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Celtic World of Morgan Llywelyn #1
The Horse Goddess
Troy is in crumbling ruin and Athens is rising far to the south. It is a time when mortal men and women are becoming gods and goddesses as news of their extraordinary adventures sweeps across the land. In this world, Epona, a woman whose life is celebrated in legend, meets Kazhak, a Scythian warrior and prince. Their stormy love affair sends them sweeping across eighth-century Europe, pursued from the Alps to the Ukraine by Kernunnos--a mysterious Druid priest known as the "Shapechanger."
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
About the author
Morgan Llywelyn
74 books959 followersMorgan Llywelyn (born 1937) is an American-born Irish author best known for her historical fantasy, historical fiction, and historical non-fiction. Her fiction has received several awards and has sold more than 40 million copies, and she herself is recipient of the 1999 Exceptional Celtic Woman of the Year Award from Celtic Women International.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
May 8, 2014
Really enjoyed the author's conception of how possibly her early Iron Age human Celtic characters, through the mists of time and legend, might have been gradually transformed into the Celtic pantheon of gods and goddesses. I had an inkling of this from the names of characters in the Celtic village, from the very beginning of the novel. The protagonist, Epona, daughter of the chieftain, is discovered by Kernunnos, the shapeshifter/shaman or drui to have extra-special powers, such as connecting with the spirits and talking with animals, especially the horse. In order to escape life under Kernunnos as a trainee drui, Epona runs off with a small band of Scythians who came to her village to trade. She travels to the 'Sea of Grass' [present-day Ukraine] with these men and lives among the Scythians. Kernunnos follows her to bring her back and often changes into the shape of a silver wolf. She cannot fully adapt to the nomadic life and Kazhak, the man with whom she falls in love, and he with her, cannot fully understand or accept her culture. She saves a mare from death and is successful at a foal's breech birth. Finally, Kazhak sends her back to her people, with his loyal friend.
The story is fraught with danger. The author's concept of the Celts' culture sounded fairly authentic, but I wonder how authentic is the author's concept of Scythians and their customs? The evil Kernunnos seems like a forerunner of the werewolf, because of how he can change himself from a man to wolf to man... and he doesn't hesitate to kill, first in the Carpathians. There were no wasted words and the story flowed easily. The last section was poignant and I found myself in tears. The last sentence is ambiguous:
'Afterwards...' was valuable for the information on the Celts and their eventual geographical expansion; their connection with horses; and their pantheon, e.g., Epona, the horse goddess; Cernunnos, lord of the animals; Taranis, god of thunder...
The story is fraught with danger. The author's concept of the Celts' culture sounded fairly authentic, but I wonder how authentic is the author's concept of Scythians and their customs? The evil Kernunnos seems like a forerunner of the werewolf, because of how he can change himself from a man to wolf to man... and he doesn't hesitate to kill, first in the Carpathians. There were no wasted words and the story flowed easily. The last section was poignant and I found myself in tears. The last sentence is ambiguous:
Her gaze went past him [Goibban the blacksmith], ... and her face wore the intense expression of one who listens. She cocked her head slightly, a smile playing at the edges of her mouth.
"Down the road from the pass, a horseman came riding."
'Afterwards...' was valuable for the information on the Celts and their eventual geographical expansion; their connection with horses; and their pantheon, e.g., Epona, the horse goddess; Cernunnos, lord of the animals; Taranis, god of thunder...
February 18, 2019
Enjoyed early Llywelyn's writing energy, particularly this one. Intriguing mythic history.
(Have not gotten far in most of her books.)
Library's copy consistently borrowed, repaired, and borrowed. Liked to recommend to Jean Auel fans wanting similar stories.
Copy still available in regional library.
(Have not gotten far in most of her books.)
Library's copy consistently borrowed, repaired, and borrowed. Liked to recommend to Jean Auel fans wanting similar stories.
Copy still available in regional library.
Shelved as 'oh-well-i-tried'
January 18, 2021This isn’t a bad book, it just didn’t keep my attention. An origin story for some celtic gods should have been my type of fantasy but it was slow, and the characters not that engaging for me. So it’s back to the library!
September 8, 2022
This book was incredible! The Horse Goddess is beautiful, magical, and historical. I've been waiting to read this series for so long, and I have almost all of Morgan Llywelyn's books in her Celtic World series, but I have been unable to find this first one. Being that I have finally found it, I was eager to dive right in (coincidentally setting aside all the other books I am reading concurrently, mind you lol). This is my first ever reading of Morgan Llywelyn, and I am extremely impressed. Her words are so beautiful, her characters are flawed and real, and her ability to create a feeling of Celtic ambiance is truly heart-warming. She really pulled me in, and I had the feeling of being somewhere familiar although I've never been there. I really have to put it out there, and I have reservations about saying what I am about to say, but personally, I think Morgan Llywelyn captures the historical elements of her chosen topics on a grander scale than Bernard Cornwell (I'm so sorry Mr. Cornwell!!).
If you enjoy the Celtic way and love history, this book is definitely for you. This is a must read, and I will absolutely be reading the rest of this series!
By the way, all while during reading this, I had the band Eluveitie's song "Epona" in my head the entire time. Check it out.
If you enjoy the Celtic way and love history, this book is definitely for you. This is a must read, and I will absolutely be reading the rest of this series!
By the way, all while during reading this, I had the band Eluveitie's song "Epona" in my head the entire time. Check it out.
February 18, 2019
A story of Epona, the European Horse Goddess as a real person from Scythia.
July 31, 2022
Morgan Llywelyn is an excellent writer: Druids and Red Branch are essential works in Celtic revival historical fiction, with characters and stories that rival the best in fantasy. Her prose is superb, doesn't get in the way, and despite her obvious fascination with the material, she never lets it get in the way of expressing what the characters feel or want. In other words, I highly recommend those books.
I do not recommend Horse Goddess, which has only some of the charm and none of the deft storytelling and prose work of the titles mentioned. Llywelyn has taken a euhemerist approach to the mythology of early Celts, giving the deities of the Hallstatt culture human personalities, making them into characters. I thought this was a fantastic idea, even though I'm not really familiar with the subject from that angle. In this story Epona, who will become a Celtic goddess of the horse, runs away from home to live among the Scythians of the steppes and brings horse husbandry back to her people.
That's potentially a great, epic story, but just about every choice Llywelyn made with this one reads like an author who hasn't hit her stride yet. Published in 1982, likely written in the mid to late seventies, the handling of POV makes this feel like something from the 1950s. That's not a fault in itself, but the result is a lot of confusion and lack of emotional depth. Structurally, the story doesn't actually get going until more than halfway through, and the resulting epic journey is shallow and not all that epic. The plot in the steppe settlement is okay, but the choices the author made left me screwing up my face, and this book lost a star in the end because a lot of things that should have happened didn't. Often the opposite did.
All I'm saying is that if you're a fan of Morgan Llywelyn, you can skip this one. This is a book from a different era of historical fantasy, written just to showcase that Celts are magic and to mention lots of cool stuff about Hallstatt culture. That stuff is indeed cool, but this book doesn't really wield it as good storytelling material. Pre-internet, the only chance to hear about these things was at your Renaissance Faire or SCA meeting, or in a book by MZB or Morgan Llywelyn. If I'm glad that we don't live in that world anymore (and I'm not, necessarily) it's because of books like this.
I do not recommend Horse Goddess, which has only some of the charm and none of the deft storytelling and prose work of the titles mentioned. Llywelyn has taken a euhemerist approach to the mythology of early Celts, giving the deities of the Hallstatt culture human personalities, making them into characters. I thought this was a fantastic idea, even though I'm not really familiar with the subject from that angle. In this story Epona, who will become a Celtic goddess of the horse, runs away from home to live among the Scythians of the steppes and brings horse husbandry back to her people.
That's potentially a great, epic story, but just about every choice Llywelyn made with this one reads like an author who hasn't hit her stride yet. Published in 1982, likely written in the mid to late seventies, the handling of POV makes this feel like something from the 1950s. That's not a fault in itself, but the result is a lot of confusion and lack of emotional depth. Structurally, the story doesn't actually get going until more than halfway through, and the resulting epic journey is shallow and not all that epic. The plot in the steppe settlement is okay, but the choices the author made left me screwing up my face, and this book lost a star in the end because a lot of things that should have happened didn't. Often the opposite did.
All I'm saying is that if you're a fan of Morgan Llywelyn, you can skip this one. This is a book from a different era of historical fantasy, written just to showcase that Celts are magic and to mention lots of cool stuff about Hallstatt culture. That stuff is indeed cool, but this book doesn't really wield it as good storytelling material. Pre-internet, the only chance to hear about these things was at your Renaissance Faire or SCA meeting, or in a book by MZB or Morgan Llywelyn. If I'm glad that we don't live in that world anymore (and I'm not, necessarily) it's because of books like this.
July 18, 2015
Admittedly this is a re-read for me. This was one of my favorite books back when I was in my full blown Celtic Fiction love affair when I was about 15. Oh the good ole days! I thought I'd see how this story struck me now that I've read quite a bit of the history that provides the basis for this tale and I have to say it still enchants me. Yes the main character is a little two-dimensional but if you can get past that the plot is interesting and the other characters are engaging. Even in Epona, the main character's almost predictable traits may be intentional on the author's part because we are talking about characters that are based on mythological constructs. In any case, its a fun adventure and interesting love story for anyone who enjoys historical fiction- especially historical fiction about obscure little corners of history like I do.
May 24, 2017
I usually like tales of this ilk but I found this one to be incredibly boring without likable characters. The heroine is young, impetuous and rash, jumping without thinking of the consequences. I understand why she ran away with Kazhak (to get away from Kernunnos) but she knew absolutely nothing about Kazhak or his people other than of what he spoke, of which none was even remotely flattering to women. With her people, she had prestige and freedom. Kazhak's people don't even consider women to be human just possessions. It boggles the mind. The travel from the blue mountains to the sea of grasses was interminable and torturous to read (as was the return journey).
Honestly I have no idea why this book has such high ratings.
Honestly I have no idea why this book has such high ratings.
July 29, 2015
This book can't decide whether it's to be a historical romance or a fantasy novel set in ancient days. Although the inside blurb states "that's the way it was" it is being exceptionally optimistic since it describes magical spells working and in the real world, magic just does not work. I hoped it would feature horses more than it did but they were merely background players. I have to admit that I am not a fan of heroine's falling in love with abusive men.
January 31, 2022
What a fantastic take on a deity's origin story, I absolutely love this. Morgan Llywelyn continues to be my favorite author. :) Do yourself a favor and make sure you are familiar with Epona the goddess before reading this, you'll appreciate it so much more.
April 27, 2020
Un bel polpettone di romanzo storico incentrato sulla figura celtica leggendaria di Epona, dea dei Cavalli.
A volte ha assunto tratti alla harmony, ma credo sia solo un modo per alleggerire alcune parti, che a volte penso siano state abbastanza pesanti e difficili da leggere. Ma all'interno ci sono tantissimi dettagli storici sugli usi e costumi dei celti, e lo consiglio a tutti quelli che amano questo popolo del passato.
A volte ha assunto tratti alla harmony, ma credo sia solo un modo per alleggerire alcune parti, che a volte penso siano state abbastanza pesanti e difficili da leggere. Ma all'interno ci sono tantissimi dettagli storici sugli usi e costumi dei celti, e lo consiglio a tutti quelli che amano questo popolo del passato.
November 19, 2018
I first read this a few decades ago and images from the novel have stayed with me all through my life. Llywelyn tackles the legend of Epona and her introduction of the horse to the Celtic people with her masterful, detailed writing so that ancient history becomes something tangible to the reader.
While I would have liked to see more character development of Epona (otherwise, what was the point of going away and coming back at all?) still, Llywelyn's skill with a pen is far superior to most of the stuff being published today and it's worth the read.
However, in my opinion, if you want to read Llywelyn at her finest in regards to the ancient Celtic peoples, pick up Bard - you won't be disappointed.
While I would have liked to see more character development of Epona (otherwise, what was the point of going away and coming back at all?) still, Llywelyn's skill with a pen is far superior to most of the stuff being published today and it's worth the read.
However, in my opinion, if you want to read Llywelyn at her finest in regards to the ancient Celtic peoples, pick up Bard - you won't be disappointed.
October 31, 2016
Not sure what I was expecting with Horse Goddess, but I definitely didn't find it. Epona and all the other characters were more like archetypes from history than their own persons. The dialogue was stilted (is there a reason Bronze/Iron Age people couldn't speak in first person?) and distracting. There was so much investment of the religious differences between Epona and Khazak's people that you lose the story for a while.
Honestly, I couldn't tell you why I didn't just put the book down. I guess I was just hoping it would get better.
It didn't.
Honestly, I couldn't tell you why I didn't just put the book down. I guess I was just hoping it would get better.
It didn't.
January 1, 2015
if you can get past the horrible treatment of sex/women of this olden days setting the book is very good. the first act of becoming a woman was awful. read on... you will like the rest!
June 20, 2016
Loved the Keltic and Scythian aspects.
