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Kingdom of Shadows
Barbara Erskine's classic bestseller, the successor to Lady of Hay, at last available as a HarperCollins paperback.
In a childless and unhappy marriage, Clare Royland is rich and beautiful – but lonely. And fueling her feelings of isolation is a strange, growing fascination with an ancestress from the distant past. Troubled by haunting inexplicable dreams that terrify – but also powerfully compel – her, Clare is forced to look back through the centuries for answers.
In 1306, Scotland is at war. Isobel, Countess of Buchan, faces fear and the prospect of untimely death as the fighting surrounds her. But passionate and headstrong, her trials escalate when she is persecuted for her part in crowning Robert the Bruce, her lover.
Duncairn, Isobel's home and Clare's beloved heritage, becomes a battleground for passions that span the centuries. As husband Paul's recklessness threatens their security, Clare must fight to save Duncairn, and to save herself from the powers of Isobel…
In a childless and unhappy marriage, Clare Royland is rich and beautiful – but lonely. And fueling her feelings of isolation is a strange, growing fascination with an ancestress from the distant past. Troubled by haunting inexplicable dreams that terrify – but also powerfully compel – her, Clare is forced to look back through the centuries for answers.
In 1306, Scotland is at war. Isobel, Countess of Buchan, faces fear and the prospect of untimely death as the fighting surrounds her. But passionate and headstrong, her trials escalate when she is persecuted for her part in crowning Robert the Bruce, her lover.
Duncairn, Isobel's home and Clare's beloved heritage, becomes a battleground for passions that span the centuries. As husband Paul's recklessness threatens their security, Clare must fight to save Duncairn, and to save herself from the powers of Isobel…
813 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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2297 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Erskine
54 books1,278 followersAn historian by training, Barbara Erskine is the author of six bestselling novels that demonstrate her interest in both history and the supernatural, plus two collections of short stories. Her books have appeared in at least twenty different languages. She lives with her family in an ancient manor house near Colchester, and in a cottage near Hay-on-Wye.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
August 20, 2008
(3.5) Basic Erskine regression story. 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 I 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.
The retelling of Isobel's life in Scotland, an unhappy marriage and her ultimate affair with Robert the Bruce and capture by Edward I 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.
May 16, 2020
After reading the author's first novel I debated whether to bother with this one, also on my shelves as a charity shop acquisition. I believe it is her second novel and broadly follows the same narrative split of a contemporary narrative (set in the 1980s when the book was published) and a medieval past which the female protagonist is drawn into. However, this novel is not nearly as objectionable as 'Lady of Hay' because at least there is no suggestion that women enjoy being knocked about or raped etc as there was in that book, despite there being some violence against the female protagonist.
Clare is the bored wife of a rich banker, Paul, who has been insider dealing, has lost money without telling her and is becoming increasingly desperate to get his hands on Clare's property, her beloved castle in Scotland Duncairn (a castle which is fictional as made clear in the author's afterword). He lies to her about his own infertility, saying the doctor told him she was the one who can't have children. After being unable to contact the doctor she eventually gives up trying, which I found rather unconvincing given her later discoveries that he is a compulsive liar. I also thought the doctor was negligent given that she should surely have been offered counselling, but that of course would lead to her discovery of the truth which has to happen late in the novel.
Paul's machinations become more extreme as the modern day storyline progresses. Meanwhile the meditation which Clare has been learning from her teacher Zak leads her to tap into the past life of Isobel, a woman of the nobility in 13th century Scotland and a contemporary of Robert the Bruce. Clare's family have a connection to Isobel, and her deceased great aunt from whom she inherited Duncairn, also had visitations from her. Quite a bit of the past storyline is based on actual history although the author's note at the end does inform us that the romance between Isobel and the eventual Scottish king is based upon English slanders of the time (both parties were married to other people).
As the story progresses, Clare becomes increasingly overpowered by Isobel's need to show her the past. Meanwhile Paul uses her preoccupation to pretend to all and sundry that she is mad or possessed. His brothers - who include a vicar and a Member of Parliament - are so gullible that they go along with this. Paul pretends that Zak is the leader of a cult and his brothers are persuaded that yoga and meditation are evil and that people who practice them will be sucked in by mind controlling cults. As far as they are concerned, Clare is performing black magic and Satanic rites. They seem capable of believing - despite the contradiction - that she is mad and that spirits actually exist and have possessed her. I found all this rather hard to take seriously. If they had followed up various plans to take her to psychiatrists I thought they would be the ones who ended up under scrutiny.
Only the women in the family, Paul's sister Emma, and the vicar's wife Chloe, are doubtful and put up any kind of defence on her behalf. Clare's mother is too much of a doormat to stand up against Archie, her second husband, who dislikes step-daughter Clare for no apparent reason and thinks she needs sorting out by her husband. Parts of this storyline became quite risible with the vicar brother resorting to exorcism. Clare's mother and stepfather meanwhile think it is OK to keep her cooped up in their house at one point and to enforce a reconcilliation between the warring parties. They refused to believe anything she says about what he had been doing to try to trick or force her to sell the castle and adjacent lands.
One good point to the book is that although there is eventually a male romantic lead, Neil, he and Clare at first dislike each other. He is an organiser for an environmental group who are trying to save Duncairn and its environs from the oil interest to whom Paul plans to sell the property. There is a minor subplot involving him and his current girlfriend who becomes very vindictive when she senses the attraction between Neil and Clare, and Neil does not play a major role nor does Clare constantly moon over him. This was a nice contrast to the 'Lady of Hay' where the romantic male lead was an awful character and the female lead loved him despite his constant abuse of her: co-dependency basically.
The main problem with the novel is that the modern day part is dragged out, well beyond the point where it should be resolved. There are various non-incidents to spice it up, such as a mini car crash where Clare has to be towed out of a field by an oblidging farmer. The lengths Paul goes to and the way in which his brothers and Archie just brush off what he is doing becomes increasingly unbelievable. Even when he runs off with a loaded gun, Archie does not report him to the police. Clare herself is a very pathetic character with little ability to resist what is happening to her and a passive onlooker to Isobel's story. She sometimes contributes to the situation where Paul's brothers gullibly believe she is a Satanist or witch and is quite ineffectual at times in expressing herself. I found her rather a frustrating character and much preferred Emma.
As with 'Lady of Hay' the story set in the past would have made a fairly decent historical romance novel in its own right, but presumably there was still the issue I noted in the review of that book where publishers were uncomfortable publishing straight historicals in their stubborn belief that there was no market for such. It is a powerful tale with great descriptions and a strong narrative drive involving the political struggles between England and Scotland, with the romance between Isobel and Robert set against that. A lot of great historical detail is worked into the narrative. The only mistake that stood out to me was the mention of napkins used on laps - as napkins were draped over the shoulder for the diner to wipe their fingers on during Tudor times I don't think they would have been used on laps in the 13th century. But the evocation of the lifestyle of the well off, the religious beliefs, the cruelty and barbarism of punishments and the position of women were all well evoked. As was the beauty but also starkness and coldness of the Scottish landscape especially in autumn and winter.
In conclusion, I liked this book more than I expected although the last hundred or so pages were quite a slog. I did guess the twist . I should point out that this book may upset anyone who doesn't like stories where animals, particularly dogs, meet a sad fate.
Given that this book is rather a mixed bag, with the historical material being far superior to the contemporary framework, it balances out for me as a 3 star read.
Clare is the bored wife of a rich banker, Paul, who has been insider dealing, has lost money without telling her and is becoming increasingly desperate to get his hands on Clare's property, her beloved castle in Scotland Duncairn (a castle which is fictional as made clear in the author's afterword). He lies to her about his own infertility, saying the doctor told him she was the one who can't have children. After being unable to contact the doctor she eventually gives up trying, which I found rather unconvincing given her later discoveries that he is a compulsive liar. I also thought the doctor was negligent given that she should surely have been offered counselling, but that of course would lead to her discovery of the truth which has to happen late in the novel.
Paul's machinations become more extreme as the modern day storyline progresses. Meanwhile the meditation which Clare has been learning from her teacher Zak leads her to tap into the past life of Isobel, a woman of the nobility in 13th century Scotland and a contemporary of Robert the Bruce. Clare's family have a connection to Isobel, and her deceased great aunt from whom she inherited Duncairn, also had visitations from her. Quite a bit of the past storyline is based on actual history although the author's note at the end does inform us that the romance between Isobel and the eventual Scottish king is based upon English slanders of the time (both parties were married to other people).
As the story progresses, Clare becomes increasingly overpowered by Isobel's need to show her the past. Meanwhile Paul uses her preoccupation to pretend to all and sundry that she is mad or possessed. His brothers - who include a vicar and a Member of Parliament - are so gullible that they go along with this. Paul pretends that Zak is the leader of a cult and his brothers are persuaded that yoga and meditation are evil and that people who practice them will be sucked in by mind controlling cults. As far as they are concerned, Clare is performing black magic and Satanic rites. They seem capable of believing - despite the contradiction - that she is mad and that spirits actually exist and have possessed her. I found all this rather hard to take seriously. If they had followed up various plans to take her to psychiatrists I thought they would be the ones who ended up under scrutiny.
Only the women in the family, Paul's sister Emma, and the vicar's wife Chloe, are doubtful and put up any kind of defence on her behalf. Clare's mother is too much of a doormat to stand up against Archie, her second husband, who dislikes step-daughter Clare for no apparent reason and thinks she needs sorting out by her husband. Parts of this storyline became quite risible with the vicar brother resorting to exorcism. Clare's mother and stepfather meanwhile think it is OK to keep her cooped up in their house at one point and to enforce a reconcilliation between the warring parties. They refused to believe anything she says about what he had been doing to try to trick or force her to sell the castle and adjacent lands.
One good point to the book is that although there is eventually a male romantic lead, Neil, he and Clare at first dislike each other. He is an organiser for an environmental group who are trying to save Duncairn and its environs from the oil interest to whom Paul plans to sell the property. There is a minor subplot involving him and his current girlfriend who becomes very vindictive when she senses the attraction between Neil and Clare, and Neil does not play a major role nor does Clare constantly moon over him. This was a nice contrast to the 'Lady of Hay' where the romantic male lead was an awful character and the female lead loved him despite his constant abuse of her: co-dependency basically.
The main problem with the novel is that the modern day part is dragged out, well beyond the point where it should be resolved. There are various non-incidents to spice it up, such as a mini car crash where Clare has to be towed out of a field by an oblidging farmer. The lengths Paul goes to and the way in which his brothers and Archie just brush off what he is doing becomes increasingly unbelievable. Even when he runs off with a loaded gun, Archie does not report him to the police. Clare herself is a very pathetic character with little ability to resist what is happening to her and a passive onlooker to Isobel's story. She sometimes contributes to the situation where Paul's brothers gullibly believe she is a Satanist or witch and is quite ineffectual at times in expressing herself. I found her rather a frustrating character and much preferred Emma.
