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Scottish Boy Paperback – July 28, 2020
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length564 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherUnbound
- Publication dateJuly 28, 2020
- Dimensions5.1 x 1.6 x 7.75 inches
- ISBN-101783527978
- ISBN-13978-1783527977
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About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Unbound; Illustrated edition (July 28, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 564 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1783527978
- ISBN-13 : 978-1783527977
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.1 x 1.6 x 7.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #304,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #116 in LGBTQ+ Historical Fiction (Books)
- #640 in Medieval Historical Fiction (Books)
- #2,210 in Science Fiction Crime & Mystery
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Alex de Campi is a thriller writer with an extensive backlist of critically-acclaimed prose and graphic novels including Eisner-nominated heist noir Bad Girls (Simon & Schuster). Her most recent books were pulp horror graphic novel Dracula, Motherf**ker (Image Comics), sci-fi thriller Madi: Once Upon A Time in the Future co-written with Duncan Jones (Z2 Comics), and True War Stories, an anthology of soldiers’ deployment tales. She is on most social media as @alexdecampi.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story compelling and exciting, with clever plot twists. They describe the book as an enjoyable read with great character development. Readers praise the writing quality as skillful and riveting. They appreciate the information about court life and everyday life in medieval times. The emotional level is described as intense and visceral.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the story engaging and exciting. They appreciate the narration and illustrations interspersed throughout the book. Many readers enjoy historical fiction with drama and humor. The motivations and actions are nicely paced, making the love story believable and romantic.
"...Alys in Harry’s life, I did come to appreciate her character, her relevance, and presence at Dartington as well as appreciate the author for..." Read more
"...If you want an incredible story that sucks you in and keeps you entertained from the first word to the last, read this book!..." Read more
"In one word: expansive, with a large tableau. Excellent historical novel, well written...." Read more
"...into the night/early hours of the morning reading this exciting page turning adventure. Harry is a young man with honor...." Read more
Customers enjoyed the book. They found it enjoyable and engrossing, with a satisfying plot. The story was described as realistic yet dreamlike, making it a captivating read from start to finish.
"When an author’s work is so good…so skillfully crafted and presented that it evokes every emotion possible in me and leaves me still thinking about..." Read more
"...I did, then listen to the audiobook because it's one of the best I've ever heard, and I listen to at least three audiobooks a week...." Read more
"...Overall, still, a very good read." Read more
"...This is easily one of the best books I have read this year and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance that doesn’t shy away..." Read more
Customers find the characters compelling and detailed. They appreciate the length of the book, which allows for great character development. The love between Harry and Iain is described as breathtaking.
"...with the need for Alys in Harry’s life, I did come to appreciate her character, her relevance, and presence at Dartington as well as appreciate the..." Read more
"...I could say about this book, this story, the world building, the character building, the narration on the audiobook.. it was all just perfection!..." Read more
"...The positives first: - A great variety of characters from common surfs to nobility, backwoods small estate lords to ladies in waiting, the..." Read more
"...All characters are well written, and have anchored the story that is told from Harry's POV...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written with skillful words and imagery. The narration is described as riveting and perfect. Readers appreciate the character development and narration on the audiobook. Overall, they describe the book as a great read.
"...this story, the world building, the character building, the narration on the audiobook.. it was all just perfection!..." Read more
"...Excellent historical novel, well written. I would have rated this five stars but for some shortcomings. The positives first: -..." Read more
"Great story, well written, great characters, with humor, drama and the history...." Read more
"This is an extraordinary book! It is beautifully written, a tale of forbidden passion played out against a vibrantly real and authentic historical..." Read more
Customers find the book informative and interesting. They appreciate the details about court life and everyday life in medieval times. The author's world-building is fantastic, and they enjoy learning about knights, melees, and jousting within the context of the story.
"...as well as appreciate the author for including such a strong, forward-thinking, progressive female (for that era) who was able to carve a life out..." Read more
"There's so much I could say about this book, this story, the world building, the character building, the narration on the audiobook.. it was all..." Read more
"...The author's world building was fantastic. Spicy scenes were ghost pepper level...." Read more
"...This story was intense at times and my heart hurt with fear over what could happen if they were found out...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's emotional and action-packed story. They find the characters believable, with deep love and passion. The historical setting is rich and well-developed, making the story feel real yet dreamlike.
