Reviews

Rivals for the Crown by Kathleen Givens

mchelle_muses's review against another edition

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4.0

Rivals for the Crown was a mix of historical ficiton and romance. However, I found the romantic elements to be a little lacking. I absolutely loved On a Highland Shore, but the sequel was not at good. Also, the ending felt a little rushed and some of the storylines were not tied up. But all in all, I'd recommend it.

ibeeeg's review against another edition

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4.0

Full Review:
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/07/rivals-for-crown-by-kathleen-givens.html

Rivals for the Crown, a historical romance fiction story that was captivating.

The characters of Isabel and Rachel were compelling. They both faced times of uncertainty and turmoil.
Both girls found themselves in circumstances in which they needed to make life and death decisions.
I was impressed with Isabel's growth from a naive young girl to a woman whose courage and strength is admirable.
Rachel, a Jewish girl, is torn between her faith and a love that must not be. She is very earnest to practice her faith while aware that others would not be understanding if they knew she was Jewish. She displays courage and strength to do what is right.
Both girls struggled against adversity.

The men, all were brave and courageous. Some more admirable than others.
Henry, King Edward's knight, lusts after Isabel. He does not lead his life in the most admirable way but he does display admirable qualities towards Isabel.
Rory and Kieran, both Scot Highlanders, are young and fierce. They find themselves in the midst of the Rivals for the Crown. They are both courageous men who suffer lose. They take a stand for what they think is right even though it puts their lives in great risk of death.

These characters' lives are intertwined. I found myself drawn to their stories. They all must make difficult choices. They all must make sacrifices. I grieved when decisions were made that caused pain and was thrilled when they experienced joy. I could feel the essence of the time and place - the struggles of those who loved through these turbulent times.

bookadventurer's review against another edition

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4.0

Dramatic, passionate, and brings to life a dangerous period in Scottish and English history. A little too much focus on William Wallace at the end, though. It felt disconnected and forced. I wanted Isabel especially to take more action to protect her future, but overall I really enjoyed the story.

Fans of Outlander will likely enjoy this one.
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