Review of The Douglas Bastard

Please use this forum to discuss historical fiction books. Common definitions define historical fiction as novels written at least 25-50 years after the book's setting.
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Re: Review of The Douglas Bastard

Post by Bertha Jackson »

Historical fiction about Scotland and knights is one of my favorite types of books. Thank you for your review.
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Post by greeneyedgirl27 »

The Douglas Bastard: A Historical Novel of Scotland follows the inspirational story of Archibald Douglas (Archie) in his quest to live up to his father's legacy of becoming a Knight. This historical heartfelt story of being illegitimate and overcoming it through loyalty and courage is inspiring. I love historical stories. This one is set in Medieval Scotland and follows Archie's heroic journey on the battlefields and the Courts of the King of Scots. I added it to my reading list. The review was very well written and giving a 4 star rating which will pull readers in. Great BOTD.
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Post by Idah_Kenei »

Tis review is well written. It highlights the early life of Archie and his determination to be a great knight like his father. It makes one root for him and hope that his dreams of becoming a great knight is fulfilled.
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Post by Chris Agbara »

"The Douglas Bastard" by J R Tomlin is a captivating historical novel that follows Archibald Douglas's journey from being an orphaned "bastard" to becoming a determined knight. With its rich details, vivid storytelling, and inspiring protagonist, this book is a thrilling read for fans of adventure and historical fiction. Highly recommended!
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Post by Faith amisi »

Reading The Douglas Bastard was like stepping straight into the raw, gritty heart of medieval Scotland. I felt completely drawn into Archibald Douglas’s journey—watching him grow from a frightened, displaced boy into a determined young man was both heartbreaking and inspiring. His struggle to find his place in a world that seemed set against him really stuck with me. I especially found the loyalty between Archie and his companions—like Jamie and Ewan—deeply moving. It wasn’t just a historical tale; it felt like a story about resilience, belonging, and the cost of power. I found myself rooting for Archie in every battle, both physical and emotional.
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Post by Kibet Hillary »

I am a great fan of books that employ several literary devices and hence it is good to see that this one has some like similes and sarcasm. What is more important and even inspirational, though, is Archibald Douglas' story. My curiosity is piqued to know what happened and find more about him, in addition to getting the answers to the rhetorical questions.
Many thanks for the review, @Praise GodWord.
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Post by Rupali Mishra »

Congrats on BOTD!
J. R. Tomlin's The Douglas Bastard chronicles the story of Archibald Douglas, an orphaned child who refuses to allow his hardships to weaken his resolve. It seems like a fascinating work of historical fiction.
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Post by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda »

I love historical novels. I embrace every opportunity to learn more about the history of different countries. And there's something very alluring about Scotland. I also like the idea of not letting your past or what people think of you determine your future. Thank you for your fantastic review!
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Post by Stephen Mwangi 11 »

The Douglas Bastard by J.R. Tomlin is a gripping historical novel that vividly brings 14th-century Scotland to life. Following the illegitimate son of the Black Douglas, the story is packed with action, betrayal, and the harsh realities of medieval warfare. Tomlin's fast-paced storytelling and rich historical detail make this a compelling read for fans of historical fiction. A tale of survival, ambition, and the fight for honor in a brutal world.
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Post by Mr Benj »

The Douglas Bastard" by J R Tomlin, a book that features an orphan, family, and France. It will be interesting to find out how Douglas survived even when called derogatory names. This is a book to read.
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Post by Pradeep T M »

"The Douglas Bastard" by J R Tomlin is about dreams of young who lost everything yet holding out hope of serving as knight for his father is an interesting tale and other story characteristics helped book to shine.
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Post by Harshitha G B »

"The Douglas Bastard" by J R Tomlin revolves around young boy, who labelled as bastard, lost everything yet he still striving hard to get a position in his father territory. This tale tells about orphan having dream and working towards it.
With Warmest Regards,
Harshitha
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Post by Nazma P »

The story sounds like a motivational and adventurous journey of Archibald. From the review, I can tell the hardship he faced was hard and relatable. I'm intrigued to know how his journey will unfold. Thanks for the free copy.
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Post by Judy Burr »

Thank you for your review. I read the sample. Archibald, a Scottish orphan in France, is a page in the court of teenage King David. The page wants to be a knight like his father someday. When his relative plans to go to Scotland, he gets a chance, and Archibald is going with him.
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Post by Sanju Lali »

One may find encouragement to live life at best despite of prevailing circumstances by reading the book "The Douglas Bastard" by J R Tomlin. The story follows a boy when he was three, his family left Scotland for France, and he returned six years later.
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