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Light of the Western Stars #2
Majesty's Rancho
Majestys Rancho [paperback] Zane grey [Oct 01, 1980] …
501 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1937
44 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Zane Grey
2,101 books592 followersPearl Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. As of June 2007, the Internet Movie Database credits Grey with 110 films, one TV episode, and a series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater based loosely on his novels and short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 4, 2016
I like Zane Grey. Yes, I know he wrote 'purple prose' and was not very accurate with his geographical details, but his stories are captivating and usually fun to read. So I was looking forward to Majesty's Rancho, one of many Grey titles I have not yet read.
Our hero Lance Sidway is in Hollywood with his horse Umpqua, who stars in cowboy movies (Lance will sometimes double as the cowboy star, but it is the horse who is the wage earner here). Lance and Umpqua are originally from Oregon but his sister needed an operation so they went to Hollywood, naturally. But Lance is tired of the movie business and decides to head on out of town for some new adventures. As he walks home thinking about this idea, he happens to pass by a college campus and fondly remembers his one year of higher education.
Then Madge/Majesty drives up. Fast. With a policeman chasing her. A group of students watch while the policeman taunts her, then the students get irate and start throwing fruit at him and his partner, and pretty soon a full-fledged riot is going on. But Lance sees the police officer trying to drag Madge out of the car and he goes up, punches the man in the gut, jumps in the car and yells Drive! So Madge does. Lance is smitten.....he has dated lots of beautiful women in Hollywood, but none as stunning as this one! However, he does not have the least idea who this girl is: a super-spoiled wealthy daughter of a man who owns a large ranch in Arizona. Madge is a 'type' that it
seemed Grey did not approve of: college girl, wild and daring, breaking old rules and creating new ones. They make a date for the next day, but a gangster who Madge had flirted with shows up and instead of going out to confront them, Lance hides and just watches them drive away together, then decides he was lucky not to have gotten too involved.
Well, upshot is, Lance drifts on out of town as planned and ends up getting a job at the Stewart ranch in Arizona, totally unaware that this ranch is home to The Girl. So when they meet, of course there are arguments and misunderstandings, all mixed in with cattle rustlers, the college crowd coming for the summer, the parents hiding the fact that they are no longer rich, I hate her I hate him, No I love her I love him, and an ending that reminded me of earlier Zane Grey books where his West was still wild and woolie. (This book was copyrighted in 1937, just two years before Grey died of heart failure. It seems more a rant about how times have changed than a Western.)
Okay, still, it sounds like quite the story. But only two stars? For the first few chapters we are seeing the world through Lance's eyes. Next we get two chapters of the world through Madge's father's eyes, showing us what happened at the ranch during the days that Lance was making his way there, and 'Dad's' view of his arrival. And then we get a chapter of the world through Madge's eyes from the time of waiting for Lance at their date. It was only after six or seven chapters that the book began to feel like a novel and not a collection of false starts tossed together. I don't remember this happening in any other Grey book that I have read. Of course I have not read them all, but I have read enough to be surprised at the 'technique' showing up here.
And the hate/love relationship between Lance and Madge was horrendous. At one point towards
the end they are slapping each other after the end of summer party she gave. It was an ugly scene and I did not appreciate the not-so-very-deep beneath the surface hatred towards women that had been building up all through the book.
Finally there is the issue about geographical details. I am like many people: if I don't know an area of the world where a story is set, I don't mind so much if the lay of the land turns out to be inaccurate. Imagine my thrill when I read how Lance rode his movie horse all the way to Douglas, Arizona where I lived for over 20 years and still visit every six months! I was excited to 'be' in my old stomping grounds, and was easily picturing the desert country there with its beautiful mountains on the far edges of valleys that remind your eyes and your soul about distance and open spaces.
But first off Grey has Lance ride northeast of Douglas past the (real) town of Apache until he comes to another Arizona town called Bolton. The only trouble is that once you get past Apache in the direction Lance was going, you will trip over the state of New Mexico. Okay, so there is a fictional town floating somewhere in the area, no problem. But later in the book, a camping trip to the Cochise Stronghold in the Peloncillo Mountains is planned, and although that trip does not happen, the Stronghold itself plays a major and dramatic role in the final chapters of the story.
