audio book. One too many uses of the word "sexual", and descriptions of how these people are just physically drawn to each other. I thought this was historical fiction, not trashy romance. Didn't finish ( )

The Ravenscar Dynasty by Barbara Taylor Bradford is a family saga that is the first in a trilogy. The author based much of her story on England’s War of the Roses, with two branches of a family battling over control of the family company. This first volume opens in the Edwardian period and continues on through to the end of World War 1.

The book opens with a tragedy as the Yorkshire branch of the family learns of the suspicious deaths of four of their own. Edward Deravenel, the eldest son at nineteen vows to get to the truth of the matter, avenge the deaths and retake control of the family’s business empire. The book is rather long-winded and even with murder, conniving, revenge and oh, so many love affairs, I found it to be rather boring and repetitive.

I used to relish reading this type of book but my tastes have obviously changed as I found The Ravenscar Dynasty to be a little simplistic with one-dimensional characters and predicable scenarios. I wasn’t expecting great literature but was hoping that the story would hold my attention a little more than it did. Unfortunately I have the other two books in the trilogy on my shelves so at some point I may carry on with the story, but I also may just decide to donate all three volumes to the second hand book store. ( )

Bradford updates the complex family dynamics involved in the War of the Roses. Using the appearances, personalities, and life events of King Edward V and his Richard Neville (Earl of Warwick, the Kingmaker), Bradford creates a struggle for the Deravenel financial empire between Edward Deravenel, with the support of his cousin Neville Watkins, and Henry Grant set between 1904 and 1916.

This volume begins slightly before the death of Edward's father, younger brother, Uncle, and cousin during a trip to oversee mining operations in Italy. Edward and Neville triumph, only to be estranged by events surrounding Edward's marriage to Elizabeth Wyland. Edward's brother George discusses a rebellion with Neville, but the plans end quickly. Then, Neville dies, shortly before World War I breaks out. Edward, and Deravenels, survive World War I and are poised to grow even further in the post-war economy. ( )

Dit is het eerste deel van een nieuwe meeslepende familie saga, over een buitengewone familie in uitzonderlijke tijden. Op een bitterkoude dag in 1904 verandert een verwoestende brand de toekomst van de familie Deravenel voorgoed. Alleen de achttienjarige Edward Deravenel overleeft deze brand. Hij staat nu aan het hoofd van het familie-imperium, maar zijn leven verloopt niet zo gelukkig. Zijn huwelijk strandt al snel door jaloezie, en bovendien loopt het familie-imperium gevaar. Komt het verraad van buiten, of misschien toch van binnenuit?

As with all of BTB's Books--I give it 5 stars. It has suspense, drama, intrigue--everything to capture and hole the attention--can't wait for the Heir to come --soon I hope ( )