| Title | : | The Saxon Outlaws Revenge |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 369 |
| Publication | : | Published December 1, 2016 |
Abducted by Saxon outlaws, Constance Arnaud comes face-to-face with Aelric, a Saxon boy she once loved. He's now her enemy, but Constance must reach out to this rebel and persuade him to save her life as she once saved his…
Aelric is determined to seek vengeance on the Normans who destroyed his family. Believing Constance deserted him, he can never trust her again. Yet, as they are thrown together and their longing for each other reignites, will Aelric discover that love is stronger than revenge?
The Saxon Outlaws Revenge Reviews
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I just realized that the guy on the cover kind of looks like Alex Moffat and if you are going to be kidnapped by someone in Medieval England, I suppose you could do worse than an Alex Moffat lookalike. And Aelric, the hero, is definitely a medieval bae in the extreme.
THE SAXON OUTLAW'S REVENGE is easily one of the best Harlequin historicals I've ever read. Partially because the story is so much darker and more unique than the paint-by-the-numbers ones that grind through the mill. The story starts out with a brutal execution as a corrupt Norman lord seizes the lands of a Saxon family. Constance, the heroine, is the sister in law of the lord and the lover of the youngest son of the now-ex-noble family, Aelric. She saves him from death and helps him escape and suffers mightily for it. They were going to run away together but Aelric doesn't know she's been wounded and thinks that she turned on him or sought comfort in favor of betrayal.
Years later, Constance is traveling with escort to-- I think a nunnery? Anyway, they're set upon by Saxon rebels, led by a fierce and Robin Hood-like figure named Caddoc. Surprise, Caddoc is actually Aelric and he hasn't forgotten Constance's portrayal. Unfortunately, he also hasn't forgotten that love thing. He's still attracted to her and she to him, but they both feel betrayed by the other and her now vulnerable position makes her reluctant to trust him at all.
There's also a great plot involving treachery and revenge, tons of will they/won't they? and some truly tragic backstory for the heroine and hero, both. I liked that Constance was disabled, because you don't really see too many disabled heroines in HR (she had a twisted/deformed leg). I also liked all the cartloads of angst that delivered equal cartloads of feels. The only thing that kept this from getting a higher rating was the fact that the story just dragged a little too much and I felt like sometimes the characters could feel a little flat. But overall, I really liked it! I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
3 to 3.5 stars -
Easily one of the best HQN Historicals I've read thus far (Lord Libertine & Malcolm's Honor being my other faves).
While most medieval roms claim traditional imagery of castles, knights, & chivalry, this one focuses on the gritty, dank, & violent period of the Norman Conquest. And while it doesn't involve Robin Hood per se, the grubby settings & bitchy nobles & grumpy peasants evoke a blue-hued Robin of Sherwood style...thereby earning my eternal goodwill, as anything that reminds me of RoS is virtually guaranteed to receive my blessing. I like novels that focus on the smudgy, dirty bits of that time -- things like hangings, peasants, unrefined halls with rough interiors, & uneasy truces between the native Saxons & haughty Normans. (Blame my childhood tv viewing, I guess. :P)
Indeed, this book has darkness throughout. The opening scene features a family slaughter on the gallows, followed by a whipping & beating-unto-miscarriage. Soon after we learn that the heroine, Constance, has suffered through an abusive marriage; this is later followed by a (rather heartbreaking) scene of dubious consent with Aelric, her old flame-turned-outlaw. The final confrontation with Evul Bro-in-Law has death & broken vows of non-violence.
...In short, it's utterly fitting to the time & subject matter.
Aelric was likable enough, though something of a mimbo. Constance, on the other hand, was great -- her survive-at-any-cost attitude & recognition of her body as currency within/without marriage was very brave & entirely reasonable, given the unpleasant realities of the period. (It also makes her goal of reaching the nunnery quite understandable. Poor kid.) Another thing I loved: Constance, while pretty, has a club foot that hinders her speed & causes great discomfort, but she never uses it as a crutch for self-loathing or wanks on about her hurty-ouchy feelz. So nice to read a heroine who rolls with the punches instead of analyzing everything to the Nth degree.
I'm definitely going to read more by this author. Very well done. :) -
Mills and Boon books have always been a guilty pleasure for me but it’s only recently that I’ve discovered and enjoyed some of their historical titles. I loved The Blacksmiths Wife by Elisabeth Hobbes so I was really looking forward to her latest book The Saxon Outlaws Revenge. But once I started to read I realised that my knowledge of that period of history was shockingly bad! So off I went to that fabulous source of all information, the internet, to refresh what I thought I already knew but apparently didn’t!
Constance is a wonderfully feisty and courageous heroine and I loved her fearless journey from plucky young girl to mature woman. When she saves Aelric’s life it leads to a decision for her own future unfortunately though it's one she is unable to act upon through no fault of her own. But this couple are destined to have their lives entwined and at their next meeting the tables have turned leading to a dangerous liaison.
Elisabeth Hobbes is a very talented lady as her books are packed full of the most in depth and authentic historical details which make them a delight to read. Her characters are realistic, gutsy and have endured hardship making them more relatable. This isn’t a sweet and fluffy “will they or won’t they” romance, it has an emotional intensity that goes much deeper than that. It’s beautifully written and imagined that it pulled me into a world far away from my own until I could almost have been lurking within the pages myself. To have spent a contented day curled up on the sofa with Constance and Aelric, in a Cheshire that existed nearly a thousand years ago, was a real heartwarming treat.
This is an engaging and compelling tale that I can highly recommend for fans of historical fiction who like a side order of romance. And I have to admit-I miss this couple already! -
DNF (for now)
I loved the beginning of this book! Give me all the carnage! Give me all the violence! It was a magical start lol!
Anyway, with an opening like that one would presume the rest of the book would be just as intense, but unfortunately this one did not hold up under the pressure. I wanted the reunion of the two MCs to be as deep and passionate as my mind had prepared for, but it wasn’t at all what I wanted. They were strangers that didn’t seem like long lost lovers. Even when they were teenagers, I didn’t feel the love or chemistry between them. I gave up almost at 50% and because they MCs still hadn’t turned a corner.
Another thing that bothers me is....the cover looks nothing like the MC. Come on, people. -
The Saxon Outlaw's Revenge by Elisabeth Hobbes is dark, intense yet vivid, and daring. Ms. Hobbes writes with insight and her research sheds light on an era where conflict and the battle for power have no limitation. The scenes in this book burst to life through edgy dialogue, hair-raising moments of violence but toned down with a strong bond between the hero and heroine...that steadily grows into a lasting and intimate reunion. The characters...especially the hero and heroine are likable, strong and determined in their own unique way. The secondary characters added depth to the story and helped moved the plot along on a tumultuous nerve-wrecking journey. Overall, a compelling novel that would definitely find favor with historical romance fans!
Recommended
4.5 Stars -
This poor book! It wanted to be so many things but didn’t achieve any of them. It wanted to be Robin Hood but there wasn’t much action. It wanted to be romantic but there wasn’t much romance. It wanted to be a revenge story but the dialogue just went in circles. The villain was mean but there never seemed to be a reason for any of his cruelty. And the hero and heroine weren’t great characters that you wanted to see succeed.
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Francamente non riesco a comprendere la logica di questo romance: lei lo salva da morte certa a suo rischio e pericolo, pagandone le amare conseguenze, e facendolo fuggire. Lui, anni dopo, quando il suo gruppo di fuorilegge la prende prigioniera, invece di baciare il terreno dove sta povera donna cammina, la tratta di pezza perché quel fatidico giorno, quando lei ha sfidato la sua famiglia e la sua legge per aiutarlo, non è andata con lui (e per ottimi motivi, che lui ovviamente non sa perché non si premura di chiederglieli - fa parte del clan "l'uomo che non deve chiedere mai"). E su questa base si costruisce un romanzo?? Ma un po' di mazzate sui denti no, invece?
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4.5 - Voto
"Il volto di De Coudray si ripresentò alla sua mente, un’immagine dopo tanti anni ancora più nitida di quanto non lo fossero ormai i volti di suo padre e dei suoi fratelli. Questa circostanza gli parve doppiamente crudele. Le sue dita bruciavano dal desiderio di stringersi attorno al collo del Porco in una morsa mortale, di immergergli un pugnale nel petto o di recidergli di netto il capo con la spada. Non lo avrebbe mai fatto, naturalmente. Malgrado quel che Constance poteva pensare di lui. Caddoc aveva ucciso molto raramente e mai senza un ragionevole motivo. Le aveva giurato di non uccidere De Coudray e l’onore lo obbligava a tenere fede alla propria parola, così come gli imponeva di garantire la salvezza di Constance benché lei avesse scelto di non fuggire con lui tanti prima. Non ne voleva sapere di conoscere i particolari della sua vita da quel momento in poi. Non gli avrebbe affatto giovato scoprire come una ricca nobildonna trascorresse le sue ore nell’ozio mentre lui viveva in quelle condizioni."
Guglielmo è re da due anni quando inizia la storia di questo libro: i normanni hanno vinto, ma alcuni sassoni non sono ancora disposti a cedere. Brunwulf, un anziano vassallo sassone, sta per essere impiccato per aver preso parte alla rivolta e prima di morire è costretto a veder impiccare i propri figli. Chi esegue la condanna è il Barone Robert De Coundray, il crudele cognato di Constance, la nostra protagonista.
Constance è sotto la tutela del cognato dalla morte del padre, ha visto la sorella sfiorire sotto il giogo del marito e sa bene che non è un uomo da sfidare, ma quando il più giovane dei figli di Brunwulf, che è stato prigioniero per qualche tempo nel maniero di De Coundray, tenta un ultimo gesto disperato e sta per essere ucciso, si inginocchia davanti al cognato chiedendo di risparmiargli la vita. Il Barone è furioso, umiliato, ma accetta, anche se fa frustare Aelric e per spregio gli taglia il lobo di un orecchio, condannandolo infine ad essere mandato a lavorare nelle miniere di sale. La rabbia contro Constance è violenta e il Barone, una volta giunto al maniero, le fa sapere che intende trovarle un uomo in grado di dominarla. Eppure, nonostante la paura che le incute il cognato, nottetempo la giovane fa scappare Aelric, dandogli un appuntamento per potersene andare con lui. Aelric l’aspetterà invano: Constance non potrà andare all’appuntamento, e quando si ritroveranno faccia a faccia, entrambi saranno molto cambiati.
È’ un libro molto bello e la cura nella ricerca storica è stata davvero molto scrupolosa, ma lo troverete anche meno romantico di altri.
Constance quando la incontriamo sta per compiere 17 anni: fra lei e Aelric c’è stato ben più di ciò che il Barone Robert ha mai intuito. I due si amavano in segreto, ma la dura punizione ricevuta quando è stata scoperta al momento della fuga, e che ha reso poi impossibile giungere all’appuntamento, ha fatto credere ad Aelric che la giovane non abbia voluto lasciare quella che crede una vita comoda. Come promesso invece, Constance si è vista costretta sposare un uomo con la stessa indole del cognato: il suo è stato un matrimonio che ancora oggi le procura incubi, ed ha anche dovuto subire il dolore di aver partorito bambine che non sono sopravvissute. Ora finalmente è vedova e non intende più risposarsi. Eppure, ancora una volta, si troverà incapace di decidere del suo destino. Ma non si arrende: ha imparato suo malgrado che l’unica merce di scambio che può usare è il suo corpo, anche se il suo piede ha una malformazione, e non esiterà ad usarlo. Aelric nei sette anni in cui sono stati separati, ha creduto che Constance non abbia avuto abbastanza coraggio e non l’abbia amato abbastanza; ora è un fuorilegge e l’unica cosa che conta per lui è la vendetta contro il Barone Robert che si è rivelato un capo privo di ogni umanità, affamando la popolazione e cospirando per avere ancora più potere. È’ ben diverso dal ragazzo conosciuto anni prima: ora si fa chiamare Caddoc e tenta di rendere impossibile la vita ai normanni sulle sue terre, ma quando ruba il prezioso carico che Robert sta aspettando, la sua vita cambierà ancora una volta.
Constance è un personaggio bellissimo, una donna incredibilmente forte che dopo aver visto la vita miserabile della sorella ed essere sopravvissuta al marito ha come unico desiderio quello di andare in convento. Ma neppure alla morte del marito una donna è libera di scegliere: Re Guglielmo infatti preferisce che le vedove si risposino, specie quelle che hanno ricevuto un’eredità. La storia d’amore fra i protagonisti ha aspetti più crudi e meno romantici che in altri libri, noi li conosciamo infatti sono nel momento dell’esecuzione, e li ritroviamo dopo che gli anni di separazione li hanno cambiati. Aelric ha sofferto troppo per essere ancora il ragazzo che credeva nell’amore, la vendetta è ora il suo unico scopo e la verità che non ha mai scoperto li divide ancora di più.
Elisabeth Hobbes scrive benissimo ed è un libro che si legge con piacere. Aelric e Constance sono personaggi aderenti al loro tempo in cui l’amore aveva ben poco peso, la trama ricorda un po’ quella di Robin Hood con il fuorilegge che infesta le terre creando problemi all’usurpatore. La parte storica è perfetta: un medioevo splendidamente tratteggiato che non posso che consigliare alle amanti del genere.
Lucia63 - per RFS -
**FULL REVIEW POSTED AT
www.anonymisses.com**
I can’t get over how much I enjoyed this book! To be perfectly honest, Medieval romance is a little out of the ordinary for me–the gowns and gallantry of the Regency tend are irresistible to me– but I was so happy to read Elisabeth Hobbes’ The Saxon Outlaw’s Revenge.
Hobbes’ story reads like a romance novel and historical adventure novel all rolled into one. The relationship between Constance and Aeleric, long-lost lovers divided by war and loyalty, is very sweet and compelling while the revenge story keeps the narrative moving along nicely.
Set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Norman Invasion, the book nicely incorporates historical fact with modern storytelling. In a refashioning of Romeo and Juliet (thankfully with a much happier ending), Hobbes’ romantic couple meet when both are in their teens and are on opposite sides of the divide. Constance is a Norman, while Aeleric is the youngest son of the recently-deposed Saxon leader. To make matters more complicated, Constance’s brother-in-law, a delightfully Machiavellian Norman lord, is the one who took the land and killed Aeleric’s father and brothers. Aeleric thirsts for revenge, but bound by a vow made to Constance, he cannot kill her brother-in-law.
The story picks up seven years after the character’s initial meeting and the terrible events that shape the rest of the novel. The characters encounter each other again, both having suffered a great deal in the intermitting years. Constance and Aeleric no longer trust each other, but are drawn together by their past, their mutual hate for the Norman lord, and the continued passion that burns deep between them.
I highly recommend this book. If you like medieval romance novels, stories like Romeo and Juliet or Robin Hood, or are just looking to read a sweet and interesting story, The Saxon Outlaw’s Revenge is for you. I look forward to reading more Elisabeth Hobbes books in the future! -
Another grand slam for Elisabeth Hobbes!
This is the fourth book I have read by Ms. Hobbes, and she gets better with each one. The Saxon Outlaw's Revenge is her edgiest novel to date, with lots of undercurrents under its romantic surface. As the title states, the hero, Aelric, is consumed with revenge for events in his past that are masterfully described by the author. The reader immediately sides with the hero, feeling his pain and need for revenge. Likewise with the heroine, Constance. These are two sympathetic characters that the reader just aches to see get together, and win their HEA.
The setting and history in this book play an integral part of the story, and the author does a fantastic job of placing the reader in the time period. With deft descriptions, she gives us the sense of hopelessness and anguish both lead characters feel, as well as their undying love for each other. You find yourself reading "just one more chapter," late into the night, because the story and characters grab hold of you and won't let go.
