Child Of Awe

by Kathryn Lynn Davis

From the moment of her birth, Muriella Calder is heiress to a great fortune many Highland clans desire to make their own.

Touched by The Sight, she struggles to understand herself, while fighting those who threaten her world: the violent clans who relish war; her cunning guardian, Archibald Campbell, the powerful Earl of Argyll - callously ambitious, and bound by loyalty to the Crown; John Campbell, the Earl’s second son - a strong, experienced warrior on the battlefield - who cannot begin to understand the mysterious woman he is forced to wed; and Elizabeth Campbell MacLean, a gentle woman whose heart is forfeit in a treaty with a man her father hates.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Scotland, Historical, Fiction, Medieval

510 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5

The biggest FAIL of this book, in theory, is that the hero/heroine had no chemistry until the author started to force it, by then it was a little too late for me. The heroine had more (unintentional) chemistry with her maid, which is a WIN in my book. It even inspired a meme from me:



This book was far from quality but it wasn't a hate read, so I'm going to round it up to 3 stars.

My copy is falling apart, because the person who gifted me this, found it abandoned at a laundromat, so I'm not going to be passing this one along.

[Misfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging Scottish Historical and but it didn't Awe me either 3.5 stars. Child of Awe is the story of Muriella Calder whose father left her at a very young age as heiress to his large estates, much to the chagrin of the rest of the Calder and Rose clans. Muriella's guardianship was given to the powerful Earl of Argyll and he eventually takes her away from her mother's family (the Rose clan) by force with plans to wed her to his younger son John, who is not thrilled with his father's choice for his bride. Muriella was also born with "the sight" and is haunted by visions of the future that cause her much angst in her relationships with her new husband and family.

The story carries on through multiple clashes between the warring clans, along with John and his older brother and their sister Elizabeth who was wed to one of Argyll's great enemies, as Muriella struggles against her visions and comes to know the one great love of her life. This is not your standard romance where the H&H are drying to jump each other's bones from their first glance and there were many times I wasn't sure who she was going to end up with, as the first few years of her marriage had gotten off to such a rocky start.

Although this book is billed as historical romance, the author's notes at the end of the book state that Muriella and John along with their clans did exist in early 16C (early 1500's) Scotland, so I have to agree with another reviewer who stated that this is a tough toss up between calling it historical fiction instead of romance. Not the best in the genre (that's still Outlander), but far from the worst either. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, not a bad way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In truth, awe does not come close.
This is a long book. It is also intense, suspenseful, and at times, frighteningly gory. But then, it tells of a time when men were often brutal, and women were mostly property - cherished perhaps, but still useful primarily as items rather than people.
The author buildsthe suspense and intensity in this story from the very beginning, when we met our heroine (although she is still a bundled babe). The years until she is nearly old enough to wed are more or less skipped, but once there, time sometimes slows so that minutes take pages, and sometimes even skips, so that months go by in a paragraph.
The hero literally bursts onto the scene, when his family rescues/abducts the heroine. Although he is a brutal man, with manners that are frequently crude, it is clear he is not evil, just as she is obviously cursed with the second sight.
The third major player in the story is Loch Awe. By turns it sooths, mystifies, calls, and nearly destroys the protagonists.
The author very carefully builds the story, adding one character at a time, defining their roles relative to each other, and then, allows the characters to take control of their destinies in the way most appropriate for them - although each needs the help of others to achieve the end.
I loved this sweet love story.

[Judith Leger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and now that I've found out it's coming again, I am definitely going to grab a copy.

The story was so intense and emotionally charged that I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to revisit all the places in this book. I loved John and Muriella. I also loved the part that it wasn't an easy fall in love with your captor story. They both struggled but overcame the obstacles to find their way to true and everlasting love. It thrilled me to discover that this story is based on real people.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Follows a young girls' life from infancy thru her marriage.

