Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I loved "The Witch and the Warrior" and was really looking forward to reading "The Rose and the Warrior", but ended up feeling disappointed. The cute adjectives that were used in previous books were way over-used in this one, and to tell you the truth, they weren't so cute anymore. Might be nice if Karyn Monk tried a different plot formula for her next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Enjoyable
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and enjoyed the humor which was throughout the whole book - especially the exchanges with Magnus and Thor. I know I wouldn't mind being conquered by any of the four warriors, Roarke, Myles, Erik or Donald. This book has been put on the "keeper" shelf and I'm looking forward to reading her others.
Rating:
Summary: disappointment
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed "surrender to a stranger" so i was looking forward to reading this book. i was very disappointed b/c the dialogue between the characters (esp. between the mackillion clan) was silly and seemed wasteful. i was so bored and wished that the pages weren't so wasted. i dont understand the attraction between the protagonists either. one is super old and the lead male (roarke) doenst seem to mourn the passing of his wife and child. the leader of the clan is made out to seem evil but that is waht all lairds did back in those times. i think that this book is definitley skippable.
Rating: 
Summary: Ms. Monk delivers again, though with some reservations...
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the overall writing and witty dialogue of Melantha and Roarke's story. The bumbling McKillon clan has a lot of feisty characters that make sure a smile is always near the surface as you are reading. Magnus and Thor, two elders of the clan (though a bit repetitive in their speeches) spin such yarns and are so extreme in their beliefs, that after a while, as the reader, you WANT Thor to "hack the McTiers up and grind their bones for bread". I suppose the extent of Clan McKillon's ineptitude stretches the realm of credibility, but this is romance reading, right? In the past, I have enjoyed Karyn Monk's novels because they are well written and are awash in historical detail. The Rose and the Warrior falls a bit shy on the level of historical detail. We see a time in Scot's history where there is clan warfare and where might makes right. It is, therefore, a bit of a stretch that the hero is able to change his attitude as much as he does. He has quite an epiphany, and I have a hard time buying his vault-face and going against everything he has believed in for 30+ years. Deep down, I really liked Roarke, and his role as our older, weary warrior/hero. He's tired and sore and just can't fight any more. You feel for him as he sits stiffly on his horse, wanting to ease his pain. Melantha is also a good character, well written, with a lot of depth. She has seen a lot in her short time, and Ms. Monk does an excellent job showing her struggle as she loses her mother, then her father, and is forced to look after her three younger brothers as well as try and help a starving and desperate clan. What I can't understand is Roarke and Melantha's attraction to each other. (A 30-something-year-old and from what I can gather, a teen). They do not talk much, and when they do it is usually with an antagonistic bent. There is very little sexual tension; enough to whet the reader's appetite, but not enough to draw our leads together. So why and how do they fall in love? None of this is explained very well. Although I enjoyed the McKillon Clan and their personalities, I do have to wonder how they maintained their cheery, optimistic and oh so polite countenance. After being raided and nearly starving to death over the winter, I doubt they would have behaved as they did. This aside, I did enjoy this Robinhood tale and would suggest picking up a copy to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Outstanding Novel
Review: In The Rose and the Warrior, Karyn Monk again transports readers to Medieval Scotland. A gifted storyteller, Ms. Monk weaves her tale into an entertaining tapestry of colorful characters, dramatic action and vibrant language, sparked by touches of her trademark humor. In this passionate story played against a backdrop of clan rivalry and family loyalty, we meet two different kinds of warriors. Melantha of the Clan MacKillon is a beautiful young woman fiercely determined to protect her people. Disguised as a thief, she preys on the men of Laird MacTier, the very forces that attacked her clan and left them nearly destitute and starving. Not knowing he hunts a woman, Roarke of the MacTiers is sent to capture the daring thief known only as the Falcon, but finds himself her prisoner instead. Although the MacKillons are supposed to be his enemies, Roarke finds himself sympathetic to their plight. Their goodness and honor make him question a lifetime spent warring in his laird's name. His growing attraction to Melantha compels him to protect not only her, but also the people she holds so dear. For her clan to survive, Melantha must overcome her bitter hatred of all things MacTier and trust Roarke on his own merits. For love to grow, she must also learn to trust the dictates of her heart. Once again, Ms. Monk succeeds in creating a dynamic, multi-layered novel where emotion and action embrace and love is the grandest adventure of all.
Rating:
Summary: THIS ROMANCE HAS THE FEEL OF AN ARTHURIAN LEGEND!
Review: Karyn Monk has once again written a compelling Scottish historical romance. Her latest story tells of Melantha, a young idealistic heroine who wants to rebuild her clan, and Roarke, a battle-weary warrior whose finer emotions have been tamped down for too long. When Roarke captures Melantha (she is on a raid to bring food and gold to her people), he is determined to crush her rebellion and her spirit. However, Melantha's youthful passion conquers his dormant emotions. The narrative of this historical romance reads quickly, with excitement. However, Ms. Monk does not write shallow stories of "love conquers all." Her prose is rich with description that awakens all the senses. She is a master at describing the nuances of a relationship, and she never relies simply on physical attraction alone to bond her hero and heroine. Ms. Monk has taken the themes of youth/beauty/spirit versus middle age/world-weariness/negativism and created a magnificent love story. Yes, love does conquer all, but it transforms the individuals, making the lovers together greater than each was individually. Ms. Monk's writing gets better and more textured with each tale, and I am looking forward to more and more from her!
Rating:
Summary: The Rose and the Warrior
Review: Most avid readers know that the first fifty pages of a book are a good idicator if the book is a keeper or if it should be add to the return-to-used-book-store-for-a-traded-in stack. I purchased Karyn Monk's, The Rose and the Warrior, as an impulse buy. Lately I have stayed with favorite authors who are guaranteed to deliver a whitty, plot driven, intelligently written and entertaining book. I was genuiely suprised by Karyn Monk's work, after only thiry pages I realized that I would have to add her to my list of favorite authors. The Rose and the Warrior, set in hills of Scotland, tells the tale of a misfit band of thieves who capture and attempted to ransom a group of seasoned warriors. It is clear at all times who is really in controll of the situation. The topics of retribution, revenge and clan loyalty are all covered. The book is humorous. The dialogue is smart and intelligent (not maudling nor mundane). You will love the characters. The female lead character is strong and independent not simpering or weak. The lead male character is exactly what dreams are made of: strong, dependable, loyal and understanding. The entire book is enjoyable from start to finish. The Rose and the Warrior may be the first book by Karyn Monk that you ever read but it certainly won't be the last. It wasn't for me!
Rating:
Summary: The Rose and the Warrior
Review: Most avid readers know that the first fifty pages of a book are a good idicator if the book is a keeper or if it should be add to the return-to-used-book-store-for-a-traded-in stack. I purchased Karyn Monk's, The Rose and the Warrior, as an impulse buy. Lately I have stayed with favorite authors who are guaranteed to deliver a whitty, plot driven, intelligently written and entertaining book. I was genuiely suprised by Karyn Monk's work, after only thiry pages I realized that I would have to add her to my list of favorite authors. The Rose and the Warrior, set in hills of Scotland, tells the tale of a misfit band of thieves who capture and attempted to ransom a group of seasoned warriors. It is clear at all times who is really in controll of the situation. The topics of retribution, revenge and clan loyalty are all covered. The book is humorous. The dialogue is smart and intelligent (not maudling nor mundane). You will love the characters. The female lead character is strong and independent not simpering or weak. The lead male character is exactly what dreams are made of: strong, dependable, loyal and understanding. The entire book is enjoyable from start to finish. The Rose and the Warrior may be the first book by Karyn Monk that you ever read but it certainly won't be the last. It wasn't for me!
Rating:
Summary: The Rose and the Warrior
Review: Most avid readers know that the first one hundred pages of a book is a good idicator if the book is a keeper or if it should be add to the return-to-used-book-store-for-a-traded-in-stack. I purchased Karyn Monk's, The Rose and the Warrior, as an impulse buy. Lately I have stayed with favorite authors who are guaranteed to deliver a whitty, plot driven, intelligently written and entertaining book. I was genuiely suprised by Karyn Monk's work, after only thiry pages I realized that I would have to add her to my list of favorite authors. The Rose and the Warrior, set in hills of Scotland, tells the tale of a misfit band of thieves who capture and attempted to ransom a group of seasoned warriors. It is clear at all time who is really in controll of the situation. The topics of retribution, revenge and clan loyalty are all covered. The book is humorous. The dialogue is smart and intelligent (not maudling nor mundane). You will love the characters. The female lead character is strong and independent not simpering or weak. The lead male character is exactly what dreams are made of: strong, dependable, loyal and understanding. The entire book is enjoyable from start to finish. The Rose and the Warrior may be the first book by Karyn Monk that you ever read but it certainly won't be the last. It wasn't for me!
Rating:
Summary: The Rose and the Warrior
Review: Most avid readers know that the first one hundred pages of a book is a good idicator if the book is a keeper or if it should be add to the return-to-used-book-store-for-a-traded-in-stack. I purchased Karyn Monk's, The Rose and the Warrior, as an impulse buy. Lately I have stayed with favorite authors who are guaranteed to deliver a whitty, plot driven, intelligently written and entertaining book. I was genuiely suprised by Karyn Monk's work, after only thiry pages I realized that I would have to add her to my list of favorite authors. The Rose and the Warrior, set in hills of Scotland, tells the tale of a misfit band of thieves who capture and attempted to ransom a group of seasoned warriors. It is clear at all time who is really in controll of the situation. The topics of retribution, revenge and clan loyalty are all covered. The book is humorous. The dialogue is smart and intelligent (not maudling nor mundane). You will love the characters. The female lead character is strong and independent not simpering or weak. The lead male character is exactly what dreams are made of: strong, dependable, loyal and understanding. The entire book is enjoyable from start to finish. The Rose and the Warrior may be the first book by Karyn Monk that you ever read but it certainly won't be the last. It wasn't for me!
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