| Rivals for the Crown | 
 enlarge | Author: Kathleen Givens
Publisher: Pocket
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy Used: $5.94
You Save: $8.06 (58%)
New (6) Used (7) from $5.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 573479
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 432
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.3
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
ASIN: B00150GI7S
Publication Date: July 24, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-10 of 10 | | « PREV | | |
 Fabulous! November 17, 2007
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This book was spectacular, ranking right up there with Phillipa Gregory. With the historical conflict as a background, the love story is riveting and the characters leap off the page. I could hardly put the book down--Givens is a master storyteller. If you haven't read On a Highland Shore, the prequel to this, be sure and get it too. They are both truly excellent historical sagas.
Simply Spectacular! September 20, 2007
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
Rivals For The Crown was an intense and riveting saga depicting just a piece of Scotland's tormented history and battle over the land. Kathleen Givens has a way of bringing the reader into the story and keeping you there she pulls no niceties as she tells the tale of these four people caught between two countries and loyalties. In particular the two female characters Rachel and Isabele endured personal tragedy and torment that saw both of these ladies forever changed as the novel concluded. Rachel in particular questions everything that she holds so dear. While novels depicting William Wallace in them have been told before, Kathleen Givens used him as a plot point to tell the story of people around him whom his plotting and scheming across Scotland in the hopes of saving her affected. The novel made me cry, terribly angry at the injustice of it all and finally smile as all characters overcame their battles and personal torment with heavy hearts but able to move forward and start anew in some cases start anew again to an uncertain future. Rivals For The Crown is a novel that historical enthusiasts will enjoy and read again.
Breathtaking! September 20, 2007
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
The characters are so well-drawn as to feel real and comfortably familiar, making the time period come to life. Isabel and Rachel are both incredibly strong women and the author offers a compelling portrait of a lasting female friendship. Plenty of court intrigue, a truly stomach-turning bad guy, heart-stopping conflicts, and a burning romance will keep you on the edge of your seat. Beautifully written, gripping historical fiction.
Like a bit of romance with your history? August 29, 2007
21 out of 22 found this review helpful
Once again, Kathleen Givens proves herself a gifted writer of historical fiction with Rivals for the Crown. I like a good romance, but a burning bedroom scene on every other page is a bit wearing and Givens doesn't do that. Instead she creates believeable characters and a true love story within real history. You never find yourself thinking, they'd never do that or speak that way with her books. A ripping good yarn within historical fact (and she does her research well), I highly reccommend this book and the first book in this series, On a Highland Shore. I can't wait for the next one!
Great historical tale August 12, 2007
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
In 1290 Isabel de Burke and Rachel de Anjou have been best friends since they met as children. Although they vowed forever and still love one another as sisters, their friendship seems over as King Edward I decreed that all Jews must leave immediately. Rachel accompanied by her parents and sister leave England for Berwick where they buy an inn; at the same time Isabel becomes a lady-in-waiting to Queen Eleanor.
When Scotland's preadolescent queen dies while traveling to claim her throne, rivals John Balliol and Robert Bruce wage a civil war, which fits nicely into the plans of King Edward I to annex Scotland. Highlander Kieran MacDonald arrives at the de Anjou inn where he is meets and wants Rachel. However, he is fighting with Rory MacGannon to keep the English from ruling over Scotland so has no time for his heart's desire. Soon Isabel and Rachel reunite with the former and Rory attracted to each other. The two female friends are caught in the intrigue between England and Scotland and must decide between love for the Highlanders and love for England.
RIVALS FOR THE CROWN is a stupendous complex historical romance with the focus on the era. The epic saga uses the love between Rachel and Kieran, and Isabel and Rory to showcase the impact of war and royal intrigue on individuals as the two couples must make difficult choices that mean sacrifice of something cherished (love of country vs. beloved). Few authors can rival Kathleen Givens skill of transporting her audience so much so readers will feel they are along side the key cast members as late thirteenth century Scotland and to a lesser degree England comes alive once again (see the previous tale ON A HIGHLAND SHORE) in her wonderful novel.
Harriet Klausner
|
|
|
