Customer Reviews

A Dark Champion

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

These days I find myself not enjoying Ms MacGregor's books like I used to. I found her last book, TAMING THE SCOTSMAN lacking in plot and characterization and though I liked this one a bit better, I still felt it lacked something. As always comes up in reviews for most all of her books, her dialog is always too contemporary and, frankly if it weren't for references to jousting, castles, Saracens and Outremer, one would have no feel for the time period in which this story is set. I also concur that there were a few too many subplots and secondary characters to try and keep track of. I know that the author has done this to introduce characters that will populate future books, but it's a bit distracting and takes away from the basic story of Stryder and Rowena.

Lady Rowena admires gentle, peace-loving troubadours who sing about love and abhors war-mongering knights. Lord Stryder is one of those hated knights who happens to disdain anything to do with music. Unfortunately for them, King Henry and Queen Eleanor want them to marry and have hatched a (kind of goofy) plot to bring these two together. They start as adversaries but eventually they begin to see that neither is what the other believed. The developing friendship and recognition that each was wrong about the other was enjoyable to watch and felt natural and believable. Stryder is sexy and sweet and honorable and, in typical Kinley style, Rowena is spunky, forthright and beautiful. The pair is likeable and their romance is sweet and enjoyable to watch, but all the background stuff does tend to get in the way.

Some other issues: journeys from the Middle East to England seem to take no time at all but we all know that given the time period, this would not be true. And Rowena seemed to have way too much freedom for a woman of her day and would likely not be consorting with troubadours, much less plan to open a school for them (huh?!), in any medieval reality. And I find it very unlikely that she would be able to read and speak Arabic! But I did like that Stryder could not read as it exposed one of his vulnerabilities and afforded some sweet moments between the two. On the other hand, the way that all of the women (except Rowena, of course) react to super-hunk Stryder like love starved teens, chasing him around a la The Beatles in A HARD DAY'S NIGHT was a tad ridiculous!

I know that Ms MacGregor has very loyal fans who will disagree with me when I say that this is just an OK read - enjoyable (if one can overlook the anachronistic aspects) but not a story I will remember for weeks to come. This author has and can do better. If you're a stickler for historical accuracy and context, this author is not for you. If you are looking for a nice romance with medieval wallpaper this may suit. My recommendation for a really great medieval is Kathleen E Woodiwiss' THE WOLF AND THE DOVE a story that will truly transport you to post-Hastings England with a heroine you can admire and a hero you'll grow to love - just as the heroine does!

I loved Draven in Master of Desire and Simon in the anthology Where's My Hero and expected great things of Stryder's story. Although this is considered the 1st book of the Brotherhood of the Sword series, the other two are related since characters from this book appear in the others I mentioned. There is much to like about this book. The entire story takes place over one month in one place. I like that Kinley concentrates on her characters and conversations rather than locale. I liked Stryder and Rowena for their honorable intentions and compassion for others. One of the best scenes was when Rowena visits Stryder in the dungeon and comforts him. I also loved when they "wrote" on each other - a sensual scene about ¾ of the way through the book. The people were incredible, but I found the storyline a little bit lacking.

There was so much background to convey about the Brotherhood of the Sword and what their ongoing purpose was, the storyline suffered. I don't know if it could have been woven into the storyline better and I hope the rest of the series doesn't present all these facts over and over. The main characters seem to fall for each other so quickly even as they constantly pronounce they will never fall in love or marry. That became tedious. The whole troubadour, music, song contest just didn't pan out right (for me) even though the contest is a major event at the end of the story. The intrigue was ok, but since I read for the romance, I wasn't all that interested in those parts.

Overall, I was not as impressed as I was with earlier books but on the other hand - I can tell this is a series that I will be reading to the bitter end. The Brotherhood characters with their rather jaded look at life after imprisonment will be worth reading about.

Perhaps Kinley MacGregor / Sherrilyn Kenyon needs to concentrate on just *one* of her series, instead of churning these books out like there's no tomorrow. I say that because I purchased this book based on how much I enjoyed her earlier works - the first books in the Dark-Hunter and MacAllister series. I was so impressed then that this author wrote such wonderful fantasy AND historical romances. Those books were so packed with energy, humour and sensuality. This book was decided lacklustre. I much preferred Born In Sin.

