Helpful Score: 4
I cant praise this book enough - it has become one of my favorites of all time, up there with my favorite Laura Kinsale books! Not only does it have edge-of-your-seat excitement (Warning: do not start the last few chapters unless you *know* you will have uninterrupted time to finish!) but it also has one of the most wrenching and moving relationships I've come across.
I hated Ada while reading Lofty's first book "What a Scoundrel Wants" - although Lofty never, ever degenerates into paper-thin, evil character syndrome, Ada did some truly horrible things to her sister Meg, the heroine of her first book. At the beginning of "Scoundrel's Kiss" Ada has become that most pathetic and frustrating of people, an addict. But as you see her selfishness, along with a drug addict's warping devotion to her drug, you also see her struggle to become a better person. By the end of the book she has truly redeemed herself and allowed the intelligence and bravery she shares with her sister shine. And, yes, she even learns to care for others more than for herself. She becomes someone to truly admire.
Besides the wonderful characterization and inner conflict and growth of Ada, Gavriel, the other half of this relationship, is also fascinating and complex. Although the damage hes suffered is at the sadistic hands of his father rather than his own, hes so internalized the idea that hes worthless and nothing more than a dumb, savage brute that, like Ada, hes become his own worst enemy. To watch these two wounded souls learn to trust each other and themselves is a rare treasure.
I have to add that wounded heroes are my favorite kind of hero. And wounded, strong, silent heroes with a quiet, wicked sense of humor make my knees weak. And Gavriel is *all* that, and a bag of chips :D
I hated Ada while reading Lofty's first book "What a Scoundrel Wants" - although Lofty never, ever degenerates into paper-thin, evil character syndrome, Ada did some truly horrible things to her sister Meg, the heroine of her first book. At the beginning of "Scoundrel's Kiss" Ada has become that most pathetic and frustrating of people, an addict. But as you see her selfishness, along with a drug addict's warping devotion to her drug, you also see her struggle to become a better person. By the end of the book she has truly redeemed herself and allowed the intelligence and bravery she shares with her sister shine. And, yes, she even learns to care for others more than for herself. She becomes someone to truly admire.
Besides the wonderful characterization and inner conflict and growth of Ada, Gavriel, the other half of this relationship, is also fascinating and complex. Although the damage hes suffered is at the sadistic hands of his father rather than his own, hes so internalized the idea that hes worthless and nothing more than a dumb, savage brute that, like Ada, hes become his own worst enemy. To watch these two wounded souls learn to trust each other and themselves is a rare treasure.
I have to add that wounded heroes are my favorite kind of hero. And wounded, strong, silent heroes with a quiet, wicked sense of humor make my knees weak. And Gavriel is *all* that, and a bag of chips :D
Helpful Score: 2
This is not a quick read. Lots of details and involved plot and characters. BUT if you are a historical romance reader DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK.
Helpful Score: 1
Visit http://www.carrielofty.com/SK.html for more information and to read an excerpt.
All the best,
Carrie
All the best,
Carrie
Helpful Score: 1
Wow! Scoundrel's Kiss was an refreshing and exciting adventure set in medieval Spain (early 1200s). The time period alone makes it original for me (I don't come across too many of these) but our flawed lead couple--Gavriel and Ada--made an unusual couple in this thrilling mix of history and romance.
Gavriel, raised by his father as a slave and groomed as a puppet warrior, disguised himself as a monk. He was tortured by his inadequacies but didn't believe he deserved better. Ada, opium-addicted and selfish, fumbled her way through life with lots of regrets and bad choices. She turned out to be independent, a survivor, and a fighter. He could protect her, she could save him, and yet often their roles were reversed. Their interplay was zesty and touching--extremes for extreme people who surprisingly had much in common.
The action never let up while the underlying intrigue was just enough to make it interesting without being overly complex. Ada's and Gavriel's character development was very good; we learn of their shame, choices made, attempts of atonement, motivation, their ever-increasing attraction, and finally their love. It was a thoroughly romantic tale of redemption that pulls way ahead of others in its class. Don't miss this one--I enthusiastically recommend it with 4.5 stars.
Gavriel, raised by his father as a slave and groomed as a puppet warrior, disguised himself as a monk. He was tortured by his inadequacies but didn't believe he deserved better. Ada, opium-addicted and selfish, fumbled her way through life with lots of regrets and bad choices. She turned out to be independent, a survivor, and a fighter. He could protect her, she could save him, and yet often their roles were reversed. Their interplay was zesty and touching--extremes for extreme people who surprisingly had much in common.
The action never let up while the underlying intrigue was just enough to make it interesting without being overly complex. Ada's and Gavriel's character development was very good; we learn of their shame, choices made, attempts of atonement, motivation, their ever-increasing attraction, and finally their love. It was a thoroughly romantic tale of redemption that pulls way ahead of others in its class. Don't miss this one--I enthusiastically recommend it with 4.5 stars.
