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Viking Era #2
Lord of Hawkfell Island
Dear Reader:
Rorik is a Viking warrior, as fierce and savage as the North Sea during the winter solstice. Mirana is a Viking woman who loves birds, is more ingenious than most men, and loyal down to her toes. Her life changes utterly one fateful day when Rorik and his men come to Clontarf, a Viking fortress on the eastern coast of Ireland, to kill her half-brother. But she is the one taken as hostage to use as a pawn against him.
Rorik is the Lord of Hawkfell, an island off the east cost of Britain. The moment he brings his captive home, it seems that everything begins to fly out his control. The women are out to teach the men a lesson with the result that food is rank, Rorik's family is out for Mirana's blood, a murderer is on a loose, and a huge mongrel, Kerzog, dotes not only on his master but also on his master's captive.
Rorik and Mirana are two strong-willed people, ardent in their opinions, who will have you rooting for both of them equally.
You will discover who really rules Hawkfell Island. Please enjoy.
Catherine Coulter (The Author)
Rorik is a Viking warrior, as fierce and savage as the North Sea during the winter solstice. Mirana is a Viking woman who loves birds, is more ingenious than most men, and loyal down to her toes. Her life changes utterly one fateful day when Rorik and his men come to Clontarf, a Viking fortress on the eastern coast of Ireland, to kill her half-brother. But she is the one taken as hostage to use as a pawn against him.
Rorik is the Lord of Hawkfell, an island off the east cost of Britain. The moment he brings his captive home, it seems that everything begins to fly out his control. The women are out to teach the men a lesson with the result that food is rank, Rorik's family is out for Mirana's blood, a murderer is on a loose, and a huge mongrel, Kerzog, dotes not only on his master but also on his master's captive.
Rorik and Mirana are two strong-willed people, ardent in their opinions, who will have you rooting for both of them equally.
You will discover who really rules Hawkfell Island. Please enjoy.
Catherine Coulter (The Author)
403 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published November 1, 1993
143 people are currently reading
1450 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 18, 2021
This book has single-handedly changed my view on the viking romance. For personal reasons, it's just never tickled my fancy to read about sweaty marauders that steal resources and people from other towns to go back and live in their huts. Please no history buffs come after me - this is just what's always came up in in my mind.
But DAMN. I loved this?!
Lord of Hawkfell Island starts with Rorik, Lord of Hawkfell Island, launching an attack against Mirana's half-brother's stronghold while he is away. Rorik and his men make it inside to the courtyard. Despite being outnumbered, and Rorik injured, he is close to Hulk-ing it up into a murder fugue state, until Mirana is able to tell him to stop. He passes it out and Mirana tends to his wounds. Rorik heals enough to steal her and make his escape back to his island.
Rorik hates Mirana's half-brother, and he hates Mirana, by extension. He can't trust her. During the journey back to his island, he has his foot on her back, and I think before that, he insinuates an incestuous relationship between Mirana and her half-brother.
My eyebrows raised at how much of an asshole Rorik was - and I loved it. Because you could totally tell he was obsessed with Mirana, at the same time. Also, Mirana was no doormat or shrinking violet. She tried to tell him the truth but also knew when to cut her losses and strategize an exit plan.
While Mirana adjusts to her new life as a slave on Hawkfell Island, the men and women are in a battle of the sexes. Hm typically not a fan of these plots, but this did make me chuckle. The men have been enjoying themselves with Entti, a new slave woman, and the women on Hawkfell are not ok with it, especially the married women.
None of the women blame Entti for her beauty or her empty-headed ways. And none of the women are mean to Mirana like Rorik or his men are. A trust is built between them. The feminist in me loved this - it felt genuine and sweet how the women are supportive of each other and work together.
The sub-plot of the women versus men of Hawkfull Island was so much fun. I thought the food punishment was the most passive aggressive move ever, and to top it off, we have Mirana and Entti learning more about each other - I enjoyed this story too much to even spoil how this comes about, but suffice to say, Entti is such a delight.
Another thing that also shocked me, but I also could not stop reading for the life of me, was how Mirana's half-brother did harbour incestuous thoughts to her. Also, I'm quite proud of myself for guessing which sexist viking was the bad apple of the bunch. His death was good.
The obsessive chemistry made my heart pound, the little marital subplot made me laugh, and the action kept me turning the pages. I plan to read the rest of this viking series, and perhaps more of Catherine Coulter, in general.
But DAMN. I loved this?!
Lord of Hawkfell Island starts with Rorik, Lord of Hawkfell Island, launching an attack against Mirana's half-brother's stronghold while he is away. Rorik and his men make it inside to the courtyard. Despite being outnumbered, and Rorik injured, he is close to Hulk-ing it up into a murder fugue state, until Mirana is able to tell him to stop. He passes it out and Mirana tends to his wounds. Rorik heals enough to steal her and make his escape back to his island.
Rorik hates Mirana's half-brother, and he hates Mirana, by extension. He can't trust her. During the journey back to his island, he has his foot on her back, and I think before that, he insinuates an incestuous relationship between Mirana and her half-brother.
My eyebrows raised at how much of an asshole Rorik was - and I loved it. Because you could totally tell he was obsessed with Mirana, at the same time. Also, Mirana was no doormat or shrinking violet. She tried to tell him the truth but also knew when to cut her losses and strategize an exit plan.
While Mirana adjusts to her new life as a slave on Hawkfell Island, the men and women are in a battle of the sexes. Hm typically not a fan of these plots, but this did make me chuckle. The men have been enjoying themselves with Entti, a new slave woman, and the women on Hawkfell are not ok with it, especially the married women.
None of the women blame Entti for her beauty or her empty-headed ways. And none of the women are mean to Mirana like Rorik or his men are. A trust is built between them. The feminist in me loved this - it felt genuine and sweet how the women are supportive of each other and work together.
The sub-plot of the women versus men of Hawkfull Island was so much fun. I thought the food punishment was the most passive aggressive move ever, and to top it off, we have Mirana and Entti learning more about each other - I enjoyed this story too much to even spoil how this comes about, but suffice to say, Entti is such a delight.
Another thing that also shocked me, but I also could not stop reading for the life of me, was how Mirana's half-brother did harbour incestuous thoughts to her. Also, I'm quite proud of myself for guessing which sexist viking was the bad apple of the bunch. His death was good.
The obsessive chemistry made my heart pound, the little marital subplot made me laugh, and the action kept me turning the pages. I plan to read the rest of this viking series, and perhaps more of Catherine Coulter, in general.
April 8, 2025
There’s the universe. Then there’s Catherine Coulter’s universe, where obtuse men proclaim their superiority with delusional confidence, women simmer while juggling anger and stubbornness, sex is a weapon as well as a weakness, and violence is no stranger.
Check your logic at the door. You won’t be needing it.
Rorik and two of his best warriors are ambushed at Clontarf, the citadel of Einor, the man who had savagely raped and murdered Rorik’s wife and killed his children and upon whom Rorik had sworn vengeance. After a bloody confrontation, they are captured, Rorik injured in the process. Instead of killing him outright, Einor’s men hold Rorik until Einor’s return while Einor’s sister, Mirana, nurses him back to health. Mirana is a dark-haired witch with mad knife skills and a short fuse, and shows far too little fear of Rorik, in his opinion. He makes her pay by escaping and taking her with him, tying and gagging her in the bottom of his longboat with his boot on her neck during the trip home to Hawkfell Island. He doesn’t intend to treat her gently.
“Can you walk without me supporting you now?”
“Of course.”
He released her and she promptly collapsed. He stood over her, watching her rub her legs through the filthy wool of her gown. He grunted, leaned down, and hefted her like a haunch of beef over his shoulder. She jerked upward, and he said, “Lie still else I’ll drag you by all that hair of yours.”
Hey, it’s 900 A.D. and he’s a Viking. Politically correct this is not, as the reader is reminded every time he punches her in the jaw to knock her out when she gets unruly. On Hawkfell Island, Mirana bonds with the other women and her rebellious attitude emboldens them to assert themselves, forcing Rorik to explain to her how it will be.
You will obey every order I choose to give you, just as will every other damned woman on Hawkfell Island. I am the lord and master here. You will temper your voice and the words that come from your mouth. You will treat me as you would a god. You must, there is no choice. My men have excellent hearing and I am their leader. Do you understand me?”
Understanding and compliance are two different things.
This is, much to my surprise, a very enjoyable tale. Some humor, some violence, some betrayal, some danger, some madness, some attraction but definitely no tenderness, and some passion, all of it wrapped in a cloak of outrageousness.
Catherine Coulter does outrageousness pretty darn well, and her historicals remain my guilty little pleasure.
Check your logic at the door. You won’t be needing it.
Rorik and two of his best warriors are ambushed at Clontarf, the citadel of Einor, the man who had savagely raped and murdered Rorik’s wife and killed his children and upon whom Rorik had sworn vengeance. After a bloody confrontation, they are captured, Rorik injured in the process. Instead of killing him outright, Einor’s men hold Rorik until Einor’s return while Einor’s sister, Mirana, nurses him back to health. Mirana is a dark-haired witch with mad knife skills and a short fuse, and shows far too little fear of Rorik, in his opinion. He makes her pay by escaping and taking her with him, tying and gagging her in the bottom of his longboat with his boot on her neck during the trip home to Hawkfell Island. He doesn’t intend to treat her gently.
“Can you walk without me supporting you now?”
“Of course.”
He released her and she promptly collapsed. He stood over her, watching her rub her legs through the filthy wool of her gown. He grunted, leaned down, and hefted her like a haunch of beef over his shoulder. She jerked upward, and he said, “Lie still else I’ll drag you by all that hair of yours.”
Hey, it’s 900 A.D. and he’s a Viking. Politically correct this is not, as the reader is reminded every time he punches her in the jaw to knock her out when she gets unruly. On Hawkfell Island, Mirana bonds with the other women and her rebellious attitude emboldens them to assert themselves, forcing Rorik to explain to her how it will be.
You will obey every order I choose to give you, just as will every other damned woman on Hawkfell Island. I am the lord and master here. You will temper your voice and the words that come from your mouth. You will treat me as you would a god. You must, there is no choice. My men have excellent hearing and I am their leader. Do you understand me?”
Understanding and compliance are two different things.
This is, much to my surprise, a very enjoyable tale. Some humor, some violence, some betrayal, some danger, some madness, some attraction but definitely no tenderness, and some passion, all of it wrapped in a cloak of outrageousness.
Catherine Coulter does outrageousness pretty darn well, and her historicals remain my guilty little pleasure.
October 1, 2021
WARNING CONTENT ALERT
Catherine Coulter takes her propensity to create unlikeable heroes and dials it all the way up to "11" in her supposed romance The Lord of Hawkfell Island.
Mirana is a young, unmarried woman who lives with her brother in a massive fortress. When he's away, their home is attacked by Viking raiders seeking vengeance against him, as the Viking leader Rorik blames him for the death of his wife and child. Usually, a hero grieving over his lost love is grounds for me to dislike a historical romance, but thanks to Rurik, I had plenty of other reasons to despise this "love story."
I shouldn't even call this a love story because--let's get this right out the gate--Rorik never says a single word of love to Mirana. And it's not because he's so filled with sorrow over his loss. He's just an unfeeling, cruel, petty, boorish boar. I detested him so much I created a Goodreads shelf labeled "jerky pig hall of fame" for him and his porcine brethren.
Rorik kidnaps Mirana as a hostage, not out of lust, but because he's on the boys' team and Mirana's on the girls' team, and boys are supposed to torment icky girls because boys rule and girls drool.
Yes, you read that right. For although externally Rorik has the appearance of a strong, 30-something Viking warrior, his demeanor is that of a gangly 10-year-old-boy who's on the verge of adolescence. He thinks girls are gross and stupid, yet gets a weird, tingly feeling whenever a particular one is around. So instead of reacting like a mature, well-adjusted male to that special sow (or female) who gets him hornt up, our hero spouts insults like:
"I told you that my men really have no interest in you. You're skinny, not at all appetizing. A man would have to be starving for a woman before he would turn his eyes to you."
Saying mean things to Mirana alone wouldn't merit Rurik a place at the Big Pigs' table, though. Sure, he gets naked and bathes in front of her, taunting her in an "I-know-you-want-me-but-you-cannot-have me-so-look-at-how-hot-I-am" sort of way. That's cute.
He also threatens to sic his dog on her: "I'll have my dog kill you. He's vicious. He protects me and my island."
Rorik accuses Mirana of incest (and being damn good at it): "Do you lust after him, your own kin? Is that why you're still unwed? Perhaps he has already bedded you. You aren't young, after all. Does he hold you above his other whores?"
He chains her up with heavy iron links--no cloth under the metal to protect her skin--and keeps her that way for days on end, deprives her of food, beats her, and neglects her. Later he gets more brutally physical, punching Mirana in the jaw, stepping on her throat, and whipping her!
So, to sum up: Rorik abducts Mirana, tells her she's so ugly no man would sleep with her, except her brother, of course, threatens her with murder and rape, abuses her, tortures her, and spouts Schwarzenneggerian brilliance as:
"The man rules. It is he who protects the woman, he who provides shelter and food for her. It is his right to bed with a bear if he wishes to. It is I who am the lord here, and all obey!"
He's a beast, all right. Well, charisma goes a long way, thank goodness.
Alas, Rorik has zero charisma to back up his nasty demeanor.
Then, why didn't I one-star this book if the hero's so loathsome?
For one thing, Mirana gives back as good as she can. She's a solid character who deserves a better man. How about her brother? ;)
And second, it's kind of funny if you can disassociate from it all. Rorik is so childlike in his hatred for Mirana. I'm surprised he didn't wipe his boogers on her or play "I'm not touching you" with his finger hovering an inch from her face.
Sure the guy's a looker and he's lord of an island, but with his protozoan personality, who wants him? Sleeping with Rorik would be akin to doing it with Colleen McCullough's "Tim" inhabited by the spirit of South Park's Eric Cartman on D-Bal Max.
(SO WRONG)
+
(SO VERY WRONG!)
*
(AND ON STEROIDS!!)
Ultimately, what pulls this book together has nothing to do with romance. It's all due to Mirana and a supporting cast of female characters who forge a strong network of relationships to help each other grow and thrive in a world that's brutal and unfair.
On the one hand, we have Rorik and his dopey gang of followers with their collective IQ & EQs of (I'll be generous) 105. On the other hand, we have the Hawkfell Island women's team. The major theme is all about "The Battle of the Sexes."
Caring for Mirana is a servant woman, Utta, married to one of Rorik's men. A beautiful yet simple slave girl named Entti is treated as a bounce house for the Vikings to play with, and she gets no respect. The women unite to get back at the men in ways they can, like giving them inedible food and refusing sex.
After a while, the men determine that Mirana's behind the women's uppitiness, and Rorik attempts to rein her in. He decides he will marry Mirana and control her through force of will. Mirana, for some reason, develops feelings for the Neanderthal. So at last, they share something in common: love for Rorik. Indeed, there's a match made in Valhalla!
When the men get fed up with the women's antics, they menace Mirana with promises of all kinds of bodily harm and Rorik does nothing to stop it. He spouts perplexing threats like: "I will rape you if you force me" when Mirana refuses him his marital rights. By the The Lord of Hawkfell Island's conclusion, Rorik and Mirana are paired off...because that's what a romance demands. Rorik remains the same unfeeling brute he was in the beginning.
The kindest, most intimate thing he says to Mirana is: "You are very nice,"... forcing his eyes back to her face. "You are pleasing to me."
If that's enough to spark your interest, and you have a perverse curiosity to observe an exaggerated caricature of a supreme male chauvinist pig in action, while a crew of much savvier women maneuver social politics and gender roles, then, by all means, take a gander at this book.
Whatever "this" is, that Catherine Coulter wrote. On some level, it's fascinating to read. I wouldn't call it a romance, though.
2.5 stars
Catherine Coulter takes her propensity to create unlikeable heroes and dials it all the way up to "11" in her supposed romance The Lord of Hawkfell Island.
Mirana is a young, unmarried woman who lives with her brother in a massive fortress. When he's away, their home is attacked by Viking raiders seeking vengeance against him, as the Viking leader Rorik blames him for the death of his wife and child. Usually, a hero grieving over his lost love is grounds for me to dislike a historical romance, but thanks to Rurik, I had plenty of other reasons to despise this "love story."
I shouldn't even call this a love story because--let's get this right out the gate--Rorik never says a single word of love to Mirana. And it's not because he's so filled with sorrow over his loss. He's just an unfeeling, cruel, petty, boorish boar. I detested him so much I created a Goodreads shelf labeled "jerky pig hall of fame" for him and his porcine brethren.
Rorik kidnaps Mirana as a hostage, not out of lust, but because he's on the boys' team and Mirana's on the girls' team, and boys are supposed to torment icky girls because boys rule and girls drool.
Yes, you read that right. For although externally Rorik has the appearance of a strong, 30-something Viking warrior, his demeanor is that of a gangly 10-year-old-boy who's on the verge of adolescence. He thinks girls are gross and stupid, yet gets a weird, tingly feeling whenever a particular one is around. So instead of reacting like a mature, well-adjusted male to that special sow (or female) who gets him hornt up, our hero spouts insults like:
"I told you that my men really have no interest in you. You're skinny, not at all appetizing. A man would have to be starving for a woman before he would turn his eyes to you."
Saying mean things to Mirana alone wouldn't merit Rurik a place at the Big Pigs' table, though. Sure, he gets naked and bathes in front of her, taunting her in an "I-know-you-want-me-but-you-cannot-have me-so-look-at-how-hot-I-am" sort of way. That's cute.
He also threatens to sic his dog on her: "I'll have my dog kill you. He's vicious. He protects me and my island."
Rorik accuses Mirana of incest (and being damn good at it): "Do you lust after him, your own kin? Is that why you're still unwed? Perhaps he has already bedded you. You aren't young, after all. Does he hold you above his other whores?"
He chains her up with heavy iron links--no cloth under the metal to protect her skin--and keeps her that way for days on end, deprives her of food, beats her, and neglects her. Later he gets more brutally physical, punching Mirana in the jaw, stepping on her throat, and whipping her!
So, to sum up: Rorik abducts Mirana, tells her she's so ugly no man would sleep with her, except her brother, of course, threatens her with murder and rape, abuses her, tortures her, and spouts Schwarzenneggerian brilliance as:
"The man rules. It is he who protects the woman, he who provides shelter and food for her. It is his right to bed with a bear if he wishes to. It is I who am the lord here, and all obey!"
He's a beast, all right. Well, charisma goes a long way, thank goodness.
Alas, Rorik has zero charisma to back up his nasty demeanor.
Then, why didn't I one-star this book if the hero's so loathsome?
For one thing, Mirana gives back as good as she can. She's a solid character who deserves a better man. How about her brother? ;)
And second, it's kind of funny if you can disassociate from it all. Rorik is so childlike in his hatred for Mirana. I'm surprised he didn't wipe his boogers on her or play "I'm not touching you" with his finger hovering an inch from her face.
Sure the guy's a looker and he's lord of an island, but with his protozoan personality, who wants him? Sleeping with Rorik would be akin to doing it with Colleen McCullough's "Tim" inhabited by the spirit of South Park's Eric Cartman on D-Bal Max.
(SO WRONG)
+
(SO VERY WRONG!)
*
(AND ON STEROIDS!!)
Ultimately, what pulls this book together has nothing to do with romance. It's all due to Mirana and a supporting cast of female characters who forge a strong network of relationships to help each other grow and thrive in a world that's brutal and unfair.
On the one hand, we have Rorik and his dopey gang of followers with their collective IQ & EQs of (I'll be generous) 105. On the other hand, we have the Hawkfell Island women's team. The major theme is all about "The Battle of the Sexes."
Caring for Mirana is a servant woman, Utta, married to one of Rorik's men. A beautiful yet simple slave girl named Entti is treated as a bounce house for the Vikings to play with, and she gets no respect. The women unite to get back at the men in ways they can, like giving them inedible food and refusing sex.
After a while, the men determine that Mirana's behind the women's uppitiness, and Rorik attempts to rein her in. He decides he will marry Mirana and control her through force of will. Mirana, for some reason, develops feelings for the Neanderthal. So at last, they share something in common: love for Rorik. Indeed, there's a match made in Valhalla!
When the men get fed up with the women's antics, they menace Mirana with promises of all kinds of bodily harm and Rorik does nothing to stop it. He spouts perplexing threats like: "I will rape you if you force me" when Mirana refuses him his marital rights. By the The Lord of Hawkfell Island's conclusion, Rorik and Mirana are paired off...because that's what a romance demands. Rorik remains the same unfeeling brute he was in the beginning.
The kindest, most intimate thing he says to Mirana is: "You are very nice,"... forcing his eyes back to her face. "You are pleasing to me."
If that's enough to spark your interest, and you have a perverse curiosity to observe an exaggerated caricature of a supreme male chauvinist pig in action, while a crew of much savvier women maneuver social politics and gender roles, then, by all means, take a gander at this book.
Whatever "this" is, that Catherine Coulter wrote. On some level, it's fascinating to read. I wouldn't call it a romance, though.
2.5 stars
October 15, 2021
DNF
I really didn't care about characters or the plot. There was zero excitement and I got bored waiting for something to happen.
I really didn't care about characters or the plot. There was zero excitement and I got bored waiting for something to happen.
February 11, 2021
Over the years, Ms Coulter has been recommended to me as an author I might like. Several years ago I read a few books in her medieval series, and have now discovered her Viking series.
Really well-written HF story set in a pre-medieval era... Before Ireland and England had stable rulers and when Vikings still held sway. But our heroine is certainly put thru the proverbial ringer...
Will definitely revisit Ms Coulter and her Viking era again.
Really well-written HF story set in a pre-medieval era... Before Ireland and England had stable rulers and when Vikings still held sway. But our heroine is certainly put thru the proverbial ringer...
Will definitely revisit Ms Coulter and her Viking era again.
October 25, 2025
Баба Катрин този път е решила да покаже, че в средновековието е имало и рационални мъже и жени 😁 Насилието си е насилие, неизбежна част от епохата, но когато човек реши да е почтен и да не се носи по течението, може да го направи дори в такива обстоятелства. Сладка история.
March 25, 2019
This read a bit like a train wreck... There appeared some new plots, at the end of the book, all of them were resolved, but still... I just don;t know. I might read the next 2 books, but after I forget about this one(maybe :D)
December 30, 2012
4 and 1/2 Stars! Well Told Viking Tale from 10th Century Ireland
This is a part of Coulter’s Viking series and follows SEASON OF THE SUN though it is not related to it. Really, it seems this is the first in the “Viking lord” trilogy (see list below). Set in Ireland and an island off the coast of England in 910, this is the story of Mirana, a Viking woman who is abducted one night by her brother’s enemy, Rorik, Lord of Hawkfell. Rorik seeks vengeance for the death of his wife and children at the hand of Mirana’s brother, Einar. Once on Hawkfell Island, Mirana makes friends among the women and comes to see the island as home, but all is not well, and Einar still has plans for her.
Coulter has taken care to get the period right, including details of dress, food and dwellings. She has also created some wonderful characters, including a huge dog named Kerzog. The writing is well done and the plot has many satisfying twists and turns.
While Rorik’s actions toward Mirana were brutal at times (and the low ratings are just a reaction to that in my opinion), you have to remember this is a Viking romance, set in the times when women were chattel and many were taken in raids to be slaves. Then, too, Mirana, who Rorik is coming to care for, is the sister of his enemy who slayed his family. That these two could find love is definitely a story of second chances and love triumphing over many obstacles. Mirana’s brother, Einar is a real deviant who likes inflicting pain and cares for no one.
There is humor, action and a complex love story here. A worthy Viking tale.
Viking Series
SEASON OF THE SUN
LORD OF HAWKFELL ISLAND
LORD OF RAVEN’S PEAK
LORD OF FALCON RIDGE
This is a part of Coulter’s Viking series and follows SEASON OF THE SUN though it is not related to it. Really, it seems this is the first in the “Viking lord” trilogy (see list below). Set in Ireland and an island off the coast of England in 910, this is the story of Mirana, a Viking woman who is abducted one night by her brother’s enemy, Rorik, Lord of Hawkfell. Rorik seeks vengeance for the death of his wife and children at the hand of Mirana’s brother, Einar. Once on Hawkfell Island, Mirana makes friends among the women and comes to see the island as home, but all is not well, and Einar still has plans for her.
Coulter has taken care to get the period right, including details of dress, food and dwellings. She has also created some wonderful characters, including a huge dog named Kerzog. The writing is well done and the plot has many satisfying twists and turns.
While Rorik’s actions toward Mirana were brutal at times (and the low ratings are just a reaction to that in my opinion), you have to remember this is a Viking romance, set in the times when women were chattel and many were taken in raids to be slaves. Then, too, Mirana, who Rorik is coming to care for, is the sister of his enemy who slayed his family. That these two could find love is definitely a story of second chances and love triumphing over many obstacles. Mirana’s brother, Einar is a real deviant who likes inflicting pain and cares for no one.
There is humor, action and a complex love story here. A worthy Viking tale.
Viking Series
SEASON OF THE SUN
LORD OF HAWKFELL ISLAND
LORD OF RAVEN’S PEAK
LORD OF FALCON RIDGE
Read
February 16, 2021Well, I found this book left in the hostel room that I was to occupy. I was excited that I had found a book, no matter what it was. Even though the cover and title told me it wasn't a sort of book I would normally read. So the book occupied my shelf for 2 full years before I ran out of paperback books and decided to give it a chance. I read the first few pages and thought to give it away, it just wasn't my kind of book. But something made me read on and I am so glad I did.
Either the book turned out to be my kind or my preference changed but I ended up loving the book. The characters are very well developed. I fell in love with Mirana, a strong headed woman, beauty, brain and brawn, what a combination! The plot is well built and never slows down. This is a swift moving action-romance book. There were quite a few surprises in the book. And it also has lot of great humor thrown in. In all, a complete package. A surprise hit book. I would check out other books by the author now.
Either the book turned out to be my kind or my preference changed but I ended up loving the book. The characters are very well developed. I fell in love with Mirana, a strong headed woman, beauty, brain and brawn, what a combination! The plot is well built and never slows down. This is a swift moving action-romance book. There were quite a few surprises in the book. And it also has lot of great humor thrown in. In all, a complete package. A surprise hit book. I would check out other books by the author now.
May 29, 2012
I found this book on an Amazon Discussion as a great bodice ripper- it wasn't- and I have had it in my TBR for years. I am into to the old fashion BR's every once in awhile and after reading The Golden Dynasty from Kristen Ashley - loved it!!- I was in the mood for an oldie.
This was barely ok. I never felt the love or even the lust. The story did strike me funny at times because it was the first womens libber BR I have read. These Viking women were total bra burners, they didn't like how the men were treating them so they sabotaged there food, stood up to them, and threw them attitude by demonstrations.
I would not recommend this one. If you want a good BR I liked The Black Lyon, The Conqueror, The Velvet Promise much better.
This was barely ok. I never felt the love or even the lust. The story did strike me funny at times because it was the first womens libber BR I have read. These Viking women were total bra burners, they didn't like how the men were treating them so they sabotaged there food, stood up to them, and threw them attitude by demonstrations.
I would not recommend this one. If you want a good BR I liked The Black Lyon, The Conqueror, The Velvet Promise much better.
March 5, 2014
OMG... I had to force myself to slog thru to the end. Dumbest book ever, and I'm generally a Coulter fan.
November 27, 2020
I read all of Catherine Coulter's 'romance' books 20-30 years ago. I say romance, but actually this book is not a romance.
Lord Of Hawkfell Island is a typical example of Coulter's work; it contains misogyny, rape and the physical abuse of women. Oh, but it's not really 'rape' because the woman (Mirana) secretly really wanted it. I'll let you in on a secret folks; Mirana doesn't know it, but she isn't really in love with her abuser, she is suffering from Stockholm syndrome.
Mirana starts out as this kick arse women's libber, and ends up being a pathetic sad victim, and basically says please treat me like dirt, I love being abused. That is not romance.
There are reviews on here and elsewhere that crap on about how misogyny and the kidnapping, rape and mental and physical abuse of women is historically accurate. These reviewers seem to have lost sight that this book is romantic FICTION and not a history textbook. It does not have to be 100% historically accurate. People buy romance books because they want to read about romance, not about the subjugation of women. The beauty of fiction is that poetic licence is allowed, and should have been used in this novel.
This book is classified as a romance novel, but actually it isn't. It is about the abuse and subjugation of women. There is something seriously wrong when a woman gives a positive review about Lord Of Hawkfell Island and similar books.
This book is disgusting and I do not recommend it.
Lord Of Hawkfell Island is a typical example of Coulter's work; it contains misogyny, rape and the physical abuse of women. Oh, but it's not really 'rape' because the woman (Mirana) secretly really wanted it. I'll let you in on a secret folks; Mirana doesn't know it, but she isn't really in love with her abuser, she is suffering from Stockholm syndrome.
Mirana starts out as this kick arse women's libber, and ends up being a pathetic sad victim, and basically says please treat me like dirt, I love being abused. That is not romance.
There are reviews on here and elsewhere that crap on about how misogyny and the kidnapping, rape and mental and physical abuse of women is historically accurate. These reviewers seem to have lost sight that this book is romantic FICTION and not a history textbook. It does not have to be 100% historically accurate. People buy romance books because they want to read about romance, not about the subjugation of women. The beauty of fiction is that poetic licence is allowed, and should have been used in this novel.
This book is classified as a romance novel, but actually it isn't. It is about the abuse and subjugation of women. There is something seriously wrong when a woman gives a positive review about Lord Of Hawkfell Island and similar books.
This book is disgusting and I do not recommend it.
December 9, 2015
This one was ok. I liked Mirana, the protagonist, although I thought Rorik could have used more flushing out. The story went that Rorik's wife and children were murdered by Mirana's half-brother, Einar. Rorik tries to murder Einar but fails and is captured. When he manages to escape, he takes Mirana with him, as a hostage. She mouths off to him constantly and he retaliates with some bad treatment, but of course he likes her spirit and she likes his strength and eventually they fall in love, although that's far from the end of the book. It was a lot like another one of Coulter's--the title has "Sun" in it, as I recall, and was also about an Irish woman taken by an abusive Viking. Haha, when I say that, I have to ask myself, "What am I reading these days?!"
The summary said that Mirana had been taught weapons. I wasn't expecting her to be able to be a real warrior or anything, but she really doesn't know how to use them at all. The whole thing was misleading. She likes carrying a knife, but she's isn't really capable of defending herself, it's all just bravado that gets a little tedious.
The summary said that Mirana had been taught weapons. I wasn't expecting her to be able to be a real warrior or anything, but she really doesn't know how to use them at all. The whole thing was misleading. She likes carrying a knife, but she's isn't really capable of defending herself, it's all just bravado that gets a little tedious.
November 22, 2021
1 Star to this horrible book with possibly the worst hero that I have ever read. He beats the heroine, repeatedly punching her jaw to render her unconscious (softly though with only a slight bruise - so it must be okay), he rapes her and then treats her badly at the whims of others who dislike her. He never apologizes to her or even has a reason or mindset that justifies his eventual love for her. Made no sense. Now the heroine, I really like she was strong and fun HOWEVER she randomly gets beaten up by him and then fantasizes about his legs and stomach???? I don't care how good looking a man is-
I have no idea why i finsihed this book, I just kept expecting it to get better. I was in disbelief that these characters wouldnt change?!
anyways - major regrets.
I have no idea why i finsihed this book, I just kept expecting it to get better. I was in disbelief that these characters wouldnt change?!
anyways - major regrets.
October 13, 2023
Self note
After rereading a few chapters, i decided this book isn’t worth a reread. Didn’t find the writing or the characters compelling enough.🤷🏻♀️ This is def not as good as Season of the Sun.
- no character development. MCs lacked chemistry.
- H is hot but is 1 dimensional. ( he doesn’t seem obsessed with the h at all, my biggest issue with the book )
- h is average looking, not beautiful or plain, but she has a strong personality (when she’s not gushing about how hot he is).
She’s a tiny woman, but is a powerful fighter, her brothers men follow her because if it, oh pahlease.🙄
- dead ex wife and dead children trope
Boring.
After rereading a few chapters, i decided this book isn’t worth a reread. Didn’t find the writing or the characters compelling enough.🤷🏻♀️ This is def not as good as Season of the Sun.
- no character development. MCs lacked chemistry.
- H is hot but is 1 dimensional. ( he doesn’t seem obsessed with the h at all, my biggest issue with the book )
- h is average looking, not beautiful or plain, but she has a strong personality (when she’s not gushing about how hot he is).
She’s a tiny woman, but is a powerful fighter, her brothers men follow her because if it, oh pahlease.🙄
- dead ex wife and dead children trope
Boring.
July 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.5 it’s okay)
✨Historical ROMCOM
✨Enemies To Lovers
✨Kidnapped Prisoner
✨Woman Slave
✨Viking Island Setting 🌊
✨Feminist Vibes
✨Viking Time Period ⚔️
The vibe of book two here is completely different from book one. 👀 Where book one was wild, barbaric and savage.. a realistic impression of the Anglo-Saxon time period.. book two is more relaxed?? MMC Lord Rorik is not brutal towards women. He is Lord of Hawfell Island—and honestly carries each individual’s safety on his island pretty seriously.
The tone of this book feels 100% ROMCOM vibes. The MMC and FMC are definitely enemies to lovers as he has kidnapped her and holds her hostage in a ploy to seek revenge on her brother. (MMC hates her brother) However, there is a fun banter energy between man and woman, despite FMC being prisoner/slave on the island.
Someone on here reviewed MMC as almost adolescent for a grown man because he is aloof toward the woman and feels almost as if she is “gross” — and this is the vibe I got. I felt the banter between them but his dislike towards her as a woman in general did come across very immature. Like I wanted a Viking man, strong, warrior, brutal and savage to falls madly in love with this woman so different than him. And yet here I just wasn’t feeling it.
—if I’m being completely honest, I found the romance lacking and more of a backburner story plot to the side strong feminist plot. The women on the island are “fed up” with the men “using” a slave woman for their needs (especially the married women) and spend the book “getting back” at the men with their cooking + the food on the island. The entire book reads as a comedy of “men versus women” and that might be comic relief for some readers.. but for me.. I was bored. This is not my thing. Hence my lower rating of this book. It read just okay. Don’t come at me for sounding terrible! BUT after book one feeling so raw and brutal — like an actual portrayal of this time period — I expected more from this book. I feel Coulter set the bar extremely high with book one. I know it was savage.. but I was captivated by it. This book for me fell flat. I don’t want to laugh.. I want that real authentically raw history lesson. Maybe I came into this looking for deep history and only found comedy.. and felt utterly disappointed in that.
✨Historical ROMCOM
✨Enemies To Lovers
✨Kidnapped Prisoner
✨Woman Slave
✨Viking Island Setting 🌊
✨Feminist Vibes
✨Viking Time Period ⚔️
The vibe of book two here is completely different from book one. 👀 Where book one was wild, barbaric and savage.. a realistic impression of the Anglo-Saxon time period.. book two is more relaxed?? MMC Lord Rorik is not brutal towards women. He is Lord of Hawfell Island—and honestly carries each individual’s safety on his island pretty seriously.
The tone of this book feels 100% ROMCOM vibes. The MMC and FMC are definitely enemies to lovers as he has kidnapped her and holds her hostage in a ploy to seek revenge on her brother. (MMC hates her brother) However, there is a fun banter energy between man and woman, despite FMC being prisoner/slave on the island.
Someone on here reviewed MMC as almost adolescent for a grown man because he is aloof toward the woman and feels almost as if she is “gross” — and this is the vibe I got. I felt the banter between them but his dislike towards her as a woman in general did come across very immature. Like I wanted a Viking man, strong, warrior, brutal and savage to falls madly in love with this woman so different than him. And yet here I just wasn’t feeling it.
—if I’m being completely honest, I found the romance lacking and more of a backburner story plot to the side strong feminist plot. The women on the island are “fed up” with the men “using” a slave woman for their needs (especially the married women) and spend the book “getting back” at the men with their cooking + the food on the island. The entire book reads as a comedy of “men versus women” and that might be comic relief for some readers.. but for me.. I was bored. This is not my thing. Hence my lower rating of this book. It read just okay. Don’t come at me for sounding terrible! BUT after book one feeling so raw and brutal — like an actual portrayal of this time period — I expected more from this book. I feel Coulter set the bar extremely high with book one. I know it was savage.. but I was captivated by it. This book for me fell flat. I don’t want to laugh.. I want that real authentically raw history lesson. Maybe I came into this looking for deep history and only found comedy.. and felt utterly disappointed in that.
December 31, 2022
I rounded up 3.5 stars
Read
August 29, 2024DNF Boring
December 23, 2025
Meh. I had to force my way through this as Rorik was a jerk and I felt bad for Mirana. Too much violence and language. I only liked Mirana and a couple of the other characters.
February 5, 2023
DNF at 47% and 1.5 stars rounded up because ooooh, I really didn't like this book. This paper-thing book with it's unconvincing characterizations and thinly veiled plot.
December 31, 2023
Just not for me. I was looking forward to this historical romance with Vikings as they are hard to find, but it just fell flat. I didn’t agree with Mirana’s decisions to forgive certain things that are probably accurate to the time… but still. I also found the dynamic of the men and women in the ‘clan’ to be very stale to the point of ridiculous. I did finish the book though so I’ll say the turns of the story are alright. Overall probably not a series I’ll continue.
Read
June 10, 2014For a time back in the 80’s & 90’s, my reading material of choice was frequently bodice rippers, historical fiction, and regency romances with a few contemporary best sellers thrown in for good measure. Most of them were pretty steamy (blush) &/or overly romantic, but I read them during a time in my life when I found myself as a single parent, and these books fit the bill. I found them to be highly entertaining.
I recently donated a slew of them, but I wanted to catalog them all the same. So if there is no rating here from me, it means that I don’t remember anything about the book other than I obviously read it. If there is a rating, it must have been in some way memorable for me.
I only wish that GoodReads had been around years ago so that I had some idea of the many books I have read – there were thousands! I did own a copy of this book, but most others came from the library because back then I could never have afforded the 100+ books I generally read in any given year.
And by the way, I still read bodice rippers – just not quite so many as I used to!
I recently donated a slew of them, but I wanted to catalog them all the same. So if there is no rating here from me, it means that I don’t remember anything about the book other than I obviously read it. If there is a rating, it must have been in some way memorable for me.
I only wish that GoodReads had been around years ago so that I had some idea of the many books I have read – there were thousands! I did own a copy of this book, but most others came from the library because back then I could never have afforded the 100+ books I generally read in any given year.
And by the way, I still read bodice rippers – just not quite so many as I used to!
April 1, 2015
Este livro tem espancamento, contenção com correntes e algemas... mas não é BDSM não, hahaha!
O mocinho nocauteou a mocinha várias vezes, bateu nela com cinto, algemou e acorrentou, deixou sem comida e água... achei difícil os dois se apaixonarem, mas...
Gostei da sonsa da escrava se revelando uma espertinha... foi ótimo, aliás foi o mais legal!
Se pelo menos o sexo tivesse sido bom... mas ela foi praticamente estuprada todas vezes e ficou imaginando o que as mulheres falavam tanto a respeito, hahaha!!!! Ele foi mais rápido que coelho e deixou nossa heroína a ver navios...
Que história mais sem noção aquela do Rei!!!!
E a Sira? Chegou a ser engraçado as cenas dela.
E os gostos sexuais do vilão?
Não sabia se ria ou batia a cabeça na parede por perder meu tempo lendo este livro.
O livro não me encantou e nem fiquei torcendo por um ou outro personagem... simplesmente queria que acabasse logo para começar outro livro e esquecer este. Ufa!!!!
Não recomendo!
O mocinho nocauteou a mocinha várias vezes, bateu nela com cinto, algemou e acorrentou, deixou sem comida e água... achei difícil os dois se apaixonarem, mas...
Gostei da sonsa da escrava se revelando uma espertinha... foi ótimo, aliás foi o mais legal!
Se pelo menos o sexo tivesse sido bom... mas ela foi praticamente estuprada todas vezes e ficou imaginando o que as mulheres falavam tanto a respeito, hahaha!!!! Ele foi mais rápido que coelho e deixou nossa heroína a ver navios...
Que história mais sem noção aquela do Rei!!!!
E a Sira? Chegou a ser engraçado as cenas dela.
E os gostos sexuais do vilão?
Não sabia se ria ou batia a cabeça na parede por perder meu tempo lendo este livro.
O livro não me encantou e nem fiquei torcendo por um ou outro personagem... simplesmente queria que acabasse logo para começar outro livro e esquecer este. Ufa!!!!
Não recomendo!
September 12, 2019
Read it a long time ago and remember liking it so I had a copy of my own. This book is going into the trash (library won't take it because it's too beat up).
The protagonist has some spirit and she's not bad but the hero is a little two dimensional. The description of his physical attractiveness made him seem really gorgeous. The story was so-so and in fact I got bored and skipped ahead several times, skipping a big chunk of the book. It just didn't keep my interest. Another issue that I actually found troubling was how casual rape was handled. Left a bad taste in my mouth but then maybe that's they way it would have been dealt with, talking about it so casually.
Read this if I you like Vikings, Catherine Coulter. Will read Lord of Falcon Ridge and if I don't like that one I'll give the series and Coulter a pass.
The protagonist has some spirit and she's not bad but the hero is a little two dimensional. The description of his physical attractiveness made him seem really gorgeous. The story was so-so and in fact I got bored and skipped ahead several times, skipping a big chunk of the book. It just didn't keep my interest. Another issue that I actually found troubling was how casual rape was handled. Left a bad taste in my mouth but then maybe that's they way it would have been dealt with, talking about it so casually.
Read this if I you like Vikings, Catherine Coulter. Will read Lord of Falcon Ridge and if I don't like that one I'll give the series and Coulter a pass.
October 31, 2010
It was okay for Catherine Coulter.
Some parts were better than others. I liked the women at Hawkfell. It would have been nice to see them develope more. That seemed to get dropped.
Roriks character lacked depth, even though you understood what motivated him. It might have helped to give his POV so that it added to the story.
I liked Mirana, she was strong and intelligent. I thought the switch with the old king, interesting. I wondered if that was a real legend of the time.
Some parts were better than others. I liked the women at Hawkfell. It would have been nice to see them develope more. That seemed to get dropped.
Roriks character lacked depth, even though you understood what motivated him. It might have helped to give his POV so that it added to the story.
I liked Mirana, she was strong and intelligent. I thought the switch with the old king, interesting. I wondered if that was a real legend of the time.
July 15, 2011
This book was rather interesting, i got it for free from the library and it was the best free thing i ever got. I loved this book, its definitely one of my favorite series. Its really steamy and unexpected things happen left and right, its a suspenseful book.
March 9, 2009
Vikings - Rorik & Mirana
January 18, 2011
I like her books because they seem to offer more in the way of real characterization than just trying to get the two people in bed together.
April 30, 2012
I know I shouldn't like it, but I do! It's like potato chips for the brain...and there are Vikings!
August 11, 2012
One of my favorite romance series!!
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