Customer Reviews

Whence Came a Prince (Lowlands of Scotland Series #3)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Early this afternoon, I picked up a copy of Whence Came a Prince, and I have just finished reading it. I loved the first two books in the series, as well, but in this final installment, Liz Curtis Higgs has created a masterpiece. The book, rich with details about the beautiful Scottish land in which the story takes place, takes you on an emotional journey filled with love, grief, and hope. As the story of Jamie, Leana, and Rose draws to a close, you can't can't help feeling that you've been with them every step of their difficult journey. I highly recommend this rich, engaging story to anyone with a love for romance, historical fiction, and Biblical truths. But I do offer a warning--make sure to have tissues on hand!!

Ugh, I couldn't even finish the last book, I was so irritated. Even knowing how the Biblical account of the story ends, I thought the "Scottish" version might be a good read. Unfortunately, Mrs. Higgs places these characters in a setting where they can't even follow the actual account - where Jacob is married to both women. Not that I would wish polygamy on any woman or man, but at least poor Leah was able to keep her man in the Bible. The true story is upsetting enough as Jacob stayed 7 more years to earn Rachel. But the fictional story is just unnerving! TWICE they stood before the church and people should have objected the fake marriages. I was very disappointed in the entire series.

In 1790 Scotland Leana McBride is coming home to Auchengray although she knows her father will not welcome her, only dictate her behavior. Still she has no options. Jamie McKie who sired her son Ian is married to her sister Rose and together they are raising her child.

Jamie also wants to return home to the Lowlands with his wife Rose, who is pregnant with their child. He loves his spouse but also cherishes her sister who he ruined. Jamie worries about Leana's reception and wonders if his brother still hates him enough to kill him. As the trio faces obstacles that would task Job, Leana turns to God for comfort and to learn how to forgive her sister and her former lover. While she begins to find solace in the Lord and turning the other cheek, her two compatriots struggle to follow in her example in spite of having each other.

This inspirational Scottish historical tale works because the key cast seems genuine especially in their relationships with one another and with the Lord. Leana is heroic as she struggles to overcome her malice towards her sister for betraying her and other obstacles that would make a lesser soul give up. Rose is a much more complex person having obtained her desire yet feeling regret for having done so. Jamie is a terrific individual as he cares deeply for the siblings knowing he caused much of the conflicts within his family and the McBride's. Fans of deep motivating historical tales with a powerful religious message of finding God for comfort will appreciate Liz Curtis Higgs' strong novel.

Harriet Klausner

[...]

It is 1790. The Scottish moorlands roll with grass made green by abundant rain, purple heather teases the nose with its musty scent, and a shepherd's folksong rises above the bleating of sheep dotting a nearby hill. With a unique and enchanting setting, "Whence Came Prince" is the ancient story of one man torn by the love of two sisters.
Jamie McKie struggles against the guilt of a shameful past that his domineering and deceitful father-in-law is unwittingly driving him to rectify. By law, the church, and society Rose is Jamie's wife, yet how can he forget the year Leana slept by his side, bore him a son?
Faithful, devoted to God, and wise beyond her years, Leana does what is right, what is expected of her no matter the toll on her own heart.
Rose, insecure and searching for answers in all the wrong places, takes vengeance into her own hands. Will this be the downfall of the McKie household before it has even been firmly established?
Deeply descriptive, at times almost to the point of excess, Liz Curtis Higgs, nevertheless, wrapped me in 18th century Scotland as if in a warm, scratchy plaid. At the conclusion, I felt more than a bit wiser to life as it was in the Lowlands of Scotland some two hundred years past.
Slightly predictable for those familiar with the Biblical account of the patriarch Jacob, "Whence Came a Prince" is at the same time stunning in its colorful originality. It is a paradox that compels the pages to be turned.
Each character has been expertly created and vividly depicts this story of honor and duty, nobility and humility, missteps and mercy. Their inner battles will forever be strikingly familiar to all peoples throughout the ages.
This deeply convicting book will warm the heart and stir the conscience. How would I react to such extreme injustice and hardship?
It is by far the best Liz Curtis Higgs read to date.

