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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Let me start by saying that most of the historicals that I have read have had a paranormal aspect to them, Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series and Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. So I never really considered myself a reader of straight historicals, history was never one of my favorite subjects in school but it wasn't my least favorite either(math). So with this in mind I was a little surprised when I picked up Monica's first book Highlander Untamed, a few years ago and could not put it down and couldn't wait to get to the next one. I have now read everything that she has written and have gone on to read a few other authors historicals. So thanks Monica, for opening my eyes and helping me learn to enjoy a time before running water and penicillin.
This series begins right after William Wallace has been executed and Robert the Bruce is fighting to become king of Scotland and drive out the English. He has decided to create an elite guard to help him in his quest. To do this he must convince Tor Macleod to not only train these men but to lead them. Tor is known in the highland's as the greatest warrior of that time. The problem, Tor doesn't want to become involved in a war that he doesn't think concerns him.
Christina Fraser is the daughter of a scottish noble who has just recently been released from an English prison and he is looking for revenge. He will stop at nothing to achieve this including using his two daughters. In an attempt to spare her sister Christina agrees to the plan that her father comes up with to trick Macleod into marriage. Unfortunately the plan works to well and before Christina knows what's happenening she has lost her virginity and Macleod refuses to marry her. Eventually he does relent and does marry her but it's not the most trustworthy of ways to begin a relationship.
Much of this book is spent building the world in which the series will be written, so there is a lot of history and character development, which is tedious for some people, cough Jenn cough, but I think needed for this type of series. I enjoyed seeing the relationship build between the couple but I think my favorite part was seeing the relationships develop between the members of the guard. These men come from different clans many of which were fighting with each other, so I thought those scenes were some of the most entertaining.
This series begins right after William Wallace has been executed and Robert the Bruce is fighting to become king of Scotland and drive out the English. He has decided to create an elite guard to help him in his quest. To do this he must convince Tor Macleod to not only train these men but to lead them. Tor is known in the highland's as the greatest warrior of that time. The problem, Tor doesn't want to become involved in a war that he doesn't think concerns him.
Christina Fraser is the daughter of a scottish noble who has just recently been released from an English prison and he is looking for revenge. He will stop at nothing to achieve this including using his two daughters. In an attempt to spare her sister Christina agrees to the plan that her father comes up with to trick Macleod into marriage. Unfortunately the plan works to well and before Christina knows what's happenening she has lost her virginity and Macleod refuses to marry her. Eventually he does relent and does marry her but it's not the most trustworthy of ways to begin a relationship.
Much of this book is spent building the world in which the series will be written, so there is a lot of history and character development, which is tedious for some people, cough Jenn cough, but I think needed for this type of series. I enjoyed seeing the relationship build between the couple but I think my favorite part was seeing the relationships develop between the members of the guard. These men come from different clans many of which were fighting with each other, so I thought those scenes were some of the most entertaining.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Steam level: Open-door content
Thoughts:
Like all of Monica McCarty’s books, this wartime historical romance is written very well. It also serves as an excellent introduction to the Highland Guard series without sacrificing the quality of the central plot, characterization, or romance. Despite having several tropes that I don’t typically enjoy, McCarty’s writing is so descriptive, riveting, and evocative that I always make exceptions for anything written by her.
The Chief provides thorough historical context from actual events and lore which took place during the Wars for Scottish Independence, and McCarty even includes an Author’s Note at the end of the book describing the events and figures that she incorporated in her story. This information, although lengthy at times, set the stage for excellent world building, something that is rarely found in a historical romance novel.
Tor and Christina’s story was filled with angst, which had me feeling nervous for most of the book. As with all of McCarty’s books in this series, the central plot revolves around Robert Bruce’s secret, elite phantom league during a precarious time of war. This made the central conflict feel incredibly high-stakes and especially painful when considering Tor’s actions to keep these secrets and his wife safe. Unfortunately and reasonably, Christina, a wholesome new bride, internalized these actions as neglect, often making her feel like an object rather than a wife. Hurt and shame were written so authentically and emotionally that it was hard for me to finish this story without a break. These angsty plot events persisted until the very last moment, when the male lead confronted his feelings and surrendered to his truest desire of loving his wife.
One other note I would like to make is that the action scenes are also very moving. I typically skip these scenes in other romance books, but these moments convey genuine pride, hope, and faithfulness for the characters’ cause.
I would recommend this series to any lover of historical romance, especially those who love angst. Monica McCarty’s writing is so unique and worth giving a try.
Read this if you like:
- Major longing and angst
- Wartime romance books
- Excellent action scenes and world building
Tropes: Highlander romance, cold male lead, OW drama, major angst, secret keeping, compromised, wartime, stubborn male lead
Trigger warnings: SA, attempted SA, violence, abusive parent,
Steam level: Open-door content
Thoughts:
Like all of Monica McCarty’s books, this wartime historical romance is written very well. It also serves as an excellent introduction to the Highland Guard series without sacrificing the quality of the central plot, characterization, or romance. Despite having several tropes that I don’t typically enjoy, McCarty’s writing is so descriptive, riveting, and evocative that I always make exceptions for anything written by her.
The Chief provides thorough historical context from actual events and lore which took place during the Wars for Scottish Independence, and McCarty even includes an Author’s Note at the end of the book describing the events and figures that she incorporated in her story. This information, although lengthy at times, set the stage for excellent world building, something that is rarely found in a historical romance novel.
Tor and Christina’s story was filled with angst, which had me feeling nervous for most of the book. As with all of McCarty’s books in this series, the central plot revolves around Robert Bruce’s secret, elite phantom league during a precarious time of war. This made the central conflict feel incredibly high-stakes and especially painful when considering Tor’s actions to keep these secrets and his wife safe. Unfortunately and reasonably, Christina, a wholesome new bride, internalized these actions as neglect, often making her feel like an object rather than a wife. Hurt and shame were written so authentically and emotionally that it was hard for me to finish this story without a break. These angsty plot events persisted until the very last moment, when the male lead confronted his feelings and surrendered to his truest desire of loving his wife.
One other note I would like to make is that the action scenes are also very moving. I typically skip these scenes in other romance books, but these moments convey genuine pride, hope, and faithfulness for the characters’ cause.
I would recommend this series to any lover of historical romance, especially those who love angst. Monica McCarty’s writing is so unique and worth giving a try.
Read this if you like:
- Major longing and angst
- Wartime romance books
- Excellent action scenes and world building
Tropes: Highlander romance, cold male lead, OW drama, major angst, secret keeping, compromised, wartime, stubborn male lead
Trigger warnings: SA, attempted SA, violence, abusive parent,
Spoiler
forced compromise
This is so bad it literally hurts. Shallow, unimaginative, blank... I'm honestly surprised I got through the first third of the book. It's been a while since I've read something as bad as this.
Aside from having a drool-worthy cover, this book was awesome. I got very involved in this story and even had to put it down a few times because the story became so real-- to me a sign of a great author. I don't think I've read anything else by Monica McCarty but I certainly think I will now. I look forward to the next Highland Guard Novel about Hawk.
I can't remember when was the last time I stayed up until sunrise reading a book, unable to put it down until I was done or sheer exhaustion won. In this case it was exhaustion. Even though the book began a little too slow for my taste it drew me in a way few books have done, every time I ended a chapter I said, this is it I'm taking a break and ended up going to the next and so on. Tor was the epitome of the tortured, I don't deserve love, love and duty don't mesh, but unable to stop loving even if he didn't know it himself hero. And I loved him. Cristina was the real lady, with lots of love to give, a real backbone and intelligence every heroine should be. I loved her too. I'm looking forward to reading more on this series...
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I enjoyed this book there were many times when I was tempted to throw it across the room. I liked Tor, I really did, but he irritated me so much I wanted to just shake him. Yes he was supposed to be cold, I even knew the reasons for his thoughts and actions and still I just wanted to slap some sense into him. Make him see (sooner than he did) just what it was he had in his wife. Still he was also crazy handsome, loyal, fierce, and cunning, so you had to love him!
I really expected to dislike Christina as she seemed a bit whiny and almost clingy, but who am I to judge. The poor girl was married to a stranger she just desperately wanted to know. Instead I thought she was dedicated, sweet, smart, humorous, and insanely thoughtful. She gave her heart fully and without remorse despite its not having been earned nor the sad treatment she received. Instead of being annoyed with her I hoped for her and wanted to cheer her on at every turn. She deserved happiness, and she got it, again I just wanted it to come to her sooner.
The action and pacing throughout the book were excellent and suspenseful. The fight scenes were detailed without making one want to skim through it, or confusing to the point that you have no idea whats going on or even who is winning.
I was most impressed though with the author's note at the end to showed to what extent McCarty had done her research and dug into the true histories. She fully explains whats real, what were her dramatizations, and the reasons behind them. When I started this book I thought it was just another romance novel but it seemed incredibly well thought out, researched, and accurate. And I kept having to look up Gaelic words to figure out just what it was they were actually wearing!
I think I will certainly read the next book in the series, [b:The Hawk: A Highland Guard Novel|7379335|The Hawk A Highland Guard Novel|Monica McCarty|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266969098s/7379335.jpg|9216792] to see what happens to the always glib MacSworley.
I really expected to dislike Christina as she seemed a bit whiny and almost clingy, but who am I to judge. The poor girl was married to a stranger she just desperately wanted to know. Instead I thought she was dedicated, sweet, smart, humorous, and insanely thoughtful. She gave her heart fully and without remorse despite its not having been earned nor the sad treatment she received. Instead of being annoyed with her I hoped for her and wanted to cheer her on at every turn. She deserved happiness, and she got it, again I just wanted it to come to her sooner.
The action and pacing throughout the book were excellent and suspenseful. The fight scenes were detailed without making one want to skim through it, or confusing to the point that you have no idea whats going on or even who is winning.
I was most impressed though with the author's note at the end to showed to what extent McCarty had done her research and dug into the true histories. She fully explains whats real, what were her dramatizations, and the reasons behind them. When I started this book I thought it was just another romance novel but it seemed incredibly well thought out, researched, and accurate. And I kept having to look up Gaelic words to figure out just what it was they were actually wearing!
I think I will certainly read the next book in the series, [b:The Hawk: A Highland Guard Novel|7379335|The Hawk A Highland Guard Novel|Monica McCarty|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266969098s/7379335.jpg|9216792] to see what happens to the always glib MacSworley.