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He was wise, strong, and brave. His destiny was to be king. She was young, beautiful, a warrior princess. Her destiny was to love him.
But when first they met, it was not as princess and king -- it was as man and woman only, consumed by a passion so sudden, so deep that the very world exploded with one kiss. Only later, with his touch still burning on her lips, did Jura discover that the knight of her secret tryst had been none other than the hated Prince Rowan! Rowan, who had returned from far-away England to usurp her brother's throne...Rowan, who vowed to unite the wild clans under his rule.
Furious, Jura swore her enmity to the golden-haired prince whose glorious visage tormented her days and haunted her nights. But nothing would stop Rowan from ruling over the warring tribes...and nothing would stop him from winning the fierce and lovely Jura as his bride, his Queen, his love....
But when first they met, it was not as princess and king -- it was as man and woman only, consumed by a passion so sudden, so deep that the very world exploded with one kiss. Only later, with his touch still burning on her lips, did Jura discover that the knight of her secret tryst had been none other than the hated Prince Rowan! Rowan, who had returned from far-away England to usurp her brother's throne...Rowan, who vowed to unite the wild clans under his rule.
Furious, Jura swore her enmity to the golden-haired prince whose glorious visage tormented her days and haunted her nights. But nothing would stop Rowan from ruling over the warring tribes...and nothing would stop him from winning the fierce and lovely Jura as his bride, his Queen, his love....
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1988
399 people are currently reading
1990 people want to read
About the author
Jude Deveraux
200 books7,067 followersJude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
October 14, 2018
Hace meses leí mí primer Deveraux y, aunque pasó sin pena ni gloria, decidí leer este para ver si conseguía engancharme. Bueno, el resultado ha sido el mismo, solo que, quizá, la escritora me gusta más en historico que en contemporánea.
April 13, 2009
I am going to write the same thing for the Taggart and Montgomery series of Jude Deveraux. First, I can't believe that I read these books because they are so blatantly bodice rippers (not my style at all). And second, and more importantly, I devoured them all! Here is the scoop: We stopped at a friend's house in Tennessee on the last leg of one of our cross country trips about 11 years ago and I had run out of books. She gave me three of Deveraux's books in the Montgomery series and I kindly took them never expecting to read them (my God the covers alone were ridiculous!). Well, I gave in and read them because I needed something to do on the ride home. By the time we got home, I had already called the library and asked them to reserve all of the Taggart and Montgomery series books they had! I devoured them all and loved them? Here's the funny thing - I have never read any more Deveraux since that time (not even the last Taggart book or the last two Montgomery books). I can still vividly remember scenes from the books I read so many years ago!
September 23, 2021
Re read 2021
4stars then, 4 stars now.
- stunningly beautiful warrior woman h (strong but bitchy )
- H is a king and was not a manho. Actually a nice guy.
- raging lust at first sight trope
No cheating
4stars then, 4 stars now.
- stunningly beautiful warrior woman h (strong but bitchy )
- H is a king and was not a manho. Actually a nice guy.
- raging lust at first sight trope
No cheating
March 11, 2021
Overall: 2 stars ⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 3 books 📖📖📖
Feels: 1 butterfly 🦋
Emotional Depth: 2 broken hearts 💔💔
Sensuality: 1 fire🔥
Romance: 1 heart 💞
Sexual Tension: 1 lightning ⚡
Length of Sex Scenes: 1 peach 🍑
Number of Sex Scenes: 3 LIGHT eggplants 🍆🍆🍆
Safety warnings:
So the order I came across for reading on Jude Deveraux’s website has this as the next book to read after The Black Lyon. Laconia is a fictional country and Rowan, our hero, is to be the king of all Laconians. He must bring together the feuding tribes and create peace among them. He is raised by the English, and must prove to his countrymen that he is just and loyal to them.
Jura will never be fooled by Rowan. She knows underneath it all he’s a weak Englishman that doesn’t deserve her respect or the right to be king.
Give this book a try if you want:
- Enemies to lovers – though it’s more Jura hating Rowan, there’s definitely lots of conflict between them.
- EVERYONE gets jealous. All the time.
- Light to medium steam – there are a few kisses and a few open door sex scenes but they are not very explicit and extremely short
- Medieval time period
- Travel to a fictional country called Laconia where most of the story takes place
- Old school feel
- Plenty of action and adventure
Okay. I know Jude Deveraux is loved by so many. So I don’t want to spend time complaining I didn’t like it. But I REALLY didn’t like this book.
To me, the writing didn’t flow at all, it seemed to jump from one thing to another and I always always missing that emotional aspect. I didn’t get feels, I didn’t find tension between the characters, I wanted more depth from them.
They first meet and make out madly. They make out again and then he decides he loves her and wants to marry her. I want that longing to build up. I don’t want hatred that turns into mindless lust with no explanation. Lust itself is fine but it’s like a spell comes over the heroine especially when they are together and she just can’t think clearly until they are away from each other. She’s just so overcome with lust. It just skipped over the whole reason I adore romance. The build up, the layering, the wanting and longing for that touch to finally happen.
Jura was a complete brat. Absolutely unlikable to me. I kept hoping that she would have a turn around but alas, I felt the same at the end of the book.
I'd also like to note that both the hero and heroine kiss other people after meeting each other (and after their first kiss)
So, sadly, I have not been loving Jude Deveraux.
I also have The Velvet Promise out from the library. I’m going to give that one a try next week and if it’s not for me I’ll probably be taking a break from her.
Kisses and sex
Plot/Storyline: 3 books 📖📖📖
Feels: 1 butterfly 🦋
Emotional Depth: 2 broken hearts 💔💔
Sensuality: 1 fire🔥
Romance: 1 heart 💞
Sexual Tension: 1 lightning ⚡
Length of Sex Scenes: 1 peach 🍑
Number of Sex Scenes: 3 LIGHT eggplants 🍆🍆🍆
Safety warnings:
So the order I came across for reading on Jude Deveraux’s website has this as the next book to read after The Black Lyon. Laconia is a fictional country and Rowan, our hero, is to be the king of all Laconians. He must bring together the feuding tribes and create peace among them. He is raised by the English, and must prove to his countrymen that he is just and loyal to them.
Jura will never be fooled by Rowan. She knows underneath it all he’s a weak Englishman that doesn’t deserve her respect or the right to be king.
Give this book a try if you want:
- Enemies to lovers – though it’s more Jura hating Rowan, there’s definitely lots of conflict between them.
- EVERYONE gets jealous. All the time.
- Light to medium steam – there are a few kisses and a few open door sex scenes but they are not very explicit and extremely short
- Medieval time period
- Travel to a fictional country called Laconia where most of the story takes place
- Old school feel
- Plenty of action and adventure
Okay. I know Jude Deveraux is loved by so many. So I don’t want to spend time complaining I didn’t like it. But I REALLY didn’t like this book.
To me, the writing didn’t flow at all, it seemed to jump from one thing to another and I always always missing that emotional aspect. I didn’t get feels, I didn’t find tension between the characters, I wanted more depth from them.
They first meet and make out madly. They make out again and then he decides he loves her and wants to marry her. I want that longing to build up. I don’t want hatred that turns into mindless lust with no explanation. Lust itself is fine but it’s like a spell comes over the heroine especially when they are together and she just can’t think clearly until they are away from each other. She’s just so overcome with lust. It just skipped over the whole reason I adore romance. The build up, the layering, the wanting and longing for that touch to finally happen.
Jura was a complete brat. Absolutely unlikable to me. I kept hoping that she would have a turn around but alas, I felt the same at the end of the book.
I'd also like to note that both the hero and heroine kiss other people after meeting each other (and after their first kiss)
So, sadly, I have not been loving Jude Deveraux.
I also have The Velvet Promise out from the library. I’m going to give that one a try next week and if it’s not for me I’ll probably be taking a break from her.
Kisses and sex
December 28, 2021
This book is marked as the 12th book in the Montgomery/ Taggart series by Jude Deveraux in goodreads but is the second book in Jude Deveraux ‘s own list of this series.
The son of the Black Lyon Earl of Malvoisin and his Countess Lyonene was the squire of King Rowan of Lanconia. This story was about Rowan and Lora son and daughter to the King of Lanconia (Thral). His wife an English noblewoman passed away and he went back to Lanconia leaving the two children with their English uncle William. Thral the King of Lanconia sent a tutor to instruct and train Rowan to be King. Rowan and Lora were summoned to Lanconia by their dying father Thral so that Rowan would become King. Upon their arrival they discovered their father didn’t rule all of Lanconia just the Irials. Thral had another son Geralt who had a half sister Jura. Rowan met Jura without knowing who she was and instantly fell in love. She didn’t know he was the King. She and her brother were a odds with Rowan as they thought Geralt the rightful heir to the throne. Even though the chemistry between Rowan and Jura was overwhelming and all consuming Jura fought against Rowan at every opportunity. They ended up as husband and wife after a tournament amongst women athletes as Jura beat all the other contestants. Rowan’s goal was to unite all of Lanconia through inter marrying all the tribes. At the end of this story Jura falls hopelessly in love with her husband and also believes in his vision to unite all the tribes as one.
The son of the Black Lyon Earl of Malvoisin and his Countess Lyonene was the squire of King Rowan of Lanconia. This story was about Rowan and Lora son and daughter to the King of Lanconia (Thral). His wife an English noblewoman passed away and he went back to Lanconia leaving the two children with their English uncle William. Thral the King of Lanconia sent a tutor to instruct and train Rowan to be King. Rowan and Lora were summoned to Lanconia by their dying father Thral so that Rowan would become King. Upon their arrival they discovered their father didn’t rule all of Lanconia just the Irials. Thral had another son Geralt who had a half sister Jura. Rowan met Jura without knowing who she was and instantly fell in love. She didn’t know he was the King. She and her brother were a odds with Rowan as they thought Geralt the rightful heir to the throne. Even though the chemistry between Rowan and Jura was overwhelming and all consuming Jura fought against Rowan at every opportunity. They ended up as husband and wife after a tournament amongst women athletes as Jura beat all the other contestants. Rowan’s goal was to unite all of Lanconia through inter marrying all the tribes. At the end of this story Jura falls hopelessly in love with her husband and also believes in his vision to unite all the tribes as one.
December 11, 2012
Yet another book where I look back and ask myself, "why did I read this?" This book is very true to Deveraux's style: an overbearing man disrupts the heroine's life, and the author tries to convince us that they're really in love. Not even nostalgia can earn this book more than a star and a half from me -- and the rating is only that high because Rowan wasn't as horrifyingly abusive as some of Deveraux's other "heroes" have been.
March 31, 2011
I honesly found this book to be the best of all the Montgomery books I've read so far. This was one of those books that you just have lying around, a book you don't feel like reading. I had absolutely no high expectations on it but it really surprised me. The minute I started reading it I was caught, anxious when I didn't have the book. I couldn't stop reading it. So Good!
June 28, 2013
So first off, I was looking at whether to read this book or The Velvet Promise, after reading The Black Lyon, and I finally decided to go with this one because the reviews weren't helpful in which book was really next. The reviews I'd read said they weren't sure how this book tied into the Montgomery Series. So, with that being said...WHAT????? Rowen's squire, Montgomery, is Ranulf's & Lyonene's son!!!! I'm so glad I chose to go with this book rather than The Velvet Promise.
Okay...this book was awesome! I LOVED it. It was so nice to have a hero that wasn't dumb when it comes to love. And even though she didn't catch on, she wasn't dumb about it either. I loved the story, the action, the love scenes...all of it! I was devastated at the end though. It finished abruptly. I was not prepared for that after having so much detail and great scenes for the summarized ending. :( That was so sad. But I'm on to the next book. :)
Okay...this book was awesome! I LOVED it. It was so nice to have a hero that wasn't dumb when it comes to love. And even though she didn't catch on, she wasn't dumb about it either. I loved the story, the action, the love scenes...all of it! I was devastated at the end though. It finished abruptly. I was not prepared for that after having so much detail and great scenes for the summarized ending. :( That was so sad. But I'm on to the next book. :)
April 4, 2016
Not one of my most favorite Jude Deveraux books.
October 2, 2018
For a fictional country in 1299, Lanconia is so well-drawn that it does not stretch the imagination much to think it real. The main characters are exceptional as are the supporting ones. I even liked Jura and Rowen's half-brother, Geralt. Some of the situations sounded unlikely since we are repeatedly told that the other tribes shoot first and ask questions later, but I have always believed firmly in the element of luck. I particularly like the scene where Rowen opens the St. Helen's Gate, but the best element of the book is what happens when two different cultures come into contact and neither party understands the other even while speaking the same language. Ms. Deveraux does a spectacular job of getting the reader to understand these clashes and why they occur. You definitely see both sides of almost every situation. I won't get over the Ulten women for a while. It was so awful it was almost funny.
October 5, 2025
What a terrible book. Terrible story. Terrible characters. Meh.
August 3, 2020
Me ha dejado con ganas de más aunque este final no es de más extranvóticos que he leído
August 30, 2019
1299: England/knight’s castle… Lanconia/fortress city/unkept/… Tarnovia Mountains… Ciar River… 6 ‘tribes’ of Lanconia…
William de Bohun / Anne de Bohun: host to a young, uncultured Thal… he fell in love with Anne, married, had two children… Anne died; William loved their 2 children, and killed Thal’s ‘guard’, chasing Thal away, and raised them as his own;
Rowan: son of Thal and Anne; prince; smart, fast learner, fighter, controlled; especially after Lanconian tutor came, knew he was destined for Lanconia; little time for dalliances with women;
Thal, King of Lanconia: rough, actually only ruler over one tribe; entranced with English ways – soft, caring women… groups united under one king… peace, trade, etc.; envisions better for his people, hence leaves Rowan and Lora under William’s care.; sends tutor; when dying, when Rowan 28ish, he sends for him; he shares his dream for Lanconia… he shares his fear for the future if the tribes don’t unite…
Lora and son Phillip: protected by Rowan, especially against William’s doofus, petty sons; married (husband died after 2 years), and they had a son;
Feilan: Lanconian tutor; taught Rowan various Lanconian languages, traditions, fighting ways, history… and he’d beat the English out of him (Rowan often recalls the branding iron used across his legs when he cried over the death of his dog)…
Jura: Irial warrior; 20ish; Thal’s adopted daughter (her mother was Thal’s ex-lover); of the Women’s Guard; engaged to Daire, who proposed after she placed a dozen arrows in the bullseye; Lanconian ways fully embraced; conflicted over her feelings for the stupid Rowan, who could fire her blood with a kiss or a look;
Cilean: Irial warrior – head of Women’s Guard; Thal intended that she marry Rowan… she is unhappy at first, but once meets him, studies his ways, she changes her mind; accidently loses to Jura in the ‘battle to be Rowan’s wife’ sent out to all Lanconian women; angry at first, but comes to accept Jura and Rowan; she ends up with Daire;
Geralt / Astrie: Astrie was Thal’s lover after he returned from England; Geralt their son; when he refused to marry her, she thought to ‘force’ him into it by accepting another’s proposal – but Thal just let her go… when she died, Geralt and Jura went to live with Thal;
Daire: captured son of Fearens’ queen (captured when he was 5 years old); raised with Geralt and Thal; a great warrior in his own right; claimed Jura in the Lanconian way – valuing her warrior skills;
Brocain (Zernas)-fierce warriors / son Keon// Marek (Ultens) // Brita Fearens)-horses/poor // Yaine (Poilen)-//: leaders of the other tribes… one by one, they ‘fall’ to Rowan’s ideal for the future;
Montgomery de Warbrooke: one of three squires/Englishmen that Rowan brought with him;
Jura and Rowan… meet in the forest, each alone, each partially clothed (each looking to swim, quiet, solitude); hot kiss / hot touching… and Rowan knows she is for him… it takes her a lot longer to figure it out…
Outstanding scenes:
In anger, Rowan swears a knight’s oath that he will not touch her until she begs him to… as they start to get closer, (emotionally and physically), he won’t make love to her unless she begs… she sees it as him trying to humiliate her… he won’t break his oath… but he finally understands how she perceives it, and prays to ask for a sign that he is released from his oath… and low and behold, she shows up in the woods… ahhhh
William de Bohun / Anne de Bohun: host to a young, uncultured Thal… he fell in love with Anne, married, had two children… Anne died; William loved their 2 children, and killed Thal’s ‘guard’, chasing Thal away, and raised them as his own;
Rowan: son of Thal and Anne; prince; smart, fast learner, fighter, controlled; especially after Lanconian tutor came, knew he was destined for Lanconia; little time for dalliances with women;
Thal, King of Lanconia: rough, actually only ruler over one tribe; entranced with English ways – soft, caring women… groups united under one king… peace, trade, etc.; envisions better for his people, hence leaves Rowan and Lora under William’s care.; sends tutor; when dying, when Rowan 28ish, he sends for him; he shares his dream for Lanconia… he shares his fear for the future if the tribes don’t unite…
Lora and son Phillip: protected by Rowan, especially against William’s doofus, petty sons; married (husband died after 2 years), and they had a son;
Feilan: Lanconian tutor; taught Rowan various Lanconian languages, traditions, fighting ways, history… and he’d beat the English out of him (Rowan often recalls the branding iron used across his legs when he cried over the death of his dog)…
Jura: Irial warrior; 20ish; Thal’s adopted daughter (her mother was Thal’s ex-lover); of the Women’s Guard; engaged to Daire, who proposed after she placed a dozen arrows in the bullseye; Lanconian ways fully embraced; conflicted over her feelings for the stupid Rowan, who could fire her blood with a kiss or a look;
Cilean: Irial warrior – head of Women’s Guard; Thal intended that she marry Rowan… she is unhappy at first, but once meets him, studies his ways, she changes her mind; accidently loses to Jura in the ‘battle to be Rowan’s wife’ sent out to all Lanconian women; angry at first, but comes to accept Jura and Rowan; she ends up with Daire;
Geralt / Astrie: Astrie was Thal’s lover after he returned from England; Geralt their son; when he refused to marry her, she thought to ‘force’ him into it by accepting another’s proposal – but Thal just let her go… when she died, Geralt and Jura went to live with Thal;
Daire: captured son of Fearens’ queen (captured when he was 5 years old); raised with Geralt and Thal; a great warrior in his own right; claimed Jura in the Lanconian way – valuing her warrior skills;
Brocain (Zernas)-fierce warriors / son Keon// Marek (Ultens) // Brita Fearens)-horses/poor // Yaine (Poilen)-//: leaders of the other tribes… one by one, they ‘fall’ to Rowan’s ideal for the future;
Montgomery de Warbrooke: one of three squires/Englishmen that Rowan brought with him;
Jura and Rowan… meet in the forest, each alone, each partially clothed (each looking to swim, quiet, solitude); hot kiss / hot touching… and Rowan knows she is for him… it takes her a lot longer to figure it out…
Outstanding scenes:
In anger, Rowan swears a knight’s oath that he will not touch her until she begs him to… as they start to get closer, (emotionally and physically), he won’t make love to her unless she begs… she sees it as him trying to humiliate her… he won’t break his oath… but he finally understands how she perceives it, and prays to ask for a sign that he is released from his oath… and low and behold, she shows up in the woods… ahhhh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2010
Not your typical romance novel
I've read the reviews online and am a little surprised at how poorly the book is rated. I've never read an Jude Deveraux before, but 'inherited' this and decided to read it before I list it on Bookmooch. I didn't expect to really like it much, as I expected it was your typical romance...boy meets girl...they hate each other...they love each other...they hate each other...they end up together living happily ever after; with a lot a steamy scenes in between. Since I find typical 'romance' novels pretty boring, but a quick read, that's what I expected. As others have mentioned, both negatively and positively, this is not your 'typical' romance novel. It had all the elements, though maybe a bit less 'steam' than some. But it also had a bit more depth. The prince, separated from King daddy at an early age, was brought home and given the mission to unite the tribes....a seemingly impossible task. And of course, they tribes hate and distrust each other, to the point that to wander into the territory of another is almost certain death! The Prince also has to guard against his half-brother who considers the throne rightfully his. And inconveniently, the heroine, who becomes Queen when she marries the Prince, is the half-sister of the half-brother of the new King! She spends much of the novel learning where her loyalties lie!. So you have suspense, action, romance....all in one book!
I have a few other Jude Deveraux books I 'inherited' with this one, and after The Maiden, I'm looking forward to them. But based on what I've read here, I'll likely be disappointed, since this book was apparently, not typical of her works!
I've read the reviews online and am a little surprised at how poorly the book is rated. I've never read an Jude Deveraux before, but 'inherited' this and decided to read it before I list it on Bookmooch. I didn't expect to really like it much, as I expected it was your typical romance...boy meets girl...they hate each other...they love each other...they hate each other...they end up together living happily ever after; with a lot a steamy scenes in between. Since I find typical 'romance' novels pretty boring, but a quick read, that's what I expected. As others have mentioned, both negatively and positively, this is not your 'typical' romance novel. It had all the elements, though maybe a bit less 'steam' than some. But it also had a bit more depth. The prince, separated from King daddy at an early age, was brought home and given the mission to unite the tribes....a seemingly impossible task. And of course, they tribes hate and distrust each other, to the point that to wander into the territory of another is almost certain death! The Prince also has to guard against his half-brother who considers the throne rightfully his. And inconveniently, the heroine, who becomes Queen when she marries the Prince, is the half-sister of the half-brother of the new King! She spends much of the novel learning where her loyalties lie!. So you have suspense, action, romance....all in one book!
I have a few other Jude Deveraux books I 'inherited' with this one, and after The Maiden, I'm looking forward to them. But based on what I've read here, I'll likely be disappointed, since this book was apparently, not typical of her works!
January 3, 2014
2.5 stars
I liked this. Kind of. I read this mainly because of the series reading order
that states this should be read second Deveraux's Montgomery-Taggert series. (Chronoligically speaking). So I did.
I loved Rowan and his plan. I liked Xante and Lora and wished there was more of them, or that they had their own book. (The same goes for Cilean and Daire). I also thought the story line was written and thought out. The author did a great job differentiating the tribes and going through -and resolving- all the twists and turns the book has.
But what annoyed me, too often too count, was the heroine, Jura. I kept forgetting that she was young and raised to be a guardswoman. But her anger was intense, almost too intense for me. And I hated how she wouldn't talk to Rowan. And then I'd be annoyed that he didn't talk to her. Ugh. It was annoying. Like seriously freaking annoying.
But what brought this book from 2.0 to 2.5 stars was the ending and how, finally, a resolution was found and Lanconia found peace. I have the third book by Deveraux, the next in the series reading order (see link above) and hope it is better than this.
I liked this. Kind of. I read this mainly because of the series reading order
that states this should be read second Deveraux's Montgomery-Taggert series. (Chronoligically speaking). So I did. I loved Rowan and his plan. I liked Xante and Lora and wished there was more of them, or that they had their own book. (The same goes for Cilean and Daire). I also thought the story line was written and thought out. The author did a great job differentiating the tribes and going through -and resolving- all the twists and turns the book has.
But what annoyed me, too often too count, was the heroine, Jura. I kept forgetting that she was young and raised to be a guardswoman. But her anger was intense, almost too intense for me. And I hated how she wouldn't talk to Rowan. And then I'd be annoyed that he didn't talk to her. Ugh. It was annoying. Like seriously freaking annoying.
But what brought this book from 2.0 to 2.5 stars was the ending and how, finally, a resolution was found and Lanconia found peace. I have the third book by Deveraux, the next in the series reading order (see link above) and hope it is better than this.
April 1, 2020
*reread Review*
Went ahead and rounded up to 5 stars for this because I was really riding that 4.5 star line. Love this book! Love that this book ties into the Montgomery series that I have loved so many years and that not only do we get to see the start of Lanconia as a kingdom but that years and years later we will get to revisit it. Reading Jude's stories that tie in with each other like this really gives me this sense of nostalgia. Like I'm coming home.
What I love most about this book is Jura and the way females are treated in this land. For such an early setting to have females be equal is just unheard of and yet here we are with the women in this land not sent home to cook and clean, but made to be a man's equal and partner in everything. Made to watch his back as he protects her. I also love that one of the hero's early hangups is that he can't get past it. It makes it so much sweeter when he realizes the worth of these women. Reading so much of regency period romance over the last month made this even more refreshing since we don't have any damsels in distress here folks. The MC's have great chemistry and we get to spend quite a bit of time in Rowan's point of view and he is such a flawed character constantly admitting to his failures. Love that we really get to see a more sensitive male in one of Judes older works.
Great time rereading! On to the next one..
Went ahead and rounded up to 5 stars for this because I was really riding that 4.5 star line. Love this book! Love that this book ties into the Montgomery series that I have loved so many years and that not only do we get to see the start of Lanconia as a kingdom but that years and years later we will get to revisit it. Reading Jude's stories that tie in with each other like this really gives me this sense of nostalgia. Like I'm coming home.
What I love most about this book is Jura and the way females are treated in this land. For such an early setting to have females be equal is just unheard of and yet here we are with the women in this land not sent home to cook and clean, but made to be a man's equal and partner in everything. Made to watch his back as he protects her. I also love that one of the hero's early hangups is that he can't get past it. It makes it so much sweeter when he realizes the worth of these women. Reading so much of regency period romance over the last month made this even more refreshing since we don't have any damsels in distress here folks. The MC's have great chemistry and we get to spend quite a bit of time in Rowan's point of view and he is such a flawed character constantly admitting to his failures. Love that we really get to see a more sensitive male in one of Judes older works.
Great time rereading! On to the next one..
September 8, 2014
I don't usually read this kind of book, but even this one was a bit too much for me. I'm working my way through a pile of books given to me. I know it's romance, and things work out in the genre that never would in reality. But this pushes that too far. I'm supposed to believe that a couple of hot heads that don't trust each other, respect each other, or know how to communicate, and haven't learned how to do so by the end of the book are going to work out? Not to mention their first sexual encounter as spouses I would classify as rape and we're supposed to marvel at how loyal Rowan is when even though he would love to sleep with some random girl he doesn't because he's afraid of how angry his wife would be. Seriously. The only things I feel are anger and pity. A romance is supposed to be better than real life. Is this really what women think they deserve?!
August 21, 2014
A medieval romance about a prince that has grown up away from his country and a very patriotic warrior woman who is completely different from any women he's ever met.
I found Jura very frustrating, since she's been judgmental, extremely prejudiced, annoyingly childish and arrogant for most of the story. Rowan was perhaps a bit naive and trusting, but also just and competent, unlike Jura's brother.
According to this list chronologically the series continues with The Velvet Promise.
I found Jura very frustrating, since she's been judgmental, extremely prejudiced, annoyingly childish and arrogant for most of the story. Rowan was perhaps a bit naive and trusting, but also just and competent, unlike Jura's brother.
According to this list chronologically the series continues with The Velvet Promise.
July 6, 2008
To tell you the truth I read this one a week or so ago and just forgot to write a review about it and now that I have time to write there isn't alot I remember. It's not that memorable. It was okay. Kinda slow through out. Jura's personality drives me nuts half the time with her negativity and doubt in Rowan. I hated how hard he had to try to make her approve of him but I guess that was the point of the story that she was so much harder to conquer. Like I said it was ok but I've enjoyed some of her other book much more then this one.
February 5, 2013
This was a good read and full of adventure. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. It is listed as part of a Montgomery but I can figure out how. I get the connection with the black Lyon, but he's not a major character and that was a little disappointing. The only reason I gave this 3 stars instead of 4/5 was because the ending just kind of stopped. There were so many twists and turns throughout the book, I would have liked a little more to tie up some of the loose ends.
May 10, 2010
I'm giving 3 stars because there were some things I loved about this book and some others that well, not so much...
But overall, I believe Deveraux is a great romance writer, not one of the bests but at least one that is different from the rest. I always enjoy her stories and wanna read more of her work.
But overall, I believe Deveraux is a great romance writer, not one of the bests but at least one that is different from the rest. I always enjoy her stories and wanna read more of her work.
April 23, 2019
There was so much wasted opportunity with this book, because the author sacrificed a great deal of story development to instead devote those pages toward tawdry sexual exploits. I realize what genre this book is, but it had so much potential to be more.
October 24, 2019
Horrible, smarmy, time waster. So bad! Put it back before it’s too late! I don’t expect much from a romance novel but this was far below even my basement expectations. I like Deveraux when I’m in the mood for a light hearted romance but this was just awful.
March 3, 2022
Anglia, 1299
William de Bohun stătea ascuns în umbra zidurilor de piatră ale castelului şi se uita la nepotul lui din spatele ferestrei, la părul auriu al lui Rowan scăldat de soare, la frumoasa lui faţă încruntată de concentrare, în timp ce studia un manuscris. Lui William nu-i plăcea să admită, cât de mult ajunsese să însemne pentru el acest tânăr, de-a lungul anilor. Rowan era fiul pe care întotdeauna şi l-a dorit. În timp ce William îl privea pe frumosul tânăr, înalt, cu umerii laţi şi şolduri înguste, se întreba iar şi iar cum putuse negriciosul şi urâtul Thal să procreeze pe cineva ca Rowan. Thal se autointitula regele Lanconiei, dar era îmbrăcat în piei de animale, cu părul murdar şi lung până pe umeri, mânca şi vorbea ca un barbar, ceea ce-l făcuse pe William să fie scârbit de el şi îi permisese să rămână în casa lui doar la cererea regelui Edward. Îi oferise ospitalitatea lui şi îi poruncise administratorului proprietăţii să organizeze ceva distractiv pentru vulgarul acela zgomotos şi crud, dar el rămăsese cât mai departe posibil de acel om oribil.
Acum, privindu-l pe Rowan, lui William i se strânse inima din pricina durerii pe care şi-o amintea atât de vie. În timp ce el era ocupat, aflându-se departe de acest rege barbar, frumoasa, amabila şi draga lui soră, Anne, s-a îndrăgostit de odiosul bărbat. Când William a realizat ce se întâmpla, Anne ajunsese deja atât de vrăjită de el, încât jurase să se sinucidă, dacă nu putea să-l aibă. Chiar şi primitivul rege părea că îşi dăduse seama că Anne îşi punea în primejdie sufletul nemuritor, fie şi numai la ideea sinuciderii.
Nimic din ce i-a spus William nu i-a schimbat lui Anne părerea. William subliniase ce respingătoare era persoana lui Thal, dar Anne se uitase la el ca la un prost.
— Unei femei nu-i repugnă, afirmase ea râzând, într-un fel ce îi produse lui William o uşoară greaţă, mai ales când se gândi la mâinile tuciurii şi unsuroase ale omului pe fiinţa delicată şi blondă a Annei.
Până la urmă, regele Edward luă hotărârea, în locul lui William. Spuse că laconienii nu erau prea mulţi, dar erau un grup feroce şi, dacă regele lor voia o mireasă englezoaică bogată, trebuia să o aibă.
Astfel, regele Thal se căsători cu frumoasa Anne, sora lui William. El se îmbătă timp de zece zile, sperând că atunci când se va trezi din beţie totul se va dovedi că nu a fost decât imaginaţia lui. Dar când scăpă de mahmureală îl văzu pe Thal, cu un cap mai înalt decât înalta lui soră, prăvălit deasupra ei, acoperind frumuseţea ei blondă cu trupul lui negricios.
William de Bohun stătea ascuns în umbra zidurilor de piatră ale castelului şi se uita la nepotul lui din spatele ferestrei, la părul auriu al lui Rowan scăldat de soare, la frumoasa lui faţă încruntată de concentrare, în timp ce studia un manuscris. Lui William nu-i plăcea să admită, cât de mult ajunsese să însemne pentru el acest tânăr, de-a lungul anilor. Rowan era fiul pe care întotdeauna şi l-a dorit. În timp ce William îl privea pe frumosul tânăr, înalt, cu umerii laţi şi şolduri înguste, se întreba iar şi iar cum putuse negriciosul şi urâtul Thal să procreeze pe cineva ca Rowan. Thal se autointitula regele Lanconiei, dar era îmbrăcat în piei de animale, cu părul murdar şi lung până pe umeri, mânca şi vorbea ca un barbar, ceea ce-l făcuse pe William să fie scârbit de el şi îi permisese să rămână în casa lui doar la cererea regelui Edward. Îi oferise ospitalitatea lui şi îi poruncise administratorului proprietăţii să organizeze ceva distractiv pentru vulgarul acela zgomotos şi crud, dar el rămăsese cât mai departe posibil de acel om oribil.
Acum, privindu-l pe Rowan, lui William i se strânse inima din pricina durerii pe care şi-o amintea atât de vie. În timp ce el era ocupat, aflându-se departe de acest rege barbar, frumoasa, amabila şi draga lui soră, Anne, s-a îndrăgostit de odiosul bărbat. Când William a realizat ce se întâmpla, Anne ajunsese deja atât de vrăjită de el, încât jurase să se sinucidă, dacă nu putea să-l aibă. Chiar şi primitivul rege părea că îşi dăduse seama că Anne îşi punea în primejdie sufletul nemuritor, fie şi numai la ideea sinuciderii.
Nimic din ce i-a spus William nu i-a schimbat lui Anne părerea. William subliniase ce respingătoare era persoana lui Thal, dar Anne se uitase la el ca la un prost.
— Unei femei nu-i repugnă, afirmase ea râzând, într-un fel ce îi produse lui William o uşoară greaţă, mai ales când se gândi la mâinile tuciurii şi unsuroase ale omului pe fiinţa delicată şi blondă a Annei.
Până la urmă, regele Edward luă hotărârea, în locul lui William. Spuse că laconienii nu erau prea mulţi, dar erau un grup feroce şi, dacă regele lor voia o mireasă englezoaică bogată, trebuia să o aibă.
Astfel, regele Thal se căsători cu frumoasa Anne, sora lui William. El se îmbătă timp de zece zile, sperând că atunci când se va trezi din beţie totul se va dovedi că nu a fost decât imaginaţia lui. Dar când scăpă de mahmureală îl văzu pe Thal, cu un cap mai înalt decât înalta lui soră, prăvălit deasupra ei, acoperind frumuseţea ei blondă cu trupul lui negricios.
November 14, 2019
3.5/5
I'm reading the Montgomery/Taggert Family series in chronological order. After finishing three of these now, I think Jude Deveraux may have a bit of a formula, but I don't care: I can't stop reading them.
The Maiden is a medieval historical romance, with knights and horses and castles and such. Prince Rowan has just arrived in Lanconia to take the throne from his ailing father, which is not a popular thing among the Lanconian people since he grew up faraway, in the care of English relatives. The Lanconians believe that Prince Rowan can't possibly relate to them since he can't possibly know their customs and traditions. (He does.) Rowan spends a great deal of time and effort on uniting the different parts of his kingdom. Even though he does some things in the name of unity are nowhere close to what would happen in real life, I loved watching the Lanconians grew to fully embrace him as their king.
Jura was also raised in Lanconia from birth by Rowan's father, the king. Through a fun series of events, it is decided that she will marry Prince Rowan. Jura despises him for his part-English heritage and the time he spent away (his entire life until now), but she also is smitten with him. As Rowan's new wife, Jura tags along when he works to unite the kingdom, and it is during these difficult efforts that the two grow to respect one another.
As with some of this author's stories, Rowan and Jura make things much more complicated with their lack of communication. Almost every one of their problems would have been less of a struggle if they'd have just talked a little bit. Even though they frustrated me, I loved them as characters and I love the rest of the secondary cast. The cast is just as great as the setting.
The Maiden was less drama-ridden than The Black Lyon, but it wasn't without issue. The story goes in a direction toward the end that I thought was super-strange and awkward, involving a fairly insulated and odd community of people in Lanconia. They had a really weird take on the roles of men and women, and their inclusion in this story ultimately felt really odd to me.
I'm reading the Montgomery/Taggert Family series in chronological order. After finishing three of these now, I think Jude Deveraux may have a bit of a formula, but I don't care: I can't stop reading them.
The Maiden is a medieval historical romance, with knights and horses and castles and such. Prince Rowan has just arrived in Lanconia to take the throne from his ailing father, which is not a popular thing among the Lanconian people since he grew up faraway, in the care of English relatives. The Lanconians believe that Prince Rowan can't possibly relate to them since he can't possibly know their customs and traditions. (He does.) Rowan spends a great deal of time and effort on uniting the different parts of his kingdom. Even though he does some things in the name of unity are nowhere close to what would happen in real life, I loved watching the Lanconians grew to fully embrace him as their king.
Jura was also raised in Lanconia from birth by Rowan's father, the king. Through a fun series of events, it is decided that she will marry Prince Rowan. Jura despises him for his part-English heritage and the time he spent away (his entire life until now), but she also is smitten with him. As Rowan's new wife, Jura tags along when he works to unite the kingdom, and it is during these difficult efforts that the two grow to respect one another.
As with some of this author's stories, Rowan and Jura make things much more complicated with their lack of communication. Almost every one of their problems would have been less of a struggle if they'd have just talked a little bit. Even though they frustrated me, I loved them as characters and I love the rest of the secondary cast. The cast is just as great as the setting.
The Maiden was less drama-ridden than The Black Lyon, but it wasn't without issue. The story goes in a direction toward the end that I thought was super-strange and awkward, involving a fairly insulated and odd community of people in Lanconia. They had a really weird take on the roles of men and women, and their inclusion in this story ultimately felt really odd to me.
August 19, 2025
So I'm following the Montgomery books in chronological order based on the listing on Jude Deveraux's site, and though The Maiden is published almost 6 years after the Velvet ones, it is listed as second to The Black Lyon.
Rowan's squire is Montgomery, the The Black Lyon's main characters' firstborn child.
I liked the book. Not my favorite among her Montgomery ones, but it is good. I guess it's because I am not keen on fierce 6-foot-tall warrior women themes.
Set in a meticulously described fictional kingdom of Lanconia in 1299, and also during the reign of King Edward over England, the story starts with Rowan, the promised king of Lanconia, heading back from England to assume his place. The Lanconians aren't keen on a half-English man assuming the throne.
Jura is furious as well as she believes that his half-brother from his father's side, Geralt, deserves the throne.
Rowan and his sister Lora were actually taken by force into the custody of their uncle William, who though he loved and cherished them both, was cruel in taking them away from Thal, the now dying King of Lanconia.
In the meantime, Rowan was raised to be every bit of the Lanconian king he is expected to be.
Jura, the heroine, is a warrior of Lanconia's Women's Guard. Now here's a change for a typical bodice-ripper book heroine or even Jude's heroines, (not the change I'd like though): the heroine, Jura, is six-feet tall. - no offense intended to tall warrior heroines out there, this is just not my thing. But Lanconia's dynamics are described as this:
Rowan held his young nephew on his lap and whispered things that made the boy laugh and squeal. No Lanconian child of that age would be held by his father. By four the boys were already being taught to use weapons and so were the girls who had been chosen for the Women's Guard.
..so, this is what we'll be working with for this read.
As for the romance, The Black Lyon is better as well. To me, this one was just raging lust instead of actual adoration half or more of the book, with the main characters attacking each other and the heroine refusing to listen to reason.
Rowan's squire is Montgomery, the The Black Lyon's main characters' firstborn child.
I liked the book. Not my favorite among her Montgomery ones, but it is good. I guess it's because I am not keen on fierce 6-foot-tall warrior women themes.
Set in a meticulously described fictional kingdom of Lanconia in 1299, and also during the reign of King Edward over England, the story starts with Rowan, the promised king of Lanconia, heading back from England to assume his place. The Lanconians aren't keen on a half-English man assuming the throne.
Jura is furious as well as she believes that his half-brother from his father's side, Geralt, deserves the throne.
Rowan and his sister Lora were actually taken by force into the custody of their uncle William, who though he loved and cherished them both, was cruel in taking them away from Thal, the now dying King of Lanconia.
In the meantime, Rowan was raised to be every bit of the Lanconian king he is expected to be.
Jura, the heroine, is a warrior of Lanconia's Women's Guard. Now here's a change for a typical bodice-ripper book heroine or even Jude's heroines, (not the change I'd like though): the heroine, Jura, is six-feet tall. - no offense intended to tall warrior heroines out there, this is just not my thing. But Lanconia's dynamics are described as this:
Rowan held his young nephew on his lap and whispered things that made the boy laugh and squeal. No Lanconian child of that age would be held by his father. By four the boys were already being taught to use weapons and so were the girls who had been chosen for the Women's Guard.
..so, this is what we'll be working with for this read.
As for the romance, The Black Lyon is better as well. To me, this one was just raging lust instead of actual adoration half or more of the book, with the main characters attacking each other and the heroine refusing to listen to reason.
March 13, 2022
Fecioara-J. Deveraux
382 pagini
Am ajuns să citesc cartea asta fiind în lista Cosminei. Când am văzut ca face parte din categoria iubiri de poveste m-a strâns in spate, dar am ajuns sa am o surpriza-mi-a plăcut cartea. Recunosc, e prima mea întâlnire cu autoarea și îmi era frica ca să nu fie siropoasă, dar a fost atât de bine documentata, scrisă, încât am devorat volumul. Bine, sa nu mai zic că e volumul 12 dintr-o serie, cred ca asta deja devine tradiție.
Rowan a fost crescut în Anglia secolului XIV. Este nascut să fie rege și într-o zi chiar devine. Rowan devine conducatorul Lanconiei iar principala sa activitate este sa unească toate triburile pentru o perioada lunga de pace.
Jura este o războinică care mânuiește o sabie la egalitate cu bărbații și este capabilă să se apere. O Wonder Woman a timpurilor ei care se va lupta cu și alături de regelei ei, dar mai ales împotriva lui. O regină care nu trăiește în puf ci indura multe în numele tarii și a iubirii.
Per total, mi-a plăcut cartea. Foarte bine documentată, iar linia romantica trece frumos în fundal lăsând cititorul sa se delecteze cu o lume gri în care raza de lumina străpunge norii.
Ce m-a enervat însă a fost coperta cartii. Pune-ți nene una mai de doamne ajuta🙆♀️
382 pagini
Am ajuns să citesc cartea asta fiind în lista Cosminei. Când am văzut ca face parte din categoria iubiri de poveste m-a strâns in spate, dar am ajuns sa am o surpriza-mi-a plăcut cartea. Recunosc, e prima mea întâlnire cu autoarea și îmi era frica ca să nu fie siropoasă, dar a fost atât de bine documentata, scrisă, încât am devorat volumul. Bine, sa nu mai zic că e volumul 12 dintr-o serie, cred ca asta deja devine tradiție.
Rowan a fost crescut în Anglia secolului XIV. Este nascut să fie rege și într-o zi chiar devine. Rowan devine conducatorul Lanconiei iar principala sa activitate este sa unească toate triburile pentru o perioada lunga de pace.
Jura este o războinică care mânuiește o sabie la egalitate cu bărbații și este capabilă să se apere. O Wonder Woman a timpurilor ei care se va lupta cu și alături de regelei ei, dar mai ales împotriva lui. O regină care nu trăiește în puf ci indura multe în numele tarii și a iubirii.
Per total, mi-a plăcut cartea. Foarte bine documentată, iar linia romantica trece frumos în fundal lăsând cititorul sa se delecteze cu o lume gri în care raza de lumina străpunge norii.
Ce m-a enervat însă a fost coperta cartii. Pune-ți nene una mai de doamne ajuta🙆♀️
March 18, 2024
This was a fun read for me. Having read it before it was a great joy to return to Laconia.
When Rowan and Jura meet, they are instantly attracted to one another and Rowan will do anything to have her even call for a competition that Jura has no intention of winning until she does.
Jura thinks Rowan the golden-haired prince is stupid, weak, and unable to lead her tribe. Rowan thinks Jura is beautiful, but she is a woman. As Jura travels with Rowan throughout Laconia to unite the tribes Jura soon realizes that the new Prince may be more than even she thought.
These two are so much fun to see. Jura is so determined Rowan is weak and can't rule Laconia even though he is smart, strong, and well-trained. Rowan thinks Jura should be soft and take care of him til he realizes he needs someone who has his back. As they get to know each and learn to compromise which is no easy thing for them. They soon realize that they are perfectly matched.
I got such a kick out of the way these two people spared and fought. They would fight only to come to the conclusion that they wanted the same thing. It was so much fun to read this book. The story was so good and I enjoyed that Jude incorporated so many different personalities and people into this story to keep it fresh.
When Rowan and Jura meet, they are instantly attracted to one another and Rowan will do anything to have her even call for a competition that Jura has no intention of winning until she does.
Jura thinks Rowan the golden-haired prince is stupid, weak, and unable to lead her tribe. Rowan thinks Jura is beautiful, but she is a woman. As Jura travels with Rowan throughout Laconia to unite the tribes Jura soon realizes that the new Prince may be more than even she thought.
These two are so much fun to see. Jura is so determined Rowan is weak and can't rule Laconia even though he is smart, strong, and well-trained. Rowan thinks Jura should be soft and take care of him til he realizes he needs someone who has his back. As they get to know each and learn to compromise which is no easy thing for them. They soon realize that they are perfectly matched.
I got such a kick out of the way these two people spared and fought. They would fight only to come to the conclusion that they wanted the same thing. It was so much fun to read this book. The story was so good and I enjoyed that Jude incorporated so many different personalities and people into this story to keep it fresh.
January 30, 2021
Nunca entendí xq ubican este libro como parte de la saga Montgomery xq solo hay un personaje secundario que resulta ser ancestro de los buenorros que vienieron siglos después; pero la historia va sobre Jura y Rowan - el Montgomery en cuestión es su escudero - y la guerra de amor-odio entre ambos.
Rowan es príncipe de Lanconia q se crió lejos pero preparándose para su futuro como Rey. Es todo lo que uno puede pedir para un Rey Caballero, tan perfecto que de repente te da grima. Jura es una joven guerrera q no quiere q Rowan sea rey xq ella piensa q se lo merece otra persona.
Siendo sincera, no me cayó bien Jura xq una cosa es defender tus convicciones y otra es ser terca por placer; y creo q este tipo de personajes - con la obstinación exagerada - no es un buen perfil de personaje femenino. Y digo esto xq en lo personal, no me gusta q las mujeres no tengan la razón.
Rowan, obviamente va de príncipe encantador y hace todo bien. Pero tampoco me convence.
Cuestión q no es de mis favoritas, y la olvidé con mucha facilidad.
Rowan es príncipe de Lanconia q se crió lejos pero preparándose para su futuro como Rey. Es todo lo que uno puede pedir para un Rey Caballero, tan perfecto que de repente te da grima. Jura es una joven guerrera q no quiere q Rowan sea rey xq ella piensa q se lo merece otra persona.
Siendo sincera, no me cayó bien Jura xq una cosa es defender tus convicciones y otra es ser terca por placer; y creo q este tipo de personajes - con la obstinación exagerada - no es un buen perfil de personaje femenino. Y digo esto xq en lo personal, no me gusta q las mujeres no tengan la razón.
Rowan, obviamente va de príncipe encantador y hace todo bien. Pero tampoco me convence.
Cuestión q no es de mis favoritas, y la olvidé con mucha facilidad.
May 13, 2021
I really enjoyed this one. Jura is fearsome Laconian warrior. Rowan, a half Englishman half Laconian, is the heir to the throne of Laconia. They meet one day at a river unaware of who either person is. From there Rowan vows to make Jura his bride, but Jura is skeptical of how this newcomer plans to unite the country as the new king. I really liked that this is the origin story to “The Princess” where we first hear about Laconia. In “The Princess” Aria is the descendant of Rowan and JT is the descendant of Rowan’s squire Montgomery, who happens to be the descendant of Ranulf de warbrooke aka the Black Lyon. All these little connections between books makes it very fun to read. There was so many different tribes and family relations in this book it was almost hard to keep up lol. But I found it to be an entertaining story. I love how the Laconia’s value women as warriors and hold them to the same respect. It was funny to see Rowan try to understand that as Jura protected him multiple times. Overall very sweet 10/10 would read again.
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