Mary Anne Yarde

After a war breaks out and Briton is torn into a land of feuding Kingdoms, King Cerdic is determined to become the only ruler and has just taken down his most recent King, Alden. Cerdic is ready to execute him when he suddenly disappears and Cerdic’s daughter is to thank.

I’m always a fan of strong heroines in a story, but I think the reason I loved this book so much was that the heroine was not strong. Annis was very uncertain of herself, uncertain of the situation she had gotten herself into, and yet she did it anyway because she felt it was right. I loved the very human-like feeling this created with her not to mention the fact that it was the girl rescuing the guy, another very interesting perspective that had me hooked within just the first few pages.

Full of action, adventure, history, and romance, this is a fantastic book to what I imagine will be a wonderful series. I was unfortunately pressed for time the first time I read through this book but I will definitely be ordering a paperback copy in order to do a more thorough read. It’s just that good!
… (mais)

This story drew me in from the beginning as Alden hung on his cross, waiting for his execution. Alden is one of the younger sons of Lancelot, and also the King of Cerniw. Trying to keep peace with the infamous Saxon warrior named Cedric, Alden agreed to marry his daughter, but his heart was already taken by Cedric’s youngest, unwanted daughter, Annis. When Cedric breaks the peace and ransacks Cerniw, he sets events into motion that changes everyone’s lives.

This was an intriguing novel for me as I’ve always been fond of the whole King Arthur, Lancelot, and the Round Table fable. Yarde paints a different picture, as she portrays King Arthur as a tyrant. Not sure I agree with that, but I could tell the story was well-researched for the time period involved.

I loved Annis and Alden’s characters, and I really wanted them to have their HEA. Though, at the end of the book it hadn’t come to light yet. Some reviewers stated that Annis was a one-decisional character. I would have to disagree. We do know who she is, why she left her family to save Alden. The problem is, her character is inconsistent. One moment she’s brave as all get out, the next, she’s just a damsel in distress, again. Annis ends up being nothing more than a door mat, especially at the end of the book. Hopefully, she’ll have more opportunity to shine in the next book.

As for Alden, he was on and off so many times with his feelings for Annis. One moment he’s lovey-dovey, the next, all she sees is his cold shoulder. This continuing conflict with their emotions slowed down the pace of the story. I understand it adds drama, but there was plenty of that with their escape from Cedric and Alden having to face his older step-brother to beg him for help in getting his kingdom back.

Their roller-coaster feelings could be forgiven, as they are both only teenagers. But I got thrown out of the story more than once as their characters acted older than they really were. Honestly, a 18 year old boy is King? For how many years? He was also married and became a widower. And there was Metron, Alden’s younger brother, maybe 16, who’s such a great fighter that other seasoned, older warriors feared him? Metron was also smart enough, at 16, to act like a mad drunk to outwit Cedric. Sigh. Some of this was just too unbelievable.

Regardless of the points I thought were odd, this story takes us on a great adventure, facing many perils, treachery, and a secret about Alden’s mother and Annis’ father. It’s a beautifully written tale and I look forward to the next story in the series and the secrets to be revealed. If you love historical romances in the time period of AD 495, you’ll enjoy this story. I give it 4 feathers.… (mais)