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A review by jlynnelseauthor
Naked by Eliza Redgold
3.0
I received an advance review copy from publisher via NetGalley. A HUGE thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this opportunity to read and review. My opinions are unbiased.
“Naked” is a retelling of the legend of Lady Godiva. I enjoyed the way the author fleshed out this legendary tale. Godiva was a courageous and loyal leader who put herself in front of danger to protect her people, including into a battle with Thurkill the Tall’s army, a Dane looking to conquer the Saxon lands after ambushing and murdering Godiva’s parents. I enjoyed the struggles and triumphs of Godiva and the strength she found in her heart bent on serving others.
I had a few issues with the book. The author references a “kaleidoscope.” Is this a proper reference someone in the 11th Century would have used? Additionally, much of the prose is written with short, choppy sentences. At first when Godiva is watching the clothes slip off her before her famous ride, this style works. But as the book went on, it made the storyline feel incomplete. However, there were a few good, lyrical moments. One I liked (I quote from a review copy and should be verified with the original before others quote) was:
“Were they real?” I’d asked, half asleep, my arms twining her neck.
“Were who real, my sweet heart?” (Godiva’s mother)
“Beowulf. The heroes of the past.” (Godiva)
“They’re as real as you would have them be, Godiva. As real as love or courage or honor or kindness. Though we can’t see these things, they are all that matter.” (Godiva’s mother)
I would have preferred fewer sex scenes and more time with Leofric and Godiva actually getting to know one another by talking. It’s hard to believe they’re “soul mates” and truly in love when they are mostly narrated together only during coupling scenes.
This book did take me a while to read. It has a very interesting beginning, then gets slow in the middle, but it picks up near the end. The terms and references, overall, felt authentic (besides “kaleidoscope”). The landscape was well visualized. The characters were interesting. I think it was the predictable, marriage-bed-based romance that made this less compelling, since I finished 5 other books since I started this one, but it is an interesting read.
“Naked” is a retelling of the legend of Lady Godiva. I enjoyed the way the author fleshed out this legendary tale. Godiva was a courageous and loyal leader who put herself in front of danger to protect her people, including into a battle with Thurkill the Tall’s army, a Dane looking to conquer the Saxon lands after ambushing and murdering Godiva’s parents. I enjoyed the struggles and triumphs of Godiva and the strength she found in her heart bent on serving others.
I had a few issues with the book. The author references a “kaleidoscope.” Is this a proper reference someone in the 11th Century would have used? Additionally, much of the prose is written with short, choppy sentences. At first when Godiva is watching the clothes slip off her before her famous ride, this style works. But as the book went on, it made the storyline feel incomplete. However, there were a few good, lyrical moments. One I liked (I quote from a review copy and should be verified with the original before others quote) was:
“Were they real?” I’d asked, half asleep, my arms twining her neck.
“Were who real, my sweet heart?” (Godiva’s mother)
“Beowulf. The heroes of the past.” (Godiva)
“They’re as real as you would have them be, Godiva. As real as love or courage or honor or kindness. Though we can’t see these things, they are all that matter.” (Godiva’s mother)
I would have preferred fewer sex scenes and more time with Leofric and Godiva actually getting to know one another by talking. It’s hard to believe they’re “soul mates” and truly in love when they are mostly narrated together only during coupling scenes.
This book did take me a while to read. It has a very interesting beginning, then gets slow in the middle, but it picks up near the end. The terms and references, overall, felt authentic (besides “kaleidoscope”). The landscape was well visualized. The characters were interesting. I think it was the predictable, marriage-bed-based romance that made this less compelling, since I finished 5 other books since I started this one, but it is an interesting read.