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Midnight Shadow
Disguising herself as the legendary hero known as the "Midnight Shadow" to champion the cause of the poor, headstrong Lady Bria Delaney is determined to rid the lands of the tyrannical Lord Terran Knowles, until she discovers that her prey is actually the man with whom she has fallen in love. Original.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2000
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149 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 26, 2018
Thrilling romantic suspense!
Bria is a wonderfully unconventional heroine who takes life by the horns and makes the most of every opportunity. Terran is a bit of a dark hero, deliciously swoon-worthy and more than a match for Bria. These two have an exciting road to their HEA, filled with secrets and suspense and villainous machinations.
This story is a fine example of what we read historical romances for! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Bria is a wonderfully unconventional heroine who takes life by the horns and makes the most of every opportunity. Terran is a bit of a dark hero, deliciously swoon-worthy and more than a match for Bria. These two have an exciting road to their HEA, filled with secrets and suspense and villainous machinations.
This story is a fine example of what we read historical romances for! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
June 26, 2019
Midnight Shadow had a great start to it. For the first part of the book, I couldn't stop turning the pages, and I was completely drawn to the story. I liked how so many unexpected things happened, and at various points throughout the book, I wasn't quite sure what would happen next. Definitely a surprise. The writing is nice and simple, a lot lighter than your usual medieval romance, and I liked that. It made it easier for me to follow the story and enjoy it - I'm not a great connoisseur of medieval language and culture.
So, the plot was great. A female Robin Hood fighting against a handsome evil Lord's tyranny, avenging her friends and bringing justice to the people. Who wouldn't want to at least give that a try? The pace was fine; I never really felt like the story dragged, though it sometimes did feel a bit repetitive. The writing was good, and the setting engaging enough.
The romance, however, is where the whole thing just collapsed. It... was... terrible! The reason? ...The characters.
Oh my God, this novel has the worst types of Hero and heroine you can find in a story! There was so much wrong with the romance and the characters, I don't even know where to begin.
Let's start with Bria:
Bria is the very annoying kind of heroine that thinks: 'Hit me, but please don't leave me', and also 'I hate your guts, but whatever you do, don't stop touching me'. Mix these two things together, and you definitely have the worst type of heroine. Terran was supposedly her enemy, the one responsible for her friends' deaths, and here she is pining over him and feeling all giddy every time he's near. She was so fickle and I just couldn't see how this woman could become the Midnight Shadow. I would've much preferred to see a stronger heroine in this role.
Terran: For starters, he is always in a rage. If he's not in a rage, he's lusting after the heroine, and also in a rage. There are a few moments when you see different facets to him, but they are so brief and he switches from one emotion to the next so quickly, that I was beginning to think he was bipolar. He was also so selfish and stupid, not to mention incredibly jealous and possessive in a very annoying kind of way. He had no redeeming qualities that I could see. He was a prick.
Honestly, I don't think the author gave much thought to the development of the characters. They were all over the place, and that resulted in a very inconsistent, unrealistic, flawed and floppy 'romance'.
So, the plot was great. A female Robin Hood fighting against a handsome evil Lord's tyranny, avenging her friends and bringing justice to the people. Who wouldn't want to at least give that a try? The pace was fine; I never really felt like the story dragged, though it sometimes did feel a bit repetitive. The writing was good, and the setting engaging enough.
The romance, however, is where the whole thing just collapsed. It... was... terrible! The reason? ...The characters.
Oh my God, this novel has the worst types of Hero and heroine you can find in a story! There was so much wrong with the romance and the characters, I don't even know where to begin.
Let's start with Bria:
Bria is the very annoying kind of heroine that thinks: 'Hit me, but please don't leave me', and also 'I hate your guts, but whatever you do, don't stop touching me'. Mix these two things together, and you definitely have the worst type of heroine. Terran was supposedly her enemy, the one responsible for her friends' deaths, and here she is pining over him and feeling all giddy every time he's near. She was so fickle and I just couldn't see how this woman could become the Midnight Shadow. I would've much preferred to see a stronger heroine in this role.
Terran: For starters, he is always in a rage. If he's not in a rage, he's lusting after the heroine, and also in a rage. There are a few moments when you see different facets to him, but they are so brief and he switches from one emotion to the next so quickly, that I was beginning to think he was bipolar. He was also so selfish and stupid, not to mention incredibly jealous and possessive in a very annoying kind of way. He had no redeeming qualities that I could see. He was a prick.
Honestly, I don't think the author gave much thought to the development of the characters. They were all over the place, and that resulted in a very inconsistent, unrealistic, flawed and floppy 'romance'.
July 10, 2012
It was a great book, but i hated how oblivious and foolish Terran was and i also hated how pathetic Bria was being and how easily she gave into "her enemy"
November 25, 2018
This is dramatic and tragic. Terran is bold, demanding, ignorant, oblivious and stubborn. Brian is brave, daring, determined and protective. After Terran comes to insist the betrothal contract between him and Bria is upheld, Bria decides to fight back against him and his cruel sheriff, Kenric, the man who killed her best friend. She rides as The Midnight Shadow, stealing the taxes from Kenric and giving them back to the people. But she can't fight her attraction to Terran, even knowing all the evil things he has done. As she gets to know him, she becomes confused about the things he does, some caring, some not. Meanwhile, Kenric has his own plans for them. It's a slow paced story until the end, but it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
April 20, 2018
A story much like Robin Hood, but a female heroine! Had it not been a female, I’d not liked it as much, that said, I loved the story😁
These happily ever-after romance stories by Laurel O’Donnell are fantastic, so well written and certainly page turners! You won’t be left wanting...great mix of everything a Middle Ages romance can offer.
These happily ever-after romance stories by Laurel O’Donnell are fantastic, so well written and certainly page turners! You won’t be left wanting...great mix of everything a Middle Ages romance can offer.
November 14, 2018
From childhood to womanhood Bria was always headstrong. He grandfather was no help! Stories of the Midnight Shadow had filled her memory for as long as she could remember. Was he real or just a tale? Bria had to know...find out how she learned the truth of the Midnight Shadow and her life changed forever.
September 20, 2022
A delightfully different heroine
Take a lady who knows how to use a sword and a need for justice in her land and The Midnight Shadow comes to the rescue!
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys action, mystery and love in days gone by.
Take a lady who knows how to use a sword and a need for justice in her land and The Midnight Shadow comes to the rescue!
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys action, mystery and love in days gone by.
January 11, 2025
DNF because the characters are stupid
January 17, 2025
Such a perfect romance ! I love romantic medieval era books and this scratched all of the itches !
July 30, 2011
This book is about a lady who must don the disguise of the Midnight Shadow to fight tyranny and avenge her friends, all the while falling in love with the man she believes is her enemy.
This book was excellent. A real page turner. I thought for 2.99, it would just be okay, but I really loved this book.
This book was excellent. A real page turner. I thought for 2.99, it would just be okay, but I really loved this book.
December 27, 2012
....it was really disappointing, the hero loves another girl at first.. i browse the pages and there is always a mention of that other girl who dies.....,
i really got exited after reading the Angel and the Prince...i started to purchase this author medieval works...i thought it will be great read too...what a fallacy i have in there, i didn't finish the book...
i really got exited after reading the Angel and the Prince...i started to purchase this author medieval works...i thought it will be great read too...what a fallacy i have in there, i didn't finish the book...
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December 16, 2015I know I was supposed to think Robin Hood, but I found myself thinking caped and masked heroes from the 1920s to 1950s: the operetta Desert Song, the Lone Ranger, and of course, The Shadow (only the Shadow knows, ha ha ha).
February 3, 2016
Amazing fantasy read! I could still shake Terran for his stupid act and not noticing what was going on around him! Bria was an amazing well written character with depths and shadows as well as love and energy. Loved this book!
July 7, 2010
Solid quick little romance novel. Good writing, background, and overall plot. Probably could have been more indepth, but enjoyable nonetheless.
April 23, 2011
This was one of the best books I have ever read. I couldn't put it down.
October 4, 2013
Those were the days I really appreciate an old books lend by a friend!
March 21, 2014
A good rainy afternoon read. I liked that the female was the hero and the male was a cruel baddie.
August 5, 2014
Liked the idea of a woman Robin Hood! The characters were great and the story line was great. Couldn't put it down.
March 30, 2016
Book en ebook
Wel 4 1/2 ster hoor! Ze schrijft zo goed en spannend!
Op naar de volgende!!!!!!!
Wel 4 1/2 ster hoor! Ze schrijft zo goed en spannend!
Op naar de volgende!!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews