Customer Reviews

Lord of the Night

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

 

 

In a genre that is famous (infamous) for 1)doing certain settings over and over and over; and 2)insisting that one of the protagonists be an American or British; it's a refreshing change to find a book that breaks both "rules." It's even more fun when it's a genuinely good book.

"Lord of the Night" is set in 16th century Venice and follows the romance of Laura and Sandro, both natives of that city. Laura is an aspiring painter (training with Titian) who is planning to finance her studio by becoming a courtesan. Sandro is a forty-something nobleman who heads up the police. They meet when the Doge's assistant is killed just after visiting Laura's bordello. Shortly thereafter ruffians assault Laura and the mystery begins....

In someways this is a May to December romance. Indeed, the obstacles to their joining are obvious from the start - he's twice her age and would lose his status as a noble if he marries a commoner. She, in turn, has genuine artistic talent if she can just get admitted to the all-male Academy. He, of course, is not too wild about her finacing plans.

The mystery works well in this romance and has a genuinely surprising ending. I also really enjoyed the insights on life in 16th Century Venice.

I just read this and thought it was one of the best mystery romance books ever. I figured out a little of it as I went along but was amazed at the surprise right at the end. How wonderful to write such a different type of story involving a marvelous man in a May to December romance. I loved her Raven and the Rose as well. Am about to start on her Lily and the Leopard. She is a wonderful writer. If you like good romance, a great mystery, and some very unusual characters get this book.

It was a surprise to me to find such an old title--over a decade--on display for recent purchase. But when I started reading this soft, dreamy novel that was the only time I checked for the date. It's because in the current climate of hard edged, all purpose alpha female leads, this novel featured a clever, ultra feminine lead. Wafting about as an artist's model, draped with beautiful fabrics by open windows with soft breezes coming in, this heroine was definatly not of the more recent batch. Still it was refreshing. The male lead is older, but wiser and still not afraid to compete with younger and more foolish "boys" for the hand of the "lady". A lovely book to comfortably read and enjoy with few surprises.

This is a throughly enjoyable story. Its setting in Venice is great, the details of Venetian society, the love story; its got it all. Characters are drawn in detail and you will be enchanted by the juxtaposition of the male and female character's thoughts. It has some genuinely funny moments and a simmering dark mystery. I think its one of the best romances I have read in years.

The book was a fair read, however, in my opinion there are much better historical romances to choose from. I didn't care for the turn at the end with Magdelana or the whole "gang rape" idea, but to each there own. I would probably recommend this book to someone else but make them aware of the plot twist. The age difference between Laura and Sandro was a bit much for me, as he had kids older than her but again to each there own.

It always seems to be just me. I get this. I accept that I'm... a little (stifling laughter here)... strange. But surely there are other people out there with tastes similar to mine, and so I write this for them.

This wasn't a BAD book. It really wasn't. I have to give credit for the fact that it's 16 years old, and one of this author's earlier efforts. I have to also give credit for the uniqueness of the setting in eschewing "normal" romance environs. But, unfortunately, not quite enough. And since the plot has been well detailed, I'll just move right along to my impressions of the book.

I mostly enjoyed the character of Sandro. I even enjoyed the character of Laura, to an extent. Unfortunately almost every other character was extremely exaggerated. The characters of Yasmin and Jamal might have been pulled from any stereotype in literature; though I admit to some unique and endearing twists. While some were based, at least loosely, on real people, they were presented in an almost flat quality that made them neither real nor likeable. For all the book's faults, My Wicked Pirate by Rona Sharon is a better example of how to include real people in an historical romance. However, I know from other experiences, that Ms. Wiggs can far surpass this work. So I may be a bit biased considering I've read better from her.

Secondly... I didn't really "get" the love between Sandro and Laura. I get what was implied, but I didn't feel it, mainly because I couldn't see WHY Sandro would really love Laura. For me, in order for such an age difference to work (she was 18, he was 39) there has to be SOME connecting value. Sandro had 40 years of hard and complicated living, with vast responsibilites and children Laura's age. Laura had led an extremely sheltered life (convent raised) and while she had lived at a brothel for 6 months, she was clearly protected even there. She almost seemed, to be honest, as if she had ADHD (constantly fidgeting, her flights of fancy from one topic to another -- even her complete focus on her painting was like the "hyper focus" that some people get). She was exceptionally naive, did very immature things, behaved like a petulant child. Then again... so did Sandro. Maybe THAT was their connection? I get that she made him feel young. I suppose hanging out with someone half your age can do that.

Thirdly... I have to say it, sorry. The sex scenes. The first kiss took place on page 63 and *wasn't with Sandro*! They didn't kiss until page 127! That's a loooong time to wait. As for the sex... Well, let's just say that it was not worth the 250 page wait! I'm not saying that people have to jump into bed instantly, but I CAN say that the only reason these two didn't appears to be from continual "big misunderstandings" that are so common in romance novels. How many cliches do we really need?

Fourthly would be the mystery. I figured this out about 1/3 of the way through, even down to the majority of the motive. Even the "twist" was something I had suspicions of, given the nature of the crimes. I also think that the inclusion of Laura in the attacks was really unexplained. The "danger" she posed for the villain was hardly believable.

Finally, what really just blah-ed it for me was the "Trentuno". I've done the research. I know it has happened (although there appears to be a LOT of discrepancy on the frequency). Though it didn't seem to ACTUALLY involve thirty-one men. All that aside, I find numerous references and inclusions of gang rape to be unpleasant. Rape is a plot device I really do not like. Does that mean that it's my (*snicker*) delicate sensibilities? Of course not. What it means is that the inclusion didn't further the plot or add to the story. It was unnecessary.

It probably sounds as if I'm completely panning this book, and I suppose there's some truth to that, but I acknowledge that it's at least an average read. This is not a BAD book, but so below what I've come to expect from this author that I can't rate it higher. I don't think that I would hesitate to supprt someone reading it (depending on the reader), but I don't think I would go out of my way to recommend it. If the person wanted to read it anyway, I would accept that without argument, but I would probably prepare them a bit. Or suggest a different book by this author, one that would leave you with a GOOD feeling and the satisfaction of a truly loving and understandable romance.

She is my new favorite author. I have been reading the fire trilogy. Started out with the last one Firebrand. Could not put it down. Lord of the night is about a beautiful young girl who is a painter. She was living in a convent and has decided to become a courteson to pay for her painting. She meets a venecian chief of police. He is very stodgy, old, and manipulative. He is not my favorite male hero. Everytime you start to like him he does something stupid again! Hard to get into this book. The foreign words make the book hard to follow. I feel as though I am reading a foreign book at times. Maybe you will like it better.