Grania: She-king of the Irish Seas by Morgan Llywelyn

History tells of a woman who defied tradition to follow her heart's desire and succeeded. Grania was the daughter of the Black Oak Dubhdara and Mairgret of clan O Malley. When most women were expected to fulfill their roles and housewives, Grania instead wanted to sail the seas. At a very young age she was known for her willfulness and insight. A natural leader known for her charisma and unconventional means to get what she wanted, she was a constant object of admiration and sometimes resentment of men and women alike. 

First married to Donal O Flaherty, Grania has had her share of lovers like most heroes portrayed in adventure stories. Although I'm not fond of romance, Grania's affairs seem intriguing and more often her treatment of the men is refreshing for a lead female character. She still retains her qualities of being a woman, a mother, and a wife ---aspects that give her more advantage over the male leaders who are also after power. It is only fitting therefore that a female also tell her story.

The point-of view sometimes jumps from one character to another within the same paragraph, but the lapses are minor nuances compared to the other qualities of the book. The timeline also jumps in some instances, highlighting only the important events of Grania's life; but this is to be expected in a book that tells her story.

There is no need for the reader to do some research if he is not familiar with Grania. The author already provides that, but if you've read a bit about her already you'll find this book even more rewarding.

There is an attempt in the book to compare Grania to Elizabeth I of England. This is an excellent comparison and quite empowering for the female reader. Although they were both women of power and means, they suffered the same prejudice that some still go through today: being labeled as weaker because of their sex. Both Grania and Elizabeth however were women who ruled as kings, even performed feats greater than the men who surrounded them. Yet they're not so alien and distant to women like myself  because of the prejudices they had to live with.

I've previously read books by Morgan Llywelyn (Druids, Red Branch, and The Elementals) and I've always found her writing so enjoyable. If you've also enjoyed her previous book(s), Grania won't disappoint.

I recommend this book to those who like history in general and historical fiction novels. I also recommend the books by Llywellyn I've enumerated above.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10