Scan barcode
lassarina's review against another edition
3.0
I can't quite decide how I want to rate this book. I am of many minds about most of it. The writing is, in general, quite excellent (though in the edition I read, which was the Kindle version, there was at least one significant copyediting error that had me hissing at the screen, namely when it specified that our heroine Ariana "peaked" around a door.) I liked the lead characters well enough, and the plot was well-constructed.
However, in a lot of ways the book felt uneven to me. I realize romance is the genre of better-than-life lead characters, but Ariana felt too forgiving and too trusting for me, especially given that she had been raised by her brother, who vehemently hated the hero, Trenton. I would have expected at least a little more distrust, even with the inexplicably psychic lady's maid pushing Ariana in the direction of trust. (The inexplicably psychic lady's maid combined with the magically appearing white owl for symbolism were two of the things that really rather put me off about the book.) Also, while I understood Trenton's bitterness and his need for revenge, it made it hard for me to sympathize with him as the hero, rather than simply as a character; I much preferred his brother.
The sex scenes, too, were rather uneven; some of them were fantastically hot, and then others sent my suspension of disbelief in an unanticipated swan-dive off a cliff. It became very strange to realize they were headed to bed again and to be unsure whether I should read it in hopes of well-written sex or skip ahead because I might start making too many faces of disbelief.
I realize that some of what I find off-putting about this book is in fact a function of romance convention, but I think I'm frustrated because I see where it could have been significantly better and didn't quite get there.
However, in a lot of ways the book felt uneven to me. I realize romance is the genre of better-than-life lead characters, but Ariana felt too forgiving and too trusting for me, especially given that she had been raised by her brother, who vehemently hated the hero, Trenton. I would have expected at least a little more distrust, even with the inexplicably psychic lady's maid pushing Ariana in the direction of trust. (The inexplicably psychic lady's maid combined with the magically appearing white owl for symbolism were two of the things that really rather put me off about the book.) Also, while I understood Trenton's bitterness and his need for revenge, it made it hard for me to sympathize with him as the hero, rather than simply as a character; I much preferred his brother.
The sex scenes, too, were rather uneven; some of them were fantastically hot, and then others sent my suspension of disbelief in an unanticipated swan-dive off a cliff. It became very strange to realize they were headed to bed again and to be unsure whether I should read it in hopes of well-written sex or skip ahead because I might start making too many faces of disbelief.
I realize that some of what I find off-putting about this book is in fact a function of romance convention, but I think I'm frustrated because I see where it could have been significantly better and didn't quite get there.
turophile's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I finished it - which for me and a Kane book is quite an accomplishment. It’s been a while since I’ve had an author that rubbed me the wrong way quite so much as Ms. Kane (and I’m not even sure I can explain why) but I made it through and wasn’t even tempted to DNF>
Ariana’s a beautiful young woman with her head in the clouds. Attending what should have been her brother’s engagement announcement, she sees an owl and follows him into the woods, ending up lost in a maze. A beautiful dark stranger rescues her. She mysteriously feel drawn to him.
Turns out it, the man is her family’s sworn enemy Lord Kingsley who’d been attempting to slip into the party to force the engagement to an abrupt end in vengeance for Lord Covington (Ariana’s brother) causing family tragedy years ago. Of course, Lord Kinglsey had caused their sister’s death by murder or suicide, so it’s all samesies, right?
Over the top! Yikes
I could go on, but I won't. There's suspense and I did enjoy the writing style generally. If you like Andrea Kane you'll probably love it, but if not it may not make you a fan.
Ariana’s a beautiful young woman with her head in the clouds. Attending what should have been her brother’s engagement announcement, she sees an owl and follows him into the woods, ending up lost in a maze. A beautiful dark stranger rescues her. She mysteriously feel drawn to him.
Turns out it, the man is her family’s sworn enemy Lord Kingsley who’d been attempting to slip into the party to force the engagement to an abrupt end in vengeance for Lord Covington (Ariana’s brother) causing family tragedy years ago. Of course, Lord Kinglsey had caused their sister’s death by murder or suicide, so it’s all samesies, right?
Over the top! Yikes
I could go on, but I won't. There's suspense and I did enjoy the writing style generally. If you like Andrea Kane you'll probably love it, but if not it may not make you a fan.
quirkychaos's review
3.0
It wasn't as bad as it could be--perhaps a little cheesy, but in a good way. The characters were not as unbelievable as some I've read, and the plot was an important enough part that it did seem somewhat developed well.
More...