What do you think?
Midnight Warrior by Iris Johansen
Excellent Book
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Iris Johansen
237 books7,467 followersIris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 9, 2018
DNF @ 31%.
If I wanted to read a story about a woman being abused by powerful men I would turn on the news.
If I wanted to read a story about a woman being abused by powerful men I would turn on the news.
February 3, 2016
Iris Johansen writes really sexual books. I don't know whether it is erotic, since I am rather unfamiliar with that particular sub-genre. But I think it is safe to say that Iris Johansen's books are not "innocent". Her heros are always extremely attracted to the heroines, borderline obsession. Her heroines resist the pursuit and in the end "succumb" to the temptation, because they are in some way bound to the heros, who have complete control voer the women. It is usually a sexual relationship.
Usually I am not much for "sex turned love" kind of stories, but Iris Johansen can tell a story. They usually start very strong, with extreme tension in the first half of the book. Then they grow weaker as the physical part of the relationship kind of "settles", and we are left with a treasure hunt kind of plot.
Midnight Warrior is exactly that. Set in the time of William the Conqueror, Gage was a bastard of the Norway King and Brynn, a healer, married to a slave. Brynn was given by her master Lord Richard, the villain of the story, to Gage because Gage's friend was dying. Gage's army defeated Richard's and the pathetic loser that Richard was, he hoped Gage would show mercy by giving him Brynn to save Gage's friend.
That is how they met. Gage circled around Brynn and Brynn saved Gage's friend. Until later it became clear that Gage had other intentions. This is not a bodice-ripper kind of story. I would probably say there was coersion. So they started their physical relationship and Gage, like all medieval heros, is wonderfully possessive. There are a few "conflicts" in the story and the last 40% is devoted to tie up those loose ends and resolve the conflicts. Gage and Brynn kind of got stuck. They already were half in love but Brynn would not accept Gage for whatever reasons that only made sense to her. Danger, conflicts, solutions, the end.
There was also a secondary romance for Gage's friend and Brynn's friend. I thought it unnecessary but it wasn't bad. Overall a ok story. There is always a lot of tension in Johansen's stories. It is just the love part usually takes a back-seat after the "consummation". But like I said, Johansen can tell a story. So I usually end up just reading a slightly Indiana Jones-like adventure featuring a couple. I imagine this book would be good for those who like an intense physical relationship.
Usually I am not much for "sex turned love" kind of stories, but Iris Johansen can tell a story. They usually start very strong, with extreme tension in the first half of the book. Then they grow weaker as the physical part of the relationship kind of "settles", and we are left with a treasure hunt kind of plot.
Midnight Warrior is exactly that. Set in the time of William the Conqueror, Gage was a bastard of the Norway King and Brynn, a healer, married to a slave. Brynn was given by her master Lord Richard, the villain of the story, to Gage because Gage's friend was dying. Gage's army defeated Richard's and the pathetic loser that Richard was, he hoped Gage would show mercy by giving him Brynn to save Gage's friend.
That is how they met. Gage circled around Brynn and Brynn saved Gage's friend. Until later it became clear that Gage had other intentions. This is not a bodice-ripper kind of story. I would probably say there was coersion. So they started their physical relationship and Gage, like all medieval heros, is wonderfully possessive. There are a few "conflicts" in the story and the last 40% is devoted to tie up those loose ends and resolve the conflicts. Gage and Brynn kind of got stuck. They already were half in love but Brynn would not accept Gage for whatever reasons that only made sense to her. Danger, conflicts, solutions, the end.
There was also a secondary romance for Gage's friend and Brynn's friend. I thought it unnecessary but it wasn't bad. Overall a ok story. There is always a lot of tension in Johansen's stories. It is just the love part usually takes a back-seat after the "consummation". But like I said, Johansen can tell a story. So I usually end up just reading a slightly Indiana Jones-like adventure featuring a couple. I imagine this book would be good for those who like an intense physical relationship.
September 9, 2016
So frustrating. This was a five star review until about 40% into the book - then everything just fell apart.
A slave who doesn't act like a slave
Here we have the story of a great warrior/wealthy merchant who is given a slave healer to save his dying friend. The operative word here being "slave". But within a few pages this "slave" is running the show and the hero is a pathetic a lap dog being let around by the nose.
Irrational stubborn heroine
I get it, it's a plot driver. But I hate the fact that the heroine was stubborn to the point of being completely irrational. also keeping secrets that didn't need to be kept and fighting the hero tooth and nail every fucking page - it was exhausting and I started to skim.
Absolutely ridiculous
Yeah, this is romance-Landia, but for me to enjoy a story it has to have some grounding in reality. This is supposed to be the middle ages, yet you would've thought it was the 21st-century the way the women behave and how all the male leads act like simpering idiots begging for their love and affection.
Thank goodness this was a library check out and I didn't waste my coffee money buying this drivel.
A slave who doesn't act like a slave
Here we have the story of a great warrior/wealthy merchant who is given a slave healer to save his dying friend. The operative word here being "slave". But within a few pages this "slave" is running the show and the hero is a pathetic a lap dog being let around by the nose.
Irrational stubborn heroine
I get it, it's a plot driver. But I hate the fact that the heroine was stubborn to the point of being completely irrational. also keeping secrets that didn't need to be kept and fighting the hero tooth and nail every fucking page - it was exhausting and I started to skim.
Absolutely ridiculous
Yeah, this is romance-Landia, but for me to enjoy a story it has to have some grounding in reality. This is supposed to be the middle ages, yet you would've thought it was the 21st-century the way the women behave and how all the male leads act like simpering idiots begging for their love and affection.
Thank goodness this was a library check out and I didn't waste my coffee money buying this drivel.
September 6, 2008
This is one of Iris Johansen's first books. It was completely unexpected and still very good. Her writing is smooth and fast paced. Her characters are well rounded and people you get invested in from the first page. I didn't even read the back of this book...I just knew I would like it. So it was a surprise when I discovered this book is a historical romance. I didn't know she wrote historicals!! It was great and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good love story with a little bit a myth and history thrown in as well! Loved it.
July 5, 2020
Starts out great but boring ending.
November 6, 2021
You can just read the preview to get the gist of this story, which revolves around Gage Dumont the main character, and after a few chapters, also revolved around Brynn, the slave girl. I read this book when I was young. The author, Iris Johansen at the time was a romance writer, and wasn't yet known as she is now, which is a crime fiction author. At the the I read this book, I didn't even know I was reading a romance novel. I thought I was reading a historical fiction novel, because the setting was in the Middle Ages, and that era appealed to me as a reader.
Now I would consider this book more of a romance novel with a Middle Ages setting. Actually here in Good Reads it is classified as a romance novel. Back then I would rate this book a solid 4-stars. But looking back, I would now rate this book as a 3-star book. Compared to other historical fiction it pales in comparison. As a romance novel I suppose it would be very entertaining to the romance novel reader. Unfortunately, I seldom read romance novels, and I am actually a novice at the romance genre. Looking back I am more apt to try going out of my comfort zone and reading more romance novels in the future.
As to the romance genre itself, romance to me is food for the soul. I find that in most, if not all of these books there are obstacles to be overcome and in the end they are. It solidifies to me that everyone is going through something or the other and it's up to each individual what they do with their challenges. Romance is also a very "feel good" genre. In the three romance novels I've read, I loved the sappiness, cliches and such and I find it here. It's sometimes hard to remember that what is written isn't always how life pans out. However, I am a firm believer that if you can dream it - anything is possible. These books help to keep me in that frame of mind.
In books, I love reading about the obstacles and how they're overcome and about love conquering all (again, the cliches - can't help it). As I said, it's a "feel good" genre. If you are more of a realist, you just have to be able and willing to take everything with a grain of salt. If you're a romantic, you can't take everything to heart. If you're a little of both, you just enjoy the ride.
Now I would consider this book more of a romance novel with a Middle Ages setting. Actually here in Good Reads it is classified as a romance novel. Back then I would rate this book a solid 4-stars. But looking back, I would now rate this book as a 3-star book. Compared to other historical fiction it pales in comparison. As a romance novel I suppose it would be very entertaining to the romance novel reader. Unfortunately, I seldom read romance novels, and I am actually a novice at the romance genre. Looking back I am more apt to try going out of my comfort zone and reading more romance novels in the future.
As to the romance genre itself, romance to me is food for the soul. I find that in most, if not all of these books there are obstacles to be overcome and in the end they are. It solidifies to me that everyone is going through something or the other and it's up to each individual what they do with their challenges. Romance is also a very "feel good" genre. In the three romance novels I've read, I loved the sappiness, cliches and such and I find it here. It's sometimes hard to remember that what is written isn't always how life pans out. However, I am a firm believer that if you can dream it - anything is possible. These books help to keep me in that frame of mind.
In books, I love reading about the obstacles and how they're overcome and about love conquering all (again, the cliches - can't help it). As I said, it's a "feel good" genre. If you are more of a realist, you just have to be able and willing to take everything with a grain of salt. If you're a romantic, you can't take everything to heart. If you're a little of both, you just enjoy the ride.
April 24, 2019
Took me awhile to read this fantasy-ish historical romance, but hey, let's be honest here. It's even slightly miraculous that I managed to read a whole book with a newborn in the house.
Anyways. Brynn's odd. She's also a healer, but I'd say she's more odd. On the one hand she seems strongwilled and capable, on the other hand... she lacks a backbone and puts others before herself way too much.
Gage... is a man who's used to getting what he wants and although Johansen tried portray him as a genuinely good guy, I found him a bit too overbearing and brutish. I simply don't care for men who cannot accept a simple no, and well, Gage was just like that. He kept pushing Brynn and she kept saying no.. while still sharing his blankets. This is not for me even though I know the book is set in the 11th century and maybe men who could accept a no didn't exist, but if Johansen could add a magical twist with Brynn's healing skills, she could've made Gage with the ability to understand a simple two letter word.
Likeable, but not a great read for me.
Anyways. Brynn's odd. She's also a healer, but I'd say she's more odd. On the one hand she seems strongwilled and capable, on the other hand... she lacks a backbone and puts others before herself way too much.
Gage... is a man who's used to getting what he wants and although Johansen tried portray him as a genuinely good guy, I found him a bit too overbearing and brutish. I simply don't care for men who cannot accept a simple no, and well, Gage was just like that. He kept pushing Brynn and she kept saying no.. while still sharing his blankets. This is not for me even though I know the book is set in the 11th century and maybe men who could accept a no didn't exist, but if Johansen could add a magical twist with Brynn's healing skills, she could've made Gage with the ability to understand a simple two letter word.
Likeable, but not a great read for me.
August 21, 2020
3,5 - Sono stata attirata da questo romanzo per due motivi: il primo era che, dalla sinossi, ero convinta che si sviluppasse intorno alla battaglia di Hastings, la famosa vittoria dei normanni sui sassoni del 14 ottobre 1066, quando la fanteria pesante di re Aroldo fu sbaragliata dalla cavalleria di Guglielmo il Conquistatore (anche se fu un autentico bagno di sangue per entrambi gli schieramenti); il secondo motivo è che questa è una delle opere più famose di Iris Johansen e quindi ero più che curiosa di leggerla.
