Scan barcode
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
4.0
I love this two book series (along with The Crown of Valencia) and wish there could have been even more. Well, that's not really true. There's not much more there could have been but the characters were fantastic. And the way the author handles the historical aspects and the things that Kate has to get used to is just great.
This was featured on episode 10 of Cocktail Hour. http://www.cocktailhour.c-spot.net/archives/48
This was featured on episode 10 of Cocktail Hour. http://www.cocktailhour.c-spot.net/archives/48
midnight_voss's review against another edition
4.0
More like 3.5.
In general, an enjoyable read. I’m not as well-versed as the author in Spanish history. Even so, the world felt immersive, and Kate and Luis’ romance was interesting... But there’s a lot less adventure here than I was expecting.
And more rape than I can tolerate in one book without some substantial recognition of longterm trauma. Also, I have to say that I loved Walladah, bisexual Moorish princess, and I wish our narrator had refrained from slut-shaming her. She’s unapologetic and powerful. I wondered for a moment if the plot would cul-de-sac around her romance with Kate.
In general, an enjoyable read. I’m not as well-versed as the author in Spanish history. Even so, the world felt immersive, and Kate and Luis’ romance was interesting... But there’s a lot less adventure here than I was expecting.
And more rape than I can tolerate in one book without some substantial recognition of longterm trauma. Also, I have to say that I loved Walladah, bisexual Moorish princess, and I wish our narrator had refrained from slut-shaming her. She’s unapologetic and powerful. I wondered for a moment if the plot would cul-de-sac around her romance with Kate.
magnetgrrl's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely has plenty of adventure.
If you're completely willing to suspend all disbelief, and just want historical romance (with lesbians) this is for you. Decent quality writing, OK characters, nice build, a couple of steamy moments, an actual plot.
However... despite being a really epic historical romance complete with, like, a woman passing as a man - not just any man but a hero of the Crusades - who *marries* a woman!! That was wild. VERY unbelievable, but there were some cool bits - like how she's never really been able to have sex like, as a lesbian? Because she's always - and this is some Boys Don't Cry or Stone Butch Blues kinda shit - done it in the DARK with the woman thinking she's a MAN using like, a wooden phallus thing... which is just, like, JFC how unsatisfying that must have been for EVERYONE involved. Like, yeah, you get to sleep with girls, but they can't touch you, you don't really get off, you have to act like the type of dude they expect and just like, mindlessly fuck them in such a way that they can't even tell that what you're penetrating them with is wood?? WTF. Whatever. Despite all that, 3 stars on steaminess.
If you're completely willing to suspend all disbelief, and just want historical romance (with lesbians) this is for you. Decent quality writing, OK characters, nice build, a couple of steamy moments, an actual plot.
However... despite being a really epic historical romance complete with, like, a woman passing as a man - not just any man but a hero of the Crusades - who *marries* a woman!! That was wild. VERY unbelievable, but there were some cool bits - like how she's never really been able to have sex like, as a lesbian? Because she's always - and this is some Boys Don't Cry or Stone Butch Blues kinda shit - done it in the DARK with the woman thinking she's a MAN using like, a wooden phallus thing... which is just, like, JFC how unsatisfying that must have been for EVERYONE involved. Like, yeah, you get to sleep with girls, but they can't touch you, you don't really get off, you have to act like the type of dude they expect and just like, mindlessly fuck them in such a way that they can't even tell that what you're penetrating them with is wood?? WTF. Whatever. Despite all that, 3 stars on steaminess.
robyn_m's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars // Picked this up because I have enjoyed other [non-romance] books by author. And I thought the premise sounded fun. But I wasn't expecting to find multiple instances of rape / attempted rape and torture, despite much of this epic lesbian adventure being set in Spain, in the year 1085. Even if historically representative, it made for some uncomfortable, unexpected scenes. On the positive side, we see women ultimately triumphing in a number of cases, and there is much humor throughout.
TW: rape, torture
TW: rape, torture
ekalmusla's review against another edition
5.0
Another rip-roaring ride from [a:Catherine Friend|141922|Catherine Friend|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1272999634p2/141922.jpg]! Filled with history, women in disguise, trials and tribulations on foreign grounds, time travel, and - of course - romance, Catherine Friend's first lesbian adventure has something for everyone.
Though I have to admit that I was not as taken with this novel as I was with Friend's other adventure, [b:A Pirate's Heart|2929544|A Pirate's Heart|Catherine Friend|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1359485801s/2929544.jpg|2956966], I can still heartily say that this did not disappoint. Following along as 21st-century born Kate Vincent stumbles through 11th century Spain without any idea as to how she got there - or how to return home - was a fun experience. Watching Kate adjust, as well as begin to welcome life in such a place, was a great development in my eyes. You could witness her going through the various stages of change - including denial, anger, depression, acceptance, embrace - to her predictable, yet without confirmation of occurrence until the very end of the novel, "happy ending."
The camaraderie between Kate and Luis was something that started off slow, in my opinion, but came to a well-rounded fruition of a relationship in the end, including an entire scene that legitimately made me shed real, unbridled tears (something that has not occurred in a novel for me since last year reading [b:Just Three Words|22750233|Just Three Words (Soho Loft, #2)|Melissa Brayden|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416873467s/22750233.jpg|42295527] by [a:Melissa Brayden|4789680|Melissa Brayden|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1332018247p2/4789680.jpg]).
Overall, I am always happy with Catherine Friend novels - as they promise adventure, intrigue, romance, and more - and always deliver. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series, [b:The Crown of Valencia|1142267|The Crown of Valencia|Catherine Friend|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1359485875s/1142267.jpg|1129690].
Though I have to admit that I was not as taken with this novel as I was with Friend's other adventure, [b:A Pirate's Heart|2929544|A Pirate's Heart|Catherine Friend|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1359485801s/2929544.jpg|2956966], I can still heartily say that this did not disappoint. Following along as 21st-century born Kate Vincent stumbles through 11th century Spain without any idea as to how she got there - or how to return home - was a fun experience. Watching Kate adjust, as well as begin to welcome life in such a place, was a great development in my eyes. You could witness her going through the various stages of change - including denial, anger, depression, acceptance, embrace - to her predictable, yet without confirmation of occurrence until the very end of the novel, "happy ending."
The camaraderie between Kate and Luis was something that started off slow, in my opinion, but came to a well-rounded fruition of a relationship in the end, including an entire scene that legitimately made me shed real, unbridled tears (something that has not occurred in a novel for me since last year reading [b:Just Three Words|22750233|Just Three Words (Soho Loft, #2)|Melissa Brayden|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416873467s/22750233.jpg|42295527] by [a:Melissa Brayden|4789680|Melissa Brayden|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1332018247p2/4789680.jpg]).
Overall, I am always happy with Catherine Friend novels - as they promise adventure, intrigue, romance, and more - and always deliver. I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series, [b:The Crown of Valencia|1142267|The Crown of Valencia|Catherine Friend|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1359485875s/1142267.jpg|1129690].
selenite's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book, though I did have a couple of issues with it. I loved the plot for the most part and the exploration of 11th century Spain, but I felt a little off about the main character falling for someone she thought was a man. It just rubbed me the wrong way. But I truly loved the rest of it, though and am excited to read the sequel.
rogue_lurker's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so this is a book I read a few months ago, but I enjoyed it so much, I wanted to do a review of it. For those of you who think that there just aren't enough timetravelling, gender bending, historical lesbian swashbucking romances - this is definitely your book. Seriously - this one isn't a formulaic lesbian romance. The story is fast paced and and a heck of a lot of fun - obviously you need to suspend your disbelief, but Friend makes it easy and I guarantee you'll finish the book in a couple of days.
The story revolves around Kate, a 21st century lesbian, who ends up transported back to 11th Century Spain (think El Cid) where the Moors and the Christians are at odds and the political and military tensions are high. Kate doesn't give in easily to the fact that she isn't in the 21st C anymore - she doesn't give in easily at any point in the book which was rather refreshing. There's a great mixture of humour, intrigue and tension as the book progresses as well as a rather nicely woven romance between Kate and the leader of the mercenaries, Luis Navarro. Of course, Luis isn't quite what he appears to be, which adds to the overall suspense. Although I would classify this more on the romance side, this isn't candy coated - and Friend doesn't shy away from the ugliness or brutality of the time.
The action doesn't stop but Friend manages to weave in more than enough historical and culture backstory that the people and places in the story seem real and believable. The characters are not two dimensional, nor do they follow the standard characters that are so often found in either lesbian romances or historical romances. No Xena and Gabrielle thank god ... and not Johannah Lindsay carbon copy characters either. Kate definitely had her share of flaws - she managed a fair number of blunders without getting herself or others killed, and Luis was a rather complex character that didn't smack of stereotype.
I was a bit miffed at the blatant set up for a sequel at the end, but I have the second book sitting on my nightstand, so I'm not really that disgruntled. I will admit, the end caught me ... and I did laugh when I finished it. I thought it was a clever way to end this one and open the door to the next.
I honestly enjoyed this book and was a bit disappointed when I turned the last page - it was a fun read and I will definitely be reading the sequel The Crown of Valencia.
The story revolves around Kate, a 21st century lesbian, who ends up transported back to 11th Century Spain (think El Cid) where the Moors and the Christians are at odds and the political and military tensions are high. Kate doesn't give in easily to the fact that she isn't in the 21st C anymore - she doesn't give in easily at any point in the book which was rather refreshing. There's a great mixture of humour, intrigue and tension as the book progresses as well as a rather nicely woven romance between Kate and the leader of the mercenaries, Luis Navarro. Of course, Luis isn't quite what he appears to be, which adds to the overall suspense. Although I would classify this more on the romance side, this isn't candy coated - and Friend doesn't shy away from the ugliness or brutality of the time.
The action doesn't stop but Friend manages to weave in more than enough historical and culture backstory that the people and places in the story seem real and believable. The characters are not two dimensional, nor do they follow the standard characters that are so often found in either lesbian romances or historical romances. No Xena and Gabrielle thank god ... and not Johannah Lindsay carbon copy characters either. Kate definitely had her share of flaws - she managed a fair number of blunders without getting herself or others killed, and Luis was a rather complex character that didn't smack of stereotype.
I was a bit miffed at the blatant set up for a sequel at the end, but I have the second book sitting on my nightstand, so I'm not really that disgruntled. I will admit, the end caught me ... and I did laugh when I finished it. I thought it was a clever way to end this one and open the door to the next.
I honestly enjoyed this book and was a bit disappointed when I turned the last page - it was a fun read and I will definitely be reading the sequel The Crown of Valencia.