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The Last Sunset
Description: The year… 1746.
Around Fort William, the Scottish Highlanders are in revolt and the Redcoats are coming…
Suddenly… time shifts… people from different eras are dumped at this one turning point in history.
In the future, Nuclear Armageddon has caused this powerful blast through time, but why?
Can history be changed?
Or is the future doomed to witness…
The Last Sunset?
Around Fort William, the Scottish Highlanders are in revolt and the Redcoats are coming…
Suddenly… time shifts… people from different eras are dumped at this one turning point in history.
In the future, Nuclear Armageddon has caused this powerful blast through time, but why?
Can history be changed?
Or is the future doomed to witness…
The Last Sunset?
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
18 people are currently reading
1951 people want to read
About the author
Bob Atkinson
9 books67 followersBob Atkinson was born and raised in the district of Lochaber, in the Western Highlands of Scotland. At the age of seventeen the age-old curse of the Highlands — lack of work and opportunity — forced him to take the same military path taken by many of his forebears. While serving with the army in Northern Ireland he met his future wife, inspiration for at least one of the female characters in The Last Sunset. Bob now lives in Fort William
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 21, 2012
First of all, let me declare that I received a free copy of "The Last Sunset" in return for a fair, honest review.
That being said, I found this book to be unique. It involves time travel, which is a very difficult issue to work out properly in a story - and Mr. Atkinson does so in ingenious fashion. Add in the fact that it's time travel put upon folks from several different time periods, and thrown into a war zone from mid-18th century Scotland, and you have yourself a read.
What I found most compelling about the whole thing was how the characters from each era - including those from old Scotland - were depicted in such detail, and with complete accuracy. Their mannerisms and customs were spot on, and it didn't take me long to realize that the author was either from Scotland, or he had done exhaustive research into the lifestyle of the region during the book's time setting - including the local dialect, I might add.
There are two things that really drive how I grade a book: how it brings forth emotion, and how it moves. And this one scored high in both. There were folks in it I hated, those I loved, and some I respected. There were none for which I felt indifference - and that was key. And it had no dead areas in it. The story line was always building, shifting, and best of all, getting more complicated - and doing so smoothly.
This is a real page turner. Now, I'm not one to use the whole "couldn't put it down" phrase - I can put any book down. But I can tell you when I did set this one on the table, I was looking forward to coming back.
And I don't give 5 stars to any book. Period. But this one earns 4.5, and with a clear conscious. And it's also one of the few books I own that I'll read a second time.
That being said, I found this book to be unique. It involves time travel, which is a very difficult issue to work out properly in a story - and Mr. Atkinson does so in ingenious fashion. Add in the fact that it's time travel put upon folks from several different time periods, and thrown into a war zone from mid-18th century Scotland, and you have yourself a read.
What I found most compelling about the whole thing was how the characters from each era - including those from old Scotland - were depicted in such detail, and with complete accuracy. Their mannerisms and customs were spot on, and it didn't take me long to realize that the author was either from Scotland, or he had done exhaustive research into the lifestyle of the region during the book's time setting - including the local dialect, I might add.
There are two things that really drive how I grade a book: how it brings forth emotion, and how it moves. And this one scored high in both. There were folks in it I hated, those I loved, and some I respected. There were none for which I felt indifference - and that was key. And it had no dead areas in it. The story line was always building, shifting, and best of all, getting more complicated - and doing so smoothly.
This is a real page turner. Now, I'm not one to use the whole "couldn't put it down" phrase - I can put any book down. But I can tell you when I did set this one on the table, I was looking forward to coming back.
And I don't give 5 stars to any book. Period. But this one earns 4.5, and with a clear conscious. And it's also one of the few books I own that I'll read a second time.
October 17, 2012
In his novel, "The Last Sunset," Bob Atkinson takes threads from the past, present and future, weaves them into a tapestry, into patterns as bright and intricate as the tartan of a highlander's kilt. He draws you into his spider web with bold tight prose, until the rain, the mud, the stench of death, the horror of trench warfare becomes real, and then he transports you to the Scottish Highlands of seventeen-forty-six, where enemies become comrades in arms, and join a rag tag little band facing the might of King George's army.
While reading, "The Last Sunset," I smelled the heather, knew fear as I hid from redcoats on the rampage, and felt sadness as characters I came to know died beneath a hail of bullets.
I loved the premise of the book and found the characters to take on a life of their own.
The last Sunset is must read, not only for history buffs, or science fiction aficionados but for anyone who enjoys getting lost inside a well written, well plotted yarn.
While reading, "The Last Sunset," I smelled the heather, knew fear as I hid from redcoats on the rampage, and felt sadness as characters I came to know died beneath a hail of bullets.
I loved the premise of the book and found the characters to take on a life of their own.
The last Sunset is must read, not only for history buffs, or science fiction aficionados but for anyone who enjoys getting lost inside a well written, well plotted yarn.
December 4, 2013
Review for “The Last Sunset” by Bob Atkinson.
This fascinating novel is centred on a lonely Highland glen in Scotland at four different and significant moments in its history; 1746, just before the fateful battle of Culloden, 1916, when a Highland soldier revisits his home whilst on leave from the war in Northern France, 1976 when British soldiers use the glen for military exercises and 2026 when…. Well, you’ll have to read this excellent and original book to find out what happened in 2026.
All these different periods collide in a convincing and highly plausible way. Thus, hardy and courageous Highlanders, hopelessly outgunned by ruthless Redcoats, are aided by British soldiers training for Northern Ireland, and an American couple, whose nostalgic visit - on the girl’s part at least - is stunningly interrupted by a collision between the past and our future, come together in common cause with others who hold the glen as their own. In this novel, one has to not-so-much suspend belief as start believing in other realities, other truths, other dimensions.
Bob Atkinson is a Highlander who served as a soldier and knows his worlds inside out. So this book oozes authority. But, like all Highlanders, Mr. Atkinson is a product of his history and the scents and mists, joys and sadnesses of his homeland pervade this entrancing novel. It is both an exciting adventure story, redolent of Sir Walter Scott in parts, and a hymn to the spirit and soul of Scotland. If you like your stories fast-paced and, at the same time, deeply engaging, I could not but highly recommend “The Last Sunset”. You will think about it long after you turn the final page.
Be warned, 2026 will be a significant year for us all….
Roderick Craig Low. Author of “England 2026. After the Discord”.
This fascinating novel is centred on a lonely Highland glen in Scotland at four different and significant moments in its history; 1746, just before the fateful battle of Culloden, 1916, when a Highland soldier revisits his home whilst on leave from the war in Northern France, 1976 when British soldiers use the glen for military exercises and 2026 when…. Well, you’ll have to read this excellent and original book to find out what happened in 2026.
All these different periods collide in a convincing and highly plausible way. Thus, hardy and courageous Highlanders, hopelessly outgunned by ruthless Redcoats, are aided by British soldiers training for Northern Ireland, and an American couple, whose nostalgic visit - on the girl’s part at least - is stunningly interrupted by a collision between the past and our future, come together in common cause with others who hold the glen as their own. In this novel, one has to not-so-much suspend belief as start believing in other realities, other truths, other dimensions.
Bob Atkinson is a Highlander who served as a soldier and knows his worlds inside out. So this book oozes authority. But, like all Highlanders, Mr. Atkinson is a product of his history and the scents and mists, joys and sadnesses of his homeland pervade this entrancing novel. It is both an exciting adventure story, redolent of Sir Walter Scott in parts, and a hymn to the spirit and soul of Scotland. If you like your stories fast-paced and, at the same time, deeply engaging, I could not but highly recommend “The Last Sunset”. You will think about it long after you turn the final page.
Be warned, 2026 will be a significant year for us all….
Roderick Craig Low. Author of “England 2026. After the Discord”.
January 13, 2013
I've just come from Scotland, Glen Laragain to be exact, and I'm cold, tired and battle-scarred.
No, I didn't actually leave Jordan, I read Bob Atkinson's book, The Last Sunset. A pair of brothers, Colin and Alistair, circa 1916 were looking for a lost ewe. A band of soldiers, circa 1976, were training for duty in Northern Ireland. An American couple, Sam and Shawnee, circa 2026, were visiting the ancient home of Shawnee's father. They all witnessed what could only have been the mushroom cloud of a nuclear explosion.
These unlikely groups of people come together against the formidable army of Bonny Prince Charlie in the most unbelievable year of 1746.
Atkinson skillfully spins this astonishing yarn in such a way as to render the reader powerless to put the book down. Every single page seems to be a cliffhanger. This reader, in particular, became so personally involved with all the characters that he felt personally affronted and injured by the notorious actions of the ruthless British armed forces.
I can't praise this book in strong enough terms. I didn't only enjoy reading it, but actually lived it. If you enjoy paranormal books involving time travel, don't waste a minute more waiting to get it. You'll be thinking about its nuances and plot twists long after you've turned the final page. Get it today!
No, I didn't actually leave Jordan, I read Bob Atkinson's book, The Last Sunset. A pair of brothers, Colin and Alistair, circa 1916 were looking for a lost ewe. A band of soldiers, circa 1976, were training for duty in Northern Ireland. An American couple, Sam and Shawnee, circa 2026, were visiting the ancient home of Shawnee's father. They all witnessed what could only have been the mushroom cloud of a nuclear explosion.
These unlikely groups of people come together against the formidable army of Bonny Prince Charlie in the most unbelievable year of 1746.
Atkinson skillfully spins this astonishing yarn in such a way as to render the reader powerless to put the book down. Every single page seems to be a cliffhanger. This reader, in particular, became so personally involved with all the characters that he felt personally affronted and injured by the notorious actions of the ruthless British armed forces.
I can't praise this book in strong enough terms. I didn't only enjoy reading it, but actually lived it. If you enjoy paranormal books involving time travel, don't waste a minute more waiting to get it. You'll be thinking about its nuances and plot twists long after you've turned the final page. Get it today!
September 14, 2012
Wow! Bob Atkinson not only writes a good action story, but he provokes a reader to ponder the possibility of different realities, or even alternate universes. The Last Sunset is reminiscent of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, insomuch that time travel and the fateful battle at Culloden play a major role in the theme. But that is as far as it goes.
In The Last Sunset, the heroine of the story, Shawnee, an American lass with Highlander roots, is much less concerned about the history changing results of time travel (like little interferences changing major historical events); instead, she is more concerned that she and the others who have found themselves thrown into an earlier century will not be able to prevent that infamous massacre of her people back in the mid-1700's.
I give this book a thumbs-up, and I hope that Mr. Atkinson gifts us with a sequel.
In The Last Sunset, the heroine of the story, Shawnee, an American lass with Highlander roots, is much less concerned about the history changing results of time travel (like little interferences changing major historical events); instead, she is more concerned that she and the others who have found themselves thrown into an earlier century will not be able to prevent that infamous massacre of her people back in the mid-1700's.
I give this book a thumbs-up, and I hope that Mr. Atkinson gifts us with a sequel.
November 26, 2012
This book was a page turner from the beginning. Bob Atkinson paints a beautiful picture of a country we don't often think about that much in an era that seems so forgotten.
This is a fast paced, very action packed novel and it will keep you in suspense the whole time you read it. I did get a little confused during some parts but then again, I've never claimed to be a history buff! Just pay close attention to details that way you won't end up re-reading pages.
And best yet, Bob throws in a little romance on top of everything else!
This story is unique and powerful and you will spend the rest of the day thinking about it once you close the back cover!
This is a fast paced, very action packed novel and it will keep you in suspense the whole time you read it. I did get a little confused during some parts but then again, I've never claimed to be a history buff! Just pay close attention to details that way you won't end up re-reading pages.
And best yet, Bob throws in a little romance on top of everything else!
This story is unique and powerful and you will spend the rest of the day thinking about it once you close the back cover!
