an Trodai: Scolai

By: John Breen Wren

Narrated by: Meral Mathews

A raiding Norse pirate rapes a young girl in 9th-century Connacht, Ireland, and leaves her for dead. Shamed by her pregnancy and wanting a life without the label of Norse for her child, Ceara makes her way south to Ceann Coradh. She is befriended by a couple who run an inn and recently lost their only son in a battle with the Dublin Norse and treat her as they would their own daughter. Ceara tells her new family about a frightening dream she had while traveling to Ceann Coradh. True to the dream, Ceara dies giving her son life and the story of her nightmare will follow her son and his sons after him, forever.

Scolai grows up as the son of the inn keeper and his wife and displays some of the rougher characteristics of his natural father. He loves the game of hurling, and even more, the resulting fights. He plays and fights with an energy that draws the attention of Cennetig, the son of the tribal chieftain, Lorcain mac Lachtnai. His friendship with Cennetig results in his introduction to warrior training, usually reserved for nobles and the sons of proven warriors. Scolai finds his true calling in battle and earns the respect of his leaders and fellow warriors.

©2017 John B Wren (P)2017 John B Wren

Great historical fiction

This is a very interesting read/listen. I was hooked from the very beginning and finished in one sitting. I am anxious to listen to the next book! The narration is very well done. Overall, it is an excellent book. I received this audiobook via audiobook boom and voluntarily left this review.

Pleasant story

Any additional comments?

One of my favorite genres is historical fiction. I enjoy them for the little tidbits of insight into a time I am often unfamiliar with. Unfortunately, this book had very few tidbits. The story was enjoyable and I was interested until the end, but, I would have preferred more detail added to the story to immerse me a little more into the time period. The book is the life story of one man who wishes to and does become a warrior, but, does not delve too deeply into relationships or the society of the time. I found the ending to be abrupt and despite enjoying the story, I never felt a strong connection to the characters. I would be willing to read another book by this author to see what he is capable of.
The narrator did a good job bringing life to the characters and I would enjoy listening to a book by this narrator again.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review

Not what I expected.

What did you like best about an Trodai: Scolai? What did you like least?

From the synopsis, I was expecting something like a norse mythology story. But the book actually doesn't have much of that kind, other than the "real father" being a norse pirate. As the story progressed, it didn't quite interest me. It was mostly just like any other "abandoned child raised by others" story.

Any additional comments?

I received this book for free from the author / narrator / publisher, in exchange for an unbiased review.