"...Love, passion, duty, honor and political power make up the main themes of the book...." Read more
"...characters, but the two main characters, Harry and Iain, throb with full-blooded life...." Read more
"...You will consume this book and feel satiated!" Read more
"...This book, this STORY, feels so real and yet so much like a dream. It gave me the happy ending I craved in SOA but knew I wouldn’t get...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find the imagery beautiful and the narration riveting. The book depicts a vibrant, authentic historical period with realistic details. Readers also mention that the battle scenes are excellently rendered.
"...the story was further enhanced by a series of beautiful and elegant line drawings, interspersed throughout the story, along with a few maps...." Read more
"...The writing was so smooth and gorgeous, the personality and characterization for Harry made me want to root for this man, and I was expecting a good..." Read more
"Loved this story and how tragic, lovely and entangled the characters are...." Read more
"...Along with beautiful imagery and riveting 3rd person narration that makes you feel extra immersed in the story." Read more
Reviews with images
Achillean romance for rivals
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024When an author’s work is so good…so skillfully crafted and presented that it evokes every emotion possible in me and leaves me still thinking about the characters and the events that took place long after I have finished reading the story, I am only left with one word to describe it…Excellent. The history, the plot twists, the characters, and yes indeed the Erotica…I enjoyed them all!! At times I found myself happy with Harry and his self-discovery, yet at other times, I was completely annoyed with him; at one point, I even wished Iain would never come back to him, and was so angry, I yelled this out loud while sitting in my living room completely immersed in and absorbed by this novel and all of the political intrigues and choices that each character felt they had to make. Thus, “The Scottish Boy” evoked a fiery passion in me…Excellent!
Again, it was the author’s ability to transmigrate me into Harry’s and Iain’s world; I was strolling along the rural country roads of Devonshire with rest of the locals. Other times i was sitting in the dining hall of Dartington listening to all of the gossip or in the kitchen with Annie and Katie soaking in all of the wonderful aromas that can only come from a kitchen that’s full of love and family.
Then, I would be swept away again feeling like I too was riding along on my little palfrey, observing
Harry and Iain and their quiet time together at a comfortable distance as Harry rode Nomad and Iain rode Numbles (and later Nemesis) and Harry rode Iain and Iain rode Harry😉
I traveled with the lovers to various tournaments (and learned way more than I cared to know about jousting…but it was cool); I traveled with the lovers to their favorite secret place by the pond where I was also enjoying the serene and peaceful scenery the author so vividly painted as well as enjoyed the show
that was sure to unfold between the pair and most certain to entertain (in the words of Rabbie…BRAVO!)
Yet, there were those necessary situations that made my heart ache;
such as, all of Harry’s and Iain’s ups and downs and dilemmas…so much angst
(but I was there for it..loved every bit of the drama)…
However, I didn’t particularly like the fact that there was a need for Alys in Harry’s life, but I understood it
(given the social climate of that era); Alys was Harry’s saving grace that allowed him to continue to protect and provide for the only family he had left: the people of his manor…people he grew up loving (and who loved him)..the ones who he was ultimately responsible for.
Thus, Harry’s fate: bound and sealed by His Duty to Dartington was always at war with his heart: that which belonged only to Iain.
There was no getting around that, and relinquishing his title and responsibilities as the Lord of Dartington and allowing the people he was responsible for to just fall by the wayside was simply not an option that Harry could consider. And although I grappled with the need for Alys in Harry’s life, I did come to appreciate her character, her relevance, and presence at Dartington as well as appreciate the author for including such a strong, forward-thinking, progressive female (for that era) who was able to carve a life out for herself that she could also live on her own terms (as much as possible anyway).
Therefore, although this novel is mainly centered around two phenomenal knights:
Harry and Iain and their unwavering love for one another, I don’t feel my review of this phenomenal novel would be sufficient or complete if I failed to point out that it was actually Alys,
Harry’s saving grace and his and Iain’s smokescreen, who provided space and opportunity for
Duty and True Love to shelter and anchor one another in harmony and peace.
And so..what the author has so exquisitely impressed upon me is that regardless of the time period and regardless of the social constructs that may be in place… LOVE WILL ALWAYS FIND A WAY❤️
*I read through the negative reviews regarding this novel…
those reviews were the reason I felt it was important to leave my own review which I have never felt inclined to do before. I tend to enjoy a book and move on…but this…this was different.
*To those who have yet to read this novel, please give it a chance and give yourself a chance to formulate your own opinion and have your own experience with “The Scottish Boy”…and whether that opinion or experience results in something positive or negative…at least it will be your own.
