Set in Ireland (Eire) in the
2nd century at the time when the High Kings reigned, this is the
story of Conn of the Hundred Battles (a real historic figure), who as High King
governs Eire through the Fianna, his legion of warriors. When Conn learns that
someone is killing his men, he goes in search of the killer and finds Gelina
O’Monaghan, who, along with her brother, is taking vengeance on Conn for
destroying her family.
Since Gelina seems to Conn
more a child than a woman, he decides to take her as his foster child. Back at
Tara, Gelina develops a crush on the man who allowed her to live when he could
have taken her life. Conn tells Gelina that he killed her brother when he (and
she) attacked him, but in truth, Conn does not know if the brother lives. In
the time that follows, Gelina defies Conn at every turn while falling in love
with him. It’s a battle of wills and they come to both love and hate the other.
It’s a story that will hold
your attention though there are some improbable moments and perhaps some
disturbing elements (the bodice ripping comes late but it does involve rape).
Then, too, Conn believes the worst of Gelina in places where the evidence would
suggest otherwise. He is strong and stubborn. She is strong and resourceful,
and will not suffer his betrayal easily. I liked her for that.
Medeiros has written a
page-turner and included some wonderful secondary characters, perhaps my
favorite being the dwarf Nimbus, who befriends and trusts Gelina and would
marry her if he could. Some of the dialog is witty and endearing
Buy it on Amazon.
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