ianthe_the_unicorn's review against another edition
1.0
I try not to hate read books, so many other books to read. But I happened to read Dragon Rose first and it was so good! I gave it 5 stars! I'm so confused. This was not just bad, but detestable. I have never met a couple with less chemistry. Never! I bought the 3 book boxset on amazon and what a freaking waste. Reading the description of book 3 I have zero desire to read it.
izzy_happyfornow's review against another edition
2.0
Compared to the second book this one is pretty clunky.
It really dragged on for me while reading. The story would swell up and then kinda fall flat.
It really dragged on for me while reading. The story would swell up and then kinda fall flat.
books2graham's review against another edition
3.0
While this book was well written and had a historical fiction feel to it, I thought it fell a little short where the romance was concerned. Merys is a doctor that's captured as a slave to serve Lord Shaine. While Shaine is kind enough in a lot of aspects, I just didn't see where romance was even a thing for him. I mean, I don't doubt that he likes her or cared, but for him to have romantic feelings for Merys just felt very forced or unbelievable. I was really disappointed that there wasn't more here in that.
But that's not to say that I didn't enjoy the book. Merys was a strong and likeable character. The author did a great book at once again, making it feel as though you're stepping into another time frame. This book was more centered around Merys, her ability to heal/help people and her infatuation/love for Shaine. The author did do a fantastic job with making the plauge feel believeable and even though this book came out nearly 10 years ago, parts of it (like wearing a mask) almost remind you of covid.
Overall this book was just okay for me.
But that's not to say that I didn't enjoy the book. Merys was a strong and likeable character. The author did a great book at once again, making it feel as though you're stepping into another time frame. This book was more centered around Merys, her ability to heal/help people and her infatuation/love for Shaine. The author did do a fantastic job with making the plauge feel believeable and even though this book came out nearly 10 years ago, parts of it (like wearing a mask) almost remind you of covid.
Overall this book was just okay for me.
nixwhittaker's review against another edition
2.0
The story telling was good but the science was inaccurate so it annoyed me.
catscapps's review against another edition
4.0
A compelling historical fiction about a woman who is trained as a doctor and gets kidnapped and sold as a slave to a wealthy lord. The novel follows the doctor through treating diseases and other ailments on the grounds of the stronghold while trying to earn her freedom and the love of the lord.
It felt particularly relevant to the current world situation with covid and definitely had a different feel now than if I had read it five years ago.
I wish it had ended differently. The ending felt rushed after such detailed accounts of the rest of her time at the stronghold.
It felt particularly relevant to the current world situation with covid and definitely had a different feel now than if I had read it five years ago.
I wish it had ended differently. The ending felt rushed after such detailed accounts of the rest of her time at the stronghold.
emlickliter's review against another edition
4.0
So this is apparently a rewrite of the song Ring Around the Rosie into a fairy tale world, and I can sort of see it. Just to warn you, this isn't the happiest of stories so if you're feeling blue maybe try this one on a different day. But that isn't to say it wasn't enjoyable and captivating! There is some really cool world building here, and the ensemble of characters draw you in and make you want to invest (despite the fact that the history major in me was sounding haz mat siren warning bells because I knew the plague was coming)! If you have ever read Hush by Donna Jo Napoli, this reminded me of that somewhat. A really lovely story!
monicabhills's review against another edition
2.0
This book started really well. Meyrs is a female doctor who travels trying to heal people. She is taken captive and brought to Lord Shaine's castle. There she heals his daughter and quickly becomes an integral part of the household. She develops feelings for Lord Shaine. He seems to have them for her as well and even frees her. Then however the plague hits and everything falls apart. This was the second book I read by Christine Pope. I read them out of order. I really enjoyed the other book much more than this one. The plot became a little too predictable. The book became very verbose. Not all of the descriptions were needed. I will read more of her books. This one was just not my favorite.
capellan's review against another edition
2.0
A rather flimsy romance tale, this. Thin characters who just decide they are in love (though of course neither of them tells the other until the end) and who never engage (at least in the pages of the novel) with what should be some significant barriers to a relationship between them.
Also, there's a major plot point that as presented is a literal Deus ex Machina (and which doesn't make much sense, given what the Deus says about the Machina, so to speak).
Also, there's a major plot point that as presented is a literal Deus ex Machina (and which doesn't make much sense, given what the Deus says about the Machina, so to speak).
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