War is always bitter. This book of the 1100's anals of the life and times in Ireland, Wales and with hints of England, have been well described. Disputing over territory, factions and loyalites easily made and easily broken seem to be the norm. Power plays and more, garner the pages often with coercion propelling heinious, graphic actions are enough to curdle the innerds of any potential reader who loves bloodletting and gore. At least, this is my opinion.
I was not expecting this and it left me cold. I also found it somewhat difficult to follow the threads of who's who. Part of this may be the point with all the switching and shifting allegieances. I gave up keeping tract of it all. I did feel sympathy for Aoife though.
All in all, this book 2 in the Hiboerno-Norman Chronicles has been well named - The Bitter Chalice. It surely lives up to its name, I believe.
~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~
March 2026
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.
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