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Kate Vincent Adventures #1
The Spanish Pearl
Lesbian adventure romance.
When Kate Vincent and her partner travel to Spain, Kate is accidentally transported back in time... way back in time... to 1085. What does a woman like Kate do in a world of no antibiotics, no feminism, no Diet Coke? She denies it as long as possible, then sets her mind to getting home. Tricky with her now useless twenty-first century skills. Things don't go well. Kate is captured by a band of mercenary soldiers and becomes an unwitting pawn in the violent conflict between the Catholic kings and the Islamic Moors. In her struggle to stay alive and return to the future, Kate must flee exotic harems, filthy dungeons, and treacherous Moorish courts. But when a sword-brandishing woman with an astonishing secret sweeps into Kate's life, Kate is suddenly torn between two women, and between two centuries.
The Spanish Pearl is an epic adventure spiced with humor, lust, and danger—a story with surprising twists that will capture your imagination just as Kate's dilemma captures your heart.
When Kate Vincent and her partner travel to Spain, Kate is accidentally transported back in time... way back in time... to 1085. What does a woman like Kate do in a world of no antibiotics, no feminism, no Diet Coke? She denies it as long as possible, then sets her mind to getting home. Tricky with her now useless twenty-first century skills. Things don't go well. Kate is captured by a band of mercenary soldiers and becomes an unwitting pawn in the violent conflict between the Catholic kings and the Islamic Moors. In her struggle to stay alive and return to the future, Kate must flee exotic harems, filthy dungeons, and treacherous Moorish courts. But when a sword-brandishing woman with an astonishing secret sweeps into Kate's life, Kate is suddenly torn between two women, and between two centuries.
The Spanish Pearl is an epic adventure spiced with humor, lust, and danger—a story with surprising twists that will capture your imagination just as Kate's dilemma captures your heart.
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
19 people are currently reading
909 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Friend
32 books166 followersCatherine Friend had what she calls a "boring" childhood, but she says that boring was just fine -- because it gave her more time to read. She read so much her parents had to set a "no-reading-at-the dinner-table" rule. She was slightly shy as a child, but enjoyed playing Beauty Parlor with her sister, taking family trips, and watching STAR TREK and TIME TUNNEL.
She studied Economics, but because of her love for books and stories, she eventually found herself drawn to writing. Since then, the author has written six children's books, including THE PERFECT NEST, a hilarious read-aloud illustrated by John Manders; and two books in Candlewick’s Brand New Readers series. She is also the author of the acclaimed adult memoir, HIT BY A FARM: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BARN. When it comes to her writing, Catherine Friend likes to try new things and seek new challenges -- but she always likes to write stories that make her laugh.
Catherine Friend lives on a small farm in southeastern Minnesota -- which inspired both THE PERFECT NEST and HIT BY A FARM. There, she raises sheep, goats, and llamas, and has an energetic border collie named Robin.
She studied Economics, but because of her love for books and stories, she eventually found herself drawn to writing. Since then, the author has written six children's books, including THE PERFECT NEST, a hilarious read-aloud illustrated by John Manders; and two books in Candlewick’s Brand New Readers series. She is also the author of the acclaimed adult memoir, HIT BY A FARM: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BARN. When it comes to her writing, Catherine Friend likes to try new things and seek new challenges -- but she always likes to write stories that make her laugh.
Catherine Friend lives on a small farm in southeastern Minnesota -- which inspired both THE PERFECT NEST and HIT BY A FARM. There, she raises sheep, goats, and llamas, and has an energetic border collie named Robin.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 58 reviews
June 26, 2018
Let's face it. For a woman, a story about traveling back in time is equivalent to a horror story. On one hand, I'm always wary of time travel stories because, often the horror aspect is completely neglected. On the other hand, I really kind of like the mental gymnastics that a time travel book can conjure.
I was worried that the book was going to go the campy route. The heroine certainly has her share of luck as she brazenly tries to go 21st century in the 11th. Luckily, the author does dip into the horror of the situation as the heroine is swept from harem to dungeon, as she is bought and sold and traded and cursed.
In the end, I quite liked this story. I'll likely move on to the next in the series, but I'll have to save my pennies for a little while first...
