[.ca] Shadowheart (ISBN 042516232X)

stunning tale, dramatic complex characters:
Laura Kinsale's writing skills really shine in Shadow Heart. Her style and tone is impressive and consistent throughout this tale of intrique in 14th-century Europe. Kinsale's sex scenes are dark, perhaps more then some readers feel comfortable with, but it works perfectly for her characters who are complex and nothing short of fascinating. Expect action, adventure, mystery, intrique, passion, and fabulous fabulous storytelling.

More Bertrice Small and less incredibly gifted Laura Kinsale:
I own almost all of Laura Kinsale's material but I have to admit I am very relieved to say that I only borrowed ShadowHeart from my public library. I have read more than enough historical romances in my time but never has the story haunted me in such a way that I am currently on a reading marathon to purge the images from my mind. My impression would have been that what Allegreto needed was softness to counter the hardness that had been his entire life; a conscience (like he himself asks Elena to be). I did not feel Elena was that... Allegreto and Melanthe are so similar in personality that it surprises me that Laura Kinsale chose a sadomasochist as his soulmate. I also found it ironic that Elena was able to find the killing and violence repellent when it applied to Monteverde but violence appealing and arousing in the bedroom. I was very relieved to read the same distaste in other reviewers for the S & M because it was confirmation that I am not a prude. There are certain expectations for a historical ROMANCE and although the story as a whole is different and original, LK failed to make us connect, with the heroine especially. How a supposedly innocent and god-fearing 17 year old girl could do that to a beautiful man like Allegreto is beyond me. I felt sorry for Allegreto at the end of the story and I also felt that it should have been more HIS story than Elena's because we had been introduced and seduced by Allegreto in For My Lady's Heart. Maybe if LK had explained what motivated these people to delight in hurting each other so viciously during sex and making the readers cringe with distaste while they were at it, we may not have enjoyed it but understood. Especially when it was implied that after being confessed the two would be a little healthier in their sexual practices. Never before have I read a well plotted -and for the most part- written historical romance and DREADED the love scenes. I wanted to personally REPLACE Elena and show her how it SHOULD be done. As far as the story goes right now, I would say it should be up for some serious re-writing! This book is definately no, FMLH, Flowers from the Storm or the Hidden Heart.

Gritty Read:
I am fairly new to Laura Kinsale and had heard great things about both Shadow Heart and For My Lady's Heart. LK did not disappoint. It should be made fairly clear that this is not a book for those who only want romantic sex; you won't get it here. However, if you are prepared to accept some mild bondage and domination then I highly recommend this tale. Kinsale does a wonderful job with the time period (14th Century) and weaves old English, French etc in with enough modern language to make the book very accessible. This is a time when marriage was often about a contract rather than love and women were often mere chattels. The heroine, Elena, refused to play the role of a chattel and took on the big boys at their own game. My only problem with the book is, ironically enough, in the character Elena. There is no real explanation for her sexual knowledge (...); and that is quite unrealistic considering her background, age and experience. Compare her to say, Ruck, in For My Lady's Heart. His sexual knowledge was actually explained (if it needed to be) and he was a 30ish yr old man. However, apart from that I really did love this book and if you like gritty period pieces then give this one a go! As an extra note: I actually read this before FMLH - I had trouble getting into that one initially (language etc). Reading Shadow Heart first did not dimish the other at all and actually made reading the story far more enjoyable given the additional character info I had.

Dark Love:
Dark and sensuous, Shadow Heart is a powerful romance that does not follow the typical romantic formula. The characters in this story are flawed and pained, and those characteristics come out brilliantly in Laura's writing. Allegreto Navano a dark man, a 'fallen angel', an exotic, his sensuality not displayed in his prowess but more so because of his lack of it, is exiled on a small island, excommunicated from the Catholic church, and a man on a mission, to reclaim Monteverde in the name of the House of Navano. That mission is made a bit easier, or so he seems to think, when the long lost Monteverde princess, Elena, falls into his hands. He tricks her into wedding him and thus begins a journey into dark passions and pain and deception. Kinsale writes so poignantly of the dichotomy of the human spirit. Allegreto and Elena are not one dimensional characters. Allegreto is an assasin, an excommunicate, he hurts and he fears. He fears hell as though he were a saint. And he loves Elena as all women wish to be loved. And Elena, the gently bred heroine in Shadow Heart, appears soft and timid, afraid of the destiny that is hers, exhibits a strength and darkness that was as shocking as it was breathtaking. Fear and weakness are of the same caliber as courage and strength, indeed, Allegreto and Elena's interactions with one another prove that they are both one in the same. You will love these characters, sympathize and cheer for them. This is one story that you will want to go on forever and ever.

Couldn't finish:
You know, you read an author and then you look forward to their books with almost religious fervour and then it happens... your dedication was for nothing. Please borrow this book from your library, it isn't worth buying, and I hate saying that because it takes time, effort and patience to write. Her historical emphasis was well done, the plot itself made me grit my teeth because it was taking so long for ANYTHING to happen. So I just didn't finish it... first time ever in my life.. and I don't feel like I am missing anything, so I figure that was the right thing to do!