The Irish Trilogy

After The Rising & Before The Fall

Two-in-One Special

“Of particular delight are the many unexpected twists and turns.” -THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT

As old loyalties collide with a love that won’t die, Jo must choose between the freedom she forged in San Francisco and the claim of home.

This special two-in-one edition is a big read, combining Orna Ross’s two “highly ambitious, engaging” novels (Sunday Independent) in one book. ‘After the Rising’ unspools a buried crime and its consequences; ‘Before the Fall’ traces the toll and reveals the truth.

Enjoy this lyrical exploration of memory, rebellion and all kinds of intimate war.

REWARDS FOR THIS SERIES

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Description

Twenty years after she was driven away from her family and the only man she ever loved, Jo Devereux has returned to her small Irish village wanting answers.

What happened to her family during the Irish Civil War? Was her great-uncle’s friend really shot by his best friend? What did this “war of the brothers” mean for their mothers, sisters and daughters?

Searching through papers bequeathed by her estranged mother, Jo uncovers astonishing truths about her grandmother and great-aunt – secrets of a cold-blooded murder with consequences that ricocheted down the generations into her own life.

Urged on by Rory O’Donovan, her lost love and the son of her family’s sworn enemies, Jo is determined to get the knowledge she needs to settle back into her life in San Francisco. What secrets and lies lay under her family’s unshakeable silence? Can Jo redeem the legacy of guilt and shame bequeathed to her? And what of Rory, son of her family’s sworn enemies, now mired in family troubles of his own?

As Jo faces the ultimate truth under her mother’s and grandmother’s unshakeable silence–and how it connects with her failed life as a gender-bending agony aunt in San Francisco–she and Rory find their loyalties tested as never before.

Jo knows well from her early life what it means to rebel. Now, she must now decide whether to cast off caution again… and claim what should always have been hers. Or find another way to stay true to both heart and heritage.

A heart-breaking multi-generational saga, full of romance, revenge and redemption by the bestselling and award-winning author Orna Ross.

Couldn’t put this great book down. Can’t wait for the next one to come out.
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This book is an enthralling segue across timelines that depicts the complex life so many people often experience and yet is often hidden behind the veneer of normal life. The story is a tapestry of childhood memories, life experiences, set backs and secrets that make for compulsive reading. Ross an award winning writer, has penned a compelling saga where her characterisation of Jo Devereux leaves you feeling compassion, connection and understanding for her.
See original review on amazon.com

These are two big books, with real depth and understanding of people’s motives and situations. It tackles over those two books a woman’s situation as she returns to a place dominated by both her own memories and a complex family history in the context of a fractured community. These books are undoubtedly an achievement of the highest order, and they form the first two parts of the “Irish Trilogy”. The writing is incredibly detailed, moving its focus from the present in 1995, and 1925. It is mainly from Jo Devereux’s point of view, especially it is often directly through her eyes, and so we have memories from her childhood in 1966. It is thus a challenging read which moves backwards and forwards time. It is an immersive read in so many ways. The landscape of shifting sands, the bleak weather and the buildings in which people exist are all vividly described, as are the small details of life. There are letters which set out important messages, reveal truths long hidden, hint at secrets long held. The dialogue is also vivid, revealing much of the personalities involved, the time in which the action takes place and more. This is a book of fine writing, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this mixture of historical and more contemporary stories.
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I was totally blown away with this book. Its a special two books in one edition which I enjoyed reading on an evening. Set over differnt continents and different generations and different timelines. This is one epic journey they found themselves on. Its a very moving story with sadness around the Irish Civil War. It moves from one life changing event to another.
Brilliantly written and I found out after finishing the book that there is a third book so I am so pleased I can continue with the story. A must read for all historical fiction fans.
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especially liked how thorough ORNA ROSS ‘S detailed weaving of Catholic Ireland’s struggle with keeping loyal to their faith and chose to be politically loyal to England. Some in the same town chose to not be loyal and joined armies to invade their neighbors and vice versa. There is love between these warring factions that didn’t survive. There are generations of families living together with deep seated hatred to those on the other side. But being Irish, they had big, loving hearts and crossed over on occasion to help those being hurt. There are lots of secrets to pass down to grand children which were revealed in Modern times who try to make sense of it all. And there is love to be renewed decades later, across the sea. It was most interesting to read about how strong Irish women were during a time, 1920’s, when women were under appreciated. They joined the fight for Ireland’s freedom right along side of the soldiers. They lost family members but kept up the fight. I hope there is a sequel. A VERY COMPELLING READ.
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After The Rising & Before The Fall