So what? Well, the Cochise Stronghold is in the Dragoon Mountains, not the Peloncillos. They are not anywhere near each other on the county map! I've been there; I've felt the spirits still lingering from the days of Cochise and Geronimo. And oh, how they would have laughed at this book!
Our hero Lance Sidway is in Hollywood with his horse Umpqua, who stars in cowboy movies (Lance will sometimes double as the cowboy star, but it is the horse who is the wage earner here). Lance and Umpqua are originally from Oregon but his sister needed an operation so they went to Hollywood, naturally. But Lance is tired of the movie business and decides to head on out of town for some new adventures. As he walks home thinking about this idea, he happens to pass by a college campus and fondly remembers his one year of higher education.
Then Madge/Majesty drives up. Fast. With a policeman chasing her. A group of students watch while the policeman taunts her, then the students get irate and start throwing fruit at him and his partner, and pretty soon a full-fledged riot is going on. But Lance sees the police officer trying to drag Madge out of the car and he goes up, punches the man in the gut, jumps in the car and yells Drive! So Madge does. Lance is smitten.....he has dated lots of beautiful women in Hollywood, but none as stunning as this one! However, he does not have the least idea who this girl is: a super-spoiled wealthy daughter of a man who owns a large ranch in Arizona. Madge is a 'type' that it
seemed Grey did not approve of: college girl, wild and daring, breaking old rules and creating new ones. They make a date for the next day, but a gangster who Madge had flirted with shows up and instead of going out to confront them, Lance hides and just watches them drive away together, then decides he was lucky not to have gotten too involved.
Well, upshot is, Lance drifts on out of town as planned and ends up getting a job at the Stewart ranch in Arizona, totally unaware that this ranch is home to The Girl. So when they meet, of course there are arguments and misunderstandings, all mixed in with cattle rustlers, the college crowd coming for the summer, the parents hiding the fact that they are no longer rich, I hate her I hate him, No I love her I love him, and an ending that reminded me of earlier Zane Grey books where his West was still wild and woolie. (This book was copyrighted in 1937, just two years before Grey died of heart failure. It seems more a rant about how times have changed than a Western.)
Okay, still, it sounds like quite the story. But only two stars? For the first few chapters we are seeing the world through Lance's eyes. Next we get two chapters of the world through Madge's father's eyes, showing us what happened at the ranch during the days that Lance was making his way there, and 'Dad's' view of his arrival. And then we get a chapter of the world through Madge's eyes from the time of waiting for Lance at their date. It was only after six or seven chapters that the book began to feel like a novel and not a collection of false starts tossed together. I don't remember this happening in any other Grey book that I have read. Of course I have not read them all, but I have read enough to be surprised at the 'technique' showing up here.
And the hate/love relationship between Lance and Madge was horrendous. At one point towards
the end they are slapping each other after the end of summer party she gave. It was an ugly scene and I did not appreciate the not-so-very-deep beneath the surface hatred towards women that had been building up all through the book.
Finally there is the issue about geographical details. I am like many people: if I don't know an area of the world where a story is set, I don't mind so much if the lay of the land turns out to be inaccurate. Imagine my thrill when I read how Lance rode his movie horse all the way to Douglas, Arizona where I lived for over 20 years and still visit every six months! I was excited to 'be' in my old stomping grounds, and was easily picturing the desert country there with its beautiful mountains on the far edges of valleys that remind your eyes and your soul about distance and open spaces.
But first off Grey has Lance ride northeast of Douglas past the (real) town of Apache until he comes to another Arizona town called Bolton. The only trouble is that once you get past Apache in the direction Lance was going, you will trip over the state of New Mexico. Okay, so there is a fictional town floating somewhere in the area, no problem. But later in the book, a camping trip to the Cochise Stronghold in the Peloncillo Mountains is planned, and although that trip does not happen, the Stronghold itself plays a major and dramatic role in the final chapters of the story.
So what? Well, the Cochise Stronghold is in the Dragoon Mountains, not the Peloncillos. They are not anywhere near each other on the county map! I've been there; I've felt the spirits still lingering from the days of Cochise and Geronimo. And oh, how they would have laughed at this book!
February 8, 2021
This takes place in 1932. Madge (Majesty) is the daughter of ranchers who is attending Southern Cal and is a partying sorority girl. She is expelled for causing a riot where she meets a cowboy from Oregon whose horse is a movie celebrity. He is tired of the business and goes to Arizona. He ends up landing a job (unbeknownst to him) on Majesty's ranch. It is a good story and contains modern approaches to ranching and modern cattle rustling.
September 27, 2018
This is a continuation of The Light of Western Stars, about 30 years later. Gene Stewart and his Majesty are still involved, but there is a new Majesty who is the central character, with her modern cowboy pursuer/prey, Lance Sidway. I'm giving it 5 stars because even though I knew what was going to happen, I loved the writing and the scenery.
April 5, 2016
The sequel to Light of the Western Stars, a wonderful romance and fun Western adventure that made me miss the wide open spaces of home.
June 7, 2022
This campy story was both interesting and boring. Interesting for it's historical writing now, boring because the female MC was a whiny brat and got old really fast.
Recommended 13+ for mild language (anything not mild is censored out already), time period racism/slur, violence, and romance.
Recommended 13+ for mild language (anything not mild is censored out already), time period racism/slur, violence, and romance.
May 9, 2020
I love a good period novel.
And cowboys.
And gangsters.
And romance.
And absurd slang.
And old Hollywood.
Give me a Lance Sidwell any day.
And cowboys.
And gangsters.
And romance.
And absurd slang.
And old Hollywood.
Give me a Lance Sidwell any day.
November 29, 2018
Lance (Gary Cooper), a cowboy disenchanted with Hollywood, has a cute meet with Madge (Carole Lombard) on the campus of UCLA, and helps her make a getaway from the corrupt traffic cop about to bust her on a bogus traffic rap. The resulting student riot gets Madge (aka Majesty) tossed from college before she can graduate with honors. And, you may rightly ask, this is a Zane Grey book?
Well yes, but it’s the kind of Zane Grey that has a role for George Raft (as the gangster who wants Madge and has a sideline in cattle rustling). And things do head west soon enough, as Lance decides to get out of Tinseltown, and ride west on the back of his famous wonder horse. And Madge goes too, as she is the hot but feckless daughter of a cattle baron slowly going broke (it being 1932, y’know). And so hero and heroine reunite, when daughter comes home in disgrace and hero gets a low paid job out in the real West, not that Hollywood imitation.
The result? Well, because this pair love each other with an unreasoning passion, they hate on each other every chance they get. (Insults, slaps, angry yelling, every nice act answered by surliness and insults— it’s one of those 30s romances where the guy is a sullen jerk and the girl is too convinced of her awesomeness to be remotely tolerable.) But, of course they finish in a big clinch.
The book’s promised setting— Hollywood and rich people and gangsters meets the Old West of vigilante justice and horses and cattle — is a great hook for a decent entertainment. But it’s not well executed. The plot takes forever to get going and the hero and heroine aren’t as likable (or despicable) as they think themselves. Sometimes you bump into the later books of old masters and come upon something like this and realize — if this author wasn’t so famous, the publisher would have brought an editor in and the result would have been much better and probably shorter.
Well yes, but it’s the kind of Zane Grey that has a role for George Raft (as the gangster who wants Madge and has a sideline in cattle rustling). And things do head west soon enough, as Lance decides to get out of Tinseltown, and ride west on the back of his famous wonder horse. And Madge goes too, as she is the hot but feckless daughter of a cattle baron slowly going broke (it being 1932, y’know). And so hero and heroine reunite, when daughter comes home in disgrace and hero gets a low paid job out in the real West, not that Hollywood imitation.
The result? Well, because this pair love each other with an unreasoning passion, they hate on each other every chance they get. (Insults, slaps, angry yelling, every nice act answered by surliness and insults— it’s one of those 30s romances where the guy is a sullen jerk and the girl is too convinced of her awesomeness to be remotely tolerable.) But, of course they finish in a big clinch.
The book’s promised setting— Hollywood and rich people and gangsters meets the Old West of vigilante justice and horses and cattle — is a great hook for a decent entertainment. But it’s not well executed. The plot takes forever to get going and the hero and heroine aren’t as likable (or despicable) as they think themselves. Sometimes you bump into the later books of old masters and come upon something like this and realize — if this author wasn’t so famous, the publisher would have brought an editor in and the result would have been much better and probably shorter.
January 8, 2026
Not as good as the Light of the Western Stars. This book was the sequel and set 30 years later and was about the main characters’ daughter. I thought it would be cool because now it moved from 30 years prior (~1900, book written in early 1930s) to contemporary time (30s, prohibition, depression). That part was cool with gangsters fighting cowboys and the world moving past these ranchers. The story was disappointing imo. Somewhat of a retelling of the original, with few twists. The new characters weren’t too interesting. Overall, not as good as I had hoped it would be, but I guess sequels never are.
September 12, 2021
Listen. I adored Light Of The Western Skies. So this being a sequel, I jumped at reading it.
Then it used the N word twice. And I was like, eh I'll just put a warning up in my review.
But Madge and Lance hating and loving and being terrible started to wear on me. Him claiming he loved her but doing stuff that would make her jealous and when she did it he would be cruel. Ugh just ugh. I thought maybe at the 70% point it would turn romantic. The summary says Madge gets kidnapped. And he has to save her. Sounds like it would be worth wading through all of it for.
But then he hit her. DONE.
Then it used the N word twice. And I was like, eh I'll just put a warning up in my review.
But Madge and Lance hating and loving and being terrible started to wear on me. Him claiming he loved her but doing stuff that would make her jealous and when she did it he would be cruel. Ugh just ugh. I thought maybe at the 70% point it would turn romantic. The summary says Madge gets kidnapped. And he has to save her. Sounds like it would be worth wading through all of it for.
But then he hit her. DONE.
July 28, 2021
This was so bad, so dated that I ended up laughing it off as an example of its times (Prohibition), complete with hokey dialogue (gangster slang/cowboy lingo) and western stereotypes (cattle rustlers/ranch hands/horse lovers). The thing that saves this is the gorgeous Arizona setting and the strong characterization of the hero and his infatuation with the headstrong daughter Majesty (Madge) of the Rancho title. 🌵👗🐄🏜🐎
July 17, 2017
This is my favorite Zane Grey. The dialogue seems contrived but having been written in the same period as it takes place I'll give it some latitude.
The romance seems forced too, but there are forced romances out there too.
It's funny it feels funny in so many ways but in spite of that and some stilted flow I read this once a year.
The romance seems forced too, but there are forced romances out there too.
It's funny it feels funny in so many ways but in spite of that and some stilted flow I read this once a year.
January 10, 2023
An old book in my father's library that I decided to read. I expected a western but got a western romance that had an interesting plot but the female character dragged down the interest in the story.
A neat read because of the historical content of the times and views of society. I have liked several of Grey's other books better.
A neat read because of the historical content of the times and views of society. I have liked several of Grey's other books better.
October 2, 2018
Very satisfying sequel to Zane Grey's The Light of Western Stars.
December 13, 2021
(review coming)
February 5, 2023
Zane Grey at his best.
I don't often read romance novels, but I could not put this story down. Now have to catch up on my sleep.
I don't often read romance novels, but I could not put this story down. Now have to catch up on my sleep.
August 31, 2024
I really enjoyed the story, it was exciting and suspenseful! I would have rated it higher, but Madge and her college friends were too wild. Lance Sidway was a dream, the perfect cowboy hero.
October 23, 2025
starting with a 2 , Endo with a n 8
April 10, 2025
Book-In my library
January 28, 2014
Majesty's Rancho was okay but not one of the best books by Zane Grey I've read. I think his earlier books are better than his later ones, and this one was hampered by the fact that it's a sequel of sorts to The Light of the Western Stars, which I haven't read. Majesty's Rancho was published 24 years later and is about the daughter of the romantic pair from the first book.
Also, for some reason I have more trouble with the racism in books written in the 1930s than I do in books written at the beginning of the 20th century. I tired of the love/hate relationship between Majesty and Lance, the romantic duo in this book, and the stereotypical portrayal of gangsters was a bit laughable. Also, coincidence is a convenient plot point in many books, but Lance rescues Majesty from a bad situation at her college in California and then just happens to turn up at her father's ranch in Arizona, and I found that coincidence hard to buy.
I'd say this one is for true die-hard Zane Grey or western fans only.
Also, for some reason I have more trouble with the racism in books written in the 1930s than I do in books written at the beginning of the 20th century. I tired of the love/hate relationship between Majesty and Lance, the romantic duo in this book, and the stereotypical portrayal of gangsters was a bit laughable. Also, coincidence is a convenient plot point in many books, but Lance rescues Majesty from a bad situation at her college in California and then just happens to turn up at her father's ranch in Arizona, and I found that coincidence hard to buy.
I'd say this one is for true die-hard Zane Grey or western fans only.
August 21, 2008
Majesty's Rancho is the sequel to The Light of Western Stars, both by Zane Grey. While I felt that the latter left me unsatisfied, after reading Majesty's Rancho, I felt complete.
The story picks up 20 years later and centers on Majesty and Gene's only daughter, Madge. Madge is at college and is a frivolous flirt and a big spender. Her antics bring on trouble and without fail, a ruggedly handsome cowboy is always there to help bail her out. And Grey gives us plenty of action in their love/hate relationship, something I felt was lacking in the first book. We don't get to see much of Majesty and Gene together, but Gene still figures in a lot of the ranch action, and he is still the same old character that we knew (and loved) before.
The story picks up 20 years later and centers on Majesty and Gene's only daughter, Madge. Madge is at college and is a frivolous flirt and a big spender. Her antics bring on trouble and without fail, a ruggedly handsome cowboy is always there to help bail her out. And Grey gives us plenty of action in their love/hate relationship, something I felt was lacking in the first book. We don't get to see much of Majesty and Gene together, but Gene still figures in a lot of the ranch action, and he is still the same old character that we knew (and loved) before.
December 28, 2012
In this sequel to Light of the Western Stars we meet the next generation at the ranch. It is wild with college age fun and a mix of gangsters meeting the old west. I love this book as a wonderful (clean) romantic western.
While still frustrated at the ending to Light of the Western Stars, this book eases a few of the questions it left hanging and it was nice to be with old friends Gene and Majesty.
A sidenote- there are racial slang terms that are not appropriate in our day and age, but are an honest description of how people viewed each other.
While still frustrated at the ending to Light of the Western Stars, this book eases a few of the questions it left hanging and it was nice to be with old friends Gene and Majesty.
A sidenote- there are racial slang terms that are not appropriate in our day and age, but are an honest description of how people viewed each other.
May 2, 2016
I liked it enough, except I thought that Madge was too overdone/exaggerated. Also, I couldn't get over the fact that this was over 25 years later than the first book! Gene Stewart, Nels, Danny Mains, everyone, 25-30 years older than before...! Young Bonita got my attention from the first. I wonder if Ren Starr was one of the original cowboys of Her Majesty's Rancho? And the name of this book doesn't fit well.
March 16, 2011
I first discovered this book (and the whole western genre) in 8th grade, when I read it for my social studies class. (It counted because it was set in Arizona) I have probably read it 7-8 times since, and recently rediscovered it. Just enjoyable. So interesting time-wise, since it was written in 1937. So glad I have my own copy.
February 17, 2024
I read the book on the Internet Archive. Version is a scanned hard cover library book; it was published in 1937, 1938 by Walter J. Black, Inc., Roslyn, New York. The copyright was renewed 1965, 1966. Printed by Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.
Locations/settings: [Hollywood, California; Southern Arizona; Douglas, Arizona]
Locations/settings: [Hollywood, California; Southern Arizona; Douglas, Arizona]
May 11, 2012
This book is part 2 if light of the western stars
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August 4, 2013I know I enjoyed it, but can't remember.......
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January 22, 2021Yes
Yes. I have read this book as a teenager, later in my life, and again recently. I very much like the book.
Yes. I have read this book as a teenager, later in my life, and again recently. I very much like the book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews