The book has dust cover enclosed in plastic and a glued in pocket on the last page indicating itsformer life as a library book. It's a hardcover with no noted tears or marks on the pages.

Morgan Llwelyn holds citizenship in the USA as well as Ireland. She is an American-born Irish aujthor 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.

This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for a number of years even though it's written by one of my favorite authors, Morgan Llywelyn. I've read several of her books and I think I was reluctant to read this one as there are fewer and fewer of her books that I haven't read. I'd be sad to think I'd read them all. Also, the title of the book and the pictures and description on the cover didn't seem to pique my interest. But, lately, I've decided to try not to buy any books until I've read all the ones I already have. I'm challenging myself to read three books a month on a regular basis so perhaps reading them all may take only a couple of years. I love to read and riffle through book stores, yard sales, and special sales but it's surprising how many books I've amassed in such a short time by doing those things.

This book is a fascinating history of Ireland during the reign of England's Elizabeth I. After doing some checking I found Grania was an actual historical person who lived the life and did the things depicted in this book. Although a woman, she was brave, fearless, assertive, and a born leader. She amassed a fleet of ships and fed her people by buying and selling goods, fishing, and, yes, some piracy. She was "married" more than once and had several lovers. She lived by her own sense of honor and basically did as she pleased. She bore three sons and one daughter and left behind many descendants. She took some pride in her children and being able to bear children when Elizabeth I could not. The two of them met about ten years before they both died.

The book started a little slow while putting down some ground work for a rather complicated story but once it got going I couldn't put it down! If you're of Irish descent or just interested in English/Irish history you'll find this a terrific book!