A Game of Sorrows: Alexander Seaton 2 Paperback – 2 Sept. 2010

This book built on very well from the original book and develops the character of Alexander Seaton very well. His adventure in Ireland is action packed stuff and the constant feeling of danger to the characters keep the suspense going right up untll the end. I liked the fact that the priests were seen as being quite adventurous and not averse to taking risks with danger. The characters are written well and as a result the reader can develop a real attachment to the characters, or revile them if they are the bad guys.It didn't take me long to read the book as I just kept on reading it and didn't want to put it down. Great stuff!

I came to the first book in this series ("The Redemption of Alexander Seaton") with no great expectations but was pleasantly surprised by a literate historical novel with interesting characters and great atmosphere. Perhaps because expectations were so much higher for this second book there was bound to be a measure of disappointment. Don't get me wrong; this is still a perfectly good book but I don't think it quite measures up to its predecessor. To an extent the author is to be congratulated for not simply churning out a clone of the first novel; for the most part the only character carried over from the original book is Seaton (the narrator) and we also have a complete change of location, from eastern Scotland to Ulster. On the other hand, I rather missed some of the other characters encountered in the first book and would have enjoyed reacquaintance with them and the Banff and Aberdeen locations they inhabited. Instead, we have a whole new cast of characters, mainly relatives of Seaton's on his Irish mother's side. And therein lies one of the difficulties; I found it quite difficult to keep track of all the diverse strands of all these family members. This wasn't made any easier by the complexity of the Ulster population's ethnic make-up at this period and the equally complex range of conflicting loyalties.Thus, I never got to know and understand the many characters in this book as much as the smaller group of people featured in the first book. And whereas the first book had me totally engrossed almost from Page 1, this second book seemed to take a lot longer to really get going - though in the end it was still a worthwhile read. There is an interesting plot line (if you can keep up with all the different characters) and, despite its complexity, it does illuminate a fascinating period of Irish history of which I had very little knowledge. That brooding sense of menace which was so well conveyed in the first book doesn't really materialise in this sequel, although there is an eloquent, gradually increasing sense of sadness as the book progresses to a far from happy ending.To summarise: A slightly disappointing sequel to an excellent debut novel, but nonetheless a distinct cut above much of the dross being turned out in this genre at the moment. I'll certainly be looking out for the third book in the series.

Having very much enjoyed the first novel featuring Alexander Seaton,  The Redemption of Alexander Seaton , I took me quite a while before I began reading 'A Game of Sorrows', but from page one I was once again captivated.In the winter of 1628 (Charles I has been on the throne for 3 years by then), Alexander receives a quite unexpected visit in his rooms in Aberdeen: blissfully unaware that he even had one, Alexander's Irish cousin Sean O'Neill turns up with a story of a curse resting on their family, and pleading with Alexander to return to Ulster with him to lift the curse. And so it is that barely hours later Alexander finds himself on his way to Ulster, instead of travelling to the Baltic as his Principal Dr Dun had asked him to do. And once there, Alexander soon finds that the advice given to him to 'trust no one' is very apt indeed...As in 'The Redemption of Alexander Seaton', this is a very good historical novel / thriller / mystery: Shona MacLean has a real feel for the period and knows how to immerse a reader so it feels as if you were present there and then. The characters are all very well drawn, and the plot is intricate enough to keep you eager to read on and on, but not so complicated you'll find yourself flipping back and forth to re-read earlier passages. Although I really couldn't afford to do so, I completely ignored all other pressing business and finished this brilliant novel in a matter of days.If you're fond of good historical novels, this book should be a treat!

Before I bought this book I read some quite negative reviews on line but thankfully I ignored them and decided to make my own judgement. Glad I did as this is a really enjoyable story with lots to keep the reader interested and anyone of Scots/Irish descent would enjoy the links between the two nations and the conflict of the two religious styles and customs. The frustrations of the Irish exposed by their weaknesses and the restrictive religious outlook of the presbyterians conflicting and causing the characters to realise the truth that often we have more in common as human beings than appears to divide us by religious and nationalistic traditions. Using the sad history of England's inept ruling of Ireland as a foil Ms McLean spins a tale of love lost and a family broken.

I am a great fan of Shona Maclean's Seeker series, and I thought I would try the Alexander Seaton series. This is the second one I have read, and for some reason I can't get to grips with them. I found this one a bit too slow - or maybe just lacking in variety - and I couldn't relate very well to the main character - unusual with a first person narration. I found myself skimming through the pages, rather than really reading.As always, the research is excellent, as is the sense of place. But I will stick with the Seeker series.

It followed on from the last book and threw Seaton in a different direction into the Irish ‘troubles of the 17th century. A good mixture of suspense, intrigue and adventure with a splash of good historical knowledge.Looking forward to the next in the series, which I have ordered already!

I am a fan of S.G. MacLean, having read the entire Seeker series and book 1 of the Alexander Seaton series.This book is a masterful piece of writing that pulls you into the depth of Scottish, English and Irish culture and beliefs. Each character has a distinctive voice that develops across the storyline. Of course, there is the intrigue and plots that kept me turning pages and reading late in to the night.Full disclosure, this historical novel captured the heart and blood of my Irish heritage.This is my favorite SG Maclean book, and I do recommend reading the first of the Alexander Seaton series, as it will provide you the core of his character that faces the challenges of this Book 2.

Really enjoyed the story and historic period. Look forward to more great reads by Shona MacLean.

Great series

Was für eine Geschichte! Der Held des ersten Romans von Shona MacLean, The Redemption of Alexander Seaton, wird in die Spannungen und politischen Intrigen der Familie seiner irischen Mutter hineingezogen und findet sich so in einer ganz anderen, katholischen, Welt wieder als seiner bisher gewohnten protestantischen Umgebung. Für das Verständnis des Aufeinanderprallens dieser Welten, sowohl in Irland im großen als in der Familie im kleinen Rahmen, ist es sehr nützlich, wenn man den ersten Roman dieser Reihe bereits gelesen hat, man versteht dann besser, wie fremd und gespalten in den Loyalitäten sich – nicht nur – der Held des Buches fühlt. Und es ist keine leichte Geschichte, die man schnell wieder vergißt, es ist eine Tragödie – der Titel A Game of Sorrows ist sehr passend! Es ist, ebenso wie das erste Buch, sehr spannend und mit ausgezeichneter Schilderung der Atmosphäre und zeitlichen Gegebenheiten, und es ist ein bewegendes Buch, das einen noch eine Weile beschäftigt.

I liked the entire series. It covers a little explored period in Scottish history, the time when many of our ancestors struggled with their religious consciences after the Reformation. I recommend reading the series in order as I did. The historical whodunnit theme has been popular for a while now; not all are as well executed as the novels of Sarah MacLean.Get the whole series for Kindle, they are a bargain!