Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Karyn Monk should be a super star: she's writes great books, March 20, 1997
By A Customer
This review is from: Once a Warrior (Paperback)
I never read books with trashy, bodice-ripping covers, but
I happened across Karyn Monk's previous novel, "The Rebel and the Redcoat", while stranded in an airport, and I was pleasantly surprised. Not only can she contruct a breathless, gripping plot, and create rounded complex characters, but also her grasp of historical details is more profound than that of many historians. Being an historian myself, I would recommend her novels above many textbooks. The new novel,however -- which I bought expecting to disappointed -- is not just better than the previous one, it is infinitely better, and it deserves to be issued in a more dignified hardback edition -- because it belongs alongside the very best historical fiction ever written. This is a major writer. Set in medieval Scotland, "Once A Warrior" paints the most vividly accurate picture of a wild and turbulent place and time, peopling it with characters so utterly believable they live on in ones heart and mind long after the novel ends, and threading everything together with what must be one of the Great love stories in every sense: intricately constructed, heartbreakingly beautiful, enormously touching, yet also aflame with passionate eroticism, and -- very rare in this genre -- real, knee-slapping humor. Many times I laughed out loud; many times too I was also moved to tears by Ms Monk's deep, compassionate understanding of the human soul. I thoroughly endorse this novel, because I cannot imagine anyone who reads not finding it among the best books they've ever had the privilege and good fortune of coming across. If there were more such writers -- ones who entertain as much as they instruct, who inspire as often as they entrall -- no one would watch television. I thank Ms Monk from the bottom of my heart for this rare masterpiece of -- yes -- literaure. In my books she ranks alongside Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Victor Hugo and George Eliot -- and still has something to teach these past masters about the mysteries of the heart and the exigencies of thorough research.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tormented hero with a lover's touch..., March 23, 2002
This review is from: Once a Warrior (Paperback)
I'm a sucker for the "tormented/scarred" hero in romance novels, and I discovered this one -- and the great work of Karyn Monk --through reading the reviews posted here on Amazon. Just wanted to add my five stars for this interesting, innovative historical romance. Instead of the usual "Braveheart" type warrior dashing across the moors that we've come to see in so many romances, here we have Malcolm MacFane who has suffered terrible injury in battle and seemingly has disgraced himself before his clan. We have a heroine, Ariella MacKendrick, forced to disguise herself as a man and to attempt to find a chieftain to lead her hapless clan. There is everything from humor to heartbreak in this book -- and the development of the relationship between Malcolm and Ariella is wonderful. Love scenes come later, but are wonderful! Even a little bit of "Arthurian legend" type elements come in with the powers bestowed by the MacKendrick sword. I've read other of Monks' work and know she is one of the most interesting authors out there. "Once a Warrior" won't disappoint you!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Different & surprisingly WONDERFUL, May 16, 2001
This review is from: Once a Warrior (Paperback)
When my sister lent me this book, I was a bit hesistant in reading it cuz the author was unknown to me. I also didn't think I would enjoy reading a love story with a drunken, shattered hero but as soon as I finished the Prologue, I got hooked. Unless I buy a copy for myself, I don't think I'll return this book to my sister just yet. Ariella and Malcolm's love story was truly unique. They're both full of mistrust & sadness in the beginning then after mending each other's heart and spirit, love flows freely. The way Arielle denies her feelings for Malcolm was sad & a bit frustrating but then again, this is what makes this story different. She wanted a perfect warrior not only for herself but also for her people. Malcolm was a disappointment to her, not only physically but she also believed his heart was not as pure as she once heard it to be. So despite what her heart says, she tries so hard to let her mind rule. She convince herself that Malcolm is not the "one". Malcolm, however tall & handsome, was a scarred hero. He walked with a limp and have back pains. He made a mistake once and was cast out by his own clan. He was depressed, had no more pride and self worth. He was pitiful until she offered him gold to help her clan. In the beginning, it was all because of the gold until Malcolm slowly found his pride back while training her people. He felt respect, he found his self worth and even felt he belonged somewhere. He also found love once more... Malcolm is more human than any other heroes I've read in any book. He wasn't the perfect hero I normally would prefer... but this book proved to be just as satisfying and perhaps even more intriguing, all because of Malcolm's realistic traits. Malcolm's "transformation" and Ariella's "realization" was the most touching part of this book. I have to say that their love making was the best scene I've read in such a long time. It was full of passion, full of love. Karyn Monk truly picked the most wonderful words. The emotional ways of describing their love making was heart quenching. My heart skips a bit just remembering it. I don't want to sound exaggerating but you will agree once you read this book that Malcolm and Ariella's love making scene was truly beautiful. I love this book. My small complaint is this book didn't have an epilogue. It would have been nice to read about them in the future, to know if they'll have children, how many? and so forth. Perhaps there will be a sequel? Oh well, despite that teeny weeny complaint, I still rated this book a 5 stars because it was truly an amazing read. This is my first book of Karyn Monk and I am more than please to be introduce to such a talented author. I am now in the process of reading the The Witch & the Warrior. So far, it's just as fulfilling as this one.
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