Still, I loved the sexual tension between Ceri and Dain, their connection felt real and their motivations were also clear and made sense. As a the downside of historical "accuracy" or even traditional fantasy setting - take your pick - the language was sometimes a bit too elaborate and needlessly complex. This is also the main reason why I could not decide for the longest time if the was a historical romance with (very strong) fantasy elements (dragon, lol) or a fantasy romance, haha. The theme of magic was also dealt with in an interesting manner - the mixture of alchemy, slight of hand, belief and actual magic was really innovative and almost every character had some sort of magical talent in a different way - even things that we would dismiss as bullshit today were performed by the characters with conviction and that was pretty cool and definitely fit the time and place. There are some questionable old school romance elements that I would not accept in my reading today - nothing too terrible, just some cliches - but hey, this book was published 20 years ago and on that account it held up okay.
There are some questionable old school romance elements that I would not accept in my reading today - nothing too terrible, just some cliches - but hey, this book was published 20 years a Despite the neverending magical woo and battle during the last third of the book I actually had fun re-reading The Chalice and the Blade after so many years - I had forgotten juuuuust enough to make this interesting again but still remembered enough to savour the bits I enjoyed when reading the book originally. Now Ceridwen and Dain must struggle to escape the snares set by friend and foe alike, even as they discover a love that promises to bind them forever.moreĭespite the neverending magical woo and battle during the last third of the book I actually had fun re-reading The Chalice and the Blade after so many years - I had forgotten juuuuust enough to make this interesting again but still remembered enough to savour the bits I enjoyed when reading the book originally. Yet there are many who seek the maiden, all meaning to wrest her power for themselves. But he finally beholds true enchantment in the spell of passion innocently woven by the ethereal Ceridwen. She is Ceridwen, an orphan unaware of her immense power-until fate leads her from a secluded abbey into the tower of a feared sorcerer.ĭain Lavrans has no magic in himself, only the secrets of medicine he uncovered while a soldier in the Crusades.
In a land of forbidding castles, sacred prophecies, and unholy betrayals, mystery surrounds the one woman who holds the key to an ancient legacy. In a land of forbidding castles, sacred prophecies, and unholy betrayals, mystery surrounds the one woman who holds t In one of the most original and stunning debuts of the season, Glenna McReynolds brings historical romance readers the experience they've been waiting for: a novel of dark magic, stirring drama, and fierce passion that weaves a wondrous, unbreakable spell. In one of the most original and stunning debuts of the season, Glenna McReynolds brings historical romance readers the experience they've been waiting for: a novel of dark magic, stirring drama, and fierce passion that weaves a wondrous, unbreakable spell.