This is an absolutely god-awful read as this has to be one of the worst books I have ever read in my life. I would have given it a negative rating if it were possible. I picked up the audio book on a whim at the library for a recent trip and this is certainly 16 hours of my life that I will never get back. The plot line is predictable to anyone who has the least bit of knowledge about the War of the Roses. The writing is simplistic, and the characters are all one dimensional and as a consequence extremely boring. The hero, Edward, is portrayed as this 19 y/o Greek God loved by all who encounter him and who can do no wrong, including run a global trading company while having no business experience whats-so-ever. Too many story lines drag on and on, and on, while any opportunity to develop the characters is missed and one comes away not caring that much about any of them. While the reader has a nice voice he is at times overly melodramatic reminding me of an afternoon soap opera. There is just nothing redeeming about this book and I cannot recommend it to anyone.

BTB's Ravenscar Dynasty was an easy, light read. However,I did enjoy the Harte Family series more. This is historical fiction with a plot of retaking the family business, which was illegally taken from them by another family member 60 years ago. The main character is Edward, who seems a bit too perfect, with the exception of his womanizing. I found him hard to like and did not get why he chose to marry a wife who was the "enemy" other than her beauty, which makes Edward rather shallow. I will probably read the next in the trilogy.

Definitely worth the read.

Barbra Taylor Bradford never disappoints. Brilliant book for a history piece. Looking forward to part II. Edward's character is strong but kind and a true visionary.

Some books I come across look great from the outside and the blurb is interesting, but when I finally settle down and read them, I discover that it is a heap of steaming manure. Such was the case with this one, loosely based on the Wars of the Roses, moved to the early Edwardian period and a family rivalry that ignites murder, double-dealing, love affairs and revenge. Unfortunately, the story is transformed into such lightweight drivel that I was more than ready to fling it at the wall in annoyance. The author, Barbara Taylor Bradford, widely acclaimed (and for what I have no idea), manages to suck all of the life out of an exciting real history tale, and turns it into a novel of corporate and bedroom shenanigans. Yawn. Even the names and characters are merely transferred over with little to make them interesting or fresh. I gave this one just two stars, and a not recommended. You've been warned.

For the longer review, please go here:http://www.bubblews.com/news/9739243-...

I don't know, almost impossible to believe that this is from the same author who wrote A Woman of Substance

I absolutely loved this first instalment of the trilogy. Because I know the area described, I felt connected to it. This, for me, really was a page turner. I'm a fan of BTB and her through time sagas, but the first book in this particular trilogy is definitely the best. The second book (Heirs of Ravenscar) is good and continued well, but the third book (Being Elizabeth) was awful. This marred how much I enjoyed the first book. On it's own, I loved this book, but do feel it was let down by the third book.

I began this book enjoying it until so many things were left unexplored. The book jumped in time and skipped important aspects, so you really only read the start of a situation and the end of it, missing the entire middle.
Edward and Elizabeth.... you read the star of their "romance", only very briefly, then all of a sudden they are married. The back of the book talks about how Edward battles his cousin Henry Grant for control of the family empire and how Elizabeth "stands by his side", However the battle "with" Henry is well and truly over before Elizabeth is even mentioned. Edward doesn't meet her until more than half way through the book.
Jane Shaw "a constant" in Edwards life doesn't even make the pages until towards the end of the book.
Towards the end, the book was very rushed, once again missing vital information. The showdown between Edward, Neville and George was skipped all of a sudden 2yrs had passed.

Very disappointed!
However, I may still read the next book when I am bored. I did like Edward as a character.

Jaren geleden werden op de Nederlandse televisie series uitgezonden, naar boeken van Barbara Taylor Bradford. Daarom nam ik dit boek mee van de bibliotheek: ik wilde haar werk nu wel eens zelf lezen.
Het boek was dik. Er kwam geen eind aan de lofzangen op de geweldige hoofdpersoon Edward Deravenel. Als hij achttien jaar oud is, komen zijn vader, zijn broer, en neven om bij een brand in Italië. Hij wordt dan gelijk hoofd van het gezin en zou ook het hoofd moeten zijn van de firma, die al jaren een heel belangrijke rol in de Britse economie inneemt. Een andere tak van de familie heeft de macht echter overgenomen. De leider van die tak is een slappeling, die het grootste deel van de tijd afwezig is. Zijn taken worden met graagte overgenomen door zijn vrouw, een nietsontziende Française. Edward zweert de leiding over te nemen. Hij verdenkt de rivaliserende familietak ervan zijn vader vermoord te hebben.
Met hulpo van zijn neef Neville slaagt Edward er inderdaad in de macht in handen te krijgen.

Het boek leest als een soap: korte hoofdstukken, met aan het eind telkens een soort cliffhanger. Mensen die verloren hebben, worden uit de weg geruimd, iedereen is even machtsbelust, verraad wordt niet geschuwd. De mannen horen de leiding te hebben, vrouwen zijn er om de mannen te behagen en zich van hun overspel niets aan te trekken.
Blij dat het boek uit was. Het is misschien niet slecht geschreven, maar niet zo erg een onderwerp waar ik van houd.

Not Good

Heavy on descriptives this business romance seeped in intrigue is “interesting fluff” but a genre the author refined later to success. This book was a little to flat & characters stereotyped to be a hit for me. I almost discontinued it. It gets three stars because it succeeds as escapist writing & reading.

This book is one of the worst I've ever read. I dont think this author has ever had a conversation with another human being as none of the conversations in the book are what one human would say to another.

Its poorly written and dull. Thankful it's over, but frankly this book belongs on the burn pile.

First in the series of the Ravenscar dynasty

Fairly humdrum and simplistic plot and is poorly written. Would not be interested in reading any further books in the series.