The Ward of the Castle

The O'Brien Tales, Book 10

De: Stacey Reynolds

Narrado por: Justine Eyre

Spanning two decades, from the wild coast of a Tasmanian penal colony to the west coast of Ireland, an exiled rebel’s betrayal precedes his return to his homeland.

In mid-nineteenth-century Ireland, a small girl arrives on the same dock her mother departed from six years earlier. Laoise Hogan is alone, traumatized, and bearing letters from her mother addressed to the man who abandoned them. Sir Lucius O’Brien, 5th Baronet, 13th Baron Inchiquin, is summoned to Dublin by an orphan society. He finds himself face to face with a small girl whose haunted face looks eerily similar to his brother's.

Phelan McCrohan and his cousin Pearl have enjoyed a simple and safe childhood on Inishean, nestled away from the harsh realities of mainland Ireland. Now grown, they must leave the protection of their island home to widen their social opportunities and further their education. As Phelan and his friend Jefferson finish school and seek employment, Phelan finds himself in service to Sir Lucius O’Brien. As he settles into his life in Co. Clare, the last thing he needs is to be distracted by the lovely and mysterious ward of the castle, Laoise O’Brien.

Centered around Dromoland Castle and the political turmoil of post-famine Ireland, four young people learn the value of friendship and the power of true love.

©2023 Stacey Reynolds (P)2023 Podium Audio

I’ve listened to all of the O’Brien books

Waited patiently (or really impatiently) for this one. It was really good but I can’t quite tie it in with the others in the series. I thought maybe there would be some “time hopping” but there wasn’t. Now I’ll have to go back and re-listen to the others to see exactly where Liesha fits in. The narrator did a great job on almost all of the characters. Just 1-2 minor ones didn’t sound “right”. Will there be another in the series?

Love the O’Briens!

Loved the connection with The Keeper characters/storyline! To know more of the characters story/history that I fell in love with in The Keeper was wonderful. Best yet!!

LOVE LOVE LOVED

Absolutely loved this addition to the series! The narration of course was wonderful, and to get the history and see how far back find one’s true mate went, it was so all together GRAND!

Love

Love the series it has a mix of everything in one plus the journey it takes oneself

A love like no other

Loved this book. The O’Brien family was a strong and loving family. The love of country and family. The doctor’s care of the community was so warm. A country do I’d but coming together.

Wonderful

Great story. The characters came alive in the lines. It takes you back to a different time and you forget your day.

Love!

I loved this series. It was filled with family, love and the ability to overcome.

I love this series!

This book makes you feel. I become part of the story everytime I read any of her books in the series. Thank you for sharing a little of your mind with us.

Love of family

Easy listening wonderful story …. Continues to draw us in with the tales of the O’Brians.

Well written Historical Fiction

Fast paced story that takes the reader back in time (1845-1852). The book begins with some history of civil unrest during the famine. How the British rule would deport “convicts” to Australia and other countries, and the Orphan Ships that brought children to the Outback to “resettle.” The children were often taken in as free labor, the older girls were more likely to be married off.

The book gives us some background for the main character and then we jump ahead a few years to
right after the end of the Irish potato famine to the Fenian (Irish Nationalist Organization) to give the backstory of the branches of the O’Briens, O’Ryans, and the families who lived on Inisheer and kept Lighthouse. This book connected to the story, “The Keeper” from this series.

This book was interesting and engaging. I enjoyed learning more about the history of the O’Briens. I was glad that this book addressed the religious strife and conflicts between Church of Ireland (Protestant) and the Catholic Church as it was, and still can be, a hot button in parts of Ireland. That said, I did not miss the Author tendency in her earlier books to imply that adherence to a particular religious belief was the basis for a person’s Character. It was borderline irritating in her early books in this series.
Entertaining.

I relistened to the series before taking this book on. I see there are two new books.
I will check the summaries and decide if they are worth continuing on with this series. I enjoy the characters. Though, it might be time for me to take a break.

Definitely worth the listen if you enjoy the series and are interested in Irish history.