish king and a dissolute Roman. Conall will have his vengeance on both, or die in the attempt.

Accompanied by his childhood friend Brion o Cathasaigh and the veteran warrior Fearghal o Maoilriain, Conall's hunt takes him northward through unfriendly kingdoms and treacherous bogs to a confrontation beyond the ancient earthworks of the Black Pig's Dyke.

Along the way, Conall will gather an army, and come to the attention of the aes sidhe. An apprentice blacksmith could become a king with their help-if he so desires."

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Not sure what the intent was in starting the book in a period set 20 years after the period in which the current book is set - however, despite the start, this was set in the period of 410s BC in Ireland, and weaves a tale mixed with mythology, history, and a good dose of fiction.

I was looking forward to this first in a new series, having read Kenneth C Flint's mythological cycle of books, and having read a good deal about Irish history and mythology, but came away feeling ... well, to be honest, .... meh.

Can't put my finger on it, but just was not feeling it with this one - will not be pursuing the rest of the series.

Read: November 2025