Daughter of the Otherworld is the fourth book (and first in the second era) of the Gael Song series, the Irish historical fantasy proposal written by Shauna Lawless, published by Head of Zeus. An amazing return that sets all 150 years after the previous era, featuring an equally ambitious plot watered by schemes, prophecies and war, weaving together magic and history, and especially, the same kind of emotional damage that all Lawless' fans should be used to.

We will be mainly following Isolde, Fódla's daughter, who reappeared after going missing; taken by her uncle Broccan, who raises her on the remote Rathlin Island, unaware of the prophecy that marks her. She's forced to flee after the Fomorian attacks Rathlin, having to navigate the complicated landscape that is Ireland paired with the invasion of the England's Norman Lords.
An invasion that is partly fueled by the ambition of the Fomorian, no longer controlling Ireland, but with plans to get over the mortal world again; with my particular favourite character (and villain), Gormflaith, moving again the threads, influencing into the mortals, trying to survive the prophecy and destroying what might bring her downfall.

Lawless again blends together mythology and history in equal sizes, transporting the reader to a new period and gifting us with a new generation of characters while still keeping some fan favourites (or some hated ones, depending on who you ask). Isolde is an excellent leading character, and her bonding with Broccan feels really natural; she's forced to navigate a world she's not familiar with, but her bravery and compassion, especially in those difficult moments. Her own journey will also be accompanied by a slow-burn romance that suits well with the narrative.

As with previous instalments, readers will enjoy the mix between historical moments and mythology, with those two powerful races navigating behind the scenes; the new era also brings new conflicts and a different political landscape on Ireland, but still showing some reminiscent of what happened in book 3.
The pacing is excellent, slower at the start to reintroduce the readers to the world, but it picks quite soon, making this an authentic page-turner.

Daughter of the Otherworld is an excellent starting novel for a new Gael Song's era, an amazing proposal for readers that love complex and epic fantasy blended with historical fiction (also, if you like to be emotionally damaged? No problem, Shauna Lawless covers that). Can't wait for the next instalment on the saga!