Customer Reviews

Sweet Revenge

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

In the beginning when I started reading and realized that I had to go through Adriannes childhood in order to get to the present, I was almost going to stop reading, thinking it was going to be one of those books where it's a long and boring way to the point of the story. Luckily, I was mistaken. The way the story was written, the text, it just captivated you to continue reading. It made a very smooth and descriptive change to the present. Not once did I get bored. I just couldn't wait to have a break in my busy schedule to continue reading Sweet Revenge. Nora Roberts wrote it in a way that made the characters become part of you. I was very content with the ending, Adrianne needed and deserved what Phillip offered. I was so satisfied with this story from Nora Roberts, that I will look for more of her work, as this was the first book I read from her.

I've read about 30 Nora Roberts books and there are very few I haven't liked, which makes it hard to choose favorites! But this would have to be one of them -- "un-put-downable" to the end. Sure, it's not exactly her most realism-based book -- a fictional country, a jewel-thieving princess, an Interpol agent who happens to be an ex-thief himself -- but who reads for realism anyway? The tension that Adrianne felt returning to her native Jacquir transmitted to the reader, and I couldn't wait for her to get out safely. A very good read.

Exotic setting, emotionally charged storylines, mystery, family dynamics, and a beautiful story of soulmates joining forces and finding true love. All are described in amazing detail, so the reader can not only visualize it, but experience it with all the senses - hear the sounds, smell the aromas, feel the touches, taste the delicacies!

I cannot find the words to express how spellbound I was by this story! It was a page-turner that I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to read because I simply couldn't put it down for the evening. It definitely rates as one of the best books I've read all year.

Sweet Revenge is pretty different from other Nora Roberts' works due to the fact that part of the story took place at Jaquir, a Middle-east country.

The story began with the marriage between Jaquir's King, Abdu, and a famous American actress, Phoebe. But the love between these two was not longlasting. Abdu treated Phoebe with so much cruelty that their only daughter, Princess Adrianne, suffered from nightmares even when she was in her twenties. For both she and her daughter's own good, Phoebe decided to bring Adrianne and try to escape from Abdu's clutches.

With the help of Phoebe's best friend, they escaped to America. Adrianne was only eight then but she never forgot the cruelty her father shown to her and her mother. She grew up with revenge in her mind, that is, to steal his most precious jewel, the Sun and the Moon. This piece was given to her mother with love from her father. But out of hatred, her father took it back.

Most characters in this book this book are very likeable. Adrianne was a very determined young lady but I don't understand how she could polish up her stealing skills with no guidance at all and these skills of hers were really superb. Philip was not like any other hero. He was a romantic, supported Adrianne when she was down and he was not stubborn. What was most attractive about Philip was: He loved his mother! Phoebe was a very sad character, maybe because of her fate. But her great love for Adrianne and the determination to protect her were really admirable. For Abdu, I have only one word to describe him: HATEFUL. There are many other loveable characters such as Celeste, Phoebe's best friend; Adrianne's grandmother; Adrianne's brother...

I think that this book came alive from the part when Philip and Adrianne met. I'm sure those of you who want to read this book will like it, but you have to bear with a few boring parts.

What can you say about Sweet Revenge that hasn't already been said? I've read over 60 of Nora Roberts books (some of them over and over) and I have to say that with the exception of Honest Illusions, this is my favorite. From the very beginning, it captivates you, unraveling a story of love, cruelty, and revenge. Her characters are human, unlike so many other romantic novel characters. The settings are exotic and beautifully described, making you believe you're really there. I've read this novel 3 times and will probably read it again. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to read an captivating page turner.

This is another Nora Roberts book that blends the romance and mystery genres (something that she does well lately). The result is an exciting edge-of-your-seat romance that has a little bit of everything to keep even the pickiest reader entertained.

On the surface Princess Adrianne seems to have everything a rich girl could want and even those close to her don't know the truth. They don't know what she endured as a child in the country of her birth, or the fact that she is now an international thief. She remembers all too well the cruelty her mother endured at the hands of her famous father and she wants to avenge that brutality. She's had many years to plan her revenge and has figured out the worst possible way to hurt her father: she plans on stealing a priceless necklace that he worships. On the way to extract her retaliation she meets a man who could ruin her carefully laid out plans. Phillips Chamberlain has his own agenda and Adrianne is part of them, only she doesn't realize it.

When the two meet her father, everything changes. Each of them still wants the necklace but they didn't expect to fall in love with each other along the way. Nor did they plan on the King, Adrianne's father, providing them with a marriage ceremony.

It seems as if this plot has been used several times, but Nora Roberts excels at bringing the romance, mystery and intrigue together in the perfect mix. I'm not sure which Roberts does better - the pure romantic fiction or the blending of the genres. My personal preference is the melting pot that seems so popular now. This could be why I enjoyed this book so much. But then again, it could be that this books showcases many reasons Nora Roberts is at the top of the list of romance writers in America.

There's not much to figure out with this story in the way of mystery. You'll only speculate on whether or not Adrianne and Phillip can escape her father's country with their lives. And if they do, will they have the necklace with them?

What else can I say that hasn't been said in previous reviews?
Nora Roberts has once again written a great novel. This is well worth the time to read. Just be prepared to sit down and not get up for several hours while you read this book cover to cover.

Adreianne and Phillip have a truly believable love. Adrianne is a strong character surviving everything she has. Her goals are admirable. Although I tend to not like stories of thieves, this book is an exception.

Nora writes so well about Phoebe and the abuse she suffered, it is very true to life. That makes this book disturbing in some ways. However, she doesn't dwell so much on the abuse that it overshadows the whole book.

A great book. The characters are believable. The setting is exotic. The plot runs smoothly and the actions of each character are realistic based on previous events in the book. Very good.

I really enjoyed "Sweet Revenge" by Nora Roberts. Although it is one of her less reality based stories, her ability to draw the reader into the world she has created stops this from being an issue. The two main characters are likeable and well-developed and the story is full of excitement. This book kept me turning pages half the night!
The beginning of the book is incredibly heart-rending and upsetting. The reader is introduced to Phoebe Spring, an american actress who has left her world behind to live with the man she loves, Abdu, in his native country of Jaquir (a fictitious Muslim country). When Phoebe gives birth to a girl and subsequently finds out she can no longer bear children, Abdu decides that he no longer has any use for her. He takes away the "Sun and the Moon" a priceless necklace containing a giant pearl and diamond, that was his bride gift to Phoebe. Abdu takes more wives and regularly beats and rapes Phoebe. On top of that, King Abdu despises Princess Adrianne, his first-born child, because she is a girl and because she came from Phoebe.
When Adrianne is 8 years old, Phoebe risks life and limb to escape from Jaquir and give Adrianne a life of freedom in America. Phoebe tries to return to a career in acting, but Abdu has broken her spirit and she suffers from terrible depression until she eventually dies from an overdose of pills and alcohol. This part of the story is very well-written.
We pick up the story with Princess Adrianne as an adult (in her twenties) living a life of glamour as a prominent figure in society. But this is just a front to cover up the fact that she is really a master jewel thief. Princess Adrianne then meets Phillip Chamberlain, a retired jewel thief who now works as an investigater for Interpol. The relationship that develops between these two is fresh and heart-warming, and as they learn to trust each other their scenes together really sizzle!
But Adrianne has never forgotten her father's cruelty to her mother and plans to get the ultimate revenge on him by stealing the "Sun and the Moon", his most prized possession. Together, Phillip and Adrianne travel to Jaquir to bring justice to Phoebe by punishing Abdu for his brutality. But their mission is the most dangerous either has ever embarked on, and any mistake will mean death for both of them!
This book is a great read. It is full of adventure and romance, and really keeps the reader's attention. So pick up this book, forget your troubles for a few hours, and get completely wrapped up in the lives of Adrianne and Phillip as they take their Sweet Revenge!

The Kindle edition is plagued with sloppy typos -- I can only assume that this edition was created with OCR from the printed page (and no human proofreader). While it's nice to be able to read Roberts' backlist in large print on my Kindle, I'd certainly be willing to pay a little more for proofreading...

I enjoyed this story (Kindle version) but was appalled by the many typographical errors in the Kindle version. I think more care has to be given to proof reading prior to selling.