Paul Reid (1)

I got this through Goodreads First Reads, and although I'm very grateful, I have to say, I did not manage to finish this book.

Like with some other reviewers I agree that this had a great premise, but as I read on and on I found the characters to be rather bland and boring, and the only thing I enjoyed was the carefulness with which settings were described.
It had more of an angst-factor than I expected it to have (I mean, I expected angst, but not like that), and I also expected more pirate-action, which there was very little off.

All in all it seemed like a good read, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish it.… (mehr)

This book started with a ton of excitement. As a matter of fact, the entire book is fast paced and exciting full of plot twists and drama. It begins with Moroccan pirates attacking a small Irish town and abducting as many future slaves as they can. One of those abducted Irish people is Brannon. He must unwillingly leave behind the woman he loves, Orlaith.

So... Brannon ends up a slave and soldier to a very evil Moroccan sultan. While he struggles with everyday life in forced servitude, he finds himself embroiled in a risky plot to overturn the sultan and place the sultan's not evil brother on the throne. His feelings for Orlaith remain, but he also developes feelings for a pretty young woman that the Sultan makes his wife...

Meanwhile, back in Ireland, Orlaith is starving, her farm has failed, her son is starving to death. What does she do? Marries a rich but very evil man. She is mistreated at his hands and in order to protect her son (an absolute brat in my opinion) she decides to run away and take some of hubby's money while she is at it. Her plan is not successful and her life path takes an enexpected turn and it looks as tho her and Brannon are never going to be reunited again. Even if Brannon manages to defy, overthrow, and escape the evil Sultan with his life intact, Orlaith may not be in Ireland to receive him.

Very fast paced and exciting with a few chuckles here and there. Brannon has some funny parts from getting circumsized to walking on hot coals. I like how the book is not filled with mundane irrelavant details. However, I do have some issues. One, the characters are either very very evil and cruel or very very dumb. You are plotting to overthrow the sultan and you discuss the plan in your backyard where anyone on the other side of the fence can hear? And who the heck takes a horse AND CARRIAGE in the middle of the night to escape an abusive husband? What kind of idiot do you have to be to carry over 150 pounds (like English pounds, not weight) of money all in the same bag and under your coat? Of course you're gonna be robbed ASAP. The "good" characters were so dumb sometimes I found myself rolling my eyes and asking them, "Are you for real?" Of course, they didn't answer me...

A decent read, but I won't be recommending it to 5000 people.… (mehr)