Customer Reviews

Pirate's Princess

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

 

 

I gave this book 3 stars because I like Constance O'Banyon.This book wasnt a bad book it was just boring. I could not get into the story at all.

This is by far the BEST historical romance story that I have ever read. The characters were wonderful. Story line great. I was even surprised at the end. Laughed a few times and almost shed a tear a couple of times. It had just enough love, sex and intrigue to keep me going and I really didn't want the book to end. I highly recommend this book. Constance did a great job and I plan on reading more of her books.

In 1842, in the mythical island kingdom of Balmarhea, a good king is overthrown by his wicked brother and all but the king's youngest brother (the Archbishop), and the king's children, his 11 year old son and 3-year-old daughter, Jahane, are killed. Jahane is smuggled away to live in America, her life saved by the sacrifice of an American sea captain. The young princess worships the sea captain's young son, Cord Meredith, who swore an oath to his dying father to protect her.

I wouldn't call this a pirate romance, despite the title, which is misleading. After all, there are no pirates involved. Still it's a good story, and the relationship with Jahane and Cord is believable. She never stops loving him though he breaks her heart a few times with the best of motives. The most endearing character was the Archbishop Serafimo whose clever mind and actions manage to hold the world of Balmarhea--and the novel--together.

In the last quarter of the book, there were some issues that distracted from what was otherwise a great story: (1) at p. 290 the heroine suddenly turns stupid, submitting (without screaming or fighting) to an abduction. Why do some authors do that? (2) Alexander's mistrust of Byrnn had no foundation and, given all knew she was loyal to him, seemed contrived just to produce tension. If the author wanted that result, she could have found a better way. It made Alexander look like a cad. (3) if all Alexander had to do to make it right for Cord and Jahane to marry was to knight him, why wasn't that option mentioned when Cord and Jahane first expressed their desire to wed? Suddenly pulling that option out of thin air just wasn't believable. (4) Cord has to drink in order to make love to Jahane...what? It was a misstep in the flow of things that wasn't needed and, again, it seemed contrived. Finally, the love scenes were disappointing and unrealistic since virgins were involved.

I would have given this story 4 and ½ stars but for the issues I noted. As it is, I'm giving it 3 and ½ stars. If you don't mind the issues, I can recommend it. The ending was a good one.

I've read A Pirate's Princess a few times. It's one of those books I read, then put on the shelf and when I want an excellent book to read, I read it again. There's never any bitterness between the hero and heroine in this book, which is a nice change from the usual bickering throughout a book. They like each other from the beginning to end in this book!