I enjoyed the historical background to this novel –
historical romances that use actual historical events and characters to help
drive the plot make for exciting reading.
Rogue Knight is set in the early medieval period, three
years after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. It is the second
installment in the Medieval Warriors series, in which Norman knights end up
falling for the charms of fiery, independent English women.
Rogue Knight is set in York, and the author has gone to a
lot of trouble to bring the Viking roots of this city to life. Our heroine,
Emma, is of proud Danish stock, and her father was an actual historical figure
– a rebel who helped marshal the Danish help in retrieving York from the
Normans. Our hero, Sir Geoffroi, is a Norman Knight who is part of the
occupying force in York. He meets Emma on the battlefield, after a bloody
exchange between the locals and the Normans. She is initially hostile towards
him, but after he shows considerable kindness towards her, and her family, she
gradually grows to trust, and love, him.
This novel had a lot of promise but what it provided in
rich historical detail, it lacked in romance. Emma and Geoffroi’s love story is
a gentle one, but as the plot is driven almost entirely by events out of their
control, they both appear a little passive at times.
Geoffroi is a kind, decent man – the epitome of a gallant
knight – and Emma is strong and brave, but apart from the obvious ‘enemy’
divide, there was little else keeping them apart. I would have liked to have
seen a little more conflict between them – especially since Geoffroi so readily
forgives Emma after he discovers her real identity, as the daughter of a rebel
leader. Still, that said, it was an enjoyable read and I liked being able to
take a peek into the Norman conquest of England.
FOUR STARS ****
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