23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartwrenching and Beautiful, June 22, 2002
I've read thousands of romances, including all of Ms. Kinsale's excellent catalogue -- but this one tops them all, in my view. There has never been a better female protagonist than the Princess Melanthe -- complex, driven, fighting for survival while caught between dark and powerful forces bent on devouring her. Twisting and turning, she uses her brains and her beauty to keep them all at bay. Ruck, in his strength and simple-minded devotion to her, was less interesting to me, but even here, Kinsale doesn't make him a cardboard cut-out of a hero. Ruck has his own demons, and a nobility of spirit which makes it ultimately believable that a woman like Melanthe would recognize in him a man to whom she could entrust her heart and even her life. He is a wonderful counterpart to Melanthe's deceptions and strategems. But as others have noted, by far the most compelling and fascinating character is Allegreto. Dark, shiveringly dangerous, glitteringly beautiful -- he and Melanthe are unequalled in romance fiction -- characters whose dark sides rule them, but who still retain hearts and spirits which draw us to them. I talk about romance novels often, with friends -- this is the only one I get so emotional about that I can't even discuss it! I love this book.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Utterly Perfect!, March 31, 1999
By A Customer
I have been reading historical romance for 20 years and this is the best book I've ever read. Melanthe, as a heroine, is not always likable, but she's understandable, and just when I didn't think the author, Ms. Kinsale, could ever redeem her again for me, she did! And wonderfully.
Contrary to what most publishers want to see, very early character development and quick and easy relational issues, Ms. Kinsale built a story for me that rooted deeply in my soul. Ruck grew into a wise and silently strong man, when it comes to dealing with his lady love. When dealing with other males, he's a to die for hunk of muscle and steel (armour). I nearly died laughing when he explained to his lady love where he'd learned his carnal "secrets."
Melanthe is not so complicated as some might think. She's strong-willed but knows a gravity issue when she sees one. She has taken extraordinary measures throughout her life to "save" innocents. Obviously much of this is missed by other reviewers, but Melanthe is not selfish, nor is she a bleeding heart. She's a powerful woman of strength, control and command. She's a goddess who's wins the heart of a very worthy man.
The castles are beautiful, as are the abbeys, forests, even the desert and sand, rain storms and even the plague all have their rightful place here.
I can't give away the end. I just can't. It's too good. Melanthe does retain her sarcastic wit though and Ruck -- well, Ruck.... well.... Aaahhh!
If you like knights in armour, satin and velvet; Princesses in ermine lined robes and lots of emeralds, you'll love this book. If you don't, read it anyway, I promise you'll love them when you're done.
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best historical romances I've read, June 21, 2004
I haven't read many of Kinsale's books, but was very pleasantly surprised with this one. So much historical romance is formula fiction, light on character, plot, and history. Kinsale doesn't just throw in a castle, a suit of armor, a few misunderstandings and some sex and call it a book. These characters and their relationships are complex and fascinating. I really could not put this one down until I was finished--bags under my eyes at work the next day.
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