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A review by rogue_lurker
The Spanish Pearl by Catherine Friend
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.