from: That’s life! Fast Fiction, Autumn 2012
Reviewed by Anthony Lambert
Autumn reading at its best
As the days close in again, there’s lots of great new books to curl up with…
EMPIRE FOR LIBERTY
BY TERRI SEDMAK
This second instalment in the Liberty
& Property Legends trilogy sees the
ghastly consequences of Ed Parsons’
land grab, and the accompanying
murder, begin to spread. Ambitious
reporter Emmaline Roberts arrives in
Cheyenne to investigate and is soon
relying on the not-so-tender mercies
of Sheriff Cliff Ryan to stay alive. A
sprawling Western, with the scope
and intrigue of a great soap, this
story makes for compulsive reading.
Reviewed by Anthony Lambert
*
Book Review By Rama Gaind
PS News Books
Empire for Liberty
Empire for Liberty
By Terri Sedmak (Vivid Publishing, $34.95, softcover, 486 pages)
If captivating historical fiction—and a family saga at that— is your preference, then this second book in the Liberty & Property Legends series will nicely fit the bill.Terri Sedmak has again produced a sequel that is rich with characters, where we get the chance to observe the best and worst of humanity, a narrative that’s warmed with humour and romance.
However, it will make for a more enjoyable experience if you read the prequel Heartland: On the Side of Angels.
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| Empire for Liberty by Terri Sedmak |
The second instalment continues the story of Luke Taylor’s journey for justice, introducing intriguing and impertinent lively new characters who shed light on the darkness surrounding betrayal and murder.
Set in Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1885, the narrative sets a fast pace.
In the State Penitentiary in Colorado, prisoner Five One Three serving a life sentence is in poor health. Laramie County Sheriff, Cliff, has trouble extracting pertinent information from him.
All the while, Cliff himself is surrounded by controversy with rumours circulating that he and prosecutor, Cam Faraday, have conspired to hide evidence. Disturbing consequences result after motivated journalist Emmaline Roberts is given the task of investigating these claims.
Set in Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1885, the narrative sets a fast pace.
In the State Penitentiary in Colorado, prisoner Five One Three serving a life sentence is in poor health. Laramie County Sheriff, Cliff, has trouble extracting pertinent information from him.
All the while, Cliff himself is surrounded by controversy with rumours circulating that he and prosecutor, Cam Faraday, have conspired to hide evidence. Disturbing consequences result after motivated journalist Emmaline Roberts is given the task of investigating these claims.
Each chapter tells the story through the eyes of a different ‘person’, well developed – just like in the first.
It’s easy to get immersed in the vibrant history, walking along with the individuals, having to remind yourself that they are only fictional. As you are swept into the lives of an engaging Cliff and a feisty Emmaline, you start caring for the characters.
Another emotional rollercoaster is assured with Empire for Liberty, a second instalment in
a six-part series.
It’s easy to get immersed in the vibrant history, walking along with the individuals, having to remind yourself that they are only fictional. As you are swept into the lives of an engaging Cliff and a feisty Emmaline, you start caring for the characters.
Another emotional rollercoaster is assured with Empire for Liberty, a second instalment in
a six-part series.
This Australian author certainly knows how to paint a vivid picture!
http://nsw.psnews.com.au/BookreviewNSWpsn2573.html
*
Review by Kate Matthew at NSW Writers' Centre
on NEWSBITE (eNewsletter of NSWWC)
Empire for Liberty
by Terri Sedmak
Review by Kate Matthew
Empire for Liberty is the second book of The Liberty & Property Legends, and tells the story of an ambitious journalist (Emmaline Roberts) who travels to Cheyenne for a job and finds herself caught up in the ongoing investigation surrounding the events in the first book. Empire for Liberty is a very clever second book - enough of the story so far is recapped in conversation between characters and, as Emmaline begins to understand the back-story, so does the reader. Although you don't need to have read the first one to enjoy it, there is always a sense that enjoyment would be heightened by having read them in the right order.This is one of the best fiction stories I have read in a long time, regardless of genre. As historical fiction it works incredibly well, due largely to the fact that historical detail is firmly in the background. It is an accepted part of the story, and therefore natural and unobtrusive. The story holds a subtle post-colonial undertone and a more obvious early-feminist thread, but neither of these are explored in detail and they don't need to be. They are simply part of the fabric of a strong story.
The decision to write in present tense is interesting, and very occasionally feels slightly strange for the reader, but it does create both a sense of urgency and a lack of omniscience that works very well for this story.
*
Empire for Liberty
Terri Sedmak
Vivid Publishing (2011)
ISBN9781921787638
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (09/11)
“Empire for Liberty” is the second book in Terri Sedmak’s “The Liberty & Property Legends” series of books.
This second installment picks up in the year 1885 and the scene begins in the State Penitentiary in Colorado. Prisoner Five One Three, serving a life sentence, is in poor health. Cliff, the Laramie County Sheriff, enters the solitary confinement cell in an attempt to see if the prisoner will give him the information he needs. Trying to extract this information proves to be quite difficult.
Cliff himself though is surrounded by controversy as there are rumors circulating that he and Cam Faraday, the prosecutor, have teamed up to hide evidence. Young journalist Emmaline Roberts is given the task of investigating these claims which proves to have harrowing consequences.
“Empire for Liberty” is written in the same style as the first installment, “Heartland: On the Side of Angels.” Each chapter is told through a different character’s eyes which provides more depth to the story. The characters are once again developed well and are people you will want to read more about.
If you are looking for an intriguing historical fiction family saga, read first “Heartland: On the Side of Angels” and then move on to this next book, “Empire for Liberty.”
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