Review: Complex Medieval Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 7, 2012
The Warriors Wife is one of the three-book Warrior series which includes Warrior's Maiden, Warrior's Wife, and Warrior's Game.  The Warrior books are  Denise Domning's second medieval romances series.  The first series is the Seasons (read my reviews).  Unlike her first series, these books do not have to be read in any particular order.History and Romance are my favorite topics.  So I really enjoy Historical Romance!  "Historical romances", however, rarely contain much history.  The main characters are usually 21st century people in old time houses and clothes.  This is particularly true of romances, which take place in the Middle Ages.  When I read them, I enjoy the romance and hate the history.Unlike most novels set in the Middle Ages, Ms. Domning's characters are true to their time period.  They think and act like people living at the time in which they live.  In addition, the books are replete with Medieval detail.  Ms. Domning's attention to detail and to realistic Medieval settings and characters plus her riveting plots have persuaded me award her my private first place among Medieval Romance writers.The plot of each of Ms. Domning's books revolves around problematic aspects of medieval culture.  Being romances, the main characters end up happy and in love.  But the aspects of medieval culture she examines probably resulted in many unhappy endings.The story takes place just after the Pope lifted his long sanction against King John.  During the time of the sanction, English churches were not allowed to perform marriages.  Therefore marriage is on everyone's mind!This is probably the most complex Medieval period book that Ms. Domning has written.  In it Ms. Domning addresses many facets of Medieval culture.  The focus is on the economic basis for aristocratic Medieval marriage.  But many other topics appear.  They include child marriage, sexual ignorance of young girls, father-daughter relationships, family feuds, the plight of third sons, jousting, deep friendships among boys who fostered together, and intentional trapping of young girls by men intent on obtaining a dowry through forced marriage.The end of the book degenerates into a chase.  The rest of the book was complex and interesting.  I think that part deserves 5 stars+.  Although I enjoyed the chase, I thought it detracted from the originality and brilliance of the rest of the book.  That is why I only give the book 4 stars.