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Alexander Seaton #2
A Game of Sorrows
It is 1628, and Alexander Seaton’s happily settled life as a university teacher in Aberdeen is shattered by the arrival in town of a stranger who looks like his twin and who carries a plea for help from Alexander’s dead mother’s family in Ireland. The family has been placed under a poet’s curse, threatening death to various members. Elements of the curse have already begun to play out. Reluctantly answering the call, Alexander leaves his home and his beloved Sarah and travels to Ulster, to find himself among a family torn apart by secrets and long-buried resentments.
In the course of seeking out the author of the curse, Alexander becomes deeply entangled in a conflict that involves fugitive priests, displaced poets, rebellious plotters and agents of the king. Confronted by murder within his family, he finds the lines between superstition and faith, duty and loyalty are becoming increasingly blurred, while his Scottish homeland grows ever more remote.
In the course of seeking out the author of the curse, Alexander becomes deeply entangled in a conflict that involves fugitive priests, displaced poets, rebellious plotters and agents of the king. Confronted by murder within his family, he finds the lines between superstition and faith, duty and loyalty are becoming increasingly blurred, while his Scottish homeland grows ever more remote.
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First published January 1, 2010
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About the author
Shona MacLean
6 books127 followersAka: S.G.MacLean
Biography:
I was born in Inverness and brought up in the Highlands where my parents were hoteliers. I went to school in Dingwall. I have an M.A. and Ph. D in History from the University of Aberdeen. I am maried with four children and currently living in Banff on the Moray coast.
About writer's work:
I write historical crime fiction, and am currently working on my third book featuring my fictional seventeenth-century academic, Alexander Seaton. The first book in the series, The Redemption of Alexander Seaton, was shortlisted for both the Saltire First Book of the Year Award (2008) and the Ellis Peters Award 2009).
Biography:
I was born in Inverness and brought up in the Highlands where my parents were hoteliers. I went to school in Dingwall. I have an M.A. and Ph. D in History from the University of Aberdeen. I am maried with four children and currently living in Banff on the Moray coast.
About writer's work:
I write historical crime fiction, and am currently working on my third book featuring my fictional seventeenth-century academic, Alexander Seaton. The first book in the series, The Redemption of Alexander Seaton, was shortlisted for both the Saltire First Book of the Year Award (2008) and the Ellis Peters Award 2009).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
February 6, 2021
This is the sequel to The Redemption of Alexander Seaton, which was shortlisted for the 2009 CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award. I would give Shona McLean full marks, not only for her supreme skill as a storyteller, but also for her research. Her characters spring fully alive from the page, because they are so completely people of their time, suffering from the appalling prejudices of their day. Alexander Seaton is a good man, courageous and moral, but he is so hidebound by his religious principles that he makes appalling mistakes.
The tale, set at the end of the first quarter of the 17th century, opens in Aberdeen, where Seaton is a teacher at a Presbyterian college. His great friends in Aberdeen are William Cargill and his wife, who have taken in Sarah Forbes, a victim of religious prejudice, who has been banished from Banff because she has an illegitimate son, the child of rape.
Seaton has been in love with Sarah for some time, but has been reluctant to propose to her because of his own prejudices. But as he is about to be sent to Germany on a mission to seek out new teachers for the college, he decides that he will ask her to marry him before he goes. He has not yet done so when he is accused of being involved in a drunken brawl in the town centre. He indignantly denies this, but then meets the real perpetrator, who he is astonished to discover is his double.
Seaton’s mother had fled Ireland before Seaton was born with his English father, and she never spoke about her family. Seaton’s new acquaintance, Sean Fitzgarrett, explains that he is Seaton’s cousin, and has come to Scotland because the family, who are related to the Irish nobility, need Seaton’s help as they have been cursed by a bard at the wedding of Sean’s sister Deirdre to one of the English merchants now settled in Ulster.
So compelling is Sean’s personality that Seaton eventually agrees to desert his job, his potential wife, and all his friends in Aberdeen, and go to Ireland on what he is sure is a fool’s errand. This is only the beginning of what is an enthralling story.
On arrival, Ulster lives up to all Seaton’s worst nightmares. His family, led by his appalling grandmother, Maeve, are as bad as he could possibly imagine. Of course, they are staunch Catholics, and Seaton regards them as idolators. Sean’s strange sister, Deirdre, has apparently married the Englishman purely to spite her grandmother. Seaton is plunged into a turmoil of warring Irish, Scots/English settlers whose loyalty is to King James, and worst of all to him the machinations of the Catholic church.
