TEST
If you’re a die-hard futuristic fan you’ll no doubt find a lot to like in The Black Rose because it contains some interesting ideas along with a sexy, if enigmatic, hero. But if you’re looking for a memorable romance along with the nifty futuristic setting, you may find yourself as disappointed as I was, especially with the abrupt ending. 
To form a mutually beneficial alliance, Renaud Charbonneau betroths his effete son to the niece of Theodore Fallon, a brutish clan leader. This type of medieval behavior is commonplace in the Dominion and wards have no choice but to honor the marriage contracts made on their behalf. But that doesn’t mean that they have to like it!
When Alexandra Fallon spots her new husband she is immediately disappointed. All her life she’s dreamed of a dark, bold, broad-shouldered man who could outwit and outfight her brute of an uncle and challenge her intelligence and passion. Instead she gets Lucien Charbonneau, a blond, weak-looking, strutting peacock of a man with soft hands and womanly lips. She resists the marriage but is ultimately forced to sign the marriage contract. She’s not a happy camper and concocts a plan to rid herself of Lucien. On their wedding night she leads him on with sexual innuendoes and sultry glances – then conks her poor amorous husband over the head with a serving platter, steals his jewels, and makes a hasty escape.
Lucien is embