The Maiden and the Monster by Michelle M. Pillow

The Maiden and the Monster on December 18, 2013 second edition
Pages: 430
Format: eBook
ISBN: 1477513531
ASIN: B0080B5UUG
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Winner of the 2006 RT Reviewer's Choice Award!
Medieval Historical Romance

Vladamir of Kessen, Duke of Lakeshire Castle, is feared as a demon in the land of Wessex. The Kings have granted him a title of nobility in exchange for his part as a political prisoner. Discontent, he bides his time in his new home until war will once again rip through the land. But boredom soon turns to devious pleasure as the daughter of his most hated enemy is left for dead at his castle gate. Now the monster bides his time plotting revenge.

Lady Eden of Hawks' Nest doesn't know what to think of the man who saved her life, but she can't wrench her thoughts away. His words are those of a tyrant, true to his vicious reputation, but his touch is that of a man, stirring passion and lust when there should only be fear. It would seem the infamous monster is not as monstrous as he appears.

 Contains graphic and erotic sexual content, adult language, and violence.

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The Maiden and the Monster is a medieval historical romance by Michelle M. Pillow. The setting is the late ninth century is Wessex, the Isle of Britain is divided between the Danelaw and the Anglo-Saxons, so the Vikings under King Guthrum and the Saxons under Alfred the Great during this story have  a tentative peace, after the Battle of Edington.  As was the custom of the victor, King Guthrum sent nobles to be held as hostages by King Alfred, those Viking nobles, were given Saxon titles and land, in a way to bind them to the land, and they were also made to be baptized in the religion of the Saxons.  The author does a fair job of explaining this in the beginning of the book, and makes note that the period is correct but literary license has been taken with the story.

The book was a delight to read, and it reminded me of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. The beauty is Lady Eden, who is found outside of the castle walls of the Lakeshire Dukedom.  (I will not get into the misuse of the title Duke during this time, or the other peerage titles, as this is not a historical treatise.  I overlooked a lot of misplaced twenty-first century language, intermixed with the Yeas, and Nays.) The Duke is Vladimir one of the viking hostages.  He is not a happy hostage, and he stalks around Lakeshire like a monster.  He isn’t a pleasant noble, or for that matter a very pleasant man.  He is quick to temper, and he rules with an iron fist.   The opening of the book establishes his ill nature, and his loathing for being held prisoner by his own honor.  Vladimir carriers his displeasure on his sleeve and everyone is made to suffer for it.  Honestly I can’t believe someone had not poisoned him before the start of the book. It is the inner thoughts and what we find out about his life prior to him being a hostage, that saves his character in my eyes.

Now to the beauty that is Lady Eden, whom is found outside the castle walls, she has been mistreated prior to the start of the book and for that matter for most of the book.  I understand that a woman’s place in the ninth century was not an easy one, but the abuse she suffers at the hands of the men in her life is horrid.  She takes the idea of turning the other cheek to a new height. The book is supposed to be a love story, but the emotional ups and downs of the duke, gave me whiplash.  He is such a hard character to like, and I was perplexed that Eden actually did.  If not for the inner thoughts of the characters I would have felt better if Eden would have gutted him rather than fall in love with him.   I found Eden as a character too forgiving.  As a woman who’s life is that of a pawn, I personally would have started to carry a weapon, as everyone including her husband has little regard for her life, and her demise is bandied as fodder for revenge and political advancement.

I enjoyed Ms. Pillow writing style, and found this a very adventuresome story.  She did have me captivated in the tale, but it was the characters that I found hard to understand, and that did influence the rating of my review.

Please note that the author takes major dramatic license when it comes to sexual practices and sexual mores in the ninth century.  The book is set against a historic backdrop; but it isn’t true to the guesting customs, sexual practices and social mores of the time.

Note there is sexual abuse that takes place in the story and readers need to be aware of this aspect of the story.

 

Kindle Unlimited Free Read at time of posting.

 

 

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