Review: Heavy on the history
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 6, 2012
(mild spoilers are included in this review)A Man of Value is a historical romance by Anna Markland, and the second book in the Montbryce Legacy. I normally will not read the second book in a series without reading the first. Since it was a freebie, I made an exception. For the most part, it stood alone, but where it didn't, the obvious contrivances to visit previous characters were cringe-worthy.A Man of Value started well. The dialogue had a mildly historical voice that expressed a sense of antiquity without being cumbersome. Agneta and Caedmon were charming enough, and had a good conflict in the way of lasting love.The biggest problem with the book is that Markland is in love with history. There's nothing wrong with this, per se, but in a work of historical fiction, history must support the story, not the other way 'round. At times it felt as if I were reading a text book rather than a romance.The second biggest problem are the back-bends the author does to revisit the first book. At one point, we suddenly find out the heroine is afraid of water. No explanation. A few paragraphs later, she's begging to dip her toes in the ocean. So, apparently the ocean isn't water. I shook my head and shrugged, knowing it was an awkward setup for something. Sure enough, she faces her fears to try to rescue the hero. But does she? No, he is actually rescued by strangers who just happen to be riding by. Strangers who also happen to be from the first book. Agneta's fear of water is still never explained, and hardly mentioned after it served its purpose. The whole episode left me blinking.There are entire chapters devoted to the point-of-view of the couple from book 1, and for the most part, they have absolutely no place in this book. If you must visit previous characters, keep your POV intact doing it.There is little character development. We never get to know Agneta and Caedmon. What little introspection exists is done in these odd outbursts of self talk. The author finds a vehicle for it late in the book with the hero's journal, but it's still very jarring. When an emotional change is needed, it just happens. Caedmon spends nearly all the book with a fierce hatred of the Normans, then flips suddenly with little thought.I struggled to finish this book, but I will still recommend it for those who love lots of history with their romance. The history is interesting, even if it's worked in far too often.-- Reviewed by Indie Book Reviewer