June 18, 2013
Set in a milieu where a nuclear event has caused the past and the future to collide, this intriguing time travel story is about romantic adventure and bravery. Two brothers from the First World War era, a group of soldiers on a training exercise from the 1970's and an American couple from the future who are on a visit to the land of her ancestors, are thrown together in 1746's Glen Laragain just prior to King George’s infamous massacre.
Armed with their superior 1970’s weapons and a history book forewarning them of things to come, they band together to thwart the Redcoat’s plan.
I loved the interplay between the groups from the varying eras with their different manners and technology and their different understanding of the world around them. Bob Atkinson’s military expertise, his fine understanding of weapons and tactics, and his passion for the Scottish highlands shine through on every page.
Although I love historical fiction, I am usually a little dissatisfied because if you know your history it can be a bit predictable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of the science fiction component. ‘The Last Sunset’ had all the elements of a historical adventure but still had me on the edge of my seat because anything could happen.
Armed with their superior 1970’s weapons and a history book forewarning them of things to come, they band together to thwart the Redcoat’s plan.
I loved the interplay between the groups from the varying eras with their different manners and technology and their different understanding of the world around them. Bob Atkinson’s military expertise, his fine understanding of weapons and tactics, and his passion for the Scottish highlands shine through on every page.
Although I love historical fiction, I am usually a little dissatisfied because if you know your history it can be a bit predictable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of the science fiction component. ‘The Last Sunset’ had all the elements of a historical adventure but still had me on the edge of my seat because anything could happen.
January 3, 2016
The Last Sunset offers a unique twist to the common time travel plot. Imagine accidental travelers, from three separate time periods, arriving during a historical massacre of Scottish rebels during the 18th century. Written with an easy style, Bob Atkinson explores the complexities of family, courage, camaraderie, attraction, and courting from four cultural perspectives. The difference in language and dialect adds to the overall story. (In contrast to other books that hide the lack of a storyline by using a dialect that is difficult to read.)
I almost enjoyed this book enough to rate five stars but I currently reserve that rating for books that I believe will reside in my thoughts for a considerable time. Some rating systems allow for half stars and this book easily rates four-and-a-half stars. I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I did.
I almost enjoyed this book enough to rate five stars but I currently reserve that rating for books that I believe will reside in my thoughts for a considerable time. Some rating systems allow for half stars and this book easily rates four-and-a-half stars. I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I did.
June 12, 2013
Future meets the past in the Scottish Highlands. Romance and War are brought together in a wonderfully well written story. It took a little while to develop the characters and the story but after the first few chapters I could not put this book down. While advertised with a sci-fi plot of nuclear Armageddon, it is more so a historical period drama that captures the old Scottish Highlands with an interesting twist. I could not believe that this was a debut book for the author as this novel has all this marks of a well-seasoned writer. I really hope Bob Atkinson will allow these characters to continue in a few more tales.
October 16, 2012
Great Read!!
A Scottish Highland setting, this story spans centuries and is full of action, adventure, determination with romance and snippets that made me smile. Based in Glen Laragain with a strange red sky which is seen by the main characters, the story engages the reader in the mysteries that unfold. The book contains well developed characters that include Colin and Alistair through to Shawnee and Sam. Can history be changed? The book is well and cleverly written. This is a great read for both teenagers and adults alike. Comes very highly recommended, a book that is hard to put down, one of my favourites!!
A Scottish Highland setting, this story spans centuries and is full of action, adventure, determination with romance and snippets that made me smile. Based in Glen Laragain with a strange red sky which is seen by the main characters, the story engages the reader in the mysteries that unfold. The book contains well developed characters that include Colin and Alistair through to Shawnee and Sam. Can history be changed? The book is well and cleverly written. This is a great read for both teenagers and adults alike. Comes very highly recommended, a book that is hard to put down, one of my favourites!!
May 18, 2013
I enjoyed The Last Sunset. I'm not a fan of science fiction but I do like historical novels and this is both. Once I accepted the rift in time created by a nuclear explosion, I found it a page turner. I would have liked another chapter or two to tie up some loose ends. Did they change history and consequently the future? Was the earth still destroyed, did they stay in the past, and how did the relationships formed with occupants of the past turn out? Definitely worth a read and perhaps Bob Atkinson will answer my questions in a sequal. I think I'll ask him.
November 2, 2012
I enjoyed this book very much. I love a good time-travel novel and this one rates highly! It was an interesting twist to involve people from four different time periods coming together in the Scottish Highlands of the 1740's who didn't care if their actions would eventually impact on the future. My only bug-bear was that I found the ending a little unsatisfying - I would have loved to have found out what happened to the main characters! Maybe a sequel is in the offing???
October 12, 2012
This title was a Goodreads - Firstreads win.
Although the first few chapters were a little slow, I had to know what happened next. The story is a time travel-appocoptic-war-love-family connections-story with several twists and turns. There is something for every reader within the pages. The characters are interesting. Not to spoil the ending - but it was an excellent way to tie the loose story ends together,
Although the first few chapters were a little slow, I had to know what happened next. The story is a time travel-appocoptic-war-love-family connections-story with several twists and turns. There is something for every reader within the pages. The characters are interesting. Not to spoil the ending - but it was an excellent way to tie the loose story ends together,
October 7, 2012
A fabulous story, well written and thought out, I really have to say this is my favourite book of the year so far!
April 30, 2013
I have been a fan of stories about time travel for as long as I can remember, so from the moment I started ‘The Last Sunset’ until I finished it, I was completely immersed within the story that Bob Atkinson so thoughtfully created. I enjoyed the way different time periods and people from different places merged together to create a suspenseful and action filled story.
Atkinson stays true to his characters by giving each of them a believable and authentic voice. Whereas sometimes dialogue written in a certain dialect can be distracting, I found the way the characters conversed to be an added bonus, almost as if the way the conversations were written surrounded me within the hills and valleys of the Scottish Highlands.
My favorite part of this book was the fact that it included four various different time periods, bringing them all together in a very unique and original way. I love any story that can tie in real life events and historical facts into the mix, and the way the author dealt with the four years, ranging from events in 1746, 1916, 1976 and 2026 only strengthened the book further.
