"Fine Scottish medieval romance"

In 1375 her uncle Coln who murdered her father, the laird of clan MacFarlane, sees Ailis as an asset to be bartered in obtaining an alliance with the MacCordys. Coln does not care that she raises the three children of her dead sister Maire, whose father remains unknown and that he selected the abusive Donald MacCordy as her spouse.

Alexander, laird of clan MacDubh, learns from his depressed brother Barra that he has three children with Maire that he has not seen in years. Alexander believes the kids should be raised amongst the love of their father's clan. They abduct the three children, their guardian Ailis, and a gentle giant willing to die to keep the four safe. Ailis worries that her clan's enemy will destroy the children, but instead sees them showered in love and even her giant protector treated with kindness unlike how her uncle has handled the children. As Ailis and Alexander fall in love, both knows that the MacFarlane and MacDubh must react, but when and how is still to be seen.

Though her uncle and her intended are too odious to be competitive to the caring though brooding Alexander, fans of Scottish medieval romances will receive plenty of reading pleasure with this strong tale. The clever propaganda mechanisms that paint the Macdubhs as bloodthirsty barbarians amongst the MacFarlanes would fit in well in today's 527 ways to say truth during the presidential race. The story line moves forward at a rapid pace as Alexander and Ailis battle with each other and within themselves in a fine historical tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 7, 2004