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Tahn #2
Return to Alastair
Once a feared mercenary, Tahn Dorn has abandoned his old ways and is building a new life. But his heart is still heavy. Haunted by confusing dreams and uncertain of his growing attraction to Netta Trilett, Tahn knows he must come to terms with his past before he can look to the future. And that means returning to his birthplace of Alastair--a journey he knows will not be easy. And so begins Tahn's search for truth, where he encounters old adversaries, deadly threats, a long-lost sister, and the distrust of an entire town. Return to Alastair is the continuing tale of an unlikely hero who must learn the power of forgiving others--and forgiving himself--in order to accept the love of a good lady.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 31, 2018
My opinion of this book was sadly torn between more than one viewpoint.
If you are looking for a story with a sound spiritual message about forgiveness and trust then this is it, and the theme is well handled, but the setting, much of the characterisation and certain aspects of the plot are not.
On the one hand in terms of Christian content I cannot fault it, but on a purely superficial level the story was clichéd, predictable and repetitive in places. For instance, it was not hard to guess that the villains from the first novel would be behind the bad things which happened to the hero's family in the past- just as they behind almost everything last in that novel.
How many times can the hero be seriously wounded, or poisoned whipped come close to death, and yet pull through? Many times in this series it seems, but after the first couple of occasions this really becomes tiresome and predictable, because of course it is obvious that the the hero won't actually die because of who he is.
The continued use of the inaccurate and grammatically questionable word 'Baronship' to describe the lands and titles of a Baron instead of the correct term 'Barony' made me feel like throwing the book against the wall (had I not been reading the electronic edition) and really just suggested the author had done little if any research into the Medieval period, and had simply guessed at any unfamiliar terms rather than bothering to look them up.
The villain himself is almost laughable in terms of his bungling incompetence, and is so one dimensional he could be made of cardboard. It also seemed to me that he appeared to be based upon the stereotypical depiction of an 'English' nobleman, with his high register language and class-snobbery. Or perhaps more correctly the depiction of him is based what an American who had never met or seen an British person thought they were like- based on what they had seen in movies.
Altogether, a great Christian story but a very poor Historical novel.
If you are looking for a story with a sound spiritual message about forgiveness and trust then this is it, and the theme is well handled, but the setting, much of the characterisation and certain aspects of the plot are not.
On the one hand in terms of Christian content I cannot fault it, but on a purely superficial level the story was clichéd, predictable and repetitive in places. For instance, it was not hard to guess that the villains from the first novel would be behind the bad things which happened to the hero's family in the past- just as they behind almost everything last in that novel.
How many times can the hero be seriously wounded, or poisoned whipped come close to death, and yet pull through? Many times in this series it seems, but after the first couple of occasions this really becomes tiresome and predictable, because of course it is obvious that the the hero won't actually die because of who he is.
The continued use of the inaccurate and grammatically questionable word 'Baronship' to describe the lands and titles of a Baron instead of the correct term 'Barony' made me feel like throwing the book against the wall (had I not been reading the electronic edition) and really just suggested the author had done little if any research into the Medieval period, and had simply guessed at any unfamiliar terms rather than bothering to look them up.
The villain himself is almost laughable in terms of his bungling incompetence, and is so one dimensional he could be made of cardboard. It also seemed to me that he appeared to be based upon the stereotypical depiction of an 'English' nobleman, with his high register language and class-snobbery. Or perhaps more correctly the depiction of him is based what an American who had never met or seen an British person thought they were like- based on what they had seen in movies.
Altogether, a great Christian story but a very poor Historical novel.
March 9, 2017
DNF at 38%
Besides a very boring MC who is so bland that I spent the entire time wanting to kick him in the rear to get some sort of fire in him, this book suffers from a plot hole that I couldn't see past.
Everything the MC and his sister go through is the result of a nobility battle that makes NO sense.
Baron has a son by the Baroness.
Later he has an illegitimate daughter.
The son has a legitimate son.
The daughter has two kids by a commoner(considering she's just about that level herself, not surprising).
For reasons unknown, after the Baron dies his LEGITIMATE FIRSTBORN SON thinks that his half-sister and her two kids are a threat to him. So he arranges to have them all murdered by only succeeds in offing the mom. He then lets the two kids live but later tries to kill the son after he's full-grown and battle-trained. This new Baron dies and his son takes up the cause.
Now tell me why these two kids(adults) are a threat to the Barony? Unless there's some sort of rule in this world that we're not told about, with a legitimate male heir holding the title and a legitimate male heir to take his role afterwards, I do not see why the two kids of an illegitimate half-sister are a threat.
When the whole book is based on that and there's no explanation that says, "Be careful because the law states that illegitimate female relatives and their descendants will somehow skip ahead of you in line for the title." yeah, I couldn't do it.
And like I said, the MMC is about as boring, bland, and perfectly dull as they come. He doesn't even get mad at things that should anger him. He's like a beaten dog that just curls up and licks your boots when you yell even if you're yelling at him for no reason. I don't care what happens to him or the other characters(at least the sister had a personality) and the plot hole irked me.
Besides a very boring MC who is so bland that I spent the entire time wanting to kick him in the rear to get some sort of fire in him, this book suffers from a plot hole that I couldn't see past.
Everything the MC and his sister go through is the result of a nobility battle that makes NO sense.
Baron has a son by the Baroness.
Later he has an illegitimate daughter.
The son has a legitimate son.
The daughter has two kids by a commoner(considering she's just about that level herself, not surprising).
For reasons unknown, after the Baron dies his LEGITIMATE FIRSTBORN SON thinks that his half-sister and her two kids are a threat to him. So he arranges to have them all murdered by only succeeds in offing the mom. He then lets the two kids live but later tries to kill the son after he's full-grown and battle-trained. This new Baron dies and his son takes up the cause.
Now tell me why these two kids(adults) are a threat to the Barony? Unless there's some sort of rule in this world that we're not told about, with a legitimate male heir holding the title and a legitimate male heir to take his role afterwards, I do not see why the two kids of an illegitimate half-sister are a threat.
When the whole book is based on that and there's no explanation that says, "Be careful because the law states that illegitimate female relatives and their descendants will somehow skip ahead of you in line for the title." yeah, I couldn't do it.
And like I said, the MMC is about as boring, bland, and perfectly dull as they come. He doesn't even get mad at things that should anger him. He's like a beaten dog that just curls up and licks your boots when you yell even if you're yelling at him for no reason. I don't care what happens to him or the other characters(at least the sister had a personality) and the plot hole irked me.
March 4, 2018
You can say all you want about how corny this is, how many plot holes there are, the lack of descriptions and confusing relationships with nobility and orphans... but you cannot change my opinion: I will always love this series.
“There must always be a first time for friends to meet.” - page 315 <3
“There must always be a first time for friends to meet.” - page 315 <3
July 14, 2017
This is more a 2.5 rating...
What I liked...
well I'm someone who wants to know what's going to happen and this book had moments of "I want to know what happens next..." but sadly it ends there. I was really disappointed in this sequel, but was still kinda glad I read it, but it got to a point that I just wanted to finish it and be done.
What I didn't like...
As much as I liked the Faith aspect to the first book and it carrying on in the second book it was so faith heavy. Let me try to explain. All of it was very true about God and very well represented, however I felt like it was basically the whole story and hindered the story. They made Tahn to be the amazing man who almost seemed so perfect in everyone's eyes but his and it just got so annoying how perfect everyone (who liked him) thought he was! I mean many times when people give their life to Christ they have a sense of peace or joy but it is a growing and constant experience. Tahn and most of the people who turned to Christ in the book were like insta-super-christians! It was kinda annoying. It's good to have a balance in a story and not loose the faith aspect but this book hammered it home so much that the rest of the story was lost.
Also Netta drove me batty! Tahn was annoying and his sister was a little annoying as well! so down for the character development for sure.
Before I started this book I read some of the reviews and one person commented on the fact that historical facts of this books were not so great and she expressed her annoyance at the use of the word baronship. I thought ok that isn't a word (I looked it up) but once or twice isn't that bad I'll be ok... O MY GOODNESS! Like almost 10 times that word was used! It was awful! I lost track but it got really really annoying! So not a word. I understand making up words that work with a story but this was not a good example of that. Historical junkies beware.
I will be really the third book just because I would like to know how this all ends however I'm not looking forward to it as I once did.
What I liked...
well I'm someone who wants to know what's going to happen and this book had moments of "I want to know what happens next..." but sadly it ends there. I was really disappointed in this sequel, but was still kinda glad I read it, but it got to a point that I just wanted to finish it and be done.
What I didn't like...
As much as I liked the Faith aspect to the first book and it carrying on in the second book it was so faith heavy. Let me try to explain. All of it was very true about God and very well represented, however I felt like it was basically the whole story and hindered the story. They made Tahn to be the amazing man who almost seemed so perfect in everyone's eyes but his and it just got so annoying how perfect everyone (who liked him) thought he was! I mean many times when people give their life to Christ they have a sense of peace or joy but it is a growing and constant experience. Tahn and most of the people who turned to Christ in the book were like insta-super-christians! It was kinda annoying. It's good to have a balance in a story and not loose the faith aspect but this book hammered it home so much that the rest of the story was lost.
Also Netta drove me batty! Tahn was annoying and his sister was a little annoying as well! so down for the character development for sure.
Before I started this book I read some of the reviews and one person commented on the fact that historical facts of this books were not so great and she expressed her annoyance at the use of the word baronship. I thought ok that isn't a word (I looked it up) but once or twice isn't that bad I'll be ok... O MY GOODNESS! Like almost 10 times that word was used! It was awful! I lost track but it got really really annoying! So not a word. I understand making up words that work with a story but this was not a good example of that. Historical junkies beware.
I will be really the third book just because I would like to know how this all ends however I'm not looking forward to it as I once did.
July 24, 2009
And the series gets worse. First half of the book was good, not a dull moment. But then comes the second half and shoot me. I just skipped to the epilogue. What else can go wrong for Tahn? and could Netta be anymore helpless. I felt there were unresolved issues from Tahn's past that were pointless and shouldn't have been put in the book at all. I just didn't feel connected to the characters anymore after the first half.
February 25, 2023
I have no shame reading the first book of this series, but this one is definitely a guilty pleasure.
I’m not sure LA Kelly could write about circumstances that do not involve being on death’s door/martyrdom/ innocent boring people bearing the burdens of the cool angry people/ Tahn not so subtilely being Jesus. Very dramatic, unrealistically dramatic. Too dramatic. And yet, I keep reading it. So…
I’m not sure LA Kelly could write about circumstances that do not involve being on death’s door/martyrdom/ innocent boring people bearing the burdens of the cool angry people/ Tahn not so subtilely being Jesus. Very dramatic, unrealistically dramatic. Too dramatic. And yet, I keep reading it. So…
December 10, 2017
I did not read “Tahn” before reading this novel. After reading “Return to Alastair” I doubt I need to. Nor in fact do I find myself drawn to the next book in this series.
This was on ok story. The historical aspects were inaccurate at best. I found the Medieval aspects of this book on par with a poorly funded B (or C if there is such a thing) Off-Hollywood movie. The characters were predictable to a fault. The settings barely described. The antagonist almost laughable. In fact he reminded me a bit of Disney’s depiction of Prince John in the animated version of Robin Hood. Spoiler: At least there is no mention of him sucking his thumb in the novel. I can totally picture it though. That said, it did manage to draw me in at least enough to read to the anticlimactic ending. I wont say I want the time it took to read the book back, but they could have been better spent.
This was on ok story. The historical aspects were inaccurate at best. I found the Medieval aspects of this book on par with a poorly funded B (or C if there is such a thing) Off-Hollywood movie. The characters were predictable to a fault. The settings barely described. The antagonist almost laughable. In fact he reminded me a bit of Disney’s depiction of Prince John in the animated version of Robin Hood. Spoiler: At least there is no mention of him sucking his thumb in the novel. I can totally picture it though. That said, it did manage to draw me in at least enough to read to the anticlimactic ending. I wont say I want the time it took to read the book back, but they could have been better spent.
June 7, 2022
There are many missing sections of this book
I have always loved this trilogy so when I saw my old paperbacks falling apart i bought the ebooks so I could keep them in my collection.
Unfortunately the ebooks seem to be missing several paragraphs here and there. Most were small bits, I think but it's a shame new readers won't get to enjoy the story in its fullest form.
For instance when Tahn is confronted by the bandits for the first time outside of Alastair he warns the bandits they only have three minutes to leave or he'll fight with them, only in the ebook the first part of his warning is missing.
There are other bits as well and possible more that I just couldn't remember being in the original.
Otherwise, I still love these books!
I have always loved this trilogy so when I saw my old paperbacks falling apart i bought the ebooks so I could keep them in my collection.
Unfortunately the ebooks seem to be missing several paragraphs here and there. Most were small bits, I think but it's a shame new readers won't get to enjoy the story in its fullest form.
For instance when Tahn is confronted by the bandits for the first time outside of Alastair he warns the bandits they only have three minutes to leave or he'll fight with them, only in the ebook the first part of his warning is missing.
There are other bits as well and possible more that I just couldn't remember being in the original.
Otherwise, I still love these books!
January 7, 2020
Tahn is a character you really root for.
February 10, 2020
4.5/5 ⭐
September 19, 2024
As good as the first one - looking to read the third.
October 3, 2024
Thw writing style isnt rly my thing, but there was so much whump. I love it.
December 31, 2020
One of my favorite series!!
did-not-finish
March 5, 2017DNF 39%
March 21, 2013
This is the second book of the Tahn series, in which Tahn goes back to Alastair to try to learn what happened to him and his family when he was a child. He finds a long-lost sibling and a conspiracy that just keeps getting more serious the deeper he digs into his past...
This book started a little slow, but once it got started, it was impossible to put down. I read the middle 1/3 of it in one evening, and the conclusion in another. Compared to the first book in this series, I felt the character progression/change was a lot smoother and more natural, and the Christian message blended well into the storyline.
This book started a little slow, but once it got started, it was impossible to put down. I read the middle 1/3 of it in one evening, and the conclusion in another. Compared to the first book in this series, I felt the character progression/change was a lot smoother and more natural, and the Christian message blended well into the storyline.
January 6, 2008
This is one of the best books I have ever read in my entire life. What more praise can I speak than that? The author's techniques are unique and intriguing, keeping the reader involved in the plot and loving the characters. There are a few characters who can get on my nerves sometimes, but all in all it is an amazing book. It has really helped me along with my Christian faith as well.
December 3, 2010
I borrowed this one from a friend. I just picked it up because I liked the cover & started reading it without even reading what the book was about. I was pleasently surprised to discover that not only was it a fantacy book but a christian one. I will now have to look into what other books this author has written. it was an easy pleasent read.
May 25, 2011
AMAZING! Once again, I was immediately enraptured with the life of Tahn Dorn. Liking him more and more with each page flip, by the end it was all I could do to not pick up the third and dive in! Sadly, duty calls and some other books are beckoning to be read and reviewed, but the Scarlet Trefoil will be read as soon as possible - no doubt about that! ;)
August 31, 2012
I did a reread for this one--enjoyed it just as much as the first time through! I completely enjoyed getting to know Tahn again. And, just as before, his journey back to his childhood home, and the discoveries he makes of himself and his family, is heart touching! I don't think I'll ever get tired of this series :-)
July 30, 2008
Awesome series! Couldn't put it down. I read all 3 books in the series in 1 month! Now if someone told me I would have to read 3 books in one month I would have said it was impossible. Full of mystery and action with twists and turns. This is the first time I read a medieval-type writing.
January 27, 2013
Deeply rooted within Christianity, the novel's undercurrent of irrepressible faith resounds throughout the journey of Tahn to absolve himself of his troubled past, a journey of which anyone can sympathize.
April 8, 2013
I enjoyed this book. It is one in a Trilogy based on the main character. I began with reading the second book of the trilogy, "Return to Alastair" first, which left me craving to get the back-story from the first book,"Tahn". Out of the three books in the trilogy, this one was my favorite.
June 8, 2019
Another one I read multiple times in my teens. The story and some of the characters are still enjoyable, but this time I felt like the author way overdid it on the Jesus talk. Characters are *constantly* referencing God, and there are multiple conversion scenes.
(Date read estimated)
(Date read estimated)
December 30, 2007
This book along with the other two book in its series "Tahn", and "The Scarlet Trefoil" , shows that Faith in God gives the strength to over come ones fear.
March 19, 2008
The continuing story of Tahn Dorn as he comes to a realization that forgiveness of others is bliss and that he can claim it for himself, too!
August 17, 2010
The exciting sequel to Tahn, and an amazing book!
August 23, 2010
Continues to be a wonderful series - just as good as the first! Tahn is an amazing character!!!
June 10, 2011
Good book. The series is wonderful.
September 21, 2014
November 2011
May 2014
May 2014
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews