Customer Reviews

In the Shadow of Midnight

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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

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."

When I started reading this book, I thought I wouldn't like it, but I wanted to read all three of the books about the Black Wolf's family. So, I read it and I loved it! And I couldn't wait to pick of the next book about Brenna, Robin and his lady love! Great book!

I loved the book! It brought me into another time and place ... feels like you are there. Every scene/setting is enjoyable, one scene leads to another like stories within the story ... it is detailed and absorbing ... loved the supporting charcters and dialogue too. The love story is great, especially when they discover/acknowledge their feelings for each other. It's a keeper ... I've re-read it three times over the years! The other two books in the trilogy (Through the Dark Mist and The Last Arrow) are also great but this second of the trilogy is my favorite.

The author must have been having a gas writing this series. Lots of action, witty dialogue (LOVED SPARROW!!), and well written secondary characters. A nice take on the Robin Hood legends. I know another reviewer or two complained that there were too many characters and not enough romance, but those were complicated times, and this book tries to represent that. The author does play a little loose with the historical characters (I'm pretty sure the two welsh brothers were either the first Llywellen's uncles or the brothers of Llywellen the last, who was the grandson of the first Llywelen that came LONG AFTER the reign of King John), so don't take this book for a history lesson.

If too much history, intrigue and complicated characters are not for you, there are PLENTY of lackluster "historical" romances to be found that contain light weight predictable plots with no other purpose than to set as a back drop for a book laden with gratuitous sex.

While not as spectacular as "Through a Dark Mist" or "The Last Arrow", "In the Shadow of Midnight" still delivers a wonderful, action packed story that will leave you riveted to the end. As the second in Canham's "Robin Hood" trilogy, readers find themselves following the adventures of the Black Wolf's illegitimate son, Eduard FitzRandwulf as he sets off for England to rescue the Pearl of Brittany, Eleanor, from her uncle John's political machinations.

Granted, this book is not big on the romance, and there is a vast amount committed to detail and establishing the political turmoil of the time, which establishes a real sense of time and place. If you are looking for a light-hearted romp, this is not the book to pick up. It is heavy reading at times, and violence is dealt with in a manner that might offend some. While it can be explicit, I hardly thought twice about it, considering this is a book taking place during the Middle Ages where there weren't exactly laws against cruel and unusual punishment. Some of those people thrived on it, and you've got to expect that going in.

Canham's characters once again sparkle, so well drawn you can't help but feel you know them. From the hero Eduard and heroine Lady Ariel de Clare to Ariel's brother Henry de Clare to Eleanor to Jean de Brevant (aka LittleJohn) to the young Robin Wardieu and his equally young love Marienne, you can't help but fall in love with them all. After reading "Through a Dark Mist", I couldn't imagine adoring anyone more than the Black Wolf and Lady Servanne, but Canham readily proved she's adept at creating memorable characters. And you can't help but despise the villains King John and Guy de Gisbourne. I thought Canham would have a difficult time creating villains you could hate more than the Dragon Wardieu and Nicolaa de la Haye from Through a Dark Mist; again, I was wrong. The depth with which she knows and portrays her characters, even the minor ones, is amazing.

Admittedly, as another reviewer pointed out, it seems as though the romance takes a back seat to the plot and intrigue of King John's England. But when it finally does heat up between Eduard and Ariel, it is well worth the wait. While maybe not as intense as the Wolf and Servanne, Eduard and Ariel still make a fantastic and memorable couple.

Another word of warning, though. While Canham does an excellent job of filling in an abbreviated version of the events from "Through a Dark Mist" without being tedious, and this book can technically stand alone, I wouldn't recommend it. Since we met Eduard in TADM as a young squire to the brutal Dragon Wardieu and son of the viscious viper Nicolaa de lay Haye, you miss some of his character and his motivation by not reading TADM. Aside from that, there are several returning characters in this novel, whether in cameo appearances, such as Gil Golden and Alaric, or larger roles, such as Sparrow and Eduard - obviously. In order to follow the relationships and keep track of who is who, you should read the books in order. Believe me, it is well worth it!

I was totally immersed in the time period. The castles were dark and smelly, the people were real, the emotions gripping. I almost couldn't breathe when Eduard found the Princess and discovered her terrible secret! Excellent. Just like the other two books in the series.

The plight of Edward trying to save two (2) women at the same time makes you want to read this book all the way through. Again, the forest draws you in the "darkness" and the mystery of that era of Robin Hood, etc. Her books are simply wonderful in description and story telling.

I can't believe I am actually disappointed in one of Ms. Canham's books. After reading Through a Dark Mist, that was so exciting and wonderful, I Was looking forward to this book. I spent more than half the book looking for the same excitement. I got a lot of history and learned to dislike King John even more plus again being reminded that Richard the Lionhearted was lacking a heart. But she seemed to throw in the love scenes as an after thought as though she felt the readers would be unhappy. They were silly and Ariel was worse than a child with her dialogue. I will persevere and read the third book in the trilogy and hope the story does reflect her usual excitement and intrigue.