Description
Taran's book follows his older brother Leif's, and was even better! The action was on every page. Even though you knew Taran and Lauren were interested in each other, it wasn't till toward the end that you truly grasped the depth of their love.xa0I love how the author's thread of the druids' quests is an ongoing part of the story, and it is subtle. I love how the author places an emphasis on a couple and we see the story all around them.xa0I also love the dialect in her books and really enjoy this series because its different from others and captures the heart.xa0It isn't intense or steamy. Just a fun, light and breezy read. I love the characters, and the way they overlap in the books. You'll see some familiar faces no matter where or when the story take place.I'm glad there was a recap of some of the prior stories in this book so that anyone could pick up Taran and be more or less up to date. However, they did miss all the fun of the prior stories!xa0Of all Jane Stain's books, I liked this one the best so far but am looking forward to Katherine and Luag's story next! The historical event behind the Leif - Taran - Luag trilogy is thexa0Battle of Harlaw.This was a Scottish clan battle fought on July 24, 1411 just north of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. It was one of a series of battles fought during the Middle Ages between the barons of northeast Scotland (Gaels and Viklings) against those from the west coast (Picts and Vikings).The battle was fought to resolve competing claims to the Earldom of Ross, a large region of northern Scotland. Robert Stewart, Regent of Scotland, had taken control of the earldom as guardian of his niece Euphemia Leslie. This claim was contested by Donald MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, who had married Euphemia's aunt Mariota.xa0Donald invaded Ross with the intention of seizing the earldom by force. He advanced on Aberdeen with 10,000 clansmen. Near Inverurie, he was met by 1,000-2,000 of the local gentry, many in armour, hastily assembled by Alexander Stewart, who was Earl of Mar, nephew of the Regent of Scotland, and son of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan and called the Wolf of Badenoch (1343 - 20 June 1405).xa0After a day of fierce fighting, there was no clear victor. Donald had lost 900 men before retreating back to the Western Isles, and Mar had lost 600. The latter could claim a strategic victory in that Aberdeen was saved.Within a year, the Regent of Scotland had recaptured Ross and forced Donald to surrender. However, Mariota was later awarded the earldom of Ross in 1424. The Lordship of the Isles would keep the title for much of the 15th century.The ferocity of the battle gave it the nickname "Red Harlaw".xa0en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Harlaw
Features & Highlights
- Lauren has a magic dagger that gives her orders and sometimes stifles her speech. It wants her to find some artifact here in 1400s Scotland and give it to some druid friends. Meanwhile, she wants to get to know Taran better. But the dagger thinks he and her other friends are in the way and gets her captured and taken to a medieval castle. Taran's life in a small town in Scotland was disrupted six months ago with the arrival of Lauren and the other two lasses. Lauren knew the way mechanical things worked in a way most astonishing. He never tired of hearing her explain. But to find out she has a magick dagger that she is in danger of losing her self control to? That shocks him.
