Julie L. (ktleyed) reviewed Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (Lord John, Bk 2) on + 72 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
So far this was the best of the Lord John books. I liked the background history of Lord John and his father, and of course the insight in Lord John's and Jamie Fraser's conversation at Hellwater.
Helpful Score: 3
I enjoyed this book far more than the first Lord John book. I enjoyed getting to know who Lord John was and his view of Jamie. While I tried to skip the explicit scenes, they were no worse than the descriptions of what Jack Randall did to Jamie in prison, which were in the Outlander books.
For me, it was a reader, but not a keeper.
For me, it was a reader, but not a keeper.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (Lord John, Bk 2) on + 1450 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
While I have enjoyed this series very much, Brotherhood is in my opinion the poorest written of the four. In fact, I delayed writing these comments until I had finished The Scottish Prisoner and Lord John and the Hand of Devils, both of which I really liked. The Brotherhood plot is interesting but slow moving as John and his brother strive to remove the blot on their father's reputation following his suicide. He was accused of being a Jacobite and commits suicide the night before he is to defend himself, strengthening belief in the accusation. John and Hal refuse to believe it. In addition, the Seven Years War finds Britain fighting on the side of the Prussians. If you are reading the series and feel it impoortant to include this selection for continuity, do so. However, if it doesn't matter I would skip Brotherhood but read the others. I kept having the feeling that the author went through this novel again and again, adding words and detail to lengthen it. Others may feel differently but that's my take on it. It's an ok read.
Ron C. (Hophead) reviewed Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (Lord John, Bk 2) on + 285 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting fill-in to a significant character in the popular Outlander series, this novel is filled with period historical detail and character development. It does not rise to the level of the Outlander books, however, and is fairly tedious to read the first 300 pages or so. Recommended for Outlander fans only.
Helpful Score: 1
Diana's writing is right up my alley. Brotherhood of the Blade really adds in-site into Lord John and Jamie's relationship.
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoy the Lord John tales by Gabaldon. They have absolutely nothing to do with her Outlander series even if Lord John is a minor character from it. The Lord John tales follow Lord John on his exploits with the Royal English Army (or whatever the hell its called). Of course, you also enjoy his day to day endeavors while he is on temporary leave and between war engagements.
This particular novel shuttles back and forth between the mystery of his fathers murder 15 years ago and his new step brother, Percy Wainwright, as well as, his encounters in Prussia during the war. There is a lot of M/M action and some of it very frank. If this is not your thing, you will definitely NOT enjoy this book. I found this part of the book to be very endearing and even entertaining (laugh out loud funny at times). You may (or may not) know that in this time frame, sodomy was a crime against God and punishable by death so secrecy was required if you wanted to survive a relationship. There were many tender scenes as well as a few rough and randy ones. I must say that the book focused more on the budding relationship between Lord John and Percy and not specifically on the sexual.
By the time the novel came to the end, I completely forgot about the mystery of his fathers death. But Gabaldon did a splendid job of tidying that up. A satisfying conclusion all the way around.
This particular novel shuttles back and forth between the mystery of his fathers murder 15 years ago and his new step brother, Percy Wainwright, as well as, his encounters in Prussia during the war. There is a lot of M/M action and some of it very frank. If this is not your thing, you will definitely NOT enjoy this book. I found this part of the book to be very endearing and even entertaining (laugh out loud funny at times). You may (or may not) know that in this time frame, sodomy was a crime against God and punishable by death so secrecy was required if you wanted to survive a relationship. There were many tender scenes as well as a few rough and randy ones. I must say that the book focused more on the budding relationship between Lord John and Percy and not specifically on the sexual.
By the time the novel came to the end, I completely forgot about the mystery of his fathers death. But Gabaldon did a splendid job of tidying that up. A satisfying conclusion all the way around.
J.K. K. (JK) reviewed Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (Lord John, Bk 2) on + 139 more book reviews
Second in the series.
While preparing for war, Lord John meets a young man who takes his mind off Jamie Fraser and solves another mystery in his personal life. Cameo appearance by Mr. Fraser.
While preparing for war, Lord John meets a young man who takes his mind off Jamie Fraser and solves another mystery in his personal life. Cameo appearance by Mr. Fraser.
This book gives a lot of insight into Lord John and his interesting secret and public lives interweaved with a family mystery along with cameo appearances of the one and only Jamie Fraser of the Outlander series. This is really good historical fiction!
Crystal J. (dorolerium) reviewed Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (Lord John, Bk 2) on + 212 more book reviews
I quite enjoyed this book, I love any time I get to spend with Diana Gabaldons characters, and the more I read about Lord John the more I like him.
This book was pretty action packed war, conspiracy, injuries, secret affairs, babies, marriageswhat more do you need? The only thing I really want to know by the end is: What on earth is the Brotherhood of the Blade? That being said, everything else in the book is so beautifully tied up that you honestly dont even notice the size of the book, which is over 500 pages.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=2377
This book was pretty action packed war, conspiracy, injuries, secret affairs, babies, marriageswhat more do you need? The only thing I really want to know by the end is: What on earth is the Brotherhood of the Blade? That being said, everything else in the book is so beautifully tied up that you honestly dont even notice the size of the book, which is over 500 pages.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=2377
Marta R. (marta73) reviewed Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (Lord John, Bk 2) on + 16 more book reviews
This is one of my favorite of the Lord John Grey series, although I love them all. I highly recommend this book to fans of Outlander and Lord John, but would not read this one without familiarity with the characters in the series, because I'm sure it could be confusing. Diana Gabaldon is an amazing author who always surprises and pleases and educates.
Stephanie S. (punkinema) -
I actually didn't read this book so this review isn't helpful. I LOVE Gabaldon's Outlander series but the books about Lord John leave me cold.
