The Rock of Achill

Review\nReviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite5 of 5 StarsThe Rock of Achill is definitely a fascinating and entertaining novel for adult readers. Penned with a command over the narrative, author Jim Sheehan gives the readers myths, legends, and the right amount of fantasy to interest them and not overwhelm them. The author conveys emotions brilliantly. You can feel the longing and sadness in Donn's heart for Bridget and hope that he can one day return to her to claim her heart as well as her hand in marriage. The plot is packed with action, there is never a lull in the story, and Donn has ample opportunities to grow. I love the pace and the graphic descriptions; I love the dialogues and how they drive the story forward. This is a must-read novel!\nReviewed By Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite5 of 5 starsThe Rock of Achill is a well-crafted fantasy epic written in the tradition of Irish mythology. Sheehan captures the dialogue of a mythical period with poetic grace. This is a Celtic adventure on a par with Jason and the Argonauts. The mission Donn and the crew of the ship Perilous undertake is rich in information concerning the beliefs and customs of the Celtic races that form the basic element of this story. This is not just an adventure story for the sake of seeking thrills. The narrative is rich in empathy when it comes to exploring relationships among characters, especially that of Donn with his father, with Bridget, and with his crewmates. This tense storytelling with larger-than-life portraits of heroes and villains rendered with a keen eye for details is a book worth your reading time.\nReviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite5 of 5 Stars The Rock of Achill is a work of fiction in the epic fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author Jim Sheehan. Written for adult reading audiences, the work does contain scenes of graphic violence pertinent to the action of the plot as well as some sexual scenes and references. We find ourselves amidst a world of mythical creatures, dangers, and the quest for glory in this odyssey-style Irish fantasy novel set just after the turn of the nineteenth century. Noble warrior Donn joins a quest for an ancient land in order to make himself a man worthy of the beautiful Bridget's hand in marriage, but first, he must survive the magical and mythical horrors which await him over the sea.\nAuthor Jim Sheehan has crafted a fantastic, immersive, and truly unique work of pseudo-historical fantasy, and one which fans of myths and legends will be sure to adore from cover to cover. I found myself truly gripped by the worldbuilding and atmosphere, which comes about in every facet of Sheehan's writing, from the authentic touches of the Irish dialogue to the vivid descriptive lexis employed to set every scene. This novel delivers on visceral action scenes with all guts and all glory firmly at the center stage, but it also features some fantastically tender moments and a true emotional heart in Donn's mission to win fair Bridget and return to her someday. Overall, fans of classic hero quests with slick, cinematographic action and adventure should certainly pick up The Rock of Achill as their next fantasy read.\nReviewed By Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite5 of 5 StarsDespite being a fantasy tale, The Rock of Achill is a story of star-crossed lovers at its core. The relationship between Donn and Bridget drives the narrative. Jim Sheehan manages to convey the longing, heartache, and loneliness of his lovers beautifully. Donn's letters to Bridget are particularly heartbreaking. I found the worldbuilding to be of the highest order. Sheehan captures the very essence of Irish mythology as he creates a world that is not only full of wonder but, at times, is also terrifying. I was also pleasantly surprised by the thematic depth of the book as The Rock of Achill seems to raise an important question; "Are ideals more important to humans than their loved ones?" I thoroughly enjo