 | EUROPE'S MOST VISITED SF/F WEB SITE |
| Sword
Of The White Rose by J. Ardian Lee check out website: www.penguin.com
I found, however, it could be enjoyed
as a read on its own, although I will not now try and find the earlier books in
the series.
This
is because at some stage, he travelled back in time from our era to this one.
He is ill and knowing he is dying, tries to persuade his son and heir, Ciaran,
not to take part in the forthcoming uprising. The son believes they cannot sit
on the fence but must fight for King James or King George. The latter is unthinkable.
The old laird knows what will happen. In his youth, he fought for the exiled Stuart
kings thinking that history could be changed but now knows better. He
dies and his eldest son takes over as Laird but not without dispute from other
members of the family. There is also an English garrison in the village. Their
presence exacerbates the unruly clansmen and in order to keep control Ciaran Matheson
leads his fighting men to join Bonnie Prince Charlie's army. A further complication
is a developing relationship between the young laird and the English garrison
commander's daughter, Leah. At first, the war goes well for the Jacobite
cause. An English army is routed at Prestonpans, Edinburgh is captured and the
Scots pour over the border into England. Carlilsle is taken and the army marches
south. The old laird warned it would turn back at Derby and when it does, Ciaran
knows he is doomed. Thereafter, it is a long retreat and then destruction of the
Jacobites at Culloden. There is a certain amount of magic in the story.
Leah comes onto the battlefield looking for her lover and her father, who fought
on opposite sides in the battle. She is led to the body of Ciaran by one of the
magic folk and is able to save him and return him to his home. Because of her
there is a reconciliation between the clan and the English commander and something
is plucked from disaster. This is the bold outline of a tale which
is well told by the author. It skilfully incorporates real events with the stories
of these individuals and was a very enjoyable read. J. Ardian Lee clearly has
a deep knowledge of Celtic culture which is lightly and interestingly woven into
an exciting, swashbuckling tale. I suspect the earlier books tell how
the old laird came to this era from the future and what made him and his clan
so hate the English. If I have a criticism I think, as a former redcoat myself
from a regiment that fought with distinction at Culloden, that the anti-English
bits are somewhat over done but I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as a
good read. Paul Hanley
|
OTHER REVIEWS - October 2004
| ||||||||
This
is an unusual and enjoyable read and it was only near the end that I discovered
it was part of a series of books. 
 | |
| nest home | search engine | site directory | library | tools | about us | | |
| |
... www.sfcrowsnest.com © 2004 CWant a ? Then send an e-mail to: hologramtales-subscribe@topica.com