Highlander(tm): Scotland the Brave

by Jennifer Roberson

Book Overview

Duncan MacLeod, The Highlander, is drawn into a conspiracy of Immortals on a militant quest to win back the independence that Scotland lost, centuries ago, at Culloden. Immortal Annie Devlin has already answered the ancient call of the clans. But if Duncan follows, he risks being drawn into a web of obsession, madness, and murder. Original.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446602868
• ISBN13: 9780446602860
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Aspect
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Great Addition to the Highlander Lexicon

I am a big fan of the Highlander series, but did not even know there were books associated with it until I spotted a bundle at my local used bookstore. I had read and loved Jennifer Roberson's Sword Dancer series - better and better! In 1745, Duncan McLeod was forced to take Bonnie Prince Charlie to safety after the battle of Culloden, making him forswear his oath to a young immortal about to experience his first death. Now Douglas is back and wants revenge, having had hundreds of years to stew in his anger and go crazy. The insane Scottish actor achieves his goals by manipulating McLeod and Annie Devlin (Sheena Easton in the TV series), playing on their patriotism and guilt. The writing is deft, especially the romance aspect and the inner dialogues of the characters. In part of the story, McLeod remembers stealing the Stone of Scone in a fit of patriotism in the 1950s. BE FAIR HIGHLANDER GEEKS!! This book came out BEFORE the stone was returned to Scotland, and BEFORE the episode where Duncan, Fitz and Amanda steal the stone. It was such a great idea I think the TV people couldn't resist. Nice cameos by favorite characters Anne Lindsay, Ritchie Ryan, Joe Dawson and Methos. Ritchie's theory about Elvis being an immortal is priceless.

for Highlander fans but perhaps less for others

This tie-in to the Highlander TV series picks up Duncan's involvement with Annie Devlin an immortal Irish terrorist who had appeared in a television episode. Another immortal from Duncan's past, a fellow Scot who is now an actor has sworn revenge on MacLeod. Their story is told in a series of flashbacks and are linked through references to MacBeth, the 'Scottish play'. The story is well-written and while it could be enjoyed by someone unfamiliar with the Highlander premise it would appeal more to a Highlander fan. Many of the familiar characters from the series appear, Joe Dawson, Richie, Anne Lindsay, and Methos all appear to various degrees. The author has a good grasp of the Highlander universe, the story does NOT contradict anything established in the series and the characters from the series all remain true to their on-screen personalities.

An Author's Rebuttal

No one likes to read bad reviews of one's books, but I confess I was startled to see me being accused of poor historical research, and being told to watch the series. I was a HIGHLANDER fan before the novels were even licensed, and watched every episode more than once before writing the book. It was vetted by Bill Panzer, producer, and the rest of the HL production staff. One would think they'd nix a book if it wasn't in keeping with the series, yes? As for research, well, considering my shelves are bowing under the weight of nonfiction about Scottish history, I'm not sure I agree.Sorry you guys didn't like it. To each his own."Alba gu brath."

Excellent!!

STB is the second Highlander novel I have read so far and it is brilliant. I am a huge fan of the series and was very dissappointed to hear that there will be no more. Reading about Duncan and his past in Scotland was great, also the characters of Joe and Richie were both brilliantly put to words they completely matched the ones on screen.

An excellent read.

A rich, nostalgic, delving into Duncan Macleod's character. He is "Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod", but how much of that has become just words? The author perfectly captures the show's characters and the relationships between them. The writing is excellent. I've lost count of how many times I've reread this book.