Helpful Score: 4
If you can't obtain a copy of STORMFIRE by this author, RANGOON is much more obtainable...and, IMO, is the better novel. RANGOON has all the right ingredients: a colorful 19th century-Southeast Asian setting; interesting supporting characters; an intelligent & resourceful heroine; a dark & tormented, yet sympathetic hero.
The story does drag just a bit in the center, and suffers a bit from some 'typical' romance-novel cliches at that section (the heroine being in the possession of the hero at his mountain stronghold), but quickly picks up again when the heroine is returned to Rangoon, and the hero is on trial for murder.
While RANGOON is not a "tender" romance, the author is good at always letting you know a character's inner pain and conflict -- this keeps your sympathy, even when they are acting cruelly toward each other. I found RANGOON a page turner; a very good read.
The story does drag just a bit in the center, and suffers a bit from some 'typical' romance-novel cliches at that section (the heroine being in the possession of the hero at his mountain stronghold), but quickly picks up again when the heroine is returned to Rangoon, and the hero is on trial for murder.
While RANGOON is not a "tender" romance, the author is good at always letting you know a character's inner pain and conflict -- this keeps your sympathy, even when they are acting cruelly toward each other. I found RANGOON a page turner; a very good read.