As with 'Lady of Hay' the story set in the past would have made a fairly decent historical romance novel in its own right, but presumably there was still the issue I noted in the review of that book where publishers were uncomfortable publishing straight historicals in their stubborn belief that there was no market for such. It is a powerful tale with great descriptions and a strong narrative drive involving the political struggles between England and Scotland, with the romance between Isobel and Robert set against that. A lot of great historical detail is worked into the narrative. The only mistake that stood out to me was the mention of napkins used on laps - as napkins were draped over the shoulder for the diner to wipe their fingers on during Tudor times I don't think they would have been used on laps in the 13th century. But the evocation of the lifestyle of the well off, the religious beliefs, the cruelty and barbarism of punishments and the position of women were all well evoked. As was the beauty but also starkness and coldness of the Scottish landscape especially in autumn and winter.
In conclusion, I liked this book more than I expected although the last hundred or so pages were quite a slog. I did guess the twist . I should point out that this book may upset anyone who doesn't like stories where animals, particularly dogs, meet a sad fate.
Given that this book is rather a mixed bag, with the historical material being far superior to the contemporary framework, it balances out for me as a 3 star read.
November 4, 2021
This was one of my favorite books many, many years ago. Now I have reread it and just got plain frustrated with the main character. I sincerely hope women don't act or think like that anymore! But the historic story is great!
December 14, 2013
Female freedom fighters:
This is a typical Barbara Erskine novel which follows two female protagonists – one in modern England and the second a character from the past. ‘Kingdom of Shadows’ is a historic, romantic thriller that shifts from rich Clare Royland, to her Scottish roots and her 14th century ancestor, Isobel, the fiery and independent Countess of Buchanan. The journey of the two characters is thrilling and claustrophobic as each woman seeks freedom from their husbands, and, in Clare’s case, the nightmares.
The disintegration of Clare’s marriage and the distrust her friends and family show towards her makes the reader feel desperate towards her plight. The change that her husband undergoes and the irrational thinking is shocking and at every turn that Clare tries to escape, he has blocked her way. The reader knows the truth of what is happening and at times I felt like screaming at the characters and how they have all been beguiled by Paul Royland’s web of lies.
The parallels that emerge between Clare and Isobel as two women fighting for independence are fully solidified at the end of the novel. Whilst the central setting of Duncairn Castle brings the two women together and sets off the chain of events for Clare over inheritance and ownership, I found myself only truly exploring the connections between Clare and Isobel once I had finished the novel. I think this is an interesting way of taking the reader through the story and it is great that the story still plays on your mind once you have finished it
Whilst Erksine typically centralises her story on two women, I still found myself wondering what was happening to other important male characters. This was a little frustrating but readers have to place their trust in Erskine in the faith that they will find out the movements of Paul, Robert the Bruce and Isobel’s husband. This did not ruin my enjoyment of the story and, having read so many of Barbara Erskine’s novels, I knew that her central protagonists would reveal the subplots in their own time.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Yes, there are quite a few characters in 1306 Scotland and there is a lot of Scottish history running throughout, but this did not ruin my enjoyment. Do not feel you have to know your history in advance of reading this book and don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking up the stories once you have finished! I would recommend this if you do enjoy historical novels; it is such a thrilling read that even though it is nearly 800 pages long, the pace never slows for a moment.
This is a typical Barbara Erskine novel which follows two female protagonists – one in modern England and the second a character from the past. ‘Kingdom of Shadows’ is a historic, romantic thriller that shifts from rich Clare Royland, to her Scottish roots and her 14th century ancestor, Isobel, the fiery and independent Countess of Buchanan. The journey of the two characters is thrilling and claustrophobic as each woman seeks freedom from their husbands, and, in Clare’s case, the nightmares.
The disintegration of Clare’s marriage and the distrust her friends and family show towards her makes the reader feel desperate towards her plight. The change that her husband undergoes and the irrational thinking is shocking and at every turn that Clare tries to escape, he has blocked her way. The reader knows the truth of what is happening and at times I felt like screaming at the characters and how they have all been beguiled by Paul Royland’s web of lies.
The parallels that emerge between Clare and Isobel as two women fighting for independence are fully solidified at the end of the novel. Whilst the central setting of Duncairn Castle brings the two women together and sets off the chain of events for Clare over inheritance and ownership, I found myself only truly exploring the connections between Clare and Isobel once I had finished the novel. I think this is an interesting way of taking the reader through the story and it is great that the story still plays on your mind once you have finished it
Whilst Erksine typically centralises her story on two women, I still found myself wondering what was happening to other important male characters. This was a little frustrating but readers have to place their trust in Erskine in the faith that they will find out the movements of Paul, Robert the Bruce and Isobel’s husband. This did not ruin my enjoyment of the story and, having read so many of Barbara Erskine’s novels, I knew that her central protagonists would reveal the subplots in their own time.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Yes, there are quite a few characters in 1306 Scotland and there is a lot of Scottish history running throughout, but this did not ruin my enjoyment. Do not feel you have to know your history in advance of reading this book and don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking up the stories once you have finished! I would recommend this if you do enjoy historical novels; it is such a thrilling read that even though it is nearly 800 pages long, the pace never slows for a moment.
November 24, 2021
It wasn't a terrible read but the downfall for me was it was way to long. 800 + pages. If it's been shorter and more fast paced I might have enjoyed it a little more. I'm happy I read it though, something about badly batterd romanceish romances I find in second hands or similar just make me fuzzy and warm. Especially if they are a little older. It was an okay read overall, interesting enough to keep reading but as I said before it was a tad to long
June 14, 2015
Last week saw commemorations in Scotland for the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, which witnessed the defeat of the forces of the English King, Edward II by the army of the Scottish King, Robert the Bruce, in 1314. This battle for Scottish independence was the culmination of a long fight which had started during the reign of Edward I, who ever after is known by the sobriquet the ‘Hammer of the Scots’ and made infamous for his brutal execution of the noble warrior, William Wallace.
Kingdom of Shadows takes the story of the tragic Isobel of Buchan whose support of Robert the Bruce put her in defiance of both her husband and the English King. The disaster of her life is well documented, although perhaps the reason behind her actions is less known. What Barbara Erskine has done is to add flesh to the story and has produced an unforgettable heroine and a tragedy of epic proportions.
The time slip story, which uses as its focus the C20 story of Claire Royland and her fiercely ambitious husband, mirrors that of Isobel, who trapped in the C13 uses Claire as the medium through which her story is told. The transition between time frames is seamless and whilst for me the C13 story became more compelling, there is no doubt that the situation which develops between Claire and her husband, is no less forceful as the conflict between Isobel and her husband.
The novel was originally published in 1988, and I remember reading Kingdom of Shadows for the first time in the early 1990s. The story is beautifully told, rich in historic detail and alive with mystery and intrigue. Isobel’s final punishment by a malicious and ill favoured King is stark and brutal, and yet in the hands of this talented writer, Isobel’s human fragility, combined with her strength of spirit truly comes alive.
And as the final tragedy of the story is revealed, the mists of time shimmer and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as Isobel's ghostly figure tells you that for her the story is never finished and that as long as Kingdom of Shadows remains in print she will be heard time and time again.
Kingdom of Shadows takes the story of the tragic Isobel of Buchan whose support of Robert the Bruce put her in defiance of both her husband and the English King. The disaster of her life is well documented, although perhaps the reason behind her actions is less known. What Barbara Erskine has done is to add flesh to the story and has produced an unforgettable heroine and a tragedy of epic proportions.
The time slip story, which uses as its focus the C20 story of Claire Royland and her fiercely ambitious husband, mirrors that of Isobel, who trapped in the C13 uses Claire as the medium through which her story is told. The transition between time frames is seamless and whilst for me the C13 story became more compelling, there is no doubt that the situation which develops between Claire and her husband, is no less forceful as the conflict between Isobel and her husband.
The novel was originally published in 1988, and I remember reading Kingdom of Shadows for the first time in the early 1990s. The story is beautifully told, rich in historic detail and alive with mystery and intrigue. Isobel’s final punishment by a malicious and ill favoured King is stark and brutal, and yet in the hands of this talented writer, Isobel’s human fragility, combined with her strength of spirit truly comes alive.
And as the final tragedy of the story is revealed, the mists of time shimmer and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as Isobel's ghostly figure tells you that for her the story is never finished and that as long as Kingdom of Shadows remains in print she will be heard time and time again.
August 10, 2015
I literally only read half the book ("half" being the storyline from the past). The present-day storyline bored me to tears the last time I read it years ago, and I had no intention of slogging through that again.
August 6, 2016
I usually love Erskine's books, but in my opinion this is not her best novel. The part about Isobel was very interesting, but the part about Clare was way too far fetched and long-winded. The book would have been a lot better had it been 300 pages less long!
April 8, 2024
I found this similar to the author's "lady of Hay" story. The past, in this case, the story of Robert the Bruce and his lover Isobel, is juxtaposed against Clare Royland and her disintegrating marriage. The tie that binds the two women is Duncairn, which played a role in Bruce's fight to become king of Scotland, and which Clare's husband wants to sell to reap to money lost in the stock market.
I found the historical characters more interesting and believable than Clare and her husband, and cranked through these parts of the book.
Clare and her husband are at odds, and she takes up meditation to relax, and encounters Isobel who tries to warn her about Paul's machinations by showing her the men her life, Edward of England and the Bruce, who both use her in a chessgame of power.
Isobel is strong, decisive and passionate.
Clare is a trophy wife without a clue. And husband Paul starts out desperate but becomes a caricature of evil by the end. I found it hard getting through the modern sections.
It all tied up in the end, but I just couldn't warm up to Clare.
I found the historical characters more interesting and believable than Clare and her husband, and cranked through these parts of the book.
Clare and her husband are at odds, and she takes up meditation to relax, and encounters Isobel who tries to warn her about Paul's machinations by showing her the men her life, Edward of England and the Bruce, who both use her in a chessgame of power.
Isobel is strong, decisive and passionate.
Clare is a trophy wife without a clue. And husband Paul starts out desperate but becomes a caricature of evil by the end. I found it hard getting through the modern sections.
It all tied up in the end, but I just couldn't warm up to Clare.
July 6, 2009
Full Review:
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/07/ki...
Kingdom of Shadows captured my attention right from the start. The concept of two women's lives being intermingled even while one lives in present time and the other lives in the late 1200's - early 1300's was very intriguing.
Clare is our modern-day heroine. She has a family connection with Isobel. Through this connection, Clare can visualize, experience Isobel's life.
Isobel is a woman of importance. She is Lady Buchan and is said that she was the mistress of Robert the Bruce. History does tell that Isobel of Fife did go against her husband, she did crown Robert Bruce as King and she was captured. History also tells of how Isobel was imprisoned. What history is unclear about is the love affair between Isobel and Robert Bruce. From what I have read via the internet and the book, A History of Scotland, I have decided that there probably was not a love affair between the two. However, Kingdom of Shadows was written from the perspective that there was a love between Isobel and Robert Bruce. This story is told through the "real" dreams that Clare has. It is told through Clare's connection with Isobel.
While we read the story of Isobel we are also reading the life struggle of Clare as she tries to gain a solid base in her life. She was married young and has not had to ever rely on herself alone. Clare is very much manipulated by her husband. When, finally, Clare does take a stand against her husband, Paul then turns dirty, mean and malicious towards his wife.
Overall, Kingdom of Shadows is a good historical fiction read as the other historical aspects, from what I can gather, are correct. This time in Scotland was very much laden with turmoil.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/07/ki...
Kingdom of Shadows captured my attention right from the start. The concept of two women's lives being intermingled even while one lives in present time and the other lives in the late 1200's - early 1300's was very intriguing.
Clare is our modern-day heroine. She has a family connection with Isobel. Through this connection, Clare can visualize, experience Isobel's life.
Isobel is a woman of importance. She is Lady Buchan and is said that she was the mistress of Robert the Bruce. History does tell that Isobel of Fife did go against her husband, she did crown Robert Bruce as King and she was captured. History also tells of how Isobel was imprisoned. What history is unclear about is the love affair between Isobel and Robert Bruce. From what I have read via the internet and the book, A History of Scotland, I have decided that there probably was not a love affair between the two. However, Kingdom of Shadows was written from the perspective that there was a love between Isobel and Robert Bruce. This story is told through the "real" dreams that Clare has. It is told through Clare's connection with Isobel.
While we read the story of Isobel we are also reading the life struggle of Clare as she tries to gain a solid base in her life. She was married young and has not had to ever rely on herself alone. Clare is very much manipulated by her husband. When, finally, Clare does take a stand against her husband, Paul then turns dirty, mean and malicious towards his wife.
Overall, Kingdom of Shadows is a good historical fiction read as the other historical aspects, from what I can gather, are correct. This time in Scotland was very much laden with turmoil.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
November 12, 2021
I last read this book over 25 years ago, so although a few parts were reminiscent in my mind, on the whole it was a fairly new read.
Barbara Erskine doesn’t disappoint. Her books are so evocative and full of rich history in contrast to the time slip modern day; they just draw you in.
I wasn’t really a great fan of the main protagonist, Clare, as she seemed a bit pathetic at times; not speaking up and putting people straight when she should have and exaggerating her meditation experiences to sound very different and more alarming than they initially were, just to wind others up, defend herself and perhaps because she was just scared of how easily she was able to relive Isobel’s life in Scotland in the 14th century, but her desire to protect her ancestry hooked me and I particularly enjoyed going back to the Scottish era and her ancestress’s relationship with the infamous Robert the Bruce. The ending however I hadn’t forgotten and it remains a excellent description of some of the horrors of medieval times.
As one of Barbara Erskine’s earlier novels, this book is lengthy, but not overly so, and a very good read. I like a great big slab of a book and this certainly delivered. Very glad I returned to it again.
Barbara Erskine doesn’t disappoint. Her books are so evocative and full of rich history in contrast to the time slip modern day; they just draw you in.
I wasn’t really a great fan of the main protagonist, Clare, as she seemed a bit pathetic at times; not speaking up and putting people straight when she should have and exaggerating her meditation experiences to sound very different and more alarming than they initially were, just to wind others up, defend herself and perhaps because she was just scared of how easily she was able to relive Isobel’s life in Scotland in the 14th century, but her desire to protect her ancestry hooked me and I particularly enjoyed going back to the Scottish era and her ancestress’s relationship with the infamous Robert the Bruce. The ending however I hadn’t forgotten and it remains a excellent description of some of the horrors of medieval times.
As one of Barbara Erskine’s earlier novels, this book is lengthy, but not overly so, and a very good read. I like a great big slab of a book and this certainly delivered. Very glad I returned to it again.
July 23, 2023
Hated it. And it should also have trigger warnings…
I HATED this book. I mean really hated it. I have thoroughly enjoyed every Barbara Erskine novel I’ve read, but this one! Oh my God, it made me so so angry. I have never once DNF-ed a book before now but I had to abandon listening to this one at 74% before I flung my phone into the nearest body of water. It could have been so much shorter than it actually was - about 8 hours in my case. Everything just felt so drawn out and it dragged so much that I felt like there was a hell of a lot of unnecessary ’story’ within the story.
I hated the main characters. I hated the supporting characters, and I hated the relationships between between everyone. I hated all the tropes. God, I hated literally everything.
I should also mention that this book should come with some trigger warnings and had I known what content I was going be reading I probably would have hated it less. The relationship between the characters, Claire and Paul, were completely toxic and it disturbed me. Coercive control, abuse, manipulation, severe gaslighting, non-consensual sexual assault… the list goes on. So if you are thinking of reading this book, please consider the content you’ll be reading as it could have a massive effect on some readers.
I HATED this book. I mean really hated it. I have thoroughly enjoyed every Barbara Erskine novel I’ve read, but this one! Oh my God, it made me so so angry. I have never once DNF-ed a book before now but I had to abandon listening to this one at 74% before I flung my phone into the nearest body of water. It could have been so much shorter than it actually was - about 8 hours in my case. Everything just felt so drawn out and it dragged so much that I felt like there was a hell of a lot of unnecessary ’story’ within the story.
I hated the main characters. I hated the supporting characters, and I hated the relationships between between everyone. I hated all the tropes. God, I hated literally everything.
I should also mention that this book should come with some trigger warnings and had I known what content I was going be reading I probably would have hated it less. The relationship between the characters, Claire and Paul, were completely toxic and it disturbed me. Coercive control, abuse, manipulation, severe gaslighting, non-consensual sexual assault… the list goes on. So if you are thinking of reading this book, please consider the content you’ll be reading as it could have a massive effect on some readers.
August 31, 2013
This book is extremely well written and made me fall in love with the history of Scotland.Barbara Erskine's classic bestseller, the successor to Lady of Hay, at last available as a HarperCollins paperback.
In a childless and unhappy marriage, Clare Royland is rich and beautiful – but lonely. And fueling her feelings of isolation is a strange, growing fascination with an ancestress from the distant past. Troubled by haunting inexplicable dreams that terrify – but also powerfully compel – her, Clare is forced to look back through the centuries for answers.
In 1306, Scotland is at war. Isobel, Countess of Buchan, faces fear and the prospect of untimely death as the fighting surrounds her. But passionate and headstrong, her trials escalate when she is persecuted for her part in crowning Robert the Bruce, her lover.
