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Knightshill Saga #2
A Distant Hero
The dawning of the twentieth century finds the Ashleigh family struggling to escape the influence of their stern grandfather and being divided by passion, deception and war
424 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1997
18 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Emma Drummond
24 books15 followersA pseudonym used by Edna Dawes.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 21, 2015
This is the family saga of the Ashleighs of Knightshill.
The patriarch and master of Knigtshill, General Sir Gilliard Ashleigh is mainly concerning with two important social events: the Khartoum Dinner which is provided by the military guests who revived, memories of their brave lives; the Waterloo Ball, a dinner made in honour the memory of the family hero.
Sir Gilliard has four living grandsons and granddaughters: Vorne, a supposed hero in the Karthoum siege (A Question of Honor); Vere who become his heir on the death of Vorne, a painter of battles; Caroline, who had a love affair with an Italian poet while her husband was in India; she left her daughter Kate in order to be raised with her sister, Charlotte; and finally Valentine, the eldest grandson who decided to enlist at the 57th Lancers Cavalry Regiment by using his middle name, Martin Havelock.
In this second volume of this saga, the Boer War is described with some details through Val’s eyes, showing some interesting aspects of this important war in South Africa.
Its sequel is Act of Valour.
5* Beyond All Frontiers
4* A Question of Honour
4* A Distant Hero
TR Forget The Glory
TR Scarlet Shadows
TR The Burning Land
The patriarch and master of Knigtshill, General Sir Gilliard Ashleigh is mainly concerning with two important social events: the Khartoum Dinner which is provided by the military guests who revived, memories of their brave lives; the Waterloo Ball, a dinner made in honour the memory of the family hero.
Sir Gilliard has four living grandsons and granddaughters: Vorne, a supposed hero in the Karthoum siege (A Question of Honor); Vere who become his heir on the death of Vorne, a painter of battles; Caroline, who had a love affair with an Italian poet while her husband was in India; she left her daughter Kate in order to be raised with her sister, Charlotte; and finally Valentine, the eldest grandson who decided to enlist at the 57th Lancers Cavalry Regiment by using his middle name, Martin Havelock.
In this second volume of this saga, the Boer War is described with some details through Val’s eyes, showing some interesting aspects of this important war in South Africa.
Its sequel is Act of Valour.
5* Beyond All Frontiers
4* A Question of Honour
4* A Distant Hero
TR Forget The Glory
TR Scarlet Shadows
TR The Burning Land
May 4, 2015
**this review might be a tad spoilerish for those who haven't read book #1 in this trilogy, A Question of Honour
A Distant Hero is the second in a trilogy based on the Ashleigh family, a family with a history of serving in the West Wilts going back generations. While this book does continue storylines surrounding all four of the Ashleigh siblings, the main focus was on young Val, who was disgraced and drummed out of school and he ran away instead of facing up to his family; instead he signed onto a cavalry unit under an assumed name. And boy, does Val find out how rough it is starting out as a nobody with no noble family name to precede him. The Boers are sabre rattling in South Africa, and that's where most of the story is centered.
I did like this, although 1) it was slow to get started and 2) Val is such a stubborn snot at times that he wasn't always very likeable. 3.5/5 stars.
A Distant Hero is the second in a trilogy based on the Ashleigh family, a family with a history of serving in the West Wilts going back generations. While this book does continue storylines surrounding all four of the Ashleigh siblings, the main focus was on young Val, who was disgraced and drummed out of school and he ran away instead of facing up to his family; instead he signed onto a cavalry unit under an assumed name. And boy, does Val find out how rough it is starting out as a nobody with no noble family name to precede him. The Boers are sabre rattling in South Africa, and that's where most of the story is centered.
I did like this, although 1) it was slow to get started and 2) Val is such a stubborn snot at times that he wasn't always very likeable. 3.5/5 stars.
September 19, 2020
Book 2 in the Knightshill Saga trilogy - if you love stories of war & family you’ll love this one.
Set at the turn of the 20th century with more bravery, love & family secrets.
Onto the 3rd & final book ‘Act of Valour’
My one complaint is this author uses really long chapters (20-30 minutes) which makes it difficult to read in short bursts in between other things - so it’s taken me about 6 weeks to finish the book!
Set at the turn of the 20th century with more bravery, love & family secrets.
Onto the 3rd & final book ‘Act of Valour’
My one complaint is this author uses really long chapters (20-30 minutes) which makes it difficult to read in short bursts in between other things - so it’s taken me about 6 weeks to finish the book!
January 19, 2019
Great book
Again, a great book in the family saga.
All I can say is this series is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and romance, this being the second book in the trilogy.
Fine writing. Wonderful plot. Interesting characters.
Again, a great book in the family saga.
All I can say is this series is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and romance, this being the second book in the trilogy.
Fine writing. Wonderful plot. Interesting characters.
April 9, 2019
An awesome read
This story was so good,kept me wanting to read until the early morning hours. Looking forward to the final book
This story was so good,kept me wanting to read until the early morning hours. Looking forward to the final book
June 18, 2019
Second book in series
The dead hero still overshadows the family. In this book we find out the hero is no hero at all.
The dead hero still overshadows the family. In this book we find out the hero is no hero at all.
February 1, 2021
A Distant Hero
I am still loving the Knightshill saga. Such a talented storyteller covering the British actions in their colonies at the time
I am still loving the Knightshill saga. Such a talented storyteller covering the British actions in their colonies at the time
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December 6, 2017It's rare for me to stop reading a book, but I could not get into this one. Since I didn't finish, I will not rate this one. Happy reading!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews