ARC Review: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood

The Rebel of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on December 6th 2016
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
Goodreads

LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD
Since childhood, Magnus has been led to believe he is the Laird Alwyn’s bastard, and raised to hate the Clan Kincaid. But when he learns he is without a doubt the son of the murdered Laird Kincaid, his life as he has always known it is shattered. Now, hiding his knowledge and his fury, he returns to Burnbryde Castle, awaiting the chance to strike against the man whose treachery robbed him of his legacy. His first act of rebellion: to steal a kiss from the redheaded beauty who’s betrothed to the Alwyn’s eldest son and heir.
Since her arrival at Burnbryde, Tara Iverach has been confined to a tower to guard her virtue before she marries. But after a surprise embrace with a lean, bare-chested Highlander who claims to be the Alwyn’s oldest son, she can’t contain her excitement over her good fate. Unfortunately, he is thewrong eldest son, and she is set to marry his cruel and lecherous half brother, Hugh. Can Magnus conquer his rivals and claim his Kincaid destiny before the woman who’s captured his heart becomes his sworn enemy’s bride?
“Blackwood is a fantastic new voice in Scottish romance. Get ready to be carried away!”—New York Times bestselling author Monica McCarty

~~~~~

~~Reviewed by Monique~~

Laird Kincaid, was a highlander, who opposed the Crown and died under mysterious circumstances, along with his wife and three sons. Magnus, was led to believe he was Laird Alwyn’s illegitimate son. However a visit to his friend Elspeth Kincaid, née MacClaren, upends his life: Magnus learns that he is one of those hated Kincaids, and the brother of Elspeth’s husband Niall. Magnus is confused and angry, and he vows to have his revenge against the Alwyn.

Tara Iverach’s guardian, the Earl of Buchan, has just come to see her at the Duncroft Priory, where Tara has lived for years. Tara is to marry the eldest Alwyn, the dreadful and frightening Hugh! Tara doesn’t understand: her sister Arabel was to wed the sinister Alwyn, but Arabel has died, and Tara’s heart is broken. On their way to Castle Burnbryde, they are attacked by brigands, where Tara is rescued by a gentle man with a lovely voice, but she never saw his face, even if she kissed him. Upon reaching the Castle, Tara is promptly imprisoned in a tower so she doesn’t escape her sordid fate: Hugh is a nightmare, and Tara knows she must flee, she cannot wed this uncouth and dissolute boor.

THE REBEL OF CLAN KINCAID is a complex story of treachery and double-crossing during the reign of Robert II of Scotland, in the late Middle Ages, and I thought Ms. Blackwood perfectly captures the colour, and the atmosphere of the era. The author also respects the customs and appropriate behaviour of the times, and I really appreciated that, especially when it came to intimate scenes, which were scalding, gorgeous, and very tender and realistic as well. I loved the tone of the book: danger lurking in the shadows, ferocious rivalries, a lot of tension without fanfare, and a delicate touch that never felt precious or stilted, whether in the romance or the dialogue. Hugh is revolting in an unfortunate very realistic way, and he is an ideal foe for Magnus, a most splendid hero; he is, in fact, so honourable and chivalrous, that it nearly has catastrophic consequences. There is an understandable misunderstanding and my heart broke for Tara, so strong and brave, and all this was superbly well handled by the author. And the romance! Be still my heart! Everyone should be so lucky to experience the true love that Tara and Magnus share!

The ending to this epic medieval story is fabulous! THE REBEL OF CLAN KINCAID is the second instalment in the series, and although there is a continuing storyline that began in the first book, it reads perfectly as a standalone, and believe me, I am waiting with bated breath for the third book!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.