Review: Part historical fiction, part love story, and part erotica...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 17, 2012
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Savagery from the author in exchange for an honest review. After reading the synopsis, I was more than happy to take a chance on this book. Hot Vikings? Erotica? Sounds good to me!Savagery is part historical fiction, part love story, and part erotica. Cherine is an 18 year old peasant living in 10th century France, trapped by a life planned out before her - a life without choice. As the sole survivor of a Viking attack, Cherine finds herself a prisoner caught between two fearsome Viking warriors - Erik the Axe and Rolf the Walker. As devastating as the trauma of losing her family and the life she once knew is, Cherine is not willing to simply give up."Her whole family had just been killed, her peasant life was disappearing by the second, yet there was something in her that compelled her to keep fighting."It was her beauty and vulnerability that attracted Erik to her initially, and her courage and tenacity added to her allure."There was a hint of defiance in her emerald eyes and that sort of fire drew him to her."After years of battle, inflicting and surrounded by death, Erik longs for a change. He dreams of returning home to a simpler way of life free from death and destruction. Can Cherine help him achieve the life he so desperately seeks - one with love and without war and bloodshed? Or will he willingly give her up to his leader and closest friend, Rolf?Rolf is a beast of a man with charm and brutality in spades. He too, has his eyes on Cherine. Yes, he wants her for her beauty, but he also wants her for her body, and lastly for political reasons. At first, I was convinced he was bad news, but slowly Rolf began to grow on me... or did he? Maybe it's all just an act. Will Rolf's charm and power be able to win Cherine over? And will Rolf ever let Erik leave?Watching this story unfold was so much fun! Yes, it was brutal at times, heartwarming, and heart wrenching in others, but it had a strong plotline. Never once was the plot overshadowed or sacrificed to sexual situations between characters. Not to characterize an entire genre, but I have read many erotic novels that focus far too much on the sex and far too little on plot. All the sex scenes in Savagery fit in seamlessly with the story, and were steamy without being over the top. Nothing was ever forced or felt out of place, at least not with regard to the writing. And I'll put this out there for everyone - these sex scenes were HOT HOT HOT!With regard to the sex scenes, the language was great and never detracted from the story. Ever read a sex scene with language and phraseology that just doesn't do it for you? Sometimes the language used can be the biggest stumbling block, but that is definitely not the case in Savagery. All the erotic scenes were well-written and exciting. In fact, I would have liked to see more of them! I loved them, but would have been even happier if they were drawn out just a little bit longer.I was team Erik ALL THE WAY, although I'll admit Rolf did appeal to me for a little while there. I mean, he's an animal in the sack. Yowza! But the romance factor and the love story woven into the fabric of this book was just so heartfelt, I had to give into it. For example, when I read this little bit, I nearly melted..."I can't offer you a ring that's worthy of your beauty, and I can't give you a wedding that's worthy of your soul, but I can ask you to spend the rest of your life with me and hope that's enough to be worthy of your love."`Nuff said, right? Swoon...Although the writing feels very modern, the detail with which MacKenzie writes will keep your mind in the correct time period. The descriptive writing is chock full of details which appeal to all the senses - ranging from clothing texture and color to food, sounds, and smells. This attention to detail combined with intense characters, slightly predictable yet exciting plot twists, and cold-shower provoking sex scenes make for a great read!The one thing I would have liked to see more of, besides more sexy times (perv, I know), was a bit more detail and length at the end of the book. It felt rushed to me and I wasn't ready to let the characters go yet. I fell in love with the love shared between Cherine and Erik and craved more time with them. I can't say more without spoiling anything, but I'm betting you'll feel the same way at the conclusion of Savagery.I would definitely recommend Savagery to fans of historical fiction that have a taste for erotica. Congratulations to Emma MacKenzie on her first foray into the erotica genre! Can't wait to see what she has coming up next!!!