Customer Reviews

Another Chance to Dream

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I hate to see a beautiful book maligned. Lynn Kurland brings intense emotions, humour and sensuality to her stories in a way that simply eludes most of today's romance authors. I too hated it when Gwen was forced to marry Alain and Rhys sat outside her marriage room, but their forced separation made their story far more realistic to the times than most historical romances. Kurland manages to create characters that you can relate to and fall in love with (what a man Rhys is!) while remaining true to the time period she writes about. And, her stories are even more sensual and emotional because she doesn't include love scenes. In lesser novels, the lack of love scenes would make the romance feel forced and empty. But, in Kurland's novel, Gwen and Rhys's love is all the more intimate because they keep their bedroom life private. Kurland's novel is perfection that I have read several times. I will never tire of Rhys or Gwen (and her big ears).

If you've read the Amazon reviews, then you're probably wondering how in the world this could be a good book, when Gwen is forced to marry the wrong man. I was wondering the same thing... until I read it! I am a huge fan of Lynn Kurland's books, and none of them sound quite as hopeless as this one, to someone whose only read reviews and back covers. I am a huge fan of fairy-tale-like romances, and don't like any of the darker or more sinful relationships that many romance writers spin... Yet this one of my favorite of all of Lynn's books, because it is not any of that, and portrays a purer love than even most of Lynn's other books! (I'm excluding Morgan and Miach in her Nine Kingdoms trilogy.) Sure, I would have liked it if she had written it slightly different so that Gwen hadn't had to marry Alain, but this is written into the story more as a temporary "selling into slavery," than a marriage in the way that we think of marriage today. It doesn't even come close to ruining the story.

What Lynn has done is to take a very common situation in the 1200's... one where the daughter of a lord is forced to marry the son of another... and she's sent in a hero to straighten things out and make her happy. What makes this story different, however, is that the hero is bound by a conscience and rules and laws and is not willing to just kill her husband to set her free. It's just the perfect mix of reality and fairy-tale for me.

And Lynn was at her best when she created and portrayed these characters... Gwen is full of fire and boldness, yet not brazen or hard... Rhys is just about the perfect medieval knight and champion of his lady... most skilled swordsman in all of England or France, yet willing to drop everything to spend time with his and Gwen's little children... leader of a the fiercest band of mercenaries, yet willing to save himself for his lady... so devoted to Gwen that he'd fight the world for her, even if she lost the beauty that makes him breathless.

Believe me... those that say that this book is merely frustrating are only reading what "happens" in the book, and missing the deeper threads of emotion that wind through every happening in Gwen and Rhys's story.

I love Lynn Kurland's books, especially the ones entitled This is All I Ask and The More I See You but somehow this particular novel seemed disappointing. This book lacked something that the others had which is humor. Instead, it appeared to have misery written all over it. Here, we witness the enforced marriage of Gwennelyn, in addition to the enforced servitude of her knight, Rhys. Two years later, the situation doesn't look any better: Gwen is saddled with two kids by Alain, the baron that she had been forced to marry; Rhys is tourneying in France in order to save a nestegg for himself and Gwen (if a bribed annulment from Alain is accomplished, in addition to recuiting some knights; and Rhys' land (bequeathed by his late foster father) was overrun by dangerous mercenaries. Though the book does have a bit of humor in it, expecially when Gwen persists in becoming a mercenary to guard Rhys back among other things, I thought that it came out lacking, for the most part. However, some of the finer qualities of the plot is redeemed when, predictably, the couple manages, despite everything, to overlook their misery and maintain their love for each other, in addition to finally finding a chance to marry each other in the end as they had wanted to do from the beginning. All in all, this book is o.k. but it could've been better. If you want masterpieces, look for This is All I Ask, The More I See You, and A Dance Through Time where humor, wit and love are perfectly balanced. These are really something to sink your teeth into!

My first Kurland book was Stardust of Yesterday and it made me hooked on her work. I agree that Another Chance to Dream is not a happy book, but Lynn does not dwell on the tragedies. Unlike so many books that make you suffer, usualy with the heroine, as she endures the most dreadfull situations, Another Chance to Dream focus on the good moments rather than the bad ones and though Gwen and Rhys wait a long time for happiness, it does come their way. It is a very good book and describes very well the way of living in medieval times ( it also enlightens us, Lynn Kurland readers, as how Artane fits into things). Please don't be discouraged by all the negative reviews. If you like Lynn's books, you know that there is always depth in her writing and this book is no exception and believe me, it gives us all the hope and warmth feelings of her other work.

Enjoy it and keep it!!!

Ok, once again I will review one of Ms. Kurland's books and STILL I am not disappointed. I have read them all and wait for more.

The only thing that bothered me a little, was the part where Gwen waited for years for Rhys to come back and rescue her...although it's not like she had anything better to do. As far as the part where she "procreated" with her husband while the man she loves and who loves her is outside the door...it's not like they had much of a choice! Things like that had to have actually happened back then. Women didn't have the choices that they do today and it was difficult lives they led. I enjoyed the book and have no doubts that if you know what to expect from this type of book, you will like it too. I implore future readers to check the synopsis before buying any book. It will save alot of time and money.

I just loved "Stardust of Yesterday" so I thought I may enjoy this story as well by Ms Kurland, but I was disappointed. I could have done without Gwen procreating with another man while the man she loves stands right outside her bedchamber. Yuk, I would be beyond mortified. And all this just for a piece of land? This is romance? This is love? Hello...I don't think so.

Though I enjoyed all her other books, I wasn't too pleased with this one.

I know this sounds silly, but I have lived to read Lynn Kurland's books! Her book "This is All I ask" was the first book I ever completed. After "This is..." I had to read more of her writing and became addicted. I even bought the books that had multiple authors, just to read 80 pages of her writing. I kept putting this book off because of the bad reviews, but finally I ran out of her other books and had to get this one......

I am only on page 85, but I have gotten headaches from reading it. I have it by my bed right now just so I will have something to put me to sleep at night. I hate to say this about one of her books, because she is my favorite writer in the world and has inspired me to continue reading, but WHY? Why wasn't this a better book? I think the writing was confusing and in her past books there was more humor and less destruction. The writing seemed as if it wasn't really Lynn's writing. I can see that she was trying to really take us to the medieval ages and show us what it was like back then, but why does it have to be so nerve wrecking? This book has seriously stressed me out!

Anyway, please, if you are a first time reader of Lynn Kurland's try "This is All I ask" first. Then her other books after that. Save this one for last (or never).

Young Gwennelyn of Segrave picked her champion, landless knight Rhys de Piaget when she was but a child of 10 and he only 14 when he rescued her from a pigsty. Unfortunately, Gwen's father had already betrothed her to Alain of Ayre, a spoiled, mean, and lackwitted son of a neighbor. Stubborn to a fault, once she knows that Rhys returns her love Gwen will let nothing daunt her once her mind is made up and is determined that Rhys will be hers. Rhys goes away to earn money in tournaments as a mercenary in order to bribe or buy Gwen out of her betrothal to Alain. Returning finally to claim Gwen, matters do not progress as planned when Alain forces Gwen into marriage and Rhys must not only stand by and watch but endure two years as the captain of Gwen's guard. The pain and heartbreak of these two will make you cry.

In spite of the obstacles they must endure, Rhys and Gwen's love and commitment holds firm. The incredible struggles and betrayals they must overcome in order to be together would be almost too sad to endure if not for the comic relief of Gwen and the numerous secondary characters that are incorporated into this full bodied, robust and fast paced medieval. You will find yourself delightfully amused with the antics of the 'Viking' Fitzgerald twins who taught `young' Rhys everything he knows...and find yourself panting in anticipation for the sequels to this wonderfully written book. This is well worth your read and sure to end up on your keeper shelf.

Every other Kurland book is a five-star, without a doubt. This is the one glaring exception. The book was depressing. Yeah, yeah, the characters end up together in the end but by then who should care? They've been through so much at that point that you almost rather Kurland kill them off and allow them to be done with their misery.

If you like depressing authors like Danielle Steele then you will be in true nirvana with this sad tale. Otherwise, skip this one and wait for Kurland's next one. Her other books are so good that I'm convinced this is going to be a one-time mistake. Hey, nobody's perfect.

I agree with what many of the other reviewers have said, this book is depressing. BUT, it is a must if you want to truly grasp and understand the de Piaget family. I read Stardust of Yesterday first. And I have since made my way through the rest of Ms. Kurland's novels, in no particular order. I strongly recommended aquiring a copy of the faimly tree and reading them in that order. had I known more about Kendrick de Piaget prior to reading Stardust of Yesterday a much more enjoyable read. With that said, once I understood all that Gwen and Rhys had been through together and the truth of their children, I had a much greater appreciation for her other characters. If you intend to the read this story as a one time thing and aren't interested in other novels by Ms. Kurland, this is probably not the novel you want to choose as your first novel by her. If however, you are interested in investing some time with this characters (or years as I have), read this one first. It sets the stage for a magical and miracously journey through time and stardust.