Ms. Hobbes is an author on my must-buy list, and for good reason. With her attention to detail and stories that totally immerse the reader in their plots, I know I'm in for a wonderful, satisfying read that leaves me wanting more. The Saxon Outlaw's Revenge is one of those books. You need to pick it up today! -
Elizabeth Hobbes has created a magical and atmospheric tale of loss, love and hope, I think what really makes this a winner for me is that the amount of historic detail, this isn’t just your run of the mill love story, it is bloody and gory and you get a true sense of how dark and scary and difficult this era was. The Saxon Outlaws Revenge, is brilliant. Beautifully written, the best love story for an age, it is sexy, intelligent and one of those rare gems that can be enjoyed by not just avid Historical Romance fans but by everyone and I cannot recommend this enough.
This really is breathtaking
Full review at
https://chicksroguesandscandals.wordp... -
Elisabeth Hobbes has done it again - a highly compelling read that had me rooting for her two protagonists to the end. Once again, the tightly constructed story is set against a very convincing historical context, something Hobbes excels at. The two main characters are complex and highly plausible as they struggle against mounting difficulties and political tensions, and the supporting cast is used to such great effect by Hobbes as she creates a story of a love affair during the hardships of post-Conquest England. As with Hobbes previous novels, this was impossible to put down and I devoured it in one sitting. More please!
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"Like Romeo and Juliet, these young lovers in The Saxon Outlaw’s Revenge are on opposite sides of the war between their peoples. Readers will be drawn in by the fast pace, constant action and tragic love story" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
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I stumbled upon this historical romance on a listopia heroines with disabilities list and tbr-ed it.
I needed some background on the history and was glad the author had a short note on it before the story begins. The Normans conquered England around 1060s and Saxons rebelled against them for a time between 1066 to 1069.
TW: Execution by hanging, graphic violence, domestic abuse
Do note the TW before reading further.
The start of the story occurs in 1068 as a group of Saxon rebels are caught and executed. That scene was disturbing to read as sixteen year old Constance begs her brother-in-law to spare seventeen year old Aelric's life. Then, it gets worst as the cruel man has Aelric whipped, slashes him from collarbone to ear and cuts his left earlobe off.
There is a seven year time jump where she is captured by her Saxon childhood love, Aelric. They aren't that much older in their early twenties. The complications are that she has a twisted foot and is Norman. The two groups have animosity between them because of invasions and killing each side's people. Aelric doesn't know why she really didn't meet with him years ago to escape as well as
Her twisted foot causes her pain at times and she cannot dance. She uses a walking stick at the beginning to aid her but she trains herself over the course of the story to go without. I liked how she could tell when she was reaching her limit when her foot hurt.
Both of them really needed someone to love and take care of them after all the trauma (physical and mental scars) they went through! But the angst push and pull just didn't gel. I was frustrated with them.
I thought the writing was confusing at the beginning. There were too many characters to keep track of in scenes and after awhile they blended together. The hero, Aelric changed his name to Caldoc, increasing the confusion. It was disappointing that the cover model doesn't look like Aelric since he has blond hair and blue eyes. Plus Aelric's in a survival state most of the book.
The fade to black sex scenes felt odd to me compared with how much foreplay and graphic violence that occurs. This didn't work for me as the writing was hard to follow and for a 280 page book, felt longer than it was. There were some grammatical errors in the book too.
Tropes: Second chance romance, enemies to lovers, captor-captive, different social class, secret identity, slow burn -
Engaging, page-turning, gripping and beautifully told, The Saxon Outlaw's Revenge is a well-crafted historical novel that I truly couldn't put down. I found the quality of storytelling and the well-drawn out characters wonderful, realistic and immensely readable. Hobbes has a true talent. I've spent all morning at a Cornish holiday cottage, anxiously stuffing biscuits into my face, absorbed in the final chapters. In fact, I intend to leave this copy behind on the bookshelf, with the wish that other visitors to the seaside will pick it up and love this story too. Perfect escapism and the most wonderful holiday read. The easiest five stars I've given to a book this year - an example of masterful historical romance writing.
