Lann Dàn - Blades of Destiny Revised Edition III: Dàn Cycle One

James Raquepau

Feb 2024 · Dàn Cycle (aka Destiny Cycle) Book 1 · Destiny Cycle Books

About this ebook

A brutal force has landed in ancient Celtic Ireland—and the gods of Erin will not remain silent!

 When a savage band of pre-Viking Norse raiders threatens the sacred lands of ancient Erin, the Mother Goddess Danu intervenes. But she cannot act alone. Alongside the Tuatha Dé Danann Gods, she calls upon Breanna Ban Morna—a fierce Gaelic warrior born of both Norse and Gael blood—to fulfill a destiny she never asked for.

 Driven by her geas and torn between worlds, Breanna is thrust into a perilous quest to find the lost Lann Dàn, the Blade of Destiny—one of three ancient relics needed to drive the Norse Dreadlord and his followers from their island. Her gods have chosen her. Magical Blades await her. But only she can decide if she’s ready to shape the fate of a nation! Or will she be turned into one of the enemies by her hated father?

Ratings and reviews

*Lann Dàn - Blades of Destiny* by @jamesraquepau is a gripping historical fantasy set in fifth-century Ireland, where history and Celtic mythology intertwine seamlessly. The novel follows Breanna Ban Morna, a young Gaelic warrior chosen by the Tuatha Dé Danann-the gods of Celtic lore-as Erin's Hero to defend her homeland against Norse invaders. Breanna's mixed heritage, connecting her to both the Gaelic and Norse sides, adds complexity to her character, while her fiery determination and internal

Book: Lann Dàn - Blades of Destiny: Dàn Cycle One Author: James Raquepau Review: Lann Dàn -The Blades of Destiny is a thrilling tale set in fifth-century Celtic Ireland, where myth and history collide. The story centers on Breanna Ban Morna, a fierce Gaelic warrior with a unique lineage—descended from both the Celtic and Norse sides of the conflict. Chosen by the Mother Goddess Danu as Erin’s Hero, Breanna is tasked with recovering the Lann Dàn, the Blades of Destiny, to rid Ireland of

Lann Dàn: Blades of Destiny by James Raquepau swept me into a vibrant world of Celtic Ireland, where mythology, history, and high-stakes adventure collide. The story masterfully blends the raw brutality of fifth-century Norse raiders with the mysticism of the Tuatha Gods, creating a tale that feels both epic and deeply personal. As I followed Breanna Ban Morna on her journey, I was struck by her complexity. She’s fierce, headstrong, and torn between duty to her people and the divine quest thrust upon her. Her internal conflict—choosing between saving her Chief and following the gods' demands—gave the story emotional depth and made her struggles relatable, despite the fantastical setting. Raquepau’s depiction of Celtic mythology is stunning. From the powerful presence of Danu to Lugh's intervention, the gods feel alive, their motives layered and enigmatic. The lore surrounding the Blades of Destiny is rich and immersive, keeping me intrigued as Breanna hunted for Lann Dàn.

About the author

James Raquepau is the American author behind the Dàn Cycle, a captivating series set in ancient Celtic Ireland. In this series, legends come alive, and Gaelic heroes, gods, and Druids fight to shape the Emerald Isle’s fate. Each novel scores an impressive eighty-six rating based on Quantifiction’s predictive Iris AI-based analytics, inviting readers to step into a rich reimagining of ancient history, blending myth, magic, and adventure.

His writing journey began alongside a career in information technology. After earning an English Creative Writing degree from Eastern Michigan University, he started crafting the origins of his Dàn Cycle (pronounced Dawn Cycle) in the 1990s, inspired by his Gaelic roots and a lifelong passion for ancient history, myths, and legends.

Today, he continues to expand on this mythic series from his home in the Great Northwest, bringing readers deeper into primeval Ireland with each new chapter (yes, the third novel in the series is well underway).

Welcome to Dàn Cycle (Destiny Cycle in English)! It is where Gaels Rule!

Special thanks go to my new primary editor, Holly Atkinson, who owns Evil Eye Editing (www.evileyeediting.com). After tuning up Lann Dàn – Blades of Destiny Revised Edition II | Dàn Cycle One, she turned her keen eye to the content of my second novel!

With all that effort behind me, I am further pleased to report that both novels scored an impressive 86 on the Quantifiction Iris AI system. It applies five predictive metrics powered by LLM technology (such as sales potential, reader rating, and genre fit); next, the system applies 30+ NLP metrics to compare a manuscript against bestsellers and genre norms; this generates an ~80% accuracy for sales potential predictions are within an order of magnitude.

Holly’s copyeditor, Bridget Wilde, was supposed to provide only line edits but jumped in (as she’s a big fantasy-adventure reader) with additional content input! My early readers were impressed by their help and these new, improved editions of my novels that kick off the Destiny Cycle series.