Glen of Loch Trool. Spring 1808.
Davina McKie is a bonny lass of seventeen, as clever as they come and a gifted musician. Unable to speak since childhood, she is doted on by her belligerent younger brothers, Will and Sandy, who vow to protect their silent sister.
When the lads are forced to depart the glen, Jamie McKie intends to brighten his daughter’s summer by escorting Davina to the Isle of Arran. Her cousins make her welcome at the manse, and the parish delights in hearing their talented fiddler.But when she catches the eye of a handsome young Highlander on Midsummer Eve, sheltered Davina is unprepared for the shocking events that follow.
A timeless story of passion and revenge, of lost innocence and shattered dreams, Grace in Thine Eyes explores the sorrow of unspeakable shame and the gift of immeasurable grace.
Review:
Grace in Thine Eyes continues the story of Jamie, Leana and Rose from Liz Curtis Higgs' The Scottish Rose trilogy. Davina is a young girl who has been rendered mute by an accident that was her twin brothers' fault. Her father harbors a deep-seated resentment towards the twins for Davina's injury. Davina communicates by writing in a notebook since she can't speak. When she leaves home to visit extended family, a tragedy occurs. Most of the book focuses on how she overcomes the tragic events surrounding her trip. While not as powerful as Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love, Grace in Thine Eyes is nonetheless an excellent read. I would recommend reading The Scottish Rose trilogy (Thorn in My Heart, Fair is the Rose, Whence Came a Prince) first, because if you don't you'll spoil the ending of Whence Came a Prince for yourself.
Just One Gripe:
Remember when I talked about the dialogue in Higgs' Scottish Rose Trilogy being written in Scottish brogue? Well, we have the same issue here. The dialogue is a little hard to decipher at times and takes some getting used to.
The Best Thing About This Book:
I really enjoyed the continued story of Leana.
Appropriate for a younger audience:
Parents, you make the call...if you want your teen to be reading about "lost innocence" and its far-reaching implications, then let them read Grace in Thine Eyes. Actually, it might be a good lesson/warning.
Score:
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Setting/Imagery: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Ending: 5/5Total Score: 23/25
I loved this series. I had read the first three books and fall in love with the characters. So I immediately went out and bought Grace in Thine Eyes, I loved the book although I wished the author would have included a few more details about the gap in between Whence Came A Price and this one. As for the brogue, I have heard that some people have had a problem with the Lowland Scots, I grew up in a house filled with it so I was accustomed to that as well as the Erse, but I know that it can be tricky.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Here Burns My Candle as of yet? If not I think you will enjoy it, it is the beginning of her Jacobite saga.
GRACE IN THINE EYES is a superb inspirational historical propelled predominately by Davina, but somewhat by the twins and their father. The key is that the personalities of the McKie family is set early and remains consistent throughout. Fans of deep character driven tales will appreciate this strong Regency era novel starring a wonderful female poorly coping with tragic events as the scarlet letter of gossip follows her even at home; females take the blame for scandals.
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