From Publishers Weekly
Too many characters with too many names (most given in Gaelic, in their Anglicized form and with descriptive adjectives) involved in too many actions subvert Llywelyn's retelling of an important Irish legend. Finn MacCool is a warrior/poet, a leader of the Fianna , the first Irish army, in third-century Ireland. Separated from his parents after a battle with their ancient enemies, the clan of Morna, Finn is brought up in primitive circumstances. After learning of his heritage, he determines to become the strongest man in Ireland so that he will never have to run away from anything again. His early allegiance to Cormac MacAirt, the high king, alters with the ascension of MacAirt's son, Cairbre, who favors Finn's old enemies, the clan of Morna. In middle age, Finn recruits the legendary Diarmait, who--aided by Finn's son, Oisin--reestablishes their hold on the country. A romantic triangle ensues, involving Finn, Diarmait and Grania, daughter of Cormac MacAirt. This is a morality play of the highest order, with trust and sincerity winning out over more basic instincts. Llywelyn, whose The Lion of Ireland was said to be a favorite of Ronald Reagan, has produced a plodding narrative that does not rise above its mythic/historical details. $100,000 ad/promo; author tour. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
YA-Third-century, legendary Irish warrior/poet Finn Mac Cool is re-created in this romantic and historical adventure. As a young warrior, he determines to become the strongest military leader in the country and trains his band of men to serve the High King, Cormac Mac Airt, in the first Irish army, the Fianna. Physical prowess, political skill, and personal charisma become issues of the young man's personal growth and parallel the development of an army, the consolidation of political power, and the protection from foreign attack. Llywelyn weaves the mythical and mystical side of Irish tradition into Finn's personality: his loves and liasons, his friendships, and his death. Irish wolfhounds, red deer, and boar hunts are here in happy abundance. Bards and storytellers have embellished the tale of Finn into myth, but Llywelyn breathes life into the legend. Her rich prose, many characters, and some unpronounceable Gaelic names may challenge all but strong readers, but YAs who have enjoyed the historical fiction of Rosemary Sutcliff (who also wrote about Finn) and of Lloyd Alexander, as well as anyone who has delighted in the Arthurian legends, will be glad to discover this novel.Betta Hedlund, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, VACopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Did the man become the legend, or did the legend become the man? This is the question posed in this colorful and romantic retelling of the Fenian cycle. Historically, Finn and his elite band of Irish warriors/hunters/poets, the Fianna Eireann, flourished during the third-century reign of Cormac Mac Art. Their strength and prowess elevated them almost to the level of Cormac himself, but it is their flamboyant leader, Finn, of whom the legends tell. Raised in the forest under mystic circumstances, he lived a life full of heroism, great love, and desperate betrayal. Though his life has been retold and embellished countless times before, Llywelyn, who specializes in novels of Irish lore and legend (e.g., Bard: Odyssey of the Irish , LJ 10/1/84), offers a fresh view. This will appeal to readers of romance, history, and swashbucklers alike. Recommended.- Susan Clifford, Hughes Aircraft Co. Lib., Los AngelesCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
A historical novel about a mythic figure? Doesn't that tear--rather than push--the envelope? But historico-mythicizing Llywelyn is very, very clever. Her Finn Mac Cool is the first Great Communicator, a self-mythologizing outsider in royal Celtic society. In addition to being fast paced and full of action, this novel is witty in its descriptions of how Finn's legends were seeded. Take the one about his magical thumb, from which he could suck knowledge. Seems he was just nervously regressing to childish behavior and saved his reputation by spinning an exaggerated tale about wisdom. Elsewhere, three-headed demons turn out to have been drooling idiots, killed out of sight of his band of warriors. This is vintage Llywelyn, full of color and poetry and the wonderful flavor of real Irish speech. An eight-city author tour around St. Patrick's Day is likely to swell demand. Pat Monaghan


From Kirkus Reviews
Another Irish historical from Llywelyn (The Last Prince of Ireland, 1992; Lion of Ireland, 1980, etc.), this tale goes back 1,700 years to rework the story of the legendary warrior Finn Mac Cool. Finn (``white''), born after a battle and raised by foster parents, knows nothing of his antecedents until he apprentices himself to a local poet from whom he learns the truth. Soon, the fiery young warrior and hunter attracts a following, and his war band defeats the roaming bandits that infest Ireland. The High King, Cormac Mac Airt, makes Finn the chief of the Fianna, or army, whose role becomes that of a wandering police force. Later, having arrogantly offended the Sidhe, Finn's wife Sive and son Oisin disappear, and he surrenders to madness. In due course, Finn will regain his wits, his son, and the leadership of the Fianna. But he is destined to fall in love with the High King's beautiful daughter Grania, unaware that Oisin also loves her; Grania prefers the handsome Diarmait and elopes with him. Dark deeds involving the couple are still to come, as is a dreadful revenge upon Goll Mac Morna, the man who slew Finn's father. Impressively researched, yet Llywelyn treats as straight-up history a tale which draws at least half its strength and endurance from mytho-poetic inspiration. Not surprisingly, then, the result lacks magic, in both the figurative and the literal sense. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
"In addition to being fast paced and full of action, this novel is witty in its descriptions of how Finn's legends were seeded . . . . This is vintage Llywelyn, full of color and poetry and the wonderful flavor of real Irish speech. "-Booklist

"She exhibits a mastery of complex, emotional themes . . . . Poignantly explores the duality between historical fact and fiction."-Irish American Post



Review
"In addition to being fast paced and full of action, this novel is witty in its descriptions of how Finn's legends were seeded . . . . This is vintage Llywelyn, full of color and poetry and the wonderful flavor of real Irish speech. "-Booklist

"She exhibits a mastery of complex, emotional themes . . . . Poignantly explores the duality between historical fact and fiction."-Irish American Post



Review
"In addition to being fast paced and full of action, this novel is witty in its descriptions of how Finn's legends were seeded . . . . This is vintage Llywelyn, full of color and poetry and the wonderful flavor of real Irish speech. "-Booklist

"She exhibits a mastery of complex, emotional themes . . . . Poignantly explores the duality between historical fact and fiction."-Irish American Post



Book Description
Somewhere in the shadowy borderland between myth and history lies the territory of Finn Mac Cool. Mightiest of the Irish heroes, leader of the invincible army of Fianna, he was a man of many faces: warrior, poet, lover, creator, and destroyer. Finn Mac Cool is a man taken from one of the lowest classes of Irish society, driven by ambition and strength to rise above his birth and bring new respect and status to his people.

He had it all and lost it all, but in the end he gained immortality. Finn Mac Cool is a novel of sweeping historical grandeur and awesome adventure.



About the Author
Since 1980 Morgan Llywelyn has created an entire body of work chronicling the Celts and Ireland, from the earliest times to the present day. her critically acclaimed novels, both of history and of mythology, have been translated into many languages. She is an Irish citizen and lives in Dublin.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Did the Man Become the Legend or the Legend Become the Man?

Somewhere in the shadowy borderland between myth and history lies the territory of Finn Mac Cool. Mightiest of the Irish heroes, leader of the invincible army of Fianna, he was a man of many faces: warrior, poet, lover, creator, and destroyer. Finn Mac Cool is a man taken from one of the lowest classes of Irish society, driven by ambition and strength to rise above his birth and bring new respect and status to his people.