melissasbookshelf's review
4.0
Loved this book! This is the first book in the medieval series by Joyce DiPastena. It is teeming with romance, action, and some nasty characters. I normally don't read books from this time period, but I loved this one and enjoyed the characters. It is also a clean romance that manages to suck you in with just a simple kiss. Highly recommend this!
ghumpherys's review
4.0
I was impressed with all the details in this medieval historical story -- I could tell the author had done a lot of research about the time period, from food to clothing to politics. (And it was interesting to read the note at the end about which characters were actual historical figures.)
juliavdelft's review
3.0
For the most part, I enjoyed it. The author is clearly knowledgeable about the time period, customs, clothing, food, the castles, etc. so that made it easier to immerse myself in the story.
The plot was interesting and mostly fast-moving. I liked the characters of Hélène and Gunthar and thought they were mostly well done. Their romance was a bit weird and I don't like really pushy guys like that but it didn't ruin the story.
I also don't usually like books that have the males POV in a romance, but this one was actually good. Gunthar didn't only think about the girl all the time but actually worked and fought and did stuff that people do when they're in charge of lots of people and have to work hard.
Some things were modern but I think that's inevitable so it didn't matter much to me. All in all, I'd recommend this for people who like medieval history that's mostly a romance.
The plot was interesting and mostly fast-moving. I liked the characters of Hélène and Gunthar and thought they were mostly well done. Their romance was a bit weird and I don't like really pushy guys like that but it didn't ruin the story.
I also don't usually like books that have the males POV in a romance, but this one was actually good. Gunthar didn't only think about the girl all the time but actually worked and fought and did stuff that people do when they're in charge of lots of people and have to work hard.
Some things were modern but I think that's inevitable so it didn't matter much to me. All in all, I'd recommend this for people who like medieval history that's mostly a romance.
holtfan's review
1.0
If I had read this book 9-years-ago when I first marked it to-read, I suspect I would have rated it considerably higher. As it is, I have very little tolerance for type of male hero presented in this novel. He burns with jealousy, forces kisses on the heroine, and in general behaves like an alpha-asshole.
It is a clean romance (besides the kissing) and not particularly egregious outside of his behavior, but it was enough to consistently irritate me as I read.
The mystery/action itself was awkward and predictable. (The identity of the spy felt like a Blue's Clues episode with author all but shouting A CLUE!!!! at various moments throughout.) A lot of drama centers around miscommunication and flagrant distrust stemming from little provocation. And the heroine, while gutsy, also behaved irrationally throughout.
What finally put the nail in the coffin for me, however, was how most female characters come across. They're all willing wenches or borderline witches with the exception of maybe the main character. I suppose with a book set in Medieval times the characterizations fits to some degree with the language of the day, but at the same time, consistently pigeonholing every female character in or the other grew on my nerves.
This wasn't one of those 1 star books I really hated. I feel half-guilty rating it so low, even. But "didn't like it" sums up my feelings pretty well.
It is a clean romance (besides the kissing) and not particularly egregious outside of his behavior, but it was enough to consistently irritate me as I read.
The mystery/action itself was awkward and predictable. (The identity of the spy felt like a Blue's Clues episode with author all but shouting A CLUE!!!! at various moments throughout.) A lot of drama centers around miscommunication and flagrant distrust stemming from little provocation. And the heroine, while gutsy, also behaved irrationally throughout.
What finally put the nail in the coffin for me, however, was how most female characters come across. They're all willing wenches or borderline witches with the exception of maybe the main character. I suppose with a book set in Medieval times the characterizations fits to some degree with the language of the day, but at the same time, consistently pigeonholing every female character in or the other grew on my nerves.
This wasn't one of those 1 star books I really hated. I feel half-guilty rating it so low, even. But "didn't like it" sums up my feelings pretty well.
sarahconnor89757's review
3.0
Very nice novel with a stronge female lead; it's something I would have enjoyed more in my early teens.
endlessreader's review
2.0
I received this book as a part of the Goodreads First Reads contest. I thought it was an okay novel. As a fan of historical fiction, I enjoyed the author's foray into the middle ages. But not being a fan of the romance genre, I didn't really love that aspect of the book. Don't get me wrong, I am a devoted chick-lit reader (mostly due to the humor in the books), but this is far from chick-lit. I also don't mind when romance serves as a backdrop in novels, but my enjoyment wanes when it is the focal point of the plot. The novel wasn't falsely advertised though. It is classified under romance, so I wasn't overly suprised that that was what it mainly was.
I didn't have much of a desire to pick this book up once I set it down. To me, it didn't get riveting until the about the last hundred pages or so. I did like that Lady Helene was sort of a rebel and a non-conformist. She also had this fiery spark to her that I kind of admired, but then when she falls in love with the Earl of Gunther, that spark diminishes quite a bit (and this seems to be my main gripe with romance novels; how a heroine can seem strong at the beginning of the book and then automatically get weak in the knees and lose some of yourself when a handsome guy comes along. Yes, Twilight, I'm glaring at you).
So, it was okay. I don't regret reading it (particularly because it was free), but it didn't blow me away or anything. So, I give it two (and a half if goodreads would only allow us to do such a thing) stars.
I didn't have much of a desire to pick this book up once I set it down. To me, it didn't get riveting until the about the last hundred pages or so. I did like that Lady Helene was sort of a rebel and a non-conformist. She also had this fiery spark to her that I kind of admired, but then when she falls in love with the Earl of Gunther, that spark diminishes quite a bit (and this seems to be my main gripe with romance novels; how a heroine can seem strong at the beginning of the book and then automatically get weak in the knees and lose some of yourself when a handsome guy comes along. Yes, Twilight, I'm glaring at you).
So, it was okay. I don't regret reading it (particularly because it was free), but it didn't blow me away or anything. So, I give it two (and a half if goodreads would only allow us to do such a thing) stars.
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