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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
The ending could have been developed better
I gave this book 3 stars because of how the main plot was woven into the story. I’d say the main plot of the story was about discovering Gerald Grey’s murderer and restoring the honour of his name. But then they went to Prussia and that plot just dropped off, only returning abruptly quite near the end of the book. I also wish the writer had shown us Percy’s escape. That would have been an exciting scene to read. All in all, I think it was a good book. We saw new depths to Lord John, which makes me love the character even more.
I gave this book 3 stars because of how the main plot was woven into the story. I’d say the main plot of the story was about discovering Gerald Grey’s murderer and restoring the honour of his name. But then they went to Prussia and that plot just dropped off, only returning abruptly quite near the end of the book. I also wish the writer had shown us Percy’s escape. That would have been an exciting scene to read. All in all, I think it was a good book. We saw new depths to Lord John, which makes me love the character even more.
4.5 stars
This book was really good. The characters and the story were again very strong and I really feel like Diana Gabaldon has created a worthy spin-off series. I was also a really big fan of the romance in this book, even though it was only a small part of the story. The Outlander series is still better, but these books are great as standalones, because they are a lot more fast-paced. I can't wait for the next one!
This book was really good. The characters and the story were again very strong and I really feel like Diana Gabaldon has created a worthy spin-off series. I was also a really big fan of the romance in this book, even though it was only a small part of the story. The Outlander series is still better, but these books are great as standalones, because they are a lot more fast-paced. I can't wait for the next one!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I know. I know. I’m a sucker for sticking with this series but I am glad that I did read this book. It was waaaaay better than the first book which bored me to tears. This one actually had Jamie in it from the Outlander series but it was just a short appearance….and it was kind of a weird encounter. I couldn’t explain it if I tried so I’ll leave it at that.
Lord John Grey is curious about what happened to his father 17 years ago. Everyone believes that the Duke of Pardloe shot himself and therefore tarnished his good name and reputation but John knows that his father did shoot himself because John had come upon his father’s body while sneaking back home one morning after he had been out all night with another local boy playing at the pond. He accidently tripped over the gun which was nowhere near his father’s body. He heard a noise and hid and saw his mother discover his father’s body. He watched as his mother, after she had gone through the shock of finding her husband dead, pick up the gun and put it in her father’s hand to make it look as if he had shot himself. He could only assume that his mother, knowing who the murderer was, was afraid that his brother would try to go after the murderer and it would be too dangerous. For his mother to risk the ruination of his father’s name, the killer must have been a powerful man.
Now, a page of his father’s journal has been left on his brother’s desk and another page sent to his mother. John wants answers and starts looking into the past.
Also, John has started a new relationship with his new step-brother, Percy Wainwright. They seem to get along well together but have to be very discreet when their regiment is sent to fight in Prussia. John, being an officer, gets his own room in a village where the army has set up camp. When another officer asks to borrow a book, John leads that officer and a German officer to his room to get it but when he opens the door, Percy is bent over with a handsome German soldier behind him and it is obvious that they are having sex. John closes the door but not fast enough. The other two soldiers had seen. Percy and the other soldier are taken into custody. If and when they are court martialed, it will mean the death of both Percy and the other soldier…not to mention the stain it will put on John and his brother Hal’s names.
At first John is angry that Percy would cheat on him and be so reckless as to have sex with another man in the middle of a war camp but then he starts feeling bad for Percy. He wonders if there is any way he can keep Percy from hanging at the end of a rope.
If you have read the Outlander books, you know that Percy shows up during the Revolutionary War so he obviously got away somehow but when John and Percy come face to face, there is tension between them. I guess if you haven’t read the Outlander books, I just spoiled a little of the book….oops.
But the book is mostly about solving the complicated murder of his father.
I enjoyed it and wanted to download the next book in the series but I have been low on funds so I have not downloaded it yet.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was way more interesting. I love that he is going on his own adventure and trying to find out what happened to his father.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Wow, really excellent book! I haven't read all the LJG books, nor in order (just this one and Scottish Prisoner), but this one is definitely worthy of being Outlander #3.5. I wasn't so much interested in the mystery nor the battles as I was the personal backstory of Lord John and the introduction of Percy, who shows up in Echo in the Bone. A must read for Outlander fans.
3.5 stars. Love Lord John Grey, but his books just do not grab my interest as much as the Jamie centric Outlander novels.
Diana Gabaldon's Lord John series may be a spin off of her popular Outlander series, but I believe the books of this series are essential reading to understand certain characters, especially in the later Outlander books. I know that some may be put off by the sexual orientation of the main character Lord John, but I feel that is really a small part of the character and entire series. In Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, Lord John Grey attempts to find out who murdered his father, who everyone believes committed suicide and therefore is disgraced. Lord John is determined to right the wrong and redeem his father's name. He also has to deal with his service in His Majesty's army during the Seven Years War as well as the craziness back home with his family, namely his mother who is remarrying. We are introduced to Percy Wainwright, Lord John's soon to be step-brother and someone who catches his fancy, both of who are serving in the army where "illicit behavior" is an offense worthy of a court-marshal. Well, this won't end well for someone. We also get an appearance of Jamie Fraser, hero of the Outlander stories.
I like Lord John and some of the antics he gets involved in. I wish I had read this book before reading An Echo In The Bone, because Percy plays a bit of a part in it and I would have understood his character/relationship with Lord John a bit more. I thoroughly enjoy the way Gabaldon interlaces all of her characters so intricately in both series.
I like Lord John and some of the antics he gets involved in. I wish I had read this book before reading An Echo In The Bone, because Percy plays a bit of a part in it and I would have understood his character/relationship with Lord John a bit more. I thoroughly enjoy the way Gabaldon interlaces all of her characters so intricately in both series.