The Hostage

Rating:
Summary: This is THE book to read
Review: Here it is plain and simple: Read it. The plot (boy kidnaps girl, girl falls in love) has been done repeatedly, but this has original scenes and it is one of the best books I've ever read. The story isn't centered on one thing either, but other things that are going on at the same time, making the book an incedibly wonderful way to spend your time.

If you don't believe me, read the book!

Rating:
Summary: I don't care what the last reader said..........
Review: I enjoyed it. And beleive it or not, I did not have a clue as to what traumatic event took place "before" the fire. I was surprised when all "that" took place later on in the cabin. My only complaint was that it was rather slow at first. I just wanted them to get to the dang island. It took too long to get to the "good" part. And as far as that last reviewer goes, obviously you are too "analytical" to just sit down and enjoy a good book.

Rating:
Summary: wow - her best yet
Review: I have enjoyed several books by this author and this one is my favorite so far. It has everything I love in a romance--characters that break your heart, an exciting adventure to keep the pages turning, great sex, and a happy ending that gives you that warm feeling inside. Read it on a quiet evening at home and you'll feel good inside all night.

Rating:
Summary: De ja vu
Review: I usually really enjoy reading Susan Wiggs' writings, however, after reading the first couple hundred pages of this book, I can't help but feel a sense of de ja vu. The more I read it, the more I felt like I was reading "The Charm School" all over again. While this book has a different setting, different characters, and different (and better) adventures, the whole idea seems "done it before." I still enjoyed it, and the found the adventures in this book much more exciting and page turning, but only wished it wasn't written with the same premise of "The Charm School." There wasn't too much romance between the 2 main characters until about the last hundred pages and it felt a bit more like an adventure novel rather than a romance novel. I'm starting the second book in this trilogy, "The Mistress" now, and I hope it has a fresher feel to it.

Rating:
Summary: De ja vu
Review: I usually really enjoy reading Susan Wiggs' writings, however, after reading the first couple hundred pages of this book, I can't help but feel a sense of de ja vu. The more I read it, the more I felt like I was reading "The Charm School" all over again. While this book has a different setting, different characters, and different (and better) adventures, the whole idea seems "done it before." I still enjoyed it, and the found the adventures in this book much more exciting and page turning, but only wished it wasn't written with the same premise of "The Charm School." There wasn't too much romance between the 2 main characters until about the last hundred pages and it felt a bit more like an adventure novel rather than a romance novel. I'm starting the second book in this trilogy, "The Mistress" now, and I hope it has a fresher feel to it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful read
Review: I was up until 3am reading this book. I couldn't put it down. It was excellent. At one point I couldn't even read the words, as blurred as my eyes were with tears. My only criticism is that I felt the ending came too quickly. Or, rather, I should say that the obstacles between the hero and heroine were resolved SO quickly, I was left feeling as if I had missed something. Otherwise, very, very good.

Rating:
Summary: predictable in absolutely every way
Review: I was very disappointed with this novel - it was predictable from start to finish. What was the trauma our heroine had suffered? From the very first moment the reader is introduced to Deborah it is patently obvious. What fate befalls the hero and heroine such that they can reconcile their differences? The author whacks you over the head so many times with her clumsy attempt at foreshadowing such that there's no need to wonder what might happen next.

Besides the complete lack of surprise in this story, I was also disappointed in the writing of the characters. Deborah was annoying beyond words for more than the first half of the book. She whined and pardon me, dear, but your snobbery is showing. Of course, as soon as she sets foot on the island, she is transformed into Disney's Snow White. I expected birds to land singing upon her outstretched arm, and bunnies and deer to come leaping and prancing about her feet. I'm tired of the poor little misunderstood rich girl character, and the stereoype is in full swing in this story. Our hero Tom was equally irritating and irrational in his behavior. His motivations were cloaked throughout most of the book, and were never truly unveiled for a complete understanding of what drives him. His background was never satisfactorily fleshed out, and I'm still confused about how he got Asa - was it before or after he joined the army?...was it an army buddy or a friend from the island that asked he look after him?...Am I interested enough to care?

Finally, the pace of the story was severely off. I hit about page 220 or 225 when I finally realized I didn't care about the story anymore. More than half way through, and all the characters managed to do was get from point a to point b (geographically speaking), and establish that everyone hated Deborah, as she was viewed as an extension of her father. In between, the reader is tortured with every minute detail of the trek - which does not include character or story developement. It is literally over two hundred pages of the characters traveling along and snapping at each other. But I plodded on, although I knew what was going to be happening. And finally, in the last 100 pages or less, there are some reasonable amounts of plot movement - too little too late to save this story.

Now, I truly enjoyed "The Charm School" by this author, but this book...as soon as I read the last page it fell out of my hands like a hot coal. I cannot recommend "The Hostage".

Rating:
Summary: Historical romance at its best!
Review: I've always loved Susan Wiggs, and her talents really shine in THE HOSTAGE. It's a fantastic captor/captive story that starts on the eve of the Chicago fire with a troubled rich girl who is kidnapped by a revenge-driven mountain man. And what a guy -- Tom Silver can kidnap me anytime! Don't miss this fabulous romance!

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Read from Susan Wiggs!
Review: If you're a fan of Susan Wiggs or you just enjoy a well-written historical romance, The Hostage will not disappoint! This book kept me up until 3am! It is the first in a trilogy of novels Wiggs plans to set amidst the turmoil of the great Chicago fire of 1871. In this novel, Deborah Sinclair, a Chicago debutante, finds herself abducted away to the wilds of Lake Superior's isolated Isle Royale by the rough and alluring Tom Silver when a revenge plot against her father goes awry. I will say no more because you should check this out for yourself!

Rating:
Summary: A great writer pens a fantastic readread
Review: In 1871, an angry and desperate Deborah Sinclair visits her wealthy father Arthur to demand he stop the marriage he wants for his daughter. Arthur, a self-made millionaire from his commerce dealings, wants the acceptance of high society. He sees Deborah through marriage to Philip Ascot as his ticket. Deborah knows no one ever refuses to do something that Arthur demands. Still, she tells him she will not marry the odious Philip. Their squabble remains undecided when the duo flees due to the spread of fire.

Tom Silver plans to enact vengeance on Arthur for the devastation on his village caused by the industrial mogul's copper mines. Tom kidnaps Deborah, taking her to his remote island home. Though none of the islanders will help Deborah, she soon gains their respect by helping them with their chores. Soon Tom finds himself in love with the daughter of his enemy who returns his deepest feelings. Though she has broken through his heart that had been as icy as the blizzards that isolate the village, he still owes his villagers, but he no longer knows what to do.

THE HOSTAGE is a beautiful relationship drama that brings life in a remote late nineteenth century American village to life. The story line is character driven and thus not for those who enjoy action-packed tales. The lead characters are a wonderful duo and the villagers add depth to the look at the era. Susan Wiggs is so good at the descriptions, the audience will winter garb just to feel warm while reading this endearing illuminating Americana romance.

Harriet Klausner