By Sword and Storm is the third book in the Munro Saga. It stands well on its own but I recommend reading the earlier books to get the whole picture of what happened in the years before.
The story is well grounded in research and based on historical facts, seamlessly interweaving fact and fiction. It is complex novel with several plot lines, locations and characters, some based on real historical figures and others fictitious, such as the Munro family.
There is so much to enjoy in this book – first of all the story itself, expertly narrated, full of tension and surprise, and also the characters. But I also loved the personal touches, revealing what life was like in the 16th century.
And as in the earlier books Margaret Skea writes such beautifully descriptive passages, bringing to life the details of the French court and of the landscape in both Scotland and France as well as the dangers of travelling by sea.
Books Please
Back in 2016, I read Turn of the Tide and A House Divided from Margaret Skea’s wonderful historical series about Adam Munro and his family during the reign of James VI of Scotland in the early 16th century. With a bloody clans feud, betrayal, loss and a witch trial, I was hooked and both books made it onto my 2016 list of top ten books of the year. So I’m sure you can imagine it was a hard wait for the 2018 release of the eagerly-anticipated third volume, By Sword and Storm.
I thought By Sword and Storm was another wonderful, historical rollercoaster ride, that had me gripped from start to finish. I just want more! Great read.
The Bookworm Chronicles
‘In Sword and Storm Skea threads two interconnected storylines into a fast-paced novel which paints a realistic and highly believable picture of life at the highest levels of society in both the Scottish and French courts. There are colourful characters, opulent settings and clashes of personality aplenty. There are thoughtful and level-headed characters, as well as those who let their tempers get the better of them. There are relationships which work and those that are destined to fail. The result is a hugely satisfying read which leaves this reader in particular hoping there will be another book in this excellent series.’
Undiscovered Scotland