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A Game of Sorrows [Paperback]

S.G. MacLean (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 2 Sep 2010

It is 1628, and Alexander Seaton's happily settled life as a university teacher in Aberdeen is shattered by the arrival in town of a stranger who looks like his twin and who carries a plea for help from Alexander's dead mother's family in Ireland. The family has been placed under a poet's curse, threatening death to various members. Elements of the curse have already begun to play out. Reluctantly answering the call, Alexander leaves his home and his beloved Sarah and travels to Ulster, to find himself among a family torn apart by secrets and long-buried resentments.

In the course of seeking out the author of the curse, Alexander becomes deeply entangled in a conflict that involves fugitive priests, displaced poets, rebellious plotters and agents of the king. Confronted by murder within his family, he finds the lines between superstition and faith, duty and loyalty are becoming increasingly blurred, while his Scottish homeland grows ever more remote.

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A Game of Sorrows + The Redemption of Alexander Seaton + Crucible (Alexander Seaton 3)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Quercus (2 Sep 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1849162441
  • ISBN-13: 978-1849162449
  • Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 108,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Shona MacLean Page
Shona MacLean
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Product Description

Review

'A fine, rich, beautiful historical thriller - literate, engaging and moving' Manda Scott.

'MacLean has the first-rate historical novelist's gift... communicates her passion for the period without downplaying its brutishness' Daily Telegraph.

'A substantial story, well researched, never slackening pace' Scotsman.

'Combines the ironclad plotting of Sansom with the artful recreation of Mantel' Independent.

From the Back Cover

It is 1628, Charles I is on the throne, and the British Crown is finally taking control of Ulster. Returning to his rooms one night, Alexander Seaton is shocked to find a stranger standing there - a man who could be his double. His name is Sean O'Neill, and he carries a plea for help from Maeve O'Neill, forbidding matriarch of Alexander's mother's family in Ireland. All those who bear their blood have been placed under a curse - one by one they are going to die. Only Alexander is immune, his O'Neill heritage a secret from all but his closest family. Alexander travels to Ulster, to find himself at the heart of a family divided by secrets and bitter resentments. As he seeks out the author of the curse, he becomes increasingly embroiled in the conflict until - confronted by murder within his own family - his liberty and even his life are at stake.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Game of Sorrows --Shona MacLean 12 Mar 2010
By Simon Clarke TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The sequel to the author's astonishingly adept debut
novel 'The Redemption of Alexander Seaton' shows
her to be a supreme writer of historical mysteries.
It again features,Alexander Seaton,and is set in
1628.Seaton is lured from his teaching at Aberdeen
University,by his Irish cousin,Sean,to go to Ulster
to assist his family who have been placed under a
poet's curse.Once there,he finds himself faced with
subterfuge,bigotry, and resentment as he endeavours
to break the curse,which is beginning to come true.
Whilst not containing the immense sense of place
of the first novel,this is a well-written mystery
which enriches the reader's historical knowledge,
and skillfully conveys the brutality and morality
of the time.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars I was disappointed 7 July 2010
By L. J. Roberts TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
First Sentence: The bride's grandmother smiled: she could feel the discomfort of the groom's family and it pleased her well.

It is disconcerting enough to be accused of less-then reputable actions you know you did not commit, but even more so when confronted by a man who could be your twin. Alexander Seaton, a reputable teacher at Marischal College in Aberdeen, has never known any family beyond his now-dead parents until now. Near-twin cousin Sean O'Neill is about to change all that with an entreaty for Alexander to come with him to Ireland. It seems his grandfather is dying and the entire O'Neill family is under a curse which only the proven existence of Alexander can break.

It is always frustrating when you absolutely love an author's first book and are then disappointed in their second. Unfortunately, that was the case here.

In "The Redemption of Alexander Seaton," I felt great empathy for the character and came to care about him. In this book, other than as the "voice" of the story, and the one to whom everything happens--how many times can one get hit on the head without major concussion or brain damage--we learn little about his internal makeup. Yes, it is interesting that he is such a fish-out-of-water character being an academic caught up in conflict, but he never really came to life.

I've never been to Ireland, but I did love MacLean's descriptions. She made me feel as though I were standing next to the characters, and wished I could be. I also felt she well conveyed the sense of Ireland as a land where faith and superstition walked hand-in-hand.

While I found the history fascinating and gained a better understanding of the conflict between the Catholics and Protestants, English and Irish, I felt MacLean became so caught up in the history, I somewhat forgot about the story. I was also interested to learn that a troupe of travelling players may have performed Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" in Ireland during this time.

The story was interesting but I found it difficult to keep track of all the characters and, because most of them were simply that, there were few about whom I really cared. I am, by no means, ready to give up on MacLean. I do hope, however, her next book focuses more on telling us a whopping good story.

A GAME OF SORROWS (Hist Mys-Alexander Seaton-Scotland/Ireland-1628) - Okay
MacLean, Shona - 2nd in series
Quercus, ©2010, UK Trade Paperback - ISBN: 9781849161527
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4.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as her first Alexander Seaton 19 May 2013
By A. Bailey
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the book as I like the way Ms Maclean writes but I found the story a little far fetched and therefore enjoyed it less than the first. It is still a good read though.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Scottish saga
I wanted more Alexander Seaton and I wasn't disappointed Shona Maclean brings the 17th c Presbyterian Scots society to life superbly and this book takes us further afield. Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. E. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
This book built on very well from the original book and develops the character of Alexander Seaton very well. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mark Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars A Game of Sorrows
A lively tale which deepens our knowledge of Alistair Seaton and beautifully links his. past and ancestry with his reality.
Published 2 months ago by Johan
5.0 out of 5 stars A Game of Sorrows
This was a superb read as far as I am concerned, especially when the plot centred around an area I know so well. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ken MacMillan
5.0 out of 5 stars Bought for a Book Club
Excellent quality and price arrived on time to read before next meeting. Book set in Northern Ireland really easy to read and entertaining
Published 3 months ago by P. Braden
5.0 out of 5 stars Fab if you like good historical crime fiction
Maclean is a fabulous writer and these stories are amazing for their plot detail and historical accuracy. Read more
Published 4 months ago by RandD's mum
5.0 out of 5 stars A Game of Sorrows
Excellent writing and excellent story telling - I fully recommend this author to everyone who enjoys historical and dramatic fiction
Published 4 months ago by Catherine Beattie
4.0 out of 5 stars s maclean
easy read, good story, i get to know his character as you read through the book. maclean has a style i found intersesting with full of intrigue
Published 10 months ago by Mr. B. F. Knowles
4.0 out of 5 stars ALEXANDER SEATON - THE SEQUEL
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... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Sou'Wester
4.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Sequel
Not quite as good as The Redemption, but an enlightening read. There probably are too many characters and an improbable denouement, but very atmospheric nevertheless. Read more
Published on 4 July 2010 by J. G. Lynch
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