[melinda carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Child Of Awe

The women of 1500's Scotland were tough so why would you have not 1 but 2 women in lead characters (the wife and sister) portrayed as weak and sickly? For example, Elizabeth got chained to a rock, and almost died because she got wet and cold? Apparently she wasn't chained up but a few minutes before she was freed then she begs for her husband's life after he chained her up to die? Then the lead characters who are married to each other don't make love but twice in 4 years and did I say they LIVE together? Oh and Lorna bites a knuckle off of Muricella's pinky finger. Why? That was never adequately explained. Come on Kathryn, you can do better than this. The story would have been great if Muricella would have been a warrior as well. Elizabeth came from a family of warriors. Women can be strong and feminine. Muricella could have carried her dagger, knife or bow. Instead she was a scaredy cat, afraid of her sight. Her storyline with her mother needed to be developed. It frustrates me when I see a potentially great story go haywire. For 4 years Muricella has alienated the men at Kilchurn because she wished out loud in the great hall that they would all fall, then she doesn't really do or say anything different but after 4 years the men at Kilchurn just fall in love with her. Then she is afraid of her childhood home. No reason given. Her childhood friend Hugh, turns into a monster and is killed by her husband. Again, no adequate reason given why he suddenly turns evil. There is not enough back story to Muricella's mom and dad, how they met and if they had an arranged marriage. Was Muricella's mom a servant or a laird's daughter? What about John's mother? Who was she? Kathryn Lynn Davis, rewrite this book, have a back story for the characters and have them living in Muricella's home. Develop the interaction with John and his shallow older brother or better yet kill the older brother and family so John inherits everything. Muricella doesn't need to jump in freezing rivers, that's just dumb. Write about dances, fights, tournaments, scandals...write it better.

[Liz Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better the second time after many years

It's interesting how my view of this book after the second read is so different from the first time I read this book. The characters have matured with me. I am in "awe" that they can withstand the changes in me as I have matured. Thank you so much for creating these wonderful characters who have lived within me. Please read this book more than once. Perhaps you will discover the Scottish lass inside you.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rarely re-read a book, but I have carried this book around with me for 25 years because I loved it the first time I read it. Isn't it funny how reading preferences change? I fully believe that we are never the same person when we read a book again. Even though I liked it this time around, I certainly didn't love it. Child of Awe has fallen off of my favorite shelves and now is going to be donated to my Friends of the Library group book sale so that someone else can love it. :)

[Naksed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually enjoy paranormal or fantasy genres, at least not since I was a child. I get especially irked when I pick a historical fiction novel and the heroine has the Sight or visions or there is gypsy lore or witchcraft, without any irony or humor but as if it is a valid plot device. The blurb of Child of Awe does not hint that these elements are going to be a big part of the story. This was dishonest. I probably would not have chosen this book if I knew the plot would be mainly driven by the heroine' s tediously repetitive visions.

The story is set in 16th century Scotland. It begins with the heroine Muriella Calder being abducted and wed to the hero John Campbell so his family can gain control over her substantial inheritance. The author says she visited the site of their castle and actually found and used the genuine names of the people who inhabited it but it is safe to say for the rest of the story, she just runs wild with her imagination.

Muriella is given to visions of deaths and drowning that render her incapable of behaving in the way required of a great warrior's wife, much less allow intimacy between her husband and herself. I would have accepted that the hysterics of this vulnerable, loveless 14 year old girl were a manifestation of her emotions in the dire circumstances she found herself in, being ripped from her family and forcibly bedded and wedded by an ominous stranger. And that she used those visions to put a barrier between herself and the husband that she was scared of. I could even have accepted that the heroine really believed she was having visions as this would at least be something people in that day and age seriously pondered. But the author goes to great length to hammer in the point that those visions are real, they come true, and she has a real sense of Sight. I could not get on board with that because the novel purports to be a serious historical fiction, not a farcical lightweight historical romance where I am supposed to suspend my disbelief and believe in fairies and trolls.

Then, after laboriously insisting that her vision that her husband will end up drowning her one day is true and that is why there can never be true happiness and trust between them, in the end it is revealed that she had simply misunderstood that vision, that she did not foresee her own murder at the hands of her husband but that the waves of water she was engulfed in every time he tried to touch her were just symbolic of the strength of her feelings for him. Yes, the visions simply meant she loved him too much. And all those years that she and her husband tortured themselves because they could not get over the wall she had built up were merely caused by a Big Misunderstanding. No. Just no.

Another thing that made it a rather dull read was that most of the action took place at the Campbell castle. If the heroine ever ventured out, it was to a gypsy camp on the Campbell lands. At one point, it is hinted that Muriella visited the Royal Court and even made an impression on the Queen. It would have been entertaining to actually read about the characters' interactions at the Scottish Court rather than being hurriedly told about it.

It is a testament to the author's writing that I endured these outlandish and annoying elements because I wished to continue with the story. I am of the opinion that the writing was of high quality and if the author had dispensed or at least reduced those annoyingly frequent visions and wrote a straightforward historical fiction, it would have been as enjoyable for me as Cecilia Holland's Great Maria, one of my favorite historical fiction novels.

[Pat aka Tygyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I considered adding this to my paranormal shelf. This is the story of Muriella. She is born and becomes the heir to Cawdor Castle and its properties then her father dies. To try to protect her, her mother goes to the Rose's for protection. Muriella grows up along side her cousin Hugh Rose and she expects that they will marry one day. His father certainly is greedy for the properties that their marriage would bring to their family. But when Muriella was very young the king named another man to be her guardian and to have the final say in who she marries. And her guardian wants her married to his 2nd son who would then have property of his own. When Muriella is barely a teen, her guardian's people come for her, setting off a war between 3 clans, all of whom want Muriella and her property. Muriella has the Sight. She sees the death of the men who come to take her. And as her groom to be leaves with her to escape the fighting, she knows none of his men will live. She is unhappy with her bridegroom John. He is a hot tempered young man. When he tries to make love to her she has a vision of death and becomes so overwrought that John finds himself a servant girl to ease his needs and seldom goes to Muriella. Muriella misses her childhood friend Hugh. He is now a renegade and hunted. But she still thinks of him as her cheerful playmate of old. Muriella only feels at ease with the gypsies and with her maid servant. What pull does Alex of the gypsies have over her? When her guardian dies in a war (another death she foresees and could do nothing about), some of the servants call her witch. Will John ever win his bride's trust? Will Muriella ever be able to return to Cawdor Castle? What is her fascination and fear of the water? When she falls in the swift current, was she attempting suicide? Can John forgive her? Or forgive himself for not being the strength she needs in her troubles life? With no friends, lots of enemies, and the dreams of death, can Muriella survive?

[Indigo Crow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this first when I was only 12 or 13. I didn't understand many of the more adult themes involved, but I did remember liking it. This isn't a genre I tend to care too much for, but in the case of this book, I have it a shot even when I was so young, and since it seemed to stick with me for decades after that, I decided I wanted to read it again and experience it as an adult.

I feel like I must have gotten an edition that was different from the original one I read back then. There were elements of the story I SWEAR were different this time. For example, I could have sworn that Muriella's finger was disfigured by a deep cut from a dagger and not by having a knuckle bitten off, though the deed was done by the same woman. I also seem to have recalled there being more plot surrounding Hugh Rose than this. He was hardly mentioned here! The afterward of the Kindle edition, which is what I just finished, did mentioned that the book has been re-written several times, so it makes me wonder.

I will say that I was really put off by the depression in this book. It goes all the way through to the end, and it's annoying. The protagonist acts like a spoiled little girl rather than a high born woman. She seems determined to be depressed, moody, and unlovable through the whole thing.

Another thing I don't recall as much from my first reading is the amount of sex. Through most of the book, the sex was only mentioned when it was necessary. The story progressed like a good historical drama, not like a romance novel. I liked that. But somewhere after the halfway mark it started to pick up more and more of the signatures of a romance novel and the sex became more frequent and seemed overly important. I don't mind a good love story, but for there to have been so much importance put on the sexual aspects of a relationship isn't my cup of tea whatsoever. Regardless, I didn't rate the book based on that. I don't think it did the story any real favors, but it wasn't so bad as to disgust me and the writing was good enough that I could overlook it.

[Karen Mccullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing and Memorable Book

By the circumstances of her birth, Muriella Calder is heiress to a great estate and considerable fortune. By order of the king, the child is put under the protection of the Earl of Argyll, who leaves her with her mother until it becomes clear that her mother’s family can no longer protect her from the Calder family who want the child out of the way so they can reclaim the estate. Barely ahead of the Calder forces, the earl’s son rides away with the girl while the earl’s brother holds off the Calders and buys them time to escape at the cost of his life. The earl plans to marry the girl to his second son.
The book is more historical novel than romance, especially the first half, which focuses more on Muriella’s adaptation to her new home, new family, and the political maneuverings of the fifteenth century Scottish setting. Later in the story, the relationship between Muriella and John develops in subtle, richly rewarding fashion. A finely drawn variety of secondary characters add further depth to a well-told story.
Based on actual people from Scotland’s history, the author does a wonderful job of bringing the period and the people, to life.

[Sal · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it were possible, I'd give this book 3.5 stars. It took me a long time to read this book. I understand the brutality of the era (1500s), set in the Scottish highlands, with Clans constantly clashing, wanting to take revenge, gain more power, to name a few motivations for the constant warfare, and I found this a bit 'too much' for me. However, I'm glad I stuck it out, as the momentum built in the latter third of the book, where the main characters were shown more depth. I also came to appreciate how hard life must have been back then. The main character, Muriella, a young woman who had been taken away from her home to form a 'family alliance' between the Calder and the Campbell clans, had the 'sight', which created fear regarding her relationships with others and dread for the future of herself and those she was close to. This created an interesting twist to the flow of the book.

[Julia Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't know what to make of this story. It was well written with some beautiful descriptive phrases, but it was slow. It brought to mind the stories written in the 1970's when action was very frugal. Often nothing was actually happening and I found myself checking the percentage I had left to read. Muriella irritated me at times and her ability to see into the future didn't impact on the story whatsoever. In no way was she proactive with the Sight, using it as a tool to prevent events happening or at least, forewarning people. She was at its mercy and a victim of it. She was young, only a teenager, so perhaps she can be forgiven for being mawkish, however, I was disappointed with the ending.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of a book bundle Highland Charm: First Fantasies.

This is not like many of the highlander books I've read where the captured bride settled easily with her warrior. It's probably more realistic with men political agendas, clan loyalty and grudges taking precedence. Woman being traded for alliances/property disregarding their wants or needs & the crushing sense of betrayal, humiliation, isolation as well the loneliness.

Not a light read but filled with intrigue of conniving plots, fleece battles, wistful legends and disturbing visions. I feel I've rambled through a medieval keep and beyond.

[J'aime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book on impulse for twenty-five cents at a discount book store. It was sitting on the counter when I checked out. I had no clue what to expect from it, but it turned out to be a fantastic historical fiction novel, with a light romantic element. The story is set in the Scottish Highlands about the 14th century. Muriella Calder is the heir to vast properties when her father dies shortly after her birth. She becomes a pawn as different factions seek to control her inheritance. There is a lot of political intrigue, a few sex scenes and very well developed characters. A surprising delight.

[Jennifer]

Enjoyed the story and the bits of legend and history incorporated. Don't usually write reviews for this kind of fiction, but I felt the need to include a disclaimer, since I wouldn't recommend it without one (especially as a married Christian woman). This is the first book I've read where I had to skim through any kind of sex scene. Though not immensely graphic, I did feel like the level of description in those few scenes was unnecessary to the story and not something I felt particularly edified by. But obviously it wasn't over the top enough that I quit reading rather than just skipping and continuing.

[Kimi Court · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about Muriella Calder, a child born to inherit a great fortune. She is being hunted by everyone. Some want to marry her off and others want to kill her off. I liked this book. The flow was well done and kept you reading.

This book has mystery, action, love, tears and so much more. You grow up with Muriella, and feel her as she goes through everything that has happened to her. John Campbell the second son of the Earl is betrothed to the young lady and is a reluctant as she is with the marriage but for different reasons. You really need to read this book. I believe you will like it as much as I did.

[Lisa C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very heavy, lots of characters, lots of details. Muriella's visions were sometimes confusing but other times made her sound like she had a mental illness. Although I realize life was difficult during this period, especially for women, the story was really depressing. Constant fighting between clans and political maneuvering got to be boring and made it drag quite a bit. The marriage between Muriella and John lacked emotion until the very end.

I would have classified this as historical fiction with romance. I appreciated the historical accuracy and the fact some of the characters were based on real people.

[Deba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Child of Awe is the story of Muriella Calder whose father left her at a very young age as heiress to his large estates. The book went on and on about her. I did read on to find it interesting. The rest of the chagrin was about the Calder and Rose clans. It had a happy ending, so that was good, and it was a good book. I rate 3 and half stars. Carry on, my sweet author, I will buy another book by you, because, I believe in you.

[Micaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable read, well written, the dialogue never felt clunky. Historical fiction with a touch of paranormal & romance, it could've been such a mess but instead I wanted more, I wanted this to be a series so I could spend more time with the characters, Muriella, John, Megan, and Duncan. Would've liked to get more of Isabel Calder in this book, and there seemed to be a red herring towards the end with Colin, but overall I'd recommend it to my friends.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to say the book was well written; imagery provoking and the story travelled well. However, I hated reading it. The storyline was boring and protracted. I ended up doing some speed reading to get to the "good bits" i.e. emerging love between Maurella and John but was so frustrated. It's not how I like to read a book. By the end of Part 1 I despaired that I had to get through a Part 2 before the book would end.

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing and descriptions of Scotland captivated me from the beginning. This book was a little frustrating because of so many misunderstandings between the main characters, and there was a strange plot twist, plus one that ended unresolved. Even so, this gets five stars, because of gorgeous GORGEOUS prose!

[Ken Kilner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally not my genre, but given that I misspent three formative years of my youth in Scotland (about as far north as you can get)I was drawn to the book. Scotland is a harsh and beautiful land and the book conveys this wonderfully. More violent back then, but violent enough when I was there. The romance is over my head, but the history,the mood, and the settings are spot on.

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

was a interesting book but kinda lost it a lil when she kept on pushing him away everytime he tried to make love or touch her bc of her "sight" things she saw
Im glad that they got together in the end but took a long time and looked like they wouldnt .....
but wasnt one of the best historicals ive read

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it was recommended to me by a tour guide in the Scottish castle, Cawdor Castle (yes, the Shakespeare reference in Macbeth as the Thane of Cawdor is the same Cawdor). Anyway, decent book.

[Hafiza · Rating 3 out of 5]

From 1987
On Kindle Unlimited
Part historical fiction, part romance.
Annoying misunderstandings ruined it fir me.
Liked the historical aspect, but the heroines visions of drowning every time her husband tries to have sex with her, really, really got old by the end of the book.

[Paliden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book!!! I will be looking for more by this author. At first, it seemed that this book was going to be VERY depressing but it gradually changed and ended on a great note! Would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys Scottish romance with a touch of fantasy.

[Heather Costa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was a great story. Pretty easy read. Like other reviewers, I was impatient with Muriella to be content with her husband. I also wasn't totally entertained by her visions.
I liked the story and Scotland setting.

[Lori]

Had to finish

I very much, enjoyed this book. It was so full of deceit, love, hatred, and so much more. I found it hard to put it down. I need to keep reading to see what happened next.