My only criticism is that it was a little bit challenging to delve into the book at first and get my footing on what exactly was going on, but once the action really started flowing, everything fell together and started to make sense.
Atkinson stays true to his characters by giving each of them a believable and authentic voice. Whereas sometimes dialogue written in a certain dialect can be distracting, I found the way the characters conversed to be an added bonus, almost as if the way the conversations were written surrounded me within the hills and valleys of the Scottish Highlands.
My favorite part of this book was the fact that it included four various different time periods, bringing them all together in a very unique and original way. I love any story that can tie in real life events and historical facts into the mix, and the way the author dealt with the four years, ranging from events in 1746, 1916, 1976 and 2026 only strengthened the book further.
My only criticism is that it was a little bit challenging to delve into the book at first and get my footing on what exactly was going on, but once the action really started flowing, everything fell together and started to make sense.
May 14, 2013
Fantastic read!
What a ride! “The Last Sunset” is a truly fascinating page turner set in Glen Laragain in the Scottish Highlands at one of the most significant points in Scottish history. A pair of soldiers on leave in 1916, a group of British soldiers from 1976 and an American couple from 2026 are swept away thanks to an apocalyptic occurrence and find themselves in the middle of a Scottish massacre in 1746. It’s an extraordinary moment in time –can this disparate group affect the past?
I'm a big fan of history and the idea of a story set during the Jacobite Uprising is very appealing, although I wasn't prepared for the bang-up twists that author Bob Atkinson has devised. He has has concocted an exciting historical tale with a paranormal spin will certainly stoke fans of both genres. The action begins right from page 1 and never lets up. Atkinson has a wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable writing style, creating characters and dialogue that are both authentic and accurate. His prose is evocative of the spirit of Scotland – I could almost smell the heather and taste the whisky.
If historical novels is your thing or if you’re a fan of time travel stories, this book delivers on both counts. “The Last Sunset” is first rate - I highly recommend it.
What a ride! “The Last Sunset” is a truly fascinating page turner set in Glen Laragain in the Scottish Highlands at one of the most significant points in Scottish history. A pair of soldiers on leave in 1916, a group of British soldiers from 1976 and an American couple from 2026 are swept away thanks to an apocalyptic occurrence and find themselves in the middle of a Scottish massacre in 1746. It’s an extraordinary moment in time –can this disparate group affect the past?
I'm a big fan of history and the idea of a story set during the Jacobite Uprising is very appealing, although I wasn't prepared for the bang-up twists that author Bob Atkinson has devised. He has has concocted an exciting historical tale with a paranormal spin will certainly stoke fans of both genres. The action begins right from page 1 and never lets up. Atkinson has a wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable writing style, creating characters and dialogue that are both authentic and accurate. His prose is evocative of the spirit of Scotland – I could almost smell the heather and taste the whisky.
If historical novels is your thing or if you’re a fan of time travel stories, this book delivers on both counts. “The Last Sunset” is first rate - I highly recommend it.
September 17, 2012
received as part of the Librarything Early Reviewer's August 2012 batch, and sent me as an ebook by the publisher Grayhartpress
It is one of the stronger ER books that I've read recently. 4 groups of people, from 4 different time lines are brought together through some extreme event (a nuclear detonation above Scotland in 2026). They come together during one of the more devastating points in the highlands and Bonny Prince Charlie.
There is a culture shock between all the different groups - e.g. the guys from WWI thinking that the war had gone on until 1945, and all of them being shocked with the ecological and nuclear devastation of the planet in 2026.
Andy is a battle hardened Corporal from the mid 1970s British Army, and who finds a certain peace and acceptance within the community, and wishes to protect them.
There is plenty of action, with the time-travellers attempting to prevent the massacre of their ancestors. The ending was (to me, when I finished the book at midnight on night) a little cut short, and it would be interesting to see if Mr Atkinson takes this story any further in a future story
It is one of the stronger ER books that I've read recently. 4 groups of people, from 4 different time lines are brought together through some extreme event (a nuclear detonation above Scotland in 2026). They come together during one of the more devastating points in the highlands and Bonny Prince Charlie.
There is a culture shock between all the different groups - e.g. the guys from WWI thinking that the war had gone on until 1945, and all of them being shocked with the ecological and nuclear devastation of the planet in 2026.
Andy is a battle hardened Corporal from the mid 1970s British Army, and who finds a certain peace and acceptance within the community, and wishes to protect them.
There is plenty of action, with the time-travellers attempting to prevent the massacre of their ancestors. The ending was (to me, when I finished the book at midnight on night) a little cut short, and it would be interesting to see if Mr Atkinson takes this story any further in a future story
December 21, 2014
It took this Yank a few chapters to sort out the language lingo, characters, and to comprehend the story line. But once the characters got together in the same time frame, my wife had a difficult time getting my attention. Even the aroma of fresh baked holiday goodies couldn’t entice me to set the book aside.
Atkinson spins a unique story. He certainly has a way with words. Be it the old Scottish lingo or modern English. His descriptions of ancient, modern, and future Scottish landscape, traditions, events, and characters places the reader smack dab in the middle of the action.
Having Scottish ancestry running thru my veins intrigued me to read his book. That and along with the story involving time travel. One of the best books I have read this year. Atkinson has a new fan.
Atkinson spins a unique story. He certainly has a way with words. Be it the old Scottish lingo or modern English. His descriptions of ancient, modern, and future Scottish landscape, traditions, events, and characters places the reader smack dab in the middle of the action.
Having Scottish ancestry running thru my veins intrigued me to read his book. That and along with the story involving time travel. One of the best books I have read this year. Atkinson has a new fan.
September 6, 2012
I would have given it 5 stars, but I wasn't fully satisfied with the ending. With that said, I thought the writing style and world building was excellent! I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a good time travel story or dystopia.
I received this book from the Early Reviewers Program at LibraryThing.com.
I received this book from the Early Reviewers Program at LibraryThing.com.