He is plunged into a series of terrifying adventures following the murder of Sean, for whom in spite of all he has come to have a deep affection. The plot is cunningly woven, and presents a dark picture of Ulster at one of its most turbulent periods, which sowed the seeds for all the troubles which were to come in the succeeding centuries.
A truly fine piece of writing, and not to be missed.
The tale, set at the end of the first quarter of the 17th century, opens in Aberdeen, where Seaton is a teacher at a Presbyterian college. His great friends in Aberdeen are William Cargill and his wife, who have taken in Sarah Forbes, a victim of religious prejudice, who has been banished from Banff because she has an illegitimate son, the child of rape.
Seaton has been in love with Sarah for some time, but has been reluctant to propose to her because of his own prejudices. But as he is about to be sent to Germany on a mission to seek out new teachers for the college, he decides that he will ask her to marry him before he goes. He has not yet done so when he is accused of being involved in a drunken brawl in the town centre. He indignantly denies this, but then meets the real perpetrator, who he is astonished to discover is his double.
Seaton’s mother had fled Ireland before Seaton was born with his English father, and she never spoke about her family. Seaton’s new acquaintance, Sean Fitzgarrett, explains that he is Seaton’s cousin, and has come to Scotland because the family, who are related to the Irish nobility, need Seaton’s help as they have been cursed by a bard at the wedding of Sean’s sister Deirdre to one of the English merchants now settled in Ulster.
So compelling is Sean’s personality that Seaton eventually agrees to desert his job, his potential wife, and all his friends in Aberdeen, and go to Ireland on what he is sure is a fool’s errand. This is only the beginning of what is an enthralling story.
On arrival, Ulster lives up to all Seaton’s worst nightmares. His family, led by his appalling grandmother, Maeve, are as bad as he could possibly imagine. Of course, they are staunch Catholics, and Seaton regards them as idolators. Sean’s strange sister, Deirdre, has apparently married the Englishman purely to spite her grandmother. Seaton is plunged into a turmoil of warring Irish, Scots/English settlers whose loyalty is to King James, and worst of all to him the machinations of the Catholic church.
He is plunged into a series of terrifying adventures following the murder of Sean, for whom in spite of all he has come to have a deep affection. The plot is cunningly woven, and presents a dark picture of Ulster at one of its most turbulent periods, which sowed the seeds for all the troubles which were to come in the succeeding centuries.
A truly fine piece of writing, and not to be missed.
July 7, 2010
First Sentence: The bride’s grandmother smiled: she could feel the discomfort of the groom’s family and it pleased her well.
It is disconcerting enough to be accused of less-then reputable actions you know you did not commit, but even more so when confronted by a man who could be your twin. Alexander Seaton, a reputable teacher at Marischal College in Aberdeen, has never known any family beyond his now-dead parents until now. Near-twin cousin Sean O’Neill is about to change all that with an entreaty for Alexander to come with him to Ireland. It seems his grandfather is dying and the entire O’Neill family is under a curse which only the proven existence of Alexander can break.
It is always frustrating when you absolutely love an author’s first book and are then disappointed in their second. Unfortunately, that was the case here.
In “The Redemption of Alexander Seaton,” I felt great empathy for the character and came to care about him. In this book, other than as the “voice” of the story, and the one to whom everything happens—how many times can one get hit on the head without major concussion or brain damage—we learn little about his internal makeup. Yes, it is interesting that he is such a fish-out-of-water character being an academic caught up in conflict, but he never really comes to life.
I’ve never been to Ireland, but I did love MacLean’s descriptions. She made me feel as though I were standing next to the characters, and wished I could be. I also felt she well conveyed the sense of Ireland as a land where faith and superstition walked hand-in-hand.
While I found the history fascinating and gained a better understanding of the conflict between the Catholics and Protestants, English and Irish, I felt MacLean became so caught up in the history, I somewhat forgot about the story. I was also interested to learn that a troupe of traveling players may have performed Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” in Ireland during this time.
The story was interesting but I found it difficult to keep track of all the characters and, because most of them were simply that, there were few about whom I really cared. I am, by no means, ready to give up on MacLean. I do hope, however, her next book focuses more on telling us a whopping good story.
A GAME OF SORROWS (Hist Mys-Alexander Seaton-Scotland/Ireland-1628) - Okay
MacLean, Shona – 2nd in series
Quercus, ©2010, UK Trade Paperback – ISBN: 9781849161527
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It is disconcerting enough to be accused of less-then reputable actions you know you did not commit, but even more so when confronted by a man who could be your twin. Alexander Seaton, a reputable teacher at Marischal College in Aberdeen, has never known any family beyond his now-dead parents until now. Near-twin cousin Sean O’Neill is about to change all that with an entreaty for Alexander to come with him to Ireland. It seems his grandfather is dying and the entire O’Neill family is under a curse which only the proven existence of Alexander can break.
It is always frustrating when you absolutely love an author’s first book and are then disappointed in their second. Unfortunately, that was the case here.
In “The Redemption of Alexander Seaton,” I felt great empathy for the character and came to care about him. In this book, other than as the “voice” of the story, and the one to whom everything happens—how many times can one get hit on the head without major concussion or brain damage—we learn little about his internal makeup. Yes, it is interesting that he is such a fish-out-of-water character being an academic caught up in conflict, but he never really comes to life.
I’ve never been to Ireland, but I did love MacLean’s descriptions. She made me feel as though I were standing next to the characters, and wished I could be. I also felt she well conveyed the sense of Ireland as a land where faith and superstition walked hand-in-hand.
While I found the history fascinating and gained a better understanding of the conflict between the Catholics and Protestants, English and Irish, I felt MacLean became so caught up in the history, I somewhat forgot about the story. I was also interested to learn that a troupe of traveling players may have performed Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” in Ireland during this time.
The story was interesting but I found it difficult to keep track of all the characters and, because most of them were simply that, there were few about whom I really cared. I am, by no means, ready to give up on MacLean. I do hope, however, her next book focuses more on telling us a whopping good story.
A GAME OF SORROWS (Hist Mys-Alexander Seaton-Scotland/Ireland-1628) - Okay
MacLean, Shona – 2nd in series
Quercus, ©2010, UK Trade Paperback – ISBN: 9781849161527
[image error]
October 22, 2023
I didn’t get on with the storyline!
July 11, 2022
A huge disappointment after an excellent first book. Hope it´s just the second book slump.
March 27, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
In this work of historical fiction, author Shona MacLean brings to life the tensions of the various cultures inhabiting Ulster in early 17th century Ireland - native Irish, Old English, New English, and Scots. Alexander Seaton, for the past two years a university teacher in Aberdeen, has a visit from a previously unknown to him Irish cousin, Sean O’Neill. O’Neill compels Seaton to travel immediately to Ulster to aid his maternal family who are in the thick of the fomenting Irish rebellion against the English. In Ireland, Seaton experiences treachery, intrigue, murder, misadventures, imprisonment, and hair-raising escapes as he tries both to help his new-found family members and figure out whom he can trust.
Although MacLean brings her excellent writing and research skills to this complex storyline, I was a little disappointed in this second in the Seaton series. She brings everything to a successful conclusion, but through most of the book I struggled to understand the motivations of the various competing factions, even those who actually were who they said they were. I hope the next installment finds Seaton back in Scotland solving crimes as in the very successful first book, The Redemption of Alexander Seaton.
In this work of historical fiction, author Shona MacLean brings to life the tensions of the various cultures inhabiting Ulster in early 17th century Ireland - native Irish, Old English, New English, and Scots. Alexander Seaton, for the past two years a university teacher in Aberdeen, has a visit from a previously unknown to him Irish cousin, Sean O’Neill. O’Neill compels Seaton to travel immediately to Ulster to aid his maternal family who are in the thick of the fomenting Irish rebellion against the English. In Ireland, Seaton experiences treachery, intrigue, murder, misadventures, imprisonment, and hair-raising escapes as he tries both to help his new-found family members and figure out whom he can trust.
Although MacLean brings her excellent writing and research skills to this complex storyline, I was a little disappointed in this second in the Seaton series. She brings everything to a successful conclusion, but through most of the book I struggled to understand the motivations of the various competing factions, even those who actually were who they said they were. I hope the next installment finds Seaton back in Scotland solving crimes as in the very successful first book, The Redemption of Alexander Seaton.
January 12, 2019
This thrilling book is the 2nd volume of the Alexander Seaton series from the Scottish female author, Shona MacLean.
Firstly I like to mention that at the beginning of the book you'll notice a hostile comment about the Irish and Ireland by Fynes Moryson in 1617.
Furthermore you'll find two well-drawn maps of Ulster 1628, the main area where this story is situated, as well as a very well documented Historical background concerning this tale, while at the end of the book you'll see explained some extracts and quotations.
Once again I have to say that story-telling by this author is of a top-notch quality, the characters come all wonderfully to life within this intriguing murder mystery, and the historical details concerning this period of history in Ulster are extremely well implemented in this story.
The book starts off with a truly exciting prologue, which is set in Coleraine, Ulster, July AD 1628, where the bard (poet) Finn O'Rahilly is delivering his poem to Maeve O'Neill, the mother of the bride Deirdre, but because of the thread of the poem, what Maeve feels is being totally shattered by it.
The main story starts off with Alexander Seaton on his way to the house of his friend, William Cargill, to propose to Sarah Forbes, but due to unexplainable events things turn very differently for him, and when he comes back to his living quarters at the college of Aberdeen, he finds in his room his spitting image in the form of his cousin, Sean O'Neill FitzGarrett and his servant Eachan, where Sean begs Alexander to come with him to Ulster to lift the curse for his grandmother Maeve O'Neill, who's the mother of Alexander's mother, Grainne, by making a visit to the bard Finn O'Rahilly.
While being a guest at his grandmother's house in Carrickfergus, Ulster, Alexander Seaton, together with Andrew Boyd, finally sets out for his quest to find this man Finn O'Rahilly, in an Ulster full of superstition, religious quarrels and where families are settling scores between each other, and in the meantime while he's away his cousin, Sean O'Neill, is murdered and brought home by Eachan.
In this murky Ulster world Alexander Seaton will engage a lot of opposition in his endeavour to get to the truth of this mystery, and after quite a few twists and turns, and after some dangerous encounters he will finally get to the bottom of it all in an intriguing and exciting fashion, and all because of an attempt to take his life he will be able to reveal the culprit of the murder of Sean O'Neill.
What is also beautifully pictured in this fantastic mystery is an amazing truthful reflection into the troubles between the Irish, the Old English, New English and Scots, not only their beliefs and religions, but also how the Irish are exploited and degraded in their own land by the British, and some of these troubles, especially religion and belief, are still existing until this day and probably will be in days to come in that part of (Northern) Ireland.
Highly recommended, for this is in my opinion a sublime sequel, and one that I would like to call as: "A Fabulous Historical Sorrowful Mystery"!
Firstly I like to mention that at the beginning of the book you'll notice a hostile comment about the Irish and Ireland by Fynes Moryson in 1617.
Furthermore you'll find two well-drawn maps of Ulster 1628, the main area where this story is situated, as well as a very well documented Historical background concerning this tale, while at the end of the book you'll see explained some extracts and quotations.
Once again I have to say that story-telling by this author is of a top-notch quality, the characters come all wonderfully to life within this intriguing murder mystery, and the historical details concerning this period of history in Ulster are extremely well implemented in this story.
The book starts off with a truly exciting prologue, which is set in Coleraine, Ulster, July AD 1628, where the bard (poet) Finn O'Rahilly is delivering his poem to Maeve O'Neill, the mother of the bride Deirdre, but because of the thread of the poem, what Maeve feels is being totally shattered by it.
The main story starts off with Alexander Seaton on his way to the house of his friend, William Cargill, to propose to Sarah Forbes, but due to unexplainable events things turn very differently for him, and when he comes back to his living quarters at the college of Aberdeen, he finds in his room his spitting image in the form of his cousin, Sean O'Neill FitzGarrett and his servant Eachan, where Sean begs Alexander to come with him to Ulster to lift the curse for his grandmother Maeve O'Neill, who's the mother of Alexander's mother, Grainne, by making a visit to the bard Finn O'Rahilly.
While being a guest at his grandmother's house in Carrickfergus, Ulster, Alexander Seaton, together with Andrew Boyd, finally sets out for his quest to find this man Finn O'Rahilly, in an Ulster full of superstition, religious quarrels and where families are settling scores between each other, and in the meantime while he's away his cousin, Sean O'Neill, is murdered and brought home by Eachan.
In this murky Ulster world Alexander Seaton will engage a lot of opposition in his endeavour to get to the truth of this mystery, and after quite a few twists and turns, and after some dangerous encounters he will finally get to the bottom of it all in an intriguing and exciting fashion, and all because of an attempt to take his life he will be able to reveal the culprit of the murder of Sean O'Neill.
