You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my favorite historical romance I am in love. I didn’t think anything would top the first in the series but Shadowheart was wonderful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
adventurous
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dammit, Allegreto has won me over.
While I find Kinsale’s books a bit on the plotty side for me, to point I have trouble following what’s going on, I did enjoy this one! The action climax at the end was fantastic, I loved it.
I didn’t entirely love all of the Catholicism at the end, but it was a fairly major plot point throughout the book, so I probably shouldn’t have been surprised.
This might be my fav Kinsale that I’ve read to date, so, of the 3 that I’ve read. 😆
While I find Kinsale’s books a bit on the plotty side for me, to point I have trouble following what’s going on, I did enjoy this one! The action climax at the end was fantastic, I loved it.
I didn’t entirely love all of the Catholicism at the end, but it was a fairly major plot point throughout the book, so I probably shouldn’t have been surprised.
This might be my fav Kinsale that I’ve read to date, so, of the 3 that I’ve read. 😆
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was a wonderful story where you came to find out what happened to Allegretto, and you stayed for the wonderful storytelling.
Although this has heavy romance plot, I think you'll be disappointed if you read it for the romance. There are political, religious, and semi-fantastical elements woven throughout the whole story.
Allegretto is a man who believes himself above both love and redemption. He trusts no one, and his one goal in life is to return to (and conquer) the mystical place of his childhood where he last felt valued. He has been toyed with, manipulated, and abused his entire life; forced into assassinations with fear and a perverse ingraining of family values. He never feels safe, and it's clear that when he first meets Elena, he wants her to understand that same fear.
Elena however has always lived in defiance of the conventional. She learns when women shouldn't, and actively practices what she believes to be the occult. She is defiant by nature, though not necessarily strong, and she always openly trusts others, even when she knows she should practice caution.
The love story between these two was difficult to read at first. Elena was first sexually assaulted by a different man, then drugged to sleep and told she was raped to solidify a marriage, thenraped in earnest to ensure she can't leave. Although she fights and lusts for Allegretto afterwards, the dynamic is clearly in his favour. I think this sets it up perfectly for why Elena craves control in their future relations, turning the tides so much that it's dubious consent now from Allegretto. Needless to say, a lot of this was a difficult read.
Although Elena was occasionally frustratingly naive, and things just happened to work out for her (e.g. the scene after the tunnel), I still loved the political part and working out who was doing what.The return of Raymond was great drama, though it was clear from quite early on that he was the real villain.
My final comment is just that I would have loved an epilogue for this, some years down the line, to see how Allegretto becomes softer around the edges.
Although this has heavy romance plot, I think you'll be disappointed if you read it for the romance. There are political, religious, and semi-fantastical elements woven throughout the whole story.
Allegretto is a man who believes himself above both love and redemption. He trusts no one, and his one goal in life is to return to (and conquer) the mystical place of his childhood where he last felt valued. He has been toyed with, manipulated, and abused his entire life; forced into assassinations with fear and a perverse ingraining of family values. He never feels safe, and it's clear that when he first meets Elena, he wants her to understand that same fear.
Elena however has always lived in defiance of the conventional. She learns when women shouldn't, and actively practices what she believes to be the occult. She is defiant by nature, though not necessarily strong, and she always openly trusts others, even when she knows she should practice caution.
The love story between these two was difficult to read at first. Elena was first sexually assaulted by a different man, then drugged to sleep and told she was raped to solidify a marriage, then
Although Elena was occasionally frustratingly naive, and things just happened to work out for her (e.g. the scene after the tunnel), I still loved the political part and working out who was doing what.
My final comment is just that I would have loved an epilogue for this, some years down the line, to see how Allegretto becomes softer around the edges.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexism, Religious bigotry, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Laura Kinsale is a master. Loved it.
I didn't like the beginning at all. Elayne seemed almost drugged up, and Allegreto was too "shadowy" to be that interesting. It got a LOT better though, to my relief.
The way Elayne grew up and then handled the political situation was a wonderful surprise and interesting twist. Maybe a bit unrealistic, but meh. The result romantic situation was also intriguing and a bit heart wrenching. And I pretty much loved the way it all turned out. Vague enough for you?
The way Elayne grew up and then handled the political situation was a wonderful surprise and interesting twist. Maybe a bit unrealistic, but meh. The result romantic situation was also intriguing and a bit heart wrenching. And I pretty much loved the way it all turned out. Vague enough for you?
