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Medievals #2
By Design
On the streets of 14th-century London,handsome Rhys is captivated by a stunning young woman selling her exquisitely crafted pottery.
373 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2004
81 people are currently reading
1109 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
102 books2,100 followersMadeline Hunter is a nationally bestselling author of historical romances who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. Her books have won two RITA awards and seven nominations, and have had three starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. In a parallel existence to the one she enjoys as a novelist, Madeline has a Ph.D. in art history and teaches at an East Coast university.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
January 28, 2024
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 4,5 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•
Rhys, após a queda do rei Eduardo, é promovido a mestre.
Com Moira casada com Addis, a única mulher que ele pensou em algo sério, Rhys continua sozinho.
Até que vê Joan no mercado.
Fica completamente obcecado com ela, e compra o contrato dela ao proprietário do estaleiro de azulejos, pelo qual ela foi condenada e humilhada publicamente, por os artigos serem defeituosos.
Joan esconde segredos, mas Rhys não os quer ver.
Mark, irmão mais novo de Joan também vai viver para casa de Rhys.
Voltamos a ter Rhys e Addis a lutar pela justiça, retirar do poder, representantes do rei, que usurpam o poder.
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Rhys, after the fall of King Edward, is promoted to master.
With Moira married to Addis, the only woman he thought about anything seriously, Rhys remains alone.
Until he sees Joan at the market.
He becomes completely obsessed with her, and buys her contract from the owner of the tile yard, for which she was condemned and publicly humiliated, because the articles were defective.
Joan hides secrets, but Rhys doesn't want to see them.
Mark, Joan's younger brother, will also live at Rhys' house.
We return to Rhys and Addis fighting for justice, removing the king's representatives from power, who usurp power.
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June 6, 2022
So I read this book two months ago, but it's surprisingly quite vivid in my mind.
Rhys is a master stonemason who ends up acquiring Joan, a peasant girl, as his mistress. Unbeknownst to him, she's actually the noble daughter of a murdered lord, and bent on vengeance.
I do enjoy Hunter's Medieval series - firstly for its relatively unusual historical setting, which she portrays well, but also because I love her alpha heroes here and the flavours of dubcon inherent to such power differentials as man/mistress. Her medieval heroes are pretty domineering, more so than in her regencies, but the heroines are no shrinking violets and it works well.
That said, her books move very slowly and the prose is... weird - not flat exactly, but somehow dispassionate.
Rhys is a master stonemason who ends up acquiring Joan, a peasant girl, as his mistress. Unbeknownst to him, she's actually the noble daughter of a murdered lord, and bent on vengeance.
I do enjoy Hunter's Medieval series - firstly for its relatively unusual historical setting, which she portrays well, but also because I love her alpha heroes here and the flavours of dubcon inherent to such power differentials as man/mistress. Her medieval heroes are pretty domineering, more so than in her regencies, but the heroines are no shrinking violets and it works well.
That said, her books move very slowly and the prose is... weird - not flat exactly, but somehow dispassionate.
March 21, 2022
Great hero, annoying heroine.
Again, the hero is great, while the heroine is childish, petulant, mean and self-absorbed. Joan is a contradiction and unlikeable. The same plot of impossible love because of class distinction was tedious. I love Madeline Hunter, but this story is not one of my favorites.
Again, the hero is great, while the heroine is childish, petulant, mean and self-absorbed. Joan is a contradiction and unlikeable. The same plot of impossible love because of class distinction was tedious. I love Madeline Hunter, but this story is not one of my favorites.
August 12, 2010
I'm feeling ashamed that I do not like this because every single one of my GR friends has rated it with 4 stars or above. I have tried and tried but I cannot bring myself to like the heroine at all. And the only thing that's progressed in the first 125 pages of the book, is the politics. Other than that it's a repetition of push-and-shove-back: they're attracted instantly, he pushes her to accept it, she shoves him back. And again. And again. And again....
But perhaps I'm just in a bad mood, because I have trouble finishing the book I picked up after this one as well. Who knows:)
But perhaps I'm just in a bad mood, because I have trouble finishing the book I picked up after this one as well. Who knows:)
February 6, 2018
Rhys is a 5 star hero. Joan is a 1 star heroine. I never warmed up to her. At all. Towards the end, I skipped about 50 pages and skimmed the past 10. I wish Rhys would have gotten a better heroine and a better story. :(
October 6, 2022
Há muitos anos li outros livros que agora sei pertencer a esta série "Medieval" - Casamento de Conveniência, de que gostei bastante, O Protector (Medieval Series, Mil Noites de Paixão (Medieval Series, de que não gostei tanto.
Volvidos tantos anos, volto a apreciar este tipo de enredo por parte da autora. Temos conspirações na corte, golpes de Estado, um ambiente muito bem criado e cheio de pormenores históricos. Li algures que a autora é Professa de História, o que me parece bastante compreensível.
Neste romance, temos outra história madura de duas personagens com substância, cujos objetivos e interesses na vida vão muito além da paixão que se desenvolve ao longo das páginas, mas chegam a ser postos em causa pela mesma. Gosto de personagens com várias camadas, complexas, que não se entregam com facilidade e que vão evoluíndo ao longo da narrativa. Destaco o tom quase poético - e espiritual - que o livro alcança quando a autora descreve a dedicação que os dois protagonistas sentem pela sua arte. Ele esculpe em pedra, ela faz figurinhas de barro / argila. Figuras religiosas às quais imprimem a humanidade possível. É a catarse que essa arte lhes oferece que é comovente e palpável - percebe-se que a autora investiu bastante na construção emocional dos protagonistas.
Joan, a Ceramista, e Rhys, o maçon, são duas personagens com uma solidez histórica muito interessante, e o romance (bem como as partes picantes) está bem desenvolvido. É positivo que se crie uma história de amor ambientada na Idade Medieval sem que a mesma grite machismo. Essa contemporaneidade do romance é um feito, nem sempre bem conseguido noutros volumes, inclusive da mesma autora.
Volvidos tantos anos, volto a apreciar este tipo de enredo por parte da autora. Temos conspirações na corte, golpes de Estado, um ambiente muito bem criado e cheio de pormenores históricos. Li algures que a autora é Professa de História, o que me parece bastante compreensível.
Neste romance, temos outra história madura de duas personagens com substância, cujos objetivos e interesses na vida vão muito além da paixão que se desenvolve ao longo das páginas, mas chegam a ser postos em causa pela mesma. Gosto de personagens com várias camadas, complexas, que não se entregam com facilidade e que vão evoluíndo ao longo da narrativa. Destaco o tom quase poético - e espiritual - que o livro alcança quando a autora descreve a dedicação que os dois protagonistas sentem pela sua arte. Ele esculpe em pedra, ela faz figurinhas de barro / argila. Figuras religiosas às quais imprimem a humanidade possível. É a catarse que essa arte lhes oferece que é comovente e palpável - percebe-se que a autora investiu bastante na construção emocional dos protagonistas.
Joan, a Ceramista, e Rhys, o maçon, são duas personagens com uma solidez histórica muito interessante, e o romance (bem como as partes picantes) está bem desenvolvido. É positivo que se crie uma história de amor ambientada na Idade Medieval sem que a mesma grite machismo. Essa contemporaneidade do romance é um feito, nem sempre bem conseguido noutros volumes, inclusive da mesma autora.
November 24, 2020
3,5/4 - Giunta al secondo volume di questa serie d'ambientazione medievale, non posso che confermare che preferisco nettamente la Hunter in versione regency.
Non c'è niente da fare.
Per carità, l'epoca scelta è più che interessante: siamo nell'Inghilterra del '300, coeva alle Crociate, con uno scenario più che mai instabile e con i baroni pronti a servire ora questo ora quel monarca in grado di accaparrarsi il trono: adesso c'è riuscita Isabella, che ha insediato suo figlio Edoardo, ma regna al suo posto affiancata dal suo amante Mortimer.
Si tratta di un'epoca in cui, tuttavia, rifiorisce l'artigianato e il commercio, riprendono a lavorare scultori, piastrellai, vasai, pittori, e dimore e chiese andate in rovina vengono ingrandite e ristrutturate.
Se avete già letto TU MI APPARTIENI, ricorderete l'abile Rhys, mastro muratore e grande amico di Moira, mentre lei decideva chi preferire tra lui e Addis il barone (sì, Moira non aveva goduto granché i miei favori come personaggio...). Ebbene, Rhys è ancora all'opera, si è fatto una certa fama, e si destreggia tra la sua vera attività e quella più segreta in ambito politico (dovrebbe rappresentare l'influenza sempre più crescente nel regno del ceto borghese/commerciante, rispetto ai signorotti feudali e al clero).
Un giorno s'imbatte in una giovane che vende statue d'argilla fatte da lei, per poi ritrovarla subito dopo esposta alla gogna per scontare una punizione del suo padrone. Ovviamente, come già accaduto con Moira, di nuovo scatta in lui l'istinto del brav'uomo, tanto che accoglie la giovane e il fratello presso di sé, li mantiene, li aiuta in tutti i modi possibili.
E i fratelli gliene dovrebbero essere grati?
Sì, no, forse.
Ok, anche Joan non è mi risultata troppo simpatica: da un lato, l'ho trovata incoerente, un colpo è una ragazzina senza protezione e diritti, un colpo dimostra un orgoglio fuori tempo, un colpo quasi disprezza il povero Rhys che non è abbastanza uomo d'onore.
E un po' tutto il percorso che compie la donna è privo di fondamento storico, così come di credibilità.
Insomma, tanto eroina fuori epoca, oltre che incostante.
Basti dire che, alla fine, sono arrivata addirittura a riconsiderare Moira, che riappare con Addis ed è l'unica a sostenere in modo leale il protagonista.
Se vi piacciono i romanzi polposi, è una lettura che fa per voi.
Io sarei curiosa di proseguire solo per vedere chi viene appioppato a Marcus, nel gioco delle contrapposizioni della serie (nobile/servo della gleba, nobile/artigiano, ecc.).
Non c'è niente da fare.
Per carità, l'epoca scelta è più che interessante: siamo nell'Inghilterra del '300, coeva alle Crociate, con uno scenario più che mai instabile e con i baroni pronti a servire ora questo ora quel monarca in grado di accaparrarsi il trono: adesso c'è riuscita Isabella, che ha insediato suo figlio Edoardo, ma regna al suo posto affiancata dal suo amante Mortimer.
Si tratta di un'epoca in cui, tuttavia, rifiorisce l'artigianato e il commercio, riprendono a lavorare scultori, piastrellai, vasai, pittori, e dimore e chiese andate in rovina vengono ingrandite e ristrutturate.
Se avete già letto TU MI APPARTIENI, ricorderete l'abile Rhys, mastro muratore e grande amico di Moira, mentre lei decideva chi preferire tra lui e Addis il barone (sì, Moira non aveva goduto granché i miei favori come personaggio...). Ebbene, Rhys è ancora all'opera, si è fatto una certa fama, e si destreggia tra la sua vera attività e quella più segreta in ambito politico (dovrebbe rappresentare l'influenza sempre più crescente nel regno del ceto borghese/commerciante, rispetto ai signorotti feudali e al clero).
Un giorno s'imbatte in una giovane che vende statue d'argilla fatte da lei, per poi ritrovarla subito dopo esposta alla gogna per scontare una punizione del suo padrone. Ovviamente, come già accaduto con Moira, di nuovo scatta in lui l'istinto del brav'uomo, tanto che accoglie la giovane e il fratello presso di sé, li mantiene, li aiuta in tutti i modi possibili.
E i fratelli gliene dovrebbero essere grati?
Sì, no, forse.
Ok, anche Joan non è mi risultata troppo simpatica: da un lato, l'ho trovata incoerente, un colpo è una ragazzina senza protezione e diritti, un colpo dimostra un orgoglio fuori tempo, un colpo quasi disprezza il povero Rhys che non è abbastanza uomo d'onore.
E un po' tutto il percorso che compie la donna è privo di fondamento storico, così come di credibilità.
Insomma, tanto eroina fuori epoca, oltre che incostante.
Basti dire che, alla fine, sono arrivata addirittura a riconsiderare Moira, che riappare con Addis ed è l'unica a sostenere in modo leale il protagonista.
Se vi piacciono i romanzi polposi, è una lettura che fa per voi.
Io sarei curiosa di proseguire solo per vedere chi viene appioppato a Marcus, nel gioco delle contrapposizioni della serie (nobile/servo della gleba, nobile/artigiano, ecc.).
February 15, 2011
3.5
I came across Hunter for her Regency novels, but whenever I find a new (to me) romance author whose work I admire, I like to go back and read her oeuvre from start to finish, so I'm in the midst of reading a bunch of Medieval romances. Hunter is a strong writer, and her books are deeply imbued with the history of the periods of which she writes. After reading three of her Medieval books, though, I'm starting to feel that her early work is rather old-fashioned -- not quite Old Skool, but perhaps Middle Skool, if I can build on a coined phrase? Her heroes don't abuse the heroines, and the often dominating ways they treat the heroines can certainly be chalked up to the time period in which the novels are set. But... each romance arc seems the same, despite the differences in plot of each book -- hero and heroine feel mutual sexual attraction, the heroine resists, then ends up submitting to her desire. The heroine's resistance makes sense, plot-wise; there is always a compelling plot-reason why the heroine cannot be with the hero. It's the repetition of the same plot pattern that makes me feel these books are somewhat old-fashioned. A great author writes different romance arcs, as well as different plots.
The repetition struck me especially hard after reading this book, because the plot depends so much on the "woman in peril" trope for its emotional charge. Like Gothic literature, much Old Skool romance depends on the woman's body being endangered to draw in its readers, and I'm not so fond of that trope, I must admit. I also wondered about the author's decision to let us think (and let the heroine think) that she had killed her abuser, but then take that away by making the bad guy come back from the grave so that the hero can kill him off instead.
I did like the slight nuance she gave to the villain (or at least, to the heroine's insight about the villain).
I'll be interested to see how long it takes Hunter to give up the trope of woman in peril/woman who must resist the man's desire (or if she truly never gives it up, and I just didn't notice it as much in her more recent Regency work...) as I read through the rest of her novels.
I came across Hunter for her Regency novels, but whenever I find a new (to me) romance author whose work I admire, I like to go back and read her oeuvre from start to finish, so I'm in the midst of reading a bunch of Medieval romances. Hunter is a strong writer, and her books are deeply imbued with the history of the periods of which she writes. After reading three of her Medieval books, though, I'm starting to feel that her early work is rather old-fashioned -- not quite Old Skool, but perhaps Middle Skool, if I can build on a coined phrase? Her heroes don't abuse the heroines, and the often dominating ways they treat the heroines can certainly be chalked up to the time period in which the novels are set. But... each romance arc seems the same, despite the differences in plot of each book -- hero and heroine feel mutual sexual attraction, the heroine resists, then ends up submitting to her desire. The heroine's resistance makes sense, plot-wise; there is always a compelling plot-reason why the heroine cannot be with the hero. It's the repetition of the same plot pattern that makes me feel these books are somewhat old-fashioned. A great author writes different romance arcs, as well as different plots.
The repetition struck me especially hard after reading this book, because the plot depends so much on the "woman in peril" trope for its emotional charge. Like Gothic literature, much Old Skool romance depends on the woman's body being endangered to draw in its readers, and I'm not so fond of that trope, I must admit. I also wondered about the author's decision to let us think (and let the heroine think) that she had killed her abuser, but then take that away by making the bad guy come back from the grave so that the hero can kill him off instead.
I did like the slight nuance she gave to the villain (or at least, to the heroine's insight about the villain).
I'll be interested to see how long it takes Hunter to give up the trope of woman in peril/woman who must resist the man's desire (or if she truly never gives it up, and I just didn't notice it as much in her more recent Regency work...) as I read through the rest of her novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2009
By Design will be enjoyed so much more if you have read By Possession first. MH is a masterful storyteller and By Design is a poignant story, often sad due to the struggles of the time period but beautifully touching and heartwarming. MH descriptions of the time and place where Joan and Rhys find each other is mesmerizing at times. MH writes with an intelligence and warmth of characters that is true escapism.
February 1, 2013
Read this one a few years ago and loved it. Joan and Rhys were fantastic together -- strong, independent, passionate, and stubborn. I liked the Medieval setting, with the stone masonry (Freemasons) and the potters guild, the craft fairs, etc. Glad to see Joan and Rhys get their HEA, but it didnt come easily, so I closed the book with a very satisfied sigh. After all the drama and injustice, they deserved it!
Flaws? Probably. Just can't recall them.
Flaws? Probably. Just can't recall them.
January 6, 2023
Adoro os livros desta escritora! E este não desiludiu.
Um casal diferente do habitual e com um final adorável. Penso que a trama podia ter sido mais explorada mas mesmo assim ficamos curiosos de saber como tudo se iria resolver. Que venha o próximo livro !
Um casal diferente do habitual e com um final adorável. Penso que a trama podia ter sido mais explorada mas mesmo assim ficamos curiosos de saber como tudo se iria resolver. Que venha o próximo livro !
May 29, 2025
3.5 stars
March 4, 2017
Rhys is a freemason and master builder who had been caught up in politics once before, but has decided to avoid it now. He's intrigued when he sees Joan in the marketplace and knows she's hiding something. She is. In actuality, she's living for revenge . She's determined to help her brother regain his place. Rhys becomes an unlikely ally, but he wants more than her friendship and isn't shy about seducing her into it. When he finds out who she really is though, he realizes there is no future for them, despite how much they love each other.
Joan and her past are pretty tragic, having endured . It pretty much made her an awesome heroine in how she overcame this. In the first book, Rhys came across as a very sympathetic soul - he was a little less so here. He's still pretty likeable with his willingness to help Joan and her brother, and his confusion about whether to take sides in the political conflict was understandable. Compared to the hero in the first book, Rhys is a little too willing to take what he wants from Joan, no matter the consequences. He's pretty determined to make her his mistress which is kind of dicey especially considering he owns her indenture. The first hero drew clear lines because of that "ownership" thing, where Rhys did not. It also kind of irked me that once he knew who she rally was and was above him in status, that he changed his tune about wanting her for a mistress. But, the angst that this realization creates was delicious. Joan and Rhys by this point are madly in love, one which translates well on the page - it's very emotional - but Rhys and Joan can never marry because of their stations. So both become martyrs for love in a way. And the ending seemed so simple, despite how difficult they made it seem to be together. I wish there'd been an epilogue where we could see how the powers that be were accepting Joan's decision.
Joan and her past are pretty tragic, having endured . It pretty much made her an awesome heroine in how she overcame this. In the first book, Rhys came across as a very sympathetic soul - he was a little less so here. He's still pretty likeable with his willingness to help Joan and her brother, and his confusion about whether to take sides in the political conflict was understandable. Compared to the hero in the first book, Rhys is a little too willing to take what he wants from Joan, no matter the consequences. He's pretty determined to make her his mistress which is kind of dicey especially considering he owns her indenture. The first hero drew clear lines because of that "ownership" thing, where Rhys did not. It also kind of irked me that once he knew who she rally was and was above him in status, that he changed his tune about wanting her for a mistress. But, the angst that this realization creates was delicious. Joan and Rhys by this point are madly in love, one which translates well on the page - it's very emotional - but Rhys and Joan can never marry because of their stations. So both become martyrs for love in a way. And the ending seemed so simple, despite how difficult they made it seem to be together. I wish there'd been an epilogue where we could see how the powers that be were accepting Joan's decision.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2011
Joan has escaped the horrors in her past, only to indenture herself for 5 years to a London tiler. Her drunken master, however, was responsible for putting her in the stocks, since she was caught selling the defective tiles he sent with her to the market. Rhys protects her from the hecklers & rotten-fruit throwers, and ends up buying her indenture. He knows that he wants more from her than master & servant, but he also senses her fear of physical involvement. So altho he keeps her papers, he has not forced her to his bed - even though they both feel the strong sexual awareness between them. Joan has strong reasons for avoiding intimacy, and she is so focused on avenging what happened in the past that she does not feel she has the right to enjoy the present. Then suddenly all the promise of what could be is spoiled when the ugly and dangerous past returns.
The title of this book is very appropriate - both Rhys & Joan are designers. Rhys is a mason who also sculpts beautiful statues; Joan makes lovely tiles and beautiful miniature statues. I loved reading about their work.
This is a stand-alone story, but the roles that Addis & Moira play here make more sense if you have read By Possession, the first book in this series. But that's no punishment, as this is a great series!
The title of this book is very appropriate - both Rhys & Joan are designers. Rhys is a mason who also sculpts beautiful statues; Joan makes lovely tiles and beautiful miniature statues. I loved reading about their work.
This is a stand-alone story, but the roles that Addis & Moira play here make more sense if you have read By Possession, the first book in this series. But that's no punishment, as this is a great series!
August 12, 2012
I was surprised that a book of Madeline Hunter's, an author I really enjoy, was such a miss for me. Maybe it's that I don't particularly care for medievals. Maybe it was that the supporting characters (the main characters, not so much) were acting in historically accurate ways, and I didn't enjoy it. Maybe it's that the main characters did NOT act in historically accurate ways, and that irritated me. I don't know.
In short, Rhys was a male Mary Sue, and Joan hit the TSTL mark with a resounding THUD. Joan was the most irritating heroine I have read about in a long time: she is supposed to be strong and fierce and independent (unrealistic in medieval times, but, okay), but really, she's just stubborn. Stubborn, argumentative, hard when she should be soft (maybe you could say THANK YOU to Rhys once in a while?), and soft when she should be hard (if you're such a badass, why do you let your TEENAGE brother Mark boss you around like a champion?).
Meh. Addis and Moira's story was okaaaaaay, and this one wasn't much better.
I will definitely read Hunter's other books, but I'm not sure if I want to continue with the Medievals series.
In short, Rhys was a male Mary Sue, and Joan hit the TSTL mark with a resounding THUD. Joan was the most irritating heroine I have read about in a long time: she is supposed to be strong and fierce and independent (unrealistic in medieval times, but, okay), but really, she's just stubborn. Stubborn, argumentative, hard when she should be soft (maybe you could say THANK YOU to Rhys once in a while?), and soft when she should be hard (if you're such a badass, why do you let your TEENAGE brother Mark boss you around like a champion?).
Meh. Addis and Moira's story was okaaaaaay, and this one wasn't much better.
I will definitely read Hunter's other books, but I'm not sure if I want to continue with the Medievals series.
January 15, 2024
4 stars
Rhys and Joan
This book should have been a dnf but I had read another in this series and knew that it would be moving and rich. There was no joy in this story, the closest was at best bittersweet. The H/H were on the brink of disaster from start to finish. Every day was another reason for it to be the last time they would be together. I wondered if this would be my first HR in which one or both died or they did not end up together. I was always on the brink of tears and couldn’t wait for it to be over. Even the split second of HEA was painful and did not come close to healing the heartbreak (my own) suffered throughout the story. Hunter knows how to keep you enthralled but I need the sweetness and euphoria of a true HEA. This is not a read again for me.
Rhys and Joan
This book should have been a dnf but I had read another in this series and knew that it would be moving and rich. There was no joy in this story, the closest was at best bittersweet. The H/H were on the brink of disaster from start to finish. Every day was another reason for it to be the last time they would be together. I wondered if this would be my first HR in which one or both died or they did not end up together. I was always on the brink of tears and couldn’t wait for it to be over. Even the split second of HEA was painful and did not come close to healing the heartbreak (my own) suffered throughout the story. Hunter knows how to keep you enthralled but I need the sweetness and euphoria of a true HEA. This is not a read again for me.
March 14, 2020
3 Stars
January 12, 2020
Sappy
Too too many long love scenes -- overwhelmed the story. Enjoy this author, but skipped pages of sex without missing a brat.
Too too many long love scenes -- overwhelmed the story. Enjoy this author, but skipped pages of sex without missing a brat.
March 1, 2025
I was really looking forward to reading Rhys's story after his role in Moira's, but... eh. Madeline Hunter's medieval romances are in a class of their own in many ways and By Design is no exception. As well written as the book is, though, the relationship between Rhys and Joan just didn't do it for me. I can't quite put my finger on what it was, whether it was them as characters, them as a couple, or how their story unfolded. Something in the mix just didn't jive for me and I found myself skimming towards the end.
I know some readers point to Joan as an uninteresting or unlovable character, often stating that she's either too childish or too spoiled to be likeable as a heroine. Personally, I don't think she's either of those things, and I had no trouble wishing for her to have her happy ending. Her courage in the face of all her troubles is deeply moving -- bearing up under the weight of her trauma, the ongoing threat of discovery and having to live in constant fear, all while determinedly saving every meager coin she can scrape together to one day have a chance to avenge what was done to her. If she resists the emotional connection with Rhys, forces barriers and refuses to tell him everything, as helpful to their situation as that would have been, there are very understandable reasons for her reserve. So no, I don't think the problem lies in Joan's personality.
On the positive side, I really enjoyed the continuity of Hunter's world, with appearances made by both Addis and Moira (the leading couple from the preceding book, By Possession), as well as the unfolding drama of this tumultuous period of English history. In Addis & Moira's story, their romance played out in the midst of the forced abdication of Edward II, and By Design picked up a few years later as the tensions came to a breaking point between a young Edward III and the insidious duo of his power-grasping mother and her greedy lover, Roger Mortimer. It was interesting to see Rhys and Addis reconcile their roles in the downfall of one king against the fact that their actions years ago led to the accession of new leaders who, in turn, became the same kind of despots they'd once fought to overthrow. Hunter even found a way to weave Joan's backstory into these events that created high stakes for her and Rhys to contend with. For all that the resolution of their romance felt like a piece was missing, the story is an engrossing tale of a time and place the author clearly adores bringing her readers to visit.
I know some readers point to Joan as an uninteresting or unlovable character, often stating that she's either too childish or too spoiled to be likeable as a heroine. Personally, I don't think she's either of those things, and I had no trouble wishing for her to have her happy ending. Her courage in the face of all her troubles is deeply moving -- bearing up under the weight of her trauma, the ongoing threat of discovery and having to live in constant fear, all while determinedly saving every meager coin she can scrape together to one day have a chance to avenge what was done to her. If she resists the emotional connection with Rhys, forces barriers and refuses to tell him everything, as helpful to their situation as that would have been, there are very understandable reasons for her reserve. So no, I don't think the problem lies in Joan's personality.
On the positive side, I really enjoyed the continuity of Hunter's world, with appearances made by both Addis and Moira (the leading couple from the preceding book, By Possession), as well as the unfolding drama of this tumultuous period of English history. In Addis & Moira's story, their romance played out in the midst of the forced abdication of Edward II, and By Design picked up a few years later as the tensions came to a breaking point between a young Edward III and the insidious duo of his power-grasping mother and her greedy lover, Roger Mortimer. It was interesting to see Rhys and Addis reconcile their roles in the downfall of one king against the fact that their actions years ago led to the accession of new leaders who, in turn, became the same kind of despots they'd once fought to overthrow. Hunter even found a way to weave Joan's backstory into these events that created high stakes for her and Rhys to contend with. For all that the resolution of their romance felt like a piece was missing, the story is an engrossing tale of a time and place the author clearly adores bringing her readers to visit.
May 19, 2023
Arte e Criatividade - Estou bastante satisfeita com o lançamento do segundo livro “O mestre e a aprendiza” da fabulosa série “Medieval” que nos conta a história de Rhys & Joan. Um casal forte, independentes, apaixonados e teimosos. Se bem que adorei ler sobre o trabalho deles, cada um na sua área, mas que se complementam.
Esta mulher é filha de um barão, escapou dos horrores do passado e está tão focada em se vingar desse passado que não sente ter direito a aproveitar o presente. Mas é em Rhys que encontra um pouco de paz, ternura e compreensão, para além do acolhimento. Para viver ela terá de lutar contra uma sociedade do século 14 que não permite a união deles e assim ter direito á felicidade.
Rhys mostrou ser um herói maravilhoso, era forte, honrado, calmo, amoroso e tão terno, o trecho onde ele leva Joan para casa e limpa suas feridas faz-nos suspirar 😊 Existe alguma reflexão perspicaz neste romance, nomeadamente sobre a vida e o amor, exemplo disso é a própria vida de Rhys antes de Joan, um homem que não tinha nada pelo que lutar.
Como nos vem habituando, a autora cria os nossos heróis alfa como homens bastante dominadores, ainda que elas não sejam propriamente flores frágeis encolhidas, e isso efetivamente funciona muito bem 😉, existe aqui muito conhecimento sobre carater humano, velhas feridas/ mágoas e muita sabedoria nos personagens bem desenvolvidos, que nos faz divagar ainda que inadvertidamente, numa empatia sublime.
Aconselho a ler por ordem a s��rie, uma vez que por exemplo este livro será mais apreciado se tiver lido o primeiro, sendo que Addis & Moira desempenham aqui um papel com bastante sentido. Os cenários que nos transportam para a época medieval são fantásticos. Recomendo fortemente e a aguardar com expetativa o lançamento do terceiro livro para assim finalizar esta maravilhosa série.
Esta mulher é filha de um barão, escapou dos horrores do passado e está tão focada em se vingar desse passado que não sente ter direito a aproveitar o presente. Mas é em Rhys que encontra um pouco de paz, ternura e compreensão, para além do acolhimento. Para viver ela terá de lutar contra uma sociedade do século 14 que não permite a união deles e assim ter direito á felicidade.
Rhys mostrou ser um herói maravilhoso, era forte, honrado, calmo, amoroso e tão terno, o trecho onde ele leva Joan para casa e limpa suas feridas faz-nos suspirar 😊 Existe alguma reflexão perspicaz neste romance, nomeadamente sobre a vida e o amor, exemplo disso é a própria vida de Rhys antes de Joan, um homem que não tinha nada pelo que lutar.
Como nos vem habituando, a autora cria os nossos heróis alfa como homens bastante dominadores, ainda que elas não sejam propriamente flores frágeis encolhidas, e isso efetivamente funciona muito bem 😉, existe aqui muito conhecimento sobre carater humano, velhas feridas/ mágoas e muita sabedoria nos personagens bem desenvolvidos, que nos faz divagar ainda que inadvertidamente, numa empatia sublime.
Aconselho a ler por ordem a s��rie, uma vez que por exemplo este livro será mais apreciado se tiver lido o primeiro, sendo que Addis & Moira desempenham aqui um papel com bastante sentido. Os cenários que nos transportam para a época medieval são fantásticos. Recomendo fortemente e a aguardar com expetativa o lançamento do terceiro livro para assim finalizar esta maravilhosa série.
November 9, 2018
This came highly recommended to me, and why I let it sit on my shelf unread for months is beyond me now.
She hooked me right away with the beginning in the marketplace, and from there on out I found it so very hard to put down.
I've never read a book before that weaved romance and art/creativeness together so beautifully, if at all. It was utterly refreshing in that sense! I looked forward to when Rhys and Joan were making art together and very much enjoyed reading about it.
From the time Rhys first came upon Joan and the way he treated her, I knew he was going to be a wonderful hero, and he never disappointed. He was strong, honorable, calm, loving and oh so tender. When he took Joan home and washed her wounds I sighed.
I did like Joan, but at times I wanted to grab her and say "Joan dear, he LOVES you, the past is in the past, leave it! CLING to him!!"
I certainly was happy that none of the love scenes were crass or crude, like so much of the soft p*orn out there now in romance books. The love scenes were done very tastefully and beautifully.
The writer has woven so much insight into human character, old wounds/hurts and wisdom into the characters I found myself talking about this book to my husband and daughter.
The way Rhys treated Joan with such tenderness, respect and patience just made me fall in love with him. This is one of the rare books that brought me to tears while reading.
Not only one of the top five romance books I've ever read, but one of my top five books EVER read. I am so keeping this to re-read and now I am off to buy her others ones.
She hooked me right away with the beginning in the marketplace, and from there on out I found it so very hard to put down.
I've never read a book before that weaved romance and art/creativeness together so beautifully, if at all. It was utterly refreshing in that sense! I looked forward to when Rhys and Joan were making art together and very much enjoyed reading about it.
From the time Rhys first came upon Joan and the way he treated her, I knew he was going to be a wonderful hero, and he never disappointed. He was strong, honorable, calm, loving and oh so tender. When he took Joan home and washed her wounds I sighed.
I did like Joan, but at times I wanted to grab her and say "Joan dear, he LOVES you, the past is in the past, leave it! CLING to him!!"
I certainly was happy that none of the love scenes were crass or crude, like so much of the soft p*orn out there now in romance books. The love scenes were done very tastefully and beautifully.
The writer has woven so much insight into human character, old wounds/hurts and wisdom into the characters I found myself talking about this book to my husband and daughter.
The way Rhys treated Joan with such tenderness, respect and patience just made me fall in love with him. This is one of the rare books that brought me to tears while reading.
Not only one of the top five romance books I've ever read, but one of my top five books EVER read. I am so keeping this to re-read and now I am off to buy her others ones.
April 28, 2025
Crime, luxúria e paixão combinam-se num romance histórico talhado em Amor.
Gostei muito de Rhys, um homem forte, honrado e compassivo, que luta pelos seus ideais e pelo bem do seu país (apesar de não ser o mais beneficiado nesta luta). Joan é uma heroína corajosa e destemida. O irmão, Mark, é um mimado ingrato. Enquanto estavam na disputa pela sobrevivência, só arranjava sarilhos e não ajudava a irmã; mas, quando está prestes a receber, novamente, o título de lorde, já tem a mania que manda em Joan (aquela que tanto se sacrificou para que não o matassem).
Adorei o livro! Ficarei com uma sensação agridoce, após esta leitura. Feliz, porque amei a história deste livro. Triste, pois este mês, Madeline Hunter faleceu e “O Mestre e a Aprendiza” será, porventura, o último livro dela que lerei.
@100clubedeleitura
Gostei muito de Rhys, um homem forte, honrado e compassivo, que luta pelos seus ideais e pelo bem do seu país (apesar de não ser o mais beneficiado nesta luta). Joan é uma heroína corajosa e destemida. O irmão, Mark, é um mimado ingrato. Enquanto estavam na disputa pela sobrevivência, só arranjava sarilhos e não ajudava a irmã; mas, quando está prestes a receber, novamente, o título de lorde, já tem a mania que manda em Joan (aquela que tanto se sacrificou para que não o matassem).
Adorei o livro! Ficarei com uma sensação agridoce, após esta leitura. Feliz, porque amei a história deste livro. Triste, pois este mês, Madeline Hunter faleceu e “O Mestre e a Aprendiza” será, porventura, o último livro dela que lerei.
@100clubedeleitura
August 9, 2019
Rhys - a master stonemason who helped King Edward depose his father, sees potter/tile maker Joan in the market and is attracted. After saving her and her brother a couple of times, he buys her indenture and moves brother and sister to his house. All is not how it appears. Joan is actually the daughter of a baron, and they are fleeing for their lives to escape the evil knight who killed her father. As Rhys and Joan fall in love, this knight comes between them, both physically and emotionally due to his earlier abuse of Joan.
All comes out and is resolved - even the difference in the station so they can marry. Interesting time period/story.
All comes out and is resolved - even the difference in the station so they can marry. Interesting time period/story.
April 24, 2022
This is a very good book! I am usually wary of books taking place before 1800 or so, as they seem to fudge history far more than necessary. This book is an exception. While there are, of course, fudges, nothing stood out to me as being so completely anachronistic that it ruined the book for me (like one 11th century book I read where apparently they were familiar with penicillin and germ theory). In addition, the characters in this book are well developed, sympathetic, and the reader feels a real empathy with them. This book has a strong plot, but the plot aids the romance rather than overwhelming it. A very good book!
May 6, 2022
A História de Joan e Rhys, um amor impossível entre um homem comum e uma nobre.
Depois de um batalha nas terras de seu pai, Joan perdeu tudo e ainda teve que submeter a um ser ordinário em troca da vida do irmão. Depois de3 anos vivendo na penúria e trabalhando duro para se manterem, ela encontra em Rhys um pouco de paz, ternura, compreensão e acolhimento.
Porém, em meio a felicidade, há obstáculos a serem ultrapassados. Sua ideia de se vingar de quem os arruinou os leva por outros caminhos e a separação... porque nesse processo perdeu o companheirismo dele.
Para viver ela terá que lutar contra uma sociedade que não permite a união deles e assim ter o direito a felicidade.
Depois de um batalha nas terras de seu pai, Joan perdeu tudo e ainda teve que submeter a um ser ordinário em troca da vida do irmão. Depois de3 anos vivendo na penúria e trabalhando duro para se manterem, ela encontra em Rhys um pouco de paz, ternura, compreensão e acolhimento.
Porém, em meio a felicidade, há obstáculos a serem ultrapassados. Sua ideia de se vingar de quem os arruinou os leva por outros caminhos e a separação... porque nesse processo perdeu o companheirismo dele.
Para viver ela terá que lutar contra uma sociedade que não permite a união deles e assim ter o direito a felicidade.
October 23, 2024
Great generous, honorable and strong hero, good heroine with her pride and stubbornness as a driving force to reconquer everything she's lost...
or more accurately...what rightfully belongs to her brother.
I wasn't a fan of the brother/sister relationship which shapes the heroine's decisions even if it is historically accurate.
The story flows and my attention was captured all the way through.
The chemistry is strong and the love scenes are steamy🔥 but something felt missing for me, in terms of narration if not plot.
I enjoyed this story but I didn't love it compared to other books by the same author.
or more accurately...what rightfully belongs to her brother.
I wasn't a fan of the brother/sister relationship which shapes the heroine's decisions even if it is historically accurate.
The story flows and my attention was captured all the way through.
The chemistry is strong and the love scenes are steamy🔥 but something felt missing for me, in terms of narration if not plot.
I enjoyed this story but I didn't love it compared to other books by the same author.
August 31, 2020
3.5 stars. Basically I read some, then started skipping along because I got suuuuuper bored. It was basically the same plot outline as the first book but with two different characters.
So all these books are basically about possessive men trying to convince the women they want into bed regardless of how many times they say no? It's like that singin' in the rain scene... Yes! Yes! Yes! No! No! No!
So all these books are basically about possessive men trying to convince the women they want into bed regardless of how many times they say no? It's like that singin' in the rain scene... Yes! Yes! Yes! No! No! No!
May 5, 2025
3.5 stars
Absolutely loved the first 70% of this
Well developed and rounded characters who are very much likable. I think I’ve said this a hundred times before but nothing beats a hero who knows what he he wants and nothing is stopping him from getting it
Now the last couple of chapters? I skimmed I wasn’t too interested w the political side plot but yeah lol
Absolutely loved the first 70% of this
Well developed and rounded characters who are very much likable. I think I’ve said this a hundred times before but nothing beats a hero who knows what he he wants and nothing is stopping him from getting it
Now the last couple of chapters? I skimmed I wasn’t too interested w the political side plot but yeah lol
January 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this one. Not quite a five star as I thought there were a few forced issues and i was frustrated a little with the heroine, but that’s also probably my modern day viewpoint. I also find vendettas hard to work for me. Still a cut above most medieval romances.
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