What is also beautifully pictured in this fantastic mystery is an amazing truthful reflection into the troubles between the Irish, the Old English, New English and Scots, not only their beliefs and religions, but also how the Irish are exploited and degraded in their own land by the British, and some of these troubles, especially religion and belief, are still existing until this day and probably will be in days to come in that part of (Northern) Ireland.
Highly recommended, for this is in my opinion a sublime sequel, and one that I would like to call as: "A Fabulous Historical Sorrowful Mystery"!
Read
June 27, 2021Although I enjoyed the 3rd in this series I put this aside after 80 pages. Too many characters, too much background , it bored me. Enough said.
January 26, 2018
The atmosphere created made me feel like I was right there standing next to the characteres, seeing what they laid eyes on, smelling what they smell (which isn't always pleasant given the setting), listening to the different voices and languages - I really enjoyed it. Especially since it brought a period of history to my attention I did not know so much about and I'm much looking forward to learn more now.
January 18, 2013
Oh dear. I read the first book - the Redemption of Alexander Seaton and found it mildly interesting, but not enthralling. And then read the blurb for the second. Ireland in 1628 - and by co-incidence, was studying the same period at uni. Events leading up to the 1641 uprising. So - lulled by MacLean's academic credentials, thought it might be a little light relief from my academic studies.
And what a disappointment. OK - I had no problems with the historical background. So what was left was a totally confusing romantic chase around Ireland - with monks and rebels and female cousins and vengeful grandmothers. Oh - it is so boring - and could have been written in any historical background! Sorry - whether or not MacLean is a meaningful academic writer - I have no idea. But as a writer of fiction - no way. As for Seaton, I am left with absolutely no interest as to whether he gets back to Scotland and marries his servant. This is my second try at the Seaton and definitely my last.
And what a disappointment. OK - I had no problems with the historical background. So what was left was a totally confusing romantic chase around Ireland - with monks and rebels and female cousins and vengeful grandmothers. Oh - it is so boring - and could have been written in any historical background! Sorry - whether or not MacLean is a meaningful academic writer - I have no idea. But as a writer of fiction - no way. As for Seaton, I am left with absolutely no interest as to whether he gets back to Scotland and marries his servant. This is my second try at the Seaton and definitely my last.
July 7, 2013
Audiobook read by David Monteith.
Second book of a trilogy about Alexander Seaton.
In this book Alexander goes to Ulster to help his mother's family. His grandmother fears the threat of a curse, caused by her own marriage and then her daughters' marriages which seem a betrayal of the Irish. A vicious woman who is tied up in her Irish roots, she will do anything to promote the cause.
This period with English Planters brought over to colonise Ulster is a little known period, and explains much of the later hostilities in Ireland. It takes place almost 400 years ago, during the Stuart period. It is sad that some memories should last so long.
Listening to the introduction I thought that it did not sound particularly interesting, but I misjudged it.
Second book of a trilogy about Alexander Seaton.
In this book Alexander goes to Ulster to help his mother's family. His grandmother fears the threat of a curse, caused by her own marriage and then her daughters' marriages which seem a betrayal of the Irish. A vicious woman who is tied up in her Irish roots, she will do anything to promote the cause.
This period with English Planters brought over to colonise Ulster is a little known period, and explains much of the later hostilities in Ireland. It takes place almost 400 years ago, during the Stuart period. It is sad that some memories should last so long.
Listening to the introduction I thought that it did not sound particularly interesting, but I misjudged it.
June 12, 2024
I've read and enjoyed quite a few of Shona MacLean's novels. I started with the 'Seeker' series which I believe was written after this one and then moved on to her Alexander Seaton series, which is set in 17th century.
Alexander Seaton is an academic working in a college in Aberdeen. His mother was Irish, but he knows almost nothing about his/her wider family. One evening he returns to his rooms to find a stranger facing him who could be his double. His name is Sean O'Neill who introduces himself as Alexander's cousin. He has come from Ireland to implore Alexander to travel back with him to help save his family, which has been placed under a curse - one by one they will die. His family believe Alexander is immune from the curse because his existence was almost unknown.
Of course, Alexander rises to the challenge and gets involved in an adventure which entangles Irish politics, history, religion, superstition and legend.
This is a very powerful and well written book, though I found it to be a little hard to get into. Once past the first 100 pages I was absolutely engrossed.
In my opinion, this is by far Shona MacLean's best book. Highly recommended.
Alexander Seaton is an academic working in a college in Aberdeen. His mother was Irish, but he knows almost nothing about his/her wider family. One evening he returns to his rooms to find a stranger facing him who could be his double. His name is Sean O'Neill who introduces himself as Alexander's cousin. He has come from Ireland to implore Alexander to travel back with him to help save his family, which has been placed under a curse - one by one they will die. His family believe Alexander is immune from the curse because his existence was almost unknown.
Of course, Alexander rises to the challenge and gets involved in an adventure which entangles Irish politics, history, religion, superstition and legend.
This is a very powerful and well written book, though I found it to be a little hard to get into. Once past the first 100 pages I was absolutely engrossed.
In my opinion, this is by far Shona MacLean's best book. Highly recommended.
June 22, 2023
A history lesson on the distant origins of the Troubles in Northern Ireland poorly disguised as a novel. Gave up at the halfway point. I'd rather read a history book.
March 13, 2020
The year is 1628 and Alexander Seaton is in Carrickfergus where he becomes embroiled in the threat of rebellion and political intrigues which envelop Plantation Ulster.
This is the book I want to write, I absolutely loved it.
This is the book I want to write, I absolutely loved it.
October 9, 2023
While the historical features of this novel were fascinating, this is the least successful of the author’s otherwise top notch literary outputs.
April 10, 2015
I loved the first book "The Redemption of Alexander Seaton", a real page-turner, and expected this one to provoke a similar effect. It sort of did, but not for the first 100 pages. It's obvious that Shona MacLean knows her subject well, however I have always believed that part of an author's skill is knowing what not to include and sadly, the first 100 pages was full of awkward info dumps. Keep going though, because when the story starts to take off it becomes a gripping tale of political intrigue. For the first 100 pages I would give it 1 or 2 stars, but from thereafter it is easily a 4 star read and I found myself submerged in a beautiful land, 17th century Ireland, and its diverse people.
December 15, 2012
Beautiful book. It is a bit long and I do understand the criticism of some readers you loose track of all the names and characters, the longness of some story parts, but what wins is the beauty of the story, the atmosphere created, the interesting history, the poetic language, so I really enjoyed this story, although halfway though I also lost interest a bit for a moment. The last part say 150 pages when I could only read a few pages almost every day I really enjoyed. Knowing the book was waiting for me for if only 2 pages before sleep. Time lacks me at the moment to read....unfortunately. I like this writer and I hope a new book will follow soon about Alexander Seaton.
June 28, 2021
I am rather impressed by this author as far as historical details, plots and atmospheric descriptions are concerned.
The second book inthe Alexander Seaton series is as good as the first one! A complex plot takes Alexander to Ireland where his mother comes from. A curse has been thrown over his family (whom he does not know) and his cousin needs his help.... The author gives a fascinating portrait of Ireland of the times and its inhabitants: The natives, the Irish, the Old English who have lived there for years and the New English.... I learned a lot about Irish history, religion, superstitions and politics in which Alexander is entangled! A brilliant book!
The second book inthe Alexander Seaton series is as good as the first one! A complex plot takes Alexander to Ireland where his mother comes from. A curse has been thrown over his family (whom he does not know) and his cousin needs his help.... The author gives a fascinating portrait of Ireland of the times and its inhabitants: The natives, the Irish, the Old English who have lived there for years and the New English.... I learned a lot about Irish history, religion, superstitions and politics in which Alexander is entangled! A brilliant book!
December 13, 2021
This second in the Alexander Seaton series sees Alexander travelling, at the behest of his cousin, Sean, to Ulster, where he is engaged to overturn a poet’s curse on his maternal family, the O’Neills. But 17th century Ulster is a hotbed of divided loyalties and political intrigues, and Alexander soon comes to realise that the task he has been set might lead to his own demise. As with book one, Maclean masterfully invokes the history and tensions of the period in a breathless tale of adventure and misadventure. If you love historical fiction, then you MUST read this series! Highly recommended.
December 12, 2022
The best historical fiction teaches us something and this one teaches a lot, in the best of ways. Contrary to some, I found this to be every bit as good as the first thing n the series. Yes, you had to think Alexander a bit crazy to go traipsing off on another journey that really had little to nothing to do with him, but then, he was always curious about his mothers family, and he is loyal to a fault. So off we go to Ireland in the 17th century, ravaged by colonization and brutality, entrenched in superstition and enmeshed in centuries old family squabbles. I spent this entire cloudy day curled up and reading this. It’s truly pretty darn great.
July 3, 2020
This is the second book by this author that I have read and it did not disappoint.
I love this character & his friends which go to making this book so great. However, to be I introduced to his previously Irish famil & their history was indeed inspirational.
Thank you so much, I have now started book number 3. Can't wait.
I love this character & his friends which go to making this book so great. However, to be I introduced to his previously Irish famil & their history was indeed inspirational.
Thank you so much, I have now started book number 3. Can't wait.
January 29, 2011
Only reading this to humour a friend... why do I do this. Rubbish, mostly.
EDIT: I did make it to the end, and added an extra star for a (ridiculous) story that kind of held my attention, and some pretty decent history behind it. But as a novel or mystery, pfft.
EDIT: I did make it to the end, and added an extra star for a (ridiculous) story that kind of held my attention, and some pretty decent history behind it. But as a novel or mystery, pfft.
January 22, 2012
brilliant story kept me hooked, shame work stopped me reading it in one go.
January 7, 2013
Thought I would enjoy this much more than I did.
October 9, 2019
We return to Alexander Seaton, two years on, regent at Marishal College in Aberdeen. It is now 1628, Sarah has settled in with William & Elizabeth, and is just about to muster up the courage to ask for Sarah's hand. The head of college has also tasked him to go to the Baltic to recruit three new theology students to study in Aberdeen.
On the eve of travel, Alexander goes to Williams house for a farewell dinner, only to be met with a frosty reception from Sarah & Elizabeth. It later transpires from William that Alexander has been spotted the previous evening drunkenly carousing with an acquaintance and thrown out of taverns on the outskirts of Aberdeen the night before. Alexander pleads innocence of this and says he was studying quietly the night before. On returning to his room at the college, he is confronted by two visitors waiting for him. One of them is almost his double. It turns out to be his cousin Sean from Ulster,his mothers family that he has never known.
Sean convinces him to return with him to Carrickfergus, as his presence may help to lift a curse placed upon the family. What follows is a discovery of his own roots set in an Ulster still fresh from war, three factions, the Irish attempting to preserve their religion, history and way of life, the old English Norman settlers who have assimilated with the Irish, but still seen as a breed apart and the new interlopers, the protestant Scots and English of the plantations.
Another superb installment from Shona MacLean
On the eve of travel, Alexander goes to Williams house for a farewell dinner, only to be met with a frosty reception from Sarah & Elizabeth. It later transpires from William that Alexander has been spotted the previous evening drunkenly carousing with an acquaintance and thrown out of taverns on the outskirts of Aberdeen the night before. Alexander pleads innocence of this and says he was studying quietly the night before. On returning to his room at the college, he is confronted by two visitors waiting for him. One of them is almost his double. It turns out to be his cousin Sean from Ulster,his mothers family that he has never known.
Sean convinces him to return with him to Carrickfergus, as his presence may help to lift a curse placed upon the family. What follows is a discovery of his own roots set in an Ulster still fresh from war, three factions, the Irish attempting to preserve their religion, history and way of life, the old English Norman settlers who have assimilated with the Irish, but still seen as a breed apart and the new interlopers, the protestant Scots and English of the plantations.
Another superb installment from Shona MacLean
July 1, 2022
My paperback copy has the cover shown against the kindle and ebook version but never mind. After the ending of the first book I thought I knew where this book was going to be set. Largely, very largely I was wrong as Alexander disappears off to Ulster.
So we have the adventures of a staunchly protestant Scot in a largely roman catholic Ulster in the early years of the reign of Charles I. You can guess, I suspect, the tensions engendered by the policy of English plantations in Ulster, against the wishes of the Irish.
This is a beautifully written book, for me that some of the plotting came across as a little black and white and that there was a spot of stereotyping with some of the characters. But it's a book that takes you from one page to another, from one chapter to another. It's not a book you want to put down and stop reading.
You can get away without reading the first book in the series but why would you want to, when the writing is so good?
So we have the adventures of a staunchly protestant Scot in a largely roman catholic Ulster in the early years of the reign of Charles I. You can guess, I suspect, the tensions engendered by the policy of English plantations in Ulster, against the wishes of the Irish.
This is a beautifully written book, for me that some of the plotting came across as a little black and white and that there was a spot of stereotyping with some of the characters. But it's a book that takes you from one page to another, from one chapter to another. It's not a book you want to put down and stop reading.
You can get away without reading the first book in the series but why would you want to, when the writing is so good?
May 9, 2020
An enjoyable book, and a good continuation of Macleans first novel.
One of the things I adored about ‘The Redemption of Alexander Seaton’ was the NE Scotland setting. Having lived in Moray for three years, it was fantastic to dive into an area I know and love - so it was slightly disappointing to discover that I would be spending a week instead immersed in NI. However, learning more about the history of those counties more than compensated.
I did at times find some of the decision making of Alexander frustrating - why did he travel to NI which such little notice? Why didn’t he throw a rebellion to the authorities himself? Why did he sleep with R? (Naturally that one will come up in future novels I’m sure when he is presented with his offspring!).
Overall, an enjoyable book - not quite as good as the first in the series, but promising for the rest.
One of the things I adored about ‘The Redemption of Alexander Seaton’ was the NE Scotland setting. Having lived in Moray for three years, it was fantastic to dive into an area I know and love - so it was slightly disappointing to discover that I would be spending a week instead immersed in NI. However, learning more about the history of those counties more than compensated.
I did at times find some of the decision making of Alexander frustrating - why did he travel to NI which such little notice? Why didn’t he throw a rebellion to the authorities himself? Why did he sleep with R? (Naturally that one will come up in future novels I’m sure when he is presented with his offspring!).
Overall, an enjoyable book - not quite as good as the first in the series, but promising for the rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2020
Another cracking read from Shona MacLean. Having read all of her Damian Seeker books (so far), I've turned to her earlier Alexander Seaton series. The first one ('The Redemption of Alexander Seaton') was brilliant. This is the second one. I have to say that it's definitely not as good as the first, but when I say that it's the least good S.G. MacLean book that I've read, that isn't much of a criticism, given how excellent her books are.
As always, the characters are complex and believable (and in Alexander's case, very relatable and endearing, if occasionally frustrating). The plot is twisty and unpredictable. I found one major aspect of the plot to be really quite unbelievable but this didn't stop me enjoying it. Now I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series!
As always, the characters are complex and believable (and in Alexander's case, very relatable and endearing, if occasionally frustrating). The plot is twisty and unpredictable. I found one major aspect of the plot to be really quite unbelievable but this didn't stop me enjoying it. Now I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series!
November 13, 2021
I enjoyed the first novel. This one is worthy, and I learned a lot about the settlement of Ulster. However.
The characters are melodramatic as is the plot and the protagonist has no influence, he’s just buffeted around, like the ball in a pinball machine.
Sadly what unfolds, once they land in Ireland, is just unremitting gloom. Like a November that’s cloudy ever day. All I could hear in my head was the Scottish guy in Dad’s Army declaiming “we’re doomed, doomed!”
The shame is, the start carried me along. I feel a better novel would have arisen had the author continued with that storyline, rather than sweeping me on to a rocky Irish shoreline.
The characters are melodramatic as is the plot and the protagonist has no influence, he’s just buffeted around, like the ball in a pinball machine.
Sadly what unfolds, once they land in Ireland, is just unremitting gloom. Like a November that’s cloudy ever day. All I could hear in my head was the Scottish guy in Dad’s Army declaiming “we’re doomed, doomed!”
The shame is, the start carried me along. I feel a better novel would have arisen had the author continued with that storyline, rather than sweeping me on to a rocky Irish shoreline.
October 23, 2022
Curiosity and the call of Blood took Alexander Seaton for the first time to Ireland, his mother's country... following his almost look~alike twin cousin Sean O'Neill. Full of intrigue and deception... the worst of which, was perpetrated by his own obdurate and "proudly traditional" Grandmother. Seaton has been unknowingly manipulated and deceived, so that he did not know his head from his heels or whether he is coming or going like an optical illusion of all the senses. Murder and Ireland's bloody contentious past against oppression plus there was also religion added into the messy bloody mix. This would be Alex in Wonderland down the rabbit hole.
September 14, 2018
After reading the first book in this series I was settled in and ready to expect another slow-paced, yet compelling murder mystery romp, but after mooving the story over to Ireland, S.G Maclean switches this book into high gear. This super-charged Alexander Seaton book is barely recognisable from the first in the series and is extremely refreshing; I couldn't believe I was reading the same series after each twist was revealed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the rest in the series.
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