Comments on: REVIEW: Lord of Midnight by Jo Beverley

By: MB

MB — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:48:52 +0000

For those of you who like medieval romances, have you read Betina Krahn’s “Test” series. I love those books! They are my favorites of her novels. There are 3 (I think), and they revolve around women who have been brought up in a nunnery.

By: orannia

orannia — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:52:12 +0000

Sarah, it is so nice to meet someone else who has read Knight’s Move! I bought my copy from Amazon Marketplace as I was petrified that the library would delete their copy. It’s such a pity Jennifer Landsbert hasn’t written any more books…..

orannia

PS I just loved the bees :)

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:48:06 +0000

The secondary romance was amazing. I’m not a big fan of secondary romances because I usually feel they’re too short-changed or event stereotypical as a subplot, but I don’t think The Shattered Rose would have been as strong without the secondary romance. The comparison between the primary and secondary romance strengthened the exploration of how one makes a (medieval) marriage work, how you make sure one side of the union doesn’t lose too much, how do you put a relationship (back) together, what’s forgiveable – and quite frankly, the lighter tone of the secondary romance was most welcome at times too.

By: Jayne

Jayne — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:07:40 +0000

I noticed at Jo Beverley’s site that “The Shattered Rose” is the only medieval that hasn’t been rereleased yet. I hope that will change as I think it’s the most emotional of the medievals she’s written. I loved the secondary romance as well as the main one.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:24:14 +0000

This review inspired me to dig out the one Jo Bev medieval I have a copy of – and it turned out to be The Shattered Rose. What an interesting, unique story. I’ve never read any of JB’s other medievals, so I can’t say if it’s better than her other 3 – but I was very entertained. It had a strong story with interesting characters with what felt like a truly unique situation that I’ve never encountered before in a story. I’m not trying to be cryptic – I just don’t want to ruin the big surprises in the first few chapters.

On the whole, I prefer 19th century historicals to medievals, but even this lover of regency romances really misses the variety of settings and time period choices that the historical romance market seemed to have 10 – 15 years ago. Really, if it weren’t for harlequin historicals, I think my desire to read stories in other time periods would never be met. I’m glad that they are still willing to publish regularly American historicals and other non-traditional stories. I just read the Edwardian story by Nicola Cornick (The last rake in england – yay, I know – not an original title), and it was refreshingly different.

By: SarahT

SarahT — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:18:17 +0000

Orannia: I LOVED Jennifer Landsbert’s ‘Knight’s Move’! It’s also on my keeper shelf. My copy is a 2000 release from Mills & Boon Historicals. I don’t think Landsbert wrote another book, unfortunately.

By: Corrine

Corrine — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:21:32 +0000

Thanks, Jayne!

By: Jayne

Jayne — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:46:56 +0000

Corrine there are so many authors I've not tried yet that it's almost embarrassing. Here's a link to Jo Beverley's website book list arranged by era. "The Shattered Rose" is actually probably my favorite of her medievals but it's been such a long time since I read it, I'd have to do a reread before trying a review. "Lord of My Heart" is her fourth medieval book. Unfortunately, she's only done 4 in that era.

By: Corrine

Corrine — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:07:17 +0000

Okay, I’m just starting to read Jo Beverly (I know, where have I been?) and I would absolutely love a list of the best of the best of her Medievals. I have the whole Malloren series coming in the mail. Are there any others that I must read?

By: Jayne

Jayne — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:45:21 +0000

orannia, I don’t think a lot of people know about the tags here but you can click on them from a particular post or from the tags section at the bottom right of the home page.

I went back and realized that lots of my posts were tagged either “medieval historical” or just “historical” and I’ve tried to add plain “medieval” to some of those.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:46:13 +0000

I love medievals too…but they are getting harder to find in newer titles. Alas, the same fate as seemingly the futuristics. I content myself with the highlander books.

By: Jill Myles

Jill Myles — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:33:08 +0000

I LOVE Jo Bev’s medievals. I think this one was the weakest one for me too (I loved loved Dark Champion) but even as a ‘weaker’ read, it was still one of the best medievals I’ve read in a long time. I twittered so happily about this book that I brought my mom a copy to read and she loved it too.

By: orannia

orannia — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:07:58 +0000

You’re not delusional Jayne…or at least not as delusional as me. I know my Lord of Midnight sounds familar…I bought it from Amazon last year! It’s no doubt sitting in a box (unfortunately all my books are currently packed away) laughing at me. I will be getting it out tonight!

And I didn’t know about the tags (I’m a newbie :) so I’m off to see what else has been reviewed. Thank you!

By: Jayne

Jayne — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:27:25 +0000

orannia, I’m glad to see medievals making something of a comeback. Most of the new medievals I’m reading are ones published by Harlequin. I had thought I’d done more medieval reviews here at DA but clicking on the ‘medieval’ tag only lists a few. I’m obviously delusional.

By: willaful

willaful — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:19:56 +0000

I so agree… this is probably my least favorite of her four medievals, but even Beverley’s least good medieval is better than most.

By: orannia

orannia — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:13:08 +0000

Jayne – thank you so much for the review. I’m a huge medieval fan and lament its seeming decline. Lord of Midnight rings a bell but I can’t remember reading it, and since the number of books I’ve read so far this month totals one (it has been a bad month) a change from paranormals might be just the ticket :)

Out of interest, have you read Knight’s Move by Jennifer Landsbert? It has to be my favourite medieval ever. Unfortunately, I don’t think Jennifer Landsbert has written any further books :(

orannia