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belemena's review
umm idk i just feel like it lost me at some point so no use in continuing
crystal_hintz's review
4.0
4 Dreamworthy Stars!
This was my first Judith McNaught book and absolutely loved her writing. It's been awhile since I have read a HR and she definitely reminded why I need to read more.
Royce was dreamy and sweet and rough and tough.
This was my first Judith McNaught book and absolutely loved her writing. It's been awhile since I have read a HR and she definitely reminded why I need to read more.
Royce was dreamy and sweet and rough and tough.
womenwer16's review
5.0
Beautifully written
I read this novel when I was in college and it still pulls at my heartstrings. Jennifer is incredibly brave when she is initially abducted by Royce's army. She uses all types of plots to get away and each time Royce's respond s with anger but not abuse. I loved that they developed an easy friendship where they felt they could be themselves away from the pressures of their clan. During these moments of vulnerability and intimacy Jennifer relates her recurring childhood wish of owning her own kingdom of dreams. It brought tears to my eyes when despite all obstacles trying to keep them a part, in the end Royce makes the ultimate sacrifice in order to honor his wife and gifts her a kingdom of dreams.
I read this novel when I was in college and it still pulls at my heartstrings. Jennifer is incredibly brave when she is initially abducted by Royce's army. She uses all types of plots to get away and each time Royce's respond s with anger but not abuse. I loved that they developed an easy friendship where they felt they could be themselves away from the pressures of their clan. During these moments of vulnerability and intimacy Jennifer relates her recurring childhood wish of owning her own kingdom of dreams. It brought tears to my eyes when despite all obstacles trying to keep them a part, in the end Royce makes the ultimate sacrifice in order to honor his wife and gifts her a kingdom of dreams.
breann2595's review against another edition
5.0
The BEST SERIES EVER
I absolutely love this book series. I have read it once before and I’m reading it again because I love it so much. It’s long but it captures my interest the whole time I’m reading it.
I absolutely love this book series. I have read it once before and I’m reading it again because I love it so much. It’s long but it captures my interest the whole time I’m reading it.
gorgonine's review
2.0
1. The Scots and the English are at war, and there's plenty of bad feeling on both sides. When the dreaded English Duke, Royce "the Wolf" Westmoreland's men kidnap the two daughters of one of the Scottish Lairds, an epic (ie, emotional and melodramatic) romance is set into motion between Royce and the elder (at 17) of the two ladies, Jennifer Merrick. Cue angst and misunderstandings.
2. McNaught is at times a very competent writer. This can be seen from the multiple times her lines made me snicker or chortle, and the irrational amount of affection I have for her good-aligned side characters. I would wish for a romance between the far more sensible and pragmatic Stephen and Brenna side characters, but I know for a fact that McNaught's sweetheart younger brothers tend to develop into bitter assholes by the time she writes their story, so I'll pass on that. In the meantime I'll just be here cheering the paltonic relationship between the maiden (?) aunt of the heroine and the big scary bodyguard of the hero because aww that was adorable.
3. A Kingdom of Dreams is likely a decent story with interesting events, but that's eclipsed by the fact that it's not a very good romance. There is a good story in there somewhere, and there are moments between Jenny and Royce where they talk to each other and enjoy talking to each other, which make me think that I could imagine a future where they are grumpy old people complaining about the state of their grandchildren. But then I see the sheer amount of times they just assume the other person did something bad and then pole-vault to conclusions and modify their behaviors accordingly. It happens multiple times. Sometimes Royce refused to answer Jenny's questions while she asked them in plain words to his stupid face.
4. And that's the real problem. Oh god, Royce. Just- I like Jenny, honest. She has an impulse control problem and jumping into conclusions problem, but all of her actions actually make sense in context. But I have tried and failed to come up with any scenario where a person as dumb as Royce is the most trusted, most amazing, most valiant etc person in the English army. The narrative bends over backwards to assure us that he is honorable rather than stupid, but I just don't see it. How the hell does a strategist manage to get fooled by one set of well-stitched pants being put in front of him when blankets have been slashed to pieces in the pile in front of him? What kind of complete moron constantly ignores the multiple points where the heroine points out that she's honor-bound to thwart him, brags to a political rival about how she's gonna be totally his, and then gets mad at her and feels betrayed when she does what makes sense? If Royce believes people so easily on every matter, chances are he'd have been ambushed and murdered long before this book started.
5. And yeah, I get it. This is supposed to be the instant knowledge between Jenny and Royce that they can trust each other, so they get wild when the betrayals happen. I could have worked with that, if the betrayals had been idk- proportionate to each other. As it is, Jenny forgives Royce his large crimes easily, while Royce is at best a two year old throwing a temper tantrum over Jenny's most logical actions. And the narrative treats these things as equivalent, possibly with more righteousness on Royce's side. Somehow. An abducted priest whose entire experience with Royce "the sun shines out of my ass" Westmoreland is being captured and being forced to marry him to an obviously resisting women and then being coerced to come with him to bear witness to the ceremony, says he's the "most honorable man" I have seen. (I am concerned. Where was your last posting? The seventh circle of hell?)
6. By quality of writing alone this would have been a three-star book, but the narrative pisses me off enough to take it down a star. If I type down the main plot progressions the story makes sense, but when I was reading it the single strongest emotion I had was a burning need to smack Royce on the head with an anvil. Repeatedly. If this hadn't been part of a challenge (ish) and if I didn't feel the need to re-read a McNaught so I can get reacquainted with her style, I likely would not have finished this book.
7. So what I'm saying is that this is really not my type of story, which does not stop it from being your type of story. Apologies to any and all Royce fans I may have offended with this tirade.
2. McNaught is at times a very competent writer. This can be seen from the multiple times her lines made me snicker or chortle, and the irrational amount of affection I have for her good-aligned side characters. I would wish for a romance between the far more sensible and pragmatic Stephen and Brenna side characters, but I know for a fact that McNaught's sweetheart younger brothers tend to develop into bitter assholes by the time she writes their story, so I'll pass on that. In the meantime I'll just be here cheering the paltonic relationship between the maiden (?) aunt of the heroine and the big scary bodyguard of the hero because aww that was adorable.
3. A Kingdom of Dreams is likely a decent story with interesting events, but that's eclipsed by the fact that it's not a very good romance. There is a good story in there somewhere, and there are moments between Jenny and Royce where they talk to each other and enjoy talking to each other, which make me think that I could imagine a future where they are grumpy old people complaining about the state of their grandchildren. But then I see the sheer amount of times they just assume the other person did something bad and then pole-vault to conclusions and modify their behaviors accordingly. It happens multiple times. Sometimes Royce refused to answer Jenny's questions while she asked them in plain words to his stupid face.
4. And that's the real problem. Oh god, Royce. Just- I like Jenny, honest. She has an impulse control problem and jumping into conclusions problem, but all of her actions actually make sense in context. But I have tried and failed to come up with any scenario where a person as dumb as Royce is the most trusted, most amazing, most valiant etc person in the English army. The narrative bends over backwards to assure us that he is honorable rather than stupid, but I just don't see it. How the hell does a strategist manage to get fooled by one set of well-stitched pants being put in front of him when blankets have been slashed to pieces in the pile in front of him? What kind of complete moron constantly ignores the multiple points where the heroine points out that she's honor-bound to thwart him, brags to a political rival about how she's gonna be totally his, and then gets mad at her and feels betrayed when she does what makes sense? If Royce believes people so easily on every matter, chances are he'd have been ambushed and murdered long before this book started.
5. And yeah, I get it. This is supposed to be the instant knowledge between Jenny and Royce that they can trust each other, so they get wild when the betrayals happen. I could have worked with that, if the betrayals had been idk- proportionate to each other. As it is, Jenny forgives Royce his large crimes easily
Spoiler
her brother was murdered by him ffs6. By quality of writing alone this would have been a three-star book, but the narrative pisses me off enough to take it down a star. If I type down the main plot progressions the story makes sense, but when I was reading it the single strongest emotion I had was a burning need to smack Royce on the head with an anvil. Repeatedly. If this hadn't been part of a challenge (ish) and if I didn't feel the need to re-read a McNaught so I can get reacquainted with her style, I likely would not have finished this book.
7. So what I'm saying is that this is really not my type of story, which does not stop it from being your type of story. Apologies to any and all Royce fans I may have offended with this tirade.
armchairlit's review
5.0
Probably my #1 favorite romance novel of all time (so far). Love the setting, the plot, and I loved the two main characters so much. Even the side characters were great.
Highly recommend this if you're looking for a quality historical romance novel set in the 1400s.
Highly recommend this if you're looking for a quality historical romance novel set in the 1400s.
jijamarisa's review against another edition
5.0
Mais um excelente livro da contadora de histórias Judith McNaught. Esta autora faz-nos rir, chorar e até falar com os personagens.
Adorei a história mas penso que fica ligeiramente abaixo dos romances de época que li dela mas muito acima de muitos romances que já li.
Royce e Jenny são os antepassados de Clayton e Stephen Westmoreland, os personagens masculinos dos livros seguintes. Esta contextualização ajuda muito a enquadrar os 2 volumes e, fazem todo o sentido.
Adorei a história mas penso que fica ligeiramente abaixo dos romances de época que li dela mas muito acima de muitos romances que já li.
Royce e Jenny são os antepassados de Clayton e Stephen Westmoreland, os personagens masculinos dos livros seguintes. Esta contextualização ajuda muito a enquadrar os 2 volumes e, fazem todo o sentido.
edwina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kate_frederick's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25