Shadowheart

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing Elements in Story
Review: I was really happy to see a new Laura Kinsale book in the store. It is well-written, and most of the characters are complex and interesting. A few, such as Zafer, Margaret, and Dario, are not fleshed-out enough. I was disappointed to find that all of the sex scenes are sadistic in nature. Most of the sadism is on the part of the heroine. I could perhaps accept that this might happen the first one or two times, in the context of the story, but couldn't understand why it continued once Allegreto and Elena fell in love. I found it disturbing.

Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment!
Review: I was really looking forward to SHADOW HEART since I've read all of Laura Kinsale's books. I already found the character of Allegreto fascinating. However, his allure was squandered in this book. First, we don't get inside his head or heart until halfway through the book! Until then, all we have is Elena's first person account.

Second, the two characters have a history together which was only briefly touched upon, and Elena doesn't even remember it. Come on! She was six years old! I can remember stuff from when I was only three. She only vaguely remembers a "guardian angel" who happens to look like Allegreto. Having her not remember is such a let down, and so much richness was lost that could have added to the story and their growing relationship. Also, we don't know much about what he's been doing with his life since the first book ended.

Third, Allegreto is a wimp in this book. Elena overpowers him in many ways. Her voice is heard more than his all throughout the book. She goes from being a nice, country girl to a bitchy, mean queen. I just couldn't believe in her character arc.

Fourth, the S & M sex was just unpleasant to read! She got off on hurting him, literally. She bit him and scratched him until she left marks and drew blood. Yeech!!! It's not that I don't get the issues of power, control and trust that I can only assume the author meant to show in their relationship. But my idea of fun isn't bloody sex, humiliation and bondage. Elena actually fantasized about hurting him which sure didn't seem romantic to me.

I can't imagine wanting to hurt a beautiful man like Allegreto and treating him the way she did. I couldn't understand what he saw in her except that she fed into his feelings of guilt and unworthiness. It was painful to read. What a disappointment!

Rating:
Summary: Terrific story, difficult (read: painful) to read at times
Review: I've read all of Ms. Kinsale's books and was thrilled to finally be able to read her long anticipated new novel. Her writing,as usual, was superb and proves once again why I consider her one of my top 3 favorite novelists. I went back and read "For my Lady's Heart" after I finished "Shadowheart" and definitely could appreciate it more once I did so. However, this book was not easy to get through for several reasons. The sex scenes were way too uncomfortable to read; too much S&M for my taste. Some spice is okay and I appreciate how she always puts something different and well thought out in her books but sadistic lovemaking just doesn't do it for me. Why Allegretto responds to being treated that way makes sense and the author does an excellent job of really getting into his head and explaining his feelings. If you've read the first book, it is even more believable. But why would a 17 year old gently bred girl just take to hurting someone during sex? It's never explained well and I just didn't get it. Secondly, Elena and Allegretto don't make you believe that they are somehow "fated" to be together. They met 11 years ago when he was in love with her sister and she was a young child. They meet again and even though she is now a teenage girl with no real memory of him, they quickly become a couple. Again, it doesn't really explain why he would transfer his feelings for Cara's sister so readily when he's only spent a short time with Elena years ago. The time frame was confusing as well. Did 2 years go by with him in prison while she was playing queen? Okay, these are a lot of complaints, I know. I really do love her books and recommend them to total strangers in the bookstore aisles. Except for the issues above, this book was so far superior to any others out there right now that you can gloss over the sex scenes, suspend mild disbelief and still think it the best romance novel of the year. I am delighted to see Ms. Kinsale back and hope to see more of her work before I grow too old to see the print.

Rating:
Summary: whacko sex
Review: In addition to other reviews about the displeasure of the sex scenes, here's an extra thought from another unhappy reader:

I got this book from library after glancing over the number of stars given to reviews of this book. The impression I got from the stars were good. I didn't want to get the detail of the book cuz it might spoil the reading. From what I could glimpse of the book, the hero seems to be dark, aloof, menacing, detached. These are the kind of characters I like most about a romantic hero. Allegretto seems to fit that description with Elena until after the first sex scene, which was too soon. From there on, I lost the attraction for Allegretto. He was no longer a 'dark angel' to me. And Elena, I did not like that woman. I liked her at first but she was a totally different person afterward. I saw Elena as a psycho and whacko when it comes to sex. She hurts Allegretto then apologizes...even feel a little remorse...then she does it again for the sheer pleasure of it. Allegretto was beautiful and to see some damage done on him was like seeing a perfect specimen being scarred. How can Elena ruins such a work of art! How can Allegretto attracted to such psycho! Half way thru the book, after the second sex scene, I got turned off...this sure ain't love between Allegretto and Elena in a true sense.

Rating:
Summary: Kinsale is back with a dark powerful tale!
Review: It's been a long draught for Kinsale fans. I believe I heard rumours of a crippling writers-block. Well, the dam must have broken, but because she is back and better than ever! This is one of THE MUST-READS of this Spring. The book is a marvellous tour de force for the returning author and sure will quickly win back old fans and make new!

I love heroes that are alpha (strong, dominant personalities), but the more complex, dark ones are the Gamma rogues - the males that are outside of society, that chew up the Alpha males and spit them out as a pastime, men in the genius Anne Stuart's Bad Bad Boys vein. Stuart is the Queen of the dark and deadly male, but Kinsale is shaking the leg of throne with Allegreto. He is a brilliant creation that leaps off the pages. A trained assassin, he is determined to regain his rightful place in the Italian Principality of Monteverde - and he does not care what he has to do to achieve his aim or whom he uses. And in reaching his goal, he sees Lady Elena, the lost Monteverde Princess as the perfect pawn, thus sealing her fate.

Elena is returning to Monteverde, betrothed to the man now running Monteverde. Her ship is overtaken and captured by pirates - lead by none other than Allegreto. She is first his prison, then later forced to wed him. Captive, lover, wife, Elena is naturally furious, as he is a hard man, nearly cruel, but flashes of moments when he displays a tenderness toward her begins to cause her to look part the killer veneer and see the man - the real man there - a man driven.

Take a killer and making him a hero is, as they say, "a hard row to hoe". Anne Stuart did it in her brilliant "Moonrise", a book that haunts me years after putting it down. Kinsale now does it with "Shadow Heart". It is amazing the craft and magic both writers breathe into these hardened men, yet make the women love them for what they are - just as the readers will.

Kinsale's love for this story shines, and like a master storyteller of old around the fireside, she weaves a tale that mesmerises, compels and leaves you breathless.

You may want to buy three copies of this book - 1) to read more than once 2) to give to your best friend - she will love you for it and 3) to put on your keeper shelf and treasure!!

Rating:
Summary: Different strokes for different folks, people!
Review: It's obvious that some of the reviewers of this book haven't, perhaps, grasped the concept of sexual dynamics, and the pleasure that other people may derive from all forms of sexual contact - not just typical romance-novel-type sex scenes.

I was rather pleasantly surprised when I started reading this novel to realize that it wasn't just another clichéed romance, with a tired plot and tired sex scenes. It was amazingly refreshing to see a romance that dared to delve into the many "other" layers of relationships and power between partners. Yes, I like the typical "come into my loving arms" type of story as much as anyone else, but when one has read as many of those books as I have (what else is there to do on a 1.5 hour train commute?), one gets tired of reading the same re-hashed plot and re-hashed sexual scenes.

The angst of a man at odds with the traditional view of sexual gratification and relations of the story's era is a compelling plot twist, and, to be honest, provided me with many deliciously dark moments of enjoyment.

The novel, of course, isn't perfect. I felt the hero was infinately more sympathetic than the heroine, and I couldn't identify with her in most areas OTHER than the sex scenes! As others have mentioned, I too wondered how she'd come across her seemingly vast repertoire of carnal knowledge. There are gaps in the plot that are confusing, as well.

Of course, there are the usual cliché plot devices, and the all-important saccharin-sweet ending was annoying. I understand, though, that certain things are required of romance novelists to sell books, so in general, I'd say most of the trite faults in the book are the result of genre expectations and not necessarily a misstep on the part of the author.

All in all, it was a very pleasurable read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for more than the average romance.

Rating:
Summary: Just Plain Boring
Review: Laura Kinsale is a fantastic novelist, but this one isn't up to her usual standards. Neither of these characters is the slightest bit interesting, nor is the plot they find themselves in. Kinsale didn't even write any passion into those kinky sex scenes that so many other reviewers found controversial. Do yourself a favor and skip this one. Just re-read your favorite of her oldies.



Rating:
Summary: Dark, risky and compelling
Review: Laura Kinsale is an amazing writer. Every single one of her books that I've read has been complex, completely original and compelling. Shadowheart is no exception. Not for the timid reader, this book is extremely dark. The hero is one of the most tormented I've ever encountered in a romance, and his salvation goes along an extremely twisted path. The heroine initially seems young and guileless, but grows immensely but believably throughout the course of the story. Bravo to Laura Kinsale for her courage in bringing us this story!

Rating:
Summary: A great story if you're looking for more than just a romance
Review: Laura Kinsale is an awesome author. Her characters have complex motivations and the plots don't follow the usual formulae. This book is no exception. This is not a good choice for those who want a few cute and spicy romp scenes wrapped up in a who-cares-if-it's-reseached time period. But if you want characters who grow and develop and who have deep motivations and drives this one is great. The main characters are completely believable, from what I understand anyway, as reflections of the mideval time. Their outlooks may seem foolish to us, but they reflect a lot of the worldview.

It's true that incredibly handsome Allegreto has been warped and turned into an assassin by his controlling and vicious father. And at first he does behave horribly toward Elena, and she responds in kind, while being incredibly attracted to and repelled by him. As others have mentioned, the sex scenes are unusual and there are some other graphic scenes in the book that are uncomfortable. But by the end of the book Allegreto and Elena's relationship has "normalized" a lot as their emotions are produced more by love and less by fear, anger and domination/submission. But the plot is beautiful and the character of Allegreto is amazing, even though I'm sure I wouldn't like him if I were to meet him in real life.

Rating:
Summary: Groundbreaking in the genre
Review: Laura Kinsale is an extremely talented and original
crafter of romance fiction who has, in this book,
departed brilliantly from the formulaic approach which
seems to be the norm. In this, she reminds me of Judith
Ivory (aka Judy Cuevas). Although the beginning and ending
of SHADOW HEART are not as strong as its meaty and fabulous middle, I give this novel 5 stars for being a groundbreaker--
when you read it, you'll see why.