Thomas Anderson, Chief Editor
Jul 22, 2025
Literary Titan
Michaela Riley’s Spear of Lugh is the third installment in “The Witch’s Rebirth” series, a rich, atmospheric tale set in the mythic shadows of 6th-century Celtic Europe. The novel follows Merona, a powerful and timeless witch reborn across centuries, as she confronts an ancient evil, Armaeus, and embraces her destiny as the Keeper of Balance. Armed with relics of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Spear of Lugh and the Cauldron of Dagda, Merona must navigate not only magical trials but also profound loss, divine expectations, and an aching search for identity, sacrifice, and love. As she chooses immortality and confronts her lineage, she stands poised to guide the world into a new era between the fading pagan gods and the rising tide of Christianity.
I found myself completely pulled into the world Riley has created. The writing is poetic and often breathtaking, especially in how it captures the sorrow and wonder that run through Merona’s journey. There’s a haunting stillness in the way the earth, the gods, and the past seem to breathe alongside the characters. Some passages are stunning. They read like spells themselves. At times, the prose drifts into over-explanation. Riley clearly loves this world and these myths, and the devotion is admirable. The heart of the book, Merona’s grief, her rebirth, her will to love despite endless loss, resonated with me. I was moved. I cared deeply. The final scenes between her and Murdach felt earned and emotionally honest, even amidst the grand fantasy of it all.
Spear of Lugh wrestles with the weight of duty, the seductive nature of power, and the pain of watching people you love fade while you endure. The mythology is dense, but it never loses sight of its human core. Merona is not some untouchable goddess; she’s aching, flawed, and strong because she chooses to keep going. The idea that hope itself can be more powerful than any weapon, that stuck with me. Armaeus felt like a classic villain. His menace is conceptual, not visceral. In contrast, the true tension came from Merona’s internal battles, and those were beautifully done.
I’d recommend this to readers who love lyrical fantasy steeped in myth and feminine power. It’s not a light read, there are layers, histories, and symbols in every chapter, but if you’re willing to dive in and let it wash over you, it’s rewarding. For fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley, Juliet Marillier, or even Diana Gabaldon, Spear of Lugh will feel like a homecoming. It certainly left me thoughtful, a little raw, and deeply curious for what comes next.
Rating: 5
Thank you,
Thomas Anderson
Editor In Chief