Customer Reviews

Ræliksen

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An avowed devotee of all things historical fiction, I have pretty high standards for what I consider a good read, and Ræliksen certainly qualifies. From her descriptions of the picturesque Irish countryside, to her electrifying depictions of swordplay and chivalry, Renee Vincent is an extremely adept storyteller who leaves her readers anxious to take in every word.

Ræliksen's characters live and breath on the page, especially its heroes, Dægan and Mara. The bond forged between these dynamic individuals doesn't come easily, and the challenges they face in coming together makes their story all the more real. I eagerly await the continuation of Dægan and Mara's story in the series' second installment--Mac Liam.

So if you're looking for a tale that effortlessly blends romance and action, while staying true to the historical record, I can't recommend Ræliksen enough.

The setting of this novel takes place in Connacht, Ireland 916 AD. As we reflect back in time to the Early Middle Ages, it was an era when Ireland was in turmoil, Irish countryside became a battlezone, and was eventually overrun by chieftains. It was a time when the Irish were warned about Northmen raids. A time in Ireland when there was much more at stake than just a claim on Ireland's flourishing port, and a time where a brick wall was created between Christian, and Pagan men. During this era, there were two sides to the Northmen, those who terrorized, and those who wanted peace in a feuding world. However, many of Ireland's children were raised to believe that the Northmen were murderers, thieves, and savages. These children believed that Northmen had no morals and values. Therefore, these children grew up fearing Northmen. Mara was one of these children, but despite all beliefs, nothing stopped her from visiting the River Shannon, which was her favorire place. She visited the river often, where she would sing the songs her mother taught
her. From the age of nine, after Mara's mother passed away, the River Shannon became a beautiful memory of Mara's visions of her Mom. No one ever knew of Mara's secret, except Daegan, who was the son of Raelik.
He would hide from her, but watched her many times as she sang at the river, while secretly falling in love with her, He wasn't brave enough to tell her until after he saved her life from a group of criminals heading to the river. At the age of sixteen, Mara began to fall in love with Daegan, but feared what actions would be taken against him when her father finds out. What would her people think, the daughter of the King of
Connacht, in love with a heathen? What challenges must Mara and Daegan face, after Daegan safely returns her home? The ever-rising hostility and outrage in Ireland existed, but not between Mara and Daegan. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a blend of drama. The setting is painted with vivid descriptions of Ireland in its true beauty, the plot is electrifying, and the romance is sizzling. Renee Vincent painted the three great virtues of Ireland page-after-page, honor, chivalry, and love of freedom. How often did brutal attacks occur, and were all Northmen monsters? Will Mara have to struggle for survival after her father finds out about her relationship with Daegan? Will Daegan be executed? Will Mara ever fill the empty space in Daegan's heart, or will she run in fear? "RAELIKSEN" is as captivating as A WALK TO REMEMBER, and as inspiring as THE COURAGE TO LOVE with Vanessa Williams.

I received this book within days of ordering, and couldn't put it down. The author tells a beautiful story of romance in the age of Vikings; I can't wait for the sequal.

Awesome story that takes you back into time; A great read to lose yourself from the daily demands of this world into the a time of when life was a struggle for love and survival. Am looking forward for more from this great new author!

This is a Viking love story with plenty of action, gripping emotion and wonderful romance.

Mara is a bit of a free spirit riding alone from the safety of her grounds and not really thinking of danger. Suddenly she is trapped by a giant of a man. She is frightened by the big Viking at first until she realizes he is trying to protect her, not hurt her. Daegan takes Mara to travel to his homeland and away from the enemies who are planning to attack her father and would harm her. Although wary, she slowly learns that Daegan is not a brutal barbarian as she has been taught all Northmen are. In truth she learns that although he is a strong warrior he is honorable, loyal and tender.

Daegan wants to get permission from Mara's father to wed her but at first he doesn't realize that Mara is the daughter of a King and the sworn enemy of his countrymen. He can't take Mara back to her father right away because they are in danger of being caught by a brutal army that is camped between them and her home. Now his enemy/would be father in law will want his head for kidnapping his daughter.

The story is filled with danger, tension and several surprises. There are unexpected enemies and secrets that get revealed deep in the story. The scenery is striking and beautiful. The historical account seems accurate and the action is fast paced and intense. The best part though is depth of the character's feelings. I got wrapped into the emotions, especially the heartbreak at the death of several characters. The romance between Mara and Daegan is sweet, strong, sensual and emotionally gripping. If you like historical romance don't miss this beautiful story.

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews by MichelleKCanada

I finished Raeliksen three days ago and it is only now that I can sit down to type a review. Even now I'm trying to form what I will say. I feel stuck. How do I say exactly what I want to say without giving away the ending? I never want anyone to read a review of mine and know the ending.

So to attack my conundrum let's start out at the beginning of the novel. I loved how Daegan and Mara introduced themselves to each other. Who doesn't love a scuffle to the ground with the hero trying to protect a fair maiden from the mean and evil villains and then the heroine paying back the unknowing favour by breaking his nose? Loved it! I truly love when a hero is saving the day for a strong and able woman. Right away, I knew I was going to love these two together. And I did.

I loved the formula Renee Vincent used for the plot conflict. Daegan and Mara's pending relationship was not the conflict itself but rather all the bumps in the road to allow them the peace and love that they were craving. There was war, villains, treaties, family, promises, a burial, culture differences heck even the weather was a hindrance for their happiness. I was so pleased to read about a couple that WANTED to be together and their open love for each other was not the issue. There were no immature misunderstandings or miscommunications that are often the formula for romance novels. It was so refreshing to read that the couple was not fighting with each other but rather their circumstances.

Daegan was a Viking hero you love to love. I need to share this bit of heartfelt speech he recites to Mara so that you get a true sense of the man the author created. "I have, from the day I was born, believed that my death would be glorious and I would be chosen among the best to fight each day, arm in arm, with those who have gone before me. And when that day should come, it would be an honor that every man envies, to be allied with the gods against the beasts of the underworld. But the more I am with you, the more I am rejecting the thought of that life. With you in my arms, I have no wish to die in that manner. Not anymore. You have made me believe that love is stronger than a sword arm and more eternal that the last breath of a dying warrior on the battlefield."

So here's where I need to make a decision on how much further I need to reveal as to not ruin the ending. Let me just say that Raeliksen is a moving and emotional love story. There are many religious undertones found throughout the novel that spoke well of the time (Ireland 916 AD). I truly liked Mara as the heroine. She was a woman of distinguished courage and I respected her right away. Daegan. Oh Daegan. I completely fell in love with him. Smart, brave, respectful lover, honourable and a true leader. He was the entire package. I would love to ask the author what spoke to her to make her end Raeliksen as she did. That's all I'm saying about it. If you want to know more, you'll have to read it.

Ræliksen, Book One of Renee Vincent's Emerald Isle Trilogy is an ambitious work, but one which the Turquoise Morning Press launch author handles with a deft hand. She has chosen as her setting the Ireland of 916 A.D., a time of turmoil when Irish clans battled both Viking Norse from Norway and the Danes.

The story-not a romance, but nonetheless, a powerful love story-tells of the love Norse merchant chieftain Dægan, son of Rælik has for the beautiful Mara, daughter of an Irish clansman. Dægan is a pagan and Mara follows the early Irish church, furthermore, her father will never consent to their marriage. Their struggle is one of prejudices and desire, and is told against the backdrop of an Ireland beset with warring factions, marauders, chieftains fighting one another as well as the Viking enemy. While the Norsemen had control of several forts, chiefly among them Limerick, Dublin and Waterford, they were constantly beset by Danish raiders and native Irish.

To reveal more would spoil the story so I'll simply state my reaction to Ræliksen. It is a well-told tale, delivered in a writing style one doesn't often find in today's books, the prose almost musical. There is a wonderful love story, a tale of redemption amidst scenes of considerable violence. If I could wish for anything more it would be a foreword that briefly explains the political and geographical situation of the time to aid readers unfamiliar with ancient Irish history.

As I said, Ræliksen is an ambitious work and Vincent's labor of love is a stellar achievement. I look forward to MacLiam, the sequel.

It's been a very long time since I've read any historical fiction and I'm delighted I returned to the genre with this book. Raeliksen swept me up from the first pages. The writing style is beautiful and perfectly compliments the complex story of love, adversity and strife. If you're looking to get whisked away to another time this book would be well worth a read.

I found Raeliksen to be a breath of fresh air among all the historical romances I've read this year. Most center on the Scottish Highlands or various parts of England. I'd not read a story that covered the invasion and subsequent integration of the Norse on the Emerald Isle. Ms. Vincent crafts a spellbinding tale capturing the tensions of that time while giving us a very endearing love story. Daegan is a hero that everyone can love and admire. His character arc was very compelling and realistic. Mara, though the weaker of the two characters, is the strong loving woman behind the warrior. The villain provided plenty of external conflict to keep the reader on their toes, and there were several rich secondary characters who helped move the story along.

My understanding is, Ms. Vincent recently released the third installment of this trilogy. I look forward to reading the next two, and highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys the action and setting of early medieval times coupled with a very well written love story.

I am glad romance authors are still writing Viking romance. Thankfully some publishers are wise enough to know there's an audience out there!

Renee Vincent writes with lyrical prose. It's truly beautiful. And she tells a good story with attention to historic detail that will satisfy lovers of historical romance. It's a bit of an unusual Viking story in that there is no raid, no pillaging, no taking of women--none of that. No, our hero, Daigan Raeliksen, a wealthy merchant chieftain from Norway, is an honorable man who makes his home in Ireland. It is there he first sees Mara, daughter of an Irish king, riding her horse near the Shannon River and it is there he decides he must have her for his wife. It's love at first sight for him. He only takes her to save her from a band of warring Norsemen. And, of course, then he must keep her until he can safely return her to her father, the king. He knows he should have permission to wed and to pay the bride price, but neither can wait to marry and she is not complaining. It's a complicated tale of betrayal (Daegan has an evil twin brother), and deception with a few twists and turns you will like. Daegan and Mara's love is never in doubt, however. The ending will tear out your heart and you will DEFINITELY want to get the sequel.

It's going on my Best Viking Romances list and I recommend it. You should also note it is part of Vincent's Emerald Isle trilogy. This is the first, followed by the sequel, MAC LIAM, and then THE FALL OF RAIN (a contemporary with a descendent of Daegan's and harkening back to the first). The first two are out now and the third is due out Dec. 2011.