Duncairn, Isobel's home and Clare's beloved heritage, becomes a battleground for passions that span the centuries. As husband Paul's recklessness threatens their security, Clare must fight to save Duncairn, and to save herself from the powers of Isobel
In a childless and unhappy marriage, Clare Royland is rich and beautiful – but lonely. And fueling her feelings of isolation is a strange, growing fascination with an ancestress from the distant past. Troubled by haunting inexplicable dreams that terrify – but also powerfully compel – her, Clare is forced to look back through the centuries for answers.
In 1306, Scotland is at war. Isobel, Countess of Buchan, faces fear and the prospect of untimely death as the fighting surrounds her. But passionate and headstrong, her trials escalate when she is persecuted for her part in crowning Robert the Bruce, her lover.
Duncairn, Isobel's home and Clare's beloved heritage, becomes a battleground for passions that span the centuries. As husband Paul's recklessness threatens their security, Clare must fight to save Duncairn, and to save herself from the powers of Isobel
November 14, 2008
This is my favorite Barbara Erskine novel.
"Lady of Hay" continues in "Child of the Phoenix". "Child of the Phoenix" goes on in "Kingdom of Shadows". But each book is independent. If people liked the first two books, they will want to read this one as well, but I think this third part is a lot better than the first two.
"Lady of Hay" continues in "Child of the Phoenix". "Child of the Phoenix" goes on in "Kingdom of Shadows". But each book is independent. If people liked the first two books, they will want to read this one as well, but I think this third part is a lot better than the first two.
August 29, 2014
I'm pretty sure I've read this one before, and must have enjoyed it to have kept in on my shelves. It is quite a gripping storyline but on a second read I found Clare particularly frustrating, why on earth would you stay with a man like that! An entertaining enough read but think its time for this one to move on and find new readers.
May 14, 2009
Very interesting. I liked it and I absolutely love the way Erskine describes the surroundings. Everything is alive. I think this was the third book of Erskine's that I read, and it kept me reading more of hers.
August 31, 2018
I reread this book every year again. And I always fall into the story! I feel with Isobel! See Robert De Bruce ride into battle, see the cages, hear the sea, feel the wind, smell the heather! It‘s a wonderful book!!
November 11, 2013
It was an enjoyable read, historical fiction with a lesson in Scotlands history. The only reason I couldn't give it five stars, it was too long. It got repetitive and I found myself skimming pages at some points.
September 15, 2019
This is Erskine’s second release, and although it hasn’t aged well it’s definitely more tolerable than her first book, as she manages to avoid rape storylines in her modern day setting. Despite that, I honestly can’t imagine her modern characters being as stupid as they are here, but there you go. I keep returning to Erskine because I’ve had great reading experiences with some of her later books. Unfortunately when she has to break free from stories based on factual events, it’s as if her imagination runs wild and she can’t help but sprinkle in lots of physical/mental abuse against her female characters.
As a Scottish person I was interested in the subject matter and as ever, Erskine’s descriptions of nature and the environment are second to none. That being said this book was at times infuriating and almost exhausting to get through.
As a Scottish person I was interested in the subject matter and as ever, Erskine’s descriptions of nature and the environment are second to none. That being said this book was at times infuriating and almost exhausting to get through.
September 11, 2012
I really enjoyed this book not least as I live in the area the book concentrates on and have many of the names featured in my own family so maybe its my own family history!!
It switches between 14C Scotland and the wars between England and Scotland and contempory Scotland where an ancestor of Countess Isobel relives her life through dreams and meditations. Although fictionalised the account of ancient Scotland reads well and is very believable. The modern day Clare can be very annoying at times and comes across as a spoilt little rich girl but its hard not to get involved in her story and will her to suceed.
I wasn't comfortable with her use of yoga and medication techniques to 'summon' Isobel but this story does show how dangerous they can be.
It switches between 14C Scotland and the wars between England and Scotland and contempory Scotland where an ancestor of Countess Isobel relives her life through dreams and meditations. Although fictionalised the account of ancient Scotland reads well and is very believable. The modern day Clare can be very annoying at times and comes across as a spoilt little rich girl but its hard not to get involved in her story and will her to suceed.
I wasn't comfortable with her use of yoga and medication techniques to 'summon' Isobel but this story does show how dangerous they can be.
August 1, 2013
I loved it. . . .up until three quarters of the way through and then the main protagonist just annoyed me! It seemed to be quite repetitive at this point. I wished it had ended 300 pages sooner as same mistakes were being made, silly mistakes and it became a farce.However, saying that, I loved the historical story and how it weaved into the present day. I loved the description and how it made me feel; it is a page turner. So based on that, I have given it 4 stars as it is worth a read and is a lovely piece of escapism and, if you can get by her annoying decision making, then you'll love it. I am now going to attempt another one by this author and see if the heroine isn't so flim-flammy as this one. x
January 26, 2016
Barbara Erskine never fails to deliver an exciting historical fiction even though she uses a set formula of a modern day woman who connects with a woman in the past who is caught in a dangerous web.
In this one modern day Clare connects with Scottish Isobel Buchan who has raised the ire of Edward I by participating in the crowning of Robert Bruce.
I really regret that I didn't keep all my copies of Erskine's books. Who would have thought that such brilliant books would be impossible to find.
That is a review from when I read it in 1990. I'm not sure what I would feel like reading it now.
In this one modern day Clare connects with Scottish Isobel Buchan who has raised the ire of Edward I by participating in the crowning of Robert Bruce.
I really regret that I didn't keep all my copies of Erskine's books. Who would have thought that such brilliant books would be impossible to find.
That is a review from when I read it in 1990. I'm not sure what I would feel like reading it now.
