Review: Finally, a Competent Heroine in the Highlands
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 5, 2010
4-1/2 StarsAmber Jardin returns to her ancestral home in the Highlands after the death of her father. She despises her bloodthirsty uncle, but finds a way to hold her own against him. In the middle of a midnight raid and skirmish with a warring neighbor, Amber is kidnapped by the enemy as leverage. Amber knows her uncle will never ransom her, so she does what she can to survive and escape. Unfortunately, her captor Krayne is determined to make the ransom exchange and won't let Amber leave. There is a reason Krayne is known as "the Grey Wolf" and it's not because he's gentle and kind.I've only recently discovered the "Highland Romance" books. I love them. From the description, I have to admit it sounds like every other one on the market. But don't be fooled--this one stands apart by having a strong and competent heroine who doesn't suffer from Stockholm syndrome. Amber is actually smart enough and capable enough to pull off escape. She is clever enough to work situations to her advantage. She is passionate enough to manipulate those around her to her advantage. Even with all these things, she's no Mary-Sue. Several times, she has to suffer with the unforeseen consequences of her temper and actions. It just made her more real.And Krayne is also like non other. He doesn't listen, makes snap judgments, assumes the worse in everyone, and suffers from "Alpha-Man syndrome" where he must be in charge of all things. He is also broken, dedicated, passionate, and wishes to take care of all those in his care. I loved the development of Krayne's character. I loved that not only did he save Amber once but that he also needed saving at one point and that Amber was smart enough to pull it off.I enjoyed that the animosity between Amber and her uncle wasn't the generic "she's a girl and, therefore, of no value." I loved how Amber managed her uncle using his own fears against him. I appreciated that Krayne had a mistress on the side before the forced marriage--he was never painted as a Saint or anything nor did Amber and Krayne fall in love at first sight. It was more like love after fight after fight.I did have a hard time with the age difference between Amber and Krayne. It was never in your face, but it seemed so obvious because of their differing maturity. Amber was 17. Krayne was AT LEAST 20 years her senior. It's not so much that Amber was "underage" in modern terms as it was maturity levels. So many times Krayne treated Amber like a child and other times Amber acted like a child.All in all, BETRAYED was an extremely enjoyable read. I really hope to read more by Ms. Robyns soon.(300 pages)