Rating: 
Summary: THE Comfort Book
Review: Of Jennifer Roberson's three historical fantasy novels, Lady of the Glen is the most irreplaceable, in my opinion. This is a shorter work - just the one book, instead of two like with the Robin Hood series. Much of Lady of the Glen is waiting and wondering and hoping, just like in real life. And in the end... In the end, it swallowed my life from beginning to end and took my heart apart piece by piece. Then it put me back together. For all that you will never hear me drop one bad word about Jennifer's Robin Hood stories, it is *this* one that I recommend above almost any other book I have read. The story is build on a real, historical event - the Glencoe massacre. Roberson calls it a footnote of Scott history - a bloody, tragic, significant footnote. One most people are not aware of, as I was not until this book. The massacre is where it all ends, but the story is not about that. Roberson paints an extraordinary picture of the highlands of Scotland - the people, the life, the struggles, the stupidities and the pride. The characters, especially Cat - the main character, have so much spirit and dignity, which somehow manages to coexist with an equal measure of helplessness against fate and the ways of the world. Underlying all is a story of love. Overriding, is a story that is not of death, but of survival and hope. Knowing the book title and concept, I was very reluctant to finish the book. I spent as much time as I possibly could with every page. I re-read some chapters before going on. I loved those people and did not want to lose them or see them in pain. Pain and loss there is, in the end, but at the rink of spoiling it, you will walk away smiling, not depressed. Except, of course, you won't be walking away. Ever since I finished The Lady of the Glen, I have been rereading it in pieces over and over.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent work of Historical Fiction
Review: Oh, where do I begin? I absolutely LOVED this book. I am a lover of Historical books,be they biographies, non-fiction, romance, or general fiction. This one delivered on all accounts. After I finished it I went out on the internet to research the Massacre of Glencoe, and the Campbells and MacDonalds. Ms. Roberson did her homework. The book is entirely accurate. Not only that, but when I saw pictures of the actual places, they were exactly as I had imagined them through the authors descriptions. I felt like I was in the Highlands. On the morning of the Massacre I could feel the biting cold of the blizzard, and worse yet, my heart was breaking for the characters. I fell in love with Catriona. I thought she was so beleivable and real. She never did anything that I felt was out of character, or left my wanting to shake her for being so blind as is typical of most romance novels. I loved that they were both described as being beautiful and attractive more for their strength and intelligence than their looks. I loved Cat's unresolved feelings for her father, but how she rose above it and sought out her own life. For the reviewer who gave it such an awful review, all I can think is that she is not a lover of good historical fiction. Be forewarned. This is not a romance novel. Although the romance between Dair and Cat is central to the story, this is heavy on the history. There are some love scenes, but they are not explicit nor central to the story line. If you are unfamiliar with Scottish history and Clans, you will have a headache by the first 100 pages trying to keep them all straight. But if you have read some Scottish history already, and love historical fiction, you must read this book. It is fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent work of Historical Fiction
Review: Oh, where do I begin? I absolutely LOVED this book. I am a lover of Historical books,be they biographies, non-fiction, romance, or general fiction. This one delivered on all accounts. After I finished it I went out on the internet to research the Massacre of Glencoe, and the Campbells and MacDonalds. Ms. Roberson did her homework. The book is entirely accurate. Not only that, but when I saw pictures of the actual places, they were exactly as I had imagined them through the authors descriptions. I felt like I was in the Highlands. On the morning of the Massacre I could feel the biting cold of the blizzard, and worse yet, my heart was breaking for the characters. I fell in love with Catriona. I thought she was so beleivable and real. She never did anything that I felt was out of character, or left my wanting to shake her for being so blind as is typical of most romance novels. I loved that they were both described as being beautiful and attractive more for their strength and intelligence than their looks. I loved Cat's unresolved feelings for her father, but how she rose above it and sought out her own life. For the reviewer who gave it such an awful review, all I can think is that she is not a lover of good historical fiction. Be forewarned. This is not a romance novel. Although the romance between Dair and Cat is central to the story, this is heavy on the history. There are some love scenes, but they are not explicit nor central to the story line. If you are unfamiliar with Scottish history and Clans, you will have a headache by the first 100 pages trying to keep them all straight. But if you have read some Scottish history already, and love historical fiction, you must read this book. It is fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: Great Scotland of old; The people and the history combined!
Review: This book paints a wonderfully vivid story of the Highlanders life in Scotland; of the MacDonalds of Glencoe and the Campbells of GlenLyon; of the land of Scotland (all the places in this book are real) and, finally of the massacre of Glencoe. It is full of humor, of emotional struggles, of political plots and Scotland's history. It is a book to easily get engrossed in almost from the moment you pick it up. I learned a little, laughed a little, cried a little, but most of all, thoroughly enjoyed this tale
Rating:
Summary: LOVE IT!
Review: This is first of all a love story. It is also about a masscare, but the love story is built up first. The two "star crossed lovers" are fictionally based. The rest of the story is true. The love story is beautifully writen, and it contrasts the way two warring families act seperatly as a family unit. One family hates most of it's members, the other is one of love, though sometimes it's tough in the great scottish ttradition. A great read for fans of romance and historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: LOVE IT!
Review: This is first of all a love story. It is also about a masscare, but the love story is built up first. The two "star crossed lovers" are fictionally based. The rest of the story is true. The love story is beautifully writen, and it contrasts the way two warring families act seperatly as a family unit. One family hates most of it's members, the other is one of love, though sometimes it's tough in the great scottish ttradition. A great read for fans of romance and historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent story, action, romance, Clan heritage, has it all
Review: This is one of the best Scottish Clan related novels I have read yet. It packs in it all, Clan rivalary, heated action in battles of war, love of the the Highland ways, romance and conflict in taboo love between rival clans, bonds between men, treachory and deceit of power hungry Cheiftans, and the cold ruthless actions of the English empire against the people of Scotland.
Jennifer Robinson writes in a manner that keeps the reader riveted to the pages, never dry, never boring. This book should appeal to all readers, regardless of gender. More than just a romance novel, but packed with action, and brings out the attributes and pride of the highland ways.
Rating:
Summary: Not your usual historical romance
Review: This novel really caught me, I couldn't put it down. I read it through in one night & then re-read it again & again! The love story is real & very moving; the characters are fully believeable. The love story is a major part, but not the only part, of this book. Deeper & more tragic than the usual historical-romance genre & definitely not a disappointment -- I don't know where some of the other reviewers got their opinions. This is a great book!
Rating:
Summary: I'm SO glad I chose it despite the lurid cover.
Review: Unforgettable. It ranks up there with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. Cat Campbell is my favorite heroine, ever. The book resonates inside me so much, I find myself angry at the English!
Rating:
Summary: After reading this, I am ashamed to be a Campbell!
Review: What a fantastic book!
I married into the "Campbell clan" 6 years ago and approx the same time went to a Campbell family reunion. There was much talk of history/pride of clan etc, until one of the old aunties told me the Campbells were actually famous in scotland as murderers of Macdonalds!
I had never heard of the "Glencoe Massacre" until then, and stumbled across "Lady of the Glen" by pure chance.
What a gripping read from start to finish! Jennifer Roberson's writing style is wonderfully involving and had me hooked, i literally couldnt put it down. the story between Cat and Alasdair is truly beautiful (who cares if that is the only part of the storyline that is fictional?) and involving, and really made the dry facts of an historical event 300+ years ago come alive.
2 thumbs up for this unforgettable book and i cant wait to read the rest of her books!
I notice some of the other reviewers found the book a bit slow/boring/too historical - if it is a bawdy "romance" novel you are looking for, this is not the book for you, but if you are looking for a beautifully told, historically accurate account of realistic characters - you wont be disappointed.
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