BENDING THE BOYNE: A novel of ancient Ireland [Kindle Edition]

My love for Ireland and her myths is what drew my attention to "Bending the Boyne" by J.S Dunn. "Bending the Boyne" is classed as Historical Fiction, but it does have a bit of a fantasy feel to it. For the story starts and finishes in present day. But for me it was much more than that. It was a tale of people who loved their way of life, who have walked gently on the earth and who are observers of the heavens. Their way of life is threatened as change descends upon them and their only way of survival is to adapt.

This story is told from the view of the Starwatchers, who watch and learn from the heavens above. In this observation their stories and knowledge of the heavens are passed down from generation to generation in the stone carvings and mounds that sprinkle the Boyne Valley. Among the Starwatchers are Boann, daughter of Oghma a sacred stone carver. Boann is also a Starwatcher and healer to her people. Dagda who is the leader and for lack of a better word Shaman to the heavens and the people of the Boyne. The tale begins when tragedy strikes at the hands of the invaders, who search for the "Sun Metal. We see the beginnings stages of the Iron Age and have a front row seat to what it might have been like as the lust for gold,copper and tin swept the Isle of Eire. Boann and her people struggle to keep peace as the two clans unite under Boann's marriage to the "Ard Ri" Elcmar. Even with attempt at peace the struggles continue and the only way for the Starwatchers to survive lies in the fate of Cian. Cian's love for his people sends him deep into the world of the invaders where he must learn their ways and gather knowledge that will help his people deal with the changes to come.

J.S Dunn is a master storyteller, as we see this story and archaeological fact merge together in such a beautiful way. The depth to which this book was researched truly shows the author's love and passion for Ancient Ireland and her people. The storyline drew me in as much as the detail that was given to the surrounding landscapes of the Boyne. I have visited the sacred sites and there were many times in I was caught up in the feeling of Deja vu, as I found myself along side Boann deep in the central chamber of Newgrange waiting for the Solstice sun to rise, or walking along side of her as she visited the surrounding area of Loughcrew. Through J.S Dunn's writing I was seeing these sites through ancient eyes.

All the characters in this novel were so well developed that I was emotionally invested with each one. There were so many times where I was so caught up in the emotion of the story that my heart stopped, for there were twist and turns that I did not see coming. Within the story the ancient myths of Ireland were woven into the plot in such a cleaver way. This book is so well written and the story line moved at just the right pace and kept me interested to the point that I was getting up in the middle of the night to read. I could not put my kindle down!

This book is not an easy read, however if you are looking for a book that engages all of your senses and your intellect then this book is for you. Reading this book was such an enjoyable experience and with that said I give it 5 Stars.

Reviewed for DarkissReads. [...]

J.S. Dunn takes on an unusual time in history in Bending the Boyne, 2200 BCE Eire (Ireland), which was a draw for me. With "marquee" novels currently the "in thing", I found myself refreshed by the concept of reading about an era unexplored by historical fiction authors.

The ancient civilization of Eire was on the brink of the Bronze Age in 2200 BCE, although the Continent, Near East and Mesopotamia were further advanced into the Bronze Age in varying degrees.

Bending the Boyne commences with Starwatchers in a village located on the river Boyne. The Boyne Starwatchers are central to other Starwatcher tribes on Eire and their ceremonies and mounds are of utmost importance for all. Stargazing and equinoxes determine much of Eire's activities, such as planting, harvesting, etc.

Lately, Intruder boats have been seen coming and going from Eire. The villagers on the Boyne fear the Intruders' invasion and threat to centuries of Eire stargazing traditions and way of life. These trepidations have always been relieved in the past when Intruder boats depart Eire.

This time, although, a murder starkly forces the Starwatchers to acknowledge they can no longer expect to live unmolested by Intruders. Not only is their way of life threatened, their survival becomes imperiled. Starwatchers are peaceful tribes, not warriors, unlike the Intruders. How can they expect to prevail against Invaders with weapons and trained warriors?

Bending the Boyne is told from 2 viewpoints, that of Boann, a young Boyne villager who aspires to the greatest heights of knowledge in astronomy, and Cian, a Boyne villager who has gone to live with the Intruders and considered by many Starwatchers a traitor.

Murder proves to be only the initiating devastation for the Boyne residents. An Intruder, Elcmar, builts a fort close the Boyne village. The Intruders steal the villagers' livestock, leave them at risk of starvation. Intruders impose strict restrictions upon their activities, threatening their culture and heritage.

Elcmar becomes champion of the Intruders through primal rites, chooses Boann as his first wife and offers his protection to the Boyne village in exchange. Boann considers the proposal and accepts, believing that by doing so she preserves the ability of her people to continue with their astronomy and efforts to decipher the mystery of the North Shift. Her hope is the marriage brings peace between the Boyne village and Elcmar's warriors.

Boann soon discovers Elcmar's first wife is not is his first love or priority. The peace Boann hopes for Boyne will never be hers as long as she is married to Elcmar. Elcmar believes there is gold on Eire and his overwhelming desire is to locate it. He is not alone in this quest. Other Intruders compete in the race.

While Boann struggles to adjust to distasteful Intruders' habits, maintain contact with the Boyne village residents and continue to study astronomy, Cian is engaged in battles of his own. He walks a fine line with the Intruders, his life is in peril at all times. He will take great risks and undertake many voyages to travel to strange lands, all for the sake of his people.

Bending the Boyne is the story of 2 people who sacrifice for the sake of their people, albeit in different manners. Yet both are determined their actions be for the good of their tribes, preservation of ancient customs and restoration of Eire to its rightful inhabitants.

Major obstacles impede their intents. Copper mining is extensively active on Eire with a complicated system of graft between the miners and influential men on the Continent. Ciann must somehow learn the techniques of extracting metal without dying in the process.

Boann bears a son who is taken from her to learn the warrior ways of the Intruders. A son who will someday be pivotal to Eire's future. Boann's challenge is to counter the Intruders' education of her son with the ancient conventions of Starwatchers.

J.S. Dunn has written a fascinating historical fiction novel. The minute details of astonomy, ancient Eire customs and knowledge of the Bronze Age blend seamlessly with two protagonists who are passionate about their causes. Dunn imparts scientific facts in such a manner that the reader does not feel like he or she is holding a text book. It reads and feels like a historical novel in which the characters really could have existed in the mists of time.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars (Excellent)

Since I read this book, I have found it winding itself around my memory and my heart. It's different from anything I've ever read before on the ancient history of Ireland. In fact, while there are quirky bits of history inserted like pebbles into the landscape of the story, it concerns not mere history, but the myths and legends that are deeply rooted in our past.

The many and varied characters make no concession to their place in this mythical/historical setting. They live their lives as they would have all those years ago, uncaring of the modern reader. That is not to say that the story is disdainful of readers, but that it is uncompromising in its pursuit of the mythical truths that underlie all really good historical novels.

The Boyne of the title is the river that winds through the heart of Ireland and its history. It was at the Battle of the Boyne that the forces of the Catholic King James and Protestant King William met in a clash that echoes down the centuries and has left its mark on the whole society of Ireland, north and south.

J. S. Dunn's delightful novel shows the sowing of the first seeds of conflict between invaders and native Irish, or those who preceded them. It harks back to a time when myth and history were one, as they remain in our subconscious to this day. The natives are shown to be thoughtful, wise astronomers, with their eyes firmly fixed on the skies for signs of the modern Ireland that must surely have appeared to them in visions and dreams. Yet they will not yield their land to the more down-to-earth and less wise invaders, who seek gold not for its relationship to the sun, but for the power and earthly wealth it can bring them.