October 26, 2021
"The Horse Goddess" was pretty good. It's a light fantasy historical romance novel about horses. . . and other things like the early Iron Age Celtics.
There's horses and kind of a romance? It's like an 80s romance. So it wasn't like an isnta love or deep deep love. It was more of a "hey, you're my woman now."
It took a bit to actually kick off, but I found myself enjoying the Blue Mountains the more Llwelyn wrote about it. There were a few places where it dragged, but overall I really liked it.
Note: I picked this up because someone said it reminded them of Daenerys and Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones. I can kind of see it, but the Scythians (the horse people in this book) aren't as combative as the Game of Thrones horse people. Sure, they're good at war, but they, for the most part, just chilled with their horses.
There's horses and kind of a romance? It's like an 80s romance. So it wasn't like an isnta love or deep deep love. It was more of a "hey, you're my woman now."
It took a bit to actually kick off, but I found myself enjoying the Blue Mountains the more Llwelyn wrote about it. There were a few places where it dragged, but overall I really liked it.
Note: I picked this up because someone said it reminded them of Daenerys and Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones. I can kind of see it, but the Scythians (the horse people in this book) aren't as combative as the Game of Thrones horse people. Sure, they're good at war, but they, for the most part, just chilled with their horses.
May 28, 2021
There are some authors who transport me back in time so that when the book is finished, I am mourning the loss of the time and place. Morgan Llewelyn is one of those authors. I was absolutely fascinated by the heroine of "The Horse Goddess", an early "kelt" woman who desired freedom. Her amazing adventure, which united the cultures of the Celts and the Scythians, is this story. If I believed in the "hereafter" I would hope that I could journey back in time to all my favorite places, which I discovered in my favorite books. When you read this book, let me know! Oh...P.S., my DNA says that I and my family descend from the Scythians, who tamed the horses of Europe, and like many of us, I also have Celt DNA, too.
May 29, 2023
So, first, I'm a "dyed in the wool" Llywelyn fan for well over forty years.
I've read and re-read so many of her novels that I was surprised to discover that I hadn't ever read this one.
This one takes a good long while to get going. The first hundred pages or so dragged for me. Indeed, had I not been such a fan I might have given up. I'm glad I didn't.
At over four hundred pages it is a substantial work. The three hundred pages following the first quarter of the book were fun, interesting, well written, and informative. Being a very early work, I should have expected some quirks like a slow start. All in all, however, I'm impressed and glad I finished it. I'd have been the loser had I not.
I've read and re-read so many of her novels that I was surprised to discover that I hadn't ever read this one.
This one takes a good long while to get going. The first hundred pages or so dragged for me. Indeed, had I not been such a fan I might have given up. I'm glad I didn't.
At over four hundred pages it is a substantial work. The three hundred pages following the first quarter of the book were fun, interesting, well written, and informative. Being a very early work, I should have expected some quirks like a slow start. All in all, however, I'm impressed and glad I finished it. I'd have been the loser had I not.
January 30, 2022
This is a tale taken from Celtic mythology, but the "goddess" is very human. As Morgan Llywelyn says, mythology provides the seeds of real history from which such stories grow. Understanding the mythology of the Celts leads us to understand their history. Therefore, telling the tale of the horse goddess as a mortal who traveled to far places and helped bring about great change makes perfect sense. It is an enjoyable read about a headstrong young woman who, in order to escape being forced into a role she does not want, runs away with a group of travelers. Of course, there is a love story as with any great tale, and it is made interesting by the clash of cultures between the lovers.
June 20, 2024
I regret having ignored this author for so long. Her deftly researched understanding of history and myth blend perfectly together to tell a sweeping tale of a woman desperate to fit in somewhere, only to find that her transformation would be vital to her own survival and her people. If you have even a passing interest in Celtic history and folklore, or just want a really good rousing historical adventure, I cannot recommend this one enough. Far exceeding my expectations and the other works of the era, including Jean Auel and the prehistoric epic genre. A fantastic read that I cannot wait to get more of.
September 11, 2024
A fascinating look at Epona, the mythical horse goddess of the ancient Celts. Imagining her life in the 8th century BC, Morgan Llwelyn evokes the pattern of ancient Celtic life: their gods, their customs, their rituals. Kernunnos the shape-changer made for a compelling villain, and the excitement of Epona broadening horizons (and discovering horsemanship) on the back of a Scythian stallion immerses the reader in an ancient world where magic held far more power.
The novel does drag a little in places, particularly once Epona and Khazak reach the Sea of Grass, but the story promises enough to keep you reading to its highly emotional climax.
