Title: Secrets of the Nire
Author: Anne Durand-Athy
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 1984575872
Pages: 254
Genre: Historical Fiction / Science Fiction / Adventure
Reviewed by: Jennifer Weiss
Pacific Book Review
The Athy family was the predominate clan with the Galway tribes, and hold a secret that will cause the House of Windsor to fear for their own survival as being the British Monarchy. Set within the beautiful 13th century Ireland, this novel tells the story of William Thomas Athy, the rightful king to the Celtic Isles, and his family. Athy has his sights set on the throne, but will be forced to face the entire British realm. Soon William accepts his fate and surrounds himself with the ancient order of the Knights of Solomon’s Temple as well as the Galway tribes. Both orders are now tasked with protecting their sovereign any way possible and do whatever is necessary to ensure his seat upon the throne.
This novel is delightful to read straight from the beginning with Fiona’s father waking up her in the morning. Readers are pulled into the family with familiar ideas such as a dad teasing his daughter, brothers threatening to eat their sisters’ breakfasts. It’s something the reader can relate to right from the first page, and Durand-Athy does a wonderful job and portraying her characters and showing the reader the settings and interactions rather than just simply telling. The story comes to life before the reader’s eyes as we progress through the story into the 13th century.
The fact that the author took ideas from her own family tree makes the story a little more interesting and entertaining to think this could be someone’s own history. Everyone tends to look at their ancestors and wonder what different paths they could have taken and what could have been their fate and Durand-Athy does a great job bringing this to life. Readers get a small glimpse into her own past and become a part of her family as well. A tie between author and reader is created and as the story goes on, with the tie getting stronger and stronger, it leaves the reader wanting more from this family.
Secrets of the Nire is the perfect novel for those who enjoy a good epic medieval tale with fighting, secret orders, family legacies and more. The pace of the tale was perfect combination of storytelling and dialogue. It is exciting to see where Anne Durand-Athy will take this series.
