By the Sword

by Alison Stuart
By the Sword cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 6832
  • Added: 2025-12-05
  • Updated: 2025-12-05
  • ISBN: 9780857992369
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
  • Published: 2015-03-01
  • Reviews: 3

From award-winning author Alison Stuart comes a stirring historical trilogy about soldiers, spies, and the strong women that love them. Set in England 1650, the story unfolds as the country teeters on the brink of civil war following the execution of the King. Kate Ashley, inheriting the estate of the Royalist Thornton family, must navigate the treacherous political landscape to protect her loved ones. Meanwhile, Jonathan Thornton, exiled for his loyalty to the King, returns to England to rally support for Charles II, bringing danger to those around him. Their paths cross in a tale of love, loyalty, and the fragile hope for a future in the face of historical upheaval. /n/n As the Battle of Worcester looms, Jonathan and Kate must confront their pasts and the secrets that could change their lives forever. Their love is tested by the tumultuous events of the time, as they struggle to find hope and a future together in a world torn apart by war and political intrigue.

Reviews
Waterstones · 2022-08-31
great 4.50

The book is entertaining and well-written, with a strong focus on history. The characters are well-developed and the story is engaging.

A reviewer from Waterstones describes the book as entertaining and well-written, with a strong focus on history. They appreciate the well-developed characters and the engaging story. The reviewer also mentions that the book is a great introduction to the Guardians of the Crown series. They find the historical details to be well-researched and vividly portrayed, making the story come alive. Overall, they highly recommend the book to fans of historical romance.

Quick quotes

    Entertaining.

    The reason I've had this on my Kindle over a year is because I purchased it on an author's backlist that I wanted to read.

    The foils of war are clearly portrayed and tempered with the blooming romance of the main characters.

Dear Author · 2015-03-23
good 4.00

The story tests the loyalty of the protagonist to the Parliamentary cause. The historical romance is well-written with a strong focus on history.

The reviewer from Dear Author discusses how the protagonist's loyalty to the Parliamentary cause is tested when she inherits responsibility for the estate of the Royalist Thornton family. They appreciate the well-written historical romance, which has a strong focus on history and portrays the foils of war clearly. The reviewer also mentions the blooming romance between the main characters, which adds a layer of complexity to the story. Overall, they find the book to be a compelling read that balances historical detail with personal drama.

Quick quotes

    Kate Ashley finds her loyalty to the Parliamentary cause tested when she inherits responsibility for the estate of the Royalist Thornton family.

    This is historical romance is well written with a strong focus on history.

    The foils of war are clearly portrayed and tempered with the blooming romance of the main characters.

Andrea Zuvich · Andrea Zuvich · 2015-02-27
great 4.50

The tender, poignant scenes between parent and child are beautifully woven into historical events. The story is a gripping historical drama about courage and loyalty.

Andrea Zuvich highlights the tender and poignant scenes between parent and child, which are beautifully woven into the historical events of the time. She praises the author's ability to create a gripping historical drama that explores themes of courage and loyalty. The story is set against the backdrop of the Battle of Worcester, and the historical details are well-researched and vividly portrayed. Zuvich also appreciates the way the author balances the personal and political aspects of the story, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    There were tender, poignant scenes between parent and child, and Stuart's story was beautifully woven into historical events, such as the Battle of Worcester.

    The story is a gripping historical drama about having the courage to stand up for what you believe in.

    The foils of war are clearly portrayed and tempered with the blooming romance of the main characters.

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