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Sword Of The White Rose by J. Ardian Lee
01/10/2004 . Source: Paul Hanley 
pub: Ace. 309 page paperback. Price: $14.00 (US), $21.00 (CAN). ISBN: 0-441-01171-3. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.penguin.com
This is an unusual and enjoyable read and it was only near the end that I discovered it was part of a series of books.
I found, however, it could be enjoyed as a read on its own, although I will not now try and find the earlier books in the series.
This is a story set in the Scottish Highlands in the eighteenth century. It is just before Bonnie Prince Charlie's landing which will spark off the 1745 Rebellion. A student of history reading the book might know this but so does Dylan Dubh, the old laird of the Matheson Clan.
This is because at some stage, he travelled back in time from our era to this one. He is ill and knowing he is dying, tries to persuade his son and heir, Ciaran, not to take part in the forthcoming uprising. The son believes they cannot sit on the fence but must fight for King James or King George. The latter is unthinkable. The old laird knows what will happen. In his youth, he fought for the exiled Stuart kings thinking that history could be changed but now knows better.
He dies and his eldest son takes over as Laird but not without dispute from other members of the family. There is also an English garrison in the village. Their presence exacerbates the unruly clansmen and in order to keep control Ciaran Matheson leads his fighting men to join Bonnie Prince Charlie's army. A further complication is a developing relationship between the young laird and the English garrison commander's daughter, Leah.
At first, the war goes well for the Jacobite cause. An English army is routed at Prestonpans, Edinburgh is captured and the Scots pour over the border into England. Carlilsle is taken and the army marches south. The old laird warned it would turn back at Derby and when it does, Ciaran knows he is doomed. Thereafter, it is a long retreat and then destruction of the Jacobites at Culloden.
There is a certain amount of magic in the story. Leah comes onto the battlefield looking for her lover and her father, who fought on opposite sides in the battle. She is led to the body of Ciaran by one of the magic folk and is able to save him and return him to his home. Because of her there is a reconciliation between the clan and the English commander and something is plucked from disaster.
This is the bold outline of a tale which is well told by the author. It skilfully incorporates real events with the stories of these individuals and was a very enjoyable read. J. Ardian Lee clearly has a deep knowledge of Celtic culture which is lightly and interestingly woven into an exciting, swashbuckling tale.
I suspect the earlier books tell how the old laird came to this era from the future and what made him and his clan so hate the English. If I have a criticism I think, as a former redcoat myself from a regiment that fought with distinction at Culloden, that the anti-English bits are somewhat over done but I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as a good read.
Paul Hanley
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