On a Highland Shore

Kathleen Givens

2007 • 498 pages

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Average rating2.5

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On a Highland Shore

(Highland #1)

by
Kathleen Givens

3.77 · Rating details · 2,777 Ratings · 205 Reviews

From acclaimed historical novelist Kathleen Givens comes a magnificently conceived, intricately detailed novel that brings to vivid life the tumult, adventure, and passion of thirteenth-century Scotland, when Norse invaders laid claim to the land and its people—and an explosive clash of cultures, politics, and personal pride changed the world forever.

On Scotland's western shore, the village of Somerstrath prepares for the joyous wedding celebration of Margaret MacDonald, the laird's daughter. But a dark storm of bloodshed and betrayal is closing in, as a merciless band of Vikings threatens the Highlands.

Margaret is determined to hold the MacDonald clan together and to locate her abducted younger brother. But can she trust the noblemen from King Alexander's court, who insist that only by adhering to a betrothal conceived for political gain will she find safety? Or should she put her trust in an imposing half-Irish, half-Norse warrior?

Gannon MacMagnus alone offers her hope of reuniting her family and vanquishing the barbarous Norsemen who would continue to rob her people of their God-given right to determine their own destinies. In whom should Margaret entrust the fate of the rugged, magnificent land she calls home?

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Series

6 primary books

#1 in Highland

Highland is a 6-book series with 6 primary works first released in 1991 with contributions by Kathleen Givens, Anna Larner, and Amanda Scott.

Popular Reviews

Reviews with the most likes.

Rachel

This was the oldest book on my “to-reads” shelf. I decided to start chipping away at my list from the beginning.

So how did the first one fare? It was alright... A historical fiction novel with a tinge of romance. Just what I like... except for the formulaic plotline.

Beautiful girl has great life. Something major happens. She loses everything (or close to it). Gets her prophecy told, finds a handsome man. Falls for him. Acts all tough and strong. Someone angers someone else. Girl gets in trouble. Guy must rescue her. You know the rest.

I don't mind a formulaic story if it's done right. This book was only so/so. The prophecy part ruined it. You already know things will turn out right in the end (do book prophecies lie? Not usually...). The characters were alright, but nothing special. I've read all their types before.

This book is great if you're in a historial romance binge (That's lighter on all the romance). Be warned, the ending is underwhelming, and doesn't give closure on some relatively main characters. The writer was obviously planning a sequel when writing this book. Problem is, the real sequel isn't about the characters with cliffhangers! It felt cheap. Like “ooh I'll leave a cliffhanger so I have to write a sequel.” Then writes a sequel that's 30 years later and NOT about those cliffhanger characters. In my mind I had to write my own closure. This will be the one and only book I read by Ms. Givens.

January 24, 2017