Had I based my decision to read a novel strictly off of reviews (positive or negative), there would have been so many wonderful stories I would have missed out on; so for me, I just pick one and let the adventure begin, and I accept the author’s work for what it is…for how that author choose to present it and see it because it’s their thought process after all…I’m just here for the ride.
*Some reviews complained that the language was too modern for the time period
*Some reviews complained this novel was “trash” and some said “medieval porn”(lol)
*Some did not like that the sex was so….”graphic”
To those reviews…I only have this to say… why are you choosing to read this genre (M/M Erotica) if you’re so turned off by sexually explicit material?
Yes I know some novels are more sexually explicit than others, but that is the author’s choice…
these novels are Erotic by nature… if you wanted or want something wholesome, polite, and sweet you should choose to read: The Bible (oh… but that’s full of political intrigue and erotic stories as well)🤷🏽♀️
- Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2023There's so much I could say about this book, this story, the world building, the character building, the narration on the audiobook.. it was all just perfection! If you want an incredible story that sucks you in and keeps you entertained from the first word to the last, read this book! If you want the same but you want an incredible voice actor to narrate the story for you, which is what I did, then listen to the audiobook because it's one of the best I've ever heard, and I listen to at least three audiobooks a week. Keep in mind that this is a M/M story and there are some really great steamy scenes, so if that's not your bag I suggest you skip over this one.. but if you're not familiar with any gay romance novels that are so plot heavy you need a chainsaw to cut through it, and you're intrigued, this is definitely the book to get you started! I never, ever leave reviews. Like, ever! Ratings? Yes! Reviews? Nope. So the fact that I'm leaving one here should say something! Definitely read or listen to this book, it will stay with you forever!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2022In one word: expansive, with a large tableau. Excellent historical novel, well written.
I would have rated this five stars but for some shortcomings. The positives first:
- A great variety of characters from common surfs to nobility, backwoods small estate lords to ladies in waiting, the stable boys to the king. The characters are well developed, especially the principles: Sir Harry, the scottish boy (Iain), Annie, and even the bad guys. Why they are what they are, how they think, how they react to the outside world, what they want (both good and bad).
- Others have complained about the present tense writing and the "Americanisms". I did not find those distracting. I would have had a difficult time reading this novel in Shakespearean english.
- The nomenclature of a knights dressing and even the common dress of the day, the names for the various trappings, gave some difficulty, for they were foreign to me. But it did give me the opportunity to expand my understanding of tournaments,, jousting, and melees.
The shortcomings?
-The ending seems rushed, as if the author was tired of writing and just wanted to get it over with. Where at the beginning of the book, a chapter encompassed a few days or even a few hours, at the end, a chapter covered months or even a year of action. Lots of details at the start, far fewer details near the end.
-Too much detail in the sex scenes. Paragraphs on each move the lovers made. A more broad examination of what was happening, with less "detail" would be better.
-The depth of love between Harry and Iain was not fully developed. It seems that Harry just woke up one morning with "I love you", and not much information of how that happened, the the most tender close experience that developed into the that love. Thus the love seemed somewhat superficial to me, backed up only by sex and not by fully shared experiences.
Overall, still, a very good read.
Top reviews from other countries
- Stephanie CarvalhoReviewed in Brazil on September 26, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!!!
The historical book I didn’t know I needed!
-
Tony ChazReviewed in Mexico on March 6, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars BUENA EDICIÓN
Me gusto mucho el libro y la edición de este. Llegó ligeramente maltratado de las esquinas por el traslado pero llegó relativamente rápido.
Tony Chaz
Reviewed in Mexico on March 6, 2022
Images in this review - SanneReviewed in Germany on March 4, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars What a ride!
Read it, if you loved the midde ages as a child. The character developement is real and the love story romantic as hell.
- DebbyReviewed in Italy on October 13, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Love is not a sin
There were times while reading this book when I wanted to shake Harry and tell him to stop being so damn honorable/good, other times when I wanted to hug him and tell him that everything will be okay and to never change. So although the ending felt a bit rushed, I’d totally recommend this book: it will take you through a beautiful journey of love, self-discovery and acceptance, grief and friendship.
-
Book DragonReviewed in France on April 4, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars LGBT+ romance et des chevaliers
J’ai lu le livre d’une traite ! Je n’ai pas pu m’en empêcher !
De la romance gay sur fond historique, machination politique. Que demande le peuple ? C’est si rare en plus !
Une belle relation à travers les années avec des personnages qui évoluent.
Avec en plus un personnage asexual ! Encore mieux en terme de représentation !