Helpful Score: 2
This was a medieval story with lots of realism and originality. Treacherous brother Richard the Fair insists his two half sisters leave their convent school and rejoin his court. His closest counselor is feared by all, a "wizard" who is the power behind the throne. He is educated in eastern practices learned thru horrors as a crusader. Simon beleives he has lost his soul as a result of the inhuman devastation of the holy wars. The story centers on how the innocent sisters find a future in this ugly court with the help of the tortured wizard and an honorable knight.
Helpful Score: 2
I love this book! Utterly enchanting! The characters complimented each other and the love that bloomed between them was so romantic!
Great book, I will be reading more of this author
Moves a bit slowly but has rich characterizations and wonderful descriptions of the lives of those characters.
Excellent
Historical romance set around Richard the Lionheart's time. Good read!
This was a great book. Of course I like everything she writes.
Couldn't put it down until finished.
slow moving and rather passionless romance. not highly recommended.
While not my absolute favorite of the wonderful Anne Stuart books I've read so far, it is still....Anne Stuart! And, when that is said one needs little more. She is a master at uncovering unique characters with amazing depth. Simon is a perfect example. He has built a reputation as a dark wizard who cares for nothing or no one save what furthers his interests. Alys, is the plain, older sister ( a rather generic heroine - but wait! it's Anne Stuart!) who carries a myriad of fears such as horses, thunderstorms, and dark wizards, to mention a few. Yet she is fiercely loyal to her younger, beautiful sister and strong in her faith (she was raised in a convent) which forces her to confront those fears on a daily basis. See? Incredibly interesting characters molded from rather average stereotypes. She never allows the reader to become complacent as those characters never act in any formulaic way but constantly surprise, disappoint and grow. Just like real life.
My only complaints are that it starts a little slow and has a very abrupt ending. It REALLY needed an epilogue or at least a confession of love with a little more to it.
My only complaints are that it starts a little slow and has a very abrupt ending. It REALLY needed an epilogue or at least a confession of love with a little more to it.
I really enjoyed this book. When I was done with the book I set it down and said WOW!
Lady Alys of Summerslegde would do anything to save her beautiful sister, Claire, from an unwanted marriage, even marry the "bone-cracking, blood-sucking monster," the wizard Simon of Navarre.
An ex-Crusader, a warrior and a knight, Simon has learned much in the East, most of which he uses to convince others, like Richard, Alys' brother, that he is a magician, a lord of darkness and alchemy. Simon is a scarred man, whose injured hand reflects his wounded soul. He no longer believes in good or hope, until he meets plain little Alys.
Though she is no great beauty, Alys possesses intelligence and a hidden passion that intrigues Simon, who chooses her as his bride. He woos her in his special way, and though frightened, Alys sees the extraordinary man within.
Yet Alys has no way of knowing that she, Claire and Simon are pawns in her half-brother's game of treason. Caught in a heinous plot, Alys discovers Simon's true magic and her own strength.
Anne Stuart is an expert craftsman and in LORD OF DANGER she conjures remarkable characters and a wondrous love story that is truly magical.
Lady Alys of Summerslegde would do anything to save her beautiful sister, Claire, from an unwanted marriage, even marry the "bone-cracking, blood-sucking monster," the wizard Simon of Navarre.
An ex-Crusader, a warrior and a knight, Simon has learned much in the East, most of which he uses to convince others, like Richard, Alys' brother, that he is a magician, a lord of darkness and alchemy. Simon is a scarred man, whose injured hand reflects his wounded soul. He no longer believes in good or hope, until he meets plain little Alys.
Though she is no great beauty, Alys possesses intelligence and a hidden passion that intrigues Simon, who chooses her as his bride. He woos her in his special way, and though frightened, Alys sees the extraordinary man within.
Yet Alys has no way of knowing that she, Claire and Simon are pawns in her half-brother's game of treason. Caught in a heinous plot, Alys discovers Simon's true magic and her own strength.
Anne Stuart is an expert craftsman and in LORD OF DANGER she conjures remarkable characters and a wondrous love story that is truly magical.
