Highlander Untamed by Monica McCarty

Highlander Untamed

Monica McCarty wrote Highlander Untamed in 2007. This review would start with addressing the purpose that the author wishes to fulfill with her writing this story, and then the summary, followed by the overview and analysis of the book.

This is a historical romance book which centers around an incident called “one-eye woman war”. In writing this story Monica wished to give this tragically ill-fated one-eye woman a beautiful happy ending in her life, and also to give life to a beautiful marriage between the powerful Highland Chief, Rory McLeod, with the beautiful Isabel MacDonald. In which in real actual history, this two characters had indeed once existed, and had eleven children all together to hint a marriage that is very much blessed with love.

In the story, Rory had clashed with the MacDonald’s clan in attempt to seek revenge for his sister who was the one-eye woman, in which she was cruelly dispatched back home from her “hand-fast marriage” after she lost an eye in an accident. In attempt for peace and also to delay war, the King of England at that time had encouraged (more like ordered) a one year hand-fast marriage between the two clans. The MacDonald clan sent over the beautiful Isabel in hopes to woe Rory’s heart, and also for her to steal the token of spirit of the clan-fairy flag, and also to discover the secret passage that leads into Rory’s castle—ultimately, to destroy Rory through the beautiful Isabel.

Unexpectedly, they fell for each other like how Romeo and Juliet are not supposed to. Hence, the battling had not only happened between them two to deny each other’s affect on themselves, but also within themselves as they are both well aware of their own duty, responsibilities and also their love for their family. All this battling, both had also believed that the opposite is indifferent to them, and that the love they had for each other is solely on their own, and that is destined to be the ruin of them at the end of the day.

This is after all a romance novel, but it had gone on to stress the duty, love and loyalty a leader is suppose to have for his family, people and also himself. It had also highlighted the contrast of skin-deep beauty vs the inner essence of beauty. About how beautiful Isabel had been, and yet how little she had valued it, and only with her true character which is beautiful, had captured the attention of Rory, and had also bring her to really melt into the household of the MacLeods, ultimately leading to the solving of the whole problem of the wars between the clans and the political issues surrounding the clans.

This book had gone beyond a pure romance story when it highlighted how important it is to stay positive in attitude to life. One should do what one is able to do, and to hold dear to what is really important in life, which is definitely not power and wealth like the bad guy in the story is chasing after. To the story, it seems to circle around the theme of living life to the fullest, not leaving any room for regrets. When Rory wrote the letter to the King to consider the temporary marriage between him and Isabel to be permanent, he is actually giving away the possibility of a bigger land, and higher sense of security for his people that is achievable by marrying politically to a lady, daughter of another powerful ruler. When Isabel encouraged Rory’s sister who had lost the sight of an eye to start enjoying life again to the fullest, and to walk out of the grieve and ill-confidence, it was so full of positive energy that it leaves no space for any notion of negativism to be entertained at all.

Review by: Danielle Chiok

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