Customer Reviews

By Possession

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Like many reviewers, I read Madeline Hunter's first historical, By Arrangement. I really enjoyed that book and looked forward to the next two books - By Possession is the first of the two, and is truly exceptional. Ms. Hunter does her research on the period, so the political and social backdrop is realistic. But more importantly, she creates characters that we (as 21st century readers) can relate to, but are not 21st century people. I know that sounds rather convoluted...I've read a lot of medievals in the last few months, and many have characters that are quite contemporary. Moira and Addis seem to be very much a product of their times - which means you may not like how they act all the time (especially Addis), but it makes for a more realistic story. I actually wondered (at points) how the book would end - and lets face it, you rarely do have questions about how romance stories are going to end, do you? Ultimately, the story was incredibly powerful. Addis and Moira create such a synergy. I look forward to the next book, By Design, where we get to see how things turn out for Rhys, a character that was introduced in this book. This book is a great read!

I've been waiting patiently for the release of BY POSSESSION after I read BY ARRANGEMENT and the wait has been worth it. (Only if all waiting have this kind of reward!) Madeline Hunter has to be this year's best new writer. Her writing is compelling, strong and very heartfelt. This is not one of those easy-going, lighthearted romance novels. It's brutal sometimes, it's painful to read at times and it's full of excitement. And, it's one of those books where you just have to stop and close your eyes to savor the moment.

Madeline Hunter is trying to corner the noble-born & commoner love story market and I think she is doing that rather well. The 14th century was never so romantic with a story of a knight and a bondwoman truly in love. Addis de Valence and Moira Falkner make what seems like an impossible relationship work. After all, she is the daughter of a bondwoman and he is a knight who's just returned from the Baltic crusades... who has also been presumed dead for the past 6 years. Of course, there is the bit about his ancestral home, Barrowburgh, which is Addis' by right, is over taken by the greedy and cowardly stepbrother in his absence. And while the country is in turmoil because of a weak king, Addis fights for the home that is his and a woman that makes him feel at peace. She fully realizes the consequences of loving this man, who owns her. And knows that she will lose her chance of a good marriage if she does. Her mind might be fighting against their relationship but her heart is saying something completely different. And I can't say much more because I'm going to be giving the plot away. Wow... this was a good book. I loved every part of it.s

Now, only if 2001 comes a little faster... BY DESIGN seems like another winner.

Madeline Hunter's second book shows that BY ARRANGEMENT was no fluke. Her new romance contains the same strong characterizations, accurate historical setting, interesting plot, and marvelous love scenes that made the first book one of the most widely praised first novels in a long time.

Addis de Valence arrives home after an eight year absence to find the world he once knew completely gone. His father is dead; his estates have been seized by his step brother with the approval of the weak King Edward II; his wife is dead; and her son is missing. But these are all outward changes. The greatest alteration lies within Addis' soul. For four long years, he had been a slave of the pagan Lithuanians, having been captured while on a crusade with the Teutonic Knights. Addis can no longer see the world as he once did, can no longer feel that he belongs.

Indeed, only in the presence of Moira Falconer, once his wife's maid and now a widow twice over, does Addis enjoy a strange sense of peace. Moira's mother was the serf-born leman of Addis' father-in-law and she herself was born a serf. She claims that she was set free at her master's death, but Addis refuses to believe her. Something deep inside him needs this woman who is linked to his past. Moira had loved Addis from the shadows but she will not be his mistress. She knows too well the slights such women suffer.

This, then, is a story of two people from vastly different social classes whose love cannot be. But it is more as well. It is a tale of the political intrigues that led to the downfall of the unhappy Edward II. It is a portrayal of English life in the early 14th century. And it is the story of a man who is forever changed by his experiences who must forge anew his sense of self.

Read BY POSSESSION for the wonderful love story, but read it also to see a perfect melding of historical detail into a romance.

As a romance reader with "peasant" tastes, I looked forward to reading By Possession, the second in a trilogy of stand-alone medieval romances with some trepidation. The reviewer who raved about the first title (By Arrangement) at the site I publish, All About Romance, has far more sophisticated romance taste buds than I - what if I wasn't "up" to the book? Well, that worry was for naught; author Hunter makes 14th century England come alive in a manner few authors have done for me. For all the historical richness of the story, the romantic aspect is never lost, and the poignancy of the seemingly untenable love between scarred knight Addis de Valence and serf-born Moira Falkner is truly touching. By Possession is a medieval romance brimming with romance, intrigue, and excitement. It should well satisfy not only readers who demand a high level of historical accuracy, but readers who look to historical romance to learn about history.

TTFN, Laurie Likes Books

Publisher, All About Romance

When Addis de Valence returned to England from years of slavery, it was to find his birthright usurped and his son being cared for by his late wife's friend. Moira is a bondwoman who claims Claire's father gave her and her mother their freedom prior to his death. Drawn to Moira for her generous heart and the link she represents to the past, Addis refuses to accept her claim for liberty. Initially Moira decides to let Addis have his way for the sake of his son, whom she raised as her own. When it becomes clear, however, that Addis will never let her go, Moira must decide whether she should yield to the love she bears him or hold onto her pride which demands her freedom.

Madeline Hunter has written an emotionally powerful story about a man who returns home to find all is not as it should be. His one ray of hope is Moira whose love has helped him more than he knows. Addis is determined to reclaim his place as the lord of Barrowburgh and Moira is willing to help. She knows, however, that she will pay a heavy price for the love she bears him, but she refuses to let history repeat itself by serving as Addis's leman no matter how great his need for her. Moira is perhaps the strongest part of this story because she is forced to endure so much. And yet, she is never a victim. All she does for Addis to help him is done in the hopes that she will eventually realize her own freedom though her heart will always be tied to Addis through the years they shared as children. Hunter also successfully integrates a plot of political intrigue as a means for Addis to reclaim his title. In addition, Addis proves to be a hero in the end. When he first appears, though he understands Moira's plight, he refuses to sympathize. But as his attraction for her deepens into love, he belatedly comes to relate to her feelings on the issue of individual freedom. This is a wonderful story filled again with rich, historical detail and the flavor of this period really stands out through Hunter's incredible use of perspective.

This was my first by Madeline Hunter but I will be reading more of hers. It is the 1st in her 14th Century London series. It is an amazing romance...great historical setting, very detailed characters, realistic dialog for the period and a wonderful heartrending story of love that overcomes many obstacles. It takes place in the time of King Edward II and tells the story of Addis de Valence, a high born nobleman and knight and Moira Falkner, the daughter of a nobleman's mistress and a bondwoman to Valence though she claims her mother's lover freed her. She has secretly loved Addis since she was 12 and always seemed to be there when he needed care or comforting though he was promised to the high born Claire, Moira's friend. Addis married Claire, who was vain and selfish and deserted Addis when he was sorely wounded and it was thought he'd never walk again. Now back from years in captivity in the Baltic where he was taken in the Crusades as a slave, he fights to regain his rightful place all the while wanting Moira by his side and without benefit of marriage. But she will not go the path of her mother. You will love this story. I couldn't put it down and it's worth a re-read! I now intend to read all in the series.

Here's the whole 14th Century London series in chronological order (the order in which the stories take place, not publication order):

By Possession
By Design
Stealing Heaven
By Arrangement
The Protector
Lord of a Thousand Nights

Madeline Hunter is a star on the rise. With this book BY POSSESSION you have an uncommon love story.
The hero, Baron Addis de Valence, has returned from having been thought dead for the last 8 years. But to Moira Falkner, serfborn, she has loved him all her young life and there is no mistaking the scarred face that she herself helped heal from the past.
Addis comes home to find that his, father is dead, his wife is dead, and his step brother is now in league with the present powers to be and confidantes of the King.

During that time Moira has raised his son. She was granted her freedom but all witnesses are either dead or not around to prove her claim. Addis will not lose her too, so he refuses to let her leave.

This is a magnificiently written love story. The characters are so strong their stories could stand alone but the love, the bond, that holds these two together is wonderfully done in an often brutal time in history. Nobility just cannot marry baseborn - it just wasn't done. But LOVE doesn't recognize class distinction!

An absolutely marvelous love story that will bring tears to your eyes.

Ever since she was twelve, Moira Faulkner has been in love with Addis de Valence. But always, she dissolved into a dark blur next to his late wife Claire, Moira's friend, so she has secretly kept her yearning for him. When he was declared dead while in the Crusades, she cared for his son. Then one day, she receives the biggest shock of his life when Addis strides into her cottage.

After eight years of being away from England, Addis de Valence is back with vengeance in his mind. Determined to reclaim his birthright, he will do everything to get his fortress and wealth back from his conniving stepbrother. But face-to-face with Moira, the woman whom he only recalls as being "Claire's Shadow", he finds himself fighting another battle that might prove more difficult than reclaiming his land.

BY POSSESSION is a tale of betrayal, vengeance and passion. Set in the 14th century during the reign of King Edward II, it features well-drawn characters who find love amidst the political upheaval of the time. Moira is a selfless heroine whom you cannot find any fault with. It is this characteristic that will move you and draw you to her. And even though some of his actions may sometimes frustrate you, Addis is a man to be admired for his courage and strength.

This is a good and entertaining medieval romance. Even if you're not familiar with the historical context, you will never lose focus on the love story between Addis and Moira. And watch out for the mason, Rhys. You can read more about him in BY DESIGN.

In 1326 Wiltshire, England, Addis de Valence has come to reclaim his son Brian, who has been kept safe by Moira Falkner, his deceased wife's "shadow." Moira loves the lad, but realizes that Addis has a stronger claim even if everyone thought he died eight years ago during the Baltic Crusade.

Although Addis is very attracted to Moira, he has bigger yearnings that do not include her as more than a bondswoman. He wants back his land currently controlled by Addis' stepbrother. Moira always loved Addis, who she knew she could never have due to their class distinctions. She contented herself to see to her beloved's happiness by becoming Claire's shadow. Now he returns her feelings, but neither one can afford to act on their desires because Addis must contend with the King's men, yet neither one can not act on their heart's hopes.

BY POSSESSION is an entertaining fourteenth century romance that emphasizes the danger of the era especially treachery caused by friends, relatives, or allies. The story line is exciting due to the lead couple's unacceptable love for one another battling with their deep-rooted responsibility to do the right thing. Though Addis seems like an elitist martinet, he fits his times when it comes to a bondswoman (or any female). Madeline Hunter proves an arousing medieval romance that will send the audience seeking her other historical tales of defying society's taboos of love (see BY ARRANGEMENT).

Harriet Klausner

I bought this title not knowing what to expect, given that the author is new and that I've had my share of disappointments in the romance genre. The brief book's description wasn't exactly appealing either... None the less, I'm always willing to give a new author a chance... and I'll never regret it in this case!! "By Possession" is simply FANTASTIC. Believable characters, a plot that transports the reader to the Middle Ages, a story one just CAN'T put down. My congratulations to Madeline Hunter for a BEAUTIFUL love story that made me actually FEEL with the characters. This book is no doubt a KEEPER. "By Possession" was the first book by this author that I read, and most certainly I'll be reading the other two, "By Arrangement" and "By Design". I can't wait for them!!