Niall and the Irish Pirates by Daniel Duffield - Review

Niall and the Irish Pirates by Daniel Duffield 

Well I did it!  I read my first indie novel for review.  I don't ever read these because there are just way too many books on my TBR pile.  I received this book free from the author (signed) for an honest review.  This is a self published book and can be found on Amazon, plus if you have a Prime account on Amazon you can even borrow the book for free.  Here is the goodreads description:

By the year 355 CE, the Roman Empire had expanded westward first conquering Gaul (France) and then Briton. The Romans then ventured northward in an attempt to conquer Alba (Scotland) before continuing westward to conquer the adjacent emerald isle called Eriu (Ireland). Torna knew from the moment he found the abandoned newborn baby in the deep forests that he was being protected and guided by the forest spirits for some great task. An abandoned newborn, found in the deep forests, reared by a poet, protected and guided by the forest spirits. Would the baby become savior for the people of Eriu and stop the Roman Empire from their ever-expanding reign of tyranny? Torna only knew that he and his wife were to do their part and raise the child as their own and they named him Niall. Niall’s path was up to the spirits of the oak trees who were involved in the destiny of all 

It felt good reviewing a book for an author who is just really starting out.  Yes... I could tell that there was no editor.  There were quite a few passages that needed to be shorten or cleaned up.  But the idea behind the story is good.  I was intrigued enough to keep reading.  I was afraid being my first indie book that it would just be a DNF right off.  I play Dungeons and Dragons, and this really reads to me like one of the campaigns from D&D.   In fact... the author might want to look into writing for D&D (there are websites where you can submit campaigns).  There was just so much detail ... which is why it reminds me of the game.  I think it would make a good adventure.

I thought the middle of the book was a little long.  Niall and his troops kept going to hold back the Romans and I had enough of that.    Though Duffield does add some side stories into these battles so that makes it more interesting.   I did like the character development.  There were multiple wives, and mothers and daughters marrying the same man but that is common of the time (it's like watching the show Vikings on History).   I thought that the beginning was good and the end was perfect.   I was actually surprised at the end but I don't know much about the real history of Niall, so what happens to the character surprised me.

I do wish that the book had page numbers.  As a reader this bothers me.  But as a self published book maybe they chose to do it this way for a reason.  I need page numbers though.  I like the cover of the book... I like that it's different.  Includes a photo graph on the cover and when I look there I can imagine that is where this book takes place.

Overall I am glad I took a shot on a self published novel. It feels good to read books like this.  I would like to thank the author, Mr. Duffield for providing me with this book. 

The crystal ball says:

Clouds are covering! A read that lets me down every now and then but peaks out of the clouds!


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