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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Way better than the first book!, September 28, 2007
This review is from: Dark Rival (The Masters of Time, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I bought Dark Rival, because I have faith in good authors and know some have off days. For the most part, I love Brenda Joyce. I do not enjoy the "Cahill" books (so just do not read them) and did not love the last De Warren book, but otherwise I pretty much think she rocks. A huge exception to this "rule" was the first book in this Masters of Time series - Dark Seduction. I do not hate that book, but I honestly cannot recall a single fact about the storyline or the characters.
Dark Rival is a very good book and it is so much better than the first in the series. This cannot really be a summary review because the plot is complicated and a summary will threaten to blow the twists and turns. I have no doubt people who cannot suspend their disbelief to picture an Escada gown in 1430 will hate this book and just should not read it. But hell it is a story about time travel to start with so suspend away...
The lead characters are very good. The Hero Royce is complex and darling and you want him heal and to come out on top. The Heroine Allie starts great but becomes less likable (but comes back). For me the Heroine is what keeps this from being an outstanding book. By page 360 I started to really dislike Allie. She did not get the complexities of ALL that was going on because she would not use her BRAIN. She eventually improved but I was so frustrated with her that I wanted someone to slap her, tell her to get a grip and that she was far too old to behave so childishly.
My only other complaint is that I wanted more development of the Allie/Royce relationship in modern time (the first time) before the time travel to 1430. Otherwise, this book is good ole Brenda Joyce. Angst galore! It made me laugh, brought me to tears, was very sweet at parts and really made me long for a good happy ending. I would recommend the book and I look forward to another one in the series.
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A sexy and steamy romp through time, September 20, 2007
This review is from: Dark Rival (The Masters of Time, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
Black Royce was a fledgling Master new to his powers, when he watched his wife suffer at the hands of the formidably evil Kael. For centuries he travels back to this horrible time and place reliving the pain and immense grief, silently wishing that he could change the past. It was while he was on one of these journeys that he suddenly hears a woman's voice begging and pleading with him to find her. Incredulous, he wonders what kind of trick this is and starts a wild and relentless search. Floundering in bewilderment he is informed by a fellow Master that she is from his future and is his destiny. He gives up his search for her knowing that in time they will cross paths again.
In the year 2007, Allie Monroe is an heiress by day but a gifted healer by night. When she is confronted by daemons, a Highland Warrior appears to her and saves her from certain death. Grateful, Allie is stunned at the immediate and powerful attraction she feels for this irresistible but dangerous Highlander named Black Royce. One of the Master's of Time she has heard about. Whisking her off to his castle in present day Scotland, Allie and Royce bask in their love but evil lurks around them still and once again Royce battles evil and he is killed. Devastated that she was unable to save him, Allie begs Aidan to take her back to a time before she met Royce. She knows it was not Royce's time to die, and she will do anything to undo the past to protect her future with her soul mate.
Dark Rival is the second entry in Brenda Joyce's new series The Masters Of Time. It is a sexy and steamy romp through time as Allie and Royce battle evil and defy the odds with their intensely powerful bond. Allie is a feisty but determined woman, she stands up for what is right and she knew when she saw Royce he was the mate that she'd been waiting her whole life for. Bringing a smile to this reader's face, as the twists, turns and surprises are unraveled throughout the novel. Royce is an indomitable male hero whose torments in his past affect his future. With Allie's quiet and patient determination he is able to banish his horrible memories and become the powerful master we read about in Dark Seduction. Dark Rival continues to develop and enhance the roles of The Masters bringing a better understanding of this world Brenda Joyce has created. I am especially drawn to Aidan and I cannot wait for his story, he is such a tortured and sexy character that his story is demanding to be read.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed, January 31, 2008
This review is from: Dark Rival (The Masters of Time, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
Primarily my disappointment lies with the heroine Allie Monroe. She was so immature and whiny that I just wanted Royce to send her back to her time and be done with her. If Ms Joyce could have just placed an older, wiser heroine in Allie's place, I would have enjoyed reading this book much more. Despite the disappointments, I still loved all of the other characters and felt that there was decent character development.
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