The Maiden

I know what I'm getting into with romance novels, and I know that looking back on what I read when I was 12, not all of it withstands the test of time, but OH MY GOD. This one hurt my brain a lot. This is probably the most misogynistic romance novel I've ever read, and considering that the heroine is *supposed* to be a warrior who is treated as an equal in her (fictional) country of Lanconia, that makes it even worse! The basic gist is that the king's son, Rowan, who was raised in England, comes to Lanconia to take the throne. He falls in love with Jura, one of the women's guard, and they get married. Stuff happens, but the main point is that Jura spends the whole book fighting to be independent -- and Rowan spends the whole book show more telling her she won't be of any value to him unless she gives up her free will and becomes obedient. OMG, Jude! You could have done so much better! show less

Not your typical romance novel

I've read the reviews online and am a little surprised at how poorly the book is rated. I've never read an Jude Deveraux before, but 'inherited' this and decided to read it before I list it on Bookmooch. I didn't expect to really like it much, as I expected it was your typical romance...boy meets girl...they hate each other...they love each other...they hate each other...they end up together living happily ever after; with a lot a steamy scenes in between. Since I find typical 'romance' novels pretty boring, but a quick read, that's what I expected. As others have mentioned, both negatively and positively, this is not your 'typical' romance novel. It had all the elements, though maybe a bit less 'steam' show more than some. But it also had a bit more depth. The prince, separated from King daddy at an early age, was brought home and given the mission to unite the tribes....a seemingly impossible task. And of course, they tribes hate and distrust each other, to the point that to wander into the territory of another is almost certain death! The Prince also has to guard against his half-brother who considers the throne rightfully his. And inconveniently, the heroine, who becomes Queen when she marries the Prince, is the half-sister of the half-brother of the new King! She spends much of the novel learning where her loyalties lie!. So you have suspense, action, romance....all in one book!
I have a few other Jude Deveraux books I 'inherited' with this one, and after The Maiden, I'm looking forward to them. But based on what I've read here, I'll likely be disappointed, since this book was apparently, not typical of her works! show less

Yet another book where I look back and ask myself, "why did I read this?" This book is very true to Deveraux's style: an overbearing man disrupts the heroine's life, and the author tries to convince us that they're really in love. Not even nostalgia can earn this book more than a star and a half from me -- and the rating is only that high because Rowan wasn't as horrifyingly abusive as some of Deveraux's other "heroes" have been.

This was a great book filled with suspense, action, and romance. Rowan takes on the impossible task of uniting the tribes of Lanconia. But first he must marry a Lanconian woman and what better way to do that then by having the woman from the various tribes compete in games of skills and strengths to win him for a husband. As you could imagine some of the prospects for bride are truly terrifying but thankfully for Rowan the lovely Jura wins him. Jura struggles with finding out where her loyalties and heart really lie. It was a pleasure reading how Rowan softens and wins over the headstrong Jura. A really addicting read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

I bought this because I like dthe author and I love medevil stories. However I didn't like how tough the heroine was.

From BackCover:
He was wise, strong, and brave. His destiny was to be king. She was young, beautiful, a warrior princess. Her destiny was to love him.

But when first they met, it was not as princess and king -- it was as man and woman only, consumed by a passion so sudden, so deep that the very world exploded with one kiss. Only later, with his touch still burning on her lips, did Jura discover that the knight of her secret tryst had been none other than the hated Prince Rowan! Rowan, who had returned from far-away England to usurp her brother's throne...Rowan, who vowed to unite the wild clans under his rule.

Furious, Jura swore her enmity to the golden-haired prince whose glorious visage tormented her days and haunted her nights. But show more nothing would stop Rowan from ruling over the warring tribes...and nothing would stop him from winning the fierce and lovely Jura as his bride, his Queen, his love....

Awards:
1987-88 RT Reviewers' Choice -- Historical Fantasy show less