Kingdom of Shadows: Amazon.ca: Barbara Erskine: Books

Product Description

From AudioFile

Clare Royland, unhappily married to a man on the verge ofbankruptcy, retreats into dreams of her twelfth- century ancestor,Isobel. But when her husband tries to trick her into selling Duncairn,Isobel's home and Clare's inheritance, Clare realizes she must fightto save both herself and Isobel. With her Scottish brogue and easycadences, Leslie Mackie is an ideal choice for narrator. She portraysboth sides of Clare--the lost, unhappy self and the lively, courageouswoman she finds within herself--with warmth and just a touch ofnaïveté. Her portrayal of Paul, Clare's husband, isoutstanding--harsh, intolerant, deceitful, and willing to use anddestroy anyone who gets in his way. Mackie builds the rise and fall ofthe plot, and successfully creates an emotional reading for anyromance lover. W.L.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews

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4 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)

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3.0 out of 5 stars (3.5) Basic Erskine regression story, Jul 19 2008

By	Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Kingdom of Shadows is a parallel tale of Clare Royland in the 1980's and Isobel Buchan in Scotland at the time of Robert The Bruce in the latter 13th and early 14th century. Clare is married to stock broker Paul Royland who gambled with insider trading and lost and needs to sell Clare's Scottish Castle Duncairn to raise desperately needed funds. Unhappy in her marriage, Clare turns to yoga and meditation and she begins to see visions of the past as Isobel Buchan of Scotland relives her past through Clare.

The retelling of Isobel's life in Scotland, an unhappy marriage and her ultimate affair with Robert the Bruce and capture by Edward II and imprisonment in one of those infamous cages on the castle wall is interwoven with that of the present day Clare whose husband intrigues to have her proven insane so that he can lay claim to her property. Erskine does point out in her notes at the end of the book that Isobel, her crowning of Robert at Scone and capitivy are historical fact, but the affair with Robert is merely supposition by the author.

I did find the story entertaining enough and it kept me reading, but this is definitely not one of Erskine's best -- that would be Child of the Phoenix or Hiding from the Light. While I enjoyed the story set in the 13/14C, I really didn't particularly care for Isobel, she was a little too self centered for me and as for Clare -- likeable enough but bordering on TSTL for putting up with that pompous pig of a husband and not seeing him for what he really was. If you're an Erskine fan and can get your hands on a copy somewhat cheaply go for it, but don't go out of your way either. 3.5 stars.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Clare, Clare, Clare...at last! ISOBEL!, Oct 6 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Kingdom of Shadows (Mass Market Paperback)

Kingdom of Shadows weaves a tale of a modern woman with that of her ancestor, and it makes for interesting reading.

I enjoyed this book tremendously, but there is no doubt that Isobel, Countess of Buchan is the true heroine of the book. I found myself skimming through the modern story of Clare in anticipation of the tragic story of the wild Isobel.

There seems to be an irony in that Isobel - who belonged to a time when women were expected to do nothing more than enter a convent or marry and provide heirs - never stopped fighting to be free of her loveless marriage, while Clare - a 20th century woman who belongs to a time when women are much more empowered - submits meekly to her selfish husband (except for, of course, the issue of selling Duncairn).

Also, in the hero department, Isobel's lover, Robert of Carrick -later to become King of Scots - is much more likable than Clare's Neil. Both husbands (John Comyn - Lord Buchan - and Paul Royland) were despicable.

If only for the beautifully told story of Isobel of Fife, I recommend this book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Kingdom Of Shadows One of Her best, Oct 21 2001

By	S Melvin (Melbourne) - See all my reviews

I really got hooked on this book, great plot and well written.
I wasn't all that anxious to read the modern parts of the novel as I find with Barbara Erskine she tends to write excellent "past" stories but the "present" storyline aren't as interesting to read. However even the "present" storline in this book wasn't half bad. One of her best infact.
I just love how she can bring the characters and scenery to life and she does it very, very well in this novel as she did in Lady of Hay.
It seems this novel isn't easy to get, but I recommend you try because it's worth reading.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars OK, not as good as some other Erskine books.
Brabara Erskine has great talent for description of places. I really felt as if I were at the castle of Duncairn, with its cold, damp winters and sunny, breezy springs. Read more

Published on Feb 4 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonder of a read!
This was the first Barbara Erskin book I read and since then have gone through everything she's written as quickly as I could. Read more

Published on Oct 8 2000 by Somer

5.0 out of 5 stars UNPUTDOWNABLE
Found and bought this book for .99 cents and after reading the first couple of chapters knew I had a treasure in my hands. Read more

Published on Jun 11 2000 by clelia

5.0 out of 5 stars Kingdom of Shadows
I loved this book. I bought it 10 years ago and have managed to get three copies. I have also read Lady of Hay (also a 5 star), Midnight is a Lonely Place and House of Echoes... Read more

Published on May 28 2000