Allora, per quanto riguarda la battaglia, essa viene menzionata appena di striscio, visto che la protagonista arriva al termine della carneficina (!) per guarire un particolare ferito, mentre sul versante dell' apprezzamento, posso dire che pur essendo un libro denso e con parti molto belle, ho avvertito un certo gusto narrativo che evidenzia gli oltre venticinque anni sulle spalle.
La prima parte è senza dubbio quella che ho preferito: mi sono piaciuti subito sia Gage Dumond, cavaliere/mercante di origini nobili ma comunque illegittimo, giunto in Inghilterra per accaparrarsi una baronia al seguito di Guglielmo, sia il suo inseparabile compagno d'armi, Malik Kalar, un saraceno fascinoso e dalla battuta divertente, quanto dai modi cortesi e premurosi.
Se Gage è un orso, passionale e vendicativo, l'amico è il vero cavaliere galante della storia.
La giovane Brynn, al contrario, non ha riscosso in me grandi simpatie.
Forse è originale la sua figura di guaritrice sensitiva e di donna erudita in un mondo di ignoranza e oscurantismo, però alla fine non è solo il povero Gage a ritenerla bisbetica, lo è effettivamente, e sono poco credibili i suoi modi altezzosi, considerato che era una schiava, alla mercé del primo che passava e rivendicava il castello in cui viveva. Resta ancorata a una specie di sogno per tutto il tempo, ma la verità è che se non avesse incontrato un Gage più che comprensivo, il suo destino poteva anche non essere roseo...
Seconda parte un po' farraginosa e meno avvincente, anche se il finale ha un tocco magico-leggendario che risolleva un po' il giudizio.
Una lettura perfetta per chi ama i romanzi passionali, con cattivoni viscidi ed eroi che si palesano su uno sfondo di fiamme (nel libro, infatti, accade...).
Allora, per quanto riguarda la battaglia, essa viene menzionata appena di striscio, visto che la protagonista arriva al termine della carneficina (!) per guarire un particolare ferito, mentre sul versante dell' apprezzamento, posso dire che pur essendo un libro denso e con parti molto belle, ho avvertito un certo gusto narrativo che evidenzia gli oltre venticinque anni sulle spalle.
La prima parte è senza dubbio quella che ho preferito: mi sono piaciuti subito sia Gage Dumond, cavaliere/mercante di origini nobili ma comunque illegittimo, giunto in Inghilterra per accaparrarsi una baronia al seguito di Guglielmo, sia il suo inseparabile compagno d'armi, Malik Kalar, un saraceno fascinoso e dalla battuta divertente, quanto dai modi cortesi e premurosi.
Se Gage è un orso, passionale e vendicativo, l'amico è il vero cavaliere galante della storia.
La giovane Brynn, al contrario, non ha riscosso in me grandi simpatie.
Forse è originale la sua figura di guaritrice sensitiva e di donna erudita in un mondo di ignoranza e oscurantismo, però alla fine non è solo il povero Gage a ritenerla bisbetica, lo è effettivamente, e sono poco credibili i suoi modi altezzosi, considerato che era una schiava, alla mercé del primo che passava e rivendicava il castello in cui viveva. Resta ancorata a una specie di sogno per tutto il tempo, ma la verità è che se non avesse incontrato un Gage più che comprensivo, il suo destino poteva anche non essere roseo...
Seconda parte un po' farraginosa e meno avvincente, anche se il finale ha un tocco magico-leggendario che risolleva un po' il giudizio.
Una lettura perfetta per chi ama i romanzi passionali, con cattivoni viscidi ed eroi che si palesano su uno sfondo di fiamme (nel libro, infatti, accade...).
Did Not Finish
January 27, 2021DNF on page 162, so no star rating. This wasn't good, even by the standards of when it was written. As like most historical romances written in the 70's, 80's, and 90's, they have to be "historically accurate", so the women are all treated like bargaining chips, trophies, and sex slaves. They are all raped, but it's not **really** rape when it's a hot guy doing it, because by the end, the ladies love it. Barf. I grew up reading books like this, so I kinda knew what to expect. A bunch of free, old romances fell into my lap, and I had never read one by this author, so I thought I would give it a try. I can enjoy media with problematic elements and understand how/why they are problematic. I figured that I would have to deal with some sexual coercion and some non-con presented as love. This was still not good even then. There is sex, but it's both animalistic AND prissy at the same time. Like the author was too chaste to use even synonyms for the couple's genitalia. The descriptions of the sex are vague and quick. He grabs her tit and then just starts rutting away. Every time. How the lady gets an pleasure from this, considering she has a history of sexual trauma, there is no foreplay, no interest in her pleasure, and she did not consent to this, is a mystery. They feel like scenes written by a person who saw an old porno once that they had found hidden under a bed and had never actually been intimate with another person in their life.
I didn't care about the plot or the mystery of her heritage. The story relies too heavily on misunderstanding caused by miscommunication. The heroine has to manage the feelings of her master/rapist so he doesn't feel bad about being a rapist. There is a poorly developed, possibly fantasy element being developed. If it is fantasy, the rules are unclear, and not consistently applied. There are multiple villains who are SUPER evil just so we can compare their actions to the hero and see that the hero "really isn't such a bad guy afterall." No. Just no. I am donating all her books that I got to a charity shop.
I didn't care about the plot or the mystery of her heritage. The story relies too heavily on misunderstanding caused by miscommunication. The heroine has to manage the feelings of her master/rapist so he doesn't feel bad about being a rapist. There is a poorly developed, possibly fantasy element being developed. If it is fantasy, the rules are unclear, and not consistently applied. There are multiple villains who are SUPER evil just so we can compare their actions to the hero and see that the hero "really isn't such a bad guy afterall." No. Just no. I am donating all her books that I got to a charity shop.
September 28, 2008
This was a very quick and enjoyable read.
Brynn is a healer who has been given to Lord Gage Dumont as spoils of war, in hopes of healing his dying friend Malik. Gage finds himself quite enamoured with Brynn which is very unusual, he usually takes what he needs and moves on. However with Brynn he does not feel he will be satisfied until he wins her heart as well.
Brynn is a prize that a few men want to posses, not for her looks or charms, but for the knowledge she holds. The location of a vast treasure only she knows about.
The secondary characters are just as interesting as the lead characters; I really enjoyed reading about Malik, and Adwen as well as Alice and LeFont. My only wish is that there would have been more, but then the book would have been too long. :0)
The only reason this book does not get five stars is that I found in a couple of places the story could have been a little stronger, I felt like Iris Johansen lost her train of thought or could not merge pieces of the story smoothly, and it came across through the characters. Still a worthwhile read though.
I loved the Arthur references in the end, fantastic!
Brynn is a healer who has been given to Lord Gage Dumont as spoils of war, in hopes of healing his dying friend Malik. Gage finds himself quite enamoured with Brynn which is very unusual, he usually takes what he needs and moves on. However with Brynn he does not feel he will be satisfied until he wins her heart as well.
Brynn is a prize that a few men want to posses, not for her looks or charms, but for the knowledge she holds. The location of a vast treasure only she knows about.
The secondary characters are just as interesting as the lead characters; I really enjoyed reading about Malik, and Adwen as well as Alice and LeFont. My only wish is that there would have been more, but then the book would have been too long. :0)
The only reason this book does not get five stars is that I found in a couple of places the story could have been a little stronger, I felt like Iris Johansen lost her train of thought or could not merge pieces of the story smoothly, and it came across through the characters. Still a worthwhile read though.
I loved the Arthur references in the end, fantastic!
July 2, 2012
My first time reading an Iris Johansen "romance" book. It was just okay, hence the two stars, but I think I'll stick with her crime and suspense, especially the Bayou Breaux series.
My favorite character in this was a secondary one, Malik, who I think wasn't supposed to be that intriguing. The alpha male, Gage, was okay. Just okay. CAn't really see how one can confuse black hair with red hair...but this is a typical fluffy romance story we're picking apart here. Consistency and logic isn't a known quality.
Brynn is one of the most annoying heroines ever. Heroine, shmeroine. "Oooh I'm a HEALER so when someone is beating the crap out of me, I will cower and take it instead of ripping his genitals off, because I'm a HEALER I can't do any harm!!! And when the big alpha male is ready to kill someone because he beat the crap out of my face, I must STOP HIM AT ALL COSTS."
And nevermind the fact that she was already married, to a jerk of course, but still married, and she and Gage are all up in each other's KoolAid and planning their own mistress/master style of living.
Read it by the pool. Move along.
My favorite character in this was a secondary one, Malik, who I think wasn't supposed to be that intriguing. The alpha male, Gage, was okay. Just okay. CAn't really see how one can confuse black hair with red hair...but this is a typical fluffy romance story we're picking apart here. Consistency and logic isn't a known quality.
Brynn is one of the most annoying heroines ever. Heroine, shmeroine. "Oooh I'm a HEALER so when someone is beating the crap out of me, I will cower and take it instead of ripping his genitals off, because I'm a HEALER I can't do any harm!!! And when the big alpha male is ready to kill someone because he beat the crap out of my face, I must STOP HIM AT ALL COSTS."
And nevermind the fact that she was already married, to a jerk of course, but still married, and she and Gage are all up in each other's KoolAid and planning their own mistress/master style of living.
Read it by the pool. Move along.
March 28, 2014
I think Brynn of Falkhaar might just be one of the most annoying heroines I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. I hated her... and to be honest I wasn't a big fan of Gage either.
That being said... How can one really enjoy a book when you dislike the main characters so much?
I gave it 2 stars because the plot wasn't that bad.
That being said... How can one really enjoy a book when you dislike the main characters so much?
I gave it 2 stars because the plot wasn't that bad.
August 3, 2020
I thought this author was a writer of murder mysteries. This book is more a romance, fantasy, peri-historical tale. I felt pulled along by the adventure and I am always fascinated by stories about healers in the time before patent medicine. There is a little something at the end, too, which might be of interest. I think I would have liked this better if I had read it when I was younger.
October 22, 2017
"Midnight Warrior" is the story of Gage and Brynn.
Gage is a feared Saxon warrior, who is loyal and fiercely protective of whom he loves. When his closest friend Malik is gravely injured, he accepts Brynn, chattel to the infamous Lord Richard as a healer.
Brynn has lived a painful life ever since she was sold into marriage to an abusive husband. She lives her life finding happiness in helping others, even if it causes her pain or harm.
Soon chemistry ignites, and the couple travel across lands, facing lecherous villians, and most importantly their feelings for one another..
In the end, a sweet ending to an intriguing story.
Safe
3.5/5
Gage is a feared Saxon warrior, who is loyal and fiercely protective of whom he loves. When his closest friend Malik is gravely injured, he accepts Brynn, chattel to the infamous Lord Richard as a healer.
Brynn has lived a painful life ever since she was sold into marriage to an abusive husband. She lives her life finding happiness in helping others, even if it causes her pain or harm.
Soon chemistry ignites, and the couple travel across lands, facing lecherous villians, and most importantly their feelings for one another..
In the end, a sweet ending to an intriguing story.
Safe
3.5/5
May 21, 2018
אני חושבת שקראתי את הספר הזה אולי כבר 50 פעם, הוא מסוג הספרים שאני תמיד חוזרת אליהם כל כמה זמן.
קראתי את הספר לראשונה בגיל 20 נדמה לי אולי אפילו יטתר, אחותי מצאה אותו בחנות יד שנייה בתקופה שהיינו קוראת את ספרי אמנדה קוויק וכדומה.
תמיד אהבתי את הספר, העלילה והרעיון שיש שם.
הסיפור הוא רומן רומנטי עם מעט תיבול של קסם.
מקסים ביותר, אני חושבת שיש אולי המשכים או משהו בסגנון אבל אף פעם לא באמת טרחתי לבדוק.
העלילה מתמקדת בברין , היא שפחב באחזוה סקסונית וכאשר האיזור נכבש ע"י צבא (לא זוכרת איזה) ברין נמסרת כמעין מתנה לריצוי גייג'
ברין היא מרפאה מוכשרת וגייג' זקוק לה מאחר ומליק החבר הכי טוב שלו פצוע.
ברין לא מתנהגת כשפחה היא אומרת את דעתה ומטפלת במליק אבל היא רוצה לחזור הביתה
ומכאן מתפתח סיפור מקסים.
הסיפור עצמו קיטשי היום לא הייתי טורחת לקרוא אבל בגלל שיש לי פינה חמה בלב לספר אני תמיד חוזרת אליו :)
עד הפעם הבאה♥
קראתי את הספר לראשונה בגיל 20 נדמה לי אולי אפילו יטתר, אחותי מצאה אותו בחנות יד שנייה בתקופה שהיינו קוראת את ספרי אמנדה קוויק וכדומה.
תמיד אהבתי את הספר, העלילה והרעיון שיש שם.
הסיפור הוא רומן רומנטי עם מעט תיבול של קסם.
מקסים ביותר, אני חושבת שיש אולי המשכים או משהו בסגנון אבל אף פעם לא באמת טרחתי לבדוק.
העלילה מתמקדת בברין , היא שפחב באחזוה סקסונית וכאשר האיזור נכבש ע"י צבא (לא זוכרת איזה) ברין נמסרת כמעין מתנה לריצוי גייג'
ברין היא מרפאה מוכשרת וגייג' זקוק לה מאחר ומליק החבר הכי טוב שלו פצוע.
ברין לא מתנהגת כשפחה היא אומרת את דעתה ומטפלת במליק אבל היא רוצה לחזור הביתה
ומכאן מתפתח סיפור מקסים.
הסיפור עצמו קיטשי היום לא הייתי טורחת לקרוא אבל בגלל שיש לי פינה חמה בלב לספר אני תמיד חוזרת אליו :)
עד הפעם הבאה♥
July 14, 2019
Johansen writes reliably satisfying romance -her books are well-written and her characters and relationships are more complex than most.
July 29, 2019
I haven't read an Iris Johansen romance in... many years. I was probably too young to be reading them at the time as well, but I remember thinking some were great (mainly because the writing stood out as good in a sea of unremarkable other romance novels) and some were not so great. This one is at the bottom of that list.
The frustrating part of reading Midnight Warrior is that Johansen's writing is actually good. And the plot (like the her other romance novels I remember) is interesting and revolves around more than just the main romance. Furthermore, there are a few good things said about the strength of women, female power, and where women stand in the world (or the world of the past) vs where they should stand. And honestly, the female main character is strong and capable and kind of badass.
But then the dynamic between our main couple, Brynn and Gage, threw all the decent stuff out the window. There is no romance, in my opinion, and no real love besides stereotypical "claiming" or "linking." In a lot of instances, their coming together felt more abusive than romantic. And I wasn't okay with that. Their relationship is also more of an insta-sex relationship than a deep, romantic one. There's a caveman-like dynamic of "mine" and "I'm gonna beat up everyone that thinks about looking at you" and "I shouldn't have sex with you or feel good during it, but I can't help myself anyway." That's not romance, quite the opposite. But if all that's the kink you're going for or feel like reading, this is a novel to delve into.
Plus, omg. There's no foreplay at all in this novel. AT. ALL. Which... um. No? Maybe I'm just not a connoisseur of romance novels, but that just struck me as ridiculous. The sex scenes revolve around more of a "you are mine" and "give in, you know you want this" dynamic than a romance dynamic. Even the few foreplay-ish scenes that had the potential to be hot or show the development between Brynn and Gage were just cut short. I get that this is an older romance novel, but the sex scenes were oddly devoid of romance and foreplay and focused on the rush to actual penetration and then... done. And that never changed throughout the entirety of the novel and Brynn and Gage's relationship. So, again, if you're looking for a romance or hot sex, I'd recommend staying away from this one. If you want a more domineering romance where the woman falls for the super strong, domineering, uber-masculine (that's full of potential violence) knight-type, then this is one you might want to try.
So yeah. I read the whole thing (despite skimming a bit after about 60%) because the writing is good, Brynn is intriguing, and the plot is interesting (despite being predictable), and I was honestly in the mood for a not-so-deep romance novel. I just wish the couple in this novel had a better dynamic, and I'm so disappointed that they didn't. Johansen's romance novels (or what I can remember of them) do have a certain draw, and I'm just sad and a little frustrated the relationship/romance was lacking here.
I haven't read Johansen in a while, and have never read her crime novels, but I would love to see what she could do writing a romance novel nowadays.
The frustrating part of reading Midnight Warrior is that Johansen's writing is actually good. And the plot (like the her other romance novels I remember) is interesting and revolves around more than just the main romance. Furthermore, there are a few good things said about the strength of women, female power, and where women stand in the world (or the world of the past) vs where they should stand. And honestly, the female main character is strong and capable and kind of badass.
But then the dynamic between our main couple, Brynn and Gage, threw all the decent stuff out the window. There is no romance, in my opinion, and no real love besides stereotypical "claiming" or "linking." In a lot of instances, their coming together felt more abusive than romantic. And I wasn't okay with that. Their relationship is also more of an insta-sex relationship than a deep, romantic one. There's a caveman-like dynamic of "mine" and "I'm gonna beat up everyone that thinks about looking at you" and "I shouldn't have sex with you or feel good during it, but I can't help myself anyway." That's not romance, quite the opposite. But if all that's the kink you're going for or feel like reading, this is a novel to delve into.
Plus, omg. There's no foreplay at all in this novel. AT. ALL. Which... um. No? Maybe I'm just not a connoisseur of romance novels, but that just struck me as ridiculous. The sex scenes revolve around more of a "you are mine" and "give in, you know you want this" dynamic than a romance dynamic. Even the few foreplay-ish scenes that had the potential to be hot or show the development between Brynn and Gage were just cut short. I get that this is an older romance novel, but the sex scenes were oddly devoid of romance and foreplay and focused on the rush to actual penetration and then... done. And that never changed throughout the entirety of the novel and Brynn and Gage's relationship. So, again, if you're looking for a romance or hot sex, I'd recommend staying away from this one. If you want a more domineering romance where the woman falls for the super strong, domineering, uber-masculine (that's full of potential violence) knight-type, then this is one you might want to try.
So yeah. I read the whole thing (despite skimming a bit after about 60%) because the writing is good, Brynn is intriguing, and the plot is interesting (despite being predictable), and I was honestly in the mood for a not-so-deep romance novel. I just wish the couple in this novel had a better dynamic, and I'm so disappointed that they didn't. Johansen's romance novels (or what I can remember of them) do have a certain draw, and I'm just sad and a little frustrated the relationship/romance was lacking here.
I haven't read Johansen in a while, and have never read her crime novels, but I would love to see what she could do writing a romance novel nowadays.
September 20, 2021
Brynn, and her "holier-than-thou" attitude, was one of the most annoying heroines I've ever read in a long while. A slave? Pffft, yeah right. She was no slave and she had no sense of her station at all - she was running everyone around and to the ground. She was so stuck to her "convictions," she was quite TSTL half the time. For Gage, the hero, I have no comment. He was just the stereotypical overbearing hero you'd typically find in these vintage historical romances. Nothing special.
Don't bother unless you're really bored and have nothing better to do.
Don't bother unless you're really bored and have nothing better to do.
August 12, 2008
I read this book for the first time when I was twelve years, obviously I didn't understand it all completely back then. But this story captured me. I've reread it several times since and I always find myself falling in love with the characters over and over again. Especially Malik - who couldn't love that guy? :P
October 19, 2013
Honestly, the only reason I picked this book up was because the heroine's name is Brynn. -It makes self-insertion (the literary device, you filthy animals!) much easier when you share first names with the protagonist. The first half of the book is really good. The main characters are well-written and have depth to them. The sex was great, but I thought the Camelot theme was pretty contrived.
June 24, 2011
Great Characters. Felt like a lot of information packed in one book. Definitely not a light weekend read.
March 30, 2012
If this book was a person, I would love them.
April 22, 2021
It was a good story. I liked the subtle aspect of magic.
December 29, 2013
Just awful. I can't stand all the characters. (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
July 3, 2026
This was fairly good not really what I was expecting when I decided to pick up a book that summarized; the female lead, was living the life of a prisoner, when really she was a slave. Although I guess prisoner and slave are pretty interchangeable.
Anyway I would also like to say that I enjoyed the story plot of this more than the romance plot. I really liked the beginning half where we were figuring out what Brynn, the female lead, could do with her "powers." What was happening with the war, and of course the living dynamic in the Renford estate.
What I did not enjoy from the story if I'm being honest was the male lead, Gage, he really frustrated me in the beginning of the story and I found myself rolling my eyes and even grumbling along with his dialogue. I'm much preferred Malik and I definitely wish he was the main focus of the story. I feel like Malik's bubbly personality would have been better suited to Brynn who was serious and very emotionally inept. Whereas Gage was in my opinion cold and angry at everything. Not only was he manipulative but he truly had no real growth until the very last three chapters in my opinion of this book. I especially disliked his lustful moments with Brynn. I understand that this is in a different timeline than modern day and therefore women are treated differently, but the fact that Gage was so open and okay with assaulting or even taking advantage of Brynn, in any way possible was quite disturbing if not disgusting.
Gage basically forces her to have relations with him whether it be by barter or pure demand from her station was really upsetting and he continued to do so for way too long. And the fact that he never truly ends up carrying about her opinions of violence in the end still frustrates me. Brynn crying and begging him to spare people who although maybe villains in the story but not villains in her heart through hardships was something that although I didn't agree with I could understand her feelings and I was surprised when Gage wouldn't and couldn't understand. And the reasoning was simply that he was a warrior and therefore made for violence.
Overall the story was good it definitely had a lot going for it plot wise and I would recommend it solely for the plot. It's a lot of magic and world building that was easier to read especially for the first two thirds of the story. And even though it was a historical romance it didn't take away from the smoothness of reading compared to other historical romances that I've read in the past that have the language change.
Trigger warning
Rape
Sexual assault
Slavery / ownership of person
Manipulation/cohortion
Violence/death
Loss of children
Physical and emotional abuse
Spousal abuse
Anyway I would also like to say that I enjoyed the story plot of this more than the romance plot. I really liked the beginning half where we were figuring out what Brynn, the female lead, could do with her "powers." What was happening with the war, and of course the living dynamic in the Renford estate.
What I did not enjoy from the story if I'm being honest was the male lead, Gage, he really frustrated me in the beginning of the story and I found myself rolling my eyes and even grumbling along with his dialogue. I'm much preferred Malik and I definitely wish he was the main focus of the story. I feel like Malik's bubbly personality would have been better suited to Brynn who was serious and very emotionally inept. Whereas Gage was in my opinion cold and angry at everything. Not only was he manipulative but he truly had no real growth until the very last three chapters in my opinion of this book. I especially disliked his lustful moments with Brynn. I understand that this is in a different timeline than modern day and therefore women are treated differently, but the fact that Gage was so open and okay with assaulting or even taking advantage of Brynn, in any way possible was quite disturbing if not disgusting.
Gage basically forces her to have relations with him whether it be by barter or pure demand from her station was really upsetting and he continued to do so for way too long. And the fact that he never truly ends up carrying about her opinions of violence in the end still frustrates me. Brynn crying and begging him to spare people who although maybe villains in the story but not villains in her heart through hardships was something that although I didn't agree with I could understand her feelings and I was surprised when Gage wouldn't and couldn't understand. And the reasoning was simply that he was a warrior and therefore made for violence.
Overall the story was good it definitely had a lot going for it plot wise and I would recommend it solely for the plot. It's a lot of magic and world building that was easier to read especially for the first two thirds of the story. And even though it was a historical romance it didn't take away from the smoothness of reading compared to other historical romances that I've read in the past that have the language change.
Trigger warning
Rape
Sexual assault
Slavery / ownership of person
Manipulation/cohortion
Violence/death
Loss of children
Physical and emotional abuse
Spousal abuse
Read
February 21, 2026on a Medieval HR journey right now and I was unexpectedly delighted by this one. I can’t really give it a rating bc my barometer for quality has been so altered by the sheer volume of bad writing I’ve consumed in the last year and a half. The hero is surprisingly likable and I always love a witchy/divine feminine Welsh heroine. Oh AND it’s a lost city of Atlantis (or in this case Avalon) King Arthur retelling?
Now FMC did unfortunately fall into one of my most unfavored heroine tropes (usually only making appearances in fantasy romance) which is the self sacrificing, do no harm, can’t abide violence even when alternative is death mentality. don’t get me wrong I’m down for pacifist ideals but I can’t stand when there’s no room for nuance or exceptions to the rule. spoilers and tw (violence):
the FMC senses her husband is in a violent rage and intentionally lures him away and goads him (specifically outlines her rationale for the whole thing in her inner monologue) into redirecting it at her instead of going to the MMC to protect her HUSBAND from getting killed. husband proceeds to throw her down and beat her near to death and she specifically doesn’t call for help bc AGAIN she doesn’t want MMC to kill her husband. Not due to a mislead sentimental attachment to him (she hates him) but bc she can’t abide MMC killing anyone on her behalf. she then condemns the MMC when her husband ends up killed the same night (uncertain circumstances). like mama your husband damn near KILLED you and MMC is the bad guy?
All in all though, a good time.
Now FMC did unfortunately fall into one of my most unfavored heroine tropes (usually only making appearances in fantasy romance) which is the self sacrificing, do no harm, can’t abide violence even when alternative is death mentality. don’t get me wrong I’m down for pacifist ideals but I can’t stand when there’s no room for nuance or exceptions to the rule. spoilers and tw (violence):
the FMC senses her husband is in a violent rage and intentionally lures him away and goads him (specifically outlines her rationale for the whole thing in her inner monologue) into redirecting it at her instead of going to the MMC to protect her HUSBAND from getting killed. husband proceeds to throw her down and beat her near to death and she specifically doesn’t call for help bc AGAIN she doesn’t want MMC to kill her husband. Not due to a mislead sentimental attachment to him (she hates him) but bc she can’t abide MMC killing anyone on her behalf. she then condemns the MMC when her husband ends up killed the same night (uncertain circumstances). like mama your husband damn near KILLED you and MMC is the bad guy?
All in all though, a good time.
May 7, 2025
Review:
This book SUCKED. It started out pretty good, had some concerning stuff leading out but, you know, it's set in 1000, there's gonna be some... cultural differences. But by the halfway mark I was rolling my eyes so much I couldn't read. The female lead is insufferable. Between her keeping secrets about E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G, being so bossy it was mind numbing, and being so codependent I wanted to vomit, she was one of the worst main characters I've ever known. Either she was just repeating herself constantly or blaming herself for no reason at all and making it everyone else's problem. I seriously can't see why Gage wanted to be with her. Besides that, she sort of took advantage of Gage throughout the book, especially near the end where he's trying to seduce her and she's like "ok I'll get naked, get unending attention and pleasure from you without any expectation of reciprocity, but then you don't want to play that game anymore HOW DARE YOU REJECT ME?! D,:" Like, red flag central on her selfish ass. And don't let me get started on the whole, "Oh no he killed my abusive husband I can't be with him" arc. It was so stupid and I think it solidified my hate for her. What a weak, pathetic character. Dude's made of violence, he's not just gonna stop raiding because you showed up.
The only fun part was Adwen and Malik. Adwen getting a backbone was great and I just wanted her to be the main character (except for the end where she turns into Brynn with the self pity and lack of communication) and their dynamic was actually FUN and DYNAMIC. Lord almighty.
Oh, and the twist ending about who Hevald was? Who cares? I slogged through this book and that's the climactic ending? It was king Arthur? Why does that matter. Bite me.
Weak book, weak characters, weak everything.
-ok so listen the weird aggressive tension between them is only mildly concerning (because he keeps saying weird stuff) but I can ignore it
-THE CONSTANT MISCOMMUNICATION IS GETTING OLD
-Brynn's main character traits is to be codependent and to just repeat herself constantly
-AND TO KEEP EVERY SECRET SHE POSSIBLY CAN TO HERSELF HOLY SHIT
-I could handle most of the weird sex tension but not the "you're giving me blue balls won't you have pity?" ugh
DAMMIT WE'RE DOING BINGO!:
-He's a monster! but not really - I mean, we all see this coming. Suddenly the warrior who's carrying a sword around skewers a guy with a pitchfork? C'mon.
-Female character sucks
-Male lead is rich AF
-The female lead is "tough" but actually a wimp
-I want a protector but violence scawwy!
-The most mundane sex
This book SUCKED. It started out pretty good, had some concerning stuff leading out but, you know, it's set in 1000, there's gonna be some... cultural differences. But by the halfway mark I was rolling my eyes so much I couldn't read. The female lead is insufferable. Between her keeping secrets about E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G, being so bossy it was mind numbing, and being so codependent I wanted to vomit, she was one of the worst main characters I've ever known. Either she was just repeating herself constantly or blaming herself for no reason at all and making it everyone else's problem. I seriously can't see why Gage wanted to be with her. Besides that, she sort of took advantage of Gage throughout the book, especially near the end where he's trying to seduce her and she's like "ok I'll get naked, get unending attention and pleasure from you without any expectation of reciprocity, but then you don't want to play that game anymore HOW DARE YOU REJECT ME?! D,:" Like, red flag central on her selfish ass. And don't let me get started on the whole, "Oh no he killed my abusive husband I can't be with him" arc. It was so stupid and I think it solidified my hate for her. What a weak, pathetic character. Dude's made of violence, he's not just gonna stop raiding because you showed up.
The only fun part was Adwen and Malik. Adwen getting a backbone was great and I just wanted her to be the main character (except for the end where she turns into Brynn with the self pity and lack of communication) and their dynamic was actually FUN and DYNAMIC. Lord almighty.
Oh, and the twist ending about who Hevald was? Who cares? I slogged through this book and that's the climactic ending? It was king Arthur? Why does that matter. Bite me.
Weak book, weak characters, weak everything.
-ok so listen the weird aggressive tension between them is only mildly concerning (because he keeps saying weird stuff) but I can ignore it
-THE CONSTANT MISCOMMUNICATION IS GETTING OLD
-Brynn's main character traits is to be codependent and to just repeat herself constantly
-AND TO KEEP EVERY SECRET SHE POSSIBLY CAN TO HERSELF HOLY SHIT
-I could handle most of the weird sex tension but not the "you're giving me blue balls won't you have pity?" ugh
DAMMIT WE'RE DOING BINGO!:
-He's a monster! but not really - I mean, we all see this coming. Suddenly the warrior who's carrying a sword around skewers a guy with a pitchfork? C'mon.
-Female character sucks
-Male lead is rich AF
-The female lead is "tough" but actually a wimp
-I want a protector but violence scawwy!
-The most mundane sex
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2021
Opening in the year 1066 with William of Normandy attacking England and all the problems he had getting support, I usually don't care for history this early, but I took a Great Course on 1066 and its repercussions before I read this book for the second time, and I have to say Ms. Johansen's research is right on target. I don't know that Hardraada was more than 7 feet tall, but I won't dispute it. The number of people who were in line for the English throne were numerous and she mentions all but one or two. It was news to me that Harald had no blood tie to the former King when I took the Great Course. His sister was married to the King, but that gave him no right to the throne other than that the dying king had named him his successor. What was he thinking? This book is about the bastard son of Hardraada who supports William. I found it fascinating. In fact, all the characters were fascinating, even Richard of Redfern.
August 28, 2023
Brynn is a healer and (barely) a slave. Her master gifts her to a warlord, Gage, to heal his injured friend.
Brynn is alright, loyal and doesn't take shit. She got off really easy for a slave compared to other female characters in the book.
Gage is a possessive, irrational asshole.
The writing wasn't very good and the plot didn't hold up either. It was so boring.
Notes:
Thank god there isn't any slut shaming so far (page 7). She acknowledges that slaves aren't seducing their masters, they're likely taken against their will.
Malik is a good friend to Gage and a great wingman.
This girl is NOT submissive lol she fiery.
BOO this was nothing.
Brynn is alright, loyal and doesn't take shit. She got off really easy for a slave compared to other female characters in the book.
Gage is a possessive, irrational asshole.
The writing wasn't very good and the plot didn't hold up either. It was so boring.
Notes:
Thank god there isn't any slut shaming so far (page 7). She acknowledges that slaves aren't seducing their masters, they're likely taken against their will.
Malik is a good friend to Gage and a great wingman.
This girl is NOT submissive lol she fiery.
BOO this was nothing.
September 16, 2022
The writing style is my cup of tea. However, I am quite disappointed of the ending and the whole story personally. What happened to Brynn? Genuine question here lol. Also, I just think it's so stupid how the " I'm a healer so no matter how this dude(delmas) try to kill me (like literally) it doesn't matter because I'm a healer 😥😥😥😥😥 " thing works. like, bro shut up holy fuck. U're so dumb HGHHHHH. The ending felt so weak too. Lastly, all men were a piece of shit. I'll make an exception for malik though. Fr the only character that made me stay motivated in reading this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews