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Scarlet Shadows
Across the raging landscape of a world in flames their forbidden passion cast Scarlet Shadows. A fragile English beauty poised on the brink of bottomless desire...
448 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 1978
145 people want to read
About the author
Emma Drummond
24 books15 followersA pseudonym used by Edna Dawes.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
Drummond was born in a Military Hospital, as her father was a member of the British Army. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, where her father was stationed. She eventually married a senior British Civil Servant. She worked for a time as a WRAC (Womens Royal Army Corps). She also writes as Elizabeth Darrell, Eve Dane, Edna Dawes, and Eleanor Drew.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 17, 2010
Victoria Castledon captures the heart of wealthy aristocrat Charles Stanford, and despite her slight reluctance, good British manners don't allow one to turn down such a good offer. While staying at the Stanford's huge country estate, Charles' foster-brother Hugo Esterly arrives to recuperate from an accident and he and Victoria find something else growing from their friendship, but honor comes first and he must let her go to marry Charles. Charles is a pompous ass and makes a less than stellar husband, but Victoria tries to make the best of it, until a tragic accident shatters everyone's lives and irrevocably destroys the relationship between the two brothers.
Charles and Hugo are both officers in the Hussars, and their troop leaves with the others when war is declared in the Crimea, and Victoria accompanies her husband with the other military wives. The troops soon find that chasing off those pesky Russians isn't going to be quite the easy task they expected, and the British are ill-prepared for a long siege in a bitter winter, nor do they have the medical staff and equipment to deal with the thousands of wounded.
For those not familiar with the Crimean War, I would say this is an excellent starter point to get yourself grounded on the period and puts the reader right into the heart of the ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade,
"They were being ordered to make the supreme but senseless sacrifice for their country. He and six hundred and seventy-two other men were being ordered to commit suicide."
You will also see firsthand the horrific conditions of the wounded prisoners at the infamous hospital at Scutari,
"Beside a rickety wooden table was a basket full of limbs, some with uniform sleeves still upon them, or the worn remains of a boot. They stuck out at angles, just as they had been thrown..."
As for the soldiers lucky enough not to be wounded?
"Those who are not wounded have fever, those who are not fever-ridden are starving; those who are not starving are dying of frostbite."
Yes, war is hell isn't it? A darn near unputdownable read, and Drummond really has a good feel for the period, the military life and their unique social caste system. Her characters act and talk appropriate to the period and while Victoria might be in need of rescue by Hugo on occasion the situations don't come across as the contrived heroine in constant peril one is so used to coming across in today's romances.
You will loathe Charles (what a cad) and root for Victoria and Hugo (what a man), but despite the lurid red cover and jacket description there really is no sex to speak of in this one, so don't let the bodice-ripper image scare you off. From the brief bio I've seen of Drummond (who also writes as Elizabeth Darrell), she has a strong military background, both as a child and through her husband. Highly recommended.
Charles and Hugo are both officers in the Hussars, and their troop leaves with the others when war is declared in the Crimea, and Victoria accompanies her husband with the other military wives. The troops soon find that chasing off those pesky Russians isn't going to be quite the easy task they expected, and the British are ill-prepared for a long siege in a bitter winter, nor do they have the medical staff and equipment to deal with the thousands of wounded.
For those not familiar with the Crimean War, I would say this is an excellent starter point to get yourself grounded on the period and puts the reader right into the heart of the ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade,
"They were being ordered to make the supreme but senseless sacrifice for their country. He and six hundred and seventy-two other men were being ordered to commit suicide."
You will also see firsthand the horrific conditions of the wounded prisoners at the infamous hospital at Scutari,
"Beside a rickety wooden table was a basket full of limbs, some with uniform sleeves still upon them, or the worn remains of a boot. They stuck out at angles, just as they had been thrown..."
As for the soldiers lucky enough not to be wounded?
"Those who are not wounded have fever, those who are not fever-ridden are starving; those who are not starving are dying of frostbite."
Yes, war is hell isn't it? A darn near unputdownable read, and Drummond really has a good feel for the period, the military life and their unique social caste system. Her characters act and talk appropriate to the period and while Victoria might be in need of rescue by Hugo on occasion the situations don't come across as the contrived heroine in constant peril one is so used to coming across in today's romances.
You will loathe Charles (what a cad) and root for Victoria and Hugo (what a man), but despite the lurid red cover and jacket description there really is no sex to speak of in this one, so don't let the bodice-ripper image scare you off. From the brief bio I've seen of Drummond (who also writes as Elizabeth Darrell), she has a strong military background, both as a child and through her husband. Highly recommended.
November 13, 2014
Victoria is only 17 years old and an orphan when she is betrothed to Charles, a titled military man of 38, considered a fine catch . His outward charm masks a stern, controlling nature which Victoria starts getting whiffs of even before the wedding, but youthful inexperience and naivity make a dangerous combination.
While at the family estate in the months before their planned wedding, Victoria becomes companion to Charles' brother Hugo (at home recovering from temporary blindness) and starts falling for his easy nature. Still, even after a taste of what true love is she feels honor bound to go through with her marriage to Charles.
What follows is a diasterous marriage, family feud, tragedy and war. Both brothers (being military men) are assigned to the Crimea. Victoria goes along as a military wife. She has to deal with the violence of her husband and the smoldering glances of Hugo. Added to that is sickness, storms, starvation and the turmoil of war. Injury and death doesn't even begin to cover what becomes a full scale blood bath in the infamous "charge of the light brigade "
Emma Drummond writes in a gripping, readable style. Her characters LIVE (and yeah, they die too) and even if you dont like them you want to know what becomes of them. So Scarlet Shadows kept me turning the pages.
In saying that, its not a cheerful read. And I didn't enjoy it as much as "Forget the Glory ". (By the way both SS and FTG are based on the Crimean war so there are similarities between them and some of the same events are mentioned.)
So whose the better hero? Hugo (in SS) or Rowan (in FTG) . Hmmmm. Both are angsty tortured heroes. Very hard to choose. Hugo sees Victoria's worth from the very start which is sooo sweet, while Rowan has to have Mary pounded over his head for him to see her as more than a maid. But still, once he sees her, TRULY sees her....*sigh* ..
The better heroine? Victoria (in SS) or Mary (in FTG) ?
Mary, hands down.
CONTENT :
SEX : Non explicit (but nonetheless mature) scene of marital rape, past dalliances on the part of male characters are mentioned. Passionate longing.
PROFANITY : Pretty mild. D 's and B 's.
VIOLENCE : Brief but intense battle scenes.
MY RATING: Strong PG 13
Recommended for: NA and A readers
While at the family estate in the months before their planned wedding, Victoria becomes companion to Charles' brother Hugo (at home recovering from temporary blindness) and starts falling for his easy nature. Still, even after a taste of what true love is she feels honor bound to go through with her marriage to Charles.
What follows is a diasterous marriage, family feud, tragedy and war. Both brothers (being military men) are assigned to the Crimea. Victoria goes along as a military wife. She has to deal with the violence of her husband and the smoldering glances of Hugo. Added to that is sickness, storms, starvation and the turmoil of war. Injury and death doesn't even begin to cover what becomes a full scale blood bath in the infamous "charge of the light brigade "
Emma Drummond writes in a gripping, readable style. Her characters LIVE (and yeah, they die too) and even if you dont like them you want to know what becomes of them. So Scarlet Shadows kept me turning the pages.
In saying that, its not a cheerful read. And I didn't enjoy it as much as "Forget the Glory ". (By the way both SS and FTG are based on the Crimean war so there are similarities between them and some of the same events are mentioned.)
So whose the better hero? Hugo (in SS) or Rowan (in FTG) . Hmmmm. Both are angsty tortured heroes. Very hard to choose. Hugo sees Victoria's worth from the very start which is sooo sweet, while Rowan has to have Mary pounded over his head for him to see her as more than a maid. But still, once he sees her, TRULY sees her....*sigh* ..
The better heroine? Victoria (in SS) or Mary (in FTG) ?
Mary, hands down.
CONTENT :
SEX : Non explicit (but nonetheless mature) scene of marital rape, past dalliances on the part of male characters are mentioned. Passionate longing.
PROFANITY : Pretty mild. D 's and B 's.
VIOLENCE : Brief but intense battle scenes.
MY RATING: Strong PG 13
Recommended for: NA and A readers
August 11, 2014
Rating: 4.5 stars
It's the mid 1800s. When Hugo and Victoria first meet, their shared teasing nature gives them an instant connection and before either of them has realised what's happened, that friendship has turned into love. But there's a problem - Victoria is already betrothed to Hugo's older brother Charles. Despite enjoying a daring and reckless reputation, Hugo honourably leaves before they can grow any closer, and she is dutifully married off to Charles, a man twice her age obsessed with heritage, titles and heirs.
The young and spirited Victoria is stifled and isolated in her new imposing home with her increasingly possessive husband. A few chance meetings with Hugo gives her glimpses of happiness, and though they neither touch nor speak of their love, their unacknowledged adoration and heartache is gorgeous. A sudden tragedy then shatters all three lives, irrevocably ripping Charles and Hugo apart in a tangle of bitterness and guilt.
Amidst all the personal troubles, the Crimean War begins and as a Major's wife, Victoria accompanies the opposing brothers as they lead thousands of men to battle, where cholera, starvation, agony and the cruel Russian winter awaits. Under-prepared and ill-equipped, the fighting and suffering is brutal, none more so than the devastating Charge of the Light Brigade which is played out in shocking and heartbreaking detail.
As the conflict drags on, can Victoria, Hugo and Charles survive not only the hell of war, but also the tensions, torments and sacrifices of each other?
An excellent read with a fine eye for the era - the perfect blend of angsty romance and compelling history.
It's the mid 1800s. When Hugo and Victoria first meet, their shared teasing nature gives them an instant connection and before either of them has realised what's happened, that friendship has turned into love. But there's a problem - Victoria is already betrothed to Hugo's older brother Charles. Despite enjoying a daring and reckless reputation, Hugo honourably leaves before they can grow any closer, and she is dutifully married off to Charles, a man twice her age obsessed with heritage, titles and heirs.
The young and spirited Victoria is stifled and isolated in her new imposing home with her increasingly possessive husband. A few chance meetings with Hugo gives her glimpses of happiness, and though they neither touch nor speak of their love, their unacknowledged adoration and heartache is gorgeous. A sudden tragedy then shatters all three lives, irrevocably ripping Charles and Hugo apart in a tangle of bitterness and guilt.
Amidst all the personal troubles, the Crimean War begins and as a Major's wife, Victoria accompanies the opposing brothers as they lead thousands of men to battle, where cholera, starvation, agony and the cruel Russian winter awaits. Under-prepared and ill-equipped, the fighting and suffering is brutal, none more so than the devastating Charge of the Light Brigade which is played out in shocking and heartbreaking detail.
As the conflict drags on, can Victoria, Hugo and Charles survive not only the hell of war, but also the tensions, torments and sacrifices of each other?
An excellent read with a fine eye for the era - the perfect blend of angsty romance and compelling history.
September 25, 2018
It shouldn't be the case, considering how long I've been reading historical fiction, but the work of Emma Drummond/Elizabeth Darrell is new to me. This British author was born in 1931 into a military family, spent her early childhood in Hong Kong, married a British civil servant, and she herself served in the Women's Royal Army Corp. No wonder most of her novels have wars as the backdrop to the personal stories.
This particular book was first published in 1978 and takes place during the time of the Crimean War (1850s). The three main characters are 17-year-old, innocent, naive, lovely Victoria Castledon; self-assured, stiff-rumped, inflexible 39-year-old Major Charles Stanford, the future Lord Blythe; and 27-year-old dashing and charming Captain Hugo Esterly. orphaned at a young age and raised by Lord and Lady Blythe as a younger brother to Charles.
As the story begins, Victoria is engaged to Charles. This is considered a brilliant match for Victoria. Charles is quite the catch. And young Victoria is a lovely blank slate that Charles and his mother want to make their mark on, forming her personality to their satisfaction. The fly in the works comes when Hugo is injured in battle and comes home to recuperate. He has been blinded, it is hoped temporarily, and so, when he meets Victoria, he cannot see her and she cannot see his face beneath the bandages. They become close through conversation and interactions, with no initial lusty thoughts involved. A perfect way for love to develop.
Well, perfect except that Victoria is to marry Charles and this is the 1800s. There's no way that this engagement can be broken so that Victoria and Hugo can ride off into the sunset together. So instead we have a poignant, angsty, somewhat melodramatic, love triangle. It's quite touching at times, quite frustrating at others, sometimes maddening. The three characters in the triangle all suffer mightily.
But that's not all the suffering the reader is subjected to. There's also the war in Crimea, which may possibly go down in history as one of the most ill thought out, ill planned, ill equipped and provisioned, ineptly commanded military interventions ever. Drummond/Darrell doesn't hold back on descriptions of this war: the diseases, the unsanitary conditions, the hardships, the lack of medical provisions and care, lack of food and even tents. Even the fate of the Hussars' horses is saddening and tragic to read about.
I've read accounts of the Crimean War in other historical books. This one is right there with the best of them. Just the section on the Charge of the Light Brigade is enough to horrify, enrage and depress the reader. I found this to be an impressive, albeit somewhat melodramatic, love story and a sad tale about the horrors of war. (Lest I put romance readers off with this review, I must mention that the love story itself is well done and has an HEA for two in the triangle.)
This particular book was first published in 1978 and takes place during the time of the Crimean War (1850s). The three main characters are 17-year-old, innocent, naive, lovely Victoria Castledon; self-assured, stiff-rumped, inflexible 39-year-old Major Charles Stanford, the future Lord Blythe; and 27-year-old dashing and charming Captain Hugo Esterly. orphaned at a young age and raised by Lord and Lady Blythe as a younger brother to Charles.
As the story begins, Victoria is engaged to Charles. This is considered a brilliant match for Victoria. Charles is quite the catch. And young Victoria is a lovely blank slate that Charles and his mother want to make their mark on, forming her personality to their satisfaction. The fly in the works comes when Hugo is injured in battle and comes home to recuperate. He has been blinded, it is hoped temporarily, and so, when he meets Victoria, he cannot see her and she cannot see his face beneath the bandages. They become close through conversation and interactions, with no initial lusty thoughts involved. A perfect way for love to develop.
Well, perfect except that Victoria is to marry Charles and this is the 1800s. There's no way that this engagement can be broken so that Victoria and Hugo can ride off into the sunset together. So instead we have a poignant, angsty, somewhat melodramatic, love triangle. It's quite touching at times, quite frustrating at others, sometimes maddening. The three characters in the triangle all suffer mightily.
But that's not all the suffering the reader is subjected to. There's also the war in Crimea, which may possibly go down in history as one of the most ill thought out, ill planned, ill equipped and provisioned, ineptly commanded military interventions ever. Drummond/Darrell doesn't hold back on descriptions of this war: the diseases, the unsanitary conditions, the hardships, the lack of medical provisions and care, lack of food and even tents. Even the fate of the Hussars' horses is saddening and tragic to read about.
I've read accounts of the Crimean War in other historical books. This one is right there with the best of them. Just the section on the Charge of the Light Brigade is enough to horrify, enrage and depress the reader. I found this to be an impressive, albeit somewhat melodramatic, love story and a sad tale about the horrors of war. (Lest I put romance readers off with this review, I must mention that the love story itself is well done and has an HEA for two in the triangle.)
March 6, 2018
From the date of publication it seems that this is the first book written by the author with the pseudonym Emma Drummond. Now it is found as an e-book by Elizabeth Darrell.
I skipped a lot. The young heroine visits the house of her much older fiancee and she meets his brother. It is love at first sight for both of them, although he cannot see at the moment due to an accident. The romance wasn't convincing. The Crimean war was much better described in her later work "Forget the glory".
I skipped a lot. The young heroine visits the house of her much older fiancee and she meets his brother. It is love at first sight for both of them, although he cannot see at the moment due to an accident. The romance wasn't convincing. The Crimean war was much better described in her later work "Forget the glory".
July 6, 2015
Yet another wonderful Drummond read. 4.5 stars for me because of the somewhat abrupt ending and the fact that occasionally the Victorian morals got a bit much for me (just doooo it, Hugo and Victoria!) but engrossing and vivid and making me love some characters and loathe the others while understanding them at the same time.
March 6, 2021
The beginning of this book was difficult: Victoria is a very realistic eighteen-year-old, which is to say naive and foolish, and it’s hard to watch her get swept into an obviously disastrous engagement with a much older man. It’s incredibly absorbing and Hugo makes a great romantic lead.
I did find the Charles/Victoria sections super difficult; it’s the Victorian era and on her wedding night Victoria literally thinks she and Charles are just going to sleep in the same bed. It’s unsurprising to note that Charles - oblivious as always to Victoria’s concerns and, really, her personhood - rapes her; and continues to do so over the early course of their marriage while shying away from his own knowledge that he enjoys her misery.
The historical details are amazing - the author came from a military family - and the drama level is high. From a romance perspective I did find Hugo’s occasional Similarly, over the course of the book Hugo is a jerkface many, many times. The book ends somewhat abruptly.
Content warnings:
I did find the Charles/Victoria sections super difficult; it’s the Victorian era and on her wedding night Victoria literally thinks she and Charles are just going to sleep in the same bed. It’s unsurprising to note that Charles - oblivious as always to Victoria’s concerns and, really, her personhood - rapes her; and continues to do so over the early course of their marriage while shying away from his own knowledge that he enjoys her misery.
The historical details are amazing - the author came from a military family - and the drama level is high. From a romance perspective I did find Hugo’s occasional Similarly, over the course of the book Hugo is a jerkface many, many times. The book ends somewhat abruptly.
Content warnings:
August 25, 2023
Oh, what a great writer Emma Drummond/ Elizabeth Darrell is!. This is the third book of hers I have read and it did not dissapoint! She has a great literary talent, you are engrossed in the storyline and live with the characters. People read her books as they are worth it and do not deserve to be forgotten!
This book is also about the Crimean War between 1853 and 1856 between Russia and the Ottoman e
Empire, the latter being supported by Britain, France and Sardinia. The events portraid include the Charge of the Light Brigade and the horrowing condition the british army had to withstand in this war.
I liked the two main characters Hugo Esterly and Victoria Castledon and their love story.
Highly recommend , together with Forget the Glory (also about the Crimean War but told from the perspective of the subsequent troops sent from India after the slaughter of the light brigade).
This book is also about the Crimean War between 1853 and 1856 between Russia and the Ottoman e
Empire, the latter being supported by Britain, France and Sardinia. The events portraid include the Charge of the Light Brigade and the horrowing condition the british army had to withstand in this war.
I liked the two main characters Hugo Esterly and Victoria Castledon and their love story.
Highly recommend , together with Forget the Glory (also about the Crimean War but told from the perspective of the subsequent troops sent from India after the slaughter of the light brigade).
May 13, 2017
Great historical fiction set against the Crimean War, and in particular, the devastating fate of the English Army's Light Brigade. The description of the horrors of war and its aftermath are not for the faint of heart.
The protagonist of this tale is a pretty good character. Through her, we see the evolution of a sheltered, naive English girl into a woman who knows how to follow the drum, and is capable of more heroism and resilience than many of her male counterparts.
As a historical romance, alas, it was a total disappointment, with a wishy-washy hero who cruelly and carelessly hurt the heroine in a thousand more cutting ways than the "villain" of the piece could ever hope to achieve.
Quel dommage!
The protagonist of this tale is a pretty good character. Through her, we see the evolution of a sheltered, naive English girl into a woman who knows how to follow the drum, and is capable of more heroism and resilience than many of her male counterparts.
As a historical romance, alas, it was a total disappointment, with a wishy-washy hero who cruelly and carelessly hurt the heroine in a thousand more cutting ways than the "villain" of the piece could ever hope to achieve.
Quel dommage!
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