May 6, 2021
This book was unputdownable! I have read it three times over the years and I still love it. The characters are so easy to 'see and feel' and I am with the main character from start to finish. Brilliantly moving between present day and 14th Century. A jolly good curl up book.
April 2021 Read the book again. Enjoyed it as always, but I did find that I was skipping bits as the attitude of the men and women of the eighties tends to grate on me now. Women are powerful, not humble servants who do what their husbands say!! So perhaps, this book hasn't aged well.
April 2021 Read the book again. Enjoyed it as always, but I did find that I was skipping bits as the attitude of the men and women of the eighties tends to grate on me now. Women are powerful, not humble servants who do what their husbands say!! So perhaps, this book hasn't aged well.
April 3, 2024
Okay, I lost a few nights’ sleep reading this historical romance thriller. I am embarrassed by my indulgence, but I haven’t wallowed in such stuff since I read my Mom’s Victoria Holt novels. Well, this was a lot more Anya Seton—more historical, more sex—not appealing sex, either, just spousal abuse and (the author tells us) passionate quickies with Robert the Bruce, on his rounds of women who seemingly can’t get enough of him. Clare is haunted by the family ghost, Isobel, who has visited her since childhood. Now, in her own marital crisis, Clare’s visits from Isobel are more urgent and troubling. Through Isobel, we get a long historical narrative (with good bits of fantasy and the timeline leading to Robert Carrick’s (the Bruce’s) unification of Scotland, from William Wallace’s early successes and final defeat at Falkirk, to Robert Bruce’s being crowned by his cousin, Isobel—of the ancient family who crowned the hereditary Scottish kings, and wife of the hated Earl of Buchan and sister in law to John Comyn (the other contender to the Scottish throne, whom he had previously murdered on sacred ground, causing some scandal and censure!)
This is romantic fiction, so Isobel is (of course) madly in love with her cousin, Robert Bruce (Earl of Carrick, now King of Scots, and prolific womanizer, as kings do when there’s a lull in the battles!) We follow The Bruce from his peace with old King Edward to his crowning, in skirmishes, defeat at Methven, his fleeing and exile, to his return and success at Bannockburn and Stirling Castle, until he unites reclaims the kingdom of Scotland during the reign of the younger King Edward. It is a familiar tale. This telling concerns the real Isobel Gordon, descendant of the Earl of Fife, Robert Carrick’s (King Robert) cousin, who is captured and imprisoned in a cage at Berwick Castle, for crowning him King of the Scots. In addition, Isobel meets her lover (one of history’s juicy rumors) in her fictional castle, Duncairne, once belonging to the (real) hated Earl of Buchan, her cruel and controlling Comyn spouse, a property inherited by Isobel and her heirs, after the Earl is roundly defeated and dies, during his campaign to overthrow the dashing King Robert (that part is true!)
This is a very long book! It takes a long time to tell Isobel’s history. The complex connection (haunting) with the Gordon women, including modern-day Clare and her Aunt Margaret, is laden with marital and family manipulation, trauma, and just the arrogance of thinking they all know what is wrong with the fey Clare—from needing exorcism to selling off her hereditary home, to having a baby, psychiatric care, or just a long vacation away from Scotland. Her family are all rather dreadful, weak, easily manipulated bullies, who are sure of their rightness and her wrongness, with the possible exception (sometimes—when not under the influence of others!) of her sister-in-law, Emma. Clare is annoyingly compliant and having nobody to trust, she provokes the dreadful family’s fears and worries.
Of course, the thriller part of the story is Clare’s malignant, narcissistic, grasping, lying, cowardly, sniveling, controlling husband, who has painted a dark portrait of her, conspiring with his mostly-horrid (or gullible and dangerous) brothers, and Clare’s family, who have always thought she was odd and mostly annoying, ready to believe the worst about her. The family are quick to accept the disgusting Paul’s devious plot to control Clare and sell her inheritance to bail him out of the consequences of his financial crimes and mismanagement of his own (lost) fortune. They all take him at his own completely false value —such a good husband, so concerned, so nice! He is willing to do anything to avoid his own shame at being infertile (he blames his wife,) of being fired from his cushy finance job, being charged with insider trading, the humiliation of discovery, loss of reputation, and finally, threatened with divorce by Clare, and replaced by another man. He really is hateful and plots to cage Clare, mirroring Isobel’s caging and controlling by a brutal and vindictive spouse. The modern Paul reflects that he knew just how to control Clare, by using both their families’ fears of scandal, endangering the family fortune, and appealing to their hieratic religious superstitions, to bring Clare to heel and have her declared incompetent so he can take over by any means necessary.
It is actually a pretty complicated story to tell, as I think more about it. The characters are moneyed, arrogant, and a lot of Clare’s problems stem from the fact that both families don’t communicate much at all. They live lives protected by money and privacy and are content with believing that everything is exactly as they want it to be, so they seem to all have terrible judgment, based on disinterest in anything that may trouble their complacency. Clare and her ghosts are a problem to be ignored, exorcised medicated, or hidden away. They all need to learn to listen and ask more questions—of each other and of their ghosts! I’ve talked myself into giving the indulgent potboiler another star. The romance stuff still seems cringy, but maybe that’s how the wealthy get shocked into into any clarity (pun intended!) of insight or feeling, protected as they are from everything except loneliness and idleness? Mostly, this book was an exciting yarn that I couldn’t put down, with enough history, deplorable characters, a couple of distressed females to hope will eventually survive and learn something from their ordeals, and a lot of lovely descriptions of the fierce and fine atmosphere of Scotland. It feels like it could be a terrific Netflix series!
