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Medievals #1
By Possession
A Common Lady
For years she had thought he was dead. Yet when Addis de Valence strode into Moira Falkner's cottage, there was no mistaking the sharp planes of his face, and the scar she herself had helped to heal. The young squire who had once been her hero was now her lord, a hardened man who returned to claim the son she had raised as her own. But Moira couldn't deny that Addis roused a passion she never thought to feel—and a perilous hope for a future that could never be…
An Uncommon Love
Addis returned from the Crusades to find his lands usurped by his stepbrother, and his country on the brink of rebellion. Determined to reclaim his birthright, Addis could not afford to be distracted by a woman—even one as tempting as Moira. Yet the only living part of his contented past lay in Moira—and his desire for her was more dangerous than his deadly battles with the king's men. By law, Moira belonged to him…but possessing her heart might be far more difficult.
For years she had thought he was dead. Yet when Addis de Valence strode into Moira Falkner's cottage, there was no mistaking the sharp planes of his face, and the scar she herself had helped to heal. The young squire who had once been her hero was now her lord, a hardened man who returned to claim the son she had raised as her own. But Moira couldn't deny that Addis roused a passion she never thought to feel—and a perilous hope for a future that could never be…
An Uncommon Love
Addis returned from the Crusades to find his lands usurped by his stepbrother, and his country on the brink of rebellion. Determined to reclaim his birthright, Addis could not afford to be distracted by a woman—even one as tempting as Moira. Yet the only living part of his contented past lay in Moira—and his desire for her was more dangerous than his deadly battles with the king's men. By law, Moira belonged to him…but possessing her heart might be far more difficult.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 5, 2000
102 people are currently reading
2647 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
102 books2,105 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 174 reviews
October 6, 2025
A well-researched, beautifully written, and poignant Medieval romance that slowly and inevitably moved toward heartbreak while leaving a trail of smaller devastations in its path. Even the eventual HEA was tinged with so much future difficulty that it couldn’t lift the veil of sadness that overhung the entire story. Maybe there’s such a thing as too much realism?
Moira has loved Addis since she was twelve years old. She stood in the shadows as his preordained betrothal to her mistress Claire took place. She, not the vain, selfish Claire, nursed him back to life after he returned home grievously wounded from his first battle. After Addis’s acrimonious marriage to Claire forced him to the Crusades and his reported death in the Baltics, Moira was the person charged with caring for his son after Claire passed away.
Addis’s return after being held a slave for eight years upends Moira’s existence. The child is removed from her care, and Addis insists that she is still a serf bonded to the estate, not a freeholder as she claims, because he is loathe to let her go. Moira cannot offer proof of being granted her freedom and Addis deliberately sets the price of her freedom too high, so she decides to escape the bond, an endeavor that lands her in mortal danger, not once but twice, and the one person who can save her is the man she needs to escape.
This is the relationship dynamic. Moira pulls away, Addis refuses to let her go. There is truly no possibility of a sanctioned relationship between a serf and the son of a baron in this time and place and they both suffer for it but, it being the 1300’s, Addis has the power in the eyes of society and Moira is labeled his whore even as she resists him, even as she explains to him that indulging their desires denies her the chance to ever have a home, a husband, children, a life of self respect. She fights Addis with the only weapon she has at her disposal: Addis’s desire for her surrender. If he forces her, he will lose her love and respect. And Addis breathes for her. He breathes for her, and yet he must take a wife to forge alliances to win back his stolen birthright…a wife who will not, cannot, be Moira.
The outside forces threatening Addis and Moira are potent. But the real danger lies in how much they need each other, and how much each is willing to sacrifice for the other.
If you like angst, this book delivers it with a side helping of ugly Medieval reality. Be prepared to hurt.
Moira has loved Addis since she was twelve years old. She stood in the shadows as his preordained betrothal to her mistress Claire took place. She, not the vain, selfish Claire, nursed him back to life after he returned home grievously wounded from his first battle. After Addis’s acrimonious marriage to Claire forced him to the Crusades and his reported death in the Baltics, Moira was the person charged with caring for his son after Claire passed away.
Addis’s return after being held a slave for eight years upends Moira’s existence. The child is removed from her care, and Addis insists that she is still a serf bonded to the estate, not a freeholder as she claims, because he is loathe to let her go. Moira cannot offer proof of being granted her freedom and Addis deliberately sets the price of her freedom too high, so she decides to escape the bond, an endeavor that lands her in mortal danger, not once but twice, and the one person who can save her is the man she needs to escape.
This is the relationship dynamic. Moira pulls away, Addis refuses to let her go. There is truly no possibility of a sanctioned relationship between a serf and the son of a baron in this time and place and they both suffer for it but, it being the 1300’s, Addis has the power in the eyes of society and Moira is labeled his whore even as she resists him, even as she explains to him that indulging their desires denies her the chance to ever have a home, a husband, children, a life of self respect. She fights Addis with the only weapon she has at her disposal: Addis’s desire for her surrender. If he forces her, he will lose her love and respect. And Addis breathes for her. He breathes for her, and yet he must take a wife to forge alliances to win back his stolen birthright…a wife who will not, cannot, be Moira.
The outside forces threatening Addis and Moira are potent. But the real danger lies in how much they need each other, and how much each is willing to sacrifice for the other.
If you like angst, this book delivers it with a side helping of ugly Medieval reality. Be prepared to hurt.
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April 16, 2025
UPDATE: Madeline Hunter passed away today (16/04/25).
Condolences to her friends and family - she wrote some incredibly unique and compelling books, like this one, which is one of my rare five-star reads.
Feeling slightly shaken as last night, I also unexpectedly discovered that a Wattpad author who wrote some of my all-time favourite stories as a teen (xxdemolitionloverxx, real name Olga Guevara) was murdered by her husband four years ago when she was just 30. She more or less got me into werewolf romance, and even though I've read countless better-written books in the meantime, she has characters I just can't forget.
I discovered the news about her death because I still return to read her stories every so often, and randomly clicked on the comments for an unfinished one. I had no hope of ever seeing the story updated anyway, as it was last updated in 2014, but to know that the author is dead as opposed to just bored of writing really packs a punch. (I did verify this information and am confident it's correct).
LJ Smith passed just a fortnight or so ago as well, another mainstay of my younger years. So... just tell your favourite authors how much you love their writing, I guess.
__________________
Somehow, although this book has two tropes I dislike deeply - the widowed single father and the heroine who's been in love with the oblivious hero since childhood - it's one of my favourites, because Madeline Hunter has somehow sapped all the disagreeable elements out of them.
The setting is great, too. It's 1326, the height of medieval England, and 24-year-old Moira Falkner is standing in her cottage face to face with a ghost: that of Addis de Valence, the lord she grew up with and whose wife she served, thought long dead in the Crusades. In fact, she's been raising his son after Addis's wife Claire also died in his absence.
Addis however is very much alive, and he has a long to-do list. At the top is recapturing his ancestral land, Barrowburgh, from his stepbrother Simon, who took advantage of his disappearance to seize the estate. But with the easily influenced Edward II on the throne, Addis's task is fraught with treason and difficulties. It's only in the presence of Moira - his serf, the invisible woman once known as Claire's Shadow - that he can find peace.
Okay, so yes, in principle I was of course not a fan of the Claire's Shadow thing, but what saves this is the fact that Addis himself really no longer gives a damn about his wife - and actually hasn't since before he went on crusade. In fact, Moira has fonder memories of Claire than Addis does. She's also been married twice herself, so it's not like she was pining away hoping he would notice her - the opposite, in fact. Moira is a period-appropriately strong heroine
I mention in my review for another book in this series that I consider it Hunter's best, for a multitude of reasons. For one, of course, there's the painstakingly researched and relatively uncommon setting of 14th-century England. Her naturally dry writing style, which in her later works overpowers the entire novel, works here.
For another thing, it's in this series that Hunter writes her absolute best heroes: possessive, mildly dark, flavours of dub-con. Addis embodies all of these things. As soon as he sees Moira again, he knows he wants her to be his mistress. Again, period-appropriately, he plans to still take a highborn wife - kind of unfortunately he doesn't go through with it, but it would have been nice to see Hunter push the realism even further.
Overall, the convincing romance and independently strong plot = one of my rare five-star reads.
Condolences to her friends and family - she wrote some incredibly unique and compelling books, like this one, which is one of my rare five-star reads.
Feeling slightly shaken as last night, I also unexpectedly discovered that a Wattpad author who wrote some of my all-time favourite stories as a teen (xxdemolitionloverxx, real name Olga Guevara) was murdered by her husband four years ago when she was just 30. She more or less got me into werewolf romance, and even though I've read countless better-written books in the meantime, she has characters I just can't forget.
I discovered the news about her death because I still return to read her stories every so often, and randomly clicked on the comments for an unfinished one. I had no hope of ever seeing the story updated anyway, as it was last updated in 2014, but to know that the author is dead as opposed to just bored of writing really packs a punch. (I did verify this information and am confident it's correct).
LJ Smith passed just a fortnight or so ago as well, another mainstay of my younger years. So... just tell your favourite authors how much you love their writing, I guess.
__________________
Somehow, although this book has two tropes I dislike deeply - the widowed single father and the heroine who's been in love with the oblivious hero since childhood - it's one of my favourites, because Madeline Hunter has somehow sapped all the disagreeable elements out of them.
The setting is great, too. It's 1326, the height of medieval England, and 24-year-old Moira Falkner is standing in her cottage face to face with a ghost: that of Addis de Valence, the lord she grew up with and whose wife she served, thought long dead in the Crusades. In fact, she's been raising his son after Addis's wife Claire also died in his absence.
Addis however is very much alive, and he has a long to-do list. At the top is recapturing his ancestral land, Barrowburgh, from his stepbrother Simon, who took advantage of his disappearance to seize the estate. But with the easily influenced Edward II on the throne, Addis's task is fraught with treason and difficulties. It's only in the presence of Moira - his serf, the invisible woman once known as Claire's Shadow - that he can find peace.
Okay, so yes, in principle I was of course not a fan of the Claire's Shadow thing, but what saves this is the fact that Addis himself really no longer gives a damn about his wife - and actually hasn't since before he went on crusade. In fact, Moira has fonder memories of Claire than Addis does. She's also been married twice herself, so it's not like she was pining away hoping he would notice her - the opposite, in fact. Moira is a period-appropriately strong heroine
I mention in my review for another book in this series that I consider it Hunter's best, for a multitude of reasons. For one, of course, there's the painstakingly researched and relatively uncommon setting of 14th-century England. Her naturally dry writing style, which in her later works overpowers the entire novel, works here.
For another thing, it's in this series that Hunter writes her absolute best heroes: possessive, mildly dark, flavours of dub-con. Addis embodies all of these things. As soon as he sees Moira again, he knows he wants her to be his mistress. Again, period-appropriately, he plans to still take a highborn wife - kind of unfortunately he doesn't go through with it, but it would have been nice to see Hunter push the realism even further.
Overall, the convincing romance and independently strong plot = one of my rare five-star reads.
January 27, 2024
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 4,4 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |•
Moira é apaixonada por Addis desde criança, mas ela é apenas uma serva e ele um senhor.
Viu-o a casar com a filha do homem que tomou a sua mãe como amante.
Addis foi declarado morto nas cruzadas por terras bárbaras, mas na realidade ele foi escravo da filha do chefe.
Quando volta para Inglaterra, tem de lutar pelas suas terras.
Após a morte do seu pai, o meio-irmão de Addis usurpa o poder e não quer abdicar das terras.
Moira tem cuidado do filho de Addis, escondidos, para que este não seja morto.
Ao morrer, o amante da mãe, liberta-as. Moira não é mais serva, é uma mulher livre.
Addis não o reconhece e não a quer libertar.
Moira tenta por tudo fugir de Addis, recusa a percorrer o mesmo caminho que a sua mãe, mesmo que eles tenham sido apaixonados um pelo outro.
Addis terá de lutar por Moira, pelas suas terras e retirar o rei Eduardo do poder.
════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════
Moira has been in love with Addis since she was a child, but she is just a servant and he is a master.
She saw him marry the daughter of the man who took her mother as his lover.
Addis was declared dead in the crusades for barbarian lands, but in reality he was a slave of the chief's daughter.
When he returns to England, he has to fight for his land.
After her father's death, Addis' half-brother usurps power and does not want to give up the land.
Moira has been taking care of Addis' son, hidden, so that he doesn't get killed.
Upon dying, the mother's lover frees them.
Moira is no longer a servant, she is a free woman.
Addis doesn't recognize him and doesn't want to release her.
Moira tries her best to escape Addis, refusing to follow the same path as her mother, even though they were in love with each other.
Addis will have to fight for Moira, for his lands and remove King Edward from power.
════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ════
December 8, 2013
This was my first by Madeline Hunter but I will be reading more of hers. It is the 1st in her 14th Century London series (see list below). It is an amazing romance...great historical setting, well drawn characters, realistic dialog for the period and a wonderful heartrending story of love that overcomes many obstacles.
It takes place in the time of King Edward II and tells the story of Addis de Valence, a high born nobleman and knight and Moira Falkner, the daughter of a nobleman's mistress and a bondwoman to Valence, though she claims her mother's lover freed her. She has secretly loved Addis since she was 12 and always seemed to be there when he needed care or comforting, though he was promised to the high born Claire, Moira's friend. Addis married Claire, who was vain and selfish and deserted Addis when he was sorely wounded. It was thought he'd never walk again. Now back from years in captivity in the Baltic where he was taken in the Crusades as a slave, he fights to regain his rightful place, all the while wanting Moira by his side and without benefit of marriage. But she will not go the path of her mother.
You will love this story. I couldn't put it down and it's worth a re-read! I now intend to read all in the series.
If you like to read things in date order, as I do, here is the medieval historical series (two trilogies) in chronological order:
BY POSSESSION (1326)
BY DESIGN (1328)
STEALING HEAVEN (1341)
BY ARRANGEMENT (1346)
THE PROTECTOR (1348-49)
LORD OF A THOUSAND NIGHTS (1350’s)
The hero and heroine in BY POSSESSION appear in BY DESIGN; and the two trilogies are linked by the character David de Abyndon, who is a secondary character in STEALING HEAVEN and the hero in BY ARRANGEMENT.
It takes place in the time of King Edward II and tells the story of Addis de Valence, a high born nobleman and knight and Moira Falkner, the daughter of a nobleman's mistress and a bondwoman to Valence, though she claims her mother's lover freed her. She has secretly loved Addis since she was 12 and always seemed to be there when he needed care or comforting, though he was promised to the high born Claire, Moira's friend. Addis married Claire, who was vain and selfish and deserted Addis when he was sorely wounded. It was thought he'd never walk again. Now back from years in captivity in the Baltic where he was taken in the Crusades as a slave, he fights to regain his rightful place, all the while wanting Moira by his side and without benefit of marriage. But she will not go the path of her mother.
You will love this story. I couldn't put it down and it's worth a re-read! I now intend to read all in the series.
If you like to read things in date order, as I do, here is the medieval historical series (two trilogies) in chronological order:
BY POSSESSION (1326)
BY DESIGN (1328)
STEALING HEAVEN (1341)
BY ARRANGEMENT (1346)
THE PROTECTOR (1348-49)
LORD OF A THOUSAND NIGHTS (1350’s)
The hero and heroine in BY POSSESSION appear in BY DESIGN; and the two trilogies are linked by the character David de Abyndon, who is a secondary character in STEALING HEAVEN and the hero in BY ARRANGEMENT.
May 23, 2016
From reading two of her books, I've decided Madeline Hunter writes really mean romances. This is the second in a trio, and I've alsoread the first, "By Arrangement." Both of her men are possessive (yeah, I know that's the title...) but not possessive in a protective, loving way. Addis, the man in "By Possession" treats Moira with a "you're mine, you have no rights, I'm only letting you think you have any say" attitude and I couldn't stand it. I only finished the book because several reviewers said they liked it so much so I had to see if it changed. The last couple pages were great! Exactally what Addis should have been doing all along! These last pages hardly made up for the other 368.
Maybe this is a bit more realistic for the way a bondswoman and her lord would act towards each other, but I guess that's not what I want to read in a romance novel.
The story itself had a lot going on. There was some pagan mysticism (should have been a lot more of it, or none at all), a political uprising (which seemed to have very little consequence), and family intrigue (which got hastily summed up in the last ten pages or so).
The third book is about a character introduced in "By Possesion." There was an excerpt at the end of the book which leads me to believe Ms. Hunter has created a new, nicer, character type. I plan on finishing the trio but I hope the last book isn't as spiteful as "By Possession."
***EDIT **** 6 years later and I really have no desire to ever finish this series or read any more.
Maybe this is a bit more realistic for the way a bondswoman and her lord would act towards each other, but I guess that's not what I want to read in a romance novel.
The story itself had a lot going on. There was some pagan mysticism (should have been a lot more of it, or none at all), a political uprising (which seemed to have very little consequence), and family intrigue (which got hastily summed up in the last ten pages or so).
The third book is about a character introduced in "By Possesion." There was an excerpt at the end of the book which leads me to believe Ms. Hunter has created a new, nicer, character type. I plan on finishing the trio but I hope the last book isn't as spiteful as "By Possession."
***EDIT **** 6 years later and I really have no desire to ever finish this series or read any more.
April 17, 2025
Have I ever mentioned I love a good star-crossed lovers trope? The one where it slowly kills you? And make you want to smash these two characters together despite their differences?
Cue Rewrite the Stars as its OST.
Cue Rewrite the Stars as its OST.
October 1, 2016
First I need to get this off my chest. The heroine leaves the hero not once, not twice, but SIX times in this book! Talk about angst for the sake of angst. I subtracted half a star because of this nonsense.
Summary:
The heroine, who is a bondswoman in the story, kind of like a serf, has been in love with the hero since she was 12 years old. Her mother was the Leman (whore) of the hero's father - who was a baron.
As a young man, the hero was set to marry a young woman he had known since childhood (it had been an arranged marriage). Before the wedding he was seriously injured and scarred. Since his fiancé was a shallow, selfish girl she tried to get out of the marriage and scorned the hero. But they were forced to marry and the day after he left for the Crusades.
During his time in the crusades he was injured and captured as a slave. He escaped and returned to England six years later to find that his father had been killed and his wife had died. And that his step brother had seized possession of all his lands.
During his absence, after his wife died, the heroine took care of her child, which everyone has assumed is the son of the hero since his wife said that he forced her to have sex before he left on the Crusades.
The heroine has been hiding the child all these years because she thought the step brother would try to kill the boy since he was the rightful heir to the land in the absence of his father. When the hero returns he comes to collect the boy and brings the heroine with him to take care of the boy.
The majority of the book is taken up with the hero's efforts to reclaim his lands from his evil step brother, and it culminates in a great battle. During this time the hero makes it known that he wants the heroine but she refuses to be his mistress.
In order to battle his evil step brother he has arranged marriage with the daughter of a wealthy Baron. In exchange the baron will give him access to his army, which he uses to fight the evil step brother. The heroine event eventually agrees to be the hero's mistress until he gets married Because she loves him. But she refuses to be his whore, like her mother was to his father, once he is married.
Because he loves her as well, the hero offers the heroine marriage several times, but she declines. Ugh, i'm totally exhausted now and there's so much to tell about the story!
Ultimately, this is a really well-written story but I was totally pissed off about how the author used angst for the sake of angst and used repeated plot ploys, like the heroine constantly running away and the hero and heroine almost having sex like a gazillion times but never doing it until way later on. But my biggest pet peeve is how the heroine rejected the hero on till the very last page! Last page last sentence!
Summary:
The heroine, who is a bondswoman in the story, kind of like a serf, has been in love with the hero since she was 12 years old. Her mother was the Leman (whore) of the hero's father - who was a baron.
As a young man, the hero was set to marry a young woman he had known since childhood (it had been an arranged marriage). Before the wedding he was seriously injured and scarred. Since his fiancé was a shallow, selfish girl she tried to get out of the marriage and scorned the hero. But they were forced to marry and the day after he left for the Crusades.
During his time in the crusades he was injured and captured as a slave. He escaped and returned to England six years later to find that his father had been killed and his wife had died. And that his step brother had seized possession of all his lands.
During his absence, after his wife died, the heroine took care of her child, which everyone has assumed is the son of the hero since his wife said that he forced her to have sex before he left on the Crusades.
The heroine has been hiding the child all these years because she thought the step brother would try to kill the boy since he was the rightful heir to the land in the absence of his father. When the hero returns he comes to collect the boy and brings the heroine with him to take care of the boy.
The majority of the book is taken up with the hero's efforts to reclaim his lands from his evil step brother, and it culminates in a great battle. During this time the hero makes it known that he wants the heroine but she refuses to be his mistress.
In order to battle his evil step brother he has arranged marriage with the daughter of a wealthy Baron. In exchange the baron will give him access to his army, which he uses to fight the evil step brother. The heroine event eventually agrees to be the hero's mistress until he gets married Because she loves him. But she refuses to be his whore, like her mother was to his father, once he is married.
Because he loves her as well, the hero offers the heroine marriage several times, but she declines. Ugh, i'm totally exhausted now and there's so much to tell about the story!
Ultimately, this is a really well-written story but I was totally pissed off about how the author used angst for the sake of angst and used repeated plot ploys, like the heroine constantly running away and the hero and heroine almost having sex like a gazillion times but never doing it until way later on. But my biggest pet peeve is how the heroine rejected the hero on till the very last page! Last page last sentence!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2025
By Possession is a very good medieval romance but it gets a tad predictable about 50% in, especially if you've read a few hundred or so romance novels, give or take. I loved the chemistry between the hero and the heroine. This is the type of crackling chemistry that I love. I loved that the hero and heroine were (re)introduced in the first chapter after the Prologue, and that there was immediate physical awareness.
However, I began to get bored with the action of the plot and then frustrated with the character motivations, so I am leaving it as a 3. I didn't find the angst compelling anymore. At first, the push-pull was exciting. He wanted to have control over her and pretended she was still his bondswoman, even going to shady lengths to ensure it to be so, while she refused to sleep with him after seeing how her mom, a bondswoman, was treated. Although her mom and the lord were in love, she was an outsider to both the peasantry and to the titled class, and the heroine refused to let that be her fate.
The hero and heroine were both realistic in that the thought never crossed their minds to marry. She wouldn't allow him to lower himself in status by being with her. This was her "noble" sacrifice. She felt he deserved better than her, that he shouldn't be subject to ridicule and talk behind his back. And she also didn't want to be in that position as well. The hero, meanwhile, just wanted to have her in his life, titles be damned.
Both of their positions annoyed me lol, and the sadness I was supposed to feel that they would have a few moments of love before they would separate (he would get his castle back then marry a lord's daughter and she would run an inn) I did not feel. The heroine became obstinate in not wanting to be with the hero, running away from him multiple times. This didn't bug me as much as when she didn't even want an orgasm when they were copulating... Girl, speak up!!
The hero, meanwhile, was determined to pursue her yet never seriously addressed her deep-seated fears of being a rich man's mistress, economically insecure and always in the shadow, which she no longer wanted to be, after seeing her mom's life and after literally being nicknamed Claire's Shadow, a rich girl she served. Of course it doesn't matter to him, but come on.
Madeline Hunter is an engaging writer, but this is the second story I've read by her where I just find the messaging doesn't personally resonate with me. I am tempted however to try more of her medieval series!
However, I began to get bored with the action of the plot and then frustrated with the character motivations, so I am leaving it as a 3. I didn't find the angst compelling anymore. At first, the push-pull was exciting. He wanted to have control over her and pretended she was still his bondswoman, even going to shady lengths to ensure it to be so, while she refused to sleep with him after seeing how her mom, a bondswoman, was treated. Although her mom and the lord were in love, she was an outsider to both the peasantry and to the titled class, and the heroine refused to let that be her fate.
The hero and heroine were both realistic in that the thought never crossed their minds to marry. She wouldn't allow him to lower himself in status by being with her. This was her "noble" sacrifice. She felt he deserved better than her, that he shouldn't be subject to ridicule and talk behind his back. And she also didn't want to be in that position as well. The hero, meanwhile, just wanted to have her in his life, titles be damned.
Both of their positions annoyed me lol, and the sadness I was supposed to feel that they would have a few moments of love before they would separate (he would get his castle back then marry a lord's daughter and she would run an inn) I did not feel. The heroine became obstinate in not wanting to be with the hero, running away from him multiple times. This didn't bug me as much as when she didn't even want an orgasm when they were copulating... Girl, speak up!!
The hero, meanwhile, was determined to pursue her yet never seriously addressed her deep-seated fears of being a rich man's mistress, economically insecure and always in the shadow, which she no longer wanted to be, after seeing her mom's life and after literally being nicknamed Claire's Shadow, a rich girl she served. Of course it doesn't matter to him, but come on.
Madeline Hunter is an engaging writer, but this is the second story I've read by her where I just find the messaging doesn't personally resonate with me. I am tempted however to try more of her medieval series!
January 26, 2018
I REALLY enjoyed this! I loved both the hero and heroine. Sometimes in romance the conflicts are so contrived and unnecessary, where here they were solid reasons the couple could not be together (status, political rebellion, etc....). There are a few twists at the end, but nothing over the top.
I had read a few bad reviews and almost skipped this one. I am so glad I didn't. The hero is very honorable, and both MCs experience growth by the end. The chemistry is swoon-worthy.
I had read a few bad reviews and almost skipped this one. I am so glad I didn't. The hero is very honorable, and both MCs experience growth by the end. The chemistry is swoon-worthy.
April 24, 2025
Reread
Probably my favorite medieval of all time. . The internal and external plot are both intertwined so seamlessly with the romance and so is the history. It's an angst fest and there's no moment where the emotional upheaval lets up. I adore it, only wish it had an epilogue.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥🔥
tropes
fated mates elements
scarred hero
class Difference
childhood friends to lovers
pining
CW: there's a major power imbalance with the heroine being a serf and the hero being a baron so YMMV
Probably my favorite medieval of all time. . The internal and external plot are both intertwined so seamlessly with the romance and so is the history. It's an angst fest and there's no moment where the emotional upheaval lets up. I adore it, only wish it had an epilogue.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥🔥
tropes
fated mates elements
scarred hero
class Difference
childhood friends to lovers
pining
CW: there's a major power imbalance with the heroine being a serf and the hero being a baron so YMMV
February 26, 2010
Every time I read a book I tell myself to write down the page numbers with passages that moved me in some way so I can quote it in the review. Of course, I never do. I usually don't regret it because I can remember certain phrases and do a search in the ebook or if it's a print book, I can recall the placement of the phrase (e.g. last paragraph on a left-sided page) and place in the book (e.g. 1st third of book) and find it that way. This time; however, there was so much richness in the story I can't even recall the specific moments I wanted to point out. Bummer for me, but a great sign for this book! I've often heard the term "meaty" in reference to stories but never gave it anything more than a passing thought until reading this book. I totally get it now.
Addis de Valence, Claire and Moira grew up in the same household. Addis was a few years older and when they came of age, he was betrothed to Claire. There was no love between them but duty called for the marriage. Afterwards, Addis goes away to battle and soon word comes of his death. Claire also dies leaving a son, Brian, and since Moira was her companion through most her life, she hides and cares for Addis' heir. When Addis shockingly returns a few years later, he takes Brian elsewhere for safekeeping and proceeds with plans to regain his lands - lands that were given over to his step-brother, Simon, after the death of Addis' father.
With Brian gone and her heart broken, Moira feels there is nothing left for her and decides to leave. She is stopped on the road by 3 men who attack her but is soon rescued by Addis. He decides he will not return Moira home but take her with him on his journey. It is during these travels that we witness the growing love between Addis and Moira. Unfortunately, it is an impossible situation because of their stations in life: he is a baron, she a serf. In truth, though, Moira is a free woman. Her mother was a serf who was also Patrick de Valance's (Addis' father) mistress. Upon his deathbed he gave Moira's mother and herself their freedom. When Addis returns, he only has Moira's word on the matter because the witnesses to this deathbed proclamation are no longer present at the holding. He is too intrigued with her to let her go and so he claims she is still a bondwoman and the price of her freedom is set so ridiculously high, he is sure she will be unable to pay it. Thus he keeps her bound to him unjustly. I had issue with this because for a time after the Crusades, Addis himself lived as a slave. Knowing what that life meant, how could he make Moira suffer the same fate? Those moments when he held his ownership over her were the moments I disliked him. Then in the next breath we would see how much she meant to him and how much hope she brought him and it was easy to see why he went to such desperate measures to keep her near.
Throughout the book, Addis is constantly struggling with the duties of his birth and the longing of his heart. There is a point where he speaks of feeling he has two souls waging war against each other yet when he is with Moira, he is complete and at peace. Moira struggles with the longing of her heart but also the power of her pride as that is all she truly has since she is still a bondwoman. She saw the life her mother led and heard the names the villagers called her behind her back. No matter how much she loves Addis, she refuses to follow her mother's path. She fights off the attraction as much as she can for most of the book but there are times when she allows herself to live in that moment and not worry about all the burdens they carry.
As I neared the end of the book I had to remind myself that this is a romance and a HEA is coming up. It really was down to the wire. I think that may be the only other issue I had with By Possession. With so many things weighing them down that never truly left their shoulders even in the intimate moments, I would have loved seeing more of Addis and Moira's unburdened happiness. A few more pages that showed them finally enjoying a complete union, a union made in freedom.
Bookslut Highlights:
*No absurd denials. Heroine knows she'll probably give in after a few kisses from the hero.
*Flashbacks that show the history of the h/h.
*Comedic moment when hero realizes profession of secondary character who is a possible love interest for heroine.
*The 'other man' was not made out to be a bad guy
*Several instances of the word phallus
*Kidnapping scenario with hero ignoring all laid out plans to go rescue the damsel in distress
*True lurve of the soul-deep variety
Addis de Valence, Claire and Moira grew up in the same household. Addis was a few years older and when they came of age, he was betrothed to Claire. There was no love between them but duty called for the marriage. Afterwards, Addis goes away to battle and soon word comes of his death. Claire also dies leaving a son, Brian, and since Moira was her companion through most her life, she hides and cares for Addis' heir. When Addis shockingly returns a few years later, he takes Brian elsewhere for safekeeping and proceeds with plans to regain his lands - lands that were given over to his step-brother, Simon, after the death of Addis' father.
With Brian gone and her heart broken, Moira feels there is nothing left for her and decides to leave. She is stopped on the road by 3 men who attack her but is soon rescued by Addis. He decides he will not return Moira home but take her with him on his journey. It is during these travels that we witness the growing love between Addis and Moira. Unfortunately, it is an impossible situation because of their stations in life: he is a baron, she a serf. In truth, though, Moira is a free woman. Her mother was a serf who was also Patrick de Valance's (Addis' father) mistress. Upon his deathbed he gave Moira's mother and herself their freedom. When Addis returns, he only has Moira's word on the matter because the witnesses to this deathbed proclamation are no longer present at the holding. He is too intrigued with her to let her go and so he claims she is still a bondwoman and the price of her freedom is set so ridiculously high, he is sure she will be unable to pay it. Thus he keeps her bound to him unjustly. I had issue with this because for a time after the Crusades, Addis himself lived as a slave. Knowing what that life meant, how could he make Moira suffer the same fate? Those moments when he held his ownership over her were the moments I disliked him. Then in the next breath we would see how much she meant to him and how much hope she brought him and it was easy to see why he went to such desperate measures to keep her near.
Throughout the book, Addis is constantly struggling with the duties of his birth and the longing of his heart. There is a point where he speaks of feeling he has two souls waging war against each other yet when he is with Moira, he is complete and at peace. Moira struggles with the longing of her heart but also the power of her pride as that is all she truly has since she is still a bondwoman. She saw the life her mother led and heard the names the villagers called her behind her back. No matter how much she loves Addis, she refuses to follow her mother's path. She fights off the attraction as much as she can for most of the book but there are times when she allows herself to live in that moment and not worry about all the burdens they carry.
As I neared the end of the book I had to remind myself that this is a romance and a HEA is coming up. It really was down to the wire. I think that may be the only other issue I had with By Possession. With so many things weighing them down that never truly left their shoulders even in the intimate moments, I would have loved seeing more of Addis and Moira's unburdened happiness. A few more pages that showed them finally enjoying a complete union, a union made in freedom.
Bookslut Highlights:
*No absurd denials. Heroine knows she'll probably give in after a few kisses from the hero.
*Flashbacks that show the history of the h/h.
*Comedic moment when hero realizes profession of secondary character who is a possible love interest for heroine.
*The 'other man' was not made out to be a bad guy
*Several instances of the word phallus
*Kidnapping scenario with hero ignoring all laid out plans to go rescue the damsel in distress
*True lurve of the soul-deep variety
August 20, 2009
Okay, yes: a romance novel. But in terms of well-written sexy brilliance, this takes the cake. Most romance-novel heroines are dippy virgins; most heros are deeply muscled jerks (if not rape apologists). Here, Our Darling Moira is twice widowed - and Our Dear Addis pays more attention to his godawful scar than his glorious muscles - and they both seriously grow as characters - in between all the humping - and moreover, their relationship just makes sense.
There are a few cringeworthy moments, but there's a lot more hilarity. ("You're lying here in a brothel being licked by a whore and you question my virtue?")
Plus it totally cemented my friendship with K. So. Four stars. Yes. Oh! Addis!
There are a few cringeworthy moments, but there's a lot more hilarity. ("You're lying here in a brothel being licked by a whore and you question my virtue?")
Plus it totally cemented my friendship with K. So. Four stars. Yes. Oh! Addis!
October 3, 2023
Reread 2023 4 stars.
Still great, but push and pull took too long.
Original rating 5 stars.
Spoiler
Safe
H is a widow with a son (not his).
h is his serf, also a widow.(not a virgin). She’s not beautiful but has a beautiful body.
Tropes
- h unrequited love/crush since 12
- ugly duckling
- h is his 2nd choice. When his wife was alive, all he saw was his stunning wife. h was his wives maid, and people, even the H, called the h his wife’s Shadow.
Still great, but push and pull took too long.
Original rating 5 stars.
Spoiler
Safe
H is a widow with a son (not his).
h is his serf, also a widow.(not a virgin). She’s not beautiful but has a beautiful body.
Tropes
- h unrequited love/crush since 12
- ugly duckling
- h is his 2nd choice. When his wife was alive, all he saw was his stunning wife. h was his wives maid, and people, even the H, called the h his wife’s Shadow.
November 14, 2021
My heart hurts from how much this book affected me. The angst in this book is constant and does not let up or let go until the very end.
I love a determined Hero who knows exactly what he wants from our Heroine. However, our Heroine spends the book fighting to preserve herself within societies boundaries set for them. The story is beautiful and clever as our MC's come to terms with who they choose to be and what they stand for.
I love a determined Hero who knows exactly what he wants from our Heroine. However, our Heroine spends the book fighting to preserve herself within societies boundaries set for them. The story is beautiful and clever as our MC's come to terms with who they choose to be and what they stand for.
June 16, 2022
Adorei ! Que pena terem demorado tanto a editar o primeiro volume desta série. Claro que agora devem ser mais uns anos à espera dos seguinte, embora já exista “o protetor” que deve ser o 4 ou 5. É das tais coisas que não se percebe. O livro está muito bem escrito, a trama é boa e tem os seus momentos hot. Vale a pena ler!
November 21, 2024
One of my books of the year. Wrote about it and a professor who influenced how I talk about romance probably more than anybody at Restorative Romance.
May 2, 2020
"Vi ringrazio per avermi ricordato chi siamo, mio signore. La donna libera ha stupidamente ceduto, ma la serva non lo farà."
3,5- Premesso che la Hunter mi piace moltissimo, al momento ritengo questa serie medievale inferiore rispetto alle altre sue.
L'ambientazione è ricostruita fedelmente, non solo per i riferimenti più strettamente storici, ma anche con il richiamo alla confusione che regna in quel periodo in Inghilterra, con un re sempre a corto di finanza e in balia dei baroni, al contempo osteggiato dalle città (come Londra) orgogliose della loro autonomia e del loro potere commerciale.
Addis è stato per sei anni schiavo dei pagani, dopo essere stato imprigionato durante le crociate baltiche, e fa ritorno soltanto per scoprire che il feudo di suo padre è stato assegnato al fratellastro per punire la famiglia di un presunto tradimento ai danni del re. Gli rimane il titolo di barone, qualche terreno e la necessità di recuperare liquidità per stabilizzare il potere e assoldare sufficienti soldati per proteggersi.
In più si ritrova vedovo e scopre di avere un figlio piccolo, nato mentre era lontano e tenuto sempre al sicuro da una serva della gleba.
Dunque, non esattamente un felice ritorno a casa, che gli impone di darsi da fare.
Senza dubbio, si nota un respiro storico credibile: sono ben rappresentati la precarietà della vita, povertà e ignoranza, sporcizia, le leggi che imponevano coprifuoco e punivano le donne non maritate e non protette, il servaggio che di fatto colpiva i contadini fin dalla nascita, ancorandoli alla proprietà del loro signore. E bastava una parola per concedere loro la libertà o decretarne la fine.
Belli anche i personaggi, di spessore.
Sia Addis che Moira, una serva che sa di essere stata liberata e lotta per non sottomettersi e ritornare alla condizione della madre. Entrambi soffrono ma sono consapevoli che la divisione delle classi sociali è rigida e non aggirabile.
Darei quattro stelle piene per contesto e personaggi.
La parte debole è invece a mio giudizio la trama: lenta e ripetitiva.
Moira fugge così tante volte e Addis la va a riprendere, dopo che lei (ovvio) si è messa nei guai da sola, che a tre quarti mi ero un po' stancata.
Surreali le scene di sesso dove - in pieno medioevo, con un barone onnipotente e arrogante, in astinenza da anni, e lei che è l'immagine della prosperità carnale - i due giacciono ripetutamente nudi e abbracciati, ma resistono...
3,5- Premesso che la Hunter mi piace moltissimo, al momento ritengo questa serie medievale inferiore rispetto alle altre sue.
L'ambientazione è ricostruita fedelmente, non solo per i riferimenti più strettamente storici, ma anche con il richiamo alla confusione che regna in quel periodo in Inghilterra, con un re sempre a corto di finanza e in balia dei baroni, al contempo osteggiato dalle città (come Londra) orgogliose della loro autonomia e del loro potere commerciale.
Addis è stato per sei anni schiavo dei pagani, dopo essere stato imprigionato durante le crociate baltiche, e fa ritorno soltanto per scoprire che il feudo di suo padre è stato assegnato al fratellastro per punire la famiglia di un presunto tradimento ai danni del re. Gli rimane il titolo di barone, qualche terreno e la necessità di recuperare liquidità per stabilizzare il potere e assoldare sufficienti soldati per proteggersi.
In più si ritrova vedovo e scopre di avere un figlio piccolo, nato mentre era lontano e tenuto sempre al sicuro da una serva della gleba.
Dunque, non esattamente un felice ritorno a casa, che gli impone di darsi da fare.
Senza dubbio, si nota un respiro storico credibile: sono ben rappresentati la precarietà della vita, povertà e ignoranza, sporcizia, le leggi che imponevano coprifuoco e punivano le donne non maritate e non protette, il servaggio che di fatto colpiva i contadini fin dalla nascita, ancorandoli alla proprietà del loro signore. E bastava una parola per concedere loro la libertà o decretarne la fine.
Belli anche i personaggi, di spessore.
Sia Addis che Moira, una serva che sa di essere stata liberata e lotta per non sottomettersi e ritornare alla condizione della madre. Entrambi soffrono ma sono consapevoli che la divisione delle classi sociali è rigida e non aggirabile.
Darei quattro stelle piene per contesto e personaggi.
La parte debole è invece a mio giudizio la trama: lenta e ripetitiva.
Moira fugge così tante volte e Addis la va a riprendere, dopo che lei (ovvio) si è messa nei guai da sola, che a tre quarti mi ero un po' stancata.
Surreali le scene di sesso dove - in pieno medioevo, con un barone onnipotente e arrogante, in astinenza da anni, e lei che è l'immagine della prosperità carnale - i due giacciono ripetutamente nudi e abbracciati, ma resistono...
October 16, 2021
Overall, this was not a bad read. I think the problem is that I have been reading too many bodice ripper type novels lately (:D) so that this story came across as a little watered down on the possessive hero bit. It's not that I was looking for an H slapping the h around. It was nice and romantic. But I felt halfway through that I wanted to re-read this: At Your Pleasure. For me, THAT was a possessive H who could spout some seriously romantic dialogue and NOT slap the h around while also showing her that hey, I'm in control of this show. I feel it's not a really good sign when you are reading a book and it makes you want to stop briefly and re-read another book that hits you harder on the feels. (Sort of like reading A Governess Should Never... Tempt a Prizefighter. A fun book. But I did pause in the middle and re-read A Bride for the Prizefighter because, well, it's Alice Coldbreath.)
Anyway, it was an enjoyable read.
Anyway, it was an enjoyable read.
September 18, 2024
I was invested, but watching her suffer for loving him while he just enjoys the ride made it tough to root for their romance. Love doesn’t excuse letting your heroine be humiliated for your sake. And the ending? Seriously disappointing. No epilogue, no future glimpse, just a “sure, I’ll marry you” moment. Ugh.
April 18, 2015
Really loved this romance. The angst got to be a little depressing at times and there was a little too much push and pull but I just loved the characters. I loved how Moira refused to back down from her principles. The way she described her life if she were to be Addis's mistress truly sounded like torture and she would know. I liked the historical details.
November 17, 2007
This is one of my favorite Hunter books. I love the idea of a man willing to ignore all of society's strictures because he loves a woman more than he loves his status.
October 25, 2025
4.5🌟 I love that shes a free spirited bondwoman who will never settle for less but he still respects her decisions. The angst, longing, possessive and jealous scenes in this book just gets me.
Read
January 31, 2025DNF at 30%
I might get back to this book some other time. Right now I am having a hard time getting into the story.
I might get back to this book some other time. Right now I am having a hard time getting into the story.
December 26, 2017
Stars: 3 / 5
Recommendation: If you are into period setting novels with romance and mystery along-side history, books by Madeline Hunter are ones to be tried for sure.
By Possession is the second book in the Medievals series by Madeline Hunter published in September of 2000. And this is the second book for Madeline. Although this is considered the second book in the series, chronologically this is the first in the series. The plot revolves around Addis de Valence - a knight returned from Crusaders - and Moira Falkner - a common woman in the court of de Valences.
After disappearing for six years Addis de Valence, Lord of Darwendon and Barrowburgh, enters the humble cottage of Moira Falkner to claim his heir. Being a shadow at Orrick's palace she was a mere shadow for Addis to notice. However their paths have crossed time and again and now it crossed again at the biggest juncture in their lives and history of England. In claiming his heir he also claims Moira's bondwoman status thus effectively snipping her freedom despite Moira's urges that Bernard Orrick had indeed freed her. But is she free truly or enslaved to Addis through the invisible passionate connection they share? What will Moira do when Addis wants to act on that connection? As Moira and Addis deal with this, Addis also faces his fight to gain his legacy back which is rightfully his.
The plot begins in 1324 and moves on to 1326 England. This makes the plot being set ahead of the previous book By Arrangement (My review here: https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). Madeline also mentions about King Edward III betrothed to Philippa at the time this plot is set, providing further evidence that this plot was set in the time of King Edward II while he ruled England. Madeline also brings in the religious and political unrest at that time into the plot adding more meat to it.
Madeline shows the perfect balance between Addis and Moira - while Addis struggles to do the right thing by his birth, Moria does the same by her birth, A struggle that they go through while fighting the love they have for each other, the future that they may or may not have, and all the external elements that influence their lives. As much as Moira wants freedom from Addis, she is also tied down to him by his possessiveness. And as much as Addis want to grant freedom, he is tied down to her by this invisible connection that had begun years ago. It is very intriguing to travel through their lives and see how they make it out in the end.
Another historical plot filled with revenge and fighting for rights surrounded by the political and religious unrest and clouded by birth rights. A very pleasant read if you are interested in both history and romance.
Spoiler Alerts:
1) Being that these are historical romances by Madeline, I was always charmed by the language she used and how different the words are used now:
a. Villein - (in medieval England) a feudal tenant entirely subject to a lord or manor to whom he paid dues and services in return for land.
b. Merchet - fine paid on a marriage during the Middle Ages in England.
c. Virgate - a varying measure of land, typically 30 acres.
d. Wimple - a cloth headdress covering the head, the neck, and the sides of the face, formerly worn by women and still worn by some nuns.
e. Specie - money in the form of coins rather than notes.
f. Reeve - Senior official with local responsibilities under British crown.
2) Grammatical / Historical / Location / Geographical / Character Errors:
a. On Pg. 142, second line there is an additional "to" in the sentence.
b. On Pg. 278, 5, line 6, there is an additional "a" in the sentence.
c. On Pg. 330, "am" is used instead of "have" in the line "I am come with a message…"
3) Wonder if any of the characters in this book will become the focus of Madeline Hunter’s books in future or at least resurface.
4) The quest to claim their lands at Harclow and seek aid from King Edward didn’t complete for the Fitzwaryns in this book. Waiting to see if there will be a future book from Madeline basing her story on Morvan and around this quest to claim Harclow.
Recommendation: If you are into period setting novels with romance and mystery along-side history, books by Madeline Hunter are ones to be tried for sure.
By Possession is the second book in the Medievals series by Madeline Hunter published in September of 2000. And this is the second book for Madeline. Although this is considered the second book in the series, chronologically this is the first in the series. The plot revolves around Addis de Valence - a knight returned from Crusaders - and Moira Falkner - a common woman in the court of de Valences.
After disappearing for six years Addis de Valence, Lord of Darwendon and Barrowburgh, enters the humble cottage of Moira Falkner to claim his heir. Being a shadow at Orrick's palace she was a mere shadow for Addis to notice. However their paths have crossed time and again and now it crossed again at the biggest juncture in their lives and history of England. In claiming his heir he also claims Moira's bondwoman status thus effectively snipping her freedom despite Moira's urges that Bernard Orrick had indeed freed her. But is she free truly or enslaved to Addis through the invisible passionate connection they share? What will Moira do when Addis wants to act on that connection? As Moira and Addis deal with this, Addis also faces his fight to gain his legacy back which is rightfully his.
The plot begins in 1324 and moves on to 1326 England. This makes the plot being set ahead of the previous book By Arrangement (My review here: https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). Madeline also mentions about King Edward III betrothed to Philippa at the time this plot is set, providing further evidence that this plot was set in the time of King Edward II while he ruled England. Madeline also brings in the religious and political unrest at that time into the plot adding more meat to it.
Madeline shows the perfect balance between Addis and Moira - while Addis struggles to do the right thing by his birth, Moria does the same by her birth, A struggle that they go through while fighting the love they have for each other, the future that they may or may not have, and all the external elements that influence their lives. As much as Moira wants freedom from Addis, she is also tied down to him by his possessiveness. And as much as Addis want to grant freedom, he is tied down to her by this invisible connection that had begun years ago. It is very intriguing to travel through their lives and see how they make it out in the end.
Another historical plot filled with revenge and fighting for rights surrounded by the political and religious unrest and clouded by birth rights. A very pleasant read if you are interested in both history and romance.
Spoiler Alerts:
1) Being that these are historical romances by Madeline, I was always charmed by the language she used and how different the words are used now:
a. Villein - (in medieval England) a feudal tenant entirely subject to a lord or manor to whom he paid dues and services in return for land.
b. Merchet - fine paid on a marriage during the Middle Ages in England.
c. Virgate - a varying measure of land, typically 30 acres.
d. Wimple - a cloth headdress covering the head, the neck, and the sides of the face, formerly worn by women and still worn by some nuns.
e. Specie - money in the form of coins rather than notes.
f. Reeve - Senior official with local responsibilities under British crown.
2) Grammatical / Historical / Location / Geographical / Character Errors:
a. On Pg. 142, second line there is an additional "to" in the sentence.
b. On Pg. 278, 5, line 6, there is an additional "a" in the sentence.
c. On Pg. 330, "am" is used instead of "have" in the line "I am come with a message…"
3) Wonder if any of the characters in this book will become the focus of Madeline Hunter’s books in future or at least resurface.
4) The quest to claim their lands at Harclow and seek aid from King Edward didn’t complete for the Fitzwaryns in this book. Waiting to see if there will be a future book from Madeline basing her story on Morvan and around this quest to claim Harclow.
July 31, 2013
"You are proof enough that each of us lives several lives before we perish. There is wisdom in accepting when one ends and another begins." p.367, loc.4960
Author: Madeline Hunter
First published: September 2000
Length: 388 pages, 5201 kindle locations
Setting: 1326 - London, Witshire. During the overthrow of Edward II by Queen Isabella (on behalf of her son, Edward III)
Sex: Not frequent. Sexual but not exactly erotic. Necessary for plot and character motivation. Dubious consent throughout due to inequality of power.
Hero: Addis was enslaved after a failed Crusade. His enslavement included sex with the witch daughter of the local "priest" - dubious consent given unequal power.
Heroine: Moira's a serf, Addis' bondwoman, born into this state. Her mother was a (albeit much-loved) lehman to Addis' foster-father. Much of their relationship is coloured by the disparity in their class and power.
Includes: Excerpt from The Seducer by Madeline Hunter.
I loved it. Emotional. Unpredictable. Interesting.
Hunter uses an unusual Time and disparity in class to develop a much-desired HEA - one that will require them to fight to maintain it each day, but the reader knows they will want to. Not an altogether easy book; Hunter pulls the reader every which way, wondering whom Moira will eventually choose, how they will get there. Battles, inequality, loss. *sigh* But they make it in the end...
And the history! Not too blatant. Folded nicely into our characters' world. Intriguing and respectfully done. For more on Edward II have a look at Kathryn Warner's fascinating blog. Well worth a wander around.
A truly well-written, angsty, historical book.
Hunter's Medieval series:
Books were published out of chronological order. "By Arrangement", "By Possession" and "By Design" are linked in time, place and theme and make a loose trilogy. Each book, however, has been written as a standalone - they are "linked" rather than "series".
By Possession (pub Sep 2000) - Addis de Valence and Moira Falkner, 1326
By Design (pub Jan 2001) - Rhys and Joan, 1328
Stealing Heaven (pub Aug 2002) - Marcus of Angelsmore and Nesta, 1341
By Arrangement (pub Jun 2000) - Lady Christiana Fitzwaryn and David de Abyndon, 1346
The Protector (pub Jul 2001) - Morvan Fitzwaryn and Anna de Leon, 1348-9
Lord of a Thousand Nights (pub Jan 2002) - Ian of Guilford and Lady Reyna Graham, 1350s
References:
Madeline Hunter's website: http://www.madelinehunter.com
Various links to W'pedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Warner's blog: http://edwardthesecond.blogspot.com.au/
-CR-
Author: Madeline Hunter
First published: September 2000
Length: 388 pages, 5201 kindle locations
Setting: 1326 - London, Witshire. During the overthrow of Edward II by Queen Isabella (on behalf of her son, Edward III)
Sex: Not frequent. Sexual but not exactly erotic. Necessary for plot and character motivation. Dubious consent throughout due to inequality of power.
Hero: Addis was enslaved after a failed Crusade. His enslavement included sex with the witch daughter of the local "priest" - dubious consent given unequal power.
Heroine: Moira's a serf, Addis' bondwoman, born into this state. Her mother was a (albeit much-loved) lehman to Addis' foster-father. Much of their relationship is coloured by the disparity in their class and power.
Includes: Excerpt from The Seducer by Madeline Hunter.
I loved it. Emotional. Unpredictable. Interesting.
Hunter uses an unusual Time and disparity in class to develop a much-desired HEA - one that will require them to fight to maintain it each day, but the reader knows they will want to. Not an altogether easy book; Hunter pulls the reader every which way, wondering whom Moira will eventually choose, how they will get there. Battles, inequality, loss. *sigh* But they make it in the end...
And the history! Not too blatant. Folded nicely into our characters' world. Intriguing and respectfully done. For more on Edward II have a look at Kathryn Warner's fascinating blog. Well worth a wander around.
A truly well-written, angsty, historical book.
Hunter's Medieval series:
Books were published out of chronological order. "By Arrangement", "By Possession" and "By Design" are linked in time, place and theme and make a loose trilogy. Each book, however, has been written as a standalone - they are "linked" rather than "series".
By Possession (pub Sep 2000) - Addis de Valence and Moira Falkner, 1326
By Design (pub Jan 2001) - Rhys and Joan, 1328
Stealing Heaven (pub Aug 2002) - Marcus of Angelsmore and Nesta, 1341
By Arrangement (pub Jun 2000) - Lady Christiana Fitzwaryn and David de Abyndon, 1346
The Protector (pub Jul 2001) - Morvan Fitzwaryn and Anna de Leon, 1348-9
Lord of a Thousand Nights (pub Jan 2002) - Ian of Guilford and Lady Reyna Graham, 1350s
References:
Madeline Hunter's website: http://www.madelinehunter.com
Various links to W'pedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Warner's blog: http://edwardthesecond.blogspot.com.au/
-CR-
August 6, 2012
This is my second time reading this book and I must say I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I liked how the story didn't drag. I feel like the problem with most historical romances is the drag factor, and the unnecessary introduction of "filler" plotlines, but in this case everything meshed together and just...worked.
One of the reviewers mentioned that Addis was super possessive and that turned her off a little bit. Well...I love possessive men in books. In real life, not so much but in books? Bring them on. And it was a little understandable that Addis would be as possessive as he was, with him being a slave for 6 years and all. In fact, he wasn't not all that possessive...Fifty Shades of Grey anyone? I mean, after Christian Grey, all men in romances are well-balanced and romantic. EL James has messed me up for life :)
Anyway, because of this book, I will read all other Madeline Hunter books. She is a smart writer who knows how to use words, facts and lead characters to keep me hooked.
One of the reviewers mentioned that Addis was super possessive and that turned her off a little bit. Well...I love possessive men in books. In real life, not so much but in books? Bring them on. And it was a little understandable that Addis would be as possessive as he was, with him being a slave for 6 years and all. In fact, he wasn't not all that possessive...Fifty Shades of Grey anyone? I mean, after Christian Grey, all men in romances are well-balanced and romantic. EL James has messed me up for life :)
Anyway, because of this book, I will read all other Madeline Hunter books. She is a smart writer who knows how to use words, facts and lead characters to keep me hooked.
October 22, 2015
I really enjoyed this medieval romance. Addis is a crusader and has just returned home from having been captured and held a slave for 8 years. He finds that his childhood friend, a servant named Moira, has been caring for his unknown son all this time. His wife is dead. Their marriage was not a good one, so there was no grieving. Needless to say, Addis experienced what I call culture shock coming back home to totally different circumstances. He had been presumed dead and his step-brother had managed to get the crown to give him Addis's estate. Definitely bad blood there.
Addis sends his son off into hiding and, having been captivated by Moira, demands that she stay on until he gets his estate back. She refuses to be his mistress so here is the romantic tension.
Much of the story is political. But it was not so complicated as to overwhelm the love story. It turned out to have a wonderful HEA.
Addis sends his son off into hiding and, having been captivated by Moira, demands that she stay on until he gets his estate back. She refuses to be his mistress so here is the romantic tension.
Much of the story is political. But it was not so complicated as to overwhelm the love story. It turned out to have a wonderful HEA.
September 19, 2015
I liked it, but... I think there's often a conflict for me between "realism" and "romance". In this case, I think the realism was good - the man treated the woman like a lesser being, essentially a slave, and knew he could rape her at any point without any serious social consequences. So, realistic for that time and place and culture, but... really hard to be romantic, for me. I mean, she loves him, so I guess that makes it okay? I'm not sure.
March 27, 2022
I don’t have a lot of coherent thoughts except Moira and Addis forever and their forest of mutual pining
April 8, 2011
Moira is a serf-born woman who has been taught by life to expect nothing, especially the love of a high-born man of power and privilege. Addis is that man of power and privilege, but he has also been dealt some hard blows. First he was left for dead on a crusade (and his wounds were not delivered by the enemy!), and then he spent six years as a slave, so he understands Moira’s need to be more than a bondwoman. But he also knows that he only feels whole when he is with her. The problem, of course, is that the rules of society say that they can never be more than lord and lehman, and Moira knows that her soul, her spirit, could never survive being only his mistress, especially once Addis marries, as he must to secure an alliance and provide legitimate heirs. All Addis knows is that he must find a way to make sure that their ‘accident of birth’ does not keep them apart. I was impressed with the steps he took to bring them their very unlikely happy ending.
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