The Grasping Root

Remnants #2

by Margaret Pinard

Inspired by Scotland's history and enlivened with extensive research, with a page taken out of the Outlander Bible...


Four children and their mother have found a new home in 1824 Nova Scotia, but ghosts haunt their steps.


A strong sense of justice leads Neil to push for an investigation into the death of their father, Gillan, while religious prejudice and economic disparity threaten Muirne's fragile happiness with a young doctor. And what will become of their rock, their anchor, the twine that holds the family together, Sheila MacLean?


As the family attempts to put down roots and grasp new opportunities, old enemies and new challenges test their strength and loyalty. Will they become part of this new community they've chosen or be torn apart and scattered to the winds?

Genres: Historical, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

350 pages, Paperback

Published November 3, 2017

About the author

Sign up to hear about Margaret's new releases here: http://eepurl.com/-9Hj1 and follow her on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/margaret_pinard

Margaret Pinard has spent her first few decades traveling the globe in search of adventures to incorporate into her writing, including living in the lands of the Celts, the cities of European fashion, and several dolce far niente Mediterranean cultures.

Her five novels include the REMNANTS trilogy, historical novels about a family emigrating from Scotland to Nova Scotia in the 1820s; MEMORY'S HOSTAGE, a historical mystery; and DULCI'S LEGACY, a YA mystery. She resides in Portland, OR.

Reviews

[Jackie Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book. I like any reading on Scotland. Is a family who has migrated to Nova Scotia. They struggle with hardship as they forge a new path. The characters were delightful and improved on as the story develops. This is second book in series and I eagerly await the third. Thanks to Ms. Pinard and Goodreads.

[Gwen Elf]

This is the second of three books. I was glad to see a glossary in the back as my Gaelic isn't so good.
Thank you for the continuing story I look forward to #3.
Gwen Elf

[Pamela Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. I did not read the first book but the story and struggle of family was easy to comprehend. I loved the book cover. Good read.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Book 3 of this Trilogy - Storm Wrack and Spindrift last year. It tells the story of younger members of the family. Enjoyed it on its own but wanted to go back to the beginning. In the last few days I've Binged Book 1 - The Keening and now Book 2 - The Grasping Root. Really enjoyed the adventures of the MacLeans.

[Jeremy Fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I know the author from interacting on Youtube, via Booktube/Authortube, but I did purchase the book myself and my review is my own honest thoughts. Also, I just skipped sleeping for the night in order to finish reading this book, because I didn't want to put it down, so I hope my thoughts below make sense.

I really enjoyed this second book in historical fiction series The Remnants, titled The Grasping Root. This poor Scottish family suffered through so much in book one that I found it refreshing for them to at least get some victories in book two.

Much of the plot centered around the now grown characters that were teenagers in book one, with much concern about their potential romantic entanglements. The main plot line also featured the legal concerns regarding the shocking incident from the end of book one, which some people regarded as a cliffhanger of sorts, since they wanted to know more about it. That information, which was somewhat given in book one, ends up fully revealed in this story.

The the two youngest siblings also start to grow into their own in this story, thus I expect the next book in the trilogy to focus on their eventual teenage to adult years, to finish out the trilogy of the family.

[Valerie Ihsan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet book (second in series) that reads as a blend of Outlander and Little House on the Prairie. The family is Scottish and go through many trials within their pioneer lifestyle. I liked all the characters and the ending was satisfying. The main stories in this book were centered around discovering who was responsible for the father’s death in the previous book, the oldest daughter getting ready for a possible marriage, and a fascinating look at the mother’s mysterious malady.

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delving into the Scots in the new world albeit Canada. Small communities seemingly have not evolved much...small minds continue to rule. Geesh howveryharsh life was and still can be. Fierce familial loyalty & love... One can almost feel the warmth and smell the herbs and kitchen scents.
Bonus: author treads the streets of the PNW.

[Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
This book had me on the edge of my seat, just like #1 in the series, The Keening!

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the trilogy was a 5 star for me. This one was very enjoyable indeed, but had a noticeable shortcoming for me and that was the character of Alisdair. On page 4 of The Keening we are told that Alisdair is 6 years old and the period covered starts in 1822 and goes to 1823. In The Grasping Root the story continues from 1824 to 1826. Alisdair should be 8 years old (or thereabouts), yet we are told he is still 6 years old! (page 15). The other characters have aged, but Alisdair hasn't.

Now, perhaps this is an oversight, or maybe I'm getting something wrong somehow. Either way, no biggie. Whether Alisdair is 6 or even 8, I found his character portrayal strained credulity. He has a level of intellectual development that didn't seem realisitic at all. Of course, there is "normal" development", and then people who are beyond "normal". Yet, Alisdair has a wisdom, not merely knowledge as such, that comes with aging and life experience. There is a big difference between a 6 year old and a teenager even, let alone the insights that come with going through various experiences as an adult. Alisdair is somewhat of a sage, and that didn't work for me.

I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the MacLean family saga. Margaret Pinard walks the fine line in historical fiction of using acquired research knowledge to work into the novel without hitting you over the head with said knowledge. You are immersed in accurate historical times, yet she's just a great storyteller.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in The Remnants series, following the fortunes of a family of Highlanders who left the island of Mull, having been forcibly evicted from their home, crossing the Ocean and setting up a new home in Nova Scotia the foreignness of this pile of rock, so different from their own pile of rock.
It is a story of hardship and family ties, the last book left with the (step)father dying after a vicious assault. This books sees the family looking for justice and the eldest daughter starting out on newly married life. It won't be easy with smalltown gossips unfairly maligning the family and the harsh Nova Scotian winters. The characters are well drawn and the hardships experienced are almost visceral, the first book interested me slightly more because of the ocean voyage but this was still a great read and I intend to read the next in the series sometime soon.

[Elizabeth Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Grasping Root is like slipping on worn leather gloves; each time you sit down with her book, it becomes more comfortable and familiar than the time before. Ms. Pinard's characters live and breathe through every word–both heartbreakingly and heartwarmingly so. Each paragraph brings a new depth as if her writing is getting better as the story unfolds. By the end, I was on the edge of my seat to see what life would throw at Neil next, how Muirne would handle her discovery and motherhood, what becomes of Sheila, what Alisdair's studies teach him next, and watch Sheena develop into the strong woman I expect her to be.

[John (Hey Y'all Listen Up) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am familiar with the author from watching her YouTube channel.
I had a few minor issues with this book, mainly the transitions between scenes can be awkward. However, this story is fantastic. I really got invested in watching the characters face their problems.