What do you think?
Rate this book
Brotherhood of the Sword & MacAllister #5
A Dark Champion
Fearless men, their allegiance is to one another, to the oppressed, and to the secret society known as the Brotherhood of the Sword—and they must never surrender to the passionate yearnings of their noble hearts.
A Lady of Love
Beautiful, peace-loving Rowena knows that Stryder of Blackmoor is a warrior, and is therefore a man to be shunned.
But something burns in the eyes of this powerful knight that she has never seen in others of his kind: a tenderness, and a need to love and be loved. Yet to enter his world would be madness—against every principle by which she has lived her life—so she must resist the yearning that would draw her into his arms.
A Man of War
Duty bound to battle for right, Stryder has never desired the comforts of home and hearth—until he gazed upon the exquisite face and form of the incomparable Rowena. He dares not succumb to her sensuous charms, for Stryder is a man sworn to know no love. But when treachery and danger threaten, the noble knight must stand as the unsuspecting lady's champion—though his actions could cost him his honor, his heart. . . and his forbidden dream of happiness.
A Lady of Love
Beautiful, peace-loving Rowena knows that Stryder of Blackmoor is a warrior, and is therefore a man to be shunned.
But something burns in the eyes of this powerful knight that she has never seen in others of his kind: a tenderness, and a need to love and be loved. Yet to enter his world would be madness—against every principle by which she has lived her life—so she must resist the yearning that would draw her into his arms.
A Man of War
Duty bound to battle for right, Stryder has never desired the comforts of home and hearth—until he gazed upon the exquisite face and form of the incomparable Rowena. He dares not succumb to her sensuous charms, for Stryder is a man sworn to know no love. But when treachery and danger threaten, the noble knight must stand as the unsuspecting lady's champion—though his actions could cost him his honor, his heart. . . and his forbidden dream of happiness.
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 27, 2004
97 people are currently reading
1760 people want to read
About the author
Kinley MacGregor
31 books1,572 followersSherrilyn McQueen
aka
Sherrilyn Kenyon & Kinley MacGregor
aka
Sherrilyn Kenyon & Kinley MacGregor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
August 12, 2009
I've read and enjoyed all the books in the MacAllister series, so it was only natural that I'd follow Ms. MacGregor into the Brotherhood of the Sword series. While it's not necessary to read the previous series to enjoy this one, I'm glad I did because Ms. MacGregor has the annoying habit of dropping the names of previous characters into her stories expecting the reader to fully understand the importance of those names. Having read her before, I'm kind of used to that writing style, but it doesn't mean I don't wish she stopped doing that.
The Brotherhood of the Sword is a group of men who were imprisoned during the Crusades and managed to survive and escape together, forging a close bond with each other. Stryder of Blackmoor is one of these men, a loyal knight who is known to be invencible on the battlefield. Women literally chase after him in hope of marrying him, but he has no intention of ever acquiring a wife. He discovered how love can destroy a man early in life, when his father almost killed him, killed his (Stryder's) mother, and then killed himself in a jealousy fit, so he has no intention of falling prey to love.
Lady Rowena de Vitry is the heiress to a healthy fortune and some coveted lands that hold strategic value to King Henry, but she refuses to marry any of her suitors and He gets more and more restless, dreading to see the day when her lands will end up in the hands of one of His enemies. King Henry needs Rowena to marry a strong and loyal knight who will protect her lands and, therefore, His kingdom. So Queen Eleanor comes up with a plan - a most convoluted one, IMHO - to get Stryder and Rowena together, falling in love with each other and getting married, thus solving all Their problems.
The thing is, there aren't two people more ill-suited to each other than Stryder and Rowena. He's a knight, and she hates everything related to war, knights included; she's a musician and poet, and he hates everything related to music. But as they are "forced" to spend time together, they start to see each other with new eyes and, as we all know, the rest is history. Naturally, not everything is that easy in Romancelandia, and they have to deal with a series of murders commited by an unknown assassin who may, or may not, be targetting the Brotherhood members.
I really liked both Stryder and Rowena, and I enjoyed reading their scenes together - the scene where he tried to write her a letter and ended up dictating it to her was so sigh-worthy :) - but I thought she fell for him way too fast. I mean, Rowena had hated knights all her life but was considering swooning over Stryder after only a couple of encounters?!? Sorry, I couldn't buy that so easily. Anyway, once I decided to "accept" it and move on, I had no problem enjoying the story, which was fast paced and entertaining. There were a couple of twists that weren't as unexpected as they could have been, but as this wasn't a romantic suspense novel, I didn't mind the lack of surprise concerning the mystery part of the story. BUT I do mind the fact that not all mysteries were solved by the end of the book! Okay, I know this book is part of a series but I'm not confident all of the unsolved mysteries will be picked up in the next book because, quite frankly, I got the impression that Ms. MacGregor just forgot about them. I can only hope to be proven wrong when I read Return of the Warrior...
All in all, this was a nice and average read, with a couple of sigh-worthy and memorable scenes. Not enough to bump my rating up to 4 stars, though.
The Brotherhood of the Sword is a group of men who were imprisoned during the Crusades and managed to survive and escape together, forging a close bond with each other. Stryder of Blackmoor is one of these men, a loyal knight who is known to be invencible on the battlefield. Women literally chase after him in hope of marrying him, but he has no intention of ever acquiring a wife. He discovered how love can destroy a man early in life, when his father almost killed him, killed his (Stryder's) mother, and then killed himself in a jealousy fit, so he has no intention of falling prey to love.
Lady Rowena de Vitry is the heiress to a healthy fortune and some coveted lands that hold strategic value to King Henry, but she refuses to marry any of her suitors and He gets more and more restless, dreading to see the day when her lands will end up in the hands of one of His enemies. King Henry needs Rowena to marry a strong and loyal knight who will protect her lands and, therefore, His kingdom. So Queen Eleanor comes up with a plan - a most convoluted one, IMHO - to get Stryder and Rowena together, falling in love with each other and getting married, thus solving all Their problems.
The thing is, there aren't two people more ill-suited to each other than Stryder and Rowena. He's a knight, and she hates everything related to war, knights included; she's a musician and poet, and he hates everything related to music. But as they are "forced" to spend time together, they start to see each other with new eyes and, as we all know, the rest is history. Naturally, not everything is that easy in Romancelandia, and they have to deal with a series of murders commited by an unknown assassin who may, or may not, be targetting the Brotherhood members.
I really liked both Stryder and Rowena, and I enjoyed reading their scenes together - the scene where he tried to write her a letter and ended up dictating it to her was so sigh-worthy :) - but I thought she fell for him way too fast. I mean, Rowena had hated knights all her life but was considering swooning over Stryder after only a couple of encounters?!? Sorry, I couldn't buy that so easily. Anyway, once I decided to "accept" it and move on, I had no problem enjoying the story, which was fast paced and entertaining. There were a couple of twists that weren't as unexpected as they could have been, but as this wasn't a romantic suspense novel, I didn't mind the lack of surprise concerning the mystery part of the story. BUT I do mind the fact that not all mysteries were solved by the end of the book! Okay, I know this book is part of a series but I'm not confident all of the unsolved mysteries will be picked up in the next book because, quite frankly, I got the impression that Ms. MacGregor just forgot about them. I can only hope to be proven wrong when I read Return of the Warrior...
All in all, this was a nice and average read, with a couple of sigh-worthy and memorable scenes. Not enough to bump my rating up to 4 stars, though.
March 21, 2017
Creo que ha sido el que menos me gustó de los que leí de la serie...
La protagonista algunas veces fue demasiado quisquillosa e incomprensible y la historia además me aburrió un poco por momentos.
El final es lo más emocionante de todo el libro así como descubrir la identidad de Aquarius.
Este es de esos libros que por mi vida pasaron sin pena ni gloria. Además me causa conflicto eso de el español de España... a mí sus VOS, SOIS, OS, HABÉIS etc me cuesta mucho imaginarlos en una conversación. Está es una de las cuestiones que más me dificultan la lectura y disfrute de un libro :/
Soy rara jajaja pero no me lo tomen en cuenta.
La protagonista algunas veces fue demasiado quisquillosa e incomprensible y la historia además me aburrió un poco por momentos.
El final es lo más emocionante de todo el libro así como descubrir la identidad de Aquarius.
Este es de esos libros que por mi vida pasaron sin pena ni gloria. Además me causa conflicto eso de el español de España... a mí sus VOS, SOIS, OS, HABÉIS etc me cuesta mucho imaginarlos en una conversación. Está es una de las cuestiones que más me dificultan la lectura y disfrute de un libro :/
Soy rara jajaja pero no me lo tomen en cuenta.
December 15, 2025
I think I've hit (or more like fallen into) a slump
I've liked all the books in this series so far but this one annoyed me almost from the beginning.
The hero is a bitter shrew. He
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
I've liked all the books in this series so far but this one annoyed me almost from the beginning.
The hero is a bitter shrew. He
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
January 21, 2020
4 Estrellas. Por fin empecé la serie de la Hermandad de la Espada tras muchos años en mi lista de pendientes, y ha sido bastante satisfactorio.
No diría que Kinley MacGregor (o Sherrilyn Kenyon) sea una lumbreras en historia, pues aunque se nota que le gusta, mete unos gambazos bastante fuertes para tomarse la novela como histórica, hay muchas cosas que es muy, muy difícil creerse; pero es la creadora de los Cazadores Oscuros y todas sus series de un modo u otro están conectadas en su mundo, así que si ella lo escribe, debe ser así.
Aunque leí hace poco el relato corto que inicia la serie, lo cierto es que éste es el libro que realmente empieza la serie de la Hermandad de la Espada. Me alegro de haberme leído hace años a los MacAllister primero, pues la serie de los hermanos escoceses ocurre antes que ésta.
¿Qué tenemos en “Caballero Oscuro”? La historia de un guerrero cínico que no cree en el amor, que vive para proteger a los débiles de las injusticias, y a una dama nada cínica que canta ovaciones a favor del amor y en contra de los guerreros.
Stryder de Blackmoore es el paladín de Enrique II, su mejor guerrero y nunca ha perdido en las justas. Hace años Stryder fue a luchar a Tierra Santa en las cruzadas, donde fue apresado junto con varios de sus guerreros y amigos y sometidos a multitud de torturas, lograron escapar de su cárcel y allí formaron la Hermandad de la Espada, una sociedad clandestina que se encargaría de liberar a cuantos presos pudieran y salvar al mundo de las injusticias.
El rey celebra un torneo en Hexham, Inglaterra, y Stryder va a ser uno de sus competidores, pero las cosas no van a ponerse fáciles, pues tanto el rey Enrique como la reina Leonor tienen pensado unir a Stryder con Rowena de Vitry, una dama que va a heredar una de las mayores posesiones del reino, tan esquiva como hermosa, pues Rowena sólo tiene intención de desposarse por amor, y aborrece todo lo que tiene que ver con la guerra.
La propuesta del rey será que Rowena se desposará con el campeón del torneo, mientras que por otro lado, la reina les propone que si Rowena consigue que Stryder gane en el concurso de trovadores, dejará que ésta sea libre para desposarse con quien ella quiera.
De modo que en principio será difícil cumplir con este cometido pues Stryder es incapaz de dejarse ganar, y por otro lado no va a hacer de alfeñique para que la corte se ría de él. A pesar de ello, cuando Stryder y Rowena se conocen saltarán chispas de inmediato, pues lo mismo por lo que parecen aborrecerse, es lo que hace que no puedan dejar de verse. Esta es una de esas historias que empiezan de menos a más, hasta que la historia de amor te deja con el corazón en un puño.
A pesar de todos los errores y fallas que he visto, pues ya digo que tiene miles de cosas que es imposible creerse, he disfrutado muchísimo de éste libro. Ha sido muy entretenido y echaba de menos a la Sherrilyn de los inicios que tanto me gustaba.
Como digo, la historia de amor ha estado muy lograda, los personajes me han gustado mucho, y la intriga ha estado bien servida, sobre todo agradezco que la historia del asesino no haya acabado aquí, si no que continúe durante los siguientes libros, es un aliciente para engancharte a la serie y conmigo lo ha logrado. Espero no tardar mucho en ponerme con la historia de Christian de Acre, pues ése epílogo promete mucho.
No diría que Kinley MacGregor (o Sherrilyn Kenyon) sea una lumbreras en historia, pues aunque se nota que le gusta, mete unos gambazos bastante fuertes para tomarse la novela como histórica, hay muchas cosas que es muy, muy difícil creerse; pero es la creadora de los Cazadores Oscuros y todas sus series de un modo u otro están conectadas en su mundo, así que si ella lo escribe, debe ser así.
Aunque leí hace poco el relato corto que inicia la serie, lo cierto es que éste es el libro que realmente empieza la serie de la Hermandad de la Espada. Me alegro de haberme leído hace años a los MacAllister primero, pues la serie de los hermanos escoceses ocurre antes que ésta.
¿Qué tenemos en “Caballero Oscuro”? La historia de un guerrero cínico que no cree en el amor, que vive para proteger a los débiles de las injusticias, y a una dama nada cínica que canta ovaciones a favor del amor y en contra de los guerreros.
Stryder de Blackmoore es el paladín de Enrique II, su mejor guerrero y nunca ha perdido en las justas. Hace años Stryder fue a luchar a Tierra Santa en las cruzadas, donde fue apresado junto con varios de sus guerreros y amigos y sometidos a multitud de torturas, lograron escapar de su cárcel y allí formaron la Hermandad de la Espada, una sociedad clandestina que se encargaría de liberar a cuantos presos pudieran y salvar al mundo de las injusticias.
El rey celebra un torneo en Hexham, Inglaterra, y Stryder va a ser uno de sus competidores, pero las cosas no van a ponerse fáciles, pues tanto el rey Enrique como la reina Leonor tienen pensado unir a Stryder con Rowena de Vitry, una dama que va a heredar una de las mayores posesiones del reino, tan esquiva como hermosa, pues Rowena sólo tiene intención de desposarse por amor, y aborrece todo lo que tiene que ver con la guerra.
La propuesta del rey será que Rowena se desposará con el campeón del torneo, mientras que por otro lado, la reina les propone que si Rowena consigue que Stryder gane en el concurso de trovadores, dejará que ésta sea libre para desposarse con quien ella quiera.
De modo que en principio será difícil cumplir con este cometido pues Stryder es incapaz de dejarse ganar, y por otro lado no va a hacer de alfeñique para que la corte se ría de él. A pesar de ello, cuando Stryder y Rowena se conocen saltarán chispas de inmediato, pues lo mismo por lo que parecen aborrecerse, es lo que hace que no puedan dejar de verse. Esta es una de esas historias que empiezan de menos a más, hasta que la historia de amor te deja con el corazón en un puño.
A pesar de todos los errores y fallas que he visto, pues ya digo que tiene miles de cosas que es imposible creerse, he disfrutado muchísimo de éste libro. Ha sido muy entretenido y echaba de menos a la Sherrilyn de los inicios que tanto me gustaba.
Como digo, la historia de amor ha estado muy lograda, los personajes me han gustado mucho, y la intriga ha estado bien servida, sobre todo agradezco que la historia del asesino no haya acabado aquí, si no que continúe durante los siguientes libros, es un aliciente para engancharte a la serie y conmigo lo ha logrado. Espero no tardar mucho en ponerme con la historia de Christian de Acre, pues ése epílogo promete mucho.
August 23, 2018
Yazarı okumayı cokk özlemişim..Güzel bir hikaye idi..Serinin dördüncü kitabını hemen okumak istiyorum lütfen aralarını fazla açmayın..Seri olduğu için bir önceki hikayeleri anımsatmaktadır zorlanıyorum...
April 11, 2021
I hope this note finds you well and that you will smile when you think of me and not be saddened as I am saddened. I would never wish to be the source of your unhappiness. Instead, I hope you have all you desire and that someday, should things be different, you might again welcome me into your arms.
Ever yours, Stryder.
geçen sefer bu ne şehvet bu celal diye sövmüştüm, bu sefer...........
beni şehvetin içine attılar adfasfasd
kendine sağlam mülk kalmış olmasına rağmen pek tercih edilmeyen ki zaten kendi de bayağı omurgalı güçlü savaş karşıtı savaşçılar şövalyelerden nefret eden aşkın saf halini anlatan bir storyteller olan ve bu yüzden bitch of sussex damgası yiyen (bakire) kızımız ile, bunun tam tersi fekat övmeye üşendiğim yiğidimin hikayesi asdfasdfadsf (ultra mutsuzum)
"I'm scandalizing you so you will have no choice save to marry me in the morning."
ben sevdim. kral-kraliçe ve kızın amcasının bu ikisine plan yaparak çöpçatanlık yapmaya çalışması, okuma yazma bilmeyen yiğidimin yaptığı düştüğü durumlar, turnuva saçmalığı, bu birlikteliğe yiğidimin savaşçılarının şiddetli karşı çıkışına kızın hizmetçilerinin 'bağzı' sebeplerden (lol) tam destek vermesi asdfasdfasd
tabii yine entrikanın bi tarafına koymuşuz o başka.
en naughty kitaplarda bile göremediğim pozisyonun bu kitapta mevcut olması grupta biraz infial yarattı hepimiz hâlâ atlatamadık hallelujah!
"...in shocking ways."
xoxoxo
iko
March 25, 2021
Рицарски турнир, красива и вироглава мац... пардон, девица, нашето рицарско момче с посттравматичен стрес от Светите Земи и даже малко убийства за гарнитура! Идеалното антимислещо четиво.
May 22, 2025
Rating: 4.3 / 5
First thing's first: I LOVED the romance in this one! Both Stryder and Rowena are just so relatable and likeable as characters, that even though this was an "opposites attract" romance, I totally bought it and felt that it developed organically and realistically, so full points there!
He's a warrior who fights out of necessity to keep himself and the weak safe...
She's a singer who hates everything having to do with violence--and, as a result, knights as well...
But TOGETHER...well, together they can't resist the fireworks between them; and although neither holds out much hope for or even believes in love, they can't help but slowly fall for each other.
*romantic sigh*
Additionally, the story was not quite as I expected. With the way that these stories usually go, although the hero and heroine may meet up in a court setting with a lot of people around them, usually it's preferred to get them away from court intrigue and give them time to be alone together on their own turf; but not so in this story, which keeps them at the centre of King Henry's court from start to finish, surrounded by knights and ladies in waiting and troubadours and possible assassins--the works!
However, despite the crowded setting and my expectations for it to change, the story was set at a good pace and the plot was follow-able, despite the many characters and plotlines I had to keep in mind.
So...no complaints for any of that, in other words.
Where I can't help but take a star off though, is for how I felt that some of the elements of the story were just...dropped once they no longer became useful, or weren't explained well enough.
For instance, there's a lot of references to Stryder's past and what the Brotherhood of the Sword went through that...well, you have to read a bit between the lines for. Now, maybe that's my bad and it's explained better in Book 1 of this series or something, but I did feel that the overreliance on the whole "past coming to haunt you" plot was a bit much, and could've been substituted for a more present-day plot, like Rowena's future and Stryder needing to decide between continuing to be a warrior or finally settling down as lord of his lands. Not for any other reason except that by introducing more and more characters from Stryder's past, I just found it a bit far-fetched that so many people and so many coincidences from it would just ALL take place at the tourney, y'know?
As for not resolving everything quite that well, that mostly has to do with the endings. Like...it's a happily-ever-after and I had no problems with Stryder and Rowena's side of things; however, again, some plotlines are just dropped before they really begin, and rather than focusing an epilogue on setting up the next book--which is what the author does--it could've instead been used to tie up loose ends. For instance, towards the end, Stryder sends some of his warriors and his younger brother away for his protection; but even though nothing is resolved with the younger brother in terms of the two of them needing to talk about the past and whatnot, the said brother is never brought into the story again. I feel like there was a great scene and emotion upcoming there, so it have it just dropped felt sudden and, yes, disappointing. Likewise with Rowena's "little announcement" to Stryder--would've been great to see their future a year or two later, just to wrap that up.
But, alas, maybe these are nitpicks and maybe they aren't. All in all, I'd still say that this is a great overall read, and definitely a lovely book of the series. Glad I read it, kept me engaged from start to finish, and helped pick me up a bit out of the reading slump I've been in!
First thing's first: I LOVED the romance in this one! Both Stryder and Rowena are just so relatable and likeable as characters, that even though this was an "opposites attract" romance, I totally bought it and felt that it developed organically and realistically, so full points there!
He's a warrior who fights out of necessity to keep himself and the weak safe...
She's a singer who hates everything having to do with violence--and, as a result, knights as well...
But TOGETHER...well, together they can't resist the fireworks between them; and although neither holds out much hope for or even believes in love, they can't help but slowly fall for each other.
*romantic sigh*
Additionally, the story was not quite as I expected. With the way that these stories usually go, although the hero and heroine may meet up in a court setting with a lot of people around them, usually it's preferred to get them away from court intrigue and give them time to be alone together on their own turf; but not so in this story, which keeps them at the centre of King Henry's court from start to finish, surrounded by knights and ladies in waiting and troubadours and possible assassins--the works!
However, despite the crowded setting and my expectations for it to change, the story was set at a good pace and the plot was follow-able, despite the many characters and plotlines I had to keep in mind.
So...no complaints for any of that, in other words.
Where I can't help but take a star off though, is for how I felt that some of the elements of the story were just...dropped once they no longer became useful, or weren't explained well enough.
For instance, there's a lot of references to Stryder's past and what the Brotherhood of the Sword went through that...well, you have to read a bit between the lines for. Now, maybe that's my bad and it's explained better in Book 1 of this series or something, but I did feel that the overreliance on the whole "past coming to haunt you" plot was a bit much, and could've been substituted for a more present-day plot, like Rowena's future and Stryder needing to decide between continuing to be a warrior or finally settling down as lord of his lands. Not for any other reason except that by introducing more and more characters from Stryder's past, I just found it a bit far-fetched that so many people and so many coincidences from it would just ALL take place at the tourney, y'know?
As for not resolving everything quite that well, that mostly has to do with the endings. Like...it's a happily-ever-after and I had no problems with Stryder and Rowena's side of things; however, again, some plotlines are just dropped before they really begin, and rather than focusing an epilogue on setting up the next book--which is what the author does--it could've instead been used to tie up loose ends. For instance, towards the end, Stryder sends some of his warriors and his younger brother away for his protection; but even though nothing is resolved with the younger brother in terms of the two of them needing to talk about the past and whatnot, the said brother is never brought into the story again. I feel like there was a great scene and emotion upcoming there, so it have it just dropped felt sudden and, yes, disappointing. Likewise with Rowena's "little announcement" to Stryder--would've been great to see their future a year or two later, just to wrap that up.
But, alas, maybe these are nitpicks and maybe they aren't. All in all, I'd still say that this is a great overall read, and definitely a lovely book of the series. Glad I read it, kept me engaged from start to finish, and helped pick me up a bit out of the reading slump I've been in!
June 4, 2018
****3,75***
Nice,insta lust-love but still enjoyable read.
Nice,insta lust-love but still enjoyable read.
Read
April 23, 2022Kitabın başınsa nihayet Yoldaşlığa dair bir kaç bilgi aldık. Önceki kitaplar da yüzeysel olarak geçiyordu ama cidden anlamlandıramıyordum.Hoş hala çok eksik bilgi var.Büyük ihtimalle ilerleyen kitaplarda gün yüzüne çıkar.Yazar devam ediyorsa seriye tabi.Hoş yeni evrilen bu kurgu ilgimi çekse de biraz ara vermem lazım.
Stryder ve Rowena çifti çok da fena değildi.Bayılmadım ama kendini aralıksız okuttu.Bu yüzden benim için artı bir durum.Stryder savunmasız kişileri korumak için yaşar. Evlilik, aile, bir eş gelecek planlarında yoktur.O Kalın Şampiyon şovalyesidir. Rowena ise şovalyelerden, şavaştan ve temsil ettiği her şeyden nefret eder.Hatta bununla ilgili şarkılar söyler.Soylu bir kadın aynı zamanda bir ozandır.Yani iki imkansız ruh...
Seriyi temelde okurken zaten kafam karışıktı ama bu kitapta hepten oturtamadığım bir şeyler vardı.Tam tarih vermiyor yazar ama II. Henry( 1154-1189) kral olarak piyasada.Yani dönemi düşününce şovalyelik tamam ama bazı şeyler gözüme batıyor. Özellikle sanki bir kaç saatlik mesafedeymişçesine Kutsal Topraklara gidip gelmeler...Kadınlara verilen özgürlükler...Bazen daha günümüz hikayeler okuyor gibiyim.
Serinin ilerleyen teması, yaklaşık 50 kişilik bir grubun, Kutsal Topraklardaki hapis hayatı ve ordan kaçtıktan sonra aldıkları yön konu ediliyor.Orda hapis yatmayan yok gibi.Onca insanın ne işi varmış ki oralarda? Yol geçen hanı gibi bir yer herhalde. Ne bileyim ya...Yadırgadım bazı bazı.Bir de *Sarazen detayı var.Bilemedim.Bu kısımlara değil de karakterlere odaklanınca okunur bir seri. Bizans Prensi Christian da ilgimi çekti ama yeter bu kadar bence. Şu İskoçyalıda düşündüğüm kişiyse okunurdu. Ama yazar 2007'den beri yazamış seri devamını.Artık gelmez sanırım.
*Sarazen, Haçlı Seferleri sırasında Avrupalı savaşçılar tarafından Müslümanlara takılan ve "Hristiyan olmayan" anlamına gelen ad.
Stryder ve Rowena çifti çok da fena değildi.Bayılmadım ama kendini aralıksız okuttu.Bu yüzden benim için artı bir durum.Stryder savunmasız kişileri korumak için yaşar. Evlilik, aile, bir eş gelecek planlarında yoktur.O Kalın Şampiyon şovalyesidir. Rowena ise şovalyelerden, şavaştan ve temsil ettiği her şeyden nefret eder.Hatta bununla ilgili şarkılar söyler.Soylu bir kadın aynı zamanda bir ozandır.Yani iki imkansız ruh...
Seriyi temelde okurken zaten kafam karışıktı ama bu kitapta hepten oturtamadığım bir şeyler vardı.Tam tarih vermiyor yazar ama II. Henry( 1154-1189) kral olarak piyasada.Yani dönemi düşününce şovalyelik tamam ama bazı şeyler gözüme batıyor. Özellikle sanki bir kaç saatlik mesafedeymişçesine Kutsal Topraklara gidip gelmeler...Kadınlara verilen özgürlükler...Bazen daha günümüz hikayeler okuyor gibiyim.
Serinin ilerleyen teması, yaklaşık 50 kişilik bir grubun, Kutsal Topraklardaki hapis hayatı ve ordan kaçtıktan sonra aldıkları yön konu ediliyor.Orda hapis yatmayan yok gibi.Onca insanın ne işi varmış ki oralarda? Yol geçen hanı gibi bir yer herhalde. Ne bileyim ya...Yadırgadım bazı bazı.Bir de *Sarazen detayı var.Bilemedim.Bu kısımlara değil de karakterlere odaklanınca okunur bir seri. Bizans Prensi Christian da ilgimi çekti ama yeter bu kadar bence. Şu İskoçyalıda düşündüğüm kişiyse okunurdu. Ama yazar 2007'den beri yazamış seri devamını.Artık gelmez sanırım.
*Sarazen, Haçlı Seferleri sırasında Avrupalı savaşçılar tarafından Müslümanlara takılan ve "Hristiyan olmayan" anlamına gelen ad.
May 20, 2009
This is book 6 in the Brotherhood/MacAllister Series by Kinley MacGregor. I have read many series by different authors, and I have to say that this series is so disjointed that the fact that it actually IS part of a series seems to be an afterthought.
The romance between Stryder and Rowena seems to be an afterthought as well. He sees her and oh, by the way, lust surges through his body. There is no connection between them. She hates what he is and then five minutes later he's wonderful. I know that the romance tends to move fast in most novels, but their feelings change from one paragraph to the next. Also, I like Stryder, but he is so noble that it's almost annoying.
I hated the modern theme in this book. Stryder was the equivalent of a rock star and all of the women were his groupies. It's ridiculous and not the least bit humorous as the author intended. I usually like Kinley MacGregor's humor (especially when writing as Sherrilyn Kenyon), but this really fell flat for me.
One other thing...when the characters in her book "hiss" with pleasure, I groan with annoyance and wonder why I'm still reading? My only excuse is that my OCD won't allow me to read a series out of order and I want to read Lochlan's book (The Warrior).
The romance between Stryder and Rowena seems to be an afterthought as well. He sees her and oh, by the way, lust surges through his body. There is no connection between them. She hates what he is and then five minutes later he's wonderful. I know that the romance tends to move fast in most novels, but their feelings change from one paragraph to the next. Also, I like Stryder, but he is so noble that it's almost annoying.
I hated the modern theme in this book. Stryder was the equivalent of a rock star and all of the women were his groupies. It's ridiculous and not the least bit humorous as the author intended. I usually like Kinley MacGregor's humor (especially when writing as Sherrilyn Kenyon), but this really fell flat for me.
One other thing...when the characters in her book "hiss" with pleasure, I groan with annoyance and wonder why I'm still reading? My only excuse is that my OCD won't allow me to read a series out of order and I want to read Lochlan's book (The Warrior).
July 28, 2019
Güzel kitaptı, severek okudum.
Kadın ve erkek karakterlerin klişelerden uzak olması hoşuma gitti. Kadın hep güçsüz olur, erkeğin hiçbir şeyden korkusu olmaz, kusursuz olur. Fakat bu kitap öyle değildi. Kadın gayet güçlüydü, ne istediğini biliyor ve söylemekten çekinmiyordu, erkeğin korkuları da vardı kusurları da. İkisinin de birbirinde istemediği şeyler vardı, ama bunları aşma şekilleri hoştu.
Kadın ve erkek karakterlerin klişelerden uzak olması hoşuma gitti. Kadın hep güçsüz olur, erkeğin hiçbir şeyden korkusu olmaz, kusursuz olur. Fakat bu kitap öyle değildi. Kadın gayet güçlüydü, ne istediğini biliyor ve söylemekten çekinmiyordu, erkeğin korkuları da vardı kusurları da. İkisinin de birbirinde istemediği şeyler vardı, ama bunları aşma şekilleri hoştu.
August 26, 2018
Another tortured hero, check! Feisty heroine, check!Historical accuracy, uncheck! People seemed rather blase about sexual affairs in this one. I mean the h went in and out of the H's tent without chaperones or eyebrows raised. Honestly, the whole Brotherhood didn't compel me much. The book was cheesy, campy fun.
June 1, 2012
A Dark Champion #6: A wonderful 3.5-4 star book that was just what the doctor ordered
I can't even imagine trying to give this a proper review in the condition that im in i.e sick, tired, late at night, did i mention sick? Well, this is the first book that I am reading post Graduation and at the start of my summer break so i needed it to be surefire good. I'm familar with Kinley MacGregor and love her books so I thought why not. It was a fun book that I really enjoyed and recommend as I do all her books. I liked both characters easily. My only qualm was that it felt like she was putting a lot of events and themes in the book without giving them enough of thorough emotion evoking description.
I can't even imagine trying to give this a proper review in the condition that im in i.e sick, tired, late at night, did i mention sick? Well, this is the first book that I am reading post Graduation and at the start of my summer break so i needed it to be surefire good. I'm familar with Kinley MacGregor and love her books so I thought why not. It was a fun book that I really enjoyed and recommend as I do all her books. I liked both characters easily. My only qualm was that it felt like she was putting a lot of events and themes in the book without giving them enough of thorough emotion evoking description.
March 18, 2012
Another fantastic edition to the Brotherhood/MacAllister series by the fantastic Kinley MacGregor.(Sherrilyn Kenyon)
Each story was one I grew to love, especially Sin's story, but I was surprised with how quickly Stryder snuck up on me. He was a wonderful hero. I feel that I could write about him all day. He's strong, powerful, dark, trusting, caring and mots of all loyal. Of all the novels I've read, he may be the most loyal, not just with his actions, but his in heart as well.
Stryder and his brotherhood have had a rough, terror filled past. They keep to themselves and protect each other. The closest thing to love they have is the bond they share together. The first few chapters really open up a new outlook in the series, bringing a different twist that pulls you in easily. I wanted to find the villian. I wanted to to see some closure.
And I wanted to see both Stryder and Rowena open up and be happy.
I espeically loved when Stryder was playful and fun with Rowena. The tickle scene was adorable.
Some parts were predictable, but that's a given since it is a love story. Rowena was a fun heroine to read along with and I loved her sense of humour. The secondary characters were also great. I especially loved Kit. Since this series was written and finished a few years back, I'm pretty disappointed that Kit didn't get a story. I was really expecting it after read this. Sherrilyn, if you read this...Please write a story with Kit!!! *puppy dog eyes*
That being said, I loved this read. It was such a well put together novel that I read it fairy quickly(a few hours) and it felt much more like a light read because it all flowed together nicely.
I highly recommend this series to all historical romance lovers. Although it's a historical novel, I can almost compare it to a lighter version of the BDBH, not for it's writing, but for the brothers/friends bonds. I look forward to Christins novel, but again.. I want more!
Each story was one I grew to love, especially Sin's story, but I was surprised with how quickly Stryder snuck up on me. He was a wonderful hero. I feel that I could write about him all day. He's strong, powerful, dark, trusting, caring and mots of all loyal. Of all the novels I've read, he may be the most loyal, not just with his actions, but his in heart as well.
Stryder and his brotherhood have had a rough, terror filled past. They keep to themselves and protect each other. The closest thing to love they have is the bond they share together. The first few chapters really open up a new outlook in the series, bringing a different twist that pulls you in easily. I wanted to find the villian. I wanted to to see some closure.
And I wanted to see both Stryder and Rowena open up and be happy.
I espeically loved when Stryder was playful and fun with Rowena. The tickle scene was adorable.
Some parts were predictable, but that's a given since it is a love story. Rowena was a fun heroine to read along with and I loved her sense of humour. The secondary characters were also great. I especially loved Kit. Since this series was written and finished a few years back, I'm pretty disappointed that Kit didn't get a story. I was really expecting it after read this. Sherrilyn, if you read this...Please write a story with Kit!!! *puppy dog eyes*
That being said, I loved this read. It was such a well put together novel that I read it fairy quickly(a few hours) and it felt much more like a light read because it all flowed together nicely.
I highly recommend this series to all historical romance lovers. Although it's a historical novel, I can almost compare it to a lighter version of the BDBH, not for it's writing, but for the brothers/friends bonds. I look forward to Christins novel, but again.. I want more!
November 9, 2022
Ele é Conde, um Cavaleiro cim um passado sombrio e a última coisa que quer é uma noiva. Ela é dona de mais terras que o rei e não quer casar com um Cavaleiro. O seu coração pertence à música.
O Rei decide então que ambos terão de trabalhar em conjunto se querem decidir o próprio futuro. O que acham que vai sair daqui?
Duas personagens fortes e marcantes, a retratar uma parte da história que não é muito falada nos romances de época: os conflitos entre o Oriente e Ocidente.
Adorei! Teve mistério, erotismo, amizade e principalmente foi muito romântico e divertido. Mas foca temas muito importantes como a crueldade com crianças.
Além das personagens principais, gostei muito das restantes, genuínas e altruístas. Até os "maus" são difíceis de odiar. Há sempre uma história por trás das acções de alguém.
Uma "estória" envolvente que como diz a autora nas notas finais, pena não ter existido realmente esta irmandade de cavaleiros porque "lutavam por aqueles que não podiam lutar por si mesmos"
Imperdível para os fãs de romance de época e uma "lufada de ar fresco" para quem habitualmente os lê.
Espero que venham os restaurantes da série rapidamente, fiquem fã e este final deixou a curiosidade ao rubro.
O Rei decide então que ambos terão de trabalhar em conjunto se querem decidir o próprio futuro. O que acham que vai sair daqui?
Duas personagens fortes e marcantes, a retratar uma parte da história que não é muito falada nos romances de época: os conflitos entre o Oriente e Ocidente.
Adorei! Teve mistério, erotismo, amizade e principalmente foi muito romântico e divertido. Mas foca temas muito importantes como a crueldade com crianças.
Além das personagens principais, gostei muito das restantes, genuínas e altruístas. Até os "maus" são difíceis de odiar. Há sempre uma história por trás das acções de alguém.
Uma "estória" envolvente que como diz a autora nas notas finais, pena não ter existido realmente esta irmandade de cavaleiros porque "lutavam por aqueles que não podiam lutar por si mesmos"
Imperdível para os fãs de romance de época e uma "lufada de ar fresco" para quem habitualmente os lê.
Espero que venham os restaurantes da série rapidamente, fiquem fã e este final deixou a curiosidade ao rubro.
July 1, 2020
Винаги съм се чудела защо авторката е решила да ксъсти така поредицата и най-накрая в "Мрачният рицар" хвърля светлина по въпроса и става ясно как и защо е поставено началото на Братството на меча. След като прочетох книгата останах с налудничавото чувство, че предходните 4 книги просто нямат място в тази поредица, или поне трябваше да са нещо като spin-off, или да следват хронологично след събитията в "Мрачният рицар". Би имало логика и ако развиването на двете сюжетни линии става паралелно. Спокойно можете да прочетете книгата без да сте наясно със събитията в предходните четири книги, тъй като единствената връзка между тази и предходните книги е Син МакАлистър, поради миналото му в плен при сарацините и връзката с крал Хенри, но тук той се споменава съвсем бегло. Това може би е единствения минус на книгата, но пък може да се приеме и като плюс в случай, че се подходи от гледната точка на читател, който не е чел останалите книги от поредицата.
July 19, 2012
This is just an OK read. Still enjoyed but for surely no re-reading. The characters were awesome but I don't prefer the storyline.
![Profile Image for ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1572968006i%2F3840999._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 9, 2011
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book. This one's got 2 parts.
This book has loads of information which is making me think KM should've build it's background from the earlier books. I'm having trouble keeping the facts straight. And there are just too many characters and incidents of Outremer I have to keep track of throughout the whole book, suffice to say, I don't think I can talk about it all in my review. Just impossible. So, I'll go straight to the main story between Stryder and Rowena and add a few facts on the way.
In "Midsummer's Knight" (Where's My Hero) we got to know quite a lot about Stryder. He's a broody man, a first-class knight to king Henry II. He's rich, an earl and women can't seem to get enough of him. In his book, we see it all, specially where the women are concerned, I personally thought it was madness! Nevertheless quite funny and Stryder is very good looking (can anyone see tall, hard muscled, dark haired-blue eyed babe? I see Richard Armitage :p). But I digress! He has sworn, because of his tortured past and the Brotherhood, that he'd never marry. He's the undeclared leader of this Brotherhood, which was formed in Outremer, when Stryder and a few other men did whatever they could to escape the imprisonment and torture it brought. As I said, I won't be going to the history of the Brotherhood but relate a few facts when it's necessary. So, not only his past in Outremer but also the fact that his mother was an adulteress (I already knew his younger brother Christopher aka Kit was illegitimate but later, I learned he too is the same and from the same father!) and his father was a lovesick fool who was cuckolded all through his marriage and the combination that lead to a tragedy made Stryder quite determined not to fall in love and marry. Stryder hates music and poetry, because his mother loved them and of course, her lover was a nobleman minstrel and not a knight like his father. Right now, someone is trying to kill Stryder and we get to meet some of his comrades from Brotherhood- Christian, Nassir, Zenobia (she has 2nd sight, sees visions) and his knights Swan, Raven, Will and Val. There are also mentions of Phantom and Pagan. They are all loyal to him to a fault and are here to help.
Rowena is the daughter of a nobleman and an heiress. But, she doesn't care for any of these. She loves to sing and is a troubadour. She performs in king Henry's court and travels with groups of minstrels whenever she can. Rowena hates war and knights since her father was killed in war. Her parent's marriage was a hollow thing; no feelings between each-other, which also made her determined never to marry, unless she finds her true love. Her songs are such; they talk of love while demeaning the wars, knights and the misery they bring in the world. Needless to say, many hate her for this and termed her with various vulgar names. Rowena still doesn't care, as long as she can live her life in peace. But, now she can't. With intervention from the ever meddlesome king and his queen, Rowena has to marry to secure her lands. And, they've decided (Rowena has no idea about their plan) that it's Stryder they want as her husband. But, neither Stryder not Rowena is willing to marry. So, their surface plan is to let them be together as much as possible, with Rowena teaching Stryder to sing and play lute. They've given her a 'choice' which I'm still kinda confused about.
Rowena heard many things about Stryder, specially the way women moan and sigh when he walks by and attacks him ... ahem! I had fun reading those since Stryder is mostly immune and very irritated by all these pawing. Rowena's heard enough of those, moreover knows he's a knight. So, it's pretty obvious it'll never happen, she'll never care for a knight! And, Stryder, knowing Rowena's occupation and the stuff she sings about, is quite disgusted. But, once they meet, they're attracted to each-other like a fly to a flypaper! :p So, they keep on meeting and Rowena, knowing things and stuffs and his past, can't keep herself from falling for him. So is Stryder, she seems to be the balm to his wounds, she's so kind and generous. I have to mention I loved many of their dialogues and one scene, where Rowena goes to teach him playing lute in the morning and finds him asleep and naked .... oh boy, that man can tease. ;)
Then, there is this killer Aquarius. Then, two knights, both part of the Brotherhood, are murdered in their sleep. But, after a few so-called eye-witnesses and not so good evidence, Stryder is found guilty of the murders. Rowena just can't believe it. She just knows Stryder is innocent and knowing that he doesn't like to be in a room with walls [ref: his days of imprisonment in Outremer] is concerned for him. This is why Stryder always sleeps in a tent. Rowena feels for Stryder and requests the queen to give her some necessities to take care of Stryder. Though he didn't want her to see him like this, Stryder welcomes Rowena's comfort and later, makes love to her as she decides the way she feels for him, it's inevitable. Then the topic of marriage comes up again. Stryder tries to reason with her that this is for the best, he'll take care of her and her lands, give her freedom enough to pursue her dream of a music school. Then being honest, he says he'll try everything but he can't give her love. The statement is a definite blow to Rowena and she kinda refuses his proposal.
I'm liking this book and seriously interested in the mystery/action/suspense part but the relationship between Rowena and Stryder is not holding a lot of appeal for me yet. I don't know why. Maybe it feels a bit hurried up and not as magnetic as Sin-Callie or fun ride as Draven-Emily and Ewan-Nora. Still not sure if Aquarius is the murderer or it's a woman, as Rowena and Zenobia later decide.
*************
Ooh boy, don't know where to start! It was a work to keep all the facts straight throughout the book. In the end, too many questions were left unanswered. Still, I'm gonna give it a 4 star just because I enjoyed it a lot.
Stryder was ordered to fight to prove his innocence and this time it's with another strong secondary character, one of his childhood friends-turned-enemy, a French prince Damien. Damien and Stryder shared a history together in Outremer, which led the man hate Stryder. But, whatever I read, it wasn't Stryder's fault. Anyway, Rowena and the others were very concerned since they knew Damien can match Stryder's prowess in battle and Stryder might not make it. That being said, Damien was an intriguing character. No one has seen his face, at least not after he returned from Outremer and many rumors to why is circulated amongst the people. Rowena goes to talk to Damien and though she couldn't deter him from the fight, Damien takes an interest in her.
Then in the fight, another quite shocking truth is revealed and it's about Kit. I couldn't believe that Kit, who's a minstrel and always bullied by the knights because they think he's a wussy, is Aquarius! Oh man! Then, there were so many things in his past no one knew about. Stryder didn't even met him when he was a kid or teenager. Again, Stryder didn't know the boy he mourned from the imprisonment of Outremer was actually Kit. Due to the betrayal from some of the men of Brotherhood (which includes two knights who were muderdered), when they escaped, they didn't know that Kit and the other boys, with some women were still stuck and suffered for another 5 yrs. It was sad, the whole history of what they were forced to do to survive made me sick. I felt so so sad. And then Kit's Saracen masters let him and a few others go with the words that they'll have to erase the names assigned to them. Otherwise, it's their death. Kit's time has already ran out and the only man left in his list is Stryder. Kit, after knowing that his brother is not at all what he thought, just couldn't bring himself kill him.
When in the battlefield, Damien tells Stryder of it, he couldn't believe it. Then of course, Kit tells him and the others how he and the others suffered and also the fact that, one of Rowena's ladies-in-waiting, Elizabeth was another survivor from that imprisonment. I'm not sure how she got there, the history was a bit hazy but gruesome nonetheless. Elizabeth even had a boy in captivity but the captors kept him so that she does her duty. I was also made to believe that Kit and Elizabeth shared a history together as well... don't feel like taking about it though. In the process, the murders was also solved. Later, Elizabeth was found murdered, no one knows by whom but guessed probably by assassins sent by her master. This leaves Rowena disconsolate. After the murder, with some of his knights and Christian, Kit was send by Stryder to the Scot for his protection.
Stryder took it all onto himself, believing he could've saved his brother. His and Rowena's relationship was also growing in midst of all these. They were together and took solace from each other's company. Then comes the fact that many nobles, knowing Rowena's status, were vying for her hand and would fight for her in the jousting. Damien also lets Stryder know that he'll take part in that jousting for Rowena's hand. Stryder is, again, in a fix. He doesn't wanna fight Damien because of his guilt in thinking he'd also left Damien to suffer. But, when you read the facts, it's obvious that Damien and his arrogant arse were what put him in danger. He was also there for a while and most possibly, shared the same fate as Kit and Elizabeth.
There was this scene in Stryder's tent that was very beautiful, where he tries to copy a letter. Stryder is illiterate. And, when Rowena comes in and finds it out, she offers to write it for him. The words were simple yet beautiful, which let Rowena know about Stryder's feelings for her. Rowena asks him to fight for her in the jousting. I realized somewhere in the 2nd half, I started liking these two and their exchanges/meetings quite a lot.
Then, Elizabeth's 7 yr old boy is send home by the Saracens. The boy, Alexander, doesn't know his father. His Saracen nanny talks to Rowena and tells him Stryder is his father. Of course, Stryder later confirms that he's not but he takes the orphan in anyway. Alexander is very happy to have a home, Stryder and Rowena dote on him. When Stryder realizes the uncle Alexander talks so fondly about is indeed Damien, he goes to confront him and understands that he might actually be his father. But, the threats on his life made him give the boy to Stryder, whom everyone knows as his enemy.
The ending was sweet. There was a little misunderstanding between the Stryder and Rowena when the jousting was taking place. I loved reading Stryder the lovesick puppy and his knights teasing him for it. Then, in the singing contest, Stryder sings. It was funny yet very heartwarming. And, somehow Stryder understood, he can't possibly fight the battle for goodness all his life. He needs Rowena too much, as does she and now that he has a son, he needs to protect him too.
Now, I already said, many things were left unanswered. Who really is Damien? Is he really the Scorpion, the deadly assassin Stryder and the others talked about? Is he Alexander's father? Why did Nassir and Zenobia left as suddenly as they arrived, then again, who are they? Where is Pagan and Phantom? Who is the Scot? What's going to happen to Kit? To tell you the truth, I don't really feel like reading Kit's book, if it ever comes out. There's something too melancholy about his life. But, I will nevertheless. What I really wanna read is Damien's book as well as Pagan's. I hope the next book give me some clues to some of these questions.
The Brotherhood of Swords:
The Wraith is Simon of Ravenswood, book "Midsummer's Knight" (novella) in Where's My Hero
The Widowmaker is Stryder of Blackmoor, book A Dark Champion
The Abbot is Christian of Acre, book Return of the Warrior
The Scot is ... ???
The Sorcerer/El Sahaar is ... Nassir, a Saracen man, no books yet.
Then there are two other additional men:
The Pagan is ... Not sure. So far I only know it is the Pagan I was so interested in Taming the Scotsman
The Phantom is ... ???
Another character, an assassin:
The Scorpion is ... Damien St. Cyr???
This book has loads of information which is making me think KM should've build it's background from the earlier books. I'm having trouble keeping the facts straight. And there are just too many characters and incidents of Outremer I have to keep track of throughout the whole book, suffice to say, I don't think I can talk about it all in my review. Just impossible. So, I'll go straight to the main story between Stryder and Rowena and add a few facts on the way.
In "Midsummer's Knight" (Where's My Hero) we got to know quite a lot about Stryder. He's a broody man, a first-class knight to king Henry II. He's rich, an earl and women can't seem to get enough of him. In his book, we see it all, specially where the women are concerned, I personally thought it was madness! Nevertheless quite funny and Stryder is very good looking (can anyone see tall, hard muscled, dark haired-blue eyed babe? I see Richard Armitage :p). But I digress! He has sworn, because of his tortured past and the Brotherhood, that he'd never marry. He's the undeclared leader of this Brotherhood, which was formed in Outremer, when Stryder and a few other men did whatever they could to escape the imprisonment and torture it brought. As I said, I won't be going to the history of the Brotherhood but relate a few facts when it's necessary. So, not only his past in Outremer but also the fact that his mother was an adulteress (I already knew his younger brother Christopher aka Kit was illegitimate but later, I learned he too is the same and from the same father!) and his father was a lovesick fool who was cuckolded all through his marriage and the combination that lead to a tragedy made Stryder quite determined not to fall in love and marry. Stryder hates music and poetry, because his mother loved them and of course, her lover was a nobleman minstrel and not a knight like his father. Right now, someone is trying to kill Stryder and we get to meet some of his comrades from Brotherhood- Christian, Nassir, Zenobia (she has 2nd sight, sees visions) and his knights Swan, Raven, Will and Val. There are also mentions of Phantom and Pagan. They are all loyal to him to a fault and are here to help.
Rowena is the daughter of a nobleman and an heiress. But, she doesn't care for any of these. She loves to sing and is a troubadour. She performs in king Henry's court and travels with groups of minstrels whenever she can. Rowena hates war and knights since her father was killed in war. Her parent's marriage was a hollow thing; no feelings between each-other, which also made her determined never to marry, unless she finds her true love. Her songs are such; they talk of love while demeaning the wars, knights and the misery they bring in the world. Needless to say, many hate her for this and termed her with various vulgar names. Rowena still doesn't care, as long as she can live her life in peace. But, now she can't. With intervention from the ever meddlesome king and his queen, Rowena has to marry to secure her lands. And, they've decided (Rowena has no idea about their plan) that it's Stryder they want as her husband. But, neither Stryder not Rowena is willing to marry. So, their surface plan is to let them be together as much as possible, with Rowena teaching Stryder to sing and play lute. They've given her a 'choice' which I'm still kinda confused about.
Rowena heard many things about Stryder, specially the way women moan and sigh when he walks by and attacks him ... ahem! I had fun reading those since Stryder is mostly immune and very irritated by all these pawing. Rowena's heard enough of those, moreover knows he's a knight. So, it's pretty obvious it'll never happen, she'll never care for a knight! And, Stryder, knowing Rowena's occupation and the stuff she sings about, is quite disgusted. But, once they meet, they're attracted to each-other like a fly to a flypaper! :p So, they keep on meeting and Rowena, knowing things and stuffs and his past, can't keep herself from falling for him. So is Stryder, she seems to be the balm to his wounds, she's so kind and generous. I have to mention I loved many of their dialogues and one scene, where Rowena goes to teach him playing lute in the morning and finds him asleep and naked .... oh boy, that man can tease. ;)
Then, there is this killer Aquarius. Then, two knights, both part of the Brotherhood, are murdered in their sleep. But, after a few so-called eye-witnesses and not so good evidence, Stryder is found guilty of the murders. Rowena just can't believe it. She just knows Stryder is innocent and knowing that he doesn't like to be in a room with walls [ref: his days of imprisonment in Outremer] is concerned for him. This is why Stryder always sleeps in a tent. Rowena feels for Stryder and requests the queen to give her some necessities to take care of Stryder. Though he didn't want her to see him like this, Stryder welcomes Rowena's comfort and later, makes love to her as she decides the way she feels for him, it's inevitable. Then the topic of marriage comes up again. Stryder tries to reason with her that this is for the best, he'll take care of her and her lands, give her freedom enough to pursue her dream of a music school. Then being honest, he says he'll try everything but he can't give her love. The statement is a definite blow to Rowena and she kinda refuses his proposal.
I'm liking this book and seriously interested in the mystery/action/suspense part but the relationship between Rowena and Stryder is not holding a lot of appeal for me yet. I don't know why. Maybe it feels a bit hurried up and not as magnetic as Sin-Callie or fun ride as Draven-Emily and Ewan-Nora. Still not sure if Aquarius is the murderer or it's a woman, as Rowena and Zenobia later decide.
*************
Ooh boy, don't know where to start! It was a work to keep all the facts straight throughout the book. In the end, too many questions were left unanswered. Still, I'm gonna give it a 4 star just because I enjoyed it a lot.
Stryder was ordered to fight to prove his innocence and this time it's with another strong secondary character, one of his childhood friends-turned-enemy, a French prince Damien. Damien and Stryder shared a history together in Outremer, which led the man hate Stryder. But, whatever I read, it wasn't Stryder's fault. Anyway, Rowena and the others were very concerned since they knew Damien can match Stryder's prowess in battle and Stryder might not make it. That being said, Damien was an intriguing character. No one has seen his face, at least not after he returned from Outremer and many rumors to why is circulated amongst the people. Rowena goes to talk to Damien and though she couldn't deter him from the fight, Damien takes an interest in her.
Then in the fight, another quite shocking truth is revealed and it's about Kit. I couldn't believe that Kit, who's a minstrel and always bullied by the knights because they think he's a wussy, is Aquarius! Oh man! Then, there were so many things in his past no one knew about. Stryder didn't even met him when he was a kid or teenager. Again, Stryder didn't know the boy he mourned from the imprisonment of Outremer was actually Kit. Due to the betrayal from some of the men of Brotherhood (which includes two knights who were muderdered), when they escaped, they didn't know that Kit and the other boys, with some women were still stuck and suffered for another 5 yrs. It was sad, the whole history of what they were forced to do to survive made me sick. I felt so so sad. And then Kit's Saracen masters let him and a few others go with the words that they'll have to erase the names assigned to them. Otherwise, it's their death. Kit's time has already ran out and the only man left in his list is Stryder. Kit, after knowing that his brother is not at all what he thought, just couldn't bring himself kill him.
When in the battlefield, Damien tells Stryder of it, he couldn't believe it. Then of course, Kit tells him and the others how he and the others suffered and also the fact that, one of Rowena's ladies-in-waiting, Elizabeth was another survivor from that imprisonment. I'm not sure how she got there, the history was a bit hazy but gruesome nonetheless. Elizabeth even had a boy in captivity but the captors kept him so that she does her duty. I was also made to believe that Kit and Elizabeth shared a history together as well... don't feel like taking about it though. In the process, the murders was also solved. Later, Elizabeth was found murdered, no one knows by whom but guessed probably by assassins sent by her master. This leaves Rowena disconsolate. After the murder, with some of his knights and Christian, Kit was send by Stryder to the Scot for his protection.
Stryder took it all onto himself, believing he could've saved his brother. His and Rowena's relationship was also growing in midst of all these. They were together and took solace from each other's company. Then comes the fact that many nobles, knowing Rowena's status, were vying for her hand and would fight for her in the jousting. Damien also lets Stryder know that he'll take part in that jousting for Rowena's hand. Stryder is, again, in a fix. He doesn't wanna fight Damien because of his guilt in thinking he'd also left Damien to suffer. But, when you read the facts, it's obvious that Damien and his arrogant arse were what put him in danger. He was also there for a while and most possibly, shared the same fate as Kit and Elizabeth.
There was this scene in Stryder's tent that was very beautiful, where he tries to copy a letter. Stryder is illiterate. And, when Rowena comes in and finds it out, she offers to write it for him. The words were simple yet beautiful, which let Rowena know about Stryder's feelings for her. Rowena asks him to fight for her in the jousting. I realized somewhere in the 2nd half, I started liking these two and their exchanges/meetings quite a lot.
Then, Elizabeth's 7 yr old boy is send home by the Saracens. The boy, Alexander, doesn't know his father. His Saracen nanny talks to Rowena and tells him Stryder is his father. Of course, Stryder later confirms that he's not but he takes the orphan in anyway. Alexander is very happy to have a home, Stryder and Rowena dote on him. When Stryder realizes the uncle Alexander talks so fondly about is indeed Damien, he goes to confront him and understands that he might actually be his father. But, the threats on his life made him give the boy to Stryder, whom everyone knows as his enemy.
The ending was sweet. There was a little misunderstanding between the Stryder and Rowena when the jousting was taking place. I loved reading Stryder the lovesick puppy and his knights teasing him for it. Then, in the singing contest, Stryder sings. It was funny yet very heartwarming. And, somehow Stryder understood, he can't possibly fight the battle for goodness all his life. He needs Rowena too much, as does she and now that he has a son, he needs to protect him too.
Now, I already said, many things were left unanswered. Who really is Damien? Is he really the Scorpion, the deadly assassin Stryder and the others talked about? Is he Alexander's father? Why did Nassir and Zenobia left as suddenly as they arrived, then again, who are they? Where is Pagan and Phantom? Who is the Scot? What's going to happen to Kit? To tell you the truth, I don't really feel like reading Kit's book, if it ever comes out. There's something too melancholy about his life. But, I will nevertheless. What I really wanna read is Damien's book as well as Pagan's. I hope the next book give me some clues to some of these questions.
The Brotherhood of Swords:
The Wraith is Simon of Ravenswood, book "Midsummer's Knight" (novella) in Where's My Hero
The Widowmaker is Stryder of Blackmoor, book A Dark Champion
The Abbot is Christian of Acre, book Return of the Warrior
The Scot is ... ???
The Sorcerer/El Sahaar is ... Nassir, a Saracen man, no books yet.
Then there are two other additional men:
The Pagan is ... Not sure. So far I only know it is the Pagan I was so interested in Taming the Scotsman
The Phantom is ... ???
Another character, an assassin:
The Scorpion is ... Damien St. Cyr???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2018
Historical açlığı çektiğim bir zamanda oldukca iyi geldi okumasi. Ama Sherrilyn bacimin asil turu kesinlikle historical degil onu biliyorum😂
Ben yazimini olaylari sevdim hep, bu kitapta da bundan öncekilerde de ama not alsaydim sanirim kurgudaki derin catlaklardan yeni bir kitap yazilabilirdi.
Bir karakteri ayni anda hem iyi hem kötü hem aldatan es hem iyi bir anne, hem siddet egilimlisi biri hem iyi bir baba yapamazsin normal degil yahu. Katakterin inandiriciligi yok oluyor. Bu kitapta da her tip karakteri yazmis hatunum sagolsun. Historical yazarken kendini kaybediyor napsin bacim😂
Neyse iste kitap guzeldi, hicbir historical kitabin basilmadigi su kurak donemde gayet iyi okuttu kendisini. Son iki sayfada ise resmen bomba sahnelerle gelecek kitabin tuyolarini vermis. Christian ve nişanlısı hohoho super bir sahne ile baslayacak kitaplari😂😂😂
Epsilon un yakin zamanda basacagini hatta hic basacagini dudunmedigim icin merak ettigim karakterlerin kitabini ceviri ile okuyacağım bir ara. Nahlet olasica epsilon👊.
Kısaca sevdim valla, gerek karakterler gerek kurgusu degisikti. Sevenlerine oneririm bolca😘
Ben yazimini olaylari sevdim hep, bu kitapta da bundan öncekilerde de ama not alsaydim sanirim kurgudaki derin catlaklardan yeni bir kitap yazilabilirdi.
Bir karakteri ayni anda hem iyi hem kötü hem aldatan es hem iyi bir anne, hem siddet egilimlisi biri hem iyi bir baba yapamazsin normal degil yahu. Katakterin inandiriciligi yok oluyor. Bu kitapta da her tip karakteri yazmis hatunum sagolsun. Historical yazarken kendini kaybediyor napsin bacim😂
Neyse iste kitap guzeldi, hicbir historical kitabin basilmadigi su kurak donemde gayet iyi okuttu kendisini. Son iki sayfada ise resmen bomba sahnelerle gelecek kitabin tuyolarini vermis. Christian ve nişanlısı hohoho super bir sahne ile baslayacak kitaplari😂😂😂
Epsilon un yakin zamanda basacagini hatta hic basacagini dudunmedigim icin merak ettigim karakterlerin kitabini ceviri ile okuyacağım bir ara. Nahlet olasica epsilon👊.
Kısaca sevdim valla, gerek karakterler gerek kurgusu degisikti. Sevenlerine oneririm bolca😘
June 18, 2018
Uzun süre elimdeydi ama spn 2 gündür ancak okudum desem daha doğru olur herhalde .. ve açıkçası beğendim , serinin devamı gelir mi emin olamasam da , Söz konusu biz olunca yıllar sonra ancak bir kitaba kavuşabiliyoruz zira .. akıcı kurgusu ve güçlü karakterlere sahip bir kitaptı .. Swan ise tam dayaklıktı 😂😂👍🏻
Not ; Yumru nun yoruma katılıyorum , konu diğer iki kitaptan çok farklıydı . Onları da net hatırlamıyorum ama konuları böyle değildi diye hatırımda kalmış ..
Not ; Yumru nun yoruma katılıyorum , konu diğer iki kitaptan çok farklıydı . Onları da net hatırlamıyorum ama konuları böyle değildi diye hatırımda kalmış ..
August 12, 2020
Реално 2, 5*
March 19, 2019
DNF
T'was really, really irritating.
Plot- I was really confused the entire time. I don't know if I missed a book or something. I probably did because I was just so confused. Why are people writing in Arabic? Why were they imprisoned? Questions and more questions. When I wasn't confused the plot was predictable as hell.
Writing- (shaking my head)
(a lot of shaking my head)
I don't like to say a lot about writing but it was just horrible. You know what year this in? Well at least someone does. Because it's not mentioned anywhere.. It should tentatively be around 1154-1173 since Eleanor and Henry were here together. We don't get any details which would have made the story a bit realistic. Also, by the by, you know when ovaries were discovered? 1668. SO DON'T CALL WOMEN AN OVARY ARMY DAMMIT. Ovaries were ever discovered back in whatever time period.
This wasn't even the only one :-/
(chastity belts didn't exist before the 15th century etc.)
Characters- Awful. All of them (except perhaps Kit) were damned unlikable. I wouldn't mind but god I just didn't care about them at all. I hated both Rowena (ahhhh) and Stryder (AHHH). What's the scene with Stryder being the young Justin Beiber of time period whatever? It's so confusing? I get it he's handsome and rich and single but really? REALLY?
Romance- who knows? They were too irritating individually to lead me believe together they'd be good.
Title/blurb/cover- Fine, I guess
T'was really, really irritating.
Plot- I was really confused the entire time. I don't know if I missed a book or something. I probably did because I was just so confused. Why are people writing in Arabic? Why were they imprisoned? Questions and more questions. When I wasn't confused the plot was predictable as hell.
Writing- (shaking my head)
(a lot of shaking my head)
I don't like to say a lot about writing but it was just horrible. You know what year this in? Well at least someone does. Because it's not mentioned anywhere.. It should tentatively be around 1154-1173 since Eleanor and Henry were here together. We don't get any details which would have made the story a bit realistic. Also, by the by, you know when ovaries were discovered? 1668. SO DON'T CALL WOMEN AN OVARY ARMY DAMMIT. Ovaries were ever discovered back in whatever time period.
This wasn't even the only one :-/
(chastity belts didn't exist before the 15th century etc.)
Characters- Awful. All of them (except perhaps Kit) were damned unlikable. I wouldn't mind but god I just didn't care about them at all. I hated both Rowena (ahhhh) and Stryder (AHHH). What's the scene with Stryder being the young Justin Beiber of time period whatever? It's so confusing? I get it he's handsome and rich and single but really? REALLY?
Romance- who knows? They were too irritating individually to lead me believe together they'd be good.
Title/blurb/cover- Fine, I guess
May 13, 2016
So many issues with this book if I were looking for historical accuracies within gender roles in medieval England. Since I was not, and was reading this as a light romance within a historical setting, it didn't bother me that Rowena gallivanted around town as a female troubadour despite her serious noble pedigree, that the fanatical female fan club of Stryder were called the "Ovarian Brigade", that most females had some serious modern sensibilities.
I put all that aside. And this was a fun romance between two people, a female bard who hated wars and warriors and pre-judged accordingly, and a warrior knight who hated bards and songs and did the same. Lots of baggage, lots of angst, but the connection and the communication between Rowena and Stryder were clear. No misunderstandings, no lies between the couple. And that, in itself, was refreshing.
I must say I am glad that I decided to continue reading this series. Kudos to Kinley MacGregor!
I put all that aside. And this was a fun romance between two people, a female bard who hated wars and warriors and pre-judged accordingly, and a warrior knight who hated bards and songs and did the same. Lots of baggage, lots of angst, but the connection and the communication between Rowena and Stryder were clear. No misunderstandings, no lies between the couple. And that, in itself, was refreshing.
I must say I am glad that I decided to continue reading this series. Kudos to Kinley MacGregor!
May 29, 2018
Far from being one of my favourite Brotherhood of the Sword books. This one was just ok. I was bored a lot while reading it and the romance between H/h didn't convince me. I would have given this 3 stars if Rowena didn't get on my nerves so much though. Also, I found all "the twists" unbelievable and the ending didn't work for me. It didn't stand up to the "why?" and there are also all the unanswered questions we're left with (I know it will probably all be explained in the last 2 books of the series but it's still annoying to finish the book with so many questions. It felt like the author just grew bored with the plot and decided to finish the story in another book. I don't like that.).
August 15, 2015
Actual rating 2.5 stars.
Hello, insta-lust turned into true love in less than a week! While it was also featured in the previous books, it started to bother me a bit in this one. I wonder if it had something to do with the fact that I couldn't relate to either hero nor the heroine. Or had it something to do with the fact that the same old formula in MacGregor's writing style is getting old for me... In addition, this one's the lowest rated book in the series for me so far.
More of my thoughts can be found HERE
Hello, insta-lust turned into true love in less than a week! While it was also featured in the previous books, it started to bother me a bit in this one. I wonder if it had something to do with the fact that I couldn't relate to either hero nor the heroine. Or had it something to do with the fact that the same old formula in MacGregor's writing style is getting old for me... In addition, this one's the lowest rated book in the series for me so far.
More of my thoughts can be found HERE
Read
August 6, 2016I can't respect the heroine. I found her kind of stupid, in a naive way. gotta this one go.
June 2, 2013
INHALT
Stryder of Blackmoor ist ein Ritter durch und durch. Minnesänger und Liebeslieder sind ihm ein Graus und so ist er gar nicht darauf erpicht, Rowena de Vitry, die "Lady of Love" kennen zu lernen, die berühmt ist für ihre höfischen Liebeslieder. Rowena dagegen hasst alles, was ritterlich ist, seit ihr Vater einst auf dem Schlachtfeld erschlagen wurde. Gewalt und Kämpfe sind ihr ein Gräuel und alle Ritter sollten ihrer Meinung nach tunlichst ihre Waffen ablegen. So ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass beide sich auf Anhieb nicht ausstehen können, als sie sich bei einem Turnier über den Weg laufen. Schlimmer kommt es noch, als bekannt wird, dass derjenige, der das Turnier gewinnt, Rowena zur Frau bekommen soll. Jeder weiß, dass dies Stryder sein wird und beide sind gleichermaßen entsetzt, da beide unter keinen Umständen heiraten wollen. Um vor diesem Schicksal bewahrt zu werden nennt König Henry II. Stryder und Rowena nur eine Möglichkeit: Sollte Stryder den Musikwettbewerb gewinnen, welcher kurze Zeit nach dem Turnier stattfinden soll, so dürfte Rowena selbst entscheiden, ob oder wen sie heiraten will. Doch dafür muss Stryder sich erstmal dazu bereit erklären, bei einem solchen Wettbewerb mitzumachen...
MEINE MEINUNG
Also ganz vorneweg muss ich sagen, dass ich dieses Cover wirklich scheußlich finde. Von allen Büchern aus der Reihe ist das mit Abstand das hässlichste. Und es stimmt auch gar nicht, da Stryder of Blackmoor nicht blond, sondern schwarzhaarig ist. Zudem ist der Titel absolut falsch, denn Nacht über den Highlands spielt nicht eine Sekunde in den Highlands. Die Handlung findet in England statt und auch kein Charakter ist Highlander. Stryder ist Engländer. Die MacAllisters werden nur mal nebenbei erwähnt, aber sonst hat dieses Buch wenig mit Highlandern zu tun. Der Originaltitel The Dark Champion passt da schon um einiges besser, da sich Champion gut auf das Turnier bezieht, worum es in dem Buch geht und man gleichzeitig mehrere Personen hat, auf die der Titel passen würde.
Der Prolog des Buches hat mir außerordentlich gut gefallen, da er so geschrieben war, als würde ein Troubadour oder ein Geschichtenerzähler vor einem sitzen und die Geschichte von Stryder of Blackmoor und seinen treuen Rittern, welche die Bruderschaft des Schwertes bilden, erzählen. Dabei wird deutlich, dass Stryder, ebenso wie Sin MacAllister aus DIE SCHOTTISCHE BRAUT einst im Heiligen Land war und dort von den Sarazenen gefangen gehalten wurde. Die Hintergründe dieser Gefangenschaft und die Traumata, die Stryder und seine Freunde dadurch erlitten haben, und was das alles mit der Bruderschaft des Schwertes zu tun hat, diese Dinge ziehen sich durch das gesamte Buch und vermitteln einen guten Einblick in die Leiden der Männer, weswegen man nachträglich auch Sin MacAllister noch ein wenig mehr versteht und mit ihm mitfühlt.
Anfangs war ich ja ein wenig skeptisch ob mir ein Buch so ganz ohne irgendeinen der MacAllister Brüder gefallen würde, da ich sie alle wirklich gerne mag und in den MacGregor Büchern eigentlich nicht missen möchte. Doch ich war überrascht, wir leicht es mir fiel, Stryder und Rowena zu mögen und mit ihnen ebenso mitzufiebern wie mit Braden, Sin oder Ewan. Die Quintessenz des Buches ist natürlich von Anfang an klar und man weiß auch, wie es enden wird, da alle Bücher dieser Reihe ein Happy End haben, aber es hat trotzdem Spaß gemacht, beide zu begleiten und mitzuerleben, wie ihre anfängliche Abscheu sich langsam in tiefe und ehrliche Zuneigung füreinander verwandelte. Ebenso sehr hat mir das Setting mit dem Turnier sehr gut gefallen, auch wenn das Buch hauptsächlich während der Vorbereitungszeit stattfand und das Turnier selber dann recht schnell abgehandelt war, so lernte man doch ein wenig über das strenge Hofzeremoniell und die Regeln ein wenig besser kennen. Hauptstrang der Geschichte waren dann doch die Intrigen, die am Hofe gesponnen wurden, Attentate auf Mitglieder der Bruderschaft des Schwertes, teils sogar tödlich, und eben die Ereignisse im Heiligen Land. Lange rätselt man mit Stryder und seinen Freunden mit, wer hinter den Mordanschlägen stecken könnte, und da Stryder selber verdächtigt wird, ist die Auflösung der Morde umso dringlicher. Gut gefallen hat mir, dass man als Leser immer wieder Einblicke in die Sicht von Aquarius erhielt, der ganz offensichtlich hinter den Attentaten steckte, und man so immer wieder ein paar interessante Informationen zugesteckt bekam.
Stryder als männlicher Protagonist hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Auch wenn er Schreckliches durchlebt hat, so ist er bei Weitem nicht so zynisch und düster wie Draven of Ravenswood oder Sin MacAllister, sondern hat sich immer noch ein Lächeln bewahrt. Selbstverständlich fühlt er sich sofort von Rowena angezogen, als er sie das erste Mal trifft, auch wenn er da noch nicht weiß, wer sie ist. Wie alle Romanhelden dieser Reihe hat er eigentlich nicht vor, zu heiraten, und hat schon mehrere Brautvorschläge von König Henry II. grundweg abgelehnt. Ebenso verhält es sich mit Rowena, die zu den reichsten Frauen Englands gehört und noch immer nicht verheiratet ist. So lechzen viele Männer um ihre Gunst, doch noch keiner konnte sie gewinnen. Sie wünscht sich einen sanftmütigen Dichter, da sie in ihrer Kindheit gelernt hat, dass Ritter nicht liebevoll sein können. Zwar lehnt sie an sich die Ehe komplett ab, wünscht sich insgeheim doch aber eine leidenschaftliche und vor allem liebevolle Beziehung zu einem Mann. Auch sie fühlt sich zu Stryder of Blackmoor bei ihrer ersten Begegnung hingezogen und ist von den Gefühlen, die er in ihr auslöst, völlig verwirrt, besonders da sie ihn als Ritter ja eigentlich grundsätzlich ablehnt. Die verschiedenen Ansichten der beiden führen zu vielen lustigen und unterhaltsamen Szenen, da sie oft aneinander geraten, sich aber ihrer Anziehungskraft gleichzeitig nicht entziehen können. Ständig rennen sie ineinander rein und liegen sich in Haaren, um sich im nächsten Moment dann leidenschaftlich zu küssen.
Neben Stryder und Rowena ist auch Stryders Halbbruder Kit ein sehr wichtiger Charakter, der als Minnesänger genau das verkörpert, was Rowena liebt und Stryder verabscheut. Dennoch haben die Brüder ein sehr inniges Verhältnis zueinander und Kit wird von seinem älteren Bruder immer verteidigt, wenn ein anderer Mann Kits Männlichkeit anzweifelt. Recht bald merkt man jedoch, dass Kit auch einige Geheimnisse hat, die erst nach und nach gelüftete werden und einen im puren Erstaunen zurücklassen. Neben diesen Geheimnissen ist auch die Auflösung der Morde sehr überraschend und überrumpelt einen als Leser schon ein wenig, was daher kommt, dass verschiedene Personen enttarnt werden, mit denen man so nicht gerechnet hätte. Somit versteht sich Kinely MacGregor nicht nur auf Erotik, sondern auch ein wenig auf Krimis. Doch wie schon im Band davor ist das Ende an sich nicht ganz abgeschlossen und die ein oder andere Frage bleibt noch unbeantwortet, die sicherlich noch wichtige Rollen in den nächsten Bänden spielt. So ist auch der Epilog an sich unpassend zum Rest der Geschichte, gleichzeitig leitet er den nächsten Band, Die Rückkehr des Highlanders, ein.
FAZIT
Nacht über den Highlands kann auch ganz ohne die MacAllisters überzeugen und hat mich gut unterhalten. Styder war nicht ganz so ein finsterer Geselle und war viel wärmer und offener, als man hätte vermuten können. Das Katz' und Maus' Spiel mit Rowena war sehr amüsant und hat mich mehrmals zum Lachen gebracht, wenn auch die Nebenstory mit der Bruderschaft des Schwertes an sich sehr ernst, bedrückend und erschreckend war. Man merkt auf jeden Fall, dass noch nicht alle Geheimnisse und Rätsel gelöst sind und ich bin schon gespannt, was noch alles ans Tageslicht kommt. Ich vergebe dem Band abschließend 4 Sterne.
Stryder of Blackmoor ist ein Ritter durch und durch. Minnesänger und Liebeslieder sind ihm ein Graus und so ist er gar nicht darauf erpicht, Rowena de Vitry, die "Lady of Love" kennen zu lernen, die berühmt ist für ihre höfischen Liebeslieder. Rowena dagegen hasst alles, was ritterlich ist, seit ihr Vater einst auf dem Schlachtfeld erschlagen wurde. Gewalt und Kämpfe sind ihr ein Gräuel und alle Ritter sollten ihrer Meinung nach tunlichst ihre Waffen ablegen. So ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass beide sich auf Anhieb nicht ausstehen können, als sie sich bei einem Turnier über den Weg laufen. Schlimmer kommt es noch, als bekannt wird, dass derjenige, der das Turnier gewinnt, Rowena zur Frau bekommen soll. Jeder weiß, dass dies Stryder sein wird und beide sind gleichermaßen entsetzt, da beide unter keinen Umständen heiraten wollen. Um vor diesem Schicksal bewahrt zu werden nennt König Henry II. Stryder und Rowena nur eine Möglichkeit: Sollte Stryder den Musikwettbewerb gewinnen, welcher kurze Zeit nach dem Turnier stattfinden soll, so dürfte Rowena selbst entscheiden, ob oder wen sie heiraten will. Doch dafür muss Stryder sich erstmal dazu bereit erklären, bei einem solchen Wettbewerb mitzumachen...
MEINE MEINUNG
Also ganz vorneweg muss ich sagen, dass ich dieses Cover wirklich scheußlich finde. Von allen Büchern aus der Reihe ist das mit Abstand das hässlichste. Und es stimmt auch gar nicht, da Stryder of Blackmoor nicht blond, sondern schwarzhaarig ist. Zudem ist der Titel absolut falsch, denn Nacht über den Highlands spielt nicht eine Sekunde in den Highlands. Die Handlung findet in England statt und auch kein Charakter ist Highlander. Stryder ist Engländer. Die MacAllisters werden nur mal nebenbei erwähnt, aber sonst hat dieses Buch wenig mit Highlandern zu tun. Der Originaltitel The Dark Champion passt da schon um einiges besser, da sich Champion gut auf das Turnier bezieht, worum es in dem Buch geht und man gleichzeitig mehrere Personen hat, auf die der Titel passen würde.
Der Prolog des Buches hat mir außerordentlich gut gefallen, da er so geschrieben war, als würde ein Troubadour oder ein Geschichtenerzähler vor einem sitzen und die Geschichte von Stryder of Blackmoor und seinen treuen Rittern, welche die Bruderschaft des Schwertes bilden, erzählen. Dabei wird deutlich, dass Stryder, ebenso wie Sin MacAllister aus DIE SCHOTTISCHE BRAUT einst im Heiligen Land war und dort von den Sarazenen gefangen gehalten wurde. Die Hintergründe dieser Gefangenschaft und die Traumata, die Stryder und seine Freunde dadurch erlitten haben, und was das alles mit der Bruderschaft des Schwertes zu tun hat, diese Dinge ziehen sich durch das gesamte Buch und vermitteln einen guten Einblick in die Leiden der Männer, weswegen man nachträglich auch Sin MacAllister noch ein wenig mehr versteht und mit ihm mitfühlt.
Anfangs war ich ja ein wenig skeptisch ob mir ein Buch so ganz ohne irgendeinen der MacAllister Brüder gefallen würde, da ich sie alle wirklich gerne mag und in den MacGregor Büchern eigentlich nicht missen möchte. Doch ich war überrascht, wir leicht es mir fiel, Stryder und Rowena zu mögen und mit ihnen ebenso mitzufiebern wie mit Braden, Sin oder Ewan. Die Quintessenz des Buches ist natürlich von Anfang an klar und man weiß auch, wie es enden wird, da alle Bücher dieser Reihe ein Happy End haben, aber es hat trotzdem Spaß gemacht, beide zu begleiten und mitzuerleben, wie ihre anfängliche Abscheu sich langsam in tiefe und ehrliche Zuneigung füreinander verwandelte. Ebenso sehr hat mir das Setting mit dem Turnier sehr gut gefallen, auch wenn das Buch hauptsächlich während der Vorbereitungszeit stattfand und das Turnier selber dann recht schnell abgehandelt war, so lernte man doch ein wenig über das strenge Hofzeremoniell und die Regeln ein wenig besser kennen. Hauptstrang der Geschichte waren dann doch die Intrigen, die am Hofe gesponnen wurden, Attentate auf Mitglieder der Bruderschaft des Schwertes, teils sogar tödlich, und eben die Ereignisse im Heiligen Land. Lange rätselt man mit Stryder und seinen Freunden mit, wer hinter den Mordanschlägen stecken könnte, und da Stryder selber verdächtigt wird, ist die Auflösung der Morde umso dringlicher. Gut gefallen hat mir, dass man als Leser immer wieder Einblicke in die Sicht von Aquarius erhielt, der ganz offensichtlich hinter den Attentaten steckte, und man so immer wieder ein paar interessante Informationen zugesteckt bekam.
Stryder als männlicher Protagonist hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Auch wenn er Schreckliches durchlebt hat, so ist er bei Weitem nicht so zynisch und düster wie Draven of Ravenswood oder Sin MacAllister, sondern hat sich immer noch ein Lächeln bewahrt. Selbstverständlich fühlt er sich sofort von Rowena angezogen, als er sie das erste Mal trifft, auch wenn er da noch nicht weiß, wer sie ist. Wie alle Romanhelden dieser Reihe hat er eigentlich nicht vor, zu heiraten, und hat schon mehrere Brautvorschläge von König Henry II. grundweg abgelehnt. Ebenso verhält es sich mit Rowena, die zu den reichsten Frauen Englands gehört und noch immer nicht verheiratet ist. So lechzen viele Männer um ihre Gunst, doch noch keiner konnte sie gewinnen. Sie wünscht sich einen sanftmütigen Dichter, da sie in ihrer Kindheit gelernt hat, dass Ritter nicht liebevoll sein können. Zwar lehnt sie an sich die Ehe komplett ab, wünscht sich insgeheim doch aber eine leidenschaftliche und vor allem liebevolle Beziehung zu einem Mann. Auch sie fühlt sich zu Stryder of Blackmoor bei ihrer ersten Begegnung hingezogen und ist von den Gefühlen, die er in ihr auslöst, völlig verwirrt, besonders da sie ihn als Ritter ja eigentlich grundsätzlich ablehnt. Die verschiedenen Ansichten der beiden führen zu vielen lustigen und unterhaltsamen Szenen, da sie oft aneinander geraten, sich aber ihrer Anziehungskraft gleichzeitig nicht entziehen können. Ständig rennen sie ineinander rein und liegen sich in Haaren, um sich im nächsten Moment dann leidenschaftlich zu küssen.
Neben Stryder und Rowena ist auch Stryders Halbbruder Kit ein sehr wichtiger Charakter, der als Minnesänger genau das verkörpert, was Rowena liebt und Stryder verabscheut. Dennoch haben die Brüder ein sehr inniges Verhältnis zueinander und Kit wird von seinem älteren Bruder immer verteidigt, wenn ein anderer Mann Kits Männlichkeit anzweifelt. Recht bald merkt man jedoch, dass Kit auch einige Geheimnisse hat, die erst nach und nach gelüftete werden und einen im puren Erstaunen zurücklassen. Neben diesen Geheimnissen ist auch die Auflösung der Morde sehr überraschend und überrumpelt einen als Leser schon ein wenig, was daher kommt, dass verschiedene Personen enttarnt werden, mit denen man so nicht gerechnet hätte. Somit versteht sich Kinely MacGregor nicht nur auf Erotik, sondern auch ein wenig auf Krimis. Doch wie schon im Band davor ist das Ende an sich nicht ganz abgeschlossen und die ein oder andere Frage bleibt noch unbeantwortet, die sicherlich noch wichtige Rollen in den nächsten Bänden spielt. So ist auch der Epilog an sich unpassend zum Rest der Geschichte, gleichzeitig leitet er den nächsten Band, Die Rückkehr des Highlanders, ein.
FAZIT
Nacht über den Highlands kann auch ganz ohne die MacAllisters überzeugen und hat mich gut unterhalten. Styder war nicht ganz so ein finsterer Geselle und war viel wärmer und offener, als man hätte vermuten können. Das Katz' und Maus' Spiel mit Rowena war sehr amüsant und hat mich mehrmals zum Lachen gebracht, wenn auch die Nebenstory mit der Bruderschaft des Schwertes an sich sehr ernst, bedrückend und erschreckend war. Man merkt auf jeden Fall, dass noch nicht alle Geheimnisse und Rätsel gelöst sind und ich bin schon gespannt, was noch alles ans Tageslicht kommt. Ich vergebe dem Band abschließend 4 Sterne.
June 18, 2018
Elimde süründü...seri başka bir yöne doğru ilerliyor,tabi nedeni 5. Kitabı yayınlamaları diğer kardeşlerin kitabını atlayıp bu kitabı çıkarmalarının nedenini çok merak ediyorum😡....kitap eğlenceliyken tam tersi dramatik bir hal aldı ve sonuçsuz kalan bir sonla bitti...yani kim kimdi neydi benim beyin eror verdi😂.Yazarı severimde sanki bu kitabı başkası yazmış
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews