Review of Highland Bride by Hannah Howell, an historical romance novel set in medieval Scotland.
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Synopsis
When Gillyanne Murray takes possession of her dower property, she doesn’t expect the three neighbouring lairds to turn up on her doorstep. Intent on maintaining peace, they insist that she must marry one of them. After keeping them at bay for three days, Gillyanne agrees to marry Connor MacEnroy.
The first hours of their marriage are rocky as Connor rushes her to his home (Deilcladach) and promptly seems to forget her. Gillyanne soon finds that Connor has some strange ideas about ‘gentle-born ladies’ that she must correct. She also struggles to break through the tight hold Connor has on his emotions.
Her efforts are complicated by Connor’s uncle and resentful ex-lover. Then Connor’s uncle is found dead, murdered with Connor’s dagger. Connor is imprisoned for the murder, so Gillyanne must prove his innocence and uncover the real killer. Back at Deilcladach, can Connor show Gillyanne how he feels before her father gives her a way out of their marriage?
Review
Highland Bride could have been two different books. The first part, where Gillyanne defends her property from the three lairds, was hilarious. The methods she used to repel her suitors were inspired and they deserved everything they got.
Once Gillyanne agrees to marry Connor and goes to Deilcladach with him, the whole story changes. It becomes more of a romance as they get to know each other and figure out their relationship.
I loved Gillyanne. She is spirited, creative, and amusing. Despite her apparently diminutive size, she has strength and an outgoing personality, making her seem larger. It was so much fun watching Gillyanne deal with Connor’s ex-lover and her friends (aka “The Three Whores of Deilcladach”).
My feelings about Connor are more complicated. He is handsome and fierce and everything a romance hero should be, while still being able to develop as a character. He appreciates Gillyanne’s intelligence and accepts her guidance in their relationship. However, he is just a bit too stubborn when it comes to showing strength and emotion. And his devastation over his uncle’s death is believable but gets annoying.
The constant psychoanalysing was repetitive and eventually boring. We don’t need to be told every ten pages how Connor must stay strong for the clan because of the violence of the feud that killed his parents. Furthermore, the dialogue got a bit repetitive.
Conclusion
Have you read Highland Bride? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at the following stores:
So, you’ve read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and loved it. You’ve maybe watched the TV show. Now, you have nothing “Outlander” to read or watch. It’s droughtlander. You could reread or rewatch Outlander, but eventually you should find something else to read. Check out my recommendations of books to read if you love Outlander.
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Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati
Into the Wilderness features Elizabeth Middleton, an English spinster schoolteacher, as she joins her father in the New York wilderness. Her father has plans for her to marry the local doctor – plans that she has no intention of going along with.
Instead, she runs away with Nathaniel Bonner, a man whose Native American family could be destroyed by the local village. After several months in the bush while their friends take care of legal matters, they return home where they have to rebuild the good opinions of their neighbours.
Elizabeth is a strong woman who knows what she wants and does what she has to do to get it. She may not have travelled back in time, but she has progressive ideals and a modern way of dealing with things. Like Outlander, Into the Wilderness is the first in an epic series packed with romance, adventure, and the vicissitudes of life.
Clan of the Cave Bear is the first of Jean M. Auel’s Earth Children’s series. It tells the story of a young girl who is adopted by a community of Neanderthals. Though the Clan, as they call themselves, are initially wary, they come to love Ayla.
However, the Clan’s leader has a son who instantly dislikes Ayla and does everything he can to make her life difficult. This eventually leads to her leaving the Clan, and later books in the series follow her life apart from the Clan, her romance with a hunky caveman, and her struggles fitting in.
White Rose Rebel is the story of Anne Farquharson, Lady MacIntosh. A staunch Jacobite, she raises the men of her husband’s clan to fight for Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 rising. Her husband (Aeneas), however, has indebted himself to the English and joins the government forces.
Like Outlander, White Rose Rebel has a strong female protagonist who gets involved in the Jacobite rising. Anne’s romantic life features throughout the book, and like Claire’s, is somewhat complicated. It’s a standalone book, but the story is told so well, there’s no need for a sequel.
Dougless Montgomery has been abandoned by her boyfriend while on holiday in England. While she’s crying over her misfortune, a strange man appears in front of her wearing 16th century armour.
Nicholas, Earl of Thornwyck, was awaiting execution when he is magically transported to a strange future where he meets a crying woman. Convinced that the woman can send him home, he tries to keep her with him. Together, they dive into the historical record to try to uncover the truth behind the final days of Nicholas’s life.
There’s romance, a handsome and chivalrous hero, and well-developed historical settings. Nicholas isn’t as immediately loveable as Jamie, but by the end of the book, his relationship with Dougless was just as swoon worthy as the romance between Jamie and Claire.
After travelling to court in an attempt to have King Alexander cancel her betrothal, Margaret MacDonald finds her home has been raided by Norsemen. As the group searches the rubble, a group of Irishmen arrive, including the half-Norse Gannon MacMagnus. The following months are trying for everyone, as they rebuild the castle and seek vengeance on the raiders.
On a Highland Shore has romance, adventure, and a gorgeous Scottish setting. Unfortunately, Kathleen Givens died before she could finish the series (something I sincerely hope doesn’t happen to Diana Gabaldon). Otherwise, it’s an epic story.
When scattering her grandfather’s ashes on an Irish lake, Anne Gallagher gets lost in a sudden fog. She finds herself in 1921 with a bullet wound in her side. Dr Thomas Smith, the man who raised her grandfather, rescues her, initially mistaking her for his ward’s mother.
Once she’s healed, Anne throws herself into 1920s life: being mother to Eoin, joining the Irish revolution, and falling in love with Thomas. She loves her life in the 20s, but the revolution and questions about the other Anne’s disappearance create difficulties.
What the Wind Knows has time travel, romance, and a woman trying to fit in a time other than her own. I loved the glimpse of what life was like in 1920s Ireland. The characters were life-like, the love was timeless and unconditional, and the writing was superb.
When her uncle the King dies, Rhiann must secure her people’s future by marrying and producing an heir. Eremon is an exiled Irish prince who is in Alba (Scotland) to make alliances and create a name for himself.
Their forced marriage starts a bit rocky, but soon they become friends. United by a desire to protect Alba from the Romans, they travel across Scotland, visiting powerful kings. Along the way they fall in love, but their various secrets keep them from admitting it to each other.
Set in 1st century AD Scotland, The White Mare gives brilliant descriptions to the same place Outlander is set in, just at a different time. The hero, Eremon, has a lot in common with Jamie Fraser; they are both handsome, courageous, and intelligent men. If you love Outlander, you will thoroughly enjoy the story of Rhiann and Eremon.
Taking the form of a series of letters, Letters from Skye tells the story of a Scottish poet and her impetuous, American admirer. Elspeth and Davey share their thoughts and dreams, eventually realising that they’ve fallen in love with each other.
When Europe goes to war in 1914, Davey volunteers to drive ambulances in France. This prompts Elspeth to overcome her fear of boats to meet him in person. During World War Two, their daughter finds her mother’s letters and determines to find out what happened.
Letters from Skye left me with a massive book hangover. As much as I wanted to find out the end of the story, I didn’t want it to end. The letters were gripping, the romance emotionally involving, and the setting beautiful.
In 17th century Scotland, Morna has been unable to learn how to use her magical powers since her father banished her teacher. Then she finds an injured man who needs help returning to his own time. Fortunately, her brother has found journals written by her old mentor and set up a secret magic room for her to study in.
As Morna works towards sending Jerry home, the two of them become good friends and romance develops. Then word reaches them of a druid who might be able to teach Morna. While Jerry searches for the druid, Morna becomes convinced that he will never return and agrees to marry her brother’s friend, Henry.
Love Beyond Reach is the eighth book in the Morna’s Legacy series (it’s a prequel to the other books). There’re twelve novels in the main series so far, and this is the first one I’ve read. Having read it, I definitely want to read the rest.
In Tapestry, Jane Maxwell falls off Uluru (Ayers Rock) and wakes in the body of a Scottish noblewoman. Winifred’s husband, the Earl of Nithsdale, is in the Tower of London, awaiting execution for his part in the 1715 Jacobite Rising.
As Winifred, Jane must travel to London and save the Earl. If she succeeds, Jane is certain that her 21st century fiancée (Will) will wake-up from his coma. Along the way, she makes friends and falls in love. By the time she returns home, Jane is no longer sure that she wants to marry Will.
The Earl of Nithsdale’s escape from the Tower of London is truly an incredible true-story. I liked the unique angle the whole time-travel element added to it. Jane is such a strong, ingenious woman (a bit like Claire). Between the adventure, Jacobites, and romance, Tapestry is a book you will enjoy if you love Outlander.
Review of The Last Hours by Minette Walters, an historical fiction novel set in 14th century England during the Black Death.
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Synopsis
The Black Death has arrived in the English port of Melcombe and is spreading north through Devonshire. Contrary to the church’s recommendations, Lady Anne takes the people of Develish within the manor’s moat.
Initially, things are good. No one within the compound sickens. The one man from her absent husband’s retinue that everyone likes returns healthy. Then, with food stores running low, the workers grow bored with nothing to do and no news from outside.
Tensions erupt when a teenaged boy, Jacob, is found dead of a stab injury. Having made some discrete inquiries, Lady Anne’s young steward, Thaddeus, takes a group of Jacob’s contemporaries into the outside world. Seeing the destruction around them makes these young men think of their futures and forces them to grow-up quick.
Review
I found The Last Hours completely unputdownable. It enjoyably captured many aspects of the period around the Black Death. These included widespread ignorance, fear, and superstition. I particularly enjoyed looking at how the shift in power and new beginnings caused by the Death affected this community.
The characters are well thought out, realistic, and fascinating people. Some are strong (like Lady Anne and Thaddeus) and take charge of the situation, while others struggle with change. The religious and moral conflicts within the community seemed real, like I was watching real people interact with each other.
I liked Lady Anne. She’s fair, compassionate, clever, and understands her serfs. However, she is a bit too much like a modern woman. She has modern ideas around hygiene and treats the serfs like equals.
‘I’ve never been on a demesne where serfs were educated, milady. The practice is an unusual one. A villein’s role in life is to labour for his master, not steal time in order to learn letters.’ [Said by a clerk hired by Lady Anne’s husband]
Eleanor (Lady Anne’s daughter) was horrible, but I liked the conflict she added; without her, there would be very little story and the book would suck. I also liked how she gained layers and became more understandable as the story progresses.
I hope the next book resolves Eleanor’s storyline (and maybe brings some much-needed change to her character). I would also like a better reason for Thaddeus’s ramble through the countryside (other than obtaining information and supplies. They were away too long just for that).
Other than that (and a slightly ponderous middle), The Last Hours is a fantastic book. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.
Conclusion
Have you read The Last Hours? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
Review of A Plague on Both Your Houses by Susanna Gregory, the first chronicle of Matthew Bartholomew set in 14th century Cambridge.
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Synopsis
After the body of Sir John Babington, Master of Michaelhouse, is found spinning on Cambridge’s millwheel, he is thought to have committed suicide. Then several more Michaelhouse residents die and Dr Matthew Bartholomew becomes suspicious. However, the Bishop is called in to review the deaths and gives orders to cover-up any scandal.
At the same time, rumours circulate that Oxford University is trying to close the competing university at Cambridge by creating problems between town and gown. Then, the plague arrives in Cambridge and all Bartholomew’s time is consumed with treating the dwindling populace.
During the ensuing mess, a woman goes missing and men make surprising confessions. This leads Bartholomew to search out information that puts his life in danger from the men responsible for the earlier deaths.
Review
A Plague on Both Your Houses is a fantastic black-death-era mystery. Sure, the Death may have distracted me (and the characters) from the mystery for a bit, but it became an important part of the story. The book was sprinkled with historical details and interesting information, particularly about the plague.
The story is extremely convoluted and intricate. There are twists and turns in the (very complicated and eventful) mystery with a plot within a plot and dangerous encounters. Even Bartholomew gets confused about what’s going on. Then there’s a disappearance that might be related to the original plots/murders but turns out to be unrelated. I found the “let’s summarise what we know” bits completely necessary.
Very few of the characters are fleshed out enough that I could care about them. Add to that the vast number of minor characters and a character list would have been helpful. There were some characters that appeared early on and then again towards the end, by which time I had forgotten who they were. However, I was gripped by trying to work out which characters were good, and which were bad.
I liked Bartholomew. He’s intelligent, a bit naïve, and genuinely shocked at other people’s deviousness. I loved reading about him trying to deal with the plague and how selfless he was. Bartholomew’s student, Gray, provided a nice contrast to emphasise these qualities.
Gray followed him from house to house carrying the heavy bag that contained Bartholomew’s instruments and medicines. Bartholomew could feel the student’s disapproval as he entered the single-roomed shacks that were home to families of a dozen. The only patient of which Gray did not disapprove was the wife of a merchant. She was one of the few cases with which Bartholomew had had success, and was lying in a bed draped with costly cloths, tired, but still living. The grateful merchant pressed some gold coins into Bartholomew’s hand. Bartholomew wondered whether they would be sufficient to bribe people to drive the carts that collected the dead.
Conclusion
Have you read A Plague on Both Your Houses? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
Review of The Assassin in the Greenwood, a medieval mystery set in 14th century England by P.C. Doherty
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Synopsis
Sir Hugh Corbett, King Edward I’s chief clerk and keeper of the Secret Seal, has obtained information that could seriously affect the course of the ongoing hundred years war. However, this information is contained within a cipher that no one has been able to break.
While working on the cipher, Corbett is sent to Nottingham with two of his servants to deal with a spate of lawlessness in the area. Tax collectors have been attacked, the sheriff murdered, and there’s evidence of a traitor inside the castle.
This appears to be the work of Robin Hood, recently pardoned and returned home. However, something about this doesn’t seem right to Corbett and he sets out to ensure that the right man is brought to account.
Review
The Assassin in the Greenwood was an interesting take on the traditional Robin Hood tale. All your favourite characters from the traditional Robin Hood tale appear at some time or other. There are several descriptions of very violent deaths; this didn’t bother me, but might trouble other readers.
I could often feel the atmospheres of particular settings. The castle was so thoroughly described that I felt like I could hear and smell what it was like. The history was obviously very well researched.
The forest had always stood there, the trees providing a canopy to shield the earth from the sky. Beneath this veil of greenness which stretched as far as the eye could see, the forest had witnessed murder as long as it had seen man himself. […]
The trees had seen it all: the gnarled oak, the elm with its branches stooped with age. The forest was a dangerous place, a living thing, and through its green-dappled shadows slunk masked men who knew the secret paths and where to avoid the treacherous morass. Only a fool would wander from the beaten track which wound through Sherwood Forest, either north to Barnsleydale or south to Newark and the great road down to London.
The characters are at times flat and unengaging. Nearly everyone speaks the same and there is very little personality shown in the dialogue. I honestly felt more gripped by the setting (and to some extent the story) than I did by the characters.
Overall, I enjoyed The Assassin in the Greenwood, but not enough to look out for other books by P.C. Doherty. While it was fast paced and engaging, there was no obvious progress towards a solution. It seems that Corbett reaches his conclusions without any effort. I still want to know how he reached his conclusions.
Conclusions
Have you read Assassin in the Greenwood? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
Review of The Pillars of the Earth, an epic historical fiction novel set in 12th century England by Ken Follett
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Synopsis
When the cathedral at Kingsbridge burns down, the newly appointed prior hires Tom Builder to manage the rebuild. In order to pay for the new cathedral, Prior Philip asks King Stephen for the rights to take stone from a nearby quarry and wood from a local forest. This puts him at odds with Bishop Waleran, who wants the wealth now owned by the priory for his own projects.
In the secular world, England is embroiled in a civil war over who the crown rightfully belongs to. Small-time knight Percy Hamleigh hears that the Earl of Shiring is conspiring against King Stephen and attacks the Earl’s castle. Percy’s son (William) is bitter over the Earl’s daughter (Aliena) breaking their betrothal and delights in leaving her destitute.
Kingsbridge prospers under Prior Philip’s capable leadership. Tom Builder’s family prospers as the cathedral grows. Aliena also prospers, as she has become a successful wool merchant and singlehandedly funded her brother’s goal of retaking the earldom. This angers William, who tries several times to destroy the town and steal the income for his own lands.
Review
The Pillars of the Earth has a slow start. It promises to be a book about the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. However, I was disappointed by the first couple of hundred pages as there was no cathedral and it wasn’t even set in Kingsbridge. Even once the story arrives in Kingsbridge, there seems to be no need to build a cathedral.
I enjoyed the ongoing conflicts between Prior Philip and Bishop Waleran, and between the Hamleighs and Aliena. They have such ‘on-sight’ rivalries that affected their actions (and much of the story). I was particularly amused by the way these rivalries mirrored the conflict between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda in the 12th century.
I also enjoyed how the relationships between the characters change over time. For example, when Aliena and Prior Philip first meet, Philip helps Aliena and they become good friends. Then Philip prevents Aliena and Jack from living together, and their relationship sours. This seems more like real life than the always consistent relationships I’m used to seeing in novels.
I loved how many various threads there are to this story. There’s the tale of Jonathan being abandoned by his family and raised by the monks. I enjoyed the mystery of what happened to Jack Shareburg and why. Then there’s the story of the earldom of Shiring and the competition between Aliena’s family and the Hamleighs.
Occasionally, one of the characters will use a word that doesn’t sound right in the historical setting. I understand that no one spoke modern English in the 12th century, but some words just don’t fit. I would give some examples, but they’re too crude for my liking.
Guided by a Stone-Mason (Complementary reading)
While reading The Pillars of the Earth, I kept a book called’ Guided by a Stone-Mason: The Cathedrals, Abbeys and Churches of Britain Unveiled’ by Thomas Maude close at hand.
I found it difficult to picture where different parts of the cathedral were located, and the technical terms were difficult to follow. Guided by a Stone-Mason helped me with this. It also has information on other aspects of cathedral building (like types of stone) if you’re interested.
Conclusion
Have you read The Pillars of the Earth? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
After a life on crusade, Brother Cadfael has retired to the monastery of Saints Peter and Paul outside Shrewsbury. His days are mostly spent working in the garden and creating medicines for the local community. However, his worldly experience makes him perfect for solving any mysteries that come his way.
These mysteries sometimes take Brother Cadfael away from Shrewsbury and the monastery. Occasionally, he is called to his native Wales. Always, he uncovers the truth and does what he can to see the right thing done.
Review
One of my favourite TV shows at the moment is Death in Paradise. I like it, partially, because despite the fact that it’s a murder mystery, the overall feeling is upbeat with the occasional bit of humour. The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael are the same. The writing is light and easy even as it deals with death and murder.
I like how the books don’t glorify the violence that must occur in murder mysteries and books set in this rather violent period of English history. They don’t go into detail on the gore-y bits and the language is kept clean.
Speaking of language, the writing style is easy to read. While it’s obviously not the same English that was spoken during the 12th century, the language doesn’t feel historically out of place – there’s no modern slang, euphemisms, or sayings. Also, the pacing is generally unrushed, which feels suitable to the historical setting, but doesn’t drag.
While the books are set in a particular historical period, the reader doesn’t have to know anything about history. However, Ellis Peters (the author) still pays attention to historical details, particularly clothing and the way things are run.
I also like how much variety there is between the different mysteries. Victims are murdered in various ways: strangulation, poisoning, stabbing. Then there’s the occasional mysteries that look like but aren’t murders. So much variety!
Have you read this series? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
Review of The Conqueror’s Queen, historical fiction by Joanna Courtney based on the life of Mathilda of Flanders, Duchess of Normandy and wife of William the Conqueror.
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Synopsis
Mathilda of Flanders reluctantly accepts her father’s choice of husband for her: William, Duke of Normandy. When she goes to Normandy for her wedding, Mathilda finds a court full of men with very little appreciation of great culture.
Keen to win Mathilda’s heart along with her hand, William vows that one day he will earn England’s throne for her. In 1051, King Edward invites the couple to his court at Westminster for Christmas and promises his throne to them upon his death.
William and Mathilda spend the following years strengthening Normandy together and raising their always increasing family. Then 1066 comes around and King Edward dies. The English seem to have forgotten their promises and crown Harold Godwinson, but William has not forgotten and plans an invasion.
Review
In The Conqueror’s Queen, Joanna Courtney beautifully rounds out her Queens of the Conquest trilogy with a book that’s descriptive and engaging right up to the end. She excels in writing a variety of unique characters each with their own personalities and motives.
It was interesting to see William the Conqueror before he became the Conqueror. I also enjoyed seeing a kinder, more just side of him. History tends to remember William as conniving and merciless. While that part of him isn’t absent, it is tempered by care, devotion, and a desire for loyalty. Overall, the book shows him as a well-rounded personality and makes him easier to empathise with.
I loved the relationship between William and Mathilda; they were such a great couple. While they have some rough patches, their relationship is solid. They obviously respect and trust each other. Mathilda is the perfect partner to help William rule his lands.
There was a bit where William tells Mathilda that he slept with some prostitutes before marrying her so that he would know how to please her. My immediate thought was “Aww, that’s so sweet,” but then I stopped and thought: “is that really aww worthy?” Is it? I can’t decide.
I’m not sure about the inclusion of Judith’s story. In The Constant Queen, the author included Tora’s story. This made sense as Harold had a history with Tora, and the two women’s stories eventually came together. That doesn’t happen with Mathilda and Judith in The Conqueror’s Queen.
Mathilda is a fantastic woman. She’s intelligent, down to earth, and thinks things through before dealing with the situation. While her character starts out young and flighty, she develops realistically and becomes the perfect Duchess of Normandy. I would love to read a book on her life as Queen of England.
Conclusion
Have you read The Conqueror’s Queen? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
Review of The Constant Queen by Joanna Courtney, an historical fiction novel set in 11th century Europe.
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Synopsis
Based on the life of Elizaveta, Princess of Kiev and wife of Harald Hardrada, king of Norway. When an exiled Norse nobleman (Harald) arrives at her father’s court, Elizaveta agrees to keep his treasure safe while he goes out and makes his fortune. He returns several times, but always heads back out for more.
Over time, Elizaveta grows tired of waiting for Harald to marry her. She gives him the keys to his treasure and tells him to leave. On his way home, Harald grows increasingly morose and eventually returns to Kiev to win Elizaveta back.
Together, they return to Norway to claim the crown and build a stronger kingdom. Harald’s relationship with Elizaveta is passionate and tumultuous, and he occasionally turns to a childhood sweetheart for peace.
Review
The Constant Queen is my least favourite book in the Queens of the Conquest trilogy. The book skipped through time a bit quickly for me. I had trouble keeping up with what year we were in and how what was happening fitted in with what else was going on in the world.
There was too much focus on the romantic side of the story for my liking. I would have preferred more history and politics. However, it seems that Joanna Courtney decided to use romance and a love triangle to create intrigue. Also, as the story progresses the phrases used in the romantic bits become repetitive.
Of the three men who claimed the English throne in 1066, Harald Hardrada is probably the least known and the most forgotten. Afterall, unlike Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror, he never actually got to be King of England. I enjoyed reading a book that looked at this lesser known man and the background to his involvement in the events of 1066.
I liked the contrast between Harald’s two wives. Elizaveta is fiery, rebellious, and independent whereas Tora is sweet, understanding, and steadfast. I appreciated how the relationship between the two women wasn’t used to create drama or move the plot forward. Sure, there is some initial subtle nastiness and power struggles between Elizaveta and Tora, but by the end they become friends and learn how to work together.
“Er, Lady Tora Arnasson, this is Queen Elizaveta.”
“Of Kiev?” Tora asked, taking a single step forward.
“Of Norway,” the dark girl said stonily, taking a mirrored step.
Elizaveta did not hold out her hand and for that, at least, Tora was grateful for she could no more have kissed it than she could a weed-strung toad. Instead, they both bowed their heads in a curt greeting, more for the eagerly watching Norwegians than each other.
“And how,” Tora asked, “do you find your new country?”
“Very agreeable,” came the swift reply, laced with an exotic southerly inflection, but Tora saw the edge of Elizaveta’s full lips twitch and knew she’d hit a nerve. Good.
Unfortunately, some of the characters are distractingly modern. Elizaveta’s strength has a distinctly feminist feel to it that doesn’t fit in with the historical setting. Also, the men generally seem unbothered by Elizaveta (and later her daughter) acting rebellious; I had thought 11th century men would try to supress such actions.
Conclusion
Have you read The Constant Queen? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
Review of Highland Lover by Hannah Howell, an historical romance novel set in medieval Scotland.
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Synopsis
Alana Murray is kidnapped and is imprisoned in a very dark hole with Gregor MacFingal Cameron. After a trying escape, Alana becomes fevered and Gregor has to find a safe shelter and nurse her back to health. In her delirium, she reveals more about herself than she had wanted to, including that she was searching for her sister, Keira.
Once she’s recovered, the two of them set off to find her sister, whose home just happens to be in the same direction as Gregor’s family. When they reach Gregor’s home, they are both stunned to find Mavis, the woman Gregor had courted, and her father already there and claiming that they were betrothed.
In the meantime, Gregor has realised which woman he wants to marry but he doesn’t want to speak of his feelings to Alana until he has dealt with Mavis. This has left Alana hurt and unsure if she can trust him.
Review
Highland Lover has to be the worst book I have read by this author. While the first half had action, it was unoriginal. Once they arrived at the monastery, there were all these references to Keira’s story that made no sense and kind of overshadowed Alana and Gregor for a bit. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t as good as Hannah Howell’s other books.
It seemed a bit strange that the cabin Gregor found to hide in immediately after the escape was so safe for so long. Why would such a nice cottage be so convenient? Surely the Gowans would have known that it was there and checked it for their runaways.
The fact that the cottage had a sturdy wooden door should have alerted him to the possibility that this was no mere cottar’s hut, he realized. Opening one of the thick shutters on one of the three windows, he found glass panes, a true luxury. Although the mattress upon the bed was stuffed with straw, it was thick and clean. A poor man would have taken such a fine mattress with him. Gregor then recalled how the cottage was tucked deep within the woods with no area cleared for farming or the raising of animals. He began to think he had stumbled upon some laird’s retreat, perhaps even a place where he housed his lemans out of sight and reach of his wife. It was pure luck that the man was between lovers at the moment, Gregor mused.
I loved the way Artan and Lucas were so protective over Alana, and how Gregor responded to their behaviour. It was so entertaining but realistic. I can easily imagine protective elder brothers from any era acting the same way over the man who beds their little sister.
By the end of the book, I found myself with quite a disliking for Gregor. I can understand why he didn’t tell Alana about Mavis (after all, he justifies himself repeatedly). But then it turns out that he has two illegitimate sons that he never so much as thought about while he was with Alana.
Conclusion
Have you read Highland Lover? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