January 6, 2015
In The Last Sunset a rag-tag group of unwitting time travellers band together to help a clan of courageous, intrepid, incredibly handsome Highlanders defend their glen against an army of thuggish and not terribly good-looking redcoat soldiers.
Some who have visited our glens on a wet, midge-infested day would probably wonder 'why bother'?
But those of us who know and love these hills in all their different moods would understand.
Some places truly are worth fighting for.
Some who have visited our glens on a wet, midge-infested day would probably wonder 'why bother'?
But those of us who know and love these hills in all their different moods would understand.
Some places truly are worth fighting for.
November 16, 2012
This is one excellent novel by every standard I can imagine. Well structured, unique story line, scenarios that grab the readers' attention, characters who spring to life out of the pages, and overall a book that seduces the reader into believing unbelievable realities. This author is a master of his game - story telling that grips his audience. I am simply glued to every page, and now I can hardly wait until the movie comes out!
April 4, 2013
4.5 Stars ~ I'd like to give this amazing book 4.5 stars. I had the pleasure or reading an ARC copy for an unbiased review and was completely blown away. I am an admitted fan of novels that twist history and elements of the paranormal together. And The Last Sunset does it seamlessly - oftentimes quite eerily. Drawn in from page one, each event builds so that you cannot stop reading. That's why I enjoyed the book so - all of my senses (emotions)were completely immersed.
September 11, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed this book I laughed and cried in equal measure. I found many of the sub plots of the book to be very thought provoking and even suggest a possible answer to many of the mysteries today paranormal activity etc.
Read
March 1, 2013looks good
September 24, 2015
The Last Sunset is Scottish author Bob Atkinson's alt-history romance in which the invites us to imagine what might happen if several heroic but ordinary people fall "out of time" and arrive at a historic nexus point with a chance to rewrite the future.
How to dress for this book: I suggest throwing on the Feileadh-mhor (pronounced like "Feel-a-more" aka "the belted plaid") which plays a prominent role in The Last Sunset, although the author spells it alternately as "phillamore". And maybe add some boots to your outfit to keep your feet warm and dry.
If this book were an animal: It would be the scottish wild goat. A tough, stubborn, hardy breed that scrambles and rambles over the cold uplands.
If this book were a drink, it would be the uisge beatha which is described as a liquid that explodes in your stomach "like nitroglycerine".
I had the Last Sunset on my "to-read" list for over a year, and I finally picked it up about a week ago after an unusual (for me) reading hiatus. All-in-all, I was very happy to have read this well-crafted blend of alt-history, romance and military fiction.
As the alt-history descriptor might suggest, the focus of The Last Sunset is on a terrible attack on Glen Laragain in the Scottish Highlands in 1746. The battle was the start of the destruction of the Highland people and culture by the victors, the Imperial British. In speculating on the weight of history, The Last Sunset asks two question: First: What were the long-term results of that battle and could could the British victory have eventually lead to a far worse event during our own century? And second (and really the driving event of the novel): Could a team of heroic but everyday people (with a few select rifles) drawn from different times and returned to the battle at Glen Laragain change everything? In other words, can hope flicker against the all-consuming power of war, massacre and destruction?
And so The Last Sunset follows a small village of native Highlanders from 1740's (led by the wily and very likable patriarch, Achnacon) , two brothers from 1916, four English infantrymen from 1976, and two American tourists from 2026 all of whom suddenly find themselves thrust into a nexus in time. And, while the main plot of the novel takes place over only a few days, our protagonists will experience love and fear, hope and despair, and ultimately they will test their own humanity against the forces of fate and history.
Of particular interest to me are the characters of Corporal Andy MacMillan, 1976, and Alistair Mhor, a World War 1 veteran from 1916. In many ways, these two become key figures in the a furious battle against the British redcoats (and history itself).
I have to confess that I've been a bit of Scottish-literature fan since the late 90's when I picked up a surreal short story collection by Irvine Welsh (of Trainspotting fame) called The Acid House.
I hope I am not stereotyping, but the three things that strike me right away about Scottish writing (and what makes it "Scottish" to me) are the spoken dialect, the description of the land itself, and the deepset memory of British Imperialism, and Atkinson delivers on all three accounts.
With a few notable exceptions, Atkinson scores well on the Scottish dialect. I particularly enjoyed the banter between the 4 soldiers from the 1970's, with lines like:
"...It’s no animal, ye great pudding. What ye’re hearing is the funeral wail of the clans...."
or
“Ah’ve done four tours in Ireland: After the last one Ah decided there was more tae life than getting shot at by a bunch of Micks, so Ah transferred tae the training centre.”
I also enjoyed the super-thick accent of the native highlanders like Achnacon who refers to all the men as "Chentlemen" (Gentlemen):
“And yourselfs, chentlemen? You wear the breeks of the Lowlander, but I am thinking you are not King Cheorge’s men…?”
There were a few misfires however. In particular the American characters' speech which is heavily peppered with conjunction slang like: "wouldja, couldja, and shouldja" which- I thought- made them seem weirdly inarticulate or sound a bit like Chicago gangsters in an old movie. I don't know, maybe that's how Americans sound to native Scots. The other thing that got to me was the heavy use of the word "wee" (meaning "little") which was used so often in the middle of the book that it started to drive me batty.
Overall, the middle of The Last Sunset could have used a bit of trim. I feel like the characters spend a bit too much time arguing over logistics and travel and a few conversations get repeated. A few discussions might have been edited a bit, but these are small quibbles with an otherwise solid book.
Going back to to my "big three" Scottish themes: Atkinson's love of the highland landscape is clear throughout the book. In his author's notes, Atkinson states that he spent a lot of time hiking in the highlands and it shows in his narrative. He almost has a poet's relationship to the land, delivering gorgeous prose on mists, hills. the weather and the heather.
And finally, there is the issue of British Imperialism itself, or as another Scottish author, Irvine Welsh, cynically describes it "being colonized by wankers"
In many ways, The Last Sunset is a cry for redemption against this very imperialism. It is no accident that the villains are both the Duke of Cumberland and the Hanoverian Red Coats who would later systematically dismantle the culture of the highlands. The story and themes here are not so different from the Biblical Psalm 137: "By the Rivers of Babylon" (in which the author mourns their fallen homeland). Atkinson is remembering a better and more noble time when people lived in harmony with nature, and his Highlanders are those people: beautiful, hardy, clever and faithful.
