Customer Reviews

Devoted

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Borchardt does a wonderful job in this book of drawing together Pagan and Christian sources. She reaches into Celtic lore, 9th century chistian belief, shamanic ritual and Germanic myth to create a world where religion and forces of nature are in flux. Part of this is the sacred marriage between the male and female principles (hieros gamos). The various sexual acts in this story illustrate the uses of sex from the sacred to the profane. That's not to say they aren't fun-- because they are. But they are an integral and interesting part of the story.

It's not necessary that the reader know a lot about 9th century France, shamanism or pagan myth, but it doesn't hurt.

I loved the way I felt as I opened up this book and began to read. The promise of a thumping good read in historical fiction-- my favorite. But as I read on, the story is continuously, unexpectedly , interrupted by odd segments of gratuitous sex that read as if they were inserted to satisfy the romance genre. While I loved the premise of the heroine and hero, their characters did not captivate me. The character development somehow did not have me giving a darn about these people. I'd turn the page and end up somewhere lost in a sudden change of scene. My personal review of three stars was given due to the wonderful historical detail and plot, not to the writing itself. But I would read something of hers again...there's something that smells of promise here. This book just wasn't as fulfilling as I had hoped. Perhaps my expectations were too high. But a good read overall, and as I mentioned earlier, excellent historical detail!

I was totally enthralled and engrossed in this novel. The characters are wonderful and the attention to detail and character developement is first rate. I particularly love the humourous touches and more than once I found myself laughing out loud. There really is something for everyone in this novel....lots of violence and bloodshed, lots of romance including sexy scenes, lots of humour and great historical detail. Highly recommended, and i have just started reading the sequel and it promises to be just as good.

I listened to the Unabridged Audio version of Devoted, and WOW, all I can say is this novel packs a punch! This is the story of Ellen, a pagan princess and her love for the Archbishop Owen. This novel is set in early Medieval France, a time of mysticism, paganism and Viking raids. I particularly loved the gritty realism of the cities, the manner in which Owen was portrayed, and the inclusion of the pictish 'old people.'

I agree with some reviewers that the sex scenes were somewhat gratuitous and numerous. Also, I felt the lead characters were somewhat anachronistic and a little PC. (Nobility schmoozing with the servants, religious tolerance), these elements did not fully detract from the novel.

My only dislike? I disliked Ellen's "Powers." I thought her 'abilities' were prime examples of deus ex machina, and were used twice to resolve difficult plot points which could've been solved in different manner without the silly mysticism.

Overall, though, this book is one of the better historical romance reads I've read in a while. Well worth the effort to pick up in Audio format.

Having read Devoted at least twice I have to admit I can't wait to read it again. Alice Borchardt's style is so clean. There are no unneccesary plots and characters, much like her sister Anne Rice.

I would also like to comment on the audio version of this book. Michael Page's read is exceptional, from the blustering knights to the soft spoken forest people. Listen to this one. You won't be sorry

I picked the hardcover version of this book up at used book store. I'll be honest, it was the 'Introduction by Anne Rice' printed on the cover that caught my attention. Thinking I would become some huge Rice fan, I thought i'd check out her sisters work...

'Devoted' is mesmerzing! The imagery Alice creates is beautiful, the atmosphere of the era is breathtaking and one can't help but fall in love with her characters. I couldn't put this book down.

THIS ADVENTURE NOVEL WILL SWEEP YOU AWAY TO DARK MEDIEVAL FORESTS, VIKING LONGSHIPS, AND INTO THE THE HUMAN HEART. WARRIOR BISHOP OWEN AND HIS LOVE, ELIN MUST BATTLE BRUTAL VIKINGS AND TREACHERY FROM NOBLEMEN TO SAVE THEIR TOWN.BORCHADT SWEEPS YOU INTO 10TH CENTURY FRANCE A WORLD OF VIOLENCE, A WORLD WHERE PAGANISM IS GIVING WAY TO CHRISTANITY.

As one of the previous reviewers mentioned, I picked this book on sale at a local book store. Since I am fascinated with the idea of the supernatural, I found this book fascinating. Ms. Borchhardt has incredible ability to describe in detail the background and surroundings of her characters. This is not a boring read, instead you feel as if you are in the era of time. Her writing in some way surpasses her sister's work. I look forward to reading future books.

This is the first novel that I have read by Alice Borchardt. I found the beginning to be enthralling, but as the story dragged on, I got bored with the common use of language. It felt as if the novel was written so that it could easily be made into a B Hollywood movie.

The book was much too predictable. I don't think that I will purchase the sequel, 'Beguiled.' However, I may give the author another chance with her latest novel 'The Silver Wolf.'

This is one of the finest historicals I have ever read. Above all, the characters, the dialogue, and the relationships were believable and fascinating. I have never read a historical novel with such ironic, witty, and subtle dialogue. Most people writing in other periods seem to think this makes the characters lose all ability to speak in subtle ways. Borchardt's dialogue shines. Plus, the relationship between the two main characters is the meeting of two powerful forces, sexy as hell, and not at all sexist. The sequel, which brings in a second relationship of great power, and manages to end in a way that does not mean one force destroys another and yet is satisfying, is even better. And great fight scenes!