Black Ajax by George MacDonald Fraser

The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea

It's always fascinating to reread a book you enjoyed as a Child. Over Sea, Under Stone whetted my appetite for some of my childhood favourites.

The Hounds of the Morrigan has stood up well to the passing years. It's setting is somehow timeless. While not as tightly plotted as The Weirdstone of Brisingamen (the best as far as I'm concerned) it still carries the reader away to a very familiar and yet very magical Ireland. The middle section could have done with some editing but it does setup the final exhausting chase scenes.

Overall a joy to read with clever characterisation, a real feel for the Irish myths and legends and above all else a sense of fun.