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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vikings, captives, lust and battle, 14 April 2003
Kristen Haardrad smuggled herself in her brothers’ ship bound, she thought, on a trading voyage. However Selig has plans to raid a Saxon church, supposedly easy pickings. The raid goes horribly wrong, Selig is struck down and the remainder of the force taken prisoner. At first, Kristen is taken for a man (due to her Viking height and men’s clothing) but once it is discovered she’s a woman she is removed from her compatriots and sent to work in the hall of Royce of Wyndhurst. And now for a battle of another kind, as master and prisoner become attracted to one another. Who will win the battle of lust and love?For a seemingly straightforward plot, there is much that is complex here. The relationship of the Haardrad family members is in turn endearing, frustrating, funny and heart-warming in their dedication to one another. Kristen is not the normal mould of Viking, due to her mother’s teachings and beliefs (her mother herself was taken captive by Kristen’s Viking father). Yet her fierceness, exuberance and willingness to fight is pure Viking, and very different from the Saxon way. Kristen never considers herself a slave, although all the Saxons including Royce do. Kristen quickly realises that she wants Royce for her own, and has few maidenly hesitations about using whatever it takes to make him hers, dedicating herself entirely to the task. Much about the book may be uncomfortable from the modern perspective – the issue of slavery, of the Viking culture and attitude to women taken prisoner being prime examples – and may give some readers pause. The action scenes are excellent, the development of the relationship developing between Kristen and Royce is well described. Once reconciled to the cultural issues, there is much to enjoy about this romance as Kirsten sets about winning her man.
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by Johanna Lindsey
by Johanna Lindsey
by Johanna Lindsey
by Johanna Lindsey
by Johanna Lindsey
