Review: A most entertaining read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 9, 2013
For those of you in search of a fun read set in historical times, By Loyalty Divided might be just the thing.Ms Howarth writes in a style all of her own, creating a fast-paced adventure set in the English Civil War. Families are torn asunder by this conflict, and none more so that the family of Lord Gantry, where the Royalist father is shocked when he realises his son, Morton, intends to enlist - with the Parliamentarian forces. Morton is banished from his home, and leaves behind not only a grieving mother and an irate father but also Anna, the girl he loves but has never declared himself to.Anna has always loved Morton. Always. But now it seems he is gone forever from her life, other young men press their suits, and Anna turns to Morton's father, trying to erase her feelings for Morton by pretending she's in love with Lord Gantry. Ms Howarth has done an excellent job with Anna, who comes across as a vibrant and very likeable young woman struggling with complex emotions and coming-of-age issues.Attempting to apprehend (and kill) his own son, Lord Gantry is killed. Anna is devastated and punishes Morton by pushing him away. At this point, we're only halfway through the book, and without revealing too much of the plot, I can assure you the rest of the read is just as exciting and enjoyable. Ms Howarth's characters learn the hard way that pride comes before fall and at times I'm tempted to shake some sense into Anna - but fortunately Morton succeeds in doing that all on his own.The historical context is well-described, with cameo appearances both by Prince Rupert and Prince Charles, the future Charles II.  The list of supporting characters is long and varied, and personally I think Ms Howarth does a great job of creating distinctive voices for the more central among these, such as Anna's maid, Tilly.In conclusion, this was a thoroughly entertaining romp!