Blue Skies from Pain

Blue Skies from Pain continues the story of Liam Kelly, a former IRA soldier and half-Fey, in 1977 Northern Ireland. After the events of the first book, Liam must navigate both the mortal world of sectarian violence and the supernatural realm of the Fey. The Catholic Church maintains its suspicion of Liam while investigating his true nature and potential threat level. Liam's dual heritage places him at the intersection of multiple conflicts, forcing him to prove his loyalty while protecting those he cares about. Father Murray acts as an intermediary between Liam and Church authorities, adding complexity to an already tense political and spiritual situation. The story incorporates Irish folklore and Catholic theology against the backdrop of The Troubles. The novel explores themes of identity, faith, and the cost of violence through both historical and supernatural lenses. Religious institutions, political ideologies, and ancient mythologies collide to raise questions about belonging and redemption.

Readers describe this sequel as darker and more emotionally intense than the first book. Many note it maintains good pacing while dealing with deeper themes of trauma and recovery. Readers appreciated: - Complex relationship development between Liam and Mary Kate - Integration of Irish mythology and politics - Growth of side characters - Handling of sensitive topics with care Common criticisms: - More slowly paced than book 1 - Some found the political elements overwhelming - Several readers wanted more resolution to certain plot threads Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (330 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (32 ratings) From reviews: "The character work is outstanding but the plot meanders at times" - Goodreads reviewer "Deals with trauma in a realistic way without being gratuitous" - Amazon reviewer "Political elements could have been streamlined" - LibraryThing review "Strong emotional core but pacing issues in middle sections" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 "Blue Skies from Pain" is the second book in The Fey and the Fallen series, following "Of Blood and Honey." 🍀 The story is set in Northern Ireland during "The Troubles" of the 1970s, blending real historical events with Celtic mythology and supernatural elements. 📚 Author Stina Leicht was nominated for the Campbell Award for Best New Writer in both 2011 and 2012. 🌙 The book explores the complex relationship between Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland while weaving in conflicts between the Fey and Fallen angels. 🗝️ The protagonist, Liam Kelly, must navigate both his heritage as a half-Fey and his involvement with the IRA while dealing with Catholic priests who hunt supernatural creatures.