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faustin2nd's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second time reading this book and I must say I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I liked how the story didn't drag. I feel like the problem with most historical romances is the drag factor, and the unnecessary introduction of "filler" plotlines, but in this case everything meshed together and just...worked.
One of the reviewers mentioned that Addis was super possessive and that turned her off a little bit. Well...I love possessive men in books. In real life, not so much but in books? Bring them on. And it was a little understandable that Addis would be as possessive as he was, with him being a slave for 6 years and all. In fact, he wasn't not all that possessive...[b:Fifty Shades of Grey|10818853|Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)|E.L. James|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1300842729s/10818853.jpg|15732562] anyone? I mean, after Christian Grey, all men in romances are well-balanced and romantic. EL James has messed me up for life :)
Anyway, because of this book, I will read all other Madeline Hunter books. She is a smart writer who knows how to use words, facts and lead characters to keep me hooked.
One of the reviewers mentioned that Addis was super possessive and that turned her off a little bit. Well...I love possessive men in books. In real life, not so much but in books? Bring them on. And it was a little understandable that Addis would be as possessive as he was, with him being a slave for 6 years and all. In fact, he wasn't not all that possessive...[b:Fifty Shades of Grey|10818853|Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)|E.L. James|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1300842729s/10818853.jpg|15732562] anyone? I mean, after Christian Grey, all men in romances are well-balanced and romantic. EL James has messed me up for life :)
Anyway, because of this book, I will read all other Madeline Hunter books. She is a smart writer who knows how to use words, facts and lead characters to keep me hooked.
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
3.0
Frankly, I always feel less for a book where the heroine is treated like a whore just for loving the hero, while he just wants her and doesn't care much for the humiliation she suffers for being with him.
So, of course this was the case with this book.
Addis did catch my attention but I am not quite comfortable with the way he pursued her, knowing that the others would see her as a whore.
I know that they loved each other and all that but, still, I can't say that I am alright.
But this is a book by Madeline Hunter so, of course it is very good and entertaining.
I recommend it to all those who enjoy stories of unrequited and forbidden love.
So, of course this was the case with this book.
Addis did catch my attention but I am not quite comfortable with the way he pursued her, knowing that the others would see her as a whore.
I know that they loved each other and all that but, still, I can't say that I am alright.
But this is a book by Madeline Hunter so, of course it is very good and entertaining.
I recommend it to all those who enjoy stories of unrequited and forbidden love.
the_everyday_reader's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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? No
2.75
smithrachaelynn's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.0
This was a solid read. The plot was interesting and I did like it. There were a lot of plot points I wish got more attention like Brian and his relationship with Moira. Lots of intrigue and politics as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Bullying, Blood, and Slavery
star_tbr2020's review against another edition
5.0
Every time I read a book I tell myself to write down the page numbers with passages that moved me in some way so I can quote it in the review. Of course, I never do. I usually don't regret it because I can remember certain phrases and do a search in the ebook or if it's a print book, I can recall the placement of the phrase (e.g. last paragraph on a left-sided page) and place in the book (e.g. 1st third of book) and find it that way. This time; however, there was so much richness in the story I can't even recall the specific moments I wanted to point out. Bummer for me, but a great sign for this book! I've often heard the term "meaty" in reference to stories but never gave it anything more than a passing thought until reading this book. I totally get it now.
Addis de Valence, Claire and Moira grew up in the same household. Addis was a few years older and when they came of age, he was betrothed to Claire. There was no love between them but duty called for the marriage. Afterwards, Addis goes away to battle and soon word comes of his death. Claire also dies leaving a son, Brian, and since Moira was her companion through most her life, she hides and cares for Addis' heir. When Addis shockingly returns a few years later, he takes Brian elsewhere for safekeeping and proceeds with plans to regain his lands - lands that were given over to his step-brother, Simon, after the death of Addis' father.
With Brian gone and her heart broken, Moira feels there is nothing left for her and decides to leave. She is stopped on the road by 3 men who attack her but is soon rescued by Addis. He decides he will not return Moira home but take her with him on his journey. It is during these travels that we witness the growing love between Addis and Moira. Unfortunately, it is an impossible situation because of their stations in life: he is a baron, she a serf. In truth, though, Moira is a free woman. Her mother was a serf who was also Patrick de Valance's (Addis' father) mistress. Upon his deathbed he gave Moira's mother and herself their freedom. When Addis returns, he only has Moira's word on the matter because the witnesses to this deathbed proclamation are no longer present at the holding. He is too intrigued with her to let her go and so he claims she is still a bondwoman and the price of her freedom is set so ridiculously high, he is sure she will be unable to pay it. Thus he keeps her bound to him unjustly. I had issue with this because for a time after the Crusades, Addis himself lived as a slave. Knowing what that life meant, how could he make Moira suffer the same fate? Those moments when he held his ownership over her were the moments I disliked him. Then in the next breath we would see how much she meant to him and how much hope she brought him and it was easy to see why he went to such desperate measures to keep her near.
Throughout the book, Addis is constantly struggling with the duties of his birth and the longing of his heart. There is a point where he speaks of feeling he has two souls waging war against each other yet when he is with Moira, he is complete and at peace. Moira struggles with the longing of her heart but also the power of her pride as that is all she truly has since she is still a bondwoman. She saw the life her mother led and heard the names the villagers called her behind her back. No matter how much she loves Addis, she refuses to follow her mother's path. She fights off the attraction as much as she can for most of the book but there are times when she allows herself to live in that moment and not worry about all the burdens they carry.
As I neared the end of the book I had to remind myself that this is a romance and a HEA is coming up. It really was down to the wire. I think that may be the only other issue I had with By Possession. With so many things weighing them down that never truly left their shoulders even in the intimate moments, I would have loved seeing more of Addis and Moira's unburdened happiness. A few more pages that showed them finally enjoying a complete union, a union made in freedom.
Bookslut Highlights:
*No absurd denials. Heroine knows she'll probably give in after a few kisses from the hero.
*Flashbacks that show the history of the h/h.
*Comedic moment when hero realizes profession of secondary character who is a possible love interest for heroine.
*The 'other man' was not made out to be a bad guy
*Several instances of the word phallus
*Kidnapping scenario with hero ignoring all laid out plans to go rescue the damsel in distress
*True lurve of the soul-deep variety
Addis de Valence, Claire and Moira grew up in the same household. Addis was a few years older and when they came of age, he was betrothed to Claire. There was no love between them but duty called for the marriage. Afterwards, Addis goes away to battle and soon word comes of his death. Claire also dies leaving a son, Brian, and since Moira was her companion through most her life, she hides and cares for Addis' heir. When Addis shockingly returns a few years later, he takes Brian elsewhere for safekeeping and proceeds with plans to regain his lands - lands that were given over to his step-brother, Simon, after the death of Addis' father.
With Brian gone and her heart broken, Moira feels there is nothing left for her and decides to leave. She is stopped on the road by 3 men who attack her but is soon rescued by Addis. He decides he will not return Moira home but take her with him on his journey. It is during these travels that we witness the growing love between Addis and Moira. Unfortunately, it is an impossible situation because of their stations in life: he is a baron, she a serf. In truth, though, Moira is a free woman. Her mother was a serf who was also Patrick de Valance's (Addis' father) mistress. Upon his deathbed he gave Moira's mother and herself their freedom. When Addis returns, he only has Moira's word on the matter because the witnesses to this deathbed proclamation are no longer present at the holding. He is too intrigued with her to let her go and so he claims she is still a bondwoman and the price of her freedom is set so ridiculously high, he is sure she will be unable to pay it. Thus he keeps her bound to him unjustly. I had issue with this because for a time after the Crusades, Addis himself lived as a slave. Knowing what that life meant, how could he make Moira suffer the same fate? Those moments when he held his ownership over her were the moments I disliked him. Then in the next breath we would see how much she meant to him and how much hope she brought him and it was easy to see why he went to such desperate measures to keep her near.
Throughout the book, Addis is constantly struggling with the duties of his birth and the longing of his heart. There is a point where he speaks of feeling he has two souls waging war against each other yet when he is with Moira, he is complete and at peace. Moira struggles with the longing of her heart but also the power of her pride as that is all she truly has since she is still a bondwoman. She saw the life her mother led and heard the names the villagers called her behind her back. No matter how much she loves Addis, she refuses to follow her mother's path. She fights off the attraction as much as she can for most of the book but there are times when she allows herself to live in that moment and not worry about all the burdens they carry.
As I neared the end of the book I had to remind myself that this is a romance and a HEA is coming up. It really was down to the wire. I think that may be the only other issue I had with By Possession. With so many things weighing them down that never truly left their shoulders even in the intimate moments, I would have loved seeing more of Addis and Moira's unburdened happiness. A few more pages that showed them finally enjoying a complete union, a union made in freedom.
Bookslut Highlights:
*No absurd denials. Heroine knows she'll probably give in after a few kisses from the hero.
*Flashbacks that show the history of the h/h.
*Comedic moment when hero realizes profession of secondary character who is a possible love interest for heroine.
*The 'other man' was not made out to be a bad guy
*Several instances of the word phallus
*Kidnapping scenario with hero ignoring all laid out plans to go rescue the damsel in distress
*True lurve of the soul-deep variety
ikepauh's review against another edition
4.0
One of the more palatable bodice rippers.
I could stomach it, taking into account different times and different realities.
Much anger, much sadness.
Learned a thing or two about serfdom...Eeeeee
Enjoyed the prose, being swept up by the h and H's emotions.
I could stomach it, taking into account different times and different realities.
Much anger, much sadness.
Learned a thing or two about serfdom...Eeeeee
Enjoyed the prose, being swept up by the h and H's emotions.
nbvanderhyden's review against another edition
5.0
My heart hurts from how much this book affected me. The angst in this book is constant and does not let up or let go until the very end.
I love a determined Hero who knows exactly what he wants from our Heroine. However, our Heroine spends the book fighting to preserve herself within societies boundaries set for them. The story is beautiful and clever as our MC's come to terms with who they choose to be and what they stand for.
I love a determined Hero who knows exactly what he wants from our Heroine. However, our Heroine spends the book fighting to preserve herself within societies boundaries set for them. The story is beautiful and clever as our MC's come to terms with who they choose to be and what they stand for.