Book Review: Under the Emerald Sky: A tale of love and betrayal in 19th century Ireland, by Juliane Weber

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Having read about the famine in 19th century Ireland, I chose in the first book in Juliane Weber's Irish Fortune Series as my holiday reading  Set in 1843, the main characters are a former Army officer, Quin Williams, and a young Irishwoman, Alannah O’Neill.

There is enough hostility towards the British to mean their relationship has to be kept a secret. I was surprised to find the potato famine is reserved for the second book in this two-book series, so 'Under the Emerald Sky' develops the characters at a leisurely pace, although there are plenty of hints about what is to come.

I liked the unexpected twists and turns of the narrative, and how the back-story of the likeable protagonists unfolds to create memorable characters. Juliane Weber's storytelling blends romance and suspense to create a page-turning narrative that kept me hooked.

The evocative story would lend itself well to a screenplay, and several times I was reminded of my own visits to the Irish countryside. I enjoyed the book, and recommend reading it as a prequel to the second book in the series, 'Beneath the Darkening Clouds'.

Tony Riches 

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About the author

Juliane Weber is a scientist by training. She holds degrees in physiology and zoology, including a PhD in physiology. During her studies she realised, however, that her passion lay not in conducting scientific research herself, but in writing about it. Thus began her career as a medical writer, where she took on all manner of writing and editing tasks, in the process honing her writing skills, until she finally plucked up the courage to write her first historical novel, Under the Emerald Sky.  Juliane was born in Germany but spent most of her life in South Africa. She now lives with her husband and her two sons in Hamelin, Germany, the town made famous by the story of the Pied Piper.  Find out more (and follow her blog) on Juliane’s website www.julianeweber.com and find her on Facebook and Twitter @Writer_JW