The Dark Highlander (2002)

Oh how I love these warrior-like highlanders and their women! Wonderful story, I love the mythology, and the history, written in a very clever way as usual. ( )

I don't usually go for the time traveling books, but this was a good book. Well written, it held my attention and imagination! ( )

I picked up The Dark Highlander after devouring Moning's Fever series. I was so impressed by her style and characters in the Fever books that I decided to try the Highlander series.

It was still recognizably the same author, with the same talent, but the experience just wasn't as satisfying to me. I have a real problem with heros who present themselves as Mr. Big Bad and Scary, then turn out to be knights in shining armor, and that's exactly what Daegus is (in Fever speak: He's no Jericho Barrons). Daegus is a lamb wearing a wolf's coat; or, to be fair, an intimidating but loyal guard dog in a wolf's coat. At first he seems like a borderline villain - he steals valuable medieval manuscripts, he kidnaps the heroine, and, oh yeah, he is the living vessel of thirteen evil Druid souls, and their evil is leeching into him along with their power - but it isn't long before his true colors shine through. Actually, he's using superhuman purity of soul to resist the influence of the evil Druids, he's going to return the manuscripts he stole, and he's madly in love with the heroine.

Chloe was an engaging character, and I liked her, but she was a much smaller presence than Daegus. We find out about her background, about her childhood and the early death of her parents, her Scottish grandfather who taught her to love all things Celtic, about her passions and her talents. She's smart and sweet and courageous. Despite all that, I found her kind of forgettable. I'm not sure why - maybe because while Daegus is trying to save the world AND fall in love, her big challenge is whether or not she'll risk an emotional attachment to a man like Daegus, who seems like a real heartbreaker...for the first hundred pages or so.

There wasn't anything *wrong* with The Dark Highlander, and it was a fine read. It just wasn't my cup of tea. ( )

The Dark Highlander
4.5 Stars

Spellbinding romance and an engaging story although the ending is a little anti-climactic.

Daegus and Chloe have explosive chemistry and the build up to the consummation of their relationship is intense and compelling. Chloe is a sweet, nerdy and spirited heroine. Her passion for her work, insatiable curiosity and quirky mannerisms are endearing - loved the way her fingers would curl in reaction to ancient artifacts and relics.

Daegus is a mesmerizing hero and the depth of his love for Chloe leave you breathless. Nevertheless, the portrayal of his tortured psyche could have been more detailed and intense.

The secret society plot has potential but is unfortunately underdeveloped and the villains never seem to pose a real threat. Moreover, the ending is lukewarm as all the action takes place off page and is related in retrospect (hence the 4.5 rather than 5 star rating).

Adam's book is next and given his Puckish nature, it should be interesting to say the least. ( )

Loved it one of her better books ( )