This is romantic fiction, so Isobel is (of course) madly in love with her cousin, Robert Bruce (Earl of Carrick, now King of Scots, and prolific womanizer, as kings do when there’s a lull in the battles!) We follow The Bruce from his peace with old King Edward to his crowning, in skirmishes, defeat at Methven, his fleeing and exile, to his return and success at Bannockburn and Stirling Castle, until he unites reclaims the kingdom of Scotland during the reign of the younger King Edward. It is a familiar tale. This telling concerns the real Isobel Gordon, descendant of the Earl of Fife, Robert Carrick’s (King Robert) cousin, who is captured and imprisoned in a cage at Berwick Castle, for crowning him King of the Scots. In addition, Isobel meets her lover (one of history’s juicy rumors) in her fictional castle, Duncairne, once belonging to the (real) hated Earl of Buchan, her cruel and controlling Comyn spouse, a property inherited by Isobel and her heirs, after the Earl is roundly defeated and dies, during his campaign to overthrow the dashing King Robert (that part is true!)
This is a very long book! It takes a long time to tell Isobel’s history. The complex connection (haunting) with the Gordon women, including modern-day Clare and her Aunt Margaret, is laden with marital and family manipulation, trauma, and just the arrogance of thinking they all know what is wrong with the fey Clare—from needing exorcism to selling off her hereditary home, to having a baby, psychiatric care, or just a long vacation away from Scotland. Her family are all rather dreadful, weak, easily manipulated bullies, who are sure of their rightness and her wrongness, with the possible exception (sometimes—when not under the influence of others!) of her sister-in-law, Emma. Clare is annoyingly compliant and having nobody to trust, she provokes the dreadful family’s fears and worries.
Of course, the thriller part of the story is Clare’s malignant, narcissistic, grasping, lying, cowardly, sniveling, controlling husband, who has painted a dark portrait of her, conspiring with his mostly-horrid (or gullible and dangerous) brothers, and Clare’s family, who have always thought she was odd and mostly annoying, ready to believe the worst about her. The family are quick to accept the disgusting Paul’s devious plot to control Clare and sell her inheritance to bail him out of the consequences of his financial crimes and mismanagement of his own (lost) fortune. They all take him at his own completely false value —such a good husband, so concerned, so nice! He is willing to do anything to avoid his own shame at being infertile (he blames his wife,) of being fired from his cushy finance job, being charged with insider trading, the humiliation of discovery, loss of reputation, and finally, threatened with divorce by Clare, and replaced by another man. He really is hateful and plots to cage Clare, mirroring Isobel’s caging and controlling by a brutal and vindictive spouse. The modern Paul reflects that he knew just how to control Clare, by using both their families’ fears of scandal, endangering the family fortune, and appealing to their hieratic religious superstitions, to bring Clare to heel and have her declared incompetent so he can take over by any means necessary.
It is actually a pretty complicated story to tell, as I think more about it. The characters are moneyed, arrogant, and a lot of Clare’s problems stem from the fact that both families don’t communicate much at all. They live lives protected by money and privacy and are content with believing that everything is exactly as they want it to be, so they seem to all have terrible judgment, based on disinterest in anything that may trouble their complacency. Clare and her ghosts are a problem to be ignored, exorcised medicated, or hidden away. They all need to learn to listen and ask more questions—of each other and of their ghosts! I’ve talked myself into giving the indulgent potboiler another star. The romance stuff still seems cringy, but maybe that’s how the wealthy get shocked into into any clarity (pun intended!) of insight or feeling, protected as they are from everything except loneliness and idleness? Mostly, this book was an exciting yarn that I couldn’t put down, with enough history, deplorable characters, a couple of distressed females to hope will eventually survive and learn something from their ordeals, and a lot of lovely descriptions of the fierce and fine atmosphere of Scotland. It feels like it could be a terrific Netflix series!
August 28, 2013
I am such an absolute fan of all Barbara Erskine's books. I have read all of them and am always waiting for her to release the new one!
I read this quite some time ago, and I can still remember that I loved it, she researches her settings & history so well, and has all the things I love in a book, History, Romance, and the all important spooky element. I will probably read it again at some point.
Highly recommended.
I read this quite some time ago, and I can still remember that I loved it, she researches her settings & history so well, and has all the things I love in a book, History, Romance, and the all important spooky element. I will probably read it again at some point.
Highly recommended.
August 10, 2013
I beyond loved this book. It was my first official grown up book that I ever read, so it will always have a place in my heart. I lost my original copy and have been looking to replace it, but it is not in print in the US or available in kindle edition.....yet! This is a must read for those that love Scottish history and time travel books.
Read
February 27, 2018Wow, what a story! Lots of twists and turns to keep you reading well into the night like I did many a night.
The two main story lines are enough to keep you going, and then the constant little side plots are refreshing little breathers to keep the stories rolling forward, did and did not see a few things that happened near the end, all in all a well written book.
The two main story lines are enough to keep you going, and then the constant little side plots are refreshing little breathers to keep the stories rolling forward, did and did not see a few things that happened near the end, all in all a well written book.
July 24, 2011
Just arrived from Germany.
3,5 stars.
Another time travel book by Barbara Erskine, telling the story of Clare Royland in 20th century and Isobel Buchan in the 14th century. I must agree with Misfit, Child of Phoenix is her best book so far. Hiding from the Light is still in my TBR.
3,5 stars.
Another time travel book by Barbara Erskine, telling the story of Clare Royland in 20th century and Isobel Buchan in the 14th century. I must agree with Misfit, Child of Phoenix is her best book so far. Hiding from the Light is still in my TBR.
October 29, 2010
Is a parallel time book between the time of Robert the Bruce and present day. Clare inherits a castle that belonged to Isobel who was a mistress of Robert the Bruce. Clare is able to channel Isobel and finds out about her past which relates to Clare's present situation.
August 23, 2007
Can't remember the details but any book by Barbara Erskine are worth the read!
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