Thursday 21 January 2016

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: The Winter Isles - Antonia Senior

Release Date: 05/11/15
Publisher:  Corvus

SYNOPSIS:

I am Somerled. The summer warrior. What am I, if not a warrior?

In twelfth-century Scotland, far removed from the courtly manners of the Lowland, the Winter Isles are riven by vicious warfare, plots and battles.

Into this hard, seafaring life is born a boy called Somerled. The son of an ageing chieftain, Somerled must prove his own worth as a warrior. He will rise to lead his men into battle and claim the title of Lord of the Isles - but what must he sacrifice to secure the glory of his name?

The Winter Isles is an astonishingly vivid recreation of the savage dynastic battles of medieval Scotland: an authentic, emotional, powerful read.


REVIEW:

An Historical Fiction treat from Antonia Senior and one that will take you on one hell of an adventure to the West Coast of Scotland in the 12th century as one warrior becomes a lord and seeks to make his mark on his realm. As usual with Antonia, the writing in the story is something to behold, the way that our principle character makes his way through the tale becoming something more than expected. Its beautifully descriptive, the prose addictive with dialogue as well as characters that just step from the page as real people.

For me it’s a pure joy to read and as such was a book that I took plenty of time over to analyse the details as well as getting to know the characters so that I could look up what is written historically about them to investigate a past that has been so lovingly brought to light. All round a cracking read and one I’d recommend to anyone looking for a book that will delight as well as fascinate them.



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