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kathydavie's review
3.0
In publications-order, Rebellion was published after Roberts started writing the MacGregor historically romantic family saga, hence the need to number this as 0.1 in the series. The couple focus is on Brigham Langston and Serena MacGregor on the eve of the Jacobite uprising of 1745.
With the mess this series is in, in terms of publication order, I've put together a list chronologically and noting which stories are combined into single books, so you may want to explore the MacGregor family saga on my website.
My Take
Well, it was a rather mediocre romance with the usual suspects. I'm hoping its purpose was simply to provide a reason for the family's exile and striving to return to their lost estates.
If you've read a few histories and romances about the Jacobite Rebellion, the '45, you know how it goes. Roberts provides a point of view from this group of characters but skims very lightly over Prince Charles' weaknesses. The rebellion's real purpose is simply to provide the reason for the MacGregors' and Langstons' to struggle in the future.
The Story
It's time. Bonnie Prince Charlie intends to take back his crown. It's why Brigham and Coll are riding fast for Coll's home in the Highlands. But it's Brigham's Englishness that warrants his violent reception when he arrives with a dying Coll.
Nothing will soften Serena's perception of this Englishman. Nothing but those impatient kisses and fevered caresses.
And in between, the MacGregors and Langston are rallying the clans — with a slip for Coll to rediscover Margaret MacDonald's more grownup beauty.
The Characters
Ian and Fiona MacGregor are the Lord and Lady of the manor whose daughter, Serena, has good reason to despise the English. Coll is her older brother followed by Gwen and then Malcolm the younger son.
Brigham Langston, fourth earl of Ashburn, has been filled with tales of the Scottish kings on his mother's side of the family. And he and his best friend Coll MacGregor's actions have always been aimed at a Stuart restoration. Parkins is his very correct and finicky valet whom we discover has a wealth of bravery.
Bonnie Prince Charles with two of his advisers: Lord George Murray and Quarter-Master General O'Sullivan.
Captain, now Colonel, Standish is the English pig who violated Serena's mother. Lucky for Langston that he can bring such a betrothal gift to the woman he loves.
The Title
Not particularly imaginative, the title sums it up — Rebellion. And, so it is, a rebellion against Hanover George.
With the mess this series is in, in terms of publication order, I've put together a list chronologically and noting which stories are combined into single books, so you may want to explore the MacGregor family saga on my website.
My Take
Well, it was a rather mediocre romance with the usual suspects. I'm hoping its purpose was simply to provide a reason for the family's exile and striving to return to their lost estates.
If you've read a few histories and romances about the Jacobite Rebellion, the '45, you know how it goes. Roberts provides a point of view from this group of characters but skims very lightly over Prince Charles' weaknesses. The rebellion's real purpose is simply to provide the reason for the MacGregors' and Langstons' to struggle in the future.
The Story
It's time. Bonnie Prince Charlie intends to take back his crown. It's why Brigham and Coll are riding fast for Coll's home in the Highlands. But it's Brigham's Englishness that warrants his violent reception when he arrives with a dying Coll.
Nothing will soften Serena's perception of this Englishman. Nothing but those impatient kisses and fevered caresses.
And in between, the MacGregors and Langston are rallying the clans — with a slip for Coll to rediscover Margaret MacDonald's more grownup beauty.
The Characters
Ian and Fiona MacGregor are the Lord and Lady of the manor whose daughter, Serena, has good reason to despise the English. Coll is her older brother followed by Gwen and then Malcolm the younger son.
Brigham Langston, fourth earl of Ashburn, has been filled with tales of the Scottish kings on his mother's side of the family. And he and his best friend Coll MacGregor's actions have always been aimed at a Stuart restoration. Parkins is his very correct and finicky valet whom we discover has a wealth of bravery.
Bonnie Prince Charles with two of his advisers: Lord George Murray and Quarter-Master General O'Sullivan.
Captain, now Colonel, Standish is the English pig who violated Serena's mother. Lucky for Langston that he can bring such a betrothal gift to the woman he loves.
The Title
Not particularly imaginative, the title sums it up — Rebellion. And, so it is, a rebellion against Hanover George.
dtwigg410's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
libbirice's review
4.0
Overall, I felt this is one of the better Nora Roberts books I've read. I did like the history lesson - it made it stand out from so many of the other Scottish Highland romances. Serena's character was fun, if a little too modern at times. Overall, a good read.
xobooktrovert's review
1.0
A VERY SAD LONELY STAR! DEFINITELY NOT MY CUP OF ENGLISH TEA.
Before I jump into this review, I have to say that I am not big into historical romances. So why did I read this you ask? Because I have read part of another book in the MacGregors series and loved it. I wanted to start from the very beginning. Was that a mistake on my part? I don’t know. Possibly? Maybe I should have started in the order of publication rather than chronological order. Maybe it would have made me feel more for the main characters – other than annoyed and frustrated. (I was waaay more invested in the supporting characters than the love birds.) Or just maybe, it was just destined for me not to like this book. *shrugs*
Serena MacGregor is a fiery, unique lass. She had all the makings of a kick-ass, fearless protagonist until you realize that she is just really insecure of her feelings and uses anger to scare men away. While that quality is relatable and understandable, considering what happened to her mother, it’s extremely overdone. I was only 30% into the book when I decided that Katy Perry’s song “Hot N Cold” was her theme song.
Brigham Langston is the uppity Englishman with Scottish ties who just loves our heroine – even when she turns him down. CONSTANTLY. It was rather refreshing to see the guy chase after the girl for once; however, I really wanted to scream at him to stop being so handsy. It is not attractive when a man paws at a woman without her consent. I just imagine him running after Serena like:
Oh, and I realize that this takes place in the 1700s and women were looked at as possessions more so than partners, but this is a romance novel! There needs to be a slow burn, the gradual building of their relationship to fully satisfy the readers… or me. I’m not proud of to say that I skimmed through the second half of this book. #justkeepskimming
I really hope NR can redeem herself with the next installment of this series.
Before I jump into this review, I have to say that I am not big into historical romances. So why did I read this you ask? Because I have read part of another book in the MacGregors series and loved it. I wanted to start from the very beginning. Was that a mistake on my part? I don’t know. Possibly? Maybe I should have started in the order of publication rather than chronological order. Maybe it would have made me feel more for the main characters – other than annoyed and frustrated. (I was waaay more invested in the supporting characters than the love birds.) Or just maybe, it was just destined for me not to like this book. *shrugs*
Serena MacGregor is a fiery, unique lass. She had all the makings of a kick-ass, fearless protagonist until you realize that she is just really insecure of her feelings and uses anger to scare men away. While that quality is relatable and understandable, considering what happened to her mother, it’s extremely overdone. I was only 30% into the book when I decided that Katy Perry’s song “Hot N Cold” was her theme song.
Brigham Langston is the uppity Englishman with Scottish ties who just loves our heroine – even when she turns him down. CONSTANTLY. It was rather refreshing to see the guy chase after the girl for once; however, I really wanted to scream at him to stop being so handsy. It is not attractive when a man paws at a woman without her consent. I just imagine him running after Serena like:
Oh, and I realize that this takes place in the 1700s and women were looked at as possessions more so than partners, but this is a romance novel! There needs to be a slow burn, the gradual building of their relationship to fully satisfy the readers… or me. I’m not proud of to say that I skimmed through the second half of this book. #justkeepskimming
I really hope NR can redeem herself with the next installment of this series.
novelesque_life's review
2.0
2.5 STARS
"Despite the enmity between their two countries, Brigham Langston, a handsome English lord, finds himself drawn to the beautiful Serena MacGregor, a hot-tempered Scottish hoyden, in a historical romance that serves as a prequel to Roberts's best-selling MacGregor series." (From Amazon)
As I could not really get myself to like the series this novel didn't do anything for me.
"Despite the enmity between their two countries, Brigham Langston, a handsome English lord, finds himself drawn to the beautiful Serena MacGregor, a hot-tempered Scottish hoyden, in a historical romance that serves as a prequel to Roberts's best-selling MacGregor series." (From Amazon)
As I could not really get myself to like the series this novel didn't do anything for me.
abrswf's review
3.0
A formulaic but very readable historic romance set in the lead up to Culloden. Lots of steamy scenes.
lucy_qhuay's review
3.0
Well, I was a bit disappointed with this book.
But whatever, when you read a book by Nora Roberts you either like it or you think that it is far from your expectations.
Rebellion tells us the story of Serena MacGregor and Brigham Langston.
Serena/Rena is a fiery Scottish lass who, at the age of 8, wacthes as a bunch of English soldiers enter her house and attack her mother. From that moment on, she learns to loathe the English "pigs".
Brigham Langston is English and he is the best friend of Coll MacGregor, Rena's older brother.
Since the moment he first saw her, he was captivated by her incredible beauty and wild spirit, though she seems to hate him because of his English heritage.
But he doesn't let her sharp tongue stop him since he is in love with the woman. He sets his goal on wooing her and she, eventually, forgets her hatred and succumbs to passion.
One of the problems I had with this book was that, Serena, sometimes, was too irritating. Geez, the woman was head over heels with Brigham ans still, she kept denying her feelings and saying that she hated him. *sigh*
I get that she never forgot her mother's attack, but it wasn't Brigham's fault. It was not fair that she was constantly rejecting Brig only because he was also English.
Another thing that bothered me - there were times when the story just dragged on and it was a bit boring.
Apart from that, this is a good book for those who want a quick read.
But whatever, when you read a book by Nora Roberts you either like it or you think that it is far from your expectations.
Rebellion tells us the story of Serena MacGregor and Brigham Langston.
Serena/Rena is a fiery Scottish lass who, at the age of 8, wacthes as a bunch of English soldiers enter her house and attack her mother. From that moment on, she learns to loathe the English "pigs".
Brigham Langston is English and he is the best friend of Coll MacGregor, Rena's older brother.
Since the moment he first saw her, he was captivated by her incredible beauty and wild spirit, though she seems to hate him because of his English heritage.
But he doesn't let her sharp tongue stop him since he is in love with the woman. He sets his goal on wooing her and she, eventually, forgets her hatred and succumbs to passion.
One of the problems I had with this book was that, Serena, sometimes, was too irritating. Geez, the woman was head over heels with Brigham ans still, she kept denying her feelings and saying that she hated him. *sigh*
I get that she never forgot her mother's attack, but it wasn't Brigham's fault. It was not fair that she was constantly rejecting Brig only because he was also English.
Another thing that bothered me - there were times when the story just dragged on and it was a bit boring.
Apart from that, this is a good book for those who want a quick read.