Customer Reviews

Ondine

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I did happen to read one other Shannon Drake novel that I couldn't put down: No Other Man. It was good but the other books in the series were too cliched and predictable. ONDINE is a great example of a book that has a nice balance of mystery, romance and intrique. I did like the fact that the couple seem to work together and communicate with each other and there didn't seem to be ridiculous plot contrivances for the sake of having one in the plot. I really enjoyed this novel and think it is a buried treasure of a read. Highly recommend this book.

Other authors I would recommend: Kathleen Eagle, Laura Kinsale, Connie Brockway and Judith Ivory.

It seems to me that Shannon Drake is using the same plot in most of her books: heroine and hero are enemies, they are forced together, they fight for most of the book, and right when you are about to burn the book in frustration, they FINALLY realize that they love each other. A prime example of this is Princess of Fire.

Ondine, however, was, in my opinion, Drake's best book. It had a plot to it that supported the characters, versus a watered-down plot held together soley by the characters. It had the perfect mixture of plot, mystery, romance and history. There was character conflict, but not to the extent that she sometimes gets carried away to. I would definitely reccomend this book.

Not being a 'Gothic' fan, reading Ondine was slightly difficult. I began Ondine, put it down, read 'Glory'(Heather Graham's latest) and another author's novel before going back to Ondine. In my opinion, I have to be in the mood for gothic. And I figured out whom the sinister murderer was early in the novel. I guess I've read one too many mysterious romances. But was stunned to find that the murderer's son didn't share her opinion for her hatred of Warwick and his brides. The original plot, marrying the bride on the gallows was captivating, however, the plan to catch the murderer wore on. The sparring between the two was not as intense as it could have been, however, Ondine lived with the threat of being turned out if she didn't live up to Warwick's standards, or at least she believed so. In my opinion, Ondine dragged on without any major climaxes that could have kept me interested. But then again, I'm not a gothic fan. Nor am I the 'a typical romance novel' fan where the hero and heroine looks into each others' eyes and fall in-love. I like history, reluctant brides, reluctant grooms, and historical events that throw the two together of course encourages tenacity, stubborness, willful, strong, bullheaded but likeable characters. If you're a fan of Victoria Holt, Marilyn Harris of the 1970s, then you'll enjoy the more contemporary version of gothic that Drake pens. Contemporary gothic because Drake thinks and writes the prose that we want to hear in the 1990s, of course, paired with the sensuality that Graham/Drake is known for penning. But I agree with the reader from California whom submitted a comment on 2 Feb. 1998, 'Surrender and Princess of Fire' are exciting and exhilirating historical romances written by Graham/Drake. These two are just two of my favorites by this author!

This is a very fast paced story that keeps you in suspense as well as thoroughly engrossed. This is basically a story of two individuals who find love under some varied suspenseful series. The history of King Charles II, court life, aristocrats, servants, relatives, etc. At first, I did not think I would like this book, but boy was I wrong! The author is extremely good. There are stories within the story, that keep you moving. This book shows you the good, bad and the ugly of l7th century England. I highly recommend this book.

I have read several good Shannon Drake novels in the past and had high hopes for this one. However, the highlight for me was at the beginning when Warwick saved Ondine from being lynched. It all went downhill from there in my opinion.

Drake was very accurate in her historical detail, and I did enjoy that. However, I grew tired very quickly of the sparring between these two characters. I really didn't see what either one of them saw in each other.

I liked the "gothic" element of the plot, but it wasn't terribly original.

All in all, a disappointment.

You will never find another historical romance as good as Ondine. With in depth characterization and a plot that is unlike any other romance novel I've ever read, this book is top notch. Also, this book shows that romance novels are not just women sighing over men, and men being barbarians, it shows that two people who love each other can and will work things out in the end, no matter how much they seem to hate each other in the beginning...or something like that....
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that Shannon Drake definately delivers with this extraordinary novel of romance and intrigue with a well thought out plot and great writing.

I've read many historical romances by Shannon Drake (who also writes as Heather Graham) and consider her writing just superb. Ondine is right up there with her best (see my other reviews of her works). It takes place in England in the reign of Charles II in the late 1600s and not only provides a great romance but she weaves in history that makes the era come alive. It is a complex tale of Ondine, the young and very beautiful Duchess of Rochester, whose father is slain by jealous relatives who want his lands--and Ondine--while they also attempt to make it look as if Ondine and her father were trying to slay the king, Charles. Ondine, fearing the fate of a traitor, flees into the forest where she joins up with the poor just trying to stay alive. She is arrested with them for poaching and ends up facing the gallows. But in a historical truth, as others were, she is saved from the noose by an offer of marriage by a passing nobleman, Warrick, Lord Chatham, an earl who is looking for a woman to be his wife as bait to trap the murderer of his first wife. Both have mysteries to solve and neither confides initially in the other as they soon fall in love without admitting it. Warrick had no intention of consummating the odd marriage to the commoner he saved from the gallows, but then he finds his new wife irresistible. Her name, "Ondine", represents a mythical mermaid who is given life mortal by the love of a man. I loved how Drake wove this mythology into the story. The romance held my interest throughout and one thing I really liked is that the hero here was never mean or cruel to Ondine (though he did pretend it out of concern for her life), as the heros have been in some of her other novels (my other reviews describe these). There were no disturbing elements here, only splendid writing, a well woven plot and incredible characters you will come to love. I highly recommend this one!

I picked up this book at a used book store. I didn't have high hopes since I thought the cover was a bit cheesy, but to my pleasant surprise it turned out to be one of the best historical romances I've read.

Ondine is about to hang on the Tyburn Tree gallows (for poaching a deer) when she's unexpectedly rescued. Its traditional for the prisoners to be offered up in marriage as one last resort for reprieve before hanging. To her surprise the dashing and coldly handsome Count Warrick Chatham agrees to marry her. But unbeknownst to Ondine, Warrick marries her in order to use her as bait in a trap to catch the killer of his first wife Genevieve and their unborn child. In his mind, its ok to use Ondine in this dangerous game to catch a murderer, since she would have died anyway if he hadn't intervened. As clues unravel to the identity of the murderer, Ondine finds herself falling in love with her unexpected husband. But he doesn't seem to return her feelings as he's consumed by (she presumes) love for his first wife Geneive. I won't spoil the book by revealing who the murderer is but suffice it to say that when Warrick almost loses Ondine to the psychotic killer he realizes he loves her. However, Ondine believing her duty is done and that Warrick doesn't love her, flees his estate in order to exact some revenge of her own on the men who murdered her father, and also to clear her own name and that of her father's as traitors to the crown. Warrick loses his mind when he finds Ondine gone and travels to King Charles to demand her whereabouts from him. The King reveals Ondine's true identity as a duchess with a threat of treason hanging over her head. Warrick travels in disguise to keep an eye on Ondine and help her bring her father's murderers to justice and to clear her name. Eventually, everything gets worked out and they all live happily ever after. I loved how this book had so many plots and twists and turns, it kept me hooked. This is a book you won't be sorry you read.

What an excellent book! I had bought this book along with The King's Pleasure and was so disgusted with that book that I had to make myself pick up Ondine. But, am I glad that I did!! Now, this is the Shannon Drake that I am used to. What a beautiful love story! The love scenes were even touching. It left me wishing that the story would go on and on, but, then again maybe it is good that it ended when it did. I read the whole thing at work!! I couldn't help it, I couldn't put it down!!

I really liked this book. It is the first Shannon Drake novel I've read and I have to say she is a great Romance novelist. The book wasn't just about sex,there was a real story going on. However when there was a love sceen they were exciting &powerful . My one complaint is the cover. I had A small problem with the picture of the couple. I know that it is of the Author and I not saying she isn't lovely but that is definately not the way I pictured Ondine or Warwick for that matter.