Finally, do not let all my talk of poetry and themes make you think the book is some kind of slow-paced treatise and/ or travel guide. The Last Sunset is an action novel. It had blood and guts and battles. Too many "wees" aside, this book contains snappy dialogue, romance, comedy, and even one seriously crazed drunken party. The plot thrives and delivers. I will say that the ending is tinged by ambiguity, but in a good, literary way that worked for me.
Overall, Atkinson's novel delivers. And if you are a fan of either sci-fi or historical fiction, or if (like me) you think that Scotland is pretty cool, then I have no reservations in recommending this excellent novel.
One final note: Strangely, Bob Atkinson is somewhat hard to track in terms of the social networks. He does have a blog that he occasionally updates, but it's better to try and follow his Twitter feed which can be found here: https://twitter.com/Abrach1
How to dress for this book: I suggest throwing on the Feileadh-mhor (pronounced like "Feel-a-more" aka "the belted plaid") which plays a prominent role in The Last Sunset, although the author spells it alternately as "phillamore". And maybe add some boots to your outfit to keep your feet warm and dry.
If this book were an animal: It would be the scottish wild goat. A tough, stubborn, hardy breed that scrambles and rambles over the cold uplands.
If this book were a drink, it would be the uisge beatha which is described as a liquid that explodes in your stomach "like nitroglycerine".
I had the Last Sunset on my "to-read" list for over a year, and I finally picked it up about a week ago after an unusual (for me) reading hiatus. All-in-all, I was very happy to have read this well-crafted blend of alt-history, romance and military fiction.
As the alt-history descriptor might suggest, the focus of The Last Sunset is on a terrible attack on Glen Laragain in the Scottish Highlands in 1746. The battle was the start of the destruction of the Highland people and culture by the victors, the Imperial British. In speculating on the weight of history, The Last Sunset asks two question: First: What were the long-term results of that battle and could could the British victory have eventually lead to a far worse event during our own century? And second (and really the driving event of the novel): Could a team of heroic but everyday people (with a few select rifles) drawn from different times and returned to the battle at Glen Laragain change everything? In other words, can hope flicker against the all-consuming power of war, massacre and destruction?
And so The Last Sunset follows a small village of native Highlanders from 1740's (led by the wily and very likable patriarch, Achnacon) , two brothers from 1916, four English infantrymen from 1976, and two American tourists from 2026 all of whom suddenly find themselves thrust into a nexus in time. And, while the main plot of the novel takes place over only a few days, our protagonists will experience love and fear, hope and despair, and ultimately they will test their own humanity against the forces of fate and history.
Of particular interest to me are the characters of Corporal Andy MacMillan, 1976, and Alistair Mhor, a World War 1 veteran from 1916. In many ways, these two become key figures in the a furious battle against the British redcoats (and history itself).
I have to confess that I've been a bit of Scottish-literature fan since the late 90's when I picked up a surreal short story collection by Irvine Welsh (of Trainspotting fame) called The Acid House.
I hope I am not stereotyping, but the three things that strike me right away about Scottish writing (and what makes it "Scottish" to me) are the spoken dialect, the description of the land itself, and the deepset memory of British Imperialism, and Atkinson delivers on all three accounts.
With a few notable exceptions, Atkinson scores well on the Scottish dialect. I particularly enjoyed the banter between the 4 soldiers from the 1970's, with lines like:
"...It’s no animal, ye great pudding. What ye’re hearing is the funeral wail of the clans...."
or
“Ah’ve done four tours in Ireland: After the last one Ah decided there was more tae life than getting shot at by a bunch of Micks, so Ah transferred tae the training centre.”
I also enjoyed the super-thick accent of the native highlanders like Achnacon who refers to all the men as "Chentlemen" (Gentlemen):
“And yourselfs, chentlemen? You wear the breeks of the Lowlander, but I am thinking you are not King Cheorge’s men…?”
There were a few misfires however. In particular the American characters' speech which is heavily peppered with conjunction slang like: "wouldja, couldja, and shouldja" which- I thought- made them seem weirdly inarticulate or sound a bit like Chicago gangsters in an old movie. I don't know, maybe that's how Americans sound to native Scots. The other thing that got to me was the heavy use of the word "wee" (meaning "little") which was used so often in the middle of the book that it started to drive me batty.
Overall, the middle of The Last Sunset could have used a bit of trim. I feel like the characters spend a bit too much time arguing over logistics and travel and a few conversations get repeated. A few discussions might have been edited a bit, but these are small quibbles with an otherwise solid book.
Going back to to my "big three" Scottish themes: Atkinson's love of the highland landscape is clear throughout the book. In his author's notes, Atkinson states that he spent a lot of time hiking in the highlands and it shows in his narrative. He almost has a poet's relationship to the land, delivering gorgeous prose on mists, hills. the weather and the heather.
And finally, there is the issue of British Imperialism itself, or as another Scottish author, Irvine Welsh, cynically describes it "being colonized by wankers"
In many ways, The Last Sunset is a cry for redemption against this very imperialism. It is no accident that the villains are both the Duke of Cumberland and the Hanoverian Red Coats who would later systematically dismantle the culture of the highlands. The story and themes here are not so different from the Biblical Psalm 137: "By the Rivers of Babylon" (in which the author mourns their fallen homeland). Atkinson is remembering a better and more noble time when people lived in harmony with nature, and his Highlanders are those people: beautiful, hardy, clever and faithful.
Finally, do not let all my talk of poetry and themes make you think the book is some kind of slow-paced treatise and/ or travel guide. The Last Sunset is an action novel. It had blood and guts and battles. Too many "wees" aside, this book contains snappy dialogue, romance, comedy, and even one seriously crazed drunken party. The plot thrives and delivers. I will say that the ending is tinged by ambiguity, but in a good, literary way that worked for me.
Overall, Atkinson's novel delivers. And if you are a fan of either sci-fi or historical fiction, or if (like me) you think that Scotland is pretty cool, then I have no reservations in recommending this excellent novel.
One final note: Strangely, Bob Atkinson is somewhat hard to track in terms of the social networks. He does have a blog that he occasionally updates, but it's better to try and follow his Twitter feed which can be found here: https://twitter.com/Abrach1
August 29, 2014
Review of ‘The Last Sunset’ by Robert Atkinson
In 1916, two brothers mourn the sudden loss of their father - in Glen Laragain.
In 1976, four English soldiers assist in the training of young recruits – in Glen Laragain.
In 2026, a young couple from Los Angles search for the woman’s heritage – in Glen Laragain.
Do they have anything in common?
It seems unlikely. But these diverse groups find themselves pulled back through time to the Highlands of April 1746. There, they find each other, and are thrust into the lives of the people of Glen Laragain. What they discover is a world afraid – lives are in danger.
The threat is imminent, and the stakes are high. The English want to obliterate resistance in the Highlands, no matter what it takes. Having come to terms with their fate, the time travelers step up, and help fend off the English attacks, saving not only themselves, but the Glen Laragain people, including new friends … and loves.
However, the presence in the past of the time travelers, with their knowledge, actions, and modern weaponry, causes timeline changes that will echo far into the future, like ripples from a pebble dropped in time.
Mr. Atkinson is a master storyteller – I was hooked immediately. The descriptions of the Scots Highlands, and its people, the well-developed characters, the dialogue including the various linguistic styles, the sometimes frenetic action, the amazing emotion, all captured my imagination and kept me on the edge of my seat. Mr. Atkinson’s unusual use of multiple time travel events fascinated me.
Mr. Atkinson and The Last Sunset receive a well-deserved 5-Star rating.
Dayna Leigh Cheser
Author of Janelle’s Time, Moria’s Time, and Adelle’s Time
my link text
In 1916, two brothers mourn the sudden loss of their father - in Glen Laragain.
In 1976, four English soldiers assist in the training of young recruits – in Glen Laragain.
In 2026, a young couple from Los Angles search for the woman’s heritage – in Glen Laragain.
Do they have anything in common?
It seems unlikely. But these diverse groups find themselves pulled back through time to the Highlands of April 1746. There, they find each other, and are thrust into the lives of the people of Glen Laragain. What they discover is a world afraid – lives are in danger.
The threat is imminent, and the stakes are high. The English want to obliterate resistance in the Highlands, no matter what it takes. Having come to terms with their fate, the time travelers step up, and help fend off the English attacks, saving not only themselves, but the Glen Laragain people, including new friends … and loves.
However, the presence in the past of the time travelers, with their knowledge, actions, and modern weaponry, causes timeline changes that will echo far into the future, like ripples from a pebble dropped in time.
Mr. Atkinson is a master storyteller – I was hooked immediately. The descriptions of the Scots Highlands, and its people, the well-developed characters, the dialogue including the various linguistic styles, the sometimes frenetic action, the amazing emotion, all captured my imagination and kept me on the edge of my seat. Mr. Atkinson’s unusual use of multiple time travel events fascinated me.
Mr. Atkinson and The Last Sunset receive a well-deserved 5-Star rating.
Dayna Leigh Cheser
Author of Janelle’s Time, Moria’s Time, and Adelle’s Time
my link text
May 17, 2013
This is such an enjoyable mixture of genre's. From the science fiction of time travel to the romance of the Scottish Highlands Bob Atkinson expertly blends together the lives of disparate individuals into a wonderful whole. From two brothers in 1916, four squaddies in 1976 and a young American couple in 2026. What they have in common is to be in Glen Laragain when the sky is filled with an apocalyptic fire.
Somehow they are all thrown together to witness the heartless massacre of defenceless women and children at the hands of Cumberland's ruthless Redcoats! They are faced with the choice of hiding or doing what they can to protect the innocents from a genocidal campaign masquerading as 'The Pacification of The Highlands'!
This is a book which once started I had to read through to the end as our time travellers face a ruthless enemy, find love and redemption in the arms of strong female characters who are not afraid to join their men in defending their homes.
The author has captured perfectly the atmosphere of a Highland township in the mid 18th Century and you can picture yourself being there in the 'black houses' breathing in the peat smoke filled air and listening to the musical Gaelic voices of the people.
The climatic battle when 600 Redcoats set out to burn, destroy and kill every last living thing in Glen Laragain is an edge of the seat thrill-ride where you will find yourself cheering for the defenders and shedding a tear as it becomes clear that there can be little hope of a happy ending!
I have no reservation in recommending this book to all those who enjoy a proper, good old fashioned page turner that holds your interest from the first page to the last.
Somehow they are all thrown together to witness the heartless massacre of defenceless women and children at the hands of Cumberland's ruthless Redcoats! They are faced with the choice of hiding or doing what they can to protect the innocents from a genocidal campaign masquerading as 'The Pacification of The Highlands'!
This is a book which once started I had to read through to the end as our time travellers face a ruthless enemy, find love and redemption in the arms of strong female characters who are not afraid to join their men in defending their homes.
The author has captured perfectly the atmosphere of a Highland township in the mid 18th Century and you can picture yourself being there in the 'black houses' breathing in the peat smoke filled air and listening to the musical Gaelic voices of the people.
The climatic battle when 600 Redcoats set out to burn, destroy and kill every last living thing in Glen Laragain is an edge of the seat thrill-ride where you will find yourself cheering for the defenders and shedding a tear as it becomes clear that there can be little hope of a happy ending!
I have no reservation in recommending this book to all those who enjoy a proper, good old fashioned page turner that holds your interest from the first page to the last.
February 5, 2013
Starting 1916 Scotland, Bob begins the story with a bang! A man minding his own business, searching for his ewe, vanishes by supernatural forces.
First, before I get into more of the story, I love the Scottish lilt of Bob’s voice in this book. As I read, I could hear the dialog being spoken with that beautiful accent. This vanishing continues for decades on the anniversary of a Scottish massacre that happened long ago. No one seems to believe this Urban Legend, they just stay away from Glen Laragain until Sam and Shawnee come along. Shawnee is a descendent of the Camarons of Glen Laragain, who seemed to have suffered the same fate as her ancestors.
I don’t want to tell the rest of the story but this phenomenon spans through different times and Bob Atkinson takes you back and forth, from the ancient hills of “Brigadoon” (just kidding but I’ve always wanted to say that) to modern Scotland of the future. Wonderfully written, Bob describes this beautiful country and the terrors that plagued Glen Laragain.
Not only is it action packed, but you will meet several characters that deserve the title “hero”. Everything that happens throughout the centuries can be blamed on the An Adhar Dearg. What is that you ask? Well, you’ll have to read The Last Sunset to find out.
My overall take of The Last Sunset: The love and beauty of this land is shown in every word written by this author and it also carries a subtle message, “Please keep it beautiful”.
First, before I get into more of the story, I love the Scottish lilt of Bob’s voice in this book. As I read, I could hear the dialog being spoken with that beautiful accent. This vanishing continues for decades on the anniversary of a Scottish massacre that happened long ago. No one seems to believe this Urban Legend, they just stay away from Glen Laragain until Sam and Shawnee come along. Shawnee is a descendent of the Camarons of Glen Laragain, who seemed to have suffered the same fate as her ancestors.
I don’t want to tell the rest of the story but this phenomenon spans through different times and Bob Atkinson takes you back and forth, from the ancient hills of “Brigadoon” (just kidding but I’ve always wanted to say that) to modern Scotland of the future. Wonderfully written, Bob describes this beautiful country and the terrors that plagued Glen Laragain.
Not only is it action packed, but you will meet several characters that deserve the title “hero”. Everything that happens throughout the centuries can be blamed on the An Adhar Dearg. What is that you ask? Well, you’ll have to read The Last Sunset to find out.
My overall take of The Last Sunset: The love and beauty of this land is shown in every word written by this author and it also carries a subtle message, “Please keep it beautiful”.
February 7, 2013
(This review may contain spoilers).
I like time travel stories. I'm not sure why, but I like them a lot more than... well, vampires (which isn't very difficult, admittedly).
I thought the device used to get the characters back in time was fairly unique. A nuclear holocaust, with enough strength to resonate in one particular spot. There were quite a lot of characters in the book - and I was more than a little confused at times - but I quickly found all of the characters likable and interesting. I cared about what happened to them.
I liked the fact that all of the characters who went back in time were so different. Their speech patterns were unique and I liked the fact that their accents were written out (though one of the accents made me think of Rogue from the X-Men).
I really liked the character Alistair. I liked all of them, but he was by far my favourite. I was rather fond of Andy - and the mispronunciation of his name made me giggle. I also thought that Andy's growing relationship with Ishbel was sweet and I liked them together.
I did notice several POV changes. If it wasn't for them, I would give the book five stars. But unfortunately, the POV-shifts within chapters and paragraphs made it somewhat hard to concentrate.
I do hope that there'll be a sequel. I felt like there was so much more of the story to tell.
I like time travel stories. I'm not sure why, but I like them a lot more than... well, vampires (which isn't very difficult, admittedly).
I thought the device used to get the characters back in time was fairly unique. A nuclear holocaust, with enough strength to resonate in one particular spot. There were quite a lot of characters in the book - and I was more than a little confused at times - but I quickly found all of the characters likable and interesting. I cared about what happened to them.
I liked the fact that all of the characters who went back in time were so different. Their speech patterns were unique and I liked the fact that their accents were written out (though one of the accents made me think of Rogue from the X-Men).
I really liked the character Alistair. I liked all of them, but he was by far my favourite. I was rather fond of Andy - and the mispronunciation of his name made me giggle. I also thought that Andy's growing relationship with Ishbel was sweet and I liked them together.
I did notice several POV changes. If it wasn't for them, I would give the book five stars. But unfortunately, the POV-shifts within chapters and paragraphs made it somewhat hard to concentrate.
I do hope that there'll be a sequel. I felt like there was so much more of the story to tell.
February 2, 2013
I was very happy to come across this book when hearing of another author. My usual reading fare is either university textbooks or sci-fi/fantasy books. This had a nuclear apocalypse, and time travel as a result, so that was a instant hook. I love reading the many ways that time travel is used in stories.
Having both Scots and Irish bloodlines in my family tree, the setting was another thing that drew me in. Having read this book, it was a balm to that part of me that is always trying to reclaim and incorporate more on my ancestors cultural experience... from all the myriad bloodlines that I carry. Shawnee therefor resonated with me extremely loudly.
The characters are well written, I greatly enjoyed seeing them grow. The story had me up and down through the successes and tragedies. I don't want to spoil it for anyone reading this, but there was one character that I was leery of his turning being actual... until he returned a certain book.
What I liked most about this though is the message of hope, that little actions can make a difference in the larger whole and change events. I can think of one person that I will have to save for to be able to buy her a paperback copy for her birthday, as I know that she would really sink her teeth into this. I wish my father was still alive, he would have loved this book. If only this had been around sometime between 2005-2008.
Having both Scots and Irish bloodlines in my family tree, the setting was another thing that drew me in. Having read this book, it was a balm to that part of me that is always trying to reclaim and incorporate more on my ancestors cultural experience... from all the myriad bloodlines that I carry. Shawnee therefor resonated with me extremely loudly.
The characters are well written, I greatly enjoyed seeing them grow. The story had me up and down through the successes and tragedies. I don't want to spoil it for anyone reading this, but there was one character that I was leery of his turning being actual... until he returned a certain book.
What I liked most about this though is the message of hope, that little actions can make a difference in the larger whole and change events. I can think of one person that I will have to save for to be able to buy her a paperback copy for her birthday, as I know that she would really sink her teeth into this. I wish my father was still alive, he would have loved this book. If only this had been around sometime between 2005-2008.
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