Overall rating and opinion of "House of Eire" by June Gillam

Tavaiel26 · Post by **Tavaiel26** » 19 Mar 2020, 11:41

I started reading this book recently, and it has been a nice trip so far. I love Irish folklore and murder mysteries, so I have high hopes for this one. Nicely written and very believable characters and relationships (I'm loving Claire and her interactions with Hillary) Can't wait until the story picks up on the murder mystery proper.

Chipochashe · Post by **Chipochashe** » 19 Mar 2020, 12:33

Carolreads30 wrote: ↑18 Mar 2020, 16:21
Chipochashe wrote: ↑02 Mar 2020, 13:50 I am yet to read. The reviews and comments all seem to point to a great read. I am unsure how I'll feel about the slow start. Do I need to start the beginning of the series to get the story?
No, I don't feel as though you need to read the other books in the series. This book starts a little slow, but I feel that the book does well with standing alone!

Thank you. I have read the first few pages, I agree that it's quite a slow start.

Chipochashe · Post by **Chipochashe** » 19 Mar 2020, 12:37

rjohnston815 wrote: ↑18 Mar 2020, 23:07
Chipochashe wrote: ↑02 Mar 2020, 13:50 I am yet to read. The reviews and comments all seem to point to a great read. I am unsure how I'll feel about the slow start. Do I need to start the beginning of the series to get the story?
I was able to follow along without having read the other books, but one of the reasons I gave it 3 out of 4 was because I felt like there was information I wasn't clear on because I didn't read the other books. I guess it depends on if you are a person who needs to know the backstory of the characters to fully enjoy the book.

Thanks, I have just started reading the book. I am not happy about the slow start, I hope it gets exciting soon.

evraealtana · Post by **evraealtana** » 19 Mar 2020, 20:32

As many others have said, I felt the book started off SLOW. It's hard for me to get into books like that because I'm so focused on all the other things I could be doing instead of reading a book that doesn't feel worth it... so I just couldn't force myself through this one. I'm glad that others seemed to really enjoy it once it got going, though. Just not for me.

Gifted Soul · Post by **Gifted Soul** » 20 Mar 2020, 04:15

I really had a problem with the slow pace that characterized the beginning of this book. I also admired the character of Hillary and her personal appeal to her dreams. I'll award it 3 out of four stars.

ReneeBrown · Post by **ReneeBrown** » 20 Mar 2020, 12:53

I think I would be interested in reading this book. The reviews are compelling enough for me to be persuaded to give this book a chance. It sounds like it is well-written overall, but not perfect.

Purti10 · Post by **Purti10** » 20 Mar 2020, 15:06

I gave this book 4 out of 4 stars.
I enjoyed reading this book a lot. The story was interesting and kept me intrigued until the end. There were a variety of characters in the book and they all played their parts quite well. My favorite characters were Claire and Bridget.

samantha07 · Post by **samantha07** » 21 Mar 2020, 06:52

I would give this book a four out of four stars, even though I haven't finished it. The story is really interesting, and it has kept me reading for quite a while now. And like I feel like I really admire the character of Hillary, because it kind of teaches us a lot. The only think I didn't like was the slow start but I still think that it is is worth 4 out of 4 stars.

Hopeless_Squish · Post by **Hopeless_Squish** » 21 Mar 2020, 10:28

I really enjoyed the folklore behind the book but it seemed a bit slow in the beginning. Once it picked up more I found it was intense and suspenseful. I have yet to finish reviewing it but Im going to give it 3 out of 4 start, mostly for the fact that it is a little slow in the beginning and could cause the reader to lose interest.

Pablo Cottin · Post by **Pablo Cottin** » 22 Mar 2020, 14:42

I'm a sucker for mythology. From the Greeks to the Norse, from the Aztecs to the Japanese, I find all folklore to be incredibly engaging. Like many others here, I find the lack of Irish folklore in literature quite disappointing, as it includes some of the most original beasts and places around. "House of Eire" was the first time I got to experience Irish myth outside my own research, and I was not disappointed. Author June Gillam clearly did her work well, and I found an outstanding level of profoundness within the book's pages.

But even more than that, I loved how personal and intimate the story felt. The search for one's own past is one that we can all relate to, as it seems to me that it's a deeply human instinct to want for what once was.

Carolreads30 · Post by **Carolreads30** » 23 Mar 2020, 05:56

I enjoyed this book tremendously, but found the beginning to be a very slow start. The characters each added an element to the story that was much needed in the overall concept. Claire and Hillary were both essential characters to the entire book as well as Seamus. I felt that the mystery and intrigue along with the Ireland history kept the reader interested and I would highly recommend the book.

I gave three out of four stars because of the slow start to the book. It felt as though the storyline could have tied up a few more loose ends as well, like why the memorial being in the park was so important to Bridget.

Stephanie Runyon · Post by **Stephanie Runyon** » 23 Mar 2020, 11:51

mariana90 wrote: ↑06 Mar 2020, 13:11
Mounce574 wrote: ↑05 Mar 2020, 01:18 I have read the other books in the series but I found that each book is capable of being a standalone novel.
Thank you for this! I am interested in giving it a read because I really like Irish folklore (any Artemis Fowl fans out there?) and I enjoy a good murder mystery.

I find it curious that many people mention the slow start. Is it because you had read the other books in the series so there was no need to present the characters again or was it something else?

I believe that the slow start is due to how detailed the setting was described. The characters get presented but, without the previous books, there is some of the depth left out.

RoadWell · Post by **RoadWell** » 23 Mar 2020, 12:57

I've just started reading 'House of Eire' and I'm already hooked. I love Hillary and I already feel a bond to her. I also like the relationship between Hillary and her daughter, Claire. It's a strong, honest mother-daughter relationship, something that was denied for Hillary. I enjoy the Irish culture so, naturally, this was one of the things that attracted me to this book in the first place. For what I have read so far I will rate 4 out of 4 stars. I don't believe the rating will change as I read more but if it does, I will come back and edit.

mariana90 · Post by **mariana90** » 23 Mar 2020, 16:44

Mounce574 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2020, 11:51
I believe that the slow start is due to how detailed the setting was described. The characters get presented but, without the previous books, there is some of the depth left out.

Thanks for the reply Mounce! After reading Tolkien, I will not be daunted by setting description lol

freshbook · Post by **freshbook** » 24 Mar 2020, 16:26

Unfortunately, I had a really tough time reading this book. It was very slow. I didn't really expect an Irish history lesson, but it kind of felt like one in a sense. I give the book a rating of 2 out of 4. I did not find it that interesting.