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Summary: Medieval Romance at its Finest!
Review: I was delighted to discover Madeline Hunter. By Possession is the first of several rich and complex novels set in the middle ages. Addis de Valence has returned from the Crusades, and with the purpose of reclaiming his birthright and to claim his son. Moira Falkner rejoices at his return, but it is a bittersweet happiness because she is a lowborn bondswoman and can never be Addis's wife. Addis and Moira's love story unfolds with warmth and entices the reader under Ms. Hunter's skillful hand.Ms. Hunter plays on the timeless Cinderella relationship between a noble born person and a commoner. I was completely immersed in the the story between Addis and Moira as they struggled against societal dictates and personal desires. Other characters emerge in By Possession that you will find in Ms. Hunter's subsequent novels, By Design and By Arrangement.
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Summary: Entranced from cover to cover...
Review: I've been waiting patiently for the release of BY POSSESSION after I read BY ARRANGEMENT and the wait has been worth it. (Only if all waiting have this kind of reward!) Madeline Hunter has to be this year's best new writer. Her writing is compelling, strong and very heartfelt. This is not one of those easy-going, lighthearted romance novels. It's brutal sometimes, it's painful to read at times and it's full of excitement. And, it's one of those books where you just have to stop and close your eyes to savor the moment. Madeline Hunter is trying to corner the noble-born & commoner love story market and I think she is doing that rather well. The 14th century was never so romantic with a story of a knight and a bondwoman truly in love. Addis de Valence and Moira Falkner make what seems like an impossible relationship work. After all, she is the daughter of a bondwoman and he is a knight who's just returned from the Baltic crusades... who has also been presumed dead for the past 6 years. Of course, there is the bit about his ancestral home, Barrowburgh, which is Addis' by right, is over taken by the greedy and cowardly stepbrother in his absence. And while the country is in turmoil because of a weak king, Addis fights for the home that is his and a woman that makes him feel at peace. She fully realizes the consequences of loving this man, who owns her. And knows that she will lose her chance of a good marriage if she does. Her mind might be fighting against their relationship but her heart is saying something completely different. And I can't say much more because I'm going to be giving the plot away. Wow... this was a good book. I loved every part of it.s Now, only if 2001 comes a little faster... BY DESIGN seems like another winner.
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Summary: A fresh voice
Review: In 1326 Wiltshire, England, Addis de Valence has come to reclaim his son Brian, who has been kept safe by Moira Falkner, his deceased wife's "shadow." Moira loves the lad, but realizes that Addis has a stronger claim even if everyone thought he died eight years ago during the Baltic Crusade. Although Addis is very attracted to Moira, he has bigger yearnings that do not include her as more than a bondswoman. He wants back his land currently controlled by Addis' stepbrother. Moira always loved Addis, who she knew she could never have due to their class distinctions. She contented herself to see to her beloved's happiness by becoming Claire's shadow. Now he returns her feelings, but neither one can afford to act on their desires because Addis must contend with the King's men, yet neither one can not act on their heart's hopes. BY POSSESSION is an entertaining fourteenth century romance that emphasizes the danger of the era especially treachery caused by friends, relatives, or allies. The story line is exciting due to the lead couple's unacceptable love for one another battling with their deep-rooted responsibility to do the right thing. Though Addis seems like an elitist martinet, he fits his times when it comes to a bondswoman (or any female). Madeline Hunter proves an arousing medieval romance that will send the audience seeking her other historical tales of defying society's taboos of love (see BY ARRANGEMENT). Harriet Klausner
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Summary: A League Apart Compared to Most Novels
Review: In all my years of reading romance novels, I confess that this is the first time I have ever started a book over immediately upon finishing the last page. But it was that good! I just couldn't get enough of Moira and Addis. They were wonderful together, the story held much intrigue and suspense and I can't say enough about the dialogue between Addis and Moira. And the love scenes were so good.
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Summary: Moira and Addis, a wonderful couple
Review: In my opinion 'By Possession' is the most powerful of Madeline 'Hunter's works. As with her other novels, this one is set again in the Middle Ages, e.g. early fourteenth century England. The qualities which mark her work in general are even more evident here: rich historical detail, thorough research, three-dimensional story and characters (with the appropriate sensibilities). 'By Possession' is by no means a lightweight novel, since it tackles issues of freedom and possession, thus providing the reader with a really meaty read. In an intelligent manner Madeline Hunter deals with the intense, passionate love of baron Addis de Valence and his bondswoman Moira, who have known each other since childhood. Addis,on returning to England after the Baltic Crusade and captivity in foreign lands, is deeply scarred and finds only peace with Moira. He will do everything to keep her near him and ruthlessly overrides her claims to freedom (which are supported by law). As with 'By Arrangement' Ms. Hunter's refreshing treatment of love bridging the socialo classes is different and intelligent. The reason this novel delivers so well, is because of its extraordinary strong heroine and hero. Moira's and Addis's chemistry is brilliantly and beautifully described, they are truly the moving forces of this story. As for the other characters, by way of the stone mason Rhys, with whom Moira forms a true and lasting friendship, the author introduces a very interesting supporting character. Rhys's story is told in 'By Design' which also features Moira and Addis as supporting characters.