Oh, oh, this is not good. I first became familiar with Ms. MacGregor's work through her novels "Master of Seduction" and "Master of Desire," and I thought this golden author could not miss. Kinley, Kinley.

"A DARK CHAMPION" is the opening book to the author's new series labeled "The Brotherhood of the Sword." A new chain of books with strong ties to Ms. MacGregor's premier series "The MacAllisters." In this the Brotherhood, are stories based on those who survived horrendous abuse and torture during the Crusades. On which, the survivors forged a secret society to protect and aid the weak of the world.

Stryder of Blackmoor first earned his revered reputation as the Widowmaker, a leader among the imprisoned. He was the man who planned their escape. Now he is the King's champion - roaming the land as a victorious knight, fighting and giving his strength to those threatened. However, an assassin is erasing the mysterious brotherhood and Stryder is a prime target.

Lady Rowena de Vitry hates war and the knights who prolong the violence. As an heiress, men court Rowena who want her lands and wealth, but she refuses their bid. For Rowena is waiting for a gentle man, who will show her love and kindness. She ignores the scorn of King Henry's court and continues to work to eliminate violence and wars through her minstrel songs. King Henry and Queen Eleanor, grow tired of Rowena's resistance, and together they hatch a plan to trick Rowena into marriage - a marriage to Stryder of Blackmoor.

So what is the problem? The storyline is juvenile, but worse it skims. It dispenses knowledge superficially. There is just no meat on the bones, so to speak. I was so disappointed with the content, with the language, with the story's essence. To my fellow reader, if you are at all interested, first visit the library and then decide your purchase.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

I don't know what the deal is with the criticism on Kinley MacGregor's historical accuracy. First off, when I want total accuracy, I read nonfiction or real medieval literature written by medieval authors. In case no one has noticed, there is quite a tradition of romances written during the Middle Ages that should satisfy anyone craving true accuracy.

As a long time member of the SCA and a reenactor whose persona is a member of Queen Eleanor's court, I have to say this is the most accurate portrayal I have ever seen in a medieval by any author. Please see the Women's Crusade led by Eleanor when she was queen of France that was made up of noblewomen dressed in armor who went down to the Holy Land with the men and let us not forget Marie de France who was a well renowned troubadour during this time who ran her own school. Everyone who knows anything about this period knows Eleanor's court was rife with female troubadours. Did we miss the whole point of the Art of Courtly Love? Read Anna Comnena, Marie de Pisan, and many, many others. Please stop relying on other modern fiction authors to get your history and then bashing the first author who tries to get it right.

I found this book to be deep and engrossing. It was highly entertaining. Unlike most of the fluffy historical romance novels out there, this one made me stop and think. Most of all, it made me feel. Not just for the hero and heroine, but for all the characters in it, large and small. Even the villian had depth and I found myself feeling for him almost as much as I felt for Stryder, if not more since he seems to be in an impossible situation. I love the complexity of this book and the fact that Ms. MacGregor didn't talk down to me or insult my intelligence. I appreciate an intelligent and emotional read once in awhile and this one more than fulfilled that.

To me a keeper is a book that touches my heart and makes me care. It's a book where I dream about being the heroine and being able to fall in love with a real hero. That is why I read this genre and Kinley MacGregor gave me all that and more. I don't keep many books anymore, but I kept this one and to me at least that says it all.

I practically flew through this book, so I don't consider it to be bad (bad books always take me forever to finish), but this book has some of the same confusion issues that I have noticed in some of the author's other "first book of a series" books. There were a ton of characters, as though the author were trying to make sure that she introduced just about every character she might use later in the series. I noticed this early in her Dark Hunters series (writing as Sherrilyn Kenyon), and I was relieved when, later in the series, she stopped introducing about a dozen or so new characters that will obviously one day get their own books. I've gotten the feeling that she likes to do that so that she can get introductions out of the way, so that she can later concentrate on the stories, but it can be very confusing.

Unfortunately, the many secondary characters in A Dark Champion tend to take away from the main characters, Rowena and Stryder, making them and any changes that happen to them seem pretty simplistic. However, Kinley MacGregor does have a knack for writing strong men made sweet by their vulnerabilities (Stryder doesn't think Rowena could ever love him - he's a warrior, not a poet or a musician, and he can't read or write). You may, like me, get a bit confused while reading this book, wondering exactly how many assissins are involved and whether Stryder is capable of meeting someone who doesn't have some sort of connection to the horrible things that happened to him in his past, but there are parts of this book that are very sweet. I'm not sure if I would recommend this for a first-time Kinley MacGregor reader, however, since she throws around a lot of names that were mentioned in previous books - this book is the first Brotherhood of the Sword book, but it has a lot of connections with the MacAllisters books - and those names may further contribute to any confusion this book causes. _Born in Sin_ and _Taming the Scotsman_ are two books that she lists as being both part of the Brotherhood series and the MacAllisters series, so it might be a good idea to read those.

Although this is considered the first book in the Brotherhood of the Sword series this is actually the third time we've been introduced to some of these characters. I think that, this is one of the reasons I love Ms. MacGregor's books. You are almost always gauranteed a chance to visit with old friends.

This is Stryder of Blackmoor's story and I must admit I didn't care for this knight in the anthology "Where's My Hero?" where Ms. MacGregor introduced us to not only this series but this character. My fears were totally misplaced and I found that Stryder is a complex character who was easy to care about. His feelings and thoughts are results of his past. Although this is a rather complex story with many characters they are easy to manage if you're paying attention to what your reading. Trust me it dosen't require a map nor brain surgery to keep it all straight.

Rowena is a great character and does not have her head turned by a pretty...okay handsome face. She actually has no use for knights and the things they stand for. That is until she finds herself in the strong arms of Stryder. Now she must keep her wits about her or she may just fall in love with not only a man but a knight who just me leave her to fight the injustices in the world. The fact that Stryder does not help by keeping his distance, and his kisses touch something in her that she thought was never there only adds to her confusion.

Stryder has made a vow and nothing and no one will keep him from it. Add to the fact that he is constantly ambushed by women who are anxious to be his countess he has grown rather allergic to the female race. That is until he saves a lady from a nasty spill. Now he can't keep his mind nor his lips off of her. She is so different from the normal ladies he runs into. She actually sees deeper then the surface and has not run screaming.

Together they face the chanllenges and threats that follow them. Stryder's past is catching up and fellow members of the Brotherhood are being killed. They must find out who the assasin is before he strikes again.

This is a strong story to mark the beginning of another great series. The groundwork has been set by introducing us to several of Stryder's knights that hopefully will be appearing again soon. The romance between Rowena and Stryder is sweet and spicy. There are laughs and tears aplenty in this read. I highly recommend Ms. MacGregor (AKA Sherrilyn Kenyon) for a wonderful read regardless of the time period or genre! I can't wait for the next in this series!

I have read all of Ms. MacGregor's books and just finished A Dark Champion. I was unsure as I really didn't like Stryder all that much when he was introduced in Simon's story but I had faith that she would make me love him as she has all the others. I wasn't disappointed. What I don't understand is why some are confused about the story, especially the idea that weighty issues can't be discussed in the context of a romance novel. Why not? Life is not simple, is it? Stryder and Rowena were as engaging to me as all of Ms. MacGregor's other characters. Stryder is so engaging precisely because of all he has been through. Without knowing what he suffered, the confusion would lie in why he hates the idea of love so much, don't you think? What I love about all of Ms. MacGregor's books, and what so many authors seem to forget, is that two people can be respectful of each other, all men don't have to be jerks and all women don't have to be simpering, babbling fools. I recommend this and all books written by this author -- and I've read them all, so I know -- if you want wonderful stories, rich characters and romance based on respect and love rather than mistrust and treachery.

This is supposed to be the first of the Brotherhood of the Sword books, but first of all, she mentions characters from her other books, and secondly, she says she covered the first part of the story in a book that does not exist so far as I can find it.

The trouble is that there is them so much of this back story- of the 'he is friends with Simon, also known as Sin,' and 'hates Damine because...' variety that it is confusing, tedious, and waters down the little romance there is in the book. He also becomes so much more dull as a hero compared to the villains of the piece, and the whole Brotherhood of the Sword, presumably to help each other, seems to be pointless in a lot of respects when we find out that the villains are amongst them and are killing each other off.

All of the hero's duties mentioned so that he has no time for a wife, are what, exactly? He never leaves the castle!

The whole issue of his brother and his sexual preferences is done to death, and never once is the fact that he is a murderer addressed! He just says, that's okay, you are my brother and I love you. Sodomy was totally sinful in those days, though since there is never once any mention of these people having any religion, it too is lost as a conflict point upon which the action could hinge, or be escalated, meaningful.
The whole issue of her falling in love with a warrior is over almost before it's begun, again because there is no context. These people break all ten commandments with gleeful abandon, which is kind of odd for Crusaders, supposed Christians, to want to do.
The book is weighed down with secondary characters or mentions of them for so short a novel, but when we really need them they are not there!! The Heir to Jerusalem vanishes from the book completely with little logic, and then we are supposed to find out what happens to him in the next book in the series, (first chapter included at the back of the book) when he has made hardly any impression. This is just plain bad writing and planning. The couple's love-making in the jail whilst being spied on by the voyueristic Damien is just gross.

This book has no medieval content-they are all 'electrified,' 'mesmerized,' and they talk like teens down at the mall. There are no sumptuous or relevant details of medieval life, and there is a decidely digusting hidden patriotic message that seemingly tries to justify our current war which I find repellent.

If you are going to write medievals with a message, keep to facts and truth, not melodrama, and certainly not this propaganda with offensively modern outlooks which devalue both time periods. I certainly am not going to waste my time on this sensationalist bodice ripper of a series. The blurb at the back of the book certainly is misleading. Very disappointing.

My first book from Kinley MacGregor was Born to Sin. I enjoyed it so much that I went on Ebay and purchased the rest of her historical novels. A Dark Champion is the first book in the Brotherhood of the Sword series. The hero, Stryder of Blackmoor, and the heroine, Rowena de Vitry, are not only both opposed to marriage, but also to each other's beliefs. Because of his past, Stryder detests poets/troubadours whose only purpose is to sing of courtly love. Because of her past, Rowena detests knights, blood shed, and war - she is the peace loving, anti-war protestor. Hence, they detest each other.

King Henry, Queen Eleanor, and Rowena's uncle plot to throw the two together (without their knowledge, of course), in hopes that they will marry. Rowena being the heiress to lands strategic to England, and Stryder - who is one of the few deadliest knights strong enough to hold the lands in the name of the King.

In the beginning Stryder and Rowena resist their attraction to each other, but spending more and more time together, they eventually become intimate and admit their feelings. Along the way are several murders, attempts on Stryder's life, a tournament, and a singing contest.

The good - good character growth of Rowena and Stryder. They are eventually led to understand and empathize each other's beliefs. Nice chemistry, likeable characters.

The bad - MacGregor has difficulties with staying within the timeline. I agree with other reviewers - it does feel as if it is a contemporary novel. The characters' dialogue switches from old english (aye, nay, tis), to 21st century - "you must not get out much" or "don't be a baby". It is common in most of MacGregor's MacAllister and BOTS novels that she uses many contemporary phrases. It may not bother some of her readers, but it was distracting for me. In addition, too much information given in this novel to lay the groundwork on the BOTS series. Too many characters introduced at once. I had to refer back to her website to determine who was who, which did not help all that much, as her website is also confusing when describing the players of the BOTS. Towards the end of the book, all of Stryders knights, Stryder, and Rowena are looking for the assassin "The Scorpion", but for some unknown reason, this falls by the wayside, and no mention is made of it again.

It was just okay for me. MacGregor's books do not garner deep emotions from me. They are more geared towards light reading with the usual formula - hero with deep emotional scars and the heroine who is the only one who can provide healing for said scars.