Cinebook Ltd: HIGHLANDS BOOK 1

 

PAPERBACK
Author: Philippe Aymond
Age: 12 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
£8.99 inc. VAT

ISBN: 9781800441101

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/highlands-book-1-p-4521.html

Scotland, 1743. In Blackwater Castle, in the Highlands, the Duke of Plaxton is looking for a new portrait painter. A member of Clan Grant, supporters of the Act of Union with England, the duke has a son, William, whose heart leans towards the Jacobite cause, and a daughter, Amelia, betrothed to an English lord she has never met. It’s there, in this crucible of rebellion and ambitions, that arrives Joseph Callander, local boy back from years spent in Italy, and talented painter …

And if that sounds interesting then know this; it is a two part series and no long wait as you can order both together!

HIGHLANDS BOOK 2

PAPERBACK
Author: Philippe Aymond
Age: 12 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 48 colour pages
£8.99 inc. VAT

https://www.cinebook.co.uk/highlands-book-2-p-4522.html

Joseph is in hiding and believed dead. Wrongly accused of seducing Amelia Menmuir, gravely injured by her brother William, he now rests and prepares his revenge. Against Peter, his apprentice, who altered his drawings to frame him, and against William, whom he thinks orchestrated it all. Meanwhile, however, Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Stuart heir, is about to return to Scotland, and the country will soon be engulfed in a bloody rebellion that will end in Culloden.

Yes, that old England-Scotland conflict and, when I saw the covers I thought they were okay but nothing inspiring. Just churning up an historical conflict through lack of imagination.

Or that is what I thought. Firstly, the story is far better than I imagined and the characterisations solid. As is the history. The real joy is the artwork. I have now gone over each book 2-3 times. The art is beautifully detailed and there is no fault that I can find and the colour work, also by Aymond, is excellent and adds even more to the book.

Was the two parter any good? I'll put it this way; I read the books one after the other at 0200hrs and it was that good. Would I think it was still that good if I read it again? Who knows but I go by my first reading and this was enjoyable.

Recommended.