Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Knight

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I was sure after the first few chapters I was going to dislike Jackie Ivie's latest novel Once upon a Knight but I kept reading and surprisingly I began to enjoy the novel. This was due in large part because Ms. Ivie revealed midway into the story the hidden depths of her heroine and a little later the hero's past which gave tremendous insight into their actions.

Vincent Danzel is on a mission to woo a winsome lass he has never met. He has been given this charge by the Donol clan after he was freed from prison. He must make said girl fall in love with him then leave her brokenhearted, but he must leave her untouched. Vincent goes about this task with confidence after all he is extremely handsome and the ladies never resist him.

Sybil Eschoncan is the object of his pretend affection. She is an illegitimate daughter living at her Scottish stepmother's keep. Sybil is an interesting woman, a skilled herbalist, with a bit of the "sight", she is convinced that she is emotionless and is not at all displeased to be a totally analytical and sly person. So when Vincent arrives at the castle intent on courting, she is dubious of his sincerity. Vincent is quite attracted to the dark beauty and has a difficult time keeping their relationship from becoming physical.

During these opening chapters, I admittedly did not like these characters overly much, neither acted honorably. Vincent`s mission if completed would hurt Sybil terribly and Sybil was almost unfeeling and at times manipulative. She even describes herself as devious and I found her to be so on several occasions especially when it came to Vincent.

However this book really takes off on a new and better course by its middle chapters. Sybil truly does see life from a totally different perspective. She has fallen in love and her emotions which have been bottled inside for years come bubbling forth beautifully. This happens quite suddenly for her but believably.

Vincent's past is fleshed out in the latter half of this novel and finally I began to understand the reasoning behind his actions. This was a man, riddled with guilt but also a noble man who no longer felt honorable. Yet several times I glimpsed his protective and kind spirit. In many ways he is the more interesting lead. Here is a man who has run not only from his past but also from his future and his past does come back with a real vengeance.

Lastly, this is a very sensuous novel. Sybil and Vincent have a loving and romantic relationship that is more than just physical. For Sybil it is an awakening of her feelings and for the first time in her life she experiences joy, contentment, and belonging. For Vincent there is almost a magical quality to Sybil and he wonders if she has enchanted him by her herbal concoctions. I am so glad I continued reading this novel and did not stop after the first chapters. Sybil and Vincent became protagonists I really enjoy, loving, selfless and adventurous.

Deep in the 15th century Scottish Highlands, Sybil Eschoncan thinks of nothing but escape from the loathsome Sir Ian, the man she is supposed to marry. Handsome Vincent Danzel could have any woman he fancies so when Sybil passes him by without even a glance, he is taken aback. Having escaped from prison with the help of his cousin, Vincent agrees to the one stipulation. Vincent must seduce Sybil and then leave her and break her heart. Vincent certainly has his work cut out for him. As the two become closer, Vincent finds her harder and harder to resist. For her part, Sybil cannot understand his reluctance to carry through with his plan of seduction. Convinced she has tricked him with her magical herbs, he can think of nothing else but her. As several obstacles encroach upon their shared intimacy, Vincent and Sybil must struggle within themselves as much as the enemies in order to find a way to the love growing in their hearts. With all the plots and subplots threatening them, will they be able to unravel all that stands in their way? Will vengeance or love win out in the end?

Jackie Ivie's ONCE UPON A KNIGHT is a sensual fairy tale romance full of adventure infused with a magical ambiance. Sexy dialogue provides tension and a touch of humor as hero and heroine engage in a dance of seduction. The enemies surrounding them are every bit as crafty and odious as fairy tale villains. From her wolf guardian Waif, to the horrible mother-in-law, to jokes about a toad prince, Jackie Ivie creates a magical, fairy tale atmosphere surrounding her characters. Romance lovers will delight in the dialogue. Sexually innuendo-laden banter between hero and heroine add a dynamic not typically found in fairy tales. The theme of vengeance binds together several of the subplots. If you are a reader who prefers a simple linear plot with few complications, this may not be the romance for you. If, on the other hand, you are a reader who craves surprises and adventure in your historical romance, ONCE UPON A KNIGHT has a rich narrative structure of plot twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the last page. Jackie Ivie creates adventure not only in terms of physical journeys of her characters but also in an intricate web of intersections and intrigue. ONCE UPON A KNIGHT is a tale into which readers can sink their hearts and romantic imagination. Magic and fairy tale resonances take precedence over textbook historical setting and events although at the same time, history forms an important backdrop for this romance. One easily visualizes the detailed architecture of a castle and other well-detailed descriptions incorporated within the action of the romance. ONCE UPON A KNIGHT takes the reader into another magical time with memorable characters and a romance that will test her characters to the very core. Delightful and sensually enchanting!

COURTESY OF BOOK ILLUMINATIONS

In 1457 in the Highlands Sybil Eschoncan runs the castle for her stepmother ever since her father died. Thus when her odious stepmother informs her she will marry Sir Ian, the healing herbalist is taken aback as she believes her intended is an evil shrimp only after her alleged treasure and cannot be the man her sister Kendran wished upon her.

His cousin arranges for Vincent Danzel to escape from prison with the stipulation he ruin Sybil; not physically as the odious relative plans to do this. Instead without laying one finger on Sybil, he plans to makes her fall in love with him and leave. Vincent assumes this should prove easy especially after he meets the mouse, but she stuns him with ordering him to take a bath. Soon the cocky confident charmer finds he is losing every encounter to Sybil who has Vincent convinced she has drugged his food or drink as he is falling in love. She persuades him to make love with her so she does not have to wed Ian. However, he wants more and struggles to convince his Sybil to marry him although she seems to be the one in control of their relationship.

This is an interesting mid fifteenth century gender war in which neither Sybil or Vincent understand the rules of the seduction game because the third party rule-maker has his own agenda. Although overly complicated with too many side subplots that in fairness bring out time and place, fans will enjoy the Highlander romance between the herbalist protected by Waif the wolf and the escaped convict, an expendable discard sent to seduce Sybil by her cousin.

Harriet Klausner

I picked this book up because the last (and only) Jackie Ivie book I read rated one of the very few 5 stars I have given a light romance. Having loved "A Knight in White Satin" so much, I thought to read more of Ivie's work. Proof that life is never consistent...

The last third of this book is the ONLY thing that saved this from a 1 to 2 star rating. The first 2/3 of the story was so brainless and silly, I was tempted to just chuck it. I'm glad I kept going because the writing and plot actually rose enough at the end to make it somewhat interesting. The most delightful part of the book was the heroine, herself. Sybil was just eccentric enough to be highly entertaining. She was so different than any other women I have read in HR that - even with the ridiculous first half - she gave me a reason to continue. Kudos for the heroine! While the story itself never could climb above average, at least it didn't end up in the atrocious pile.

'Once Upon A Knight' was a quirky book - quirky because of its unusual heroine and some moments of humour in the story. It wasn't entirely successful but I did find it a reasonable read.

Vincent Danzel is incredibly attractive (of course!) and has accepted a wager that he can break the heart of an unusual woman, Sybil Eschoncan, without actually touching her. When he arrives at the castle where Sybil lives, he sets about trying to charm her but is less successful than he expects. A large portion of the book is taken up with Vincent and Sybil getting to know each other before the pace picks up when it appears Sybil has been promised in marriage to an unpleasant man.

In some ways this is a formulaic book and doesn't contain any novel plot lines; on the other hand there are some quirky aspects to the book, such as Sybil's pet wolf and the 'spell' she supposedly puts on Vincent which is actually apparently a bad trip on mushrooms. I found it difficult to like Vincent, however, and Sybil was a bit too weird to entirely empathise with. Although I found this book kept my attention most of the time it wasn't one that I think I'll desire to read again.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2010