The Morrigan by Kim Curran Review (Gifted/AD)

Hello Readers,

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eBook copy of The Morrigan by Kim Curran in exchange for an honest review. The copy I received didn’t include a cover, so I’m using an image found through Google (Fair use for review purposes). Since today is its official publication day, this review will be spoiler-free.

Happy Publication Day

Title: The Morrigan
Author: Kim Curran
Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy Fiction, Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
Cover Image:

Synopsis: 
They called me The Morrigan. I was magnificent. I was multitudes.
They twisted my story, stripped me away. But I will tell it now in my own voice.
It begins, as all the best stories do, in darkness.

From an ancient, storm-tossed sea, a tribe of gods reach the rocky shores of Ireland. Among them, a strange, hungry, red-haired girl. A girl who can change shape, from bird to beast to goddess. A girl who dreams of battle, of blood, of death and power.

She does not know yet that a woman who seeks to rule will always be in danger – or that there are far more treacherous figures in this land than the gods who raised her. She does not know that one day love will burn so deep in her heart that its scars will never heal. That she will know pain so raw and pure it will almost tear her apart. She does not know that her journey will take a thousand years. That her name will be remembered for a thousand more.

She is The Morrigan, and she is a girl with rage coiled in her chest. Beautiful, powerful, ravenous rage. A rage that will live forever. An electric debut retelling of Ireland’s mythic goddess of war, from a bold and powerful new voice.

Miniature Review

The Morrigan is a fierce, feminist retelling of Irish mythology, told from the perspective of the goddess of war herself. Bold, unapologetic, and wonderfully complex, The Morrigan represents both divine power and the timeless struggles faced by women. Kim weaves ancient myth with modern themes of resilience and rage, creating a story that feels both timeless and refreshingly relevant.
 
Rather than following a straightforward plot, the book flows through different myths and lifetimes, focusing on the women at the heart of these tales. While the shifting timelines might feel a bit disorienting at first, they add depth to the story, making it easy to dip in and out of The Morrigan’s many forms and experiences. Each time she transforms, it’s painful and could be a powerful metaphor for the struggles and sacrifices women often face, even when they hold great power.
 
Kim‘s writing is both blunt and beautiful, bringing to life scenes of battle, heartbreak, and rebirth in vivid detail. The Morrigan is gloriously angry and unflinchingly fierce, but it’s her moments of vulnerability her desire to be seen and loved that make her truly captivating. She doesn’t need to be likable to hold your attention; her raw, authentic voice is more than enough.
 
What makes this book stand out is how it draws parallels between The Morrigan’s divine experiences and the lives of mortal women, highlighting the universal fight for respect and agency. Even with all her power, The Morrigan often finds herself struggling against those who wrong her, pushing her to face her enemies with both strength and creativity.
 
If you’re a fan of Irish mythology or love stories about strong, unapologetic women, The Morrigan is worth a read. It’s a beautifully written, powerful exploration of myth, rage, and resilience that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.


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