In response to the reviewer who called this book "A droll book that virtually writes itself" I have to ask, "Do you believe in the Bible?" I've read Diamant's (not Diamond) The Red Tent. I do not recommend it for any person, Christian or Jew, who believes in God. The book was creative, well written, and obviously well researched but completely offensive to any believer of the Bible. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was mentioned maybe five times and rarely, if ever, in a positive light. By contrast, the idol gods and goddesses of Dinah's "mothers" (such as Innana) are mentioned on every other page and are recognized as the unbalanced belief system of these women who dominate the book. The cover of Diamant's book suggested that The Red Tent is what the Bible might have been had it been written by God's daughters, instead of the sons. I highly doubt it since these daughters did not believe in God. The Bible is not a work of fiction, nor is it a story written by men. It is God's Word. I am a woman and appreciate an interesting work of fiction from a woman's point of view, but to take a section of the Bible, twist it and remove God is not something I can appreciate even under the name of "novel". Higgs' novels are just the opposite. She has taken a story, filled with the lessons God intended us to have, and turned it into a work of fiction where the characters grow and learn with God, not without Him. In my opinion this series was just as creative, well written and well researched, and almost entirely from a woman's point of view. (Although I enjoy hearing from the man occasionally as well.) I will agree with "N. Mentor" on one point. Higgs' series isn't very realistic set in the time period chosen. There is a part of me that wishes this series had ended with the first book or that the license of "novel" had taken Rose in a different direction in the sequel. Like most readers I long for a happy ending in the romance department and the Bible (not being a novel) was not intended for that purpose. Higgs could have changed Rose's story or morphed into another biblical example just as easily, but I am not disappointed. So much of fiction is not entirely realistic and that tends to be what makes it most interesting.
If you love God and enjoy a well-written story, read Higgs. If you want to learn about menstrual cycles, idol worship, and how vindictive women (and men) without the love of God in their lives can be, read Diamant.

Ms. Higgs is a gifted writer, and her descriptions were beautiful in all three books. However, I found the liberal dose of Scots throughout the series to be more distracting, than helpful. It's the same gripe I have for Japanese fan fiction- a little bit of a foreign language can help set the atmosphere for a story, but when I must constantly refer to the glossary to discover what the characters are saying, then it just becomes frustrating. You can have too much of a good thing, and the overuse of Scots was just that.

As to the actual story, I had no idea this was a fictional rehashing of the Jacob/Rachel/Leah story or I would have steered clear of it. I found the setting and time period to be utterly incompatible with the love, or rather, marriage triangle Ms. Higgs was trying to portray. The only way the Jacob/Rachel/Leah account works is in a culture that allows polygamy. In an utterly monogamous and devout culture, this story just seems too unbelievable. Even in fiction, you have to have a somewhat realistic series of events to allow you to suspend disbelief, and fully immerse yourself in the story. I was unable to do that in this series.

I feel this could have been a delightful series, if it had just not attempted to be a rewrite of, what is, from a loving wifes point of view, one of the saddest and most frustrating accounts of marriage in the Bible. I really liked Rose and Leana and wish Ms. Higgs had just written an original story about them, rather than forcing the shadows from Rachel and Leah to drown these otherwise delightful characters. As for Jamie, his character annoyed me through the entire series. He came across as more child than man, and left me feeling angry and disgusted with him as a romantic lead. I had more sympathy for Jacob in the Bible. With Jamie, I would have been mollified if Ms. Higgs had killed his character, and left each sister alive to raise their children. Even that would not have been a fix, however, for a story I just find too bewilderingly unbelievable for good fiction.

All in all, this was well written, and I think if you had no knowledge of the rigid religious climate of European culture in the 1700's, and have never read the Biblical account of Rachel/Jacob/Leah, then you just might love this series! Otherwise, you may just want to check it out of the library, and not commit to a purchase until you find out whether or not it's your cup of tea.

I was so happy when this book finally came out, now I can't wait for the next. This is a horistial fiction account of the Jacob/Rachel/Leah story from the Bible, but set in 1700s Scotland. This particular book focuses on the story from Jamie's (modeled after Jacob) point of view. I find the books intriguing-how to set the one man, two wives (who are sisters) story from the Bible into a more "modern" setting. While the tale seems far fetched in today's society, our imaginations can see that this could have happened in long ago Scotland. The characters are gripping, and Ms. Higgs can make you feel for each of them every time. Well worth a read.

I have read hundreds of books, but this series is by far the greatest I have ever read!! Higgs is so talented, you never miss a single piece of what is going on. I love not only her writing style but her true love for God. This series is not only entertaining, but sprirtually uplifting!! My mother, grandmother, sister and I have not been able to quit talking about these books. Thank you Liz for a wonderful book!!!

I just finished Whence came a prince and was not dissapointed. I stayed up all night while reading the previous two books and did the same with this one. I would highly recommend this series. Ms. Higgs writing style allows you to feel as if you are living the story with the characters. I can not wait to read Grace in thine eyes.

I decided I simply had to read Whence Came a Prince to find out if Leana found happiness after all, despite the screwed up situation that tore her precious son from her arms at two months of age and dumped the baby into the lap of her selfish sister, Rose. So, long story short, I agonized through much of the book, but was very satisfied with the ending. And yes, Jamie finally pulled his head out of the sand and realized he had to care for Leana and not abandon her. In the end, Leana's love and devotion paid off and because of the happy ending, I now feel ten times better about the series and would recommend it. Thank the good Lord that Liz didn't let us down with the conclusion of this powerful series. I finished the story a week ago and I'm still thinking about it because the characters became so real to me. This Scottish tale sticks with you. Worth the read if you can make it through Fair is the Rose without wanting to hurt someone. :)