Very well written...
I wished I had read this book before reading Lord of Midnight, however, even though I did read the second book before this one, I found Dark Champion throughly enjoyable.
JB captured the views of that time period perfectly and makes one appreciate the freedom women have this day and age. Although I LOVE the medieval period, I would not like being a woman during that age.
Tyron could appear at times to be a hard and unforgiving man but he does appreciate Imogen's independent spirit. Imogen herself grows up during the novel...from pampered daughter to strong and independent woman. Or as independent as the time period allows.
A very well written book. Read this one BEFORE you read Lord of Midnight though.
My favorite heroine
I loved the heroine in this novel - she goes from a pampered daughter to a besieged orphan who must become a leader for her people. She develops into such a strong female character, I think this is my favorite historical romance ever. Imogen has to marry a husband strong enough to keep her home and people secure, but she makes sure to retain most of the rights to her wealth. The most memorable incident was when Imogen ends up knocking her temporarily disabled husband unconscious so he can't fight his enemy and she has the enemy killed, even though she knows this will get her into deep trouble with the king later (it's an act of love, as her husband is too injured to fight well). She cleverly talks herself out of trouble with the king, for the most part, and her husband knows it was an act of love so does his best to punish her (as the king demands) as lightly as possible.
I've read most of Jo Beverley's work and this is by far my favorite. 'The Shattered Rose' was pretty good, the other two in the same era ('Lord of Midnight' and 'Lord of My Heart') were not as interesting. There is a Regency novel with a decendent of Imogen and FitzRoger, can't recall that title, but it wasn't nearly as good as 'Dark Champion'.
Anyway, this is one novel I'll read over and over again.
Accurately Reflects Midieval Attitudes
"Dark Champion" is set in the middle ages and begins with Imogen's witnessing the rape of her servant and the taking of her castle. Imogen disguises herself as a pregnant peasant and walks to FitzRoger's castle to beg for help. Unlike most romantic heroes, FitzRoger is a hard man, not instantly smitten with the heroine; instead, he does not trust her. Imogen witnesses him whip a man for drunkenness. Later, we found out that he had also raped and killed a child; my bet is that Ms Beverley thought if the offense were just drunkenness, the reader would dislike FitzRoger too much. Imogen does not trust him, nor like him, but she needs him. Of course, he does take her castle back and they marry for political advantage. She is only 16, overwhelmed, fearful, and often behaves badly toward him. He, in turn, admits that he married her for her wealth and that he would have married anyone, of any description, with such, and he frequently warns her to behave or he may beat her. Are their behaviors historically accurate? Probably. Were they attractive? No. The book did keep my interest, however. Gradually, they change toward one another, but FitzRoger at the end is forced to lash Imogen once to save her from a much worse punishment from the king. She, in turn, is relieved that he has been so merciful. Although believable in the context and historically, it did not make me like him. So, if you want a book that reflects midieval attitudes more accurately than those in most romances, you will like "Dark Champion." If you like your history with a more romantic hue, this book probably won't appeal to you.
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