Review of The Douglas Bastard

[Bethel Saint Bright]

It's painful to come back to your people only to realize you're no longer wanted. I hope this rejection does not stop Douglas from achieving his dream of being a knight like his father.

[Alissa Deann Devargas]

'I found several positive aspects of the story. But the first thing I admired was Archibald, the story's hero. He has a unique and inspiring personality.'
I need to read about an inspiring personality now, and I hope Archibald's story gives me the boost I'm looking for.

[Joseph Phoebe]

In The Douglas Bastard, J R Tomlin crafts Archibald Douglas as a bold, ambitious young hero whose determination to become a knight, despite being branded a “bastard,” shines through his defiance of societal scorn and personal loss.

[Jelani Trotter]

Archie’s relentless pursuit of his father’s knightly legacy, undeterred by betrayal and his “Douglas bastard” label, offers a compelling portrait of resilience that makes his coming-of-age tale in The Douglas Bastard profoundly inspiring.

[Ohanele Chinonyerem]

I admire Archie’s determination to become a knight despite being called a bastard, and I would love to read "The Douglas Bastard" by J. R. Tomlin to find out whether his dream is fulfilled.

[mrlefty0706]

"The Douglas Bastard: A Historical Novel of Scotland" by J R Tomlin is a story of a Scottish orphan who became a page in the sample but will continue to progress until he is good enough to be a knight. This book is number 4 in the series, it takes place in the 1330s and it is about a boy named Archibald Douglas. Douglas and his family left Scotland when he was 3, went to France and returned 6 years later. He was called a bastard but he would not give up his dream to become a knight like his father. His mother died after a long illness and he really missed her. King David helped Douglas become a page. He goes to Scotland with his older cousin and his uncle, Sir William and this began a very long journey for him. He is a very quick learner in his studies, his fighting skills with training swords and hand to hand fighting even when outnumbered. Will he achieve his dream of becoming a knight? When he left for Scotland, he was dead set on taking on his father’s legacy. One will need to read the book to learn about the betrayal side of the story. Most of the narration in the book is through Archibald’s eyes. The writing enables readers to imagine they are seeing the story transpire. The sample was enjoyable to read and it set an incredible stage for the remainder of the book. I love medieval history and this book is outstanding and deserves the 4 out of 4-star rating. I have added this book to my to-read shelf.

[SophiaNd]

J R Tomlin's "The Douglas Bastard" chronicles the determined journey of young Archibald Douglas, an orphaned "bastard" in Scotland, as he strives against societal prejudice and betrayal to achieve his knighthood aspirations under the patronage of King David.

[Amy_Jackson]

Being a young orphan in a world that seeks to put others down, couldn't have been easy for Archie. I'm so glad for his determination to achieve his goal despite the obstacles, and I'm really inspired by that.

[Gayatri Tripathi]

Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review! I especially appreciated how you highlighted Archie's unwavering determination in the face of personal loss and societal judgment. The fact that he starts his journey so young, after the death of his mother, and still shows the drive to follow in his father’s footsteps is incredibly moving. I also found your mention of the vivid historical detail and immersive storytelling very compelling—it makes me want to experience Archie's journey firsthand. It’s interesting how the book combines rich historical context with deep character development. Your comments about the use of figurative language and how it enhanced the narrative really stood out to me. It’s clear you truly connected with the book, and your enthusiasm is contagious!

[Soma Ezenwanne]

The Douglas Bastard by J. R. Tomlin seems like an interesting book that talks about Archie’s perseverance to become a knight despite being mocked. I would like to know the challenges he faces and how he overcomes them.

[Janet Kimetto]

Archibald's is an inspiring story. Archibald, the illegitimate son of Black Douglas, is orphaned at nine years old and made a page, but he's determined to live up to his father's legacy and become a knight. Congrats on BOTD!