freedom

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes a good series, well read and good story

What does Nick McArdle bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

good pace and not offensive, thats just what you need

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

not its historical so we know what happens in the end!!

Any additional comments?

this series is good but preferred crusader series mainly because the story is more interesting historically

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A fitting end to the trilogy

As a Scot with a lifelong interest in the Bruce and Wars of Independence, I was very interested to compare this to Nigel Tranter's Bruce trilogy - I WISH it was on unabridged Audio! - and found it fairly comparable. Well-written, detailed and some very interesting interpretations of events, particularly in Book 1. All 3 books are equally violent and gory - some of which is very hard to listen to. As a reflection of the times, it is almost too realistic.

I would have liked more than a short epilogue regarding the years after Bannockburn, but I suppose it's inevitable in a book published in 2014 that it would effectively end here. Like the Brethren trilogy, I found the end to be somewhat bittersweet and melancholy - just as in real life, there are no unalloyed happy endings.

Nick McArdle's narration is as ever superb. In fact, I am off to reread Tranter's Bruce trilogy, which if I am honest, I very much prefer to Young's, good as it is, and I will be hearing his voice as I read.

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Great end to a great trilogy

Since listening to the first book three or four years ago I have been waiting eagerly for the final instalment of this trilogy. I enjoyed books one and two so much I was a little apprehensive that book three wouldnt live upto my expectations. I was wrong to worry!!

It starts off with the same pace and energy that book two finished on making it very hard to put down! Its clear that Robyn Young has researched the true events in great detail and this, mixed with her fictional writing, make this a masterpiece.

We all know how the story ends but its the way in which we are led to them that makes this book what it is. With fighting across Britain and forces outside of both King Edward and Bruce's control, the pace and momentum throughout the book continues to grow until both sides meet in one place. Bannockburn, where we encounter a bloody and savage end to a thrilling trilogy.

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Perfect end tote trilogy

Being Scottish I was aware of the history involved in this story, but Young really has a talent for bringing the characters and their stories alive. The way she conveys the struggles - both corporeal and emotional, moral and even religious, that Robert Bruce, his family and followers went through is captivating and illuminating all at once.

Not only does she do this for the main heroes, she successfully brings alive the characters of the English knights who are often left out of the story in historical accounts, and perfectly portrays the menacing and powerful King Edward, a legend in his own right.

The narration was fantastic, particularly in capturing the subtleties in the various accents of the myriad characters. Being from Ayrshire where many parts of the book takes place, the only point I would make (and this is nitpicking to the extreme) is that the narrator mispronounces Loudoun as 'Loodun' when it is pronounced 'Loud-un'.

Overall a fantastic book performed excellently. I would highly recommend the trilogy for those familiar with the history as well as those new to this amazing tale of Scottish legend, brought beautifully to life by both Young and McCardle.

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Fitting end to the trilogy

Really enjoyed this one and the way it pulled all the stories together. Brilliantly read as always and the story kept me wanting to know more at every turn. Really well written battle scenes that were not too gory but still detailed bringing everything to life.

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Just brilliant listening

All 3 books excellently researched, written & narrated. Brethren series also worth listening to

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Great story, well read.

Narrator does a great job, always great to hear a good accent done well.

Pretty true to history too, if my research is any good!

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Even Better Second Time Round.

I loved this book when I read it so many years ago. Loved revisiting this version on Audible. Great account of the characters from both sides. Robert and Humphrey are well written and you can’t help but hate De Vallence and McDoualll. I’ll go back to this again!!!

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Loved all 3 books

Loved all three books. By far the best book on King Robert and the wars of independence. The Characters, politics and brutal battles with scores of historical legends from all over Britain is just fantastic. The deeper into the books i got the more i enjoyed them. I could not recommend these more.

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Magnificent narration!

Story excellent... the narrator brought it to life! The change and variety of voices and accents, entonation made it come to life! Thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy.

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