I liked this book very much, it was an exciting tale, especially if you like medieval Scottish times.

I did find Bruce MacLennan’s personality disturbing, so this story may not be appropriate for younger readers, but should be fine for mature teenagers.

Bruce leaves Scotland after ordering his people to build him a castle. He travels to the Mediterranean and takes a trip along the Silk Road to escape a tragedy in his life.

Bruce meets a group of Chinese soldiers and he begins following them and helping them with their fighting.

Bruce does not treat the Chinese slave, Mudan (Peony), that he buys at a tea house very well either. The only decent thing he does for her is unbinding her feet. Her mother had bound her feet in order to get a higher bride price for her.

When Bruce brings Mudan back to Scotland with him Mudan see how other people live and finally begins to have a some what normal life herself.

In Scotland Mudan meets her finds her first friend in Finlay MacLean, a boy who works in Bruce’s stables. Fin becomes very fond of Mudan and even takes her to his home to meet his family.

It is the beginning of the tragic ending to the story.

This book for me was defiantly a fast read. I read the whole book in a single read. I would defiantly recommend it to people who like Scotland or China.