Review: 3 and 1/2 Stars - Medieval with a Tortured Irish Hero Set Upon Revenge
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 14, 2013
Let me say at the outset that Markland can write well and she has obviously done her research. However, while this story was at times entertaining, even exciting, it did not hold my interest (but I did finish it). Perhaps it is because it comes midway through a series and I've not read the others where the secondary characters were more richly developed. I think as an installment where readers have read the others, this would fit in  nicely.Set in Ireland, Wales and England in 1097, this is the story of Ronan, Lord of Tur MacLachlain, nephew of the King of Munster. Tortured and robbed of his lands, he sets out to avenge the murder of his wife, unborn child and his people and in Wales meets Rhoni de Montbryce, the admittedly spoiled daughter of the Norman Earl of Ellesmere. She is twenty and still unmarried (a bit hard to believe in medieval times but apparently she had an indulgent father). When she meets Ronan, she is smitten and Ronan is instantly in lust. But first comes Ronan's vengeance; he decides he must have help and not coincidentally decides to seek the help of Rhoni's father.I found it difficult to believe that a man who had been brutally tortured, his eye put out with a hot coal, and who is barely alive would get a hard when he opens his one remaining eye and sees a pretty girl. Likewise, it was difficult to believe that same maiden would have an experienced woman's sexual reaction to seeing that tortured man. It was just a bit too much and too early into the story for me. I expect sexual tension and desire in romance, of course, but lust at every breath is a bit unnatural, especially for the historical setting of knights and their ladies. The "love" between Ronan and Rhoni came on too swiftly or in any event I wasn't persuaded. Though the other characters insisted it was "obvious" they were in love I couldn't see it.There's a fair amount of action for those who love it (I do) and some good medieval wrangling over lost estates and corrupt earls, but otherwise not much history here. Still for those who love the series, this is a worthy installment and likely will appeal.