Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Second In The Series. Great Story, May 6, 2003
This review is from: In the Shadow of Midnight (Mass Market Paperback)
For those who read Through A Dark Mist, you know that the Black Wolf discovers that he has an illegitimate son named Eduard. Well this is his story, and while I thought this story wouldn't be as good as its prequel, I was wrong. In the Shadow Of Midnight is a great sequel and a must for Canham fans. Lady Ariel de Clare is appalled that King John plans on forcing her to marry one of his repulsive guards. She flees England with her Brother, Henry, to Brittany to seek the help of her uncle, the marshall of England. The resolution her uncle decides on finds Ariel escorted in disguise to Wales by Eduard FitzRandwulf. What Ariel doesn't know is that her journey to Wales is really a smokescreen for the real mission Eduard is planning which is to rescue Princess Eleanor of Brittany who has been taken prisoner by King John. Sparks fly between Eduard and Ariel. They are both tempermental and stubborn, and neither wants to be in the other's company but traveling for days in dangerous conditions brings them closer together and makes it harder for them to deny the attraction developing between them. I think some people need to beware: this story is more centered around the plot than the romance which is finding out what King John did to his neice, Princess Eleanor. I did not mind this because the book is so filled with adventure and cliffhanging moments that it was kind of nice to read a book that's not all about the romance. All in all, this is a great story for anyone. Even those who don't like romance novels.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Medieval, Romantic, Swashbuckling Adventure - Wonderful!!, December 31, 2003
This review is from: In the Shadow of Midnight (Mass Market Paperback)
Filled with swashbuckling adventure, sweeping pageantry and the story of a passionate romance, Marsha Canham outdoes herself with this superb historical novel. "In the Shadow Of Midnight" is the sequel to Ms. Canham's "Through A Dark Mist." It is not necessary to read the first book, however, in order to thoroughly enjoy this one. The author gives a wonderful summary of her previous novel here, without being repetitious at all. The backdrop for this adventure-filled romance is medieval England, Wales and Brittany under the reign of King John "Lackland." Eduard FitzRandulf, illegitimate son of Lord Lucien Wardieu, Baron de Gournay, (called the Black Wolf), is renowned in his own right as a skilled and noble knight. He is also the champion of the lovely Pearl of Brittany, Princess Eleanor Plantagenet, daughter of the deceased Duke Geoffrey of Brittany, son of Henry II and brother of King John. Princess Eleanor's brother Arthur was heir to the English throne after the death of King Richard the Lionhearted. John usurped the crown, and when Arthur sought to retake it, John had him imprisoned and killed - rumor had it by John's own hand. Eleanor was now the true heir and John's prisoner. As the story begins, William, Marshal of England is visiting his old friend Lucien Wardieu at his home, the Chateau D'Amboise in Tourane. The reason for the visit is to inform Wardieu and his warrior sons that John of England, through nefarious schemes, intrigue, robbery and murder is bankrupting the country. The Marshal also wants Princess Eleanor to be rescued and knows the best man to perform the task is Eduard. While this political reunion is taking place, William's niece, the beautiful and willful Ariel de Clare turns up with her brother and two friends/escorts. King John had sought to marry the young woman off to an unworthy suitor for his own profit, while her uncle was away. She crossed the English Channel to France seeking help and winds up accompanying Eduard to England as part of the plan to aid the princess. Needless to say sparks fly between Ariel and Eduard from the moment they set eyes on each other. The romance is extraordinary, as is Ms. Canham's research and the historical detail she includes in her writing. This is one wild adventure! England's troubled times and her evil king are woven into the storyline with great skill. Family sins and throne-rocking secrets are exposed, royal power is unleashed, some pretty unsavory, depraved characters murder, maim and threaten, love and passion sizzle, armored knights ride to battle and a royal princess is rescued. This novel has it all - from cliff-hanging escapades to steamy sensuality. The action doesn't stop until the last sentence on the last page. As usual Ms. Canham writes with elegance and flair. Her extraordinary characters just about leap off the page. This wonderful book is definitely a keeper!
JANA
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointed. Canham is one of my favorites, but this one didn't deliver., August 6, 2007
This review is from: In the Shadow of Midnight (Mass Market Paperback)
Quick Note: This book is the sequel to Marsha Canham's "Through a Dark Mist."
Canham has written some of my favorite books, including "Blood of Roses" and "The Pride of Lions." I also liked "Through a Dark Mist", so I had high hopes for it's sequel. I'm very disappointed. In "Through a Dark Mist", the hero character has a teenaged son named Eduard who was born out of wedlock. He was an excellent part of the story, so I was excited to see that he had his own story in "In the Shadow of Midnight." Unfortunately, it didn't hold up to my expectations.
I'll avoid repeating the plot as it is already spelled out in other reviews. Here is my personal review:
First, I was immediately turned off by the heroine character, Ariel. She constantly belittles Eduard by calling him "[...]". She actually uses the word in place of his name throughout the book. She is snobby and just plain mean, telling him he should show respect "for his betters." She truly believes he is beneath her. Eduard is a man with a highly respected reputation as a knight, known for is unwavering honor. I could not see how a man like him (or any person for that matter) could possibly fall in love with Ariel. Again and again, he risks his life for hers. Still she hasn't a single kind word for him. He is known to be one of the fiercest and bravest knights of his time, still he is dirt to her. Total turn off for me. I can't get into a story where either of the main characters treats the other so badly. There is nothing "romantic" about it.
Second, the story had way too much excess info. I was constantly skimming through the pages, hoping to get back to the relationship between the main couple. Then, I realized that there really was no relationship between them. Just a few love scenes that dropped out of nowhere every few chapters.
About 3/4 of the way through the book, I gave up. I put the book aside and looked through my library. (Yes, I have that many romance novels.) I ended up rereading Julie Garwood's "Honor's Splendor." I knew I'd find real romance in it's pages. I was not feeling any sort of loss over not reading the rest of "In the Shadow of Midnight."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
