Raider of the Scottish Coast


Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
488 Pages
Reviewed on 03/14/2021
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Leadership, seamanship, tactics, and courage: These four qualities that define a great naval officer are what Marc Liebman explores in Raider of the Scottish Coast, a historical naval adventure set during the American Revolution. We have two main protagonists trying to make a difference in service of their respective motherlands. Jaco Jacinto is from Charleston, South Carolina. Darren Smythe is from Gosport, England. Both men started early in their naval careers. The novel divides its scenes between these two midshipmen and you see how their lineages and the sea have had a bearing on their formation as naval officers. Serving in opposite navies, these two men are bound to meet. Enemies will become friends when they discover that their respective careers, histories are common ground. But as the Continental and the Royal Navy continue to vie for nautical supremacy, their friendship will be tested as to how long it can stand.

Balance is often a key in Liebman’s novels. In the case of Raider of the Scottish Coast, he uses a third-person narrative for the exposition of two characters while generously explaining the rudiments of nautical operations and naval strategies along the way. This is no easy feat, but for an author who can walk his talk, he accomplishes a resolution by ensuring that character A gets to meet character B and from there, the plot converges into a single, cohesive storyline. You do not get lost even if you are alternately sailing between the Continental and the Royal Navy. The story flows with a specific course like the naval vessels that sail along with the pages. Liebman is a brilliant storyteller who does not stop at fiction. He also entertains you with educational information that lends further credibility to the tale that he spins.

K.C. Finn

Raider of the Scottish Coast is a work of fiction in the historical, maritime, and action sub-genres, and was penned by author Marc Liebman. This work is largely suitable for all audiences with only a few moderate scenes of people being wounded. In this eighteenth-century historical drama, we find ourselves following the lives of Jaco Jacinto and Darren Smythe, two young men from different walks of life who are called up as midshipmen and take to the seas in different navies. Whilst they know that they must one day fight against one another, the American and the British lads form an unusual friendship as fate lands them together again and again.

Having reviewed a few of author Marc Liebman’s other military and naval-based action novels, I found this delve into deeper history most refreshing and inventive, yet again displaying the author’s talent for research and detail. One of the things which really captivated me in this tale was the genuine and realistic nature of both the male leads, who have powerfully emotive stories and motivations but also hold their positions with dignity and nerve. The range of historical figures and events covered in the novel is also extensive and accurately researched, which would make this a great springboard for younger history enthusiasts to begin learning about this period of world history, as it really brings the content and details to life. Overall, I would highly recommend Raider of the Scottish Coast to fans of cinematic writing, emotive stories of friendship against the odds, and for historical high seas fiction readers everywhere.

Anne-Marie Reynolds

Raider of the Scottish Coast by Marc Liebman takes us back to 1775. The American Revolution is underway and, thousands of miles away, the English are watching the rebels and the French. Jaco Jacinto joins the US Navy to be part of his country’s fight for independence and Darren Smythe joins the English Navy, just because it’s what he’s always wanted to do. While both have their own reasons for joining, their lives are set to be intertwined forever. Mortal enemies sworn to fight one another in battle over and over again, they become fast friends when they meet. But can a strong friendship survive the final battle between their ships?

Raider of the Scottish Coast by Marc Liebman is one of the most complex, action-packed adventure stories I have ever read. It may be a fictional tale but historical fact runs deep through it – you might think you know your history but I’ll guarantee this book teaches you new things. The plot is thick with action and our two main characters are wonderfully developed as we follow them through their lives on sea and on land. They are both real people and you can easily relate to them and find yourself sinking into their lives, becoming a part of it. It is a complex story because there is so much going on but, as you read, you will become so heavily invested in the story, you won't miss a single thing. If you are a fan of military or naval history, or if you just love a good old-fashioned tale of adventure on the high seas, this book is definitely for you.

Rabia Tanveer

Raider of the Scottish Coast is the first novel in the An Age of Sail series by Marc Liebman. Set in 1775, the story follows two young men as they navigate the high seas and deepest oceans to find their destiny. Jaco Jacinto from Charleston, South Carolina, hopes to help his country win freedom from the colonizers and finally be liberated. On the other hand, we have Darren Smythe from Gosport, England. He had dreams of becoming a naval officer and serving the Crown ever since he was a boy. The two young boys are supposed to be enemies, but destiny has other plans. Fate makes them friends, but when duty calls, they will have to face each other as mortal enemies in a battle that will only end with blood. What will they do? Can they put duty first, or will they pay a heavy price for making friends with the enemy?

I am a big fan of Marc Liebman and his Josh Haman series. Needless to say, I have huge expectations from him and the novels he writes. Raider of the Scottish Coast didn’t disappoint me at all. Storytelling is an integral aspect of Liebman’s style of writing, and it shines in this story. The author did a lot of research and made good use of it in the plot. Both Jaco and Darren are well-rounded characters. They have personal battles to fight, dreams to chase, and a duty to fulfill. The dialogues are revealing, something that I look forward to in every Marc Liebman novel. The narrative is exceptionally well-crafted and gives details to make it a gripping story. There is nothing I would change about this novel and would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction.