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Brides of Legend #2
Lady Of Conquest
Gelina O Monoghan, a female warrior in the earliest years of Ireland's past, meets her match in Conn of the Hundred Battles, the handsome High King of Erin
306 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1989
About the author
Teresa Medeiros
47 books2,592 followersNew York Times bestseller Teresa Medeiros wrote her first novel at the age of twenty-one and has since gone on to win the hearts of both readers and critics. All of her books have been national bestsellers, featured on the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She currently has over 10 million books in print.
She is a seven-time Rita finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbooks Award for bestselling fiction.
GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011 and her latest historical THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS is coming from Pocket Books in December 2011. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and her cats, Buffy the Mouse Slayer and Willow Tum-Tum.
She is a seven-time Rita finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbooks Award for bestselling fiction.
GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011 and her latest historical THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS is coming from Pocket Books in December 2011. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and her cats, Buffy the Mouse Slayer and Willow Tum-Tum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 29, 2011
Nevermind that it's supposed to take place in antiquity (the Roman presence in Britain) and the mood is more medieval. In any case I do not like any of the two periods, too unstable and violent.
First, the hero has already reunited clans of Ireland and is already king, while heroin is still young. Then he spends his time calling her "child" and ruffling her hair, even after they become to lovers.
But above all it is a real ass throughout the second half of the book. He blames and punishes first, then, if he has some time, he seeks answers (but not often). He wants to kill her because she has betrayed him, but eventually he rapes her. He wants her, but he forces her to be his personal slave and humiliates her in front of everyone. Then he makes her his mistress before deciding to marry her. There, a secondary character, Nimbus, dies, and of course he believes it's her fault (even though it was her best friend) and bans her after letting her to rot in jail for some time.
The heroine now. At first she goes from wild child to tomboy to young and mischievous woman quite logically. But one day she learns that her brother is not dead as she was told the hero, and she decides that he lied. As he refuses to sleep with her and goes to see his mistress after saying she will marry a soldier, she joins her brother and goes to the enemy. She is involved in looting (because she is super super super super strong .... with the sword since it's her brother who taught her everything).
When the hero catches her, she forgives the rape, she forgives him being his slave, because she loves him, except that she never explains to him why she has betrayed him. Only when she is accused of murdering Nimbus she holds it against him, but rather to explain she says "I'll answer when you ask me the right question"
And when he finally returns for her after learning that she is innocent, I do not know why she forgives him since he does not even apologize.
And finally, I am angry at the author for killing Nimbus, who was in my opinion the most interesting character, just to throw one more obstacle between the couple. He did not deserve that.
In the end I did not believe in their love. They tell each other "I love you as much as I hate you." But what comforts me is that since he is older than her (at the end of the book he should be between 45 and 50 years old), he will soon die....
First, the hero has already reunited clans of Ireland and is already king, while heroin is still young. Then he spends his time calling her "child" and ruffling her hair, even after they become to lovers.
But above all it is a real ass throughout the second half of the book. He blames and punishes first, then, if he has some time, he seeks answers (but not often). He wants to kill her because she has betrayed him, but eventually he rapes her. He wants her, but he forces her to be his personal slave and humiliates her in front of everyone. Then he makes her his mistress before deciding to marry her. There, a secondary character, Nimbus, dies, and of course he believes it's her fault (even though it was her best friend) and bans her after letting her to rot in jail for some time.
The heroine now. At first she goes from wild child to tomboy to young and mischievous woman quite logically. But one day she learns that her brother is not dead as she was told the hero, and she decides that he lied. As he refuses to sleep with her and goes to see his mistress after saying she will marry a soldier, she joins her brother and goes to the enemy. She is involved in looting (because she is super super super super strong .... with the sword since it's her brother who taught her everything).
When the hero catches her, she forgives the rape, she forgives him being his slave, because she loves him, except that she never explains to him why she has betrayed him. Only when she is accused of murdering Nimbus she holds it against him, but rather to explain she says "I'll answer when you ask me the right question"
And when he finally returns for her after learning that she is innocent, I do not know why she forgives him since he does not even apologize.
And finally, I am angry at the author for killing Nimbus, who was in my opinion the most interesting character, just to throw one more obstacle between the couple. He did not deserve that.
In the end I did not believe in their love. They tell each other "I love you as much as I hate you." But what comforts me is that since he is older than her (at the end of the book he should be between 45 and 50 years old), he will soon die....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2012
You should read this if you like: historical romances, medieval settings, warrior heroes, strong heroine, secondary characters that make you wish got the girl.
There are select few books in the world in which a secondary character far outshines the main hero. Lady of Conquest was just one of those books.
Lady of Conquest begins with our valiant hero, known as Conn of the hundred battles. A fierce warrior and powerful king of the warriors of Fienna, he is everything you would come to expect from a medival hero. Conn is male specimen of beauty; tall with piercing blue eyes. He radiates power, but is a just and fair king, loved and respected among his people. But I did not like him. In fact, by part three I pretty much loathed him! As our story slowly progressed, I couldn't help but wonder at his sheer arrogance and culpability as the list of things he should and shouldn't have done was pilled higher and higher.
Then there is Nimbus. He is our court jester, short of stature, a fool in the eyes of the world, and someone who holds as much importance at court as a kitchen maid. But for me Nimbus was one of those exceptional characters who managed to far outshine the hero. His love for Gelina, and the way he saw her beauty, it was truly awe inspiring.
It had taken Nimbus’s loving eyes to see the woman
beneath the childish exterior she flashed so carelessly.
And his acceptance that Gelina will never love him:
He mumbled to himself, “Ye’re more of a fool than I thought. Such as her is not for the likes of ye.”
For me, Nimbus is twice the man that Conn will ever be. He accepted her the way she is. He saw her for the beautiful rare creature that she is. Nimbus loved Gelina for herself and his love was selfless. He sacrificed it for the sake of her happiness, accepted her in all of her forms: as a child, a budding woman, an outcast accused of murder, a slave humiliated by the man she loves, a ruined woman and even in the end, as a woman about to become the wife of his king. And for me Nimbus has never been more powerful a character or more wonderful a person as when he stood up to Conn, guilt ridden by his actions.
Ye don’t understand, do ye? I did this. I gave her to ye. I made her beautiful for ye. So that ye would cherish her and love her like she deserves to be loved. Like I could never . . .” He sputtered to a stop, unable to continue without crying.
I am giving this book a 4 stars, not because the plot line is amazing. On the contrary I found it to be at best frustrating. There were times I felt Conn needed some sense slapped into him. At other times I wondered why the author made certain characters do the things they did. In my view, many things like Conn holding Gelina as his slave, was unnecessary. It only served to further portray the weakness in his character.
But when all is said and done, this book deserved 4 stars because of three brilliant characters: Gelina, Nimbus and Rodney. After all it is not in every medieval romance that you find a beautiful and fierce woman who proves herself to be a better warrior than full grown men. And a court jester who you just wish got the girl.
There are select few books in the world in which a secondary character far outshines the main hero. Lady of Conquest was just one of those books.
Lady of Conquest begins with our valiant hero, known as Conn of the hundred battles. A fierce warrior and powerful king of the warriors of Fienna, he is everything you would come to expect from a medival hero. Conn is male specimen of beauty; tall with piercing blue eyes. He radiates power, but is a just and fair king, loved and respected among his people. But I did not like him. In fact, by part three I pretty much loathed him! As our story slowly progressed, I couldn't help but wonder at his sheer arrogance and culpability as the list of things he should and shouldn't have done was pilled higher and higher.
Then there is Nimbus. He is our court jester, short of stature, a fool in the eyes of the world, and someone who holds as much importance at court as a kitchen maid. But for me Nimbus was one of those exceptional characters who managed to far outshine the hero. His love for Gelina, and the way he saw her beauty, it was truly awe inspiring.
It had taken Nimbus’s loving eyes to see the woman
beneath the childish exterior she flashed so carelessly.
And his acceptance that Gelina will never love him:
He mumbled to himself, “Ye’re more of a fool than I thought. Such as her is not for the likes of ye.”
For me, Nimbus is twice the man that Conn will ever be. He accepted her the way she is. He saw her for the beautiful rare creature that she is. Nimbus loved Gelina for herself and his love was selfless. He sacrificed it for the sake of her happiness, accepted her in all of her forms: as a child, a budding woman, an outcast accused of murder, a slave humiliated by the man she loves, a ruined woman and even in the end, as a woman about to become the wife of his king. And for me Nimbus has never been more powerful a character or more wonderful a person as when he stood up to Conn, guilt ridden by his actions.
Ye don’t understand, do ye? I did this. I gave her to ye. I made her beautiful for ye. So that ye would cherish her and love her like she deserves to be loved. Like I could never . . .” He sputtered to a stop, unable to continue without crying.
I am giving this book a 4 stars, not because the plot line is amazing. On the contrary I found it to be at best frustrating. There were times I felt Conn needed some sense slapped into him. At other times I wondered why the author made certain characters do the things they did. In my view, many things like Conn holding Gelina as his slave, was unnecessary. It only served to further portray the weakness in his character.
But when all is said and done, this book deserved 4 stars because of three brilliant characters: Gelina, Nimbus and Rodney. After all it is not in every medieval romance that you find a beautiful and fierce woman who proves herself to be a better warrior than full grown men. And a court jester who you just wish got the girl.
March 3, 2010
Have you ever found yourself, while reading, scanning the page, only reading the dialogue, and even at times forgetting WTH it was you just read?
No? Me either... that is, until now.
I love, LOVE, Teresa Mederois. I strongly, disliked this book.
I forced myself, to finish reading, the will to do so, derived from an extremely stubborn hope that it would get better if I persevered.
It didn't...
November 30, 2021
Понякога “историчността” в сюжетите си е чисто фентъзи. Иначе - както в случая - кастилци и римляни не биха могли да съжителстват едновременно! 😆
Но пък историята е свежа, без излишни сантименти, макар и да е попровлечена из ирландските мъгли, когато е имало само войнстващи кланове и - предполагам - римляни. Кастилците вероятно са нещо друго 😆 Битки, предателства, невъзможна любов - нищо чудно, че фенките не са особено запалени. За вкуса на разглезената американка това просто не е “safe”. И има разни по-неприятни моменти. С две думи - нормално развлекателно заглавие, леко извън “канона”. И най-комерсиалните автори имат такива “отклонения”, но е късмет да се нацелят.
3,5 звезди
Но пък историята е свежа, без излишни сантименти, макар и да е попровлечена из ирландските мъгли, когато е имало само войнстващи кланове и - предполагам - римляни. Кастилците вероятно са нещо друго 😆 Битки, предателства, невъзможна любов - нищо чудно, че фенките не са особено запалени. За вкуса на разглезената американка това просто не е “safe”. И има разни по-неприятни моменти. С две думи - нормално развлекателно заглавие, леко извън “канона”. И най-комерсиалните автори имат такива “отклонения”, но е късмет да се нацелят.
3,5 звезди
May 26, 2020
Um livro excelente e mais uma prova de que temos autores com muita qualidade de escrita, sendo mais uma autora que nunca tinha lido.
Adorei a história apesar de por vezes ficar "irritada " com as brigas entre a Gelina e o Conn mas no fim tudo fica bem, quando acaba bem.
Adorei a história apesar de por vezes ficar "irritada " com as brigas entre a Gelina e o Conn mas no fim tudo fica bem, quando acaba bem.
Did Not Finish
April 4, 2023DNF - I think the author’s writing style isn’t for me 🤷🏼♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2020
Por um lado, gostei da história mas por outro lado houve pormenores da história que não gostei.
October 29, 2011
A Conquistadora é um livro que nos envolve e surpreende do inicio ao fim. A história de Conn e de Gelina sofre peripécias n vezes, mas é isso que torna esta história movimentada e que disperta diferentes emoções no leitor.
Esta obra de Teresa Medeiros é principalmente um romance cheio de aventura, mas mais centrado no par amoroso. Par este que acompanhamos 100% em todo o livro, seja individualmente ou em conjunto.
É quando eles estão juntos que tudo ganha mais cor, visto que os diálogos e a luta entre eles tanto tem de divertida como de séria, e o leitor vê-se constantemente a adivinhar o que virá a seguir: se um murro no estômago de Gelina em Conn ou se um puxar de cabelos de Conn a Gelina. Claro que os beijos e muitas outras carícias também estão presentes.
A Conquistadora ainda me deixa indecisa em relação ao que realmente penso dela. Por um lado, gostei bastante do par e das suas aventuras, tal como da sua coragem, incertezas, sentimentos e acções, mas por outro certos actos de Conn para com Gelina, sua inimiga mesmo até quase ao final, provocam em mim emoções que não gosto propriamente, principalmente quando ele a humilha em frente ao seu povo ou até quando abusa dela. Também não gostei propriamente do facto de Gelina lhe perdoar instantaneamente ou até de se rebaixar quando ele a trata mal. Aqui a minha opinião da personagem feminina se assemelha ao que disse anteriormente em relação à personagem Anna de Leon do livro de Madeline Hunter O Protector.
Este tipo de personagens femininas com personalidades fortes que depois por amor (ãh ãh) amolecem não favorecem particularmente a minha opinião.
Outro ponto que não gostei e me irritou bastante (e aqui acaba também por contar como ponto positivo para Teresa Medeiros) é a constante e repetitiva reviravolta da relação deles, em que podemos encontrar um ciclo: eles lutam, eles apaixonam-se, eles lutam, ele trata-a mal, eles apaixonam-se, ele humilha-a, e nisto tudo ela perdoa sempre, só no final quando ele é injusto e controlador pela milésima vez é que ela se revolta, mas passados um dia ou dois ela volta a perdoá-lo instantaneamente e a salvá-lo... Aqui, é da minha opinião, que apesar de ser romântico, acabam por ser demasiadas reviravoltas e de haver demasiado facilitismo da parte dela para com ele, onde Gelina facilmente se esquece do porquê de o odiar (razões que acabam por se ir acumulando, mas que ela vai apagando ou nem se apercebendo). Como podem ver a minha opinião desta vez é um pouco confusa e acabo assim por não conseguir temrinar a critica ou um "resumindo" ou "concluindo".
Termino sim com um "leiam e logo verão...".
Esta obra de Teresa Medeiros é principalmente um romance cheio de aventura, mas mais centrado no par amoroso. Par este que acompanhamos 100% em todo o livro, seja individualmente ou em conjunto.
É quando eles estão juntos que tudo ganha mais cor, visto que os diálogos e a luta entre eles tanto tem de divertida como de séria, e o leitor vê-se constantemente a adivinhar o que virá a seguir: se um murro no estômago de Gelina em Conn ou se um puxar de cabelos de Conn a Gelina. Claro que os beijos e muitas outras carícias também estão presentes.
A Conquistadora ainda me deixa indecisa em relação ao que realmente penso dela. Por um lado, gostei bastante do par e das suas aventuras, tal como da sua coragem, incertezas, sentimentos e acções, mas por outro certos actos de Conn para com Gelina, sua inimiga mesmo até quase ao final, provocam em mim emoções que não gosto propriamente, principalmente quando ele a humilha em frente ao seu povo ou até quando abusa dela. Também não gostei propriamente do facto de Gelina lhe perdoar instantaneamente ou até de se rebaixar quando ele a trata mal. Aqui a minha opinião da personagem feminina se assemelha ao que disse anteriormente em relação à personagem Anna de Leon do livro de Madeline Hunter O Protector.
Este tipo de personagens femininas com personalidades fortes que depois por amor (ãh ãh) amolecem não favorecem particularmente a minha opinião.
Outro ponto que não gostei e me irritou bastante (e aqui acaba também por contar como ponto positivo para Teresa Medeiros) é a constante e repetitiva reviravolta da relação deles, em que podemos encontrar um ciclo: eles lutam, eles apaixonam-se, eles lutam, ele trata-a mal, eles apaixonam-se, ele humilha-a, e nisto tudo ela perdoa sempre, só no final quando ele é injusto e controlador pela milésima vez é que ela se revolta, mas passados um dia ou dois ela volta a perdoá-lo instantaneamente e a salvá-lo... Aqui, é da minha opinião, que apesar de ser romântico, acabam por ser demasiadas reviravoltas e de haver demasiado facilitismo da parte dela para com ele, onde Gelina facilmente se esquece do porquê de o odiar (razões que acabam por se ir acumulando, mas que ela vai apagando ou nem se apercebendo). Como podem ver a minha opinião desta vez é um pouco confusa e acabo assim por não conseguir temrinar a critica ou um "resumindo" ou "concluindo".
Termino sim com um "leiam e logo verão...".
January 3, 2011
I know that there must be some conflict between the 2 lovers before they can live happily ever after, but enough already! I got bored of the many conflicts between Conn and Gelina. Every time this woman/child cried I kept thinking to myself "WHY on earth would she want to stay with a man that brings her so much pain so often". This wasn't my idea of a good romance at all :(
July 20, 2013
Releitura.
Não percebo como é que da primeira vez dei 5 estrelas a este livro.
Agora que voltei a pegar nele, achei a sua escrita extremamente aborrecida, faltando diálogos. É surpreendente como os nossos gostos vão mudando com o tempo...
Não percebo como é que da primeira vez dei 5 estrelas a este livro.
Agora que voltei a pegar nele, achei a sua escrita extremamente aborrecida, faltando diálogos. É surpreendente como os nossos gostos vão mudando com o tempo...
November 17, 2019
Foi o primeiro livro que li desta autora e ... que livro, uau! Uma leitura tão agradável, uma história realmente empolgante desde o início. Daquelas leituras que temos realmente pena de terminar.
November 2, 2020
Não consegui acabar.
![Profile Image for ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1572968006i/3840999._UX200_CR0,33,200,200_.jpg)
November 20, 2010
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book. This one's got 4 parts.
My first Teresa Medeiros novel. Just read 2 chps. The prose style is a bit thick, but if it grows on me, I think I might enjoy. Too early to tell anything. :)
*************
Must say even though it's going slow (for my style), liking it. It's different than the novels I've read so far; there are things, references I don't know and have to look up online to get an idea but I'm liking it so far ... I like Conn, thought I've read Fiannas came from Fionn mac Cumahail or his father, who knows, kinda confused here :s ... There are things abt Gelina defies reality but, well, it's a novel and I'm taking it as it comes lolzzz.
On chp 9 now, it's pretty long. Fingers crossed.
*************
Now onto what, 22nd chaps, so not going slow at all. I mean it became really interesting although the result wasn't how I viewed it would be. I know, I know, Conn is a medieval king and all that but hey Gelina, why didn't you make him suffer a little bit? Lord, I was angry at him myself after the way he rejected you. And 18yrs and 33/34yrs isn't that bad, but as it's a medieval novel and I know nothing of their ways at the moment, I have to give the benefit of doubt. Then again that 'semi-rape' scene ... Arghh!! :@ Makes me wanna think what is actually goin' on between them? :s
Then the next chps were really good, the intensity of their feelings was what I was hoping for but not enough love scene goin' on for me, I would've love to see something more.
And now, really Conn, After all that you two have been through, you think she killed Nimbus (even though you willingly forgave all her other misdeeds, goes to show that you don't trust her at all!)? My god!
Poor Nimbus! I liked him immensely, even though he was annoying sometimes (court jester and all that).
What about Mar-Nod? I would've love to see something more about him as well.
All in all, I'm plainly hooked even though there are times I felt I'm kinda vacillating between scenes or things aren't going the way I would've loved it to go. Let's see ... :)
******************
Oh my, what can I say! Why does this one has such low rating (2/3)??? I liked the crazy couple so much, it took my breath away. lolz Sometimes I wanted to brain Conn, while other times scream "Gelina you idiot" but loved them nonetheless. Ms. Medeiros has a new fan it seems :p lolzzzz
I'm glad I started reading her books.
4 for me. I would've given a solid 5 but for a few minor reasons I've mentioned earlier. :D
[note: my thoughts on why this book should be more than 2 stars.]
I think I now understand why this book's been getting mixed rankings, it is an early Medieval novel (AD 128 or something) people, so look at it that way.
Conn was 'the king', so he could 'take' any woman he wants. And, it's not as if Gelina didn't have any feelings for him, she was already in love with him and in that 'semi-rape' scene she did encourage him to some extent, that's why I called it thus. No, I don't have any cravings for 'rape' scenes or abusive heroes, but their relationship is rather complicated. They are both stubborn and hot blooded and considering how things went in the Medieval periods, I think Conn was amazing in the end. Yet, I also said I wished some things could've been different, one would be seeing Conn grovelling a bit more and the ending could've been improved. But as I said again and again, I take it as it is and loved it because of the way it was, with flaws and all.
Another thing, their age difference; some people didn't even read through enough to get it, saying Conn was old enough to be Gelina's granddad, hello?? I think he was somewhere around 32-34 ('til the end), is that Granddad old?? Puhleez! And, as almost 2 yrs went by til the ending so if Gelina when captured was 16 (mentioned in the book), she was somewhere around 18 and for the medieval time frame, she was old enough I think!
If you didn't like the names and judging for it, you have no respect and love for history (believe me, I read reviews where people made fun of the names!). I loved it, names sounded odd at first but hello, it's Irish. If you find it weird and stuff, don't read novels with Irish background. So goes with the Scottish backgrounds. Both the language and history of these two really fascinates me.
TM's writing is really good, it captivates and makes you form strong opinion. That's all that counts I guess.
My first Teresa Medeiros novel. Just read 2 chps. The prose style is a bit thick, but if it grows on me, I think I might enjoy. Too early to tell anything. :)
*************
Must say even though it's going slow (for my style), liking it. It's different than the novels I've read so far; there are things, references I don't know and have to look up online to get an idea but I'm liking it so far ... I like Conn, thought I've read Fiannas came from Fionn mac Cumahail or his father, who knows, kinda confused here :s ... There are things abt Gelina defies reality but, well, it's a novel and I'm taking it as it comes lolzzz.
On chp 9 now, it's pretty long. Fingers crossed.
*************
Now onto what, 22nd chaps, so not going slow at all. I mean it became really interesting although the result wasn't how I viewed it would be. I know, I know, Conn is a medieval king and all that but hey Gelina, why didn't you make him suffer a little bit? Lord, I was angry at him myself after the way he rejected you. And 18yrs and 33/34yrs isn't that bad, but as it's a medieval novel and I know nothing of their ways at the moment, I have to give the benefit of doubt. Then again that 'semi-rape' scene ... Arghh!! :@ Makes me wanna think what is actually goin' on between them? :s
Then the next chps were really good, the intensity of their feelings was what I was hoping for but not enough love scene goin' on for me, I would've love to see something more.
And now, really Conn, After all that you two have been through, you think she killed Nimbus (even though you willingly forgave all her other misdeeds, goes to show that you don't trust her at all!)? My god!
Poor Nimbus! I liked him immensely, even though he was annoying sometimes (court jester and all that).
What about Mar-Nod? I would've love to see something more about him as well.
All in all, I'm plainly hooked even though there are times I felt I'm kinda vacillating between scenes or things aren't going the way I would've loved it to go. Let's see ... :)
******************
Oh my, what can I say! Why does this one has such low rating (2/3)??? I liked the crazy couple so much, it took my breath away. lolz Sometimes I wanted to brain Conn, while other times scream "Gelina you idiot" but loved them nonetheless. Ms. Medeiros has a new fan it seems :p lolzzzz
I'm glad I started reading her books.
4 for me. I would've given a solid 5 but for a few minor reasons I've mentioned earlier. :D
[note: my thoughts on why this book should be more than 2 stars.]
I think I now understand why this book's been getting mixed rankings, it is an early Medieval novel (AD 128 or something) people, so look at it that way.
Conn was 'the king', so he could 'take' any woman he wants. And, it's not as if Gelina didn't have any feelings for him, she was already in love with him and in that 'semi-rape' scene she did encourage him to some extent, that's why I called it thus. No, I don't have any cravings for 'rape' scenes or abusive heroes, but their relationship is rather complicated. They are both stubborn and hot blooded and considering how things went in the Medieval periods, I think Conn was amazing in the end. Yet, I also said I wished some things could've been different, one would be seeing Conn grovelling a bit more and the ending could've been improved. But as I said again and again, I take it as it is and loved it because of the way it was, with flaws and all.
Another thing, their age difference; some people didn't even read through enough to get it, saying Conn was old enough to be Gelina's granddad, hello?? I think he was somewhere around 32-34 ('til the end), is that Granddad old?? Puhleez! And, as almost 2 yrs went by til the ending so if Gelina when captured was 16 (mentioned in the book), she was somewhere around 18 and for the medieval time frame, she was old enough I think!
If you didn't like the names and judging for it, you have no respect and love for history (believe me, I read reviews where people made fun of the names!). I loved it, names sounded odd at first but hello, it's Irish. If you find it weird and stuff, don't read novels with Irish background. So goes with the Scottish backgrounds. Both the language and history of these two really fascinates me.
TM's writing is really good, it captivates and makes you form strong opinion. That's all that counts I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2011
"A Conquistadora" é um livro que queria ler há alguns anos, no entanto ainda não tinha tido a oportunidade de o ler. Essa oportunidade surgiu pelo Natal, quando adquiri o livro e no início deste mês comecei a lê-lo.
Devido à sua pontuação no Goodreads, senti alguma apreensão uma vez que me perguntei: "porque é que será que tem esta pontuação?". Como gosto de ter uma opinião própria o melhor que pude fazer para responder a essa questão foi ler o livro.
E o que pude concluir para responder? Pois bem, concluí que só pode ser pelo gosto dos leitores, uma vez que o livro está muito bom. Pelo menos, eu gostei muito.
A autora conta a história de Conn, o Ard-Reigh de Tara (rei supremo de Tara, Irlanda) que conseguiu unificar todos os reinos da ilha, e de Gelina Ò Monaghan, filha de uma família cujo pai traiu Conn, acabando por ser morto pelos homens do rei, levando à morte da esposa e à fuga dos filhos (Gelina e Rodney). A história que se cria entre Conn e Gelina não é um conto de fadas, sendo muitas vezes brutal. Vários são os momentos tensos entre ambos que muitas vezes terminam em violência e brutalidade. No entanto, o amor que os une é demasiado forte para ser vencido pelo ódio e pela dúvida que por vezes aparece para o aniquilar.
A história começa com a suspeita de um monstro que mata os homens do Fianna (os guerreiros de Conn, que seguem as regras da cavalaria e da lealdade). De modo a por fim a esse monstro, o próprio Fianna vai ao seu encontro para o derrotar. Quando descobre que o monstro não passa de um par de duas pessoas, vê-se confrontado com a realidade. Descobre Gelina, enquanto que o seu par foge apesar de ferido gravemente. Tendo acreditado que o seu irmão tinha sido morto, Gelina (de mais ou menos 16 anos) vê-se sozinha, apenas com Conn por companheiro e às suas mãos. É levada para a corte, onde é tratada como filha adotiva de Conn, uma vez que este omite a verdadeira identidade dela, afirmando que esta se encontrava prisioneira na gruta onde habitava o monstro.
À medida que o tempo decorre, Gelina começa a afeiçoar-se a Conn e a outros membros da corte, nomeadamente o anão Nimbus, que é bobo da corte e amigo de Conn; Mer-Nod, poeta e conselheiro do rei; e Sean, um membro jovem do Fianna que trava amizade com Gelina. Tendo por principais rivais a amante do rei e as suas companheiras, Gelina começa a tentar imitar as senhoras da corte, para se tornar mais feminina e delicada e para não ser alvo de riso mas de ciúme. O seu afeto por Conn também aumenta, começando a gostar dele por amor.
No entanto, Rodney não morreu no ataque na gruta e jura reaver a irmã. Para isso junta-se ao eterno rival de Conn, Eoghan Mogh, que o tenta por várias vezes tirar do trono de Tara. As questões políticas e de intriga também fazem deste enredo algo muito rico e interessante, uma vez que são complexas e estruturadas, de lógica compreensão.
A vingança jurada por Rodney e Gelina de matar os membros do Fianna e o próprio Conn vê-se assim comprometida. Mas nada fará com que Rodney desista da vingança e Gelina começa a sentir-se dividida e repleta de dúvidas. O amor que une Gelina e Conn sofre vários abalos e muitas vezes é revirado e tornado a virar.
Muitas são as peripécias que acontecem ao longo da narrativa e que enchem as páginas de reviravoltas. Gostei muito das situações apresentadas e de como se resolveram. Não existe nada desconexo e sem sentido, pois tudo se encaixa muito bem. Como refiro várias vezes, este é um aspeto que acho essencial nos livros, principalmente quanto têm um teor mais complexo e mais "inteligente". Não basta escrever um romance. Tem de haver um conteúdo rico e bem estruturado e este livro apresenta, a meu ver, esse conteúdo rico e estruturado.
Conn existiu de verdade, tendo vivido entre 116 a 136 (segundo Geoffrey Keating) ou entre 122 a 157 (segundo Annals of the Four Masters). O que aparece no site Wikipédia não aborda Gelina, no entanto, dado o final do livro, tal não comprova que ela não tenha existido na sua vida.
A parte histórica também está bem desenvolvida, bem como as descrições as paisagens, roupas, objetos e edifícios. Estes aspetos ajudam a imaginar a vida naquele tempo e isso é bastante agradável. As personagens estão todas caracterizadas muito bem, tanto física como psicologicamente. Gostei muito de Gelina, de Conn e de Sean. A escrita é bastante fluída e rica, tornando-se fácil imaginar o que está a ser descrito.
Em suma, esta é uma história para reter na memória.
Podem consultar mais informações aqui:
http://www.luminarium.org/mythology/i...
Devido à sua pontuação no Goodreads, senti alguma apreensão uma vez que me perguntei: "porque é que será que tem esta pontuação?". Como gosto de ter uma opinião própria o melhor que pude fazer para responder a essa questão foi ler o livro.
E o que pude concluir para responder? Pois bem, concluí que só pode ser pelo gosto dos leitores, uma vez que o livro está muito bom. Pelo menos, eu gostei muito.
A autora conta a história de Conn, o Ard-Reigh de Tara (rei supremo de Tara, Irlanda) que conseguiu unificar todos os reinos da ilha, e de Gelina Ò Monaghan, filha de uma família cujo pai traiu Conn, acabando por ser morto pelos homens do rei, levando à morte da esposa e à fuga dos filhos (Gelina e Rodney). A história que se cria entre Conn e Gelina não é um conto de fadas, sendo muitas vezes brutal. Vários são os momentos tensos entre ambos que muitas vezes terminam em violência e brutalidade. No entanto, o amor que os une é demasiado forte para ser vencido pelo ódio e pela dúvida que por vezes aparece para o aniquilar.
A história começa com a suspeita de um monstro que mata os homens do Fianna (os guerreiros de Conn, que seguem as regras da cavalaria e da lealdade). De modo a por fim a esse monstro, o próprio Fianna vai ao seu encontro para o derrotar. Quando descobre que o monstro não passa de um par de duas pessoas, vê-se confrontado com a realidade. Descobre Gelina, enquanto que o seu par foge apesar de ferido gravemente. Tendo acreditado que o seu irmão tinha sido morto, Gelina (de mais ou menos 16 anos) vê-se sozinha, apenas com Conn por companheiro e às suas mãos. É levada para a corte, onde é tratada como filha adotiva de Conn, uma vez que este omite a verdadeira identidade dela, afirmando que esta se encontrava prisioneira na gruta onde habitava o monstro.
À medida que o tempo decorre, Gelina começa a afeiçoar-se a Conn e a outros membros da corte, nomeadamente o anão Nimbus, que é bobo da corte e amigo de Conn; Mer-Nod, poeta e conselheiro do rei; e Sean, um membro jovem do Fianna que trava amizade com Gelina. Tendo por principais rivais a amante do rei e as suas companheiras, Gelina começa a tentar imitar as senhoras da corte, para se tornar mais feminina e delicada e para não ser alvo de riso mas de ciúme. O seu afeto por Conn também aumenta, começando a gostar dele por amor.
No entanto, Rodney não morreu no ataque na gruta e jura reaver a irmã. Para isso junta-se ao eterno rival de Conn, Eoghan Mogh, que o tenta por várias vezes tirar do trono de Tara. As questões políticas e de intriga também fazem deste enredo algo muito rico e interessante, uma vez que são complexas e estruturadas, de lógica compreensão.
A vingança jurada por Rodney e Gelina de matar os membros do Fianna e o próprio Conn vê-se assim comprometida. Mas nada fará com que Rodney desista da vingança e Gelina começa a sentir-se dividida e repleta de dúvidas. O amor que une Gelina e Conn sofre vários abalos e muitas vezes é revirado e tornado a virar.
Muitas são as peripécias que acontecem ao longo da narrativa e que enchem as páginas de reviravoltas. Gostei muito das situações apresentadas e de como se resolveram. Não existe nada desconexo e sem sentido, pois tudo se encaixa muito bem. Como refiro várias vezes, este é um aspeto que acho essencial nos livros, principalmente quanto têm um teor mais complexo e mais "inteligente". Não basta escrever um romance. Tem de haver um conteúdo rico e bem estruturado e este livro apresenta, a meu ver, esse conteúdo rico e estruturado.
Conn existiu de verdade, tendo vivido entre 116 a 136 (segundo Geoffrey Keating) ou entre 122 a 157 (segundo Annals of the Four Masters). O que aparece no site Wikipédia não aborda Gelina, no entanto, dado o final do livro, tal não comprova que ela não tenha existido na sua vida.
A parte histórica também está bem desenvolvida, bem como as descrições as paisagens, roupas, objetos e edifícios. Estes aspetos ajudam a imaginar a vida naquele tempo e isso é bastante agradável. As personagens estão todas caracterizadas muito bem, tanto física como psicologicamente. Gostei muito de Gelina, de Conn e de Sean. A escrita é bastante fluída e rica, tornando-se fácil imaginar o que está a ser descrito.
Em suma, esta é uma história para reter na memória.
Podem consultar mais informações aqui:
http://www.luminarium.org/mythology/i...
June 14, 2012
Lê-se muito bem, mas nem as personagens são convincentes nem o contexto histórico é muito bem explorado. De qualquer forma, gostei.
August 29, 2022
***UPDATED REVIEW***
I’m a fan of Teresa Medeiros, but reading this book again only solidified my belief that I absolutely lean toward her newer works than her older ones. Much like the first book in this duo, Shadows and Lace, I didn’t end up a huge fan. In hindsight, I think this was due in large part to the era in which these books were penned (thank you 1990s). These books both had volatile, controlling relationships between the male and female leads. There is a great deal of violence in this book -- yes, that includes violence Conn directs toward Gelina; yes, that includes physical violence. I don't condone this in anyway, but I can see why it was a part of this story. It, essentially, stayed true to the role Conn would have played during this time period, as well as the social mores of this era. He was expected to be physically powerful and probably wouldn't have thought too much about demonstrating that power in a physical way. That being said, here's a bit of a SPOILER: There is a rape scene. As a matter of fact, nearly all of the physical encounters between Conn and Gelina are rape-ish. It feels so much less romantic. There's a fine line between a male lead being powerful and breathtakingly masculine and being a brute to caves to his baser, more violent desires. He ends up using sex as a weapon, and I found this a bit off-putting. I noted it in my original review ten years ago (wow...I can't believe it's been that long), but this time around it made the story a bit of a struggle at times. I chose not to re-read my original review prior to picking up this book again and I'm glad I didn't because it probably would have made me hesitant to read it. END SPOILER
I liked Conn in the beginning; he seemed to be a good man and a good king. He was powerful when he needed to be and merciful when necessary. I would, however, have liked to see his perspective a bit more -- especially near the beginning of the story after we meet Gelina. As soon as we start seeing Gelina's perspective, she seems to sort of overtake the narrative. (This happened in Shadows and Lace, as well.) I think it would have helped me to understand his motivations and appreciate his mercy a little bit better. We discover that Gelina knew Conn when she was a child and how she admired him, but we don't really get to see those memories from Conn. As the story progresses, I liked Conn less and less. His desire for Gelina (a young woman who was supposed to be his ward) was powerful and consuming, but it takes him a painfully long time to accept his feelings. When I say painful, I mean it. I think this was because I didn't quite understand his hesitation. She wasn't related to him in anyway and she was certainly putting out vibes that she was attracted to him and loved him. He mentions the difference in age between them, but I don't think that should have been as big a deal as it was made out to be. Then again, we're not given any good clues as to Conn's age (we find out pretty early on that Gelina is about sixteen) until nearly the end of the book. By this time, a few years have passed and she's somewhere around eighteen or nineteen and I guess that he's about thirty-six. There's such a big fuss over their ages, but in Ninth Century Ireland, I don't think it would have been as big a deterrent as Conn made it out to be. Perhaps he was just making excuses and being stubborn? (Again, a similar thing happened in Shadows and Lace. Are we seeing some trends here?)
Gelina is as feisty as I remember. She's brave -- if a bit rash -- and strong-willed enough to survive the had she's been dealt and to live in Conn's court beneath his oft-wavering moods and loyalties. This was probably one of the most frustrating things because (since we see so much of her perspective, we know just how much she cares for Conn. To see his lack of faith and trust in her is difficult to witness. There was a cyclical pattern to her relationship with Conn (again, see Shadows and Lace). Because the story is dragged out across several years instead of a snippet in the characters' lives, there is ample opportunity for them to fight/have a falling out/Gelina runs away or is sent away/Conn goes and retrieves her. This happens more than a couple of times. This certainly ups the dramatic tension, but it left me wanting more development of Conn and Gelina’s relationship. All that time apart (for various reasons) can create bittersweet longing, but you also lose all of the closeness the characters could have been developing in the meantime. Not to mention it hurt my opinion of Conn that he would have such little faith in Gelina. I totally get that the circumstances of their meeting were less than ideal and he would have been well within his rights to kill her, but years have passed without her betraying him. Cut the girl some slack!
As usual, there were some colorful secondary characters who really served to develop the plot and show us a side of Conn and Gelina that would have otherwise remained hidden. The best example of this is Nimbus. He was funny, witty, and irreverent. While he got a little bit goofy at times, I enjoyed him nonetheless. He provided a good outlet for Gelina’s childlike wonder and allowed Conn to have a sense of humor. He also happens to become the source of one of the greatest conflicts between Gelina and Conn, though I won’t give this plot twist away.
Having a tangible villain in Eagon was a wise choice because it gave the story an outside source of conflict other than just what existed between Conn and Gelina. It helped to place their story within a much larger framework of history, which is something I really appreciate. Medeiros does this in some of her other books and, being the British history nerd that I am, I appreciate this touch.
In all, this was a well-written book (I always appreciate her writing style) and her descriptions of the scenery and characters are vivid and really help me escape into her books. There were, of course, aspects of this particular story that I didn’t care for and this book will not be for everyone. It’s a long read (though it only took me a few days) due to the timespan over which it takes place, though it’s interesting to see Gelina grow and change over the years. Parts of it are frustrating (why can’t Conn just give into his feelings already?!) but other parts are tender. There are moments of violence which literally made me cringe, but I persevered. As part of a body of work, I recommend reading this book – even if you’re only curious to see how Medeiros has changed and developed her style over the years. The comparison is a very interesting one. This book was not really my favorite, but I am glad that I re-read it.
***ORIGINAL REVIEW***
This book was Teresa Medeiros’s first and I can tell. She developed many characters for this story instead of focusing on two or three. I loved all of the history this book contained and it was a nice break from another author that I had been reading.
At times I wanted to beat Conn to a pulp for his inability to see what was right in front of him, and other times I wished I could hug him for his tenderness—it made it all the better knowing that he actually existed! Gelina was a fairly typical heroine with her loyalties split between those of family and her heart. She is a vicious warrior and an even fiercer lover. I loved her fiery spirit and her strong will to defy even the king of Erin in public. Their love story is one of the most rocky I have ever read and there were several plot twists that I both predicted and totally DID NOT see coming. All in all, Teresa Medeiros definitely didn’t disappoint me!
(***SPOILER: there was a rape scene, one near-rape, and another “pretty much rape” scene—for lack of a better way to describe it. This is the first author I have read that was brave enough to place the darker side of masculine power into the hands of the actual HERO of the story! I have mixed emotions about this, but it definitely only added to the overall effect of the story.***)
I’m a fan of Teresa Medeiros, but reading this book again only solidified my belief that I absolutely lean toward her newer works than her older ones. Much like the first book in this duo, Shadows and Lace, I didn’t end up a huge fan. In hindsight, I think this was due in large part to the era in which these books were penned (thank you 1990s). These books both had volatile, controlling relationships between the male and female leads. There is a great deal of violence in this book -- yes, that includes violence Conn directs toward Gelina; yes, that includes physical violence. I don't condone this in anyway, but I can see why it was a part of this story. It, essentially, stayed true to the role Conn would have played during this time period, as well as the social mores of this era. He was expected to be physically powerful and probably wouldn't have thought too much about demonstrating that power in a physical way. That being said, here's a bit of a SPOILER: There is a rape scene. As a matter of fact, nearly all of the physical encounters between Conn and Gelina are rape-ish. It feels so much less romantic. There's a fine line between a male lead being powerful and breathtakingly masculine and being a brute to caves to his baser, more violent desires. He ends up using sex as a weapon, and I found this a bit off-putting. I noted it in my original review ten years ago (wow...I can't believe it's been that long), but this time around it made the story a bit of a struggle at times. I chose not to re-read my original review prior to picking up this book again and I'm glad I didn't because it probably would have made me hesitant to read it. END SPOILER
I liked Conn in the beginning; he seemed to be a good man and a good king. He was powerful when he needed to be and merciful when necessary. I would, however, have liked to see his perspective a bit more -- especially near the beginning of the story after we meet Gelina. As soon as we start seeing Gelina's perspective, she seems to sort of overtake the narrative. (This happened in Shadows and Lace, as well.) I think it would have helped me to understand his motivations and appreciate his mercy a little bit better. We discover that Gelina knew Conn when she was a child and how she admired him, but we don't really get to see those memories from Conn. As the story progresses, I liked Conn less and less. His desire for Gelina (a young woman who was supposed to be his ward) was powerful and consuming, but it takes him a painfully long time to accept his feelings. When I say painful, I mean it. I think this was because I didn't quite understand his hesitation. She wasn't related to him in anyway and she was certainly putting out vibes that she was attracted to him and loved him. He mentions the difference in age between them, but I don't think that should have been as big a deal as it was made out to be. Then again, we're not given any good clues as to Conn's age (we find out pretty early on that Gelina is about sixteen) until nearly the end of the book. By this time, a few years have passed and she's somewhere around eighteen or nineteen and I guess that he's about thirty-six. There's such a big fuss over their ages, but in Ninth Century Ireland, I don't think it would have been as big a deterrent as Conn made it out to be. Perhaps he was just making excuses and being stubborn? (Again, a similar thing happened in Shadows and Lace. Are we seeing some trends here?)
Gelina is as feisty as I remember. She's brave -- if a bit rash -- and strong-willed enough to survive the had she's been dealt and to live in Conn's court beneath his oft-wavering moods and loyalties. This was probably one of the most frustrating things because (since we see so much of her perspective, we know just how much she cares for Conn. To see his lack of faith and trust in her is difficult to witness. There was a cyclical pattern to her relationship with Conn (again, see Shadows and Lace). Because the story is dragged out across several years instead of a snippet in the characters' lives, there is ample opportunity for them to fight/have a falling out/Gelina runs away or is sent away/Conn goes and retrieves her. This happens more than a couple of times. This certainly ups the dramatic tension, but it left me wanting more development of Conn and Gelina’s relationship. All that time apart (for various reasons) can create bittersweet longing, but you also lose all of the closeness the characters could have been developing in the meantime. Not to mention it hurt my opinion of Conn that he would have such little faith in Gelina. I totally get that the circumstances of their meeting were less than ideal and he would have been well within his rights to kill her, but years have passed without her betraying him. Cut the girl some slack!
As usual, there were some colorful secondary characters who really served to develop the plot and show us a side of Conn and Gelina that would have otherwise remained hidden. The best example of this is Nimbus. He was funny, witty, and irreverent. While he got a little bit goofy at times, I enjoyed him nonetheless. He provided a good outlet for Gelina’s childlike wonder and allowed Conn to have a sense of humor. He also happens to become the source of one of the greatest conflicts between Gelina and Conn, though I won’t give this plot twist away.
Having a tangible villain in Eagon was a wise choice because it gave the story an outside source of conflict other than just what existed between Conn and Gelina. It helped to place their story within a much larger framework of history, which is something I really appreciate. Medeiros does this in some of her other books and, being the British history nerd that I am, I appreciate this touch.
In all, this was a well-written book (I always appreciate her writing style) and her descriptions of the scenery and characters are vivid and really help me escape into her books. There were, of course, aspects of this particular story that I didn’t care for and this book will not be for everyone. It’s a long read (though it only took me a few days) due to the timespan over which it takes place, though it’s interesting to see Gelina grow and change over the years. Parts of it are frustrating (why can’t Conn just give into his feelings already?!) but other parts are tender. There are moments of violence which literally made me cringe, but I persevered. As part of a body of work, I recommend reading this book – even if you’re only curious to see how Medeiros has changed and developed her style over the years. The comparison is a very interesting one. This book was not really my favorite, but I am glad that I re-read it.
***ORIGINAL REVIEW***
This book was Teresa Medeiros’s first and I can tell. She developed many characters for this story instead of focusing on two or three. I loved all of the history this book contained and it was a nice break from another author that I had been reading.
At times I wanted to beat Conn to a pulp for his inability to see what was right in front of him, and other times I wished I could hug him for his tenderness—it made it all the better knowing that he actually existed! Gelina was a fairly typical heroine with her loyalties split between those of family and her heart. She is a vicious warrior and an even fiercer lover. I loved her fiery spirit and her strong will to defy even the king of Erin in public. Their love story is one of the most rocky I have ever read and there were several plot twists that I both predicted and totally DID NOT see coming. All in all, Teresa Medeiros definitely didn’t disappoint me!
(***SPOILER: there was a rape scene, one near-rape, and another “pretty much rape” scene—for lack of a better way to describe it. This is the first author I have read that was brave enough to place the darker side of masculine power into the hands of the actual HERO of the story! I have mixed emotions about this, but it definitely only added to the overall effect of the story.***)
February 12, 2017
What I didn't like about this book was that it was so misleading. From the back picture-Gelina never had long hair and Conn and her looking like a warrior couple in love- to the back cover description! Grr! I know, the author has no say in the picture and maybe not the description of the book. I bought the book used because I needed an exciting, action packed, some character conflict, a love story... can't put down book! Ok, so I DID get those things and I wanted to keep reading till the end. I found early on while reading that I was bummed that Gelina was only 16 and Conn apparently much older, maybe in his 30's, knew her when she was a child? (later we learn he is 36) Ok, so she is 16 and a wounded hell-cat -ragmuffin-orphan and....Conn takes her in as his "foster -daughter". That about did me in. How can there be an adult romance in this book? Ok, a lot of book left... maybe they flash forward and she is in her 20's and he returns from being gone for several years...nope. I struggled with the daughter to Conn relationship. Medeiros did handle that fairly well at first, Conn has an age appropriate love interest, he was bothered by some of his inadvertent touching /line crossing. I did find it hard to believe that he would not have guessed it was Gelina at the party, not many women were as tall as her. Was he that drunk? As much as I love action and adventure packed stories, I about quit reading when Conn took Gelina to the caverns. It was too much for me, not only forcing himself on her (father figure!) but feeling that she owed him, he was her king. It was his need for her sexually, Aargh! Trauma! Rape!
That being said, I kept reading, waiting for...something! Long book has to happen. I really liked the secondary characters, was hoping Conn would marry her off to Sean and then later, he dies, she comes back to him much older he much older, love lost, unrequited love, sigh...nope. Conn and Gelina continue to battle and love and accuse....looking for a love/hate relationship book? This is it!
It doesn't stop. I really like Nimbus and was sad and shocked at his demise! What?! More hate and abuse, which I sometime like in stories to get my blood pumping, but I wanted Gelina to fight back more and they make up more. It was one sided, it felt that and only Conn was tortured in his Love for Gelina, no longer his daughter figure, even though he called her a child often enough. She was probably 19 or 20 by the end, still young. I feel like Mederiros just needed to end the book and so she did, bam! Very sudden. Conn showed up again and there is a fight, she saves him....and they lived happily every after, Conn gets his girl back. The end. I kinda wanted Gelina to escape and sail away with her brother, with an epilogue to her life without Conn how they meet up much later and maybe there is real love and forgiveness.
That being said, I kept reading, waiting for...something! Long book has to happen. I really liked the secondary characters, was hoping Conn would marry her off to Sean and then later, he dies, she comes back to him much older he much older, love lost, unrequited love, sigh...nope. Conn and Gelina continue to battle and love and accuse....looking for a love/hate relationship book? This is it!
It doesn't stop. I really like Nimbus and was sad and shocked at his demise! What?! More hate and abuse, which I sometime like in stories to get my blood pumping, but I wanted Gelina to fight back more and they make up more. It was one sided, it felt that and only Conn was tortured in his Love for Gelina, no longer his daughter figure, even though he called her a child often enough. She was probably 19 or 20 by the end, still young. I feel like Mederiros just needed to end the book and so she did, bam! Very sudden. Conn showed up again and there is a fight, she saves him....and they lived happily every after, Conn gets his girl back. The end. I kinda wanted Gelina to escape and sail away with her brother, with an epilogue to her life without Conn how they meet up much later and maybe there is real love and forgiveness.
July 5, 2012
{Blog} http://tempodler.blogspot.pt/2012/07/...
«A Conquistadora» teria sido um excelente livro...se Teresa Medeiros tivesse optado por um final diferente.
Quando Conn parte do seu reino para combater o inimigo que ceifou a vida de diversos guerreiros do seu clã acaba por encontrar algo que não estava bem à espera: Gelina Ó Monaghan...E até aqui: maravilhoso!
Tomando a decisão de a levar, mesmo contra vontade, para o seu castelo o aparentemente inevitável acaba por acontecer...Conn e Gelina apaixonam-se. Há o facto ligeiramente perturbador de ele ser bastante mais velho do que ela, mas é algo ultrapassável, especialmente porque a história começa a desenrolar-se de forma muito interessante.
O romance entre os protagonistas avança e recua como um bêbado a tentar subir as escadas às escuras. Ora estão bem, ora estão mal. Ora se amam, ora se odeiam. Mas pronto, nem todos os romances podem ser iguais, nem nós queremos isso! Até porque há realmente pessoas que, simplesmente, não sabem amar...
O que me alienou completamente deste livro foi que, o nosso suposto herói, decide desancar a rapariga à porrada, humilha-a como pode, escraviza-a, falta-lhe ao respeito de todas as formas possíveis...e viola-a...
Tudo isto é muito perturbador mas é o final que realmente não suporto...Teresa Medeiros caracteriza-nos Gelina como uma rapariga forte de espírito, audaz, arisca e corajosa...ao perdoar tudo o que este homem lhe faz, toda a estrutura desta personagem se perde completamente. Mesmo que Conn justificasse os seus actos, coisa que nem sequer faz, ou pedisse perdão pelo mal que lhe fez e sofrimento que lhe causou, estes dois nunca deveriam ter acabado juntos...porque afinal não há uma regra (!), o par romântico não tem necessariamente que ficar junto...Conn não merecia este fim...e Gelina, de uma outra perspectiva, muito menos!
É certo que Gelina não está completamente inocente em toda a história, chegando mesmo a tomar o lado do inimigo. Não concordados com muitas das suas decisões, mas as suas acções foram basicamente respostas às acções de Conn e tivesse ele tirado uns minutos para a escutar antes de julgar, e nada disto teria acontecido.
O verdadeiro «H»omem na história não é este guerreiro impetuoso, Conn, mas sim o bobo da corte anão - Nimbus.
É por esta espectacular personagem e pela forma magnífica como o livro está escrito que consigo, ainda assim, classificar este livro com 3 estrelas. Bastaria que Gelina lhe tivesse virado as costas no final para eu ponderar as 5 estrelas...
Unir a protagonista a um homem que a maltratou de todas as formas que conhecia e depois chamar-lhe «Conquistadora» ou é irónico ou é ridículo...esta mulher nem a própria dignidade soube conquistar.
«A Conquistadora» teria sido um excelente livro...se Teresa Medeiros tivesse optado por um final diferente.
Quando Conn parte do seu reino para combater o inimigo que ceifou a vida de diversos guerreiros do seu clã acaba por encontrar algo que não estava bem à espera: Gelina Ó Monaghan...E até aqui: maravilhoso!
Tomando a decisão de a levar, mesmo contra vontade, para o seu castelo o aparentemente inevitável acaba por acontecer...Conn e Gelina apaixonam-se. Há o facto ligeiramente perturbador de ele ser bastante mais velho do que ela, mas é algo ultrapassável, especialmente porque a história começa a desenrolar-se de forma muito interessante.
O romance entre os protagonistas avança e recua como um bêbado a tentar subir as escadas às escuras. Ora estão bem, ora estão mal. Ora se amam, ora se odeiam. Mas pronto, nem todos os romances podem ser iguais, nem nós queremos isso! Até porque há realmente pessoas que, simplesmente, não sabem amar...
O que me alienou completamente deste livro foi que, o nosso suposto herói, decide desancar a rapariga à porrada, humilha-a como pode, escraviza-a, falta-lhe ao respeito de todas as formas possíveis...e viola-a...
Tudo isto é muito perturbador mas é o final que realmente não suporto...Teresa Medeiros caracteriza-nos Gelina como uma rapariga forte de espírito, audaz, arisca e corajosa...ao perdoar tudo o que este homem lhe faz, toda a estrutura desta personagem se perde completamente. Mesmo que Conn justificasse os seus actos, coisa que nem sequer faz, ou pedisse perdão pelo mal que lhe fez e sofrimento que lhe causou, estes dois nunca deveriam ter acabado juntos...porque afinal não há uma regra (!), o par romântico não tem necessariamente que ficar junto...Conn não merecia este fim...e Gelina, de uma outra perspectiva, muito menos!
É certo que Gelina não está completamente inocente em toda a história, chegando mesmo a tomar o lado do inimigo. Não concordados com muitas das suas decisões, mas as suas acções foram basicamente respostas às acções de Conn e tivesse ele tirado uns minutos para a escutar antes de julgar, e nada disto teria acontecido.
O verdadeiro «H»omem na história não é este guerreiro impetuoso, Conn, mas sim o bobo da corte anão - Nimbus.
É por esta espectacular personagem e pela forma magnífica como o livro está escrito que consigo, ainda assim, classificar este livro com 3 estrelas. Bastaria que Gelina lhe tivesse virado as costas no final para eu ponderar as 5 estrelas...
Unir a protagonista a um homem que a maltratou de todas as formas que conhecia e depois chamar-lhe «Conquistadora» ou é irónico ou é ridículo...esta mulher nem a própria dignidade soube conquistar.
April 13, 2011
First, I LOVE Teresa Medeiros and I've loved many of her books.
I can't love this one. I finished it last night and thought about it each time I woke during the night, trying to describe how I felt about it.
Must say, it was very well written and isn't a book that I will easily forget, that's on the plus side! The negative side is in the spoiler section here:
This book won't make me stop reading Teresa Medeiros' books, I'm just sad that I only have a couple more left!
I can't love this one. I finished it last night and thought about it each time I woke during the night, trying to describe how I felt about it.
Must say, it was very well written and isn't a book that I will easily forget, that's on the plus side! The negative side is in the spoiler section here:
This book won't make me stop reading Teresa Medeiros' books, I'm just sad that I only have a couple more left!
March 4, 2014
A Bodice Ripper set in Ireland’s Long Ago Past
Set in Ireland (Eire) in the 2nd century at the time when the High Kings reigned, this is the story of Conn of the Hundred Battles (a real historic figure), who as High King governs Eire through the Fianna, his legion of warriors. When Conn learns that someone is killing his men, he goes in search of the killer and finds Gelina O’Monaghan, who, along with her brother, is taking vengeance on Conn for destroying her family.
Since Gelina seems to Conn more a child than a woman, he decides to take her as his foster child. Back at Tara, Gelina develops a crush on the man who allowed her to live when he could have taken her life. Conn tells Gelina that he killed her brother when he (and she) attacked him, but in truth, Conn does not know if the brother lives. In the time that follows, Gelina defies Conn at every turn while falling in love with him. It’s a battle of wills and they come to both love and hate the other.
It’s a story that will hold your attention though there are some improbable moments and perhaps some disturbing elements (the bodice ripping comes late but it does involve rape. Then, too, Conn believes, illogically in my opinion, the worst of Gelina in places where the evidence would suggest otherwise. He is strong and stubborn. She is strong and resourceful, and will not suffer his betrayal easily. I liked her for that.
Medeiros has written a page-turner and included some wonderful secondary characters, perhaps my favorite being the dwarf Nimbus, who befriends and trusts Gelina and would marry her if he could. Some of the dialog is witty and endearing. I can recommend it but just be aware of the elements I mentioned.
Set in Ireland (Eire) in the 2nd century at the time when the High Kings reigned, this is the story of Conn of the Hundred Battles (a real historic figure), who as High King governs Eire through the Fianna, his legion of warriors. When Conn learns that someone is killing his men, he goes in search of the killer and finds Gelina O’Monaghan, who, along with her brother, is taking vengeance on Conn for destroying her family.
Since Gelina seems to Conn more a child than a woman, he decides to take her as his foster child. Back at Tara, Gelina develops a crush on the man who allowed her to live when he could have taken her life. Conn tells Gelina that he killed her brother when he (and she) attacked him, but in truth, Conn does not know if the brother lives. In the time that follows, Gelina defies Conn at every turn while falling in love with him. It’s a battle of wills and they come to both love and hate the other.
It’s a story that will hold your attention though there are some improbable moments and perhaps some disturbing elements (the bodice ripping comes late but it does involve rape. Then, too, Conn believes, illogically in my opinion, the worst of Gelina in places where the evidence would suggest otherwise. He is strong and stubborn. She is strong and resourceful, and will not suffer his betrayal easily. I liked her for that.
Medeiros has written a page-turner and included some wonderful secondary characters, perhaps my favorite being the dwarf Nimbus, who befriends and trusts Gelina and would marry her if he could. Some of the dialog is witty and endearing. I can recommend it but just be aware of the elements I mentioned.
June 12, 2014
For whatever reason, the anachronisms in this book made me CRAZY. Shearing sheep in the fall? Our heroine can read -- before the time of Arthur? Since when did the Irish even HAVE writing before the time of Arthur? People have private plates? Bowls of pepper (I think she was aiming for salt cellars and missed)? Partner dancing? Just got to be too much.
Part of the problem is that it's an idiot plot -- and a mega idiot plot, because not just the hero and heroine but pretty much EVERYONE has to act uncharacteristically stupid at some point for the plot to work. I get cranky when character after character does a 180 on me.
And I was particularly annoyed
Part of the problem is that it's an idiot plot -- and a mega idiot plot, because not just the hero and heroine but pretty much EVERYONE has to act uncharacteristically stupid at some point for the plot to work. I get cranky when character after character does a 180 on me.
And I was particularly annoyed
September 18, 2015
There is so much to say about this novel. I've read other books by Teresa Medeiros, but it only hit me with this one that she has a habit of pushing the envelope. And I have never seen her do so more boldly than she does here. Like many other readers before me have already said, not everything she attempts pans out in this novel. Personally, I found myself wishing that we could have seen more of Conn's experiences on the Roman slave ship since that appears to be the betrayal that presumably ruined him for Gelina, and may have made an interesting comparison when he turned around and made her his personal slave. But this book had some redeeming qualities too. The way that Medeiros sets up some of these scenes is nothing short of masterful. And, never so badly have I wanted to see a side character get the girl, even though I can relate to Gelina's toxic hate-love feelings for Conn.
This book didn't go down easy, but it held my attention.
And with all that said, I have arranged the rest of my thoughts into a haiku:
"Once burned is one thing,
Cheap promises break easy.
Sympathy expires."
This book didn't go down easy, but it held my attention.
And with all that said, I have arranged the rest of my thoughts into a haiku:
"Once burned is one thing,
Cheap promises break easy.
Sympathy expires."
April 18, 2013
Já finalizei a leitura e devo dizer que foi uma agradavel surpresa esta autora, nunca antes tinha lido nada dela e acabou por ser uma leitura compulsiva isto é, por um lado estava reticente por ser um romance historico mas por outro gostei da relação estabelecida entre Gelina e Conn apesar de tanto um como o outro quererem dominar completamente a relacao pela lei dos beijos e das espadas.
Nunca vi protagonistas que brigassem tanto e que se separassem tantas vezes ao longo do livro, ela chega ao final do livro com 18 anos não? Adorei o bobo Nimbus, que comédia, o irmão dela era um parvo sempre a tentar salvar a amada irmã das garras do malfeitor que afinal nao era malfeitor mas apenas apaixonado por ela, achei a relação com contornos meio dúbios, tanto andavam a chapada como andavam aos beijos.
O final acho que foi abrupto, de repente acabou o livro apesar da cena final acho que merecia um epilogo mais completo! Nevertheless uma boa leitura! Um bom augúrio para a proxima leitura que tenho da autora!
Nunca vi protagonistas que brigassem tanto e que se separassem tantas vezes ao longo do livro, ela chega ao final do livro com 18 anos não? Adorei o bobo Nimbus, que comédia, o irmão dela era um parvo sempre a tentar salvar a amada irmã das garras do malfeitor que afinal nao era malfeitor mas apenas apaixonado por ela, achei a relação com contornos meio dúbios, tanto andavam a chapada como andavam aos beijos.
O final acho que foi abrupto, de repente acabou o livro apesar da cena final acho que merecia um epilogo mais completo! Nevertheless uma boa leitura! Um bom augúrio para a proxima leitura que tenho da autora!
April 27, 2016
If there was a way to give it less than a one star rating I would. Absolutely hated the male protagonist of this book. I cannot understand the female protagonist's actions or the fact that she went back to him after all he had put her through. I also simply cannot understand how their love can be so great when it doesn't have a modicum of trust in it. I am, with very few exceptions, quite easy to please when it comes to historical romance, but I cannot remember the last time I hated the hero of the book so much. My recommendation would be to not bother with reading this one.
March 11, 2012
I usually love T.M.'s books...but I was sorry I read this one. I kept waiting for a plot twist, a redeeming moment...as the book continued its death spiral until it crashed and burned so badly I can still taste the acid when I think about it.
By all means, read this author. Just don't read THIS book.
[ Edit] Going over my past reviews...5 years later and I still get angry when I think about this book.... ^^;;
By all means, read this author. Just don't read THIS book.
[ Edit] Going over my past reviews...5 years later and I still get angry when I think about this book.... ^^;;
July 29, 2019
Second time reading this, had to lower my score a bit.
Let's see. I still like this book a lot. I liked every character individually, but when put together they could be very mean to each other.
Gelina is a strong, brave and a bit naive.
Conn is handsome and strong.
These two together hated each other most of the time, the rest of the time they loved each other.
The autor killed the best character.
Let's see. I still like this book a lot. I liked every character individually, but when put together they could be very mean to each other.
Gelina is a strong, brave and a bit naive.
Conn is handsome and strong.
These two together hated each other most of the time, the rest of the time they loved each other.
The autor killed the best character.
August 30, 2013
O que me atraiu principalmente neste livro foi a capa. Acho que nunca vi uma capa tão bonita pelo menos que me lembre.
Foi um livro que adorei ler, não conseguia largá-lo mas fiquei desiludida com o final, achei um bocado cor de rosa demais para o que estava à espera.
Foi um livro que adorei ler, não conseguia largá-lo mas fiquei desiludida com o final, achei um bocado cor de rosa demais para o que estava à espera.
March 1, 2015
Gostei bastante . . É um romance lindo cheio de aventura e nada monótono . Recomendo
December 7, 2019
Characters are TSTL. Couldn't finish, although I really wanted to.
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