Customer Reviews

Highlander (tm): Scotland the Brave

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

No one likes to read bad reviews of one's books, but I confess I was startled to see me being accused of poor historical research, and being told to watch the series. I was a HIGHLANDER fan before the novels were even licensed, and watched every episode more than once before writing the book. It was vetted by Bill Panzer, producer, and the rest of the HL production staff. One would think they'd nix a book if it wasn't in keeping with the series, yes? As for research, well, considering my shelves are bowing under the weight of nonfiction about Scottish history, I'm not sure I agree.

Sorry you guys didn't like it. To each his own.

"Alba gu brath."

STB is the second Highlander novel I have read so far and it is brilliant. I am a huge fan of the series and was very dissappointed to hear that there will be no more. Reading about Duncan and his past in Scotland was great, also the characters of Joe and Richie were both brilliantly put to words they completely matched the ones on screen.

This tie-in to the Highlander TV series picks up Duncan's involvement with Annie Devlin an immortal Irish terrorist who had appeared in a television episode. Another immortal from Duncan's past, a fellow Scot who is now an actor has sworn revenge on MacLeod. Their story is told in a series of flashbacks and are linked through references to MacBeth, the 'Scottish play'. The story is well-written and while it could be enjoyed by someone unfamiliar with the Highlander premise it would appeal more to a Highlander fan.

Many of the familiar characters from the series appear, Joe Dawson, Richie, Anne Lindsay, and Methos all appear to various degrees. The author has a good grasp of the Highlander universe, the story does NOT contradict anything established in the series and the characters from the series all remain true to their on-screen personalities.

I really enjoyed this book. It places Duncan within the historical context of Scotland, something rarely done. Ms.Roberson has done her research on the complicated period of Jacobite history well BUT, The King James in question was the SEVENTH of Scotland and Second of England - sorry, but it niggled - James II of Scotland got blown up by his own cannon in the 15th century. I'd like to see more of Duncan's adventures in his native land, perhaps in the present day as well.

The Highlander franchise has its highs and its lows; the original film, which was brilliant; the sequels, which were mostly not; the television series, which started slow, but became very good by the second season, only to lose its way a bit near the end. And then there is the series of books based on the television series and Duncan MacLeod as opposed to Connor MacLeod from the movies. This series was a very good extension of the television series, giving Duncan an opportunity to flesh out his character.

In "Scotland the Brave", the Highlander is being drawn into a scheme to bring independence to Scotland...independence it lost centuries before on the battlefield of Colloden. Duncan is weary from the start, but Annie Devlin has joined the cause and it may be hard for MacLeod to keep out of the fight. But, is this all an elaborate plot by a secret immortal to capture the heart and soul of the Highlander...his to control for eternity.

Like the rest of the series (I have read the first five titles), this is a very good installment and I can highly recommend it to all Highlander fans...and if you aren't a Highlander fan, give it a read, you might get hooked.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

A Guide to my Book Rating System:

1 star = The wood pulp would have been better utilized as toilet paper.
2 stars = Don't bother, clean your bathroom instead.
3 stars = Wasn't a waste of time, but it was time wasted.
4 stars = Good book, but not life altering.
5 stars = This book changed my world in at least some small way.

SCOTLAND THE BRAVE WAS THE BOOK FROM THE HIGHLANDER SERIES I READ AND I ENJOYED IT. BEING A FAN OF THE MOVIES AND SERIES I ENJOYED THIS INCARNATION OF DUNCAN MACLEOD. IT WAS GREAT STORY OF RETRIBUTION AND REVENGE. IT WAS FUN TO VISUALIZE THE ACTION THROUGH THE AUTHORS WORDS. A HIGHLANDER FAN MUST.

A rich, nostalgic, delving into Duncan Macleod's character. He is "Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod", but how much of that has become just words? The author perfectly captures the show's characters and the relationships between them. The writing is excellent. I've lost count of how many times I've reread this book.

I couldn't care less about historical accuracy like the previous reviewers. This is fiction...

I like it for the most part. It was an easy read and enjoyable - til the end...

It would have made a good episode... the insane avenging immortal using the guise of Shakespearean plays to manipulate others into doing his dirty work so he can make an easy kill... the reappearance of Annie Devlin, the IRA terrorist... the inclusion of Richie, Joe, and Methos (small part in passing)... even the characterizations were good - right up until the end...

That's the part I hated... the author totally took Annie and Joe out of character in my opinion. Joe to a minor degree - he was never that nice and forgiving... Annie to a greater degree - she may have been passionate, hotheaded and headstrong, but she was never stupid... Their actions in the last scenes just don't fit the shows characters. Now if they were the author's characters she could do anything she pleased with them, but since they already existed she should have been more accurate. OR I may simply be displeased by the ending of the book and nitpicking...

But if you're a Highlander fan you should read the book. I especially liked Richie's theory on Elvis Presley being an immortal...

while there isn't a lot of sword play this was an interesting story of a misguided quest for revenge. a little more flashback detail would have been nice but it was still a good read

The annoying and passionate Annie Devlin returns, terrorist or freedom fighter, or whatever you want to call her. Whenever she is around, there is trouble. There are a lot of past history pieces in this, with MacLeod's various involvements in some of the major battles and political conflicts in Scotland's history, as well as the present day.