When you hear the word Scotland, what comes to mind?
Kilts, bagpipes, Braveheart, Robert the Bruce, William Wallace, or Bonnie Prince Charlie?
This month, we go deeper, featuring two novels with roots in Scotland:
- My review of Turn of the Tide, an award-winning novel by Margaret Skea
- A new novel, The Apostates, by V.E.H. Masters, third in the Seton trilogy
My Review:
Turn of the Tide focuses on one of Scotland’s historic feuds, the violent conflicts in the Ayrshire region between the Cunninghame and Montgomerie clans. The author follows the journey of Munro, a minor estate-owner with ties to the Cunninghame clan, as he negotiates relationships between the two clans during the 16th century.
Although the vividly-portrayed setting stands as a major character, Munro’s maturing as a character plays the key role in the novel. Throughout the story, events draw him toward one clan and then the other. The stakes increase with each choice, and the suspense builds to a riveting climax.
Characters: (just a few of the many)
- Munro – the protagonist, he’s torn between his ties to the Cunninghame clan, his wife’s judgments, and his own instincts
- Kate – Munro’s wife, a woman with good instincts
- Archie – Munro’s younger brother, he struggles to find his place in life
- Sybilla Boyd – friend to Munro’s family
- King James VI of Scotland – young king who tries to reconcile feuding clans and use them to his advantage
- Earl of Glencairn – head of Cunninghame clan, he tries to raise his clan’s standing with the king
- William, Master of Glencairn – his position as the Earl’s eldest son and heir allows him to get away with poor judgment and behavior
- Hugh, Master of Braidstane – son of a Montgomerie estate-owner
- Alexander Montgomerie – a poet and courtier to King James VI, he helps Hugh and the Montgomerie clan ascend in the king’s esteem
Strengths:
The author’s broad, descriptive sweep covers much territory: family backgrounds and conflicts, locations, festivities, and customs. Her detailed portrait immerses readers in this era. Strong, distinctive characters drive the surprise-filled plot.
Weaknesses:
Many characters people this story, some referred to by their titles or residences, creating possible difficulties for the reader in remembering who’s who. (A list of Main Characters before the story begins is helpful.) The Scottish vocabulary words can be challenging at times to understand from the context. A glossary is located at the end of the ebook, if readers are willing to interrupt their reading to find it.
Content review:
This novel doesn’t shy away from the rough side of life in this era, including violence (toward women, enemies, other clans)
I recommend Turn of the Tide to readers who aren’t bothered by violence and enjoy a compelling plot set in an unfamiliar time and place, filled with both action and introspection.
Announcing:
The Apostates, by V.E.H. Masters, 3rd volume in the Seton trilogy (1st volume, The Castilians, was reviewed here in February, 2022)
It’s 1550 and Bethia has fled Antwerp, with her infant son, before the jaws of the inquisition clamp down, for the family are accused of secret judaising. She believes they’ve evaded capture but her husband, Mainard, unbeknownst to her, is caught, imprisoned and alone. Reaching Geneva, Bethia hopes for respite from a dangerous journey, but it’s a Protestant city state which tolerates no dissent – and she’s a Catholic…
My Upcoming Novel:
Some of my readers have asked about its progress. I’ll pass along details as soon as I have them—soon, I hope!
Arrivederci/ until next time,
Colleen