Reviews for By Possession

The average rating for By Possession based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2010-04-09 00:00:00 Jello Paul From reading two of her books, I've decided Madeline Hunter writes really mean romances. This is the second in a trio, and I've alsoread the first, "By Arrangement." Both of her men are possessive (yeah, I know that's the title...) but not possessive in a protective, loving way. Addis, the man in "By Possession" treats Moira with a "you're mine, you have no rights, I'm only letting you think you have any say" attitude and I couldn't stand it. I only finished the book because several reviewers said they liked it so much so I had to see if it changed. The last couple pages were great! Exactally what Addis should have been doing all along! These last pages hardly made up for the other 368. Maybe this is a bit more realistic for the way a bondswoman and her lord would act towards each other, but I guess that's not what I want to read in a romance novel. The story itself had a lot going on. There was some pagan mysticism (should have been a lot more of it, or none at all), a political uprising (which seemed to have very little consequence), and family intrigue (which got hastily summed up in the last ten pages or so). The third book is about a character introduced in "By Possesion." There was an excerpt at the end of the book which leads me to believe Ms. Hunter has created a new, nicer, character type. I plan on finishing the trio but I hope the last book isn't as spiteful as "By Possession." ***EDIT **** 6 years later and I really have no desire to ever finish this series or read any more.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-02-27 00:00:00 Oscar Williams This was my first by Madeline Hunter but I will be reading more of hers. It is the 1st in her 14th Century London series (see list below). It is an amazing romance...great historical setting, well drawn characters, realistic dialog for the period and a wonderful heartrending story of love that overcomes many obstacles. It takes place in the time of King Edward II and tells the story of Addis de Valence, a high born nobleman and knight and Moira Falkner, the daughter of a nobleman's mistress and a bondwoman to Valence, though she claims her mother's lover freed her. She has secretly loved Addis since she was 12 and always seemed to be there when he needed care or comforting, though he was promised to the high born Claire, Moira's friend. Addis married Claire, who was vain and selfish and deserted Addis when he was sorely wounded. It was thought he'd never walk again. Now back from years in captivity in the Baltic where he was taken in the Crusades as a slave, he fights to regain his rightful place, all the while wanting Moira by his side and without benefit of marriage. But she will not go the path of her mother. You will love this story. I couldn't put it down and it's worth a re-read! I now intend to read all in the series. If you like to read things in date order, as I do, here is the medieval historical series (two trilogies) in chronological order: BY POSSESSION (1326) BY DESIGN (1328) STEALING HEAVEN (1341) BY ARRANGEMENT (1346) THE PROTECTOR (1348-49) LORD OF A THOUSAND NIGHTS (1350's) The hero and heroine in BY POSSESSION appear in BY DESIGN; and the two trilogies are linked by the character David de Abyndon, who is a secondary character in STEALING HEAVEN and the hero in BY ARRANGEMENT.