A fun, engaging read!
The novel does drag a little in places, particularly once Epona and Khazak reach the Sea of Grass, but the story promises enough to keep you reading to its highly emotional climax.
A fun, engaging read!
May 21, 2018
Well, I guess I know where George RR Martin got his idea for Dani and Khal. Epona, the young blonde girl, runs off with Kazakh of the horse people. They are savages. Savages, I tell you! They treat women like crap.
Sigh.
I’m halfway through, it’s a reread. I can’t remember the book. But let me guess. Her amazing shamanistic powers show up the local crew, she brings equal rights to the horse people, the women come to love her, the men respect her, and they change their whole tradition because she’s just so amazing.
She and K have amazing sex. She teaches him love.
Ho hum.
Sigh.
I’m halfway through, it’s a reread. I can’t remember the book. But let me guess. Her amazing shamanistic powers show up the local crew, she brings equal rights to the horse people, the women come to love her, the men respect her, and they change their whole tradition because she’s just so amazing.
She and K have amazing sex. She teaches him love.
Ho hum.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2021
Rereading this book. It is currently my favorite book by this author I’ve read most of her books. This is a great tersely told story about mythic happenings. I believe it’s among Llewelyn’s first novels and i ask “do you think it happened like that?” It’s a bit of a romance type novel but full of very nice extras. I would recommend it to anyone interested in mythology, early European history, Celtic culture and horses.
October 13, 2022
To be honest, it’s not quite 3 stars but I decided to round up because there aren’t many horse Celtic fantasy novels and I appreciated the lore.
Some parts were dated and problematic (though typical of old fantasy) but there were things I liked a lot: namely the heroine and her bond with horses. Also, I didn’t instantly love the romance but it grew on me and I particularly enjoyed how it had evolved by the second half of the book.
Some parts were dated and problematic (though typical of old fantasy) but there were things I liked a lot: namely the heroine and her bond with horses. Also, I didn’t instantly love the romance but it grew on me and I particularly enjoyed how it had evolved by the second half of the book.
June 22, 2023
I love this book so much! It’s possibly actually my favourite book! It’s an older book but I just love everything about it, it’s a fantasy (my fave genre) it’s got a powerful female character, horses in it sort of, and dominating man, war, peace, and so on….it’s just a great great book that I am always happy to pick up! Oh and it’s not a complicated read so whether your wanting something to read before sleep or to relax read this is perfect 😊
April 25, 2020
Celtic Gold
Packed with the human seeds of Celtic deities, Morgan Llewelyn delivers an enthralling story filled with flawed-but-noble characters. Anyone interested in Celtic myth should recognize and love what Llewelyn does so well with stories like these. This is my personal favorite but I highly recommend them all.
Packed with the human seeds of Celtic deities, Morgan Llewelyn delivers an enthralling story filled with flawed-but-noble characters. Anyone interested in Celtic myth should recognize and love what Llewelyn does so well with stories like these. This is my personal favorite but I highly recommend them all.
April 26, 2021
This was a good story about a young woman who breaks out of her community and goes into the open wilderness, into another culture, and learns and grows as time passes. She eventually returns home to find all has changed but her new knowledge provides her with a new status. I'm sure I have read this before, or something similar, but it was a good story.
September 7, 2022
Found this on the bottom shelf of the church playroom where I had after school care in 2005, and ironically my first book with a sex scene in it.
Humiliating though it is, one of my favourite books of all time. A must if you're of the crunchy, Mists-of-Avalon species and inexplicably love descriptions of iron forging. The main guy is a jerk, but hey, we all have our Nostalgia Book, OK?
Humiliating though it is, one of my favourite books of all time. A must if you're of the crunchy, Mists-of-Avalon species and inexplicably love descriptions of iron forging. The main guy is a jerk, but hey, we all have our Nostalgia Book, OK?
September 2, 2018
Definitely needed an editor in some sections, as typos ran wild through a few chapters, and the story bogged down for a bit after Epona reached the Scythian winter camp, but mostly it was very good. Satisfying conclusion and some very nice passages where differing viewpoints and cultures clashed.
October 16, 2020
Awesome reading
Grabbed me at the first paragraph, loved every word. Hoping for a continuation of these characters. Interesting read about Celts, druids, hoping for more from this author.
Grabbed me at the first paragraph, loved every word. Hoping for a continuation of these characters. Interesting read about Celts, druids, hoping for more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews