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Lost Continent #5
The Night Bird
For centuries the women of Aronsdale have lived freely among the green and misted valleys. Creatures of exotic beauty and sensuality, they possess powerful skills of enchantment...and young Allegro is no different. But her life--and Aronsdale's independence--is threatened when Jazid nomads invade, carrying Allegro into the desert as a prized trophy...or worse.Until an unexpected ally falls under her spell. From the moment feared Jazid warrior Markus Onyx sees the alluring beauty, he knows he has found his queen. But even the promise of love cannot quell Allegro's determination to save her homeland. Summoning her powers, she casts herself north--out of passion's grip--and into the dark heart of conflict....
576 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2008
13 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Asaro
94 books704 followersThe author of more than twenty-five books, Catherine Asaro is acclaimed for her Ruby Dynasty series, which combines adventure, science, romance and fast-paced action. Her novel The Quantum Rose won the Nebula® Award, as did her novella “The Spacetime Pool.” Among her many other distinctions, she is a multiple winner of the AnLab from Analog magazine and a three time recipient of the RT BOOKClub Award for “Best Science Fiction Novel.” Her most recent novel, Carnelians, came out in October, 2011. An anthology of her short fiction titled Aurora in Four Voices is available from ISFiC Press in hardcover, and her multiple award-winning novella “The City of Cries” is also available as an eBook for Kindle and Nook.
Catherine has two music CD’s out and she is currently working on her third. The first, Diamond Star, is the soundtrack for her novel of the same name, performed with the rock band, Point Valid. She appears as a vocalist at cons, clubs, and other venues in the US and abroad, including recently as the Guest of Honor at the Denmark and New Zealand National Science Fiction Conventions. She performs selections from her work in a multimedia project that mixes literature, dance, and music with Greg Adams as her accompanist. She is also a theoretical physicist with a PhD in Chemical Physics from Harvard, and a jazz and ballet dancer. Visit her at www.facebook.com/Catherine.Asaro
Catherine has two music CD’s out and she is currently working on her third. The first, Diamond Star, is the soundtrack for her novel of the same name, performed with the rock band, Point Valid. She appears as a vocalist at cons, clubs, and other venues in the US and abroad, including recently as the Guest of Honor at the Denmark and New Zealand National Science Fiction Conventions. She performs selections from her work in a multimedia project that mixes literature, dance, and music with Greg Adams as her accompanist. She is also a theoretical physicist with a PhD in Chemical Physics from Harvard, and a jazz and ballet dancer. Visit her at www.facebook.com/Catherine.Asaro
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 20, 2017
What we had here was a trafficking/Stockholm story set in medieval times...and with more kingdoms and rulers fighting for the same throne than there were in A Game of Thrones.
We've got all the dark romance clichés: There. I just rehashed a complete synopsis of the story.
THE GOOD
Certain parts of this book were all book chemistry, particularly the beginning.
THE BAD
Man, I did not like Markus, which is unfortunate because he is our main boy squeeze. Too bad Homeboy's a bit of a toolbag. And Allegra, girl, I am judging the spit out of you for thinking you've fallen for that idiot. Each sequential times after that were surprisngly unsensual and unromantic, probably made so due to Allegra's nonchalant, halfway resistant reactions to the constant pawing at her body.
And how incredibly confusing was it to have several different kingdoms with several different family histories and members all feuding over the same throne? One needs a family tree and cliff notes to remember who's who, who's father killed who, who attached who, who's siding with who...
But ah, it just occurred to me that this is the series finale, which means if you've read the previous four books you probably already know the other characters and history of the war. So my bad for treating this like a standalone.
THE VERDICT
Would I recommend it? If this is your kind of book chemistry, then definitely yes. Recommended for fans of The Golden Dynasty and Warprize.
We've got all the dark romance clichés: There. I just rehashed a complete synopsis of the story.
THE GOOD
Certain parts of this book were all book chemistry, particularly the beginning.
THE BAD
Man, I did not like Markus, which is unfortunate because he is our main boy squeeze. Too bad Homeboy's a bit of a toolbag. And Allegra, girl, I am judging the spit out of you for thinking you've fallen for that idiot. Each sequential times after that were surprisngly unsensual and unromantic, probably made so due to Allegra's nonchalant, halfway resistant reactions to the constant pawing at her body.
And how incredibly confusing was it to have several different kingdoms with several different family histories and members all feuding over the same throne? One needs a family tree and cliff notes to remember who's who, who's father killed who, who attached who, who's siding with who...
But ah, it just occurred to me that this is the series finale, which means if you've read the previous four books you probably already know the other characters and history of the war. So my bad for treating this like a standalone.
THE VERDICT
Would I recommend it? If this is your kind of book chemistry, then definitely yes. Recommended for fans of The Golden Dynasty and Warprize.
September 2, 2008
I read about half of this book and just couldn't finish it. Girl gets captured by evil mercenaries from a warring country with the intent of selling her off to the highest bidder. Sound familiar? Yeah, that's because there's like about a thousand romance novels out there with the same story. Add that to the fact that I just don't like stories where the girl is forced/raped by the hero but then falls head over heels in love-give me a break. And just because this story has magic in it's supposed to make it unique but it really doesn't. The magic is haphazard and has such a little effect to the story it's not really worth mentioning. Maybe it gets better in the second half...maybe it redeems itself. But my best guess is that it ends just like all of the other ones like this story I've read already...badly. Save yourself the time and find a good story with romance and magic in it: Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series, Guy Kay's Lord of the Summer Tree series, Bujold's Sharing Knife Series, Spencer's Tinker series, Moira Moore's Hero series...there's a million of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2011
I'm still reading it but only have 6 chapters left. I started reading the series when I found The Charmed Sphere in my favorite second hand book store and I couldn't put it down. I force myself so I can go on with day to day activities. I am very sad that there are no more after this one but I understand that Catherine Asaro wants to write more but Luna doesn’t want to publish it because they don’t feel there is an audience for them. Pah! Is there is hope for the adventure to continue after The Night Bird!? She wants to write about Price Aron's story. I've talked to her on Facebook and she is so nice and talks to everyone. I can't wait to finish this book to find out what happens but I also don't want it to end. It's all so lovely!
This is a message from Catherine about this series, to anyone that would wish them to continue:
I'd love to do another one. But Luna doesn't want to publish it. They think it won't sell enough. If you'd like to express your interest to the publisher in seeing more of them, this is what my editor says:
"You can have them contact our customer service department. The email address is: customer_ecare@harlequin.ca.
Tell them to reference that Luna Books and they can suggest their request be forwarded to the senior editor, Tara Parsons.
Nice to know readers are still finding the Lost Continent books."
Thanks for your support of the books! I'd love to write more of them.
Best -- Catherine
This is a message from Catherine about this series, to anyone that would wish them to continue:
I'd love to do another one. But Luna doesn't want to publish it. They think it won't sell enough. If you'd like to express your interest to the publisher in seeing more of them, this is what my editor says:
"You can have them contact our customer service department. The email address is: customer_ecare@harlequin.ca.
Tell them to reference that Luna Books and they can suggest their request be forwarded to the senior editor, Tara Parsons.
Nice to know readers are still finding the Lost Continent books."
Thanks for your support of the books! I'd love to write more of them.
Best -- Catherine
September 18, 2008
This book was a quick read and it was pretty over-the-top. I understand that every inhabitant of Aronsdale is an ethereally beautiful being, even the "bad" guys always have some kind of redeeming quality because they are described as good-looking, but it is now starting to get old. And fast. As much as I truly love following these characters across the generations and learning how their family trees have expanded, there were simply more descriptions about Allegra's nipples than anything else in this book. I'm not kidding. It's not the fact that there is sex and torture in this book, I can accept that; it's just that there is an overabundance of it and the plot (watered down and convoluted as it was) doesn't truly reveal itself until Chapter 14. There are 29 chapters in the book. I kind of feel compelled to hide this book on my book shelf. It was such a tacky read, even for it's genre. I appreciated the earlier books in this series and reading more about the magical aspects of Aronsdale. This one didn't have much of an emphasis on the mages and I kind of missed that. I was pretty disappointed with this book.
January 8, 2022
The only books in the series I have previously read were "The Charmed Sphere" and "The Misted Cliffs" and it's been so long ago I don't remember much about them, so that didn't factor into my feelings of this book, good or bad.
I understand how it would be difficult for some to read these kinds of stories, but personally I don't mind the kidnapping/Stockholm Syndrome type scenarios, so that didn't bother me in and of itself. I thought the explanation of the culture of Jazid was sufficient to explain (though not condone) their treatment of women, and Markus, imo, was reverent in his treatment of Allegra (for the most part). To an annoying degree, tbh. I do have criticisms of this book for other reasons.
1) As another reviewer pointed out, this book has a "harlequin-ey" type feel to it. As in, it crossed the line into "cheesy" and "eye-rolling". As I stated, Markus' treatment of Allegra was reverent, and was largely based on her appearance. And it seemed literally like "love at first sight". Additionally, men are constantly touching her, and groping her, and dressing her in barely-there clothes, and there are entire paragraphs dedicated to explaining precisely how she is embraced (e.g. Brakebeak). It was just too much, and too much time was spent on these descriptions. I can buy Yargazon's obsession perhaps, given her behavior at their first meeting, but I find it difficult that all of those men would have such strong reactions.
2) Admittedly, "spitfires" are not my favorite female protagonists, but I don't mind reading about them if they are written well. Imo, Allegra was less a "spitfire" and more incredibly stupid. She did not seem to have a survival instinct at all, and pushed the limits of sane reactions to her situations.
3) I was thoroughly lost with the extensive descriptions of the war, and who was fighting for whom and why and how. It was just convoluted and I did not enjoy reading those parts.
4) I liked Markus, and didn't like Markus. It was almost as if there were two Markus'. And not in the way that there were two sides to him. I don't really know how to explain that better.
5) Honestly I struggle to believe that someone like Markus and someone like Allegra would actually find love together. I don't think their personalities are really compatible at all.
6) I felt the past relationship between Markus and Ardoz (hope I got his name right) was just thrown in to make the book seem modern. To me it didn't really add anything to the story.
This isn't all-inclusive, but I usually don't like to dwell on negatives when reading/reviewing. I definitely wouldn't classify this book as an epic fantasy. For a cheesy romance, it was a decent read. I will be going back and reading the rest of the series through, because I recall enjoying the first two a lot more.
I understand how it would be difficult for some to read these kinds of stories, but personally I don't mind the kidnapping/Stockholm Syndrome type scenarios, so that didn't bother me in and of itself. I thought the explanation of the culture of Jazid was sufficient to explain (though not condone) their treatment of women, and Markus, imo, was reverent in his treatment of Allegra (for the most part). To an annoying degree, tbh. I do have criticisms of this book for other reasons.
1) As another reviewer pointed out, this book has a "harlequin-ey" type feel to it. As in, it crossed the line into "cheesy" and "eye-rolling". As I stated, Markus' treatment of Allegra was reverent, and was largely based on her appearance. And it seemed literally like "love at first sight". Additionally, men are constantly touching her, and groping her, and dressing her in barely-there clothes, and there are entire paragraphs dedicated to explaining precisely how she is embraced (e.g. Brakebeak). It was just too much, and too much time was spent on these descriptions. I can buy Yargazon's obsession perhaps, given her behavior at their first meeting, but I find it difficult that all of those men would have such strong reactions.
2) Admittedly, "spitfires" are not my favorite female protagonists, but I don't mind reading about them if they are written well. Imo, Allegra was less a "spitfire" and more incredibly stupid. She did not seem to have a survival instinct at all, and pushed the limits of sane reactions to her situations.
3) I was thoroughly lost with the extensive descriptions of the war, and who was fighting for whom and why and how. It was just convoluted and I did not enjoy reading those parts.
4) I liked Markus, and didn't like Markus. It was almost as if there were two Markus'. And not in the way that there were two sides to him. I don't really know how to explain that better.
5) Honestly I struggle to believe that someone like Markus and someone like Allegra would actually find love together. I don't think their personalities are really compatible at all.
6) I felt the past relationship between Markus and Ardoz (hope I got his name right) was just thrown in to make the book seem modern. To me it didn't really add anything to the story.
This isn't all-inclusive, but I usually don't like to dwell on negatives when reading/reviewing. I definitely wouldn't classify this book as an epic fantasy. For a cheesy romance, it was a decent read. I will be going back and reading the rest of the series through, because I recall enjoying the first two a lot more.
June 6, 2013
I had read all of the Lost Continent books and enjoyed them very much, so I thought I might as well finish the series. Night Bird was good. I really enjoy reading Asaro’s writing because her female leads are always strong. I thought the political concepts were brilliant, and I loved the idea of all the kingdoms, from the previous books, being forced together in an intense war council. It was great to see everything come together. On the other hand, I could have done without all the sex and torture. Now I’m no prude. I’m not opposed to some good sex scenes now and then when it’s appropriate, but this was a bit harlequinie. Let me explain: Unwilling but great sex with a dark and dangerous man, then get captured and tortured by an evil maniacal man. On and on it went. Captured by evil guy. Rescued by dangerous man= great sex. Oh no, captured again…. Blah blah blah. Asaro must have a thing about torture, seeing that it’s almost in every one of her books. Other than that, I saw some possible foreshadowing for another book… and I liked them enough to continue with the series.
August 2, 2010
Okay, so I stumbled upon the forth book in this series first and thought it was okay. It didn't require a lot of effort and was quick, light reading. So I thought I would read the rest. The are fantasy novels about a society that both reveres and hates magic. I was more interested in the ways different kingdoms dealt with threats and their people, which brings me to the last novel. There is a kingdom in these books where woman are property and warlords rule everything. I thought this was going to be a compelling social commentary on the the middle east, but instead the heroine actual falls for one of these violent war lords that believes she shouldn't be educated and should strive to make her life's work pleasing the men of the world. She tries to help him see how his way is wrong, but I wasn't convinced. I was disappointed to say the least. This book just got too weird for me.
October 5, 2015
I skipped a book in this series but remembered The Lost Continent series didn't have much of an over arching plot. I think I probably should have read the previous book instead.
This book had a lot of rape and man on woman violence in it. Allegra is sold into slavery in a land where women are considered animals. I hated this premise. I don't read fantasy to be offended. I know the other books in the series didn't have this premise.
Once Allegra escapes I enjoyed it much more. But then the book turned highly political which kinda made it less exciting.
It was cool to read about the Jarid who was the lead in a previous book.
The writing is good and I love the magic system of the series. I will read more, But I would skip this one if rape and misogyny make you queasy.
This book had a lot of rape and man on woman violence in it. Allegra is sold into slavery in a land where women are considered animals. I hated this premise. I don't read fantasy to be offended. I know the other books in the series didn't have this premise.
Once Allegra escapes I enjoyed it much more. But then the book turned highly political which kinda made it less exciting.
It was cool to read about the Jarid who was the lead in a previous book.
The writing is good and I love the magic system of the series. I will read more, But I would skip this one if rape and misogyny make you queasy.
October 29, 2008
I picked this up on a whim after reading the author's biography. Three paragraphs long, chroniciling her career as a ballerina and mathematician. I was curious, so I decided to give it a try. Even though it was the fifth one in the series, I had no trouble keeping track of the characters and plot points. It was a nice escape from politics and life. I enjoyed the constant description of beautiful hair and water. Allegra, the main character, has the ability to cast "sleep spells." These "spells" made me want to sleep, which I guess is a good thing. I would like to read the rest of the series, even though I am not sure what the order is.
March 4, 2015
I wanted a quick read- and I certainly got one. But so disappointing! This book read less like a fantasy and more like a cheesy romance novel- and not a good one at that. I really struggled to finish this book. The writing was very awkward. I hated that the characters spoke very modern in what seemed like a very un-modern setting. I hate that Allegro kept explaining what her name meant (we got it the first time) and spoke "American." (At one point she calls Ozi 'honey' and then has to explain the endearment to him. It was just annoying).
September 6, 2023
I loved The Charmed Sphere, but none of the other books have captured the same magic nor made me so invested in the character's struggles. Some main characters from that book are also diminished in future installments, either refusing to use their powerful magic ever again or ceasing to be interesting characters, which is disappointing if they were the main reason to begin the series.
This book has a decent conclusion to its knotty political tension, but it leaves out resolution for one of the poor princes who is missing his own book.
This book has a decent conclusion to its knotty political tension, but it leaves out resolution for one of the poor princes who is missing his own book.
February 18, 2013
The last book of the series is probably the worst of them all. The romance has moved from shrill to grating. The fantasy is non-existent. Woman gets captured, falls in love with the man who bought her. What kind of second-rate harem fantasy is that? There's even the mysterious enigmatic sand people who hate women (dingdingding stereotype lotto winner!)
January 23, 2016
I am so sick of reading books about women with Stockholm Syndrome. It is sick to fall in love with someone who kidnapped and uses you! I don't care how nice they treat you after. We already have enough girls in unstable relationships why on earth would you want a book to tell you it's ok! I liked the first book in this series. The next two were ok, but this book is garbage. I couldn't finish it
September 10, 2016
I liked the idea that a mage focused her powers through regular polygons and that the more powerful the mage, the more sides the mage could handle. Too bad the R rated sex scenes got in the way.
June 3, 2021
way too much sexual reference and violence
almost a really good plot
flat characters
almost a really good plot
flat characters
October 6, 2023
Allegra is traveling to where she can study her mage abilities when she is kidnapped and taken to Jazid. There she is sold at auction. From the previous books we know how misogynistic, cruel and basically evil General Yargazon is. Allegra is bought by the other bidder, Markus Onyx. It's incredibly bad, and she flat out tells them she would rather die than be a possession. That strength keeps this from sinking too far.
She is taken to the fugitive Jazid army, Cobalt claimed that throne in the previous book, where they plot against Taka Mal. Plotting within her hearing because she is a female and beneath their consideration. If she were to escape she might be able to give an alert.
For almost six hundred pages it was a fast read. The series has gone full cycle the first books were about the territories of the west with Taka Mal and Jazid being afterthoughts. The fourth focused on Taka Mal, and this one on the people of Jazid. Their culture is described and explained, harsh climate, lack of women, but rich in mineral deposits attracting miners. There is a lot of stretch in the suspension of disbelief. I'm not talking about the fantasy and mage parts. I'm wondering about the aggression of Jazid. Two years prior they were independent didn't have an army invading their country claiming their throne, but now they've raised enough of a fugitive army that they can invade Taka Mal, who should be on the lookout for these guys because of what happened back then. This book was about Allegra and how she handled her situation. Capture, forced marriage, seeing some good in Markus, escape, and on. 4.2 stars.
Side note, the first copy of the book I got was missing sixty-four pages. 161-192 was replaced by a copy of 129-160 and 289-320 was just missing. The person who bought that new should have taken it back to the store and definitely not resold it. That copy will have to go in the recycle and the new (to me) copy will go into my collection.
She is taken to the fugitive Jazid army, Cobalt claimed that throne in the previous book, where they plot against Taka Mal. Plotting within her hearing because she is a female and beneath their consideration. If she were to escape she might be able to give an alert.
For almost six hundred pages it was a fast read. The series has gone full cycle the first books were about the territories of the west with Taka Mal and Jazid being afterthoughts. The fourth focused on Taka Mal, and this one on the people of Jazid. Their culture is described and explained, harsh climate, lack of women, but rich in mineral deposits attracting miners. There is a lot of stretch in the suspension of disbelief. I'm not talking about the fantasy and mage parts. I'm wondering about the aggression of Jazid. Two years prior they were independent didn't have an army invading their country claiming their throne, but now they've raised enough of a fugitive army that they can invade Taka Mal, who should be on the lookout for these guys because of what happened back then. This book was about Allegra and how she handled her situation. Capture, forced marriage, seeing some good in Markus, escape, and on. 4.2 stars.
Side note, the first copy of the book I got was missing sixty-four pages. 161-192 was replaced by a copy of 129-160 and 289-320 was just missing. The person who bought that new should have taken it back to the store and definitely not resold it. That copy will have to go in the recycle and the new (to me) copy will go into my collection.
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December 31, 2020Humko Humise Chura Lo
March 6, 2021
Typical Asaro SF romance book read pre pandemic, so I don't remember specifics.
January 31, 2023
I enjoyed this 5th book of the series and felt that it was the best one yet. Had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.
January 9, 2009
This is a very typical book in Asaro's Lost Continent series, very much resembling Misted Cliffs (which it seems I forgot to review): a beautiful woman who is taken away from her home, a dark powerful man with whom she eventually falls in love, and a sadistic evil guy who wants her for himself. Throw in magic and politics, and stir. A good non-complicated read - finished it in one day.
There is one new element in the story, though - a child, the heir to the throne that has been usurped; exceptionally bright, brave, and despite all the reasons he might have gone wrong (nearly his entire family was killed, and the sadistic man I mentioned already being his general) loving and lovable.
Another reviewer said "I just don't like stories where the girl is forced/raped by the hero but then falls head over heels in love." Well, when she really resisted, he did not force her. The book even makes a point that he had shown an amazing self-restraint for a man of his culture (though perhaps not of her culture).
The good idea in the book is that most can be redeemed. Even though at first sight the sadistic general and the main character seemed cruel alike, they were very different when you get to know them closer. The influence of those around you is very important. The idea "Love first, and make him lovable afterward" seemed implicit in the story. She made him think (by his own admission). Cobalt who had a similar redemption through love in Misted Cliffs now let his sworn enemy live because the woman stood by/for him. At some point he said "You're lucky to have someone to love you" (I forget to whom it was addressed; probably the boy).
There is one new element in the story, though - a child, the heir to the throne that has been usurped; exceptionally bright, brave, and despite all the reasons he might have gone wrong (nearly his entire family was killed, and the sadistic man I mentioned already being his general) loving and lovable.
Another reviewer said "I just don't like stories where the girl is forced/raped by the hero but then falls head over heels in love." Well, when she really resisted, he did not force her. The book even makes a point that he had shown an amazing self-restraint for a man of his culture (though perhaps not of her culture).
The good idea in the book is that most can be redeemed. Even though at first sight the sadistic general and the main character seemed cruel alike, they were very different when you get to know them closer. The influence of those around you is very important. The idea "Love first, and make him lovable afterward" seemed implicit in the story. She made him think (by his own admission). Cobalt who had a similar redemption through love in Misted Cliffs now let his sworn enemy live because the woman stood by/for him. At some point he said "You're lucky to have someone to love you" (I forget to whom it was addressed; probably the boy).
May 28, 2023
Number one issue that I had was making the hero bisexual and having “sweet reminiscences” by both him and his lover. That was distinctly off-putting.
I also dislike the way Ms. Asaro makes her mages go from “I can barely do this most basic of spells” to “I can do archaic magic that no one has even heard of” with the speed of light. It makes me confused as to the seriousness of that person’s power if they can access it so suddenly.
Allegra has guts, brains and ability but I wasn’t getting any chemistry from her and Markus.
Ms. Asaro also get bringing up issues and then not resolving them. Allegra feels violated by Markus and discusses that feeling with another woman ( for the reader to see how Ms. Asaro doesn’t condone rape, I guess) and then never thinkS of it again. Allegra gets tortured mostly off page and she feels as if she can’t tolerate touch from ANYONE but then happily gets physical with Markus.
The ending was ok but somewhat underwhelming for a series ending.
I did like seeing older characters from previous books. I liked the reality of the ugliness of war and Ozi was adorable.
I also dislike the way Ms. Asaro makes her mages go from “I can barely do this most basic of spells” to “I can do archaic magic that no one has even heard of” with the speed of light. It makes me confused as to the seriousness of that person’s power if they can access it so suddenly.
Allegra has guts, brains and ability but I wasn’t getting any chemistry from her and Markus.
Ms. Asaro also get bringing up issues and then not resolving them. Allegra feels violated by Markus and discusses that feeling with another woman ( for the reader to see how Ms. Asaro doesn’t condone rape, I guess) and then never thinkS of it again. Allegra gets tortured mostly off page and she feels as if she can’t tolerate touch from ANYONE but then happily gets physical with Markus.
The ending was ok but somewhat underwhelming for a series ending.
I did like seeing older characters from previous books. I liked the reality of the ugliness of war and Ozi was adorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2022
I can appreciate reading more about the Iris/Jarid side of the story, but this last installment of the series gets a little redundant. We have a lot of the same major components to the other books in the series.
In no particular order.
**Torture scene
**A sunny girl turns the heart of a hardened warrior
**A sunny girl falls in love with a hardened warrior
**An arranged marriage to fuse royal houses
There was a pretty good quote I picked out though. This is after the Queen of Taka Mal enters the war council.
Allegra wondered if it had occurred to all those kings in Taka Mal and Jazid who were so intent on choosing wives to give them strong, fierce, powerful sons that they might end up with strong, fierce, powerful daughters instead.
Hmm, good point.
2021 Update (though I have absolutely no remembrance of when I read it because I waited so long to post): Upon a second reading of this a decade later, I felt it was really rapey. The author seems to have a thing for much older dominating men. To each their own, but that's a fair warning for you.
In no particular order.
**Torture scene
**A sunny girl turns the heart of a hardened warrior
**A sunny girl falls in love with a hardened warrior
**An arranged marriage to fuse royal houses
There was a pretty good quote I picked out though. This is after the Queen of Taka Mal enters the war council.
Allegra wondered if it had occurred to all those kings in Taka Mal and Jazid who were so intent on choosing wives to give them strong, fierce, powerful sons that they might end up with strong, fierce, powerful daughters instead.
Hmm, good point.
2021 Update (though I have absolutely no remembrance of when I read it because I waited so long to post): Upon a second reading of this a decade later, I felt it was really rapey. The author seems to have a thing for much older dominating men. To each their own, but that's a fair warning for you.
April 29, 2012
Allegra is on her way to the Aronsdale mage school when she is kidnapped by Jazidian bandits to be sold as a pleasure slave. Put up to auction, she is purchased by the prince regent of Jazid, Markus, who is leading a rebellion against Cobalt's occupation of his brother's throne.
I think I complained in my review of the last book that all the heroines in this series end up kidnapped. This one definitely takes the cake! This book read more as a romance to me than a fantasy with romance elements. Set against a very frustratingly misogynistic background, I applaud Allegra for being a spitfire. The book is basically set up in five distinct plot points, and I was very surprised at the turn the book took. I can't say I'm happy with the ending, provided that this is the end of the series (and considering there haven't been any new books in 4 years, I'm afraid it might be). There are still a lot of plot points that are loose and some intriguing new glimpses of the future that need to be explored.
I think I complained in my review of the last book that all the heroines in this series end up kidnapped. This one definitely takes the cake! This book read more as a romance to me than a fantasy with romance elements. Set against a very frustratingly misogynistic background, I applaud Allegra for being a spitfire. The book is basically set up in five distinct plot points, and I was very surprised at the turn the book took. I can't say I'm happy with the ending, provided that this is the end of the series (and considering there haven't been any new books in 4 years, I'm afraid it might be). There are still a lot of plot points that are loose and some intriguing new glimpses of the future that need to be explored.
December 31, 2013
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2020
3 stars.
I've read this book multiple times now. I liked it better when I hadn't read many romance novels. Now that I've read hundreds of them, the shine unfortunately has dimmed. Note to self: it's not worth re-reading again.
The plot of the story is interesting. I like the mages & their powers. I can enjoy a well written warlord romance. But the problem with this book is that the writing isn't very inventive. I often felt like the story relied on tropes to survive. The characters didn't necessarily lack depth, but I still didn't find them as fleshed out as I would want with a book of this length. It didn't feel believable for Allegra to fall in love with Marcus. If you write a story with a warlord who kidnaps you and forces marriage, you're going to have to do a lot of convincing to turn that relationship into something good.
I've read this book multiple times now. I liked it better when I hadn't read many romance novels. Now that I've read hundreds of them, the shine unfortunately has dimmed. Note to self: it's not worth re-reading again.
The plot of the story is interesting. I like the mages & their powers. I can enjoy a well written warlord romance. But the problem with this book is that the writing isn't very inventive. I often felt like the story relied on tropes to survive. The characters didn't necessarily lack depth, but I still didn't find them as fleshed out as I would want with a book of this length. It didn't feel believable for Allegra to fall in love with Marcus. If you write a story with a warlord who kidnaps you and forces marriage, you're going to have to do a lot of convincing to turn that relationship into something good.
February 5, 2017
This book reminded me a great deal of one of my favorite books/series - Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan - with one major exception - the "capturing" culture was far less likable and morally acceptable. Rather than portraying the difficult but inspiring attempts to merge two different but equally respectable cultures, like Warprize, this book throws the main character into a morally corrupt and violent culture and tries to make HER adapt her feelings to accept one of its rulers. Much of the main characters' relationship is based on physical and emotional abuse and even rape. This was just very upsetting to me and I do not recommend this book to anyone.
July 9, 2015
This romantic fantasy is filled with adventure, change, hope and war. The heroine is Allegro who lives in a country where peace reigns. She has magical talents that are just beginning to develop when she is kidnapped by barbarians, members of a warlike group from another country. The plan to sell her to become a love slave. From a peaceful and beautiful life where all people are valued she finds herself in a brutal one where women have no rights, no education and no life except to serve the men who own them. The romance between Allegro and the man who buys her flutters, grows and flames as the novel proceeds. For her to find happiness the two cultures need to mesh. While romance is not normally a genre I read when it moves into fantasy I often find I like it. I did this one.
March 16, 2016
It was interesting. A lot of what happened in this book between the leads would have been considered controlling and abusive in our culture today but when you take into account the social and cultural differences that have been set up by the author it colors their relationship differently. Some people may disagree and say that no matter what the relationship is twisted, and they may be right, but from an objective standpoint you can look at this book and get an interesting perspective on a rather taboo interaction between a couple.
August 24, 2009
Excellent. I am not sure if this is the end of the this series. The author's website is confusing on that issue. It is an excellent wrap if it is. Every time I thought she could not do more damage to her characters, she does and does it well. You really feel like you are dealing with life the way it happens versus the way you want it to. Her solutions are not perfect but they are realistic.
August 28, 2010
Catherine Asaro is an excellent romantic fantasy author. Her characters have depth, strength, and humor. However, this book (as in others by the same author) contains a lot of sex and sexual violence that would both discourage me from recommending it to anyone. Additionally, while the plot is rather formulaic, the interpersonal, political, and cultural elements contribute an additional complexity that make it an interesting (if also quick and easy) read.
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