5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
2.50 stars, December 27, 2009
This review is from: The Viking's Captive Princess (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)
I applaud Ms. Styles for choosing another unique time frame for one of her romance novels (this time 8th century Norway), and for incorporating details from her research judiciously (there's a list of book titles she consulted in the Author's Note at the end of the book).
I wish I could be more enthusiastic about the actual plot and telling of this story, however. The Author's Note felt more sincere than the romance. For me, the plot dragged when it should have soared. Disappointingly, I didn't feel chemistry between the main characters, Thyre and Ivar. Perhaps it was the fact that, despite the unique setting, some overused elements familiar to a regular romance reader kept cropping up. Ivar had an unsatisfactory marriage that's left him with can't-trust-in-love issues. Thyre is the less-regarded stepchild who needs to resolve the mystery of her parentage (which isn't much of a mystery, I had it resolved at least three chapters before Thyre does). This need prevents her from resolving her conflicted relationship with Ivar, and puts her at constant odds with him (which was somewhat annoying - I like a strong heroine, but the consistent arguing and misunderstandings between them wasn't helping the romance). There are so many things not working in this story, which leaves it, I regret to say: a plodder, a chore to read.
It may be that Ms. Styles is an uneasy fit in romance authorship. I appreciate that she's using out-of-the-ordinary settings for her romances (I have to give full marks to any author who's writing romances that are NOT set in Regency England) but I'm beginning to think that she may be more suited to writing historical novels rather than historical romances.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful setting but not enthralled with the romance, January 6, 2010
This review is from: The Viking's Captive Princess (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)
Michelle Styles understands and chronicles nicely 8th century Scandinavia. Her detailing of Viking culture is spot on. The reader can discern that Ms. Styles knows and likes this era. The romance however, does not work as well as the setting.
Heroine Thyre is a woman in charge. She is the step-daughter of a well respected Jarl and daughter to a Princess. She lives a well ordered life until hero Ivar, a Viken warrior sails into their bay with a damaged ship. She takes charge of the situation and it becomes clear she is the smartest person in her house; her step- father always seems to be one step behind her.
Ivar likes the dark haired beauty and makes advances pretty quickly which Thyre likes but also she resents her attraction to the handsome man. When she tricks Ivar by pretending to be her sister, she finds herself marked as his concubine and she sails back with him to his homeland. However brave Thyre saves the day for everyone aboard the ship and soon skalds are composing sagas about her.
Thyre has some secrets, namely her parentage she wants to keep from Ivar and she certainly lacks some discernment when it comes to Ivar's actions. These two argue constantly. They are way too much alike, so much so I had a difficult time believing they would really be attracted to each other. Both were impetuous, prideful and stubborn. Communication is not their strong suit as they talk over each other. They both have a bad habit of believing they know what is best for everyone.
Thyre's deep loyalty to her step-father seemed implausible. The man showed no great loyalty to Thyre when it came to choosing a husband for her (he wanted her to wed an older Jarl).
Ivar was arrogant and jumped to conclusions. Both he and Thyre are demanding, he more so in the first half of the novel, however Ivar is brave and especially honorable in the last chapters of this novel. In the last half of this novel his personality softens and he more than Thyre is willing to compromise.
Ms Styles has written a romance which does not live up to her wonderful setting. Reading about daily Viking life was more enjoyable than the tempestuous romance between two hard headed protagonists.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
She got it right!, November 12, 2010
The Viking's Captive Princess is a fun, escapist romance novel. Finally, an author gets the viking period right! I majored in Viking history at the University of Oslo, Norway, and I really enjoyed the accurate details, plus the romance. Michelle Styles is definitely an up-and-coming romance novelist to follow.
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