book review, historical fiction

Review: The Baronet’s Tale: Anthony (Jacobite Chronicles) by Julia Brannan

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

book review, historical fiction, history

Review: Anangokaa by Cameron Alam

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

book review, historical fiction, history

Review: The Highlander’s Tale: Alex by Julia Brannan

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

book review, historical fiction

Review: The Highland Witch by Susan Fletcher

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 review, historical fiction, history

Review: Tides of Fortunes by Julia Brannan

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 review, historical fiction, history

Review: Pursuit of Princes 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

book review, historical fiction, history

Review: The Storm Breaks 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

book review, historical fiction, history

Review: The Gathering Storm 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

book review, historical fiction

Review: The Mask Revealed by Julia Brannan

  The Mask Revealed by Julia Brannan, book 2 in the Jacobite Chronicles, picks up right where book 1 left off. Beth Cunningham, after uncovering a startling secret, must put the pieces of her life back together within its new context. Soon after, Beth and her new husband journey to Italy and France where they… Continue reading Review: The Mask Revealed by Julia Brannan

book review, historical fiction

Review: Mask of Duplicity by Julia Brannan

  If Diana Gabaldon Herself recommends a book series, you listen. Mask of Duplicity, the first in the Jacobite Chronicles Series, is of course right up my alley. Taking place in the years leading up to the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, Elizabeth "Beth" Cunningham finds herself at the mercy of her estranged, cruel, military-minded half-brother… Continue reading Review: Mask of Duplicity by Julia Brannan