TEST
Some romances entertain immensely when they present a different world, one that comes with its own creatures, social structures and norms, and characters who have paranormal powers. But while the world created by Robin D. Owens in HeartMate doesn’t disappoint, the book itself is actually difficult to get into. The problem stems from the development of the hero and heroine’s relationship, and the type of characters they are.
A certain group of humans were once driven out of Earth, forced to roam the universe in a futuristic Diaspora until their spaceships finally landed on the planet Celta. These people possessed Flair, or supernatural ability. Their direct descendants eventually formed the most Flaired, or noble, class in Celta. Among the things that a powerful GreatLord can do: “teleport” himself or objects; cast a spell over something, as a shield or a talisman; and converse or even make love telepathically.
The book opens some 400 years after Celta was settled. GreatLord Rand T’Ash has finally met his HeartMate, a soulmate of sorts. People don’t always find (or bother to find) their HeartMate, but those who do are rewarded with the most fulfilling marriage and a significantly enhanced Flair. But T’Ash has a problem: his inamorata, Danith Mallow, doesn’t want him. The reason? As a commoner, she’s uncertain and insecure about their wild difference in social status.
There are a number of interesting things about this book, not least of which is the innovative concept of telepathy in a romantic relationship. Also, T’Ash is a sympathetic character. After his entire family was massacred, he spent his youth as a “scruff” in a slum area called Downwind. He eventually hunted down his enemies and rebuilt his GreatHouse. (Okay, so he later morphs into a slightly irritating Tortured Hero Who’s Convinced His Real Self Is Unlovable, but still.) And his pet, Zanth, is a scene stealer; the big feline can be alternately funny, charming, or outright obnoxious, but it’s impossible to ignore him.
Now here comes the big however. The first third of the book tells you in a hundred different ways that the hero and heroine are meant to be together, that their destinies are intertwined, that the universe preordains their union, and all that. But there’s actually no significant interaction between them until about 100 pages later (unless you count their brief meeting at T’Ash’s jewelry shop, which ends when Danith stalks off). As a result, it’s difficult to believe their first kiss, which occurs when they’re finally in the same scene for longer than several pages. That scene is supposed to smolder because – just in case you haven’t been paying attention – these two are HeartMates. But somehow, it’s just not convincing.
Meanwhile, there’s an interesting angle about the violent skirmishes among young nobles and Downwind scruffs. Unfortunately, the story mostly revolves around T’Ash’s torturous wooing of Danith. This focus on the characters’ relationship is to be expected because it’s a romance. But it’s torturous, because this ultra-possessive, alpha++ hero is wooing the worst type of woman he can be paired up with: the Headstrong Heroine Who’s Determined to Rely on No One but Herself.
Not all books that recycle this theme are bad – Stephanie Laurens’ Devil’s Bride used this theme with remarkable success. But in the case of HeartMate, it only illustrates how hard it is to relate with the heroine. An orphan who spent most of her life stifled by institutional strictures, Danith now resides in a small apartment, eking out a living as an accounting clerk. Her simple ambition is to marry into a happy middle class family. For someone like T’Ash to come into her world and acknowledge her as his HeartMate would be intimidating indeed, and you can expect some initial resistance and a lot of insecurity on her part. But the situation fast becomes frustrating. She’s got a sexy GreatLord asking her to live with him in his big house as his HeartMate (which is the equivalent of a marriage proposal in our world), and what’s more, she’s actually attracted to him in a he’s-your-destiny-no-doubt-about-it kind of way. For her to continually refuse him in the manner that she does is simply unbelievable.
Big points for Zanth, telepathy, and Owens’ fascinating world-building. But in the end, this is the somnolent story of two “HeartMates” who are actually anything but. Be warned that this book is hard to finish unless you force yourself to – it’s a chore getting through even the first several chapters.
Grade: D+
Book Type: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 14/11/01
Publication Date: 2001
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.