Customer Reviews

The King's Pleasure (Zebra Books)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not really sure what to make of Shannon Drake. After reading "Beneath a Blood Red Moon" I thought she was fabulous. After reading "Blue Heaven, Black Knight" I thought she was awful. After reading "The King's Pleasure" I'm sort of leaning toward the fact that she's a good writer, but she won't ever be one of my favorite authors.

"The King's Pleasure" was well written. If you're a history buff, you will no doubt love this book. I am not a history buff. I think fans of historical romance fall into two different categories: those who love rich, detailed accounts of history woven all throughout the novel, and those of us who enjoy the setting but don't wish to read a dissertation on medieval life. I am definitely of the latter group. I love the settings provided by historical authors, but I don't care to read blow by blow accounts of a particular battle any more than I would want a blow by blow account of a modern battle while reading a contemporary novel. So I found myself glossing over the majority of this book.

The next problem I had with this novel was that the heroine was stubborn to the point of ridiculousness (a common attribute of all Drake's heroines). Because of some vague, obscure vow she made to her mother on her deathbed, she chose to betray her husband and father repeatedly to keep it. Who would do this in real life? It was too far-fetched and aggravating.

The last reason I found this novel less than compelling was because I simply don't enjoy her style of writing. Drake uses exclamation points after every other sentence which, after awhile, has the same effect as writing all in caps throughout the entire book. Exclamation points were used to the point of ridiculousness. Even if the heroine was whispering, whatever she said seemed to warrant an exclamation point to Drake's way of thinking. It got to be too much.

If you enjoy Drake in general, you will probably love this book. If you enjoy a lot of conflict between the hero and heroine and tons and tons of "rich, historical detail" (a phrase used by critics I've since come to steer clear of), you will like this book. If you don't fall into the above categories, save your money.

This book is an engaging and entertaining example of historical fiction. I found the romance portion of the book to be quite frustrating. The flaws, though, did not detract overmuch from the fantastic writing. This book is well researched, and that effort shines through! It meanders through the lives of mother and daughter and their complicated ties with the warring Kings of France and England. The accounts of their lives was richly detailed. The battles, the fortifications, the painful reality of medieval warfare were explored. I found the history angle to be one of the strongest of any "historical romance" I've encountered of this period. HOWEVER...(and there is a big "however")

The romance between Danielle D'Aville and Adrien MacLachlan was a bit forced. She is French and rallies for their cause while Adrien is one of England's champions. The money, titles, and land that he receives by marrying the wretchedly stubborn Danielle more than make up for it. They fight, spit, and hate each other for a span of nearly 6 years. (Which to a reader seems nearly as long in real time.) During that time, they both discover they are in love with each other (and things take a turn for the better)..despite the fact that Adrien's method of discipline and control centers around rape. This author offended me greatly with her casual use of rape in the book. The two women to suffer so are portrayed as struggling with their desire by the end of the assault. Excuse me? What tripe. Luckily the book progresses beyond its stumbling blocks to develop into an intriguing historical tale.

Kudos on the cover art. Tasteful outer cover with a good attempt at "good" romance art. No caked on harlot-blue eyeshadow on the heroine, no half-shed clothing. Though I've never seen a Scotsman who looked like that.

Overall? Give it a shot if you are enchanted by the age of chivalry. The romance isn't very satisfying, but the background makes up for it.

I have read almost every period novel written by Shannon Drake/Heather Graham. I put off reading The King's Pleasure based on the other reviewer's comments that the characters fought and the stress and tension in the book was constant. Boy am I ever sorry I let those comments keep me from reading what is by far one the best stories I've read in awhile-and I read alot! The fact that the characters meet when she is a child, half the battles are pranks. These two characters are as honest and caring towards each other, as is possible, while maintaining their own loyalties. Please if you enjoy Shannon Drake then run, don't walk and get your hands on this book. Its a fast read two days at most and you won't be disappointed.

I started reading this book hoping for an awesome romance set in my favorite time period, the Middle Ages. What I found was an overdone history lesson and no romance. I'm sure it picks up somewhere but I just didn't have the patience. If you love a lot of history and political intrigue in a book, then this one is for you. I personally could not get past the 100th page.

This was the very first romance novel I had ever read and the only Shannon Drake book I have ever read. But I'm not saying there is something wrong with her writing...because I thought this book was great!

I have probably read this book about 5 times; that's how much I like it. I love the way they speak. Like using words such as 'alas' and..okay, for some reason I can't think of another example. It's just that they talk so different.

The fighting scenes between Danielle and Adrien are great. Especially the archery and sword fight! I also liked how the book began before Danielle was born. It helps you to understand why the characters turn out the way they do later in the book.

The only things I didn't like about this book were the long battle scenes. Those were sooo boring! I also didn't like how Danielle was so stubborn. The book could've ended about a hundred pages earlier if it wasn't for her. I don't think there's another person that's more stubborn than she is. If I was in the same situation, I would've said 'to heck with the vow.' I mean, she had a gorgeous, sexy husband. Why put more bridges between them by acting that way.

The ending could've been a little better I thought. It was kinda corny. And I didn't quite understand how 'the king's pleasure' fit into it all. But I thought the book was really great and I recommend it to everyone. Some parts might be on the boring side but the rest of the book makes up for that!

If you are a true historical romance reader, then you will definitely enjoy the compelling history, however, the love story in itself is somewhat annoying and confusing. Adrienne is a hero that every woman will love. Strong, masculine, confident, yet gentle when necessary, and devoted to both his king and adversary of a wife. Danielle, I found to be 'stupid'. She was raised by an English king, yet she would betray her loving huband and her king in order to keep a vow she made to her mother, a vow she did not fully understand. However, since I'm a fan of the typical genre of 'relunctant brides and grooms', I enjoyed the bantering between the two. The 'King's Pleasure' is not one of the best, however, few historical romances are written involving this particular Platagenet and that in itself is refreshing. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give this book a low 4 or a high 3 1/2 stars

If you are a true historical romance reader, then you will definitely enjoy the compelling history, however, the love story in itself is somewhat annoying and confusing. Adrienne is a hero that every woman will love. Strong, masculine, confident, yet gentle when necessary, and devoted to both his king and adversary of a wife. Danielle, I found to be 'stupid'. She was raised by an English king, yet she would betray her loving huband and her king in order to keep a vow she made to her mother, a vow she did not fully understand. However, since I'm a fan of the typical genre of 'relunctant brides and grooms', I enjoyed the bantering between the two. The 'King's Pleasure' is not one of the best, however, few historical romances are written involving this particular Platagenet and that in itself is refreshing. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give this book a low 4 or a high 3 1/2 stars.

Fans of Drake will love this book! Drake's slightly over-the-top characters and tragic drama with careful historical accuracy are there and - as usual - I found it hard to put down.

This is one of those books that you read once a year every year. It is a magnificent book and i recomend it highly to anyone who loves this author. It is different and unique and the characters are complex. I read some of the less flattering reviews and i dissagree strongly.

I love Shannon Drake's works, but I was a little bit frustrated with this book. I had to make myself finish it, and I am a person that loves to read and hates to leave a book unread. I absolutley loved Adrien! He was every woman's dream. Strong, loyal, loving when he needs to be, and capable of emotions, not to mention gorgeous. I hated Danielle! What a whiner and a treasonous sneak. What a thanks Edward gets for giving the ungrateful brat a place to live when she has nowhere else to go. She made me so mad I wanted to throw the book across the room, or in the trash. Enough about Arville already. That's all she talked about. My goodness, and to hold a grudge against Adrien for something that he did when he was ten years old and she wasnt even thought of yet, not to mention something she knew nothing about was just ridiculous. Also, the "relationship" that she had with Philip was ludicrous. To be that loyal to a man that you have only met once, just because he gives you a friggin horse is totally unbelievable! I loved the love that Adrien had for Danielle. I just wish that Mrs. Drake could have given him a better heroine. The one she gave him was unbearable!