Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella reimagines the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion in Scotland through a historical fantasy lens. While it is true that many women and children of the Highlands were left to farm, subsist, and defend their homes and villages after many Jacobite soldiers were killed in battle, executed, or taken prisoner by government… Continue reading Review: Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella
Ashes and Stone by Allyson Shaw is a creative non-fiction account of women accused of witchcraft throughout Scottish history, particularly in the 16th through 18th centuries. Shaw details her personal journey traveling around Scotland to visit the forgotten, often neglected monuments to the those who lost their lives to witchcraft craze. Reading Ashes and Stone… Continue reading Review: Ashes and Stones by Allyson Shaw
The Baronet's Tale: Anthony by Julia Brannan is a prequel to the Jacobite Chronicles, but takes place after The Highlander's Tale which recounts Alex MacGregor's childhood in the Highlands. The Baronet's Tale picks up in 1734 with Alex embarking for university in Paris at his father's insistence. Alex takes on this burden, painful as it… Continue reading Review: The Baronet’s Tale: Anthony (Jacobite Chronicles) by Julia Brannan
Anangokaa by Cameron Alam follows a 14-year-old Scottish girl, Flora MacCallum, newly arrived with her family in the Canadian wilderness in 1804. The novel opens with Flora emerging from a grave illness (I suspect malaria or smallpox) of which her parents and one of her sisters did not survive. Flora, her older brother Hugh, and… Continue reading Review: Anangokaa by Cameron Alam
I couldn't resist returning to the world of the Jacobite Chronicles, this time with The Highlander's Tale: Alex. This book follows Alex as a young boy coming of age with the MacGregor Clan on the banks of Loch Lomond. His father, MacGregor Clan chieftain, teaches him and his brother Duncan the ways of cattle reiving,… Continue reading Review: The Highlander’s Tale: Alex by Julia Brannan
The Highland Witch (entitled Corrag or Witch's Light in some countries) by Susan Fletcher is based on the events of the 1692 Glencoe Massacre of Clan MacDonald, told from the perspective of a outsider named Corrag. The massacre occured after the MacDonald Clan swore their oath (albeit by a forced hand) to King William "too… Continue reading Review: The Highland Witch by Susan Fletcher
Book 6 in Julia's Brannan's Jacobite Chronicles, Tides of Fortune, is a worthy conclusion to the epic series. The final installment was engaging, enthralling, compelling, and filled with suspense if Alex and Beth would finally discover the truth and reunite. Alex and Beth, still thinking the other dead, seemingly start new lives--albeit a far cry… Continue reading Review: Tides of Fortunes by Julia Brannan
Book 5 in Julia's Brannan's Jacobite Chronicles is a harrowing and daunting journey that more than makes up for the misfires of book 4. Pursuit of Princes follows Beth and Alex, thinking the other dead, struggling in the aftermath of the Jacobite defeat at Culloden. While Alex and his clan fulfill their blood oath of… Continue reading Review: Pursuit of Princes by Julia Brannan
The Storm Breaks, book 4 of the Jacobite Chronicles series, follows Alex and Beth MacGregor during the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion and the events leading up to and including the fateful Battle of Culloden. While book 4 is largely on par with the rest of the series, there are large portions that feel more general, big-picture… Continue reading Review: The Storm Breaks by Julia Brannan
Julia Branna's third book in The Jacobite Chronicles series follows Alex and Beth MacGregor as they settle into the double life of their marriage. In London, they remain Sir Anthony Peters and Lady Elizabeth, while their true selves are known in Scotland as the MacGregor chieftan and his wife. The Gathering Storm sees Alex and… Continue reading Review: The Gathering Storm by Julia Brannan
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