Rating: 
Summary: great historical novel, lesser romance
Review: Laura Kinsale is my favorite romance novelist, who writes for intelligent readers, I believe. I too loved For My Lady's Heart, and though I never connected Allegretto as possible romance material himself, I was intrigued by the possibility, as well as excited by this author's long awaited return. She does not disappoint as a consummate storyteller in this novel. The historical details and the thinking of the times ring true (only the language seems more simplified, less authentic than For My Lady or Flowers from the Storm). My problem with the novel may be built into the characters themselves, particularly the hero. The sadomasochism was not so much disturbing as unerotic, even confusing to follow. I was intrigued by the first sexual scene and understood it in retrospect, but her insistence on Elena's hurting her lover didn't make as much sense to me after a while. I also found Allegreto a bit flat as an original character. He fits in with the thinking of his own times and is credible in that sense, but there was too much of a "given" demonic attraction to him. Many of her other heroes, including Ruadrick, were far more compelling as romantic heroes to me. I found the story stimulating, the romance less so. I hope to read more from the author soon, preferably about an unusual era such as the 17 or 18th centuries (the sexiest periods that hardly get written about!). Kinsale is the only one who writes a cut above the others in literary quality. Welcome back!
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely brilliant
Review: Laura Kinsale is one of my favorite authors, and my expectations were sky-high for Shadow Heart. I opened the book and started reading with both anticipation and trepidation: anticipation because I finally had a new Kinsale to read instead of thumbing and re-reading my old favorites, trepidation because I knew there was no way she could live up to my impossible expectations. Instead I was shocked to find that she'd exceeded them. The story is complex, and the characters even more so. Allegretto is beautiful, powerful and almost irreparably damaged by his brutal childhood. Elena is naive and young, yet incredibly strong. Everything that happens in this book, each turn of the characters' development, just feels right. I notice that several people find the S&M in the book distasteful. Personally, I'm not a fan of books that use S&M for tittilation either. But in Shadow Heart, it seems inevitable, indeed a very natural outgrowth of the life Allegretto went through and the character he developed. It's really a credit to Kinsale's writing ability that she made something I don't find particular erotic in real life (pain in pleasure) into something very sexy on paper. Nobody else has done that, and I've dabbled a bit in that genre. It's sometimes a difficult book to work through. Kinsale doesn't always spell things out for us, and uses some medieval terminology without any awkward attempts to break into the story to explain what they mean. The setting is extremely detailed. The people are truly human and keep in character, which means they're sometimes irritating and don't do quite what you expect (or want) them to. And the book is huge. But I think it's a much richer experience because of it. One of my main beefs with most romance novels is the feeling I get that I'm being spoonfed everything; rare indeed is the novel that requires me to actually think, or, Heaven forfend, reach for a dictionary. This book made me do both. So once again, I doff a metaphorical hat at Ms. Kinsale, and thank her for the best romance novel I've read in years.
Rating:
Summary: Laura Kinsale is still the best!
Review: Laura Kinsale is one of the best writers alive today and this book just confirms it. After reading "For My Lady's Heart" I was convinced that Allegretto was too complex to write a full novel about and that Ms. Kinsale would never be able to do it. I humbly admit that I underestimated her. In this novel, he is ten years older and his personality reflects both who he was as a teenager and the more mature adult he became. Ms. Kinsale's writing has remained as sharp as ever and her storytelling ability is still at its peak. This is one book that you can read over and over again!
Rating:
Summary: Laura Kinsale in top form
Review: Laura Kinsale's novels belong in the category of fiction rather than romance. In 'Shadowheart,' she rises to challenge of updating a complex and unnerving character from 'For My Lady's Heart.' While the book is somewhat violent, the violence is wholly within context, adds to characterization, and isn't gratuitous. I hope that this book and Ms. Kinsale's earlier novels will get the readership that they deserve.
Rating: 
Summary: Where is the Romance?
Review: Ten years after Laura Kinsale's last book "For My Lady's Heart" came out, its sequel "Shadow Heart" was finally published. I was excited about the book, that is, until I started reading reading it. Kinsale has abandoned (thank God) the use of Middle English, and "Shadow Heart" is easier to read than its prequel, but that is the only good thing about it. This book has a lot of "historical" in it, and absolutely NO romance. Elena grew up sheltered from her past in England, unaware that she was the last Princess of Monteverde. Suddenly, she finds herself engaged and on a ship that will take her to her homeland when she is kidnapped by pirates and taken to a remote island off the coast of Italy. Alegretto, a pirate, murderer and (...) son of one of Monteverde's powerful families is Elena's kidnapper.
Everything was fine up to this point in the book, until Alegretto rapes Elena and she seems to find the transgression enjoyable. Kinsale gives the reader a tutorial in bondage, slave-master scenarios (...). I don't know how that fits in the romance category, there is no tenderness between both characters, all they seem to enjoy doing (especially "virginal" Elena) is hurt each other.
Kinsale demonstrates that she is a fine researcher, but someway along the ten years between "For My Lady's Heart" and "Shadow Heart" she lost the "magic" that made previous books like "Flowers From the Storm" great.
Rating:
Summary: Shadow heart is a masterpiece!!
Review: That says it all. Laura Kinsale is by far the best writer in this genre. I read a lot of romance novels, and most of them I read simply for entertainment value. Many are very quick reads and I just devour them. You cannot do that with a Kinsale, or you will miss the beauty of it. I fear that some reviewers have attempted to put this book in the "quick-read" category and that is why they don't "get it." The beauty of the relationship between Allegreto (...)and Elena (a mischevious innocent) is heart-wrenching. How can a reader miss the love that develops between these 2 characters? The "confession" scenes were unexpected and blew me away. If these scenes did not reveal true love, I cannot imagine what would. Merely saying the words, as is the norm in most romance books, cannot compare. There was a reason for everything Kinsale did in this book(...)Ms. Kinsale - thank you for writing this book for us. It is incomparable.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the long wait!
Review: The assassin, Allegreto, first appeared in the novel "For My Lady's Heart" and readers screamed for his story to be told. Finally, his story has arrived! Elena's life had been simple, sweet, and shielded for as long as she could recall. When Sir Raymond de Claire went to his lord and asked for Elena's hand in marriage, the customary background check was done of her blood lines. That was the end of her innocence. The shocking truth was revealed. Unknown to most, including herself, she was Princess Elena Rosafina di Monteverde, the direct descendant from the ruling house of Monteverde. She was the granddaughter of Prince Ligurio and long since thought dead. The Lady Melanthe (from "For My Lady's Heart") had hidden Elena, with the help of an assassin, from the sight of those who would see her dead. The house of Riata ruled Monteverde for now. Knowing the people would embrace Elena as the true ruling house, she was charged to marry Franco Pietro which would combine the houses of Riata and Monteverde. Unhappy, but with no other choice, Elena set sail for Monteverde and her marriage. Allegreto Navona, the illegitimate son of the cruel Gian Navona intercepted Elena's passage. She was taken to his island and was saved from being forced to wed the Riata. Instead, she would be forced to wed Allegreto of the Navona house. His marriage to Elena would seal his claim to rule Monteverde. Then he and his men, specially trained by him, would invade the city Monteverde and become the ruling lords. Elena fell in love with Allegreto, but he was a man with many dark secrets. He claimed to have no heart, but pledged his life and service to Elena. Once in Monteverde, Elena must somehow return her people to the peaceful ways of her grandfather. But the houses of Riata and Navona caused unrest and some others plotted Elena's death, thus eliminating the last of her house. ***** Author Laura Kinsale and her legendary ability to weave spell binding tales has come forward once again to offer readers the long awaited story of the mysterious assassin known as The Raven. The result is "Shadow Heart" and it was worth the wait! Elena's character is so realistic that readers can easily sympathize with her and feel the uncertainty that consumes the young princess and slowly changes her to become the strong leader the people so desperately need. As for the two house leaders who fight to claim Elena's hand, the reader is able to see and understand BOTH sides. The story, itself, flows smoother than silk with remarkable secondary characters that will claim the hearts of all. Highly recommended reading! This book will stand out from all others on your Keeper Shelf! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Rating:
Summary: Memorable
Review: This book is stunning, imaginative and unforgettable. It transfers the reader into another world. There are lines and images from the book that I will never forget. (When the hero tells the heroine that he would scratch his way into heaven from hell to be with her.)
The sex scenes are not distasteful-Allegreto was trained to be an assassin, he has never been touched, or loved, he believes he's bound for hell for the evil things he has done. The scenes have minor pain/penance that brings him pleasure and makes him feel--not repulsive or graphic. The author takes chances in her writing, which is what makes her so good. In this book, she took a chance with writing such a dark hero, the pain/pleasure sex, the religious themes and it works. It is original and mesmerizing reading, definitely above the rest and so infinitely unforgettable.
Rating:
Summary: Strange Sex Scenes
Review: This is the first book I have read by Laura Kinsale, and it will probably be my last. I am more than halfway through the book and I still can't figure out why the heroine loves the hero. So far he has kidnapped her and satisfied her with sadomasochistic sex. I don't see the attraction. Please keep the S & M away from romances, or at least create another category of romance.
Rating:
Summary: Briliant storytelling
Review: While Richard II rules England, Lady Elena sadly knows she must go to the Principality of Montverde since she learns that she is the long lost princess. She realizes her duty is to marry the current head of state in order to strengthen Montverde with her political marriage though she would prefer to remain in England. While at sea, pirates attack and capture her vessel. Elena becomes a prisoner of assassin Allegreto who sees his beautiful detainee as an expendable hostage to achieve his objective of regaining his family's place in Montverde. However, he admires Elena's spunk initially shown through her ire at him. As he forces his pretty prisoner to be his bride he soon finds his respect for her courage turning into passion and love something the jailbird reciprocates. Though the Stockholm syndrome of captive and warden falling in love has been overused, Laura Kinsdale keeps it fresh because of the lead male protagonist. Allegreto has been a paid killer yet this hired gun shows depth and ethics as he did in FOR MY LADY'S HEART that enables the audience to see beyond his assassin job. Elena is a courageous soul though one must wonder how she found the back bone to stand up to one as notorious as Allegreto. Only a talent like Ms. Kinsdale could bring this unlikely pairing to a wonderful historical romantic crescendo. Harriet Klausner
| 
