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The Banners of Alba

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The powerful writing of Jen Black reaches through the centuries and makes the history of the Dark Ages of Scotland come alive. A talented writer, with a true vision, she quickly draws the reader into her absorbing tale of power, greed, betrayal and one man's vision of the future for his troubled kingdom.

Malcolm, King of Alba had no heir, and in keeping with ancient Pictish traditions, the rule could past to any male on the distaff side. An heir would be chose by the Council from the four contenders for the kingship - Thorfinn of Orkney, and his half brother Daveth mac Finlay; Duncan mac Crinan, the grandson of the King; and Doman mac Boedhe, grandson of King Kenneth.

Finlay had been promised Boedhe's sister Kilda in marriage. With the combining of Finlay's line and Kilda's line, everyone believes he will be made Tanist, heir to the throne of Alba (old Scotland). After Finlay is sent to Canute, King of England and Denmark, he is told Boedhe has been killed in a brawl. The King carries these bad tides to Finlay, both of them believing this accidental death is a little too convenient, but worse, Canute announces the sister Kilda has been married to another.

Malcolm has taken advantage of Finlay being away from Scotland, and at English court, to marry Kilda to Gille mac Malbride, Finlay's cousin. With Finlay away, and Boedhe conveniently dead, Kilda is without a protector, so she is unable to resist
the forced marriage. Malcolm, now seventy, wants his grandson, Duncan mac Crinan to be Tanist. By blocking Finlay's marriage to Kilda, he hopes to insure this. Thus, Malcolm has sets forces into play that shall shape the future of Alba (old Scotland).

When Finlay returns north, he makes a half-hearted effort to get Kilda to run away with him to England. However, he is caught and tossed into the dungeon for a week. When his half-brother Thorfinn of Orkney, claims lands in Alba, Malcolm sees a way to claim the Orkneys: send Finlay north to kill Thorfinn, marry Thorfinn's half-sister, Ratagan, and install Finlay in Thorfinn's place. Finlay goes along with the plan asking only that Gille be sent along in his party. Everyone believes this is so Finlay can kill his cousin and claim Kilda, but Finlay is wiser. Duncan's wife just died in childbirth, and marriage to Kilda would ensure the crown for Duncan. By taking Gille northward with him, Finlay keeps him from the reach of Malcolm and Duncan. When his half-brother lays out the realities of the situation - Duncan has Malcolm and Finlay and he have each other - the lines are drawn.

It's marvelous story telling at its best. Black is a powerful talent, with a clear vision and a strong voice. Anyone looking for true historical fiction about Scotland would do well to pick up a copy and revel in the excellent writing from this new writer. The story held me spellbound from beginning to end.

[...].

Malcolm, King of Alba is the uncle of Daveth mac Finlay who also commands one of the King's regiments. Childless, the king chooses Finlay as heir to his kingdom. Finlay is a good man, both loyal to and wary of his uncle.

Finlay loves a woman named Kilda. Her noble lineage will guarantee powerful alliances to the crown and many scheming suitors seek her hand in marriage. However, King Malcolm has other plans for Finlay. To keep them apart, Malcolm sends Finlay to the English court. While there, the king orders the marriage of Kilda to Gille Malbride, Finlay's own cousin. Upon his return, Finlay is outraged and attempts to elope with Kilda. Nevertheless, they are caught and Finlay is thrown into the king's dungeons for several days.

Meanwhile, Thorfinn of Orkney, a long time friend of Finlay, claims lands near Alba and becomes a real threat to the king. The king orders Finlay released from the dungeons. He commands him to go to Thorfinn and kill him. Then Finlay is to marry Thorfinn's half-sister Ratagan. Reluctantly, Finlay goes along with the plan but asks that Gille go with him causing all to believe Finlay will kill Gille in order to wed Kilda.

Once Finlay is with Thorfinn, however, he is torn between his loyalty to King Malcolm and the kindness of his good friend, Thorfinn. Further, he is intrigued by Ratagan, a strong, fiercely independent woman and is growing less fond of his old love Kilda. Intrigue and lies plague him as he must decide what is most important.

Ratagan begins to care for the haughty and self-assured Finlay, but is not convinced he can make her happy.

Jen Black has written an exciting adventure interwoven with love and intrigue. Although there are numerous characters to keep track of, the readers find themselves absorbed in this medieval tale. The main characters evolve and their destinies change and intertwine with each other. There are plenty of twists to keep the reader engrossed throughout. But it is the attention to the details of medieval life that Jen Black has brought to life so vividly that makes this book a must to read

In 1034, the nephew of King Malcolm of Alba and the heir apparent to his throne Daveth mac Finlay is loyal to his monarch; he is also one of the best, if not the best, field commanders. However, Finlay is stunned to learn his fealty is abused as Malcolm has chosen his grandson Prince Duncan to one day replace him as ruler of Alba. On top of that affront, Malcolm has married Finlay's beloved Kilda to his cousin Gille.

Angry, Finlay flees for nearby Orkney ruled by his friend the Overlord Thorfinn and his intelligent independent sister Ratagan. Thorfinn has plans to seize the Alba throne and wants Finlay's support. Though still outraged by his uncle's duplicity, he is wary of the harm that civil war would cause on the innocent peasant population. As Finlay falls in love with the feisty Ratagan, he questions his judgment while two major sets of conspiracies engulf him. Finlay is the key for if he chooses war Thorfinn might succeed; if he selects peace Duncan inherits. Digging deep inside his troubled soul, he realizes he has not stripped honor from his heart honor; Finlay decides he will travel the honorable path for what he deems the good of Alba.

Though there is a major romantic subplot, THE BANNERS OF ALBA is more a magnificent medieval fiction that brings to life the twelfth century through the power struggles. Readers will appreciate the internal dilemma confronting the hero as he must choose between two paths filled with deceit. Symbolically the two women in Finlay's life represent the choices he has. As the champion learns that picking what he deems is good for Alba is not necessarily good for him, readers obtain an exhilarating historical thriller starring a hero worth rooting for.

Harriet Klausner

It states on the book's cover that this is "A Medieval Romance." However, it is not a "romance" in the tradition of "bodice-rippers." It is the story of Daveth mac Finlay (known as just Finlay throughout the novel), his half-brother Thorfinn of Orkney and a cast of many others, including Duncan the grandson of Malcolm, king of Alba.

Finlay is in love with Doman mac Boedhe's (a grandson of King Kenneth and another contender for the crown of Alba) sister, Kilda. However, Malcolm has Kilda married to Gille Malbride, Finlay's cousin while Finlay is away at the English Court. He tries unsuccessfully to escape with her but is caught and thrown in Malcolm's dungeon for a short time.

Malcolm eventually discovers that he can rid himself of Finlay by sending him to Thorfinn of Orkney to marry Thorfinn's half-sister, Ratagan. At first Finlay is resistant to marrying her but eventually falls out of love with Kilda and finds he is in love with Ratagan or Rada for short.

The constant adventures with Thorfinn and Finlay are exciting and make this book a genuine page turner! I hope more novels are forthcoming from this talented debut author!