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Fierce Demigoddess
The Dog Roses: Na Feirdhriseacha follows twin sisters on a quest to save their people from enslavement who seek out the help of a demi-goddess to assist in saving their land. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration is twofold: First, readers had seen the development of Danu and Brighid in the Conall Series, which charted the turbulent relationship and path of their parents, from “normal” adolescents to the powerful king and queen of a tribe they had founded and grown. Hence, I thought they deserved their story to be told. Second, the “geis” laid on Conall by the demigoddess who helped him rise to being a king-over-kings had a cost. He and all of his make sons were not allowed to return to Ireland. It was with some reluctance that he agreed to Danu and Brighid returning to settle a rebellion.
What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
The foundations of many of the characters were laid in the original Conall Series. I just gave them the freedom to grow. As with many authors, I find that characters become alive and chart their own path. It is similar to movies where an actor, well-versed in the lore of his or her part, will say, “No. My character would not do this (action).”
In this book, one particular character (Aoife) gave me great pleasure to write. In The Dog Roses, Aoife, is about 8 years old. Her character is based on my granddaughter who was about the same age. When I read about Aoife in the story, I see my granddaughter. The real challenge with Aoife’s character came in the sequel, The Dog Roses: Resolution, when I had to envisage her as an 18-year-old!!!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The questions to be answered were: Could the princesses become queens and then battle queens? Who could they trust? When would they learn The Dog Roses gave them abilities and with them came responsibilities. Also, will they ever establish common ground with the fierce demigoddess, Draighean.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?
Sisters squabble. Queens go to war.
Ten summers ago, victory brought peace and prosperity to Southern Ériu. Danu and Brighid were celebrated as heroes and saviours. The queens scaled the heights, and there was only one way to go.
One twin became overbearing, the other resentful. Pride dug a pit filled with blackthorns between them. They became tyrants, and the kingdom was sundered. The people were left bitter, divided, and afraid, and the lush farmlands fell barren. Stripped of their powers, The Dog Roses were no more. Each blamed the other, and neither took responsibility.
Angry parents gave the twins’ brothers an army and tasked them to bring law to the kingdom. An embittered veteran and a beautiful assassin accompany them. Whose gold is in the assassin’s pouch, and what are her orders?
An evil philosophy grows, and another army gathers. Can the sisters be reconciled? The people need The Dog Roses, but can they forgive them?
The Dog Roses: Resolution is currently available in print and eBook formats. A copy will shortly be winging its way to Literary Titan for review!
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“I am the weapon, tuilí.”
It is 400 B.C. The mist clears, and three triremes glide into the calm waters of the bay in Southern Ériu. On a grass-topped dune, a young girl dances gleefully at the Goddess’s gift.
The warrior princesses, Brighid and Danu, leap over the vessels’ sides into the cold waters and look north towards their ancestral home—the fort of Ráth Na Conall. The clash of weapons is not a good omen.
From his throne in Caher Conri, the depraved Uallachán rages at the sight of the red shield embellished with a swooping black raven and the memories it provokes. He swears vengeance on the daughters of his old adversary.
Draighean, a demi-goddess of the mystical Aes Sídhe, stands alone on the mountain peak. She bites full maroon lips, unhappy at her mission. Yet, does she have a choice? Evil must be confronted and defeated.
Uallachán’s idea of peace is to crush all dissent, but is he no more than a puppet of the powerful kings of the Connachta?
The twins know they must defeat the invasion and stop the enslavement of their people. Still, even with the help of Draighean, the odds are daunting.
The Dog Roses contains scenes of sex and violence and uses language appropriate to the period it is set in, i.e., 400 B.C. It is not recommended for those under 14 without parental consent.
The Dog Roses: Na Feirdhriseacha
David H. Millar’s The Dog Roses: Na Feirdhriseacha is an exhilarating historical fantasy that plunges the reader into a world of ancient Gaelic warfare, mysticism, and political intrigue. The novel follows the twin sisters, Brighid and Danu, as they navigate their birthright, destiny, and the brutal conflicts that define their world. From the stormy shores of Ériu to the blood-soaked battlegrounds of their homeland, the sisters must harness their strength, wit, and the mystical bond of the feirdhriseacha—the dog roses—imprinted on their chests. Their journey is one of leadership, betrayal, and resilience, all set against the backdrop of Celtic mythology and the harsh realities of Iron Age survival.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ability to immerse readers in a richly detailed and authentic world. Millar’s grasp of ancient Gaelic culture, from its warrior code to the complexities of clan politics, is impressive. The descriptions of battle are visceral, and the political maneuvering is sharp and unforgiving. The scene where Danu and Brighid are confronted with the weight of leadership at Ráth Na Conall is particularly compelling. The tension between personal desires and duty is palpable. The author builds an entire realm that feels as real as the history it is inspired by.
The dynamic between the twin protagonists is another element I liked. Their relationship is raw and full of conflict. Brighid’s impulsiveness and fiery spirit contrast beautifully with Danu’s calculated and strategic mind. Their clash in the Great Hall, where Draighean, their Sidhe mentor, berates them for their discord, is one of the novel’s most powerful moments. This moment, more than any other, encapsulates the novel’s emotional depth.
Millar’s writing style is both poetic and brutal, a balance that suits the novel’s tone perfectly. The action scenes are unflinchingly graphic, bringing the horrors of war to life in a way that is both mesmerizing and unsettling. The passage where Maolán faces off against the alpha wolf, Silverback, is a perfect example—nature and man, predator and prey, all locked in a desperate fight for survival. At times, the descriptions of violence and suffering push the boundaries of comfort, but they also serve a purpose, reinforcing the novel’s themes of endurance and the unrelenting nature of conflict.
The Dog Roses: Na Feirdhriseacha is a gripping read that will appeal to fans of historical fantasy, especially those with an interest in Celtic mythology and ancient warrior cultures. The depth of world-building, the complexity of the characters, and the sheer intensity of the storytelling make this a novel worth savoring. If you enjoy books like The Mists of Avalon or The Last Kingdom, this one should be on your list.
Pages: 365 | ASIN : B0BDT3ZC72
LITERARY TITAN 