Scan barcode
mailmac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
baileys_bookstagram's review against another edition
5.0
This book kept me reading from the moment I opened it. The idea of reading a fictitious history of William Wallace was so intriguing. I recommend this book for the action, the graphics and the imagination. Although at times it's hard to read what they're saying as its in Scottish brogue.
ovenbird_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This is a huge book, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. It's also helping to clarify why I was so disappointed in George R. R. Martin's equally huge volume, Game of Thrones. Both of these books are long. Both deal with wars and politics of an ancient realm and yet Jack Whyte weaves an emotionally charged story that moves along at a completely engrossing pace whereas Martin succeeded only in a plodding narrative with badly chosen points of description marring all the interesting parts. I read Jack Whyte's Arthurian books years ago and this book about the life of William Wallace is reminding me why I loved them so much. Great story, great characters, lots of action, and a good dose of history makes this a compelling read, and unlike Martin's book you won't get bogged down in descriptions of cloaks and footwear.
Whyte's William Wallace is very much alive and vibrant and I think he has achieved something noteworthy in being able to tell this tale effectively after the entire world has been exposed to Braveheart. Whyte gives us a William Wallace who is fallible, and completely human rather than the almost mythical man shown to us in Braveheart. Anyone with an interest in the Wallace story or in the history of Scotland will enjoy this book I'm sure. I'm about halfway through now and having trouble putting it down.
And an update--with 200 pages left to go I'm starting to struggle with this book. It's not holding my interest in the same way it was at first. This could have much to do with being 9 months pregnant though, so I'm not going to blame the book entirely. The problem I'm finding is that William Wallace himself is starting to disappear from the book as he goes off to fight the english and his cousin Jamie is left to tell the tale of the battles from afar, using second hand information in a lot of cases, and somehow it just isn't as captivating now.
And a final update: It picked up again in the last 60 pages.
Whyte's William Wallace is very much alive and vibrant and I think he has achieved something noteworthy in being able to tell this tale effectively after the entire world has been exposed to Braveheart. Whyte gives us a William Wallace who is fallible, and completely human rather than the almost mythical man shown to us in Braveheart. Anyone with an interest in the Wallace story or in the history of Scotland will enjoy this book I'm sure. I'm about halfway through now and having trouble putting it down.
And an update--with 200 pages left to go I'm starting to struggle with this book. It's not holding my interest in the same way it was at first. This could have much to do with being 9 months pregnant though, so I'm not going to blame the book entirely. The problem I'm finding is that William Wallace himself is starting to disappear from the book as he goes off to fight the english and his cousin Jamie is left to tell the tale of the battles from afar, using second hand information in a lot of cases, and somehow it just isn't as captivating now.
And a final update: It picked up again in the last 60 pages.
castiel67's review against another edition
3.0
Wonderfully written as all of Jack Whyte's books are, but was very disappointed by the way the story ended. I had hoped it would come full circle to when Jamie found out about Wallace's arrest. Would have made the story more complete. I was also very disappointed by the actual physical book itself. There were several typographical errors, places where you could tell where the cut & paste of editing took place, 2 pages were numbered incorrectly & some of the pages were cut crooked. When you buy a book, you expect it to be as near to perfect as possible when you pick it up off the shelf at the local book store. A poorly constructed book actually takes away from the experience all altogether.
lifeand100books's review against another edition
4.0
For readers interested in Scottish history, specifically the Scottish Wars of Independence, you will be interested to hear about Jack Whyte's trilogy The Guardians. The Forest Laird is the first in the trilogy, and focuses on William Wallace. Books two and three focus on other heroes of Scotland, Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, and Sir James Douglas, also known as "Black Douglas". It's obvious that Whyte has a love for Scotland, as he does his home country credit by breathing new life into its history and giving a new generation an opportunity to learn about its legends.
It is pre-dawn on August 24th, 1305, and the Scottish hero William Wallace is set to die. Sentenced to be executed for his crimes against the English and high treason, Wallace is visited by a priest to give his last confession. The priest, Father Jamie, also happens to be Wallace's cousin. As a cleric librarian, he feels obligated to record and tell the story of their upbringing and adventures throughout their adult lives. Although much is known of his battles and life as the hero of the Wars of Scottish Independence, Whyte's tale shows us the rise of this complex man and the trials he faces on his way to becoming the great general that he was. Whyte's tale is as complex and involved as the conflict between England and Scotland. Through Whyte's prose we get to see an exciting life that shaped the man we think we all know so well through popular culture.
Personally, as I have Scottish heritage in my family line, I was extremely interested in Whyte's work. Growing up in America, Scottish history was not something that was covered in class. Until arriving in college, where I had the ability to choose my own courses, my history curriculum mainly consisted of American history with a small amount of British history. When given the chance to read historical fiction that used William Wallace as its base, I eagerly jumped at the chance. History buffs will be pleased with the amount of research that so obviously went into Whyte's work. He makes a point (going so far as to write an author's note about it) to take what the public learned from Braveheart and fix the inconsistencies and gaps in Wallace's story.
While the novel is very dense, readers should not be deterred from charging on, as the novel is jam-packed with action and adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The most interesting thing about this entire novel is the fact that the vision of Wallace we're given is told through the eyes of Father Jamie. In having Jamie tell the story, Wallace is looked upon affectionately and his story is told with true warmth. Overall, this book will make a great addition to any historical fiction fan's library.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-SL
It is pre-dawn on August 24th, 1305, and the Scottish hero William Wallace is set to die. Sentenced to be executed for his crimes against the English and high treason, Wallace is visited by a priest to give his last confession. The priest, Father Jamie, also happens to be Wallace's cousin. As a cleric librarian, he feels obligated to record and tell the story of their upbringing and adventures throughout their adult lives. Although much is known of his battles and life as the hero of the Wars of Scottish Independence, Whyte's tale shows us the rise of this complex man and the trials he faces on his way to becoming the great general that he was. Whyte's tale is as complex and involved as the conflict between England and Scotland. Through Whyte's prose we get to see an exciting life that shaped the man we think we all know so well through popular culture.
Personally, as I have Scottish heritage in my family line, I was extremely interested in Whyte's work. Growing up in America, Scottish history was not something that was covered in class. Until arriving in college, where I had the ability to choose my own courses, my history curriculum mainly consisted of American history with a small amount of British history. When given the chance to read historical fiction that used William Wallace as its base, I eagerly jumped at the chance. History buffs will be pleased with the amount of research that so obviously went into Whyte's work. He makes a point (going so far as to write an author's note about it) to take what the public learned from Braveheart and fix the inconsistencies and gaps in Wallace's story.
While the novel is very dense, readers should not be deterred from charging on, as the novel is jam-packed with action and adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The most interesting thing about this entire novel is the fact that the vision of Wallace we're given is told through the eyes of Father Jamie. In having Jamie tell the story, Wallace is looked upon affectionately and his story is told with true warmth. Overall, this book will make a great addition to any historical fiction fan's library.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-SL
danidoll91's review against another edition
5.0
A Fast paced epic that easily = weaves history into the book without making it dry. Really good read.
doctorbritain's review against another edition
2.0
I've read many of Jack Whyte's books and generally found them easy to read and entertaining. He has a knack of weaving his plot into the historical detail without getting lost in the minutia. However I found this novel hard going. It starts at a good pace but then ends meandering for around half the book. Bear in mind that its nearly 700 pages. I know he is setting stuff up and helping the reader understand what William Wallace's motivations are, but I think he could have been more efficient. At this point I haven't decide whether to continue with the series, we shall have to wait and see.
mslourens's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rbdcaanada's review against another edition
5.0
Anyone with even an ounce of Scots blood in them should read this book.