I was worried that the book was going to go the campy route. The heroine certainly has her share of luck as she brazenly tries to go 21st century in the 11th. Luckily, the author does dip into the horror of the situation as the heroine is swept from harem to dungeon, as she is bought and sold and traded and cursed.
In the end, I quite liked this story. I'll likely move on to the next in the series, but I'll have to save my pennies for a little while first...
July 14, 2015
This is a tough one for me to rate. On the one hand, the quality of writing was very high, the period details added wonderful texture to the setting, and the characters were well-drawn with consistent voices. On the other hand, the book blurb advertised it as an "adventure/romance," and there was very little of either. Mostly, it was the story of a perpetual victim with questionable judgement who was imprisoned in a single place, stuck in a world filled with nothing but rapey misogynists.
I was looking for a little escapism, but this world was a living nightmare for women from start to finish. There are some light moments here and there, the occasional bit of humor, a little bit of a love story that blossoms late, but there's far more ugliness, hopelessness and helplessness than there is anything else. All in all, The Spanish Pearl was a good read, but very rarely a fun read.
I was looking for a little escapism, but this world was a living nightmare for women from start to finish. There are some light moments here and there, the occasional bit of humor, a little bit of a love story that blossoms late, but there's far more ugliness, hopelessness and helplessness than there is anything else. All in all, The Spanish Pearl was a good read, but very rarely a fun read.
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February 2, 2020Every time I start this I can’t get past the first few pages. I can’t seem to like any of the people in the book nor care about what might happen to them.
October 2, 2013
This is a really good read and does an excellent job of placing the reader in both the period and setting of Spain I'm the Middle Ages.
Yes the book is fantastical but it doesn't break it's own rules and the character of real historic figures is very well realised in this context.
Loved the main characters as they both grow and journey towards the natural resolution, with all the necessary ups and downs that keep the energy zipping to the conclusion.
Interesting this novel had been sitting on my 'to read' shelf for some little time and it was only after it was so glowingly referenced in Rachel Spangler's Spanish Heart that I finally got round to ordering from the Library. Glad I did and the praise in the other book was very well desired.
Yes the book is fantastical but it doesn't break it's own rules and the character of real historic figures is very well realised in this context.
Loved the main characters as they both grow and journey towards the natural resolution, with all the necessary ups and downs that keep the energy zipping to the conclusion.
Interesting this novel had been sitting on my 'to read' shelf for some little time and it was only after it was so glowingly referenced in Rachel Spangler's Spanish Heart that I finally got round to ordering from the Library. Glad I did and the praise in the other book was very well desired.
August 1, 2025
3.5
‘‘twas okay but very slow moving
‘‘twas okay but very slow moving
July 12, 2018
Very arresting time travel adventure romance novel. I fell for Kate in the past than the Kate of the future. I have read some reviews disliking this book for its lack or absence of transgender and bisexual acceptance... Well I'd like to disagree on that view. One of the main character in question was obligated by circumstance to live like a man and doing so saw the role as an identity for empowerment. If she had chosen the gender identity voluntarily then I'd accept the critics views. On Katie's attraction to Luis as a man, I am of the opinion we are all gender fluid until we find our anchor so that was very understandable. On Kate's attraction to Gudesto, that was involuntary even though it was made to look voluntary. Such mind games (pleasure versus pain) plays off consciously or subconsciously all around us. The book should really just be taken as a good lesbian novel. Look forward to reading the sequel.
June 1, 2024
This one was good, the plot and pacing was intriguing. Too much danger though, that was a little off-putting. The love between the Mcs; that was sweet.
August 3, 2016
Kate Vincent and her lover travel to Spain, where Kate is sent back in time to 1085 when Moors and Christians are fighting in a complicated series of political and legal maneuvers. Kate, a lesbian and feminist, finds her 21st century skills useless, and must try to survive in a world without Diet Coke and antibiotics. Using her wits to stay alive, she is greatly aided by the Christian warrior Luis Navarro. Her growing attraction to Navarro causes her to question her own lesbian identity. At the same time, she uses her beauty to entice Walladah, the daughter of the ruler of Zaragoza to aid her. Kate’s every effort is bent towards finding her way to Altamira where another cave will bring her back to her own century. Along the way she is torn between her lover in the future and the people she meets in the 11th century, and must make a choice between the past and the future, and who she—and her new lover—really are.
A long novel, it started slowly, with overly meticulous setup up of the time travel gimmick. Although slow, it was well-written, and there were flashes of humor as Kate, imprisoned in the harem at Zaragoza, starts teaching two black eunuchs about Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman. She teaches them to greet her in English by saying, “Free Malcolm X!” Eventually the real action starts, and sadly, Kate is pretty useless. Although she is an assertive lesbian and a feminist, and so stands up to the male chauvinism around her, several times narrowly escaping rape, she lives a pampered life in the harem, and aside from her ability as an artist, never truly learns to make herself useful. Although I didn’t expect her to become a sword-wielding warrior woman, I was hoping that she would eventually become more than a damsel in distress.
At the end, after Kate rescues her lesbian lover, she is intent on helping her become a real woman, but I didn’t buy it, for either character. Firstly, I didn’t think the lover who had been so strong and a competent up to that point would have broken down so completely, and second, the rescue and recovery were way too pat. However, in spite of the flawed beginning and ending, the majority of the book was a satisfying read with a variety of characters and situations that kept me interested.
The historical research was good with regard to Muslim life, the politics of the era. The details of Zaragoza and the Spanish countryside gave it a ‘lived in’ feeling. The errors were not so much in the details as in the attitudes; the people around Kate accommodated her much too readily, as when she and another woman of the harem were allowed to set up a shop outside the palace. Our modern era can’t understand the strictness of the caste system in which the elite separated themselves from the commoners. On the other hand, it is possible to chalk it up to an eccentric ruler who permits things others would not. Authenticity mavens will cavil, but the reader who just wants a good story will be happy.
A long novel, it started slowly, with overly meticulous setup up of the time travel gimmick. Although slow, it was well-written, and there were flashes of humor as Kate, imprisoned in the harem at Zaragoza, starts teaching two black eunuchs about Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman. She teaches them to greet her in English by saying, “Free Malcolm X!” Eventually the real action starts, and sadly, Kate is pretty useless. Although she is an assertive lesbian and a feminist, and so stands up to the male chauvinism around her, several times narrowly escaping rape, she lives a pampered life in the harem, and aside from her ability as an artist, never truly learns to make herself useful. Although I didn’t expect her to become a sword-wielding warrior woman, I was hoping that she would eventually become more than a damsel in distress.
At the end, after Kate rescues her lesbian lover, she is intent on helping her become a real woman, but I didn’t buy it, for either character. Firstly, I didn’t think the lover who had been so strong and a competent up to that point would have broken down so completely, and second, the rescue and recovery were way too pat. However, in spite of the flawed beginning and ending, the majority of the book was a satisfying read with a variety of characters and situations that kept me interested.
The historical research was good with regard to Muslim life, the politics of the era. The details of Zaragoza and the Spanish countryside gave it a ‘lived in’ feeling. The errors were not so much in the details as in the attitudes; the people around Kate accommodated her much too readily, as when she and another woman of the harem were allowed to set up a shop outside the palace. Our modern era can’t understand the strictness of the caste system in which the elite separated themselves from the commoners. On the other hand, it is possible to chalk it up to an eccentric ruler who permits things others would not. Authenticity mavens will cavil, but the reader who just wants a good story will be happy.
October 20, 2013
I finished reading this a while ago, so my review is not going to be very detailed or precise. But no matter how long it's been, this book and the one after it are incredibly important to me. The Spanish Pearl in particular made an impression on me.
Kate Vincent is an extremely relatable character with plenty of flaws and plenty of endearing qualities. When being transported into eleventh-century Spain, it is easy to feel exactly what she is feeling, despite the impossible nature of the situation.
I also adored the originality. Though time-travel romance has nearly become cliche, this one has a brilliant balance between plot and character development that makes sure it's not too predictable. It has its own flavor, and the lesbian twist definitely doesn't hurt.
Not to mention that Friend has done such extensive research about the people and events of this time period in Spain's history that the reader is completely convinced throughout the story. She took this obscure part of history and spun a captivating thriller out of it. The emotion and mood is effortlessly conveyed through realistic character interaction, and the facts are laid out accurately without taking away from the richness of the story.
Finally, unlike other romance novels (which I generally steer clear of like the Black Plague's grandbaby,) this story takes on the tone of its surroundings. As the reader is drawn into the novel, they never forget the setting. Still, Friend doesn't force the setting on us like an info-dump. Rather, she lets the natural elements of war, darkness, uncertainty, and an undertone of dispair seap into the plot with little to no obvious effort on her part. The romance is not sweet, but quite real. It is clear that Friend understands genuine human interaction enough to portray it well whenever two characters are brought together, particularly Kate Vincent and her handsome cross-dressing soldier.
And so to conclude, I am fascinated and in love with this book. It's hard for me to find books, especially romance novels, which can make me declare love for them, so I'd have to call this one a true masterpiece. I wish I could find more like this, because I truly do enjoy suspense, sci-fi/fantasy, lesbian fiction, and romance in a blend that works. Unfortunately, such a blend is tricky to pull off successfully.
Kate Vincent is an extremely relatable character with plenty of flaws and plenty of endearing qualities. When being transported into eleventh-century Spain, it is easy to feel exactly what she is feeling, despite the impossible nature of the situation.
I also adored the originality. Though time-travel romance has nearly become cliche, this one has a brilliant balance between plot and character development that makes sure it's not too predictable. It has its own flavor, and the lesbian twist definitely doesn't hurt.
Not to mention that Friend has done such extensive research about the people and events of this time period in Spain's history that the reader is completely convinced throughout the story. She took this obscure part of history and spun a captivating thriller out of it. The emotion and mood is effortlessly conveyed through realistic character interaction, and the facts are laid out accurately without taking away from the richness of the story.
Finally, unlike other romance novels (which I generally steer clear of like the Black Plague's grandbaby,) this story takes on the tone of its surroundings. As the reader is drawn into the novel, they never forget the setting. Still, Friend doesn't force the setting on us like an info-dump. Rather, she lets the natural elements of war, darkness, uncertainty, and an undertone of dispair seap into the plot with little to no obvious effort on her part. The romance is not sweet, but quite real. It is clear that Friend understands genuine human interaction enough to portray it well whenever two characters are brought together, particularly Kate Vincent and her handsome cross-dressing soldier.
And so to conclude, I am fascinated and in love with this book. It's hard for me to find books, especially romance novels, which can make me declare love for them, so I'd have to call this one a true masterpiece. I wish I could find more like this, because I truly do enjoy suspense, sci-fi/fantasy, lesbian fiction, and romance in a blend that works. Unfortunately, such a blend is tricky to pull off successfully.
May 9, 2016
Another rip-roaring ride from Catherine Friend! Filled with history, women in disguise, trials and tribulations on foreign grounds, time travel, and - of course - romance, Catherine Friend's first lesbian adventure has something for everyone.
Though I have to admit that I was not as taken with this novel as I was with Friend's other adventure, A Pirate's Heart, I can still heartily say that this did not disappoint. Following along as 21st-century born Kate Vincent stumbles through 11th century Spain without any idea as to how she got there - or how to return home - was a fun experience. Watching Kate adjust, as well as begin to welcome life in such a place, was a great development in my eyes. You could witness her going through the various stages of change - including denial, anger, depression, acceptance, embrace - to her predictable, yet without confirmation of occurrence until the very end of the novel, "happy ending."
The camaraderie between Kate and Luis was something that started off slow, in my opinion, but came to a well-rounded fruition of a relationship in the end, including an entire scene that legitimately made me shed real, unbridled tears (something that has not occurred in a novel for me since last year reading Just Three Words by Melissa Brayden).
Overall, I am always happy with Catherine Friend novels - as they promise adventure, intrigue, romance, and more - and always deliver. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series, The Crown of Valencia.
Though I have to admit that I was not as taken with this novel as I was with Friend's other adventure, A Pirate's Heart, I can still heartily say that this did not disappoint. Following along as 21st-century born Kate Vincent stumbles through 11th century Spain without any idea as to how she got there - or how to return home - was a fun experience. Watching Kate adjust, as well as begin to welcome life in such a place, was a great development in my eyes. You could witness her going through the various stages of change - including denial, anger, depression, acceptance, embrace - to her predictable, yet without confirmation of occurrence until the very end of the novel, "happy ending."
The camaraderie between Kate and Luis was something that started off slow, in my opinion, but came to a well-rounded fruition of a relationship in the end, including an entire scene that legitimately made me shed real, unbridled tears (something that has not occurred in a novel for me since last year reading Just Three Words by Melissa Brayden).
Overall, I am always happy with Catherine Friend novels - as they promise adventure, intrigue, romance, and more - and always deliver. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series, The Crown of Valencia.
November 18, 2012
I bought this book in a print copy, and have not looked at it since I first read it in 2007--so my review will not be detailed or based on fresh recollection. What I do recall is that it set my teeth on edge pretty much from the start. Other readers have pointed out that the main protagonist finds herself transported to the time of El Cid (11th century Spain). I'm pretty sure they mean El Cid as played by Charlton Heston, in a memorable pairing with Sophia Loren, playing his beloved Ximena as a really, really busty, extremely well-made-up Italian babe. I was never able to ignore that the Spain of the The Spanish Pearl felt bogus, or that the geographical coordinates felt annoyingly murky. Perhaps it was the first-person narration; the main protagonist's unending befuddlement lent a fuzzy quality to everything she described. But as I said, I'm not a very reliable critic on this one. I just wanted to explain why I scored it so low.
May 11, 2015
It was okay. An entertaining adventure, good writing, an all right romance, nice characters and some funny moments. But not the novel of the year.
I really like the time traveling idea but I don't think Catherine Friend went far enough. Once Kate gets used to the idea of being back in time, apart from the fact that Luis is living as a man, it really just becomes a typical 11th century romance/adventure novel. I feel like the author could have had a lot more fun with the concept. And I was really disappointed with the ending. Way too predictable. From a book with such an interesting plot, I expected a surprising ending, with twists and turns, but it was really boring.
Other than that, really, it's a good way to pass the time.
I really like the time traveling idea but I don't think Catherine Friend went far enough. Once Kate gets used to the idea of being back in time, apart from the fact that Luis is living as a man, it really just becomes a typical 11th century romance/adventure novel. I feel like the author could have had a lot more fun with the concept. And I was really disappointed with the ending. Way too predictable. From a book with such an interesting plot, I expected a surprising ending, with twists and turns, but it was really boring.
Other than that, really, it's a good way to pass the time.
August 30, 2013
(From my Amazon review)
Catherine Friend has written a gripping set of historical romance books. Both 'The Spanish Pearl' and 'The Crown of Valencia' take you to another time. Having gone back in time accidently, the lead character - Kate Vincent - is initially desparate to find a way back to her modern day life. She struggles with being away from her partner (even though their life isn't great together) and being kept from the boy her partner wants them to adopt. Her attempts to escape are thwarted at every turn, and she begins to be strangely attracted to a young 'male' soldier who has (perhaps obvious) secrets. I read this book in a day - and the sequel the next day.
Catherine Friend has written a gripping set of historical romance books. Both 'The Spanish Pearl' and 'The Crown of Valencia' take you to another time. Having gone back in time accidently, the lead character - Kate Vincent - is initially desparate to find a way back to her modern day life. She struggles with being away from her partner (even though their life isn't great together) and being kept from the boy her partner wants them to adopt. Her attempts to escape are thwarted at every turn, and she begins to be strangely attracted to a young 'male' soldier who has (perhaps obvious) secrets. I read this book in a day - and the sequel the next day.
November 13, 2014
I loved this book. I go back and read it every so often. I love time travel, and I love how much knowledge was put into this and the sequel. Great read. Great adventure. :)
April 16, 2015
Lovley story. I love history so this was great. Now to get the second one.
November 26, 2020
It’s hard to say if this book is biphobic and/transphobic or just super old fashioned or if the narrator is just super duper dumb. Also the protagonist (Kate) is extremely inconsistent, I get character development and a character being confused and gradually changing her mind, but that is not what happens in this one’s head. It’s bewildering, to be honest. *spoiler* The main problem I kept coming back to was that the book opens with the main character NOT WANTING to adopt a child w her partner, but going through with it anyway for the partner’s sake; and Kate spends a huge chunk of the rest of the book trying to get back to her ‘son’ that she met for all of 5 minutes, didn’t want, and felt no parental instincts toward; then in the last like 10 pages of the book decides quite suddenly that the kid will be fine alone w the partner. What the hell? I’m all for internal struggle but the author could have at least made it seem like Kate wanted this kid in the first place.
This is only one (relatively minor) example of the bungled and bumbling thought processes Kate has throughout the book. If you like dumb protagonists, you’ll love Kate. She doesn’t figure out the glaringly obvious twist until the book is more than halfway over, and it’s embarrassing how long it takes her to wrap her pea brain around the idea she’s been sent back in time...like I get that it’s magic and unexpected but jeez.
That said, I was able to finish the novel, mostly because the world building is pretty good, and when the author isn’t describing what Kate is thinking, she writes well. With the exception of bilingual characters - buckle in for lots of caveman speak.
This is only one (relatively minor) example of the bungled and bumbling thought processes Kate has throughout the book. If you like dumb protagonists, you’ll love Kate. She doesn’t figure out the glaringly obvious twist until the book is more than halfway over, and it’s embarrassing how long it takes her to wrap her pea brain around the idea she’s been sent back in time...like I get that it’s magic and unexpected but jeez.
That said, I was able to finish the novel, mostly because the world building is pretty good, and when the author isn’t describing what Kate is thinking, she writes well. With the exception of bilingual characters - buckle in for lots of caveman speak.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2020
This is actually one of my favorite books I've ever read. You know those books where you start reading and you just can't put it down? And then when it's over, you're gripped with an undying thirst for more content? Yeah, that's exactly what this book did to me. I was raving about it to my friends for MONTHS.
The Spanish Pearl is a well-written, time travelling novel about lesbians. I have always been a fan of what I've called "historical treasure-hunt books" (so like National Treasure in book form) and this kind of fits that vibe in my mind. Although I know little to nothing about the history of Spain, I loved getting to see/hear about events on the ground through Kate's eyes.
Kate is my favorite type of protagonist- she's smart (but not too smart), determined, fiery, and has a good bit of sass to her. Being vague to avoid spoilers, I was a little concerned about her novel love interest, but was okay with how it ended. Also, her decision at the end of the book was, I think, something we rarely see- and I really appreciated that.
Honestly, I wish I could forget the entire plot of this book- just so I could read it again. 12/10 easy
The Spanish Pearl is a well-written, time travelling novel about lesbians. I have always been a fan of what I've called "historical treasure-hunt books" (so like National Treasure in book form) and this kind of fits that vibe in my mind. Although I know little to nothing about the history of Spain, I loved getting to see/hear about events on the ground through Kate's eyes.
Kate is my favorite type of protagonist- she's smart (but not too smart), determined, fiery, and has a good bit of sass to her. Being vague to avoid spoilers, I was a little concerned about her novel love interest, but was okay with how it ended. Also, her decision at the end of the book was, I think, something we rarely see- and I really appreciated that.
Honestly, I wish I could forget the entire plot of this book- just so I could read it again. 12/10 easy
July 10, 2025
Enjoyed this, but TW for multiple SA or attempted SA, and if you have any discomfort about being misgendered as a trans or NB person maybe skip this one altogether as the main romantic plot is around a character who lives as a man but is AFAB, and the FMC immediately starts pushing for she/her pronouns and removing their binding and prothesis to have sex with them as female. Since you don’t get that character’s first person perspective but they do give pushback to all of this despite capitulating, it can feel like trans erasure.
If you assume that that character isn’t trans and just lives as male out of necessity, it’s highly readable time travel queer romance, but I kept getting twitchy when FMC insisted on referring to him as “she” even when another character who knew he was AFAB did not.
If you assume that that character isn’t trans and just lives as male out of necessity, it’s highly readable time travel queer romance, but I kept getting twitchy when FMC insisted on referring to him as “she” even when another character who knew he was AFAB did not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2022
2.5 stars // Picked this up because I have enjoyed other [non-romance] books by author. And I thought the premise sounded fun. But I wasn't expecting to find multiple instances of rape / attempted rape and torture, despite much of this epic lesbian adventure being set in Spain, in the year 1085. Even if historically representative, it made for some uncomfortable, unexpected scenes. On the positive side, we see women ultimately triumphing in a number of cases, and there is much humor throughout.
TW: rape, torture
TW: rape, torture
December 23, 2018
Maybe, maybe not.
This book was either brilliant and highly imaginative or the worst book I’ve read in a long time. I did not like the MCs. I did like the time travel, I liked the idea of the cave. I liked the sword play. To much aggression directed at women to be a relaxing read. I’m not going to read the second one although I do wonder what happened to the boy. It just wasn’t for me.
This book was either brilliant and highly imaginative or the worst book I’ve read in a long time. I did not like the MCs. I did like the time travel, I liked the idea of the cave. I liked the sword play. To much aggression directed at women to be a relaxing read. I’m not going to read the second one although I do wonder what happened to the boy. It just wasn’t for me.
March 27, 2017
I loved the book! I loved the idea of going back in time, the twists, I loved how well it was written. Despite few rough scenes the book was also very funny and entertaining and with a good amount of history. The adventures of the main character held my breath.
I'm eager to start the second book of the series!
I'm eager to start the second book of the series!
October 3, 2017
I really loved this book, though I did have a couple of issues with it. I loved the plot for the most part and the exploration of 11th century Spain, but I felt a little off about the main character falling for someone she thought was a man. It just rubbed me the wrong way. But I truly loved the rest of it, though and am excited to read the sequel.
October 12, 2020
This is quite possibly one of the best books that I have ever read. The characters were interesting, the history and storylines were woven so wonderfully into a flawless story. There were so many twists and turns that I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. This was the first book that I have read from this author and I will definitely be reading more of her books.
December 27, 2017
Excellent book!
February 27, 2020
Time travel teaser
Terrific story of time travel back to 11th century Spain. Thrilling adventure right until the very end. Fantastic main character chemistry. I loved it!
Terrific story of time travel back to 11th century Spain. Thrilling adventure right until the very end. Fantastic main character chemistry. I loved it!
December 25, 2017
More like 3.5.
In general, an enjoyable read. I’m not as well-versed as the author in Spanish history. Even so, the world felt immersive, and Kate and Luis’ romance was interesting... But there’s a lot less adventure here than I was expecting.
And more rape than I can tolerate in one book without some substantial recognition of longterm trauma. Also, I have to say that I loved Walladah, bisexual Moorish princess, and I wish our narrator had refrained from slut-shaming her. She’s unapologetic and powerful. I wondered for a moment if the plot would cul-de-sac around her romance with Kate.
In general, an enjoyable read. I’m not as well-versed as the author in Spanish history. Even so, the world felt immersive, and Kate and Luis’ romance was interesting... But there’s a lot less adventure here than I was expecting.
And more rape than I can tolerate in one book without some substantial recognition of longterm trauma. Also, I have to say that I loved Walladah, bisexual Moorish princess, and I wish our narrator had refrained from slut-shaming her. She’s unapologetic and powerful. I wondered for a moment if the plot would cul-de-sac around her romance with Kate.
March 7, 2017
This is a really fun historical fiction/romance novel. The writing is fast-paced and really draws you in, and you really feel for Kate and Luis as things just keep happening, one after the other. At times it's really heartbreaking, others funny, and others heartwarming.
I especially adore Luis.
The ending is happy, which is important to me!! (not at all a fan of LGBT characters who don't get a happy ending)
Probably going to buy a paperback of this one :)
I especially adore Luis.
The ending is happy, which is important to me!! (not at all a fan of LGBT characters who don't get a happy ending)
Probably going to buy a paperback of this one :)
July 27, 2017
A lesbian version of Outlander, but in Moorish Spain instead of Scotland.
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