59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
He's a Berserker; She's Determined to Win His Heart, August 23, 2005
TO TAME A HIGHLAND WARRIOR was not one of the better novels in Karen Marie Moning's paranormal romance series revolving around Highlander heroes. If I had to describe it in one word, I'd use "cheesy." Of course, that didn't mean that it wasn't entertaining to read. I finished it up in a few hours. Most of that time, I was snorting out loud at something or other I found ridiculous. Still, I finished the book in record time. Who knows, I might even read it again. It wasn't bad. Just ... cheesy.
The gist of the story is that Grimm, a 16th century Highlander, is a Berserker - a legendary fighter with supernatural strength. He's in love with a laird's daughter named Jillian, but he's afraid to be with her, for fear that he will harm her like his father killed his mother. Jillian, of course, doesn't know his secrets, and has embarrassed herself in her lifelong pursuit of him. She thinks her love is unrequited. Her father, who knows better, tries to force Grimm to admit his love by setting up Grimm against two other suitors for Jillian's hand in marriage.
So what did I think was so cheesy about this book? First, even though it is set in the 1500s, no one acts like they are in the 1500s. Jillian makes comments like "a lass has got to do what a lass has got to do" and uses modern slang like "stupid." Her parents also want her to marry for love. Most noble families married off their girls at young ages in political alliances during this time period. Jillian is in her 20s and gets to choose between numerous suitors. That's a little too unrealistic.
Second, Jillian has three men fighting for her affection. However, I never felt the other suitors would actually steal her heart, even though the author tried hard to create a mystery surrounding it. Plus, the only "tense" scene in which Jillian almost gets married to the wrong man was more trite than nerve-wracking, as the author informed us several pages ahead of time that Grimm was going to save the day.
There were other things that bugged me, that made me feel like this book was a pedestrian effort. I won't go into any more detail, but I do want to point out that the Grimm in this book was inconsistent his character in the prequel, BEYOND THE HIGHLAND MIST. For one thing, I never once saw any hints that Grimm had magical abilities or was anything special in BEYOND. Also, I thought Hawk in BEYOND was Grimm's best friend. In TO TAME, Quinn is named as Grimm's best friend. It's little inconsistencies like that made my reading experience less enjoyable.
Anyway, on the bright side, I liked Grimm as a character. He endeared himself to me with his treatment of his scarred horse and the half-blind boy. I also like his real name, Gavrael. Very sexy and original.
Overall, TO TAME A HIGHLAND WARRIOR is entertaining, if corny. It is book number two in the Highlander series, which has some worthwhile reads (DARK HIGHLANDER is my favorite). I'd say go ahead and read it. Just don't take it seriously, and you'll be fine.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
good story, April 8, 2003
This was quite a rewarding story. I came across the book after having read "The Dark Highlander" and "The Kiss of the Highlander" and I kind of expected more of the same: 16th century Scottish settings, dark tall men with a dangerous side, inhuman power and moral principles, small lush women strong-willed but soft at strategic moments, time travel, and a happy settlement at the end (with the possibility of a sequel). Like it or not, most authors do develop a certain formula. Well, how refreshing to see Grimm, the main male character of this story, more human than the previous sex gods - that is, hurt and vulnerable. I believe Ms. Moning did a very good job in exploring a wider range of emotions than previously. On top of that, she is a wonderful story teller. Her descriptions are vivid and evocative, be it about Highland castles or romantic acts, and whatever authorial tricks she uses to capture the reader's attention, they weren't apparent to this reader - hence I found myself fully immersed in the tale, all 384 pages of it. I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Moning's books (although I suspect at some point I will grow tired of dark tall men with a dangerous side etc. etc.).
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26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a fast paced romance with a twist, December 21, 1999
Karen has written another winner, surpassing her first novel in content, structure and character development. I honestly didn't think she could create characters more engrossing than she did in Beyond The Highland Mist, but the lives of the characters in To Tame A Highland Warrior grabs you and never lets go til the book ends. It's one of those stories that's so good you start reading slower toward the end because you don't want it to end. Grimm Roderick the run away son of a highland laird is dark, handsome and mysterious. The Ultra warrior of Scotland afraid to love the woman he wants because it could cost her her life. Jillian St. Clair is beautiful and headstrong, swearing she will never marry because she was rejected by the one man she has loved since childhood, Grimm Roderick. You just have to read this fantastic story to understand the depth of the characters Karen Moning has created. This one is a keeper, to be read again and again. Miss Moning is a must buy for me.
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