Customer Reviews

Dark Rider

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I really enjoyed it. The setting at Hawaii gave an exotic and erotic backdrop. Jared first saw Cassie on a moonlit beach and thought she was a native since she dressed like them, just a sarong aroung her waist, leaving her tantalising breasts bared. That was a sure innocent way to arouse a man. But Cassie was not out to seduce, she was brought up at the island and thus not self-conscious about her body. Like most Iris Johansen heroines, Cassie unknowingly needed to be needed. She was very protective over Kapu, her beloved horse. Thank goodness it was not another child or dependent person. I liked reading about her resistance to stay in Jared's bed. Cassie wanted their lovemaking to be just mating, so as not to be vulnerable to betray her father. The sexual tension between Jared and Cassie was very strong, which added to the joy of reading the story. I enjoyed reading about how Cassie taunted Jared's command, in her small way but was extremely frustrating for Jared. The secondary characters did not have a cunning sense of humour as in her other books. Brandford was supposed to be but he was a tad bland. Josephine injected some energy into the story but had a relatively minor role in the story development.

The book begins with a short prologue set in 1795 revolutionary France and then picks up in Hawaii in 1806. The happenings in France are at the heart of a mystery which motivates all the subsequent action, as a stranger appears one day who wants to exact revenge against Cassandra's father. She does not know what happened all those years ago, but she trusts her father, helping him to escape back to France while she stays behind to delay the young Duke of Morland. The characters are well-written, though Cassandra doubts her feelings long after a reasonable person would; also, a secondary romance develops between two likeable characters, which I enjoyed.

Conflict arises first from Cassie wanting the stranger to stay away from her father and later from wanting to reconcile her growing tenderness toward him while staying loyal to her father. The settings -- France, Hawaii and England -- are interesting and used to good effect. Horses figure largely here, and that's a good thing too. And ultimately what you want in a romance, a real desire to see the protagonists united, is here. Johansen writes in several genres and is talented in all of them. This romance was enjoyable and I would read others by this author.

I enjoyed reading "DARK RIDER",and I loved Cassandra and Jared. The chemistry between them was electrifying. I think Cassie tried a little too hard not to fall for Jared, even when it becomes obvious that he could not resist her. It was Iris Johansen best book I have read so far

For me, Iris Johansen's books tend to be a little too wordy, this one included. It was still an entertaining story (I enjoyed the island aspect) even if the heroine became a little too annoying at times. Yes, she was in conflict between love for her father, love for her lover...and love for her horse--but the conflict went on a little too long.

This is one of the weaker of Johansen's books. Her usual delightful secondary characters are absent, and the primary couple get all the attention, but are formulaic and don't really deserve it.

There is a pattern I think the author should see a shrink about, since it occurs in so many of her books: I've read at least 4, and it's been present in all. In each one, an innocent maiden meets a jaded man-of-the-world, and the only courtship between them is in the form of repellent foreplay: he instantly makes raunchy, explicit sexual threats, and follows up the threats with intimidation and groping. This makes the innocent girl 1) run for cover? Or 2) pant and flutter and hop into his bed? (Guess what -- it's #2.) Other than hinting the author might have had serious boundary violations as a girl, it makes for near-offensive reading--it's sexual harrassment, not romance.

This was actually appropriate to the first Wind Dancer book, as the character had rough edges and his arc in the book was to learn the error of his ways. I love that her 'heroes' are not perfect, not the typical monochromatic virtuous type, but this pattern is just not appropriate for every single couple in every single book.

Johansen is very good at intricate plots, but whatever genre she chooses to write, she should streamline the plot a bit, and give some more focus to character and dialogue. She's very talented, so I always find her books interesting in some way, but the romance aspects of them have been disappointing.

I LOVE IRIS JOHANSEN!!!! ALL OF THE BOOKS I HAVE READ OF HERS ARE GREAT!!!!! READ THEM, YOU WON'T BE DISAPOINTED!

First of all, the reviewer before me did not even refer to the correct book in her review. This book has nothing to do w/ there being 2 gods. She is refering to Dark Rider, another book by the author.

That aside, this book is just alot of bickering and sex. Neither main character is especially sympathetic and Cassie's breasts had a bizarre tendency to swell every time she became aroused, which may have been useful in case of a shipwreck during the voyage from Hawaii to England, but is otherwise just annoying!

Sorry, but this book just wasn't good. I think the first problem came early on when Jared compares Cassie to a child in terms of her body. This really turns me off because early on she acts like a child also. He really thinks she's 14! That's not romantic @ all. And, ok, I know it was island culture and all but having Cassie run around Topless, just isn't romantic. It's like leave something to the imagination! And, if she is going to be topless, please don't let her body be that of a 14-year-old, and not voluptous/sexy. That way it'd be easier for me to see the initial appeal Jared sees in her.

Both previous reviewers are incorrect as to the title of the book with both a female and male God. That book is "Lion's Bride" by Johansen.

This book, "Dark Rider", is as all of Johansen's books are - magnificent. The characters, the plot, the scenery, the dialogue. Well done.

It was good but it could have been better but I still suggest that you read it because everyone got different taste in novels..