David Black's By My Sword Alone takes readers on a sweeping journey through the tumultuous events of 18th-century Europe, immersing them in a world of political intrigue, adventure, and philosophical musings. Centered around the life of James Lindsay, a young witness to the Battle of Glenshiel, the novel offers a vivid portrayal of the psychological and emotional transformation of a young boy marked by the brutal realities of war.

The novel's ambitious scope and intricate historical backdrop provide a compelling canvas for the exploration of themes such as identity, loyalty, and the evolving sociopolitical landscape of the era. Black's immersive storytelling and richly detailed narrative capture the essence of the period, transporting readers from the battlefields of Scotland to the opulent Roman palaces and the sweeping landscapes of Europe.

While the novel successfully captures the essence of the era and the complexities of James Lindsay's journey, a moderate deduction from a perfect rating is attributed to certain pacing elements that could have been further streamlined to ensure a more cohesive narrative flow. Additionally, some aspects of character development could have been more pronounced to deepen the emotional resonance of James's personal evolution and philosophical introspection.

In conclusion, By My Sword Alone offers a rich and immersive reading experience for enthusiasts of historical fiction and psychological profiles. David Black's skillful blend of adventure and philosophical reflections creates a thought-provoking narrative that resonates with readers long after the final page. With its intricate exploration of historical events and personal transformation, By My Sword Alone stands as a testament to the author's ability to craft a compelling tale that navigates the complexities of identity and purpose in a turbulent and transformative era of European history.

It's 1719, and the Jacobites, supporters of the exiled James III and VIII, rise against the Hanoverian George I. Young James Linsday finds himself, reluctantly, on their side at the Battle of Glen Shiel, where he manages not to get himself killed, but after the defeat of the rising he's exiled to the continent where he gets caught up in the international intrigues surrounding the exiled Jacobite court and learns to forge his own path.

It's a fantastic idea for a fast-paced and twisty story, but it didn't work for me because I couldn't like James, who seemed to have no real moral compass and came across as a weak character unable to be loyal to anyone but himself. He wasn't even a charming villain, which would have been interesting. Just an unlikeable adventurer. Which is a shame.

I usually prefer historical fiction from the Plantagenet / Tudor era and was interested to see if this would be for me.
I still like the historical backdrop to the story, although for me I felt James Lindsay was 'Hamlet-esque' in his character, over philosophising at times - just a personal preference though, I still found the book a good, solid historical fiction read.

How far do your familial ties go? Are you willing to fight for a cause your family chooses and presumes you will side with them, no matter the cost? This is the predicament our antagonist, James Lindsey faces. When he was just 13 years old, he dashed off to join in the fight against the English redcoats at the skirmish, of Glenshiel. Believing he was just in his cause and following his families’ loyalties to King James III. But this battle is his families choosing, what will he choose for himself? This is the moral of his story. As his journey continues into manhood, he will choose for himself his own path,

Verdict: 4****/5 A new era to discover in the historical fiction genre, richly told. For lovers of Jacobite history, this is one to add to your collection.

Action-driven historical novel with various characters, the "hero" being young James Lindsay, who has to leave Scotland and go into exile, first to France, Germany and Austria, then to Italy and Poland, being involved in 18th century European history. We follow him on his way to adulthood, his fights, relationships and political intrigues.

Well written and adventurous, this keeps us interested all the time, especially in the beginning, but you have to know a lot about Europe´s history to catch all the events. It´s a quick and exciting read, recommended for lovers of history.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley to provide an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I'm convinced that if one thing is flourishing in Europe today, it's definitely historical fiction, especially when it hails from the UK.

"By my sword alone" the latest swashbuckling adventure written by David Black, is an action packed novel, historically accurate and full of very colorful characters. It's 1719 and the latest Jacobite uprising has failed to overthrow the cursed hanoverians from the British throne. Once again James Francis Stuart and his Spanish sponsored army have been trounced on the battlefield upon landing in Northern Scotland, more specifically at Glen Shiel. Forced to flee once again, the Old Pretender returns to Italy where his court in exile has been established for sometimes. James Lindsay, a 13 year old who survived the bloody battle, is forced to follow the royal loser because unfortunately his family has bet on the wrong political cause.
Following the adventures of the young Lindsay as he becomes a man and learns how to navigate the treacherous waters surrounding the Stuart court is just brilliant. Full of political intrigues, double dealings and violent bloodshed, the story's twists and turns give also an incredible picture of all the cultural, political and social issues that weaved together the European landscape of the first half of the 18th century. Then at one point James Lindsay will meet his match....

If you like European history and historical fiction please go ahead and dive into this magnificent novel & enjoy it without moderation!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Lume Books for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book prior to its release date