Further adventures of Conor Mac Ardan and his friends who have followed him into exile. They leave the faery who have healed their wounds and seek shelter with the Brigantes, where they remain until a shrewd displaced king and his people arrive. This king insinuates himself into the good graces of the queen and becomes her battle chief, so Conor and his friends move on. Little by little men join them either from the Brigantes or other tribes. Soon Conor has a warband of many men. There is a daring rescue of the faery king, Gwydion, and a climactic battle on Tara Hill against the Scálda [Vikings?] in the midst of a horrendous thunder-and-lightning storm, but they realize the fight is not over until the Scálda are driven completely from Eirlandia.

A fast-paced, satisfying read, well-written in the Guy Gavriel Kay style of fantasy. Soaked in Celtic lore and culture.

Highly recommended. ( )