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Summary: Wow!
Review: Like many reviewers, I read Madeline Hunter's first historical, By Arrangement. I really enjoyed that book and looked forward to the next two books - By Possession is the first of the two, and is truly exceptional. Ms. Hunter does her research on the period, so the political and social backdrop is realistic. But more importantly, she creates characters that we (as 21st century readers) can relate to, but are not 21st century people. I know that sounds rather convoluted...I've read a lot of medievals in the last few months, and many have characters that are quite contemporary. Moira and Addis seem to be very much a product of their times - which means you may not like how they act all the time (especially Addis), but it makes for a more realistic story. I actually wondered (at points) how the book would end - and lets face it, you rarely do have questions about how romance stories are going to end, do you? Ultimately, the story was incredibly powerful. Addis and Moira create such a synergy. I look forward to the next book, By Design, where we get to see how things turn out for Rhys, a character that was introduced in this book. This book is a great read!
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Summary: Uncommon and Brilliant Love Story
Review: Madeline Hunter is a star on the rise. With this book BY POSSESSION you have an uncommon love story.
The hero, Baron Addis de Valence, has returned from having been thought dead for the last 8 years. But to Moira Falkner, serfborn, she has loved him all her young life and there is no mistaking the scarred face that she herself helped heal from the past.
Addis comes home to find that his, father is dead, his wife is dead, and his step brother is now in league with the present powers to be and confidantes of the King. During that time Moira has raised his son. She was granted her freedom but all witnesses are either dead or not around to prove her claim. Addis will not lose her too, so he refuses to let her leave. This is a magnificiently written love story. The characters are so strong their stories could stand alone but the love, the bond, that holds these two together is wonderfully done in an often brutal time in history. Nobility just cannot marry baseborn - it just wasn't done. But LOVE doesn't recognize class distinction!
An absolutely marvelous love story that will bring tears to your eyes.
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Summary: Another Winning Medieval Romance
Review: Madeline Hunter's second book shows that BY ARRANGEMENT was no fluke. Her new romance contains the same strong characterizations, accurate historical setting, interesting plot, and marvelous love scenes that made the first book one of the most widely praised first novels in a long time. Addis de Valence arrives home after an eight year absence to find the world he once knew completely gone. His father is dead; his estates have been seized by his step brother with the approval of the weak King Edward II; his wife is dead; and her son is missing. But these are all outward changes. The greatest alteration lies within Addis' soul. For four long years, he had been a slave of the pagan Lithuanians, having been captured while on a crusade with the Teutonic Knights. Addis can no longer see the world as he once did, can no longer feel that he belongs. Indeed, only in the presence of Moira Falconer, once his wife's maid and now a widow twice over, does Addis enjoy a strange sense of peace. Moira's mother was the serf-born leman of Addis' father-in-law and she herself was born a serf. She claims that she was set free at her master's death, but Addis refuses to believe her. Something deep inside him needs this woman who is linked to his past. Moira had loved Addis from the shadows but she will not be his mistress. She knows too well the slights such women suffer. This, then, is a story of two people from vastly different social classes whose love cannot be. But it is more as well. It is a tale of the political intrigues that led to the downfall of the unhappy Edward II. It is a portrayal of English life in the early 14th century. And it is the story of a man who is forever changed by his experiences who must forge anew his sense of self. Read BY POSSESSION for the wonderful love story, but read it also to see a perfect melding of historical detail into a romance.
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Summary: Another hit
Review: Moira and Addis are an incredible couple. Her characters scream at you from the page. Later you go back to the book, because it's so intense. This is not a fluffy, light hearted romp. This is intense and real. You will care about these two even when the book is done. Well written
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Summary: By Possession won't let you go until the last page!
Review: Moira Falkner is a serf who had been freed. She lives alone with a boy who's not her own, but is her Lord's son . . . a boy who would be used as a pawn should he be discovered. When Addis de Valence returns to reclaim his land and title, he also returns to claim his son. He doesn't recognize Moira's freedom, and thrusts her back into the role of a serf, serving him. Moira is drawn to this man who has taken her freedom. If she's not careful he could take her heart. Addis finds peace with this woman who has every reason to hate him -- peace that has been sadly lacking in his life. How can he let that go? Addis grows through this story, his need to clutch this tender love awakens to the realization that love sometimes means letting go. And as he sets Moira free he risks losing the woman he loves, a woman society deems is too far beneath him for notice. A woman his heart insists holds his soul. Madeline Hunter tells a gripping story about two very real people -- people who must try to hold onto a love despite a society that disapproves and the political intrigues that surround them. There were moments I wondered how Hunter was going to pull this off to my satisfaction, but in the end she more than accomplished it! Madeline Hunter's By Possession leaves me waiting eagerly for her next book, By Design!
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