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fairytalearista's review against another edition
5.0
G. A. Henty is, in my opinion, one of the best historical fiction authors out there. "In Freedom's Cause" is a prime example, and one of my favorites of his that I have read so far. As soon as I finish reading the book I'm currently reading to the cousins I babysit each week, I plan to read this one.
The main character of this particular story is Archibald Forbes. Like all of Henty's main characters (at least in the books I have read so far), he is skilled with weapons, and interacts with and gains approval from many historical characters. In this case, the most obvious are William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Archie, as he often is called, gets into many scrapes and adventures, and how he gets out of them is sometimes hilarious.
Now, when you read this, don't get discouraged at the slow start. Almost as soon as the story starts, Archie's mother gives him a history lesson on exactly how they got into the situation that Scotland was in. Indeed, I would say that at least a third of this book is a record of actual historical events. However, there is plenty of adventure, and even a bit of romance (like all of Henty's mains that I have read, and my sister says that all of the ones that she has read are the same, Archie is married by the end of the book).
Henty wrote in the same style as most of the classics. It sometimes takes him a while before he gets to the actual plot and adventure. This one is actually one of the ones that got there quicker. This was written in the days that one got to know the characters they read about before they actually went on an adventure with them. Also, it was written before television, back when children enjoyed reading and listening to long descriptions.
This is an amazing book, and I highly recommend it. I hope that, when I start writing Historical Fiction, which I plan to do eventually, I can make it half as good as this.
The main character of this particular story is Archibald Forbes. Like all of Henty's main characters (at least in the books I have read so far), he is skilled with weapons, and interacts with and gains approval from many historical characters. In this case, the most obvious are William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Archie, as he often is called, gets into many scrapes and adventures, and how he gets out of them is sometimes hilarious.
Now, when you read this, don't get discouraged at the slow start. Almost as soon as the story starts, Archie's mother gives him a history lesson on exactly how they got into the situation that Scotland was in. Indeed, I would say that at least a third of this book is a record of actual historical events. However, there is plenty of adventure, and even a bit of romance (like all of Henty's mains that I have read, and my sister says that all of the ones that she has read are the same, Archie is married by the end of the book).
Henty wrote in the same style as most of the classics. It sometimes takes him a while before he gets to the actual plot and adventure. This one is actually one of the ones that got there quicker. This was written in the days that one got to know the characters they read about before they actually went on an adventure with them. Also, it was written before television, back when children enjoyed reading and listening to long descriptions.
This is an amazing book, and I highly recommend it. I hope that, when I start writing Historical Fiction, which I plan to do eventually, I can make it half as good as this.
abbie_normal's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A history of Scotland that I had somehow missed. Very interesting, but slow in places.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and War
_viscosity_'s review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
geneticginger's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how history and battles was mixed with stories of Archie Forbes, Wallace and Bruce. I felt like I really got to know them, rather than just knowing what they did.
silver_valkyrie_reads's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think audio books are the key to me enjoying Henty books! Of course it also helped that this one is about Scotland...
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death
Minor: Torture
nachtvlucht's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I started this book because it came for free with my e-reader and I thought I might as well read it.
The story very much feels like a history lesson, and although I enjoy reading about history, the plotline itself felt like a rehash with inserted original characters. The characters were very one dimensional (written as either brave or despicable) and there was barely any character development. On top of that, the war is depicted in very black and white terms, and also very one-sided.
That aside, I do think it was quite informative to some extent as someone who lacks knowledge on Scottish medieval history, so I wouldn't say that it felt like I completely wasted my time.
The story very much feels like a history lesson, and although I enjoy reading about history, the plotline itself felt like a rehash with inserted original characters. The characters were very one dimensional (written as either brave or despicable) and there was barely any character development. On top of that, the war is depicted in very black and white terms, and also very one-sided.
That aside, I do think it was quite informative to some extent as someone who lacks knowledge on Scottish medieval history, so I wouldn't say that it felt like I completely wasted my time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, and Death
averyhoppypal's review against another edition
5.0
So far, this is the best Henty book I have read. It is a fascinating & inspiring story of the courage of Scotland's champion, Sir William Wallace, and of her king Robert Bruce. This deserves more than 5 stars, I was absolutely captivated!
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