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Une histoire complexe avec des héros torturés au vécu difficile.
L’héroïne n'est pas une oie blanche, et le héros est avide de vengeance. Ils auraient mérités d'être un peu plus fouillés.
Il manque juste une petite étincelle d'espoir sous forme d'épilogue à mon goût.
Bonne lecture. -
3.5 stars!
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This is a well-written historical romance, with good major and minor characters that left me very pleasantly satisfied. It is a good story, well told. Both Aelric, as the Saxon of the title, and Constance, the heroine - doughty and compelling in spite of her flaws, are well-drawn characters.
While I may fall well outside of Mills and Boon's usual demographic, I can recognize a good story when I pick it up. I'll be looking out for more of Ms Hobbes books in future.
It had the added charm for me by being set in the countryside of my childhood.Alderley and Macclesfield were part of my formative years. -
Elisabeth returns with a great new cast of characters - I'm sure that like me you'll soon become absorbed in the twists and turns of Constance and Aelric's tale.
The opening scenes gripped me immediately, and despite being only a few pages in, I already was bought in to the drama and the gut-punches. I know nothing of Saxon times but Elisabeth sketches a believable and absorbing context.
Please do grab yourself a copy of The Saxon Outlaw's Revenge, settle down under a blanket with a cuppa, and lose yourself in this world. Promise you won't regret it! -
The Normans have recently conquered the Saxons and the bad blood is still brewing between those in charge and those who are subjugated. Aelric, a Saxon, loses his whole family, who were hung as traitors by the local baron, who just happens to be the brother-in-law of the girl he is in love with, Constance. Aelric subsequently goes on the run and his relationship with Constance abruptly ends, but years later when they have a chance encounter they have to work through their feelings to determine what if anything still remains between them.
There is not nearly enough historical fiction, romantic or otherwise, set around the time of the Norman invasion of England. It is a time full of so much upheaval and change that it is ripe for storytelling. Hobbes took advantage of this upheaval and used it to create the conflict between the main couple of Aelric and Constance. They are from two very different worlds and the place that they live is still very volatile and they must tread carefully.
I really enjoyed the concept of a second change at love story, even though neither of them went looking for it. Aelric and Constance were split up eight years ago and had not seen nor heard of each other since. They had no idea that they would chance upon each other in a wood, and even then were not all that inclined to like each other. So much had changed in those eight years; they had grown up and lived through many life experiences that colored that early relationship. They remembered that early love they shared, but would that still hold true now; could they get past all of the hurt and the secrets? Constance and Aelric were well-crafted characters; they were multidimensional and you could feel their emotions, the hurt and anger most keenly. For what they went through it would be very difficult to put the past behind them. I can’t say that I could identify with either of them exactly, but I found them realistic and interesting. The author chooses to give Constance a physical disability and I wonder at the choice of that. It makes the character unique and while it made several small appearances I would have liked it to maybe have more of an importance given that it was pointed out extensively early on. The peripheral characters were not as fleshed out as the main two, but there were enough details that you had a sense of who they were, which was enough for me to keep track of who was who.
The romance here is primarily emotional as the two rebuild their relationship and determine what they mean to each other. Although there are a couple sex scenes, which have vastly different tones from each other, sex definitely took a backseat in this novel. Beyond the romance element, this novel was chock full of drama right from the first scene. There is an ambush, a hostage situation, a mass execution, some spying, and a foiled plot that unfolds in an awesome way. The best part is that none of this felt out of place; the characters still acted very much the way I would expect them to for the time in which they live.
If you are looking for a novel that is more of the action packed variety and lighter on the romance, or if you are looking for a novel set in an oft overlooked setting/time, this might be the novel for you to pick up. It kept my attention all the way through and I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
This review was previously posted at
The Maiden's Court blog and
Romantic Historical Reviews and it was received from the publisher for review. -
Excellent read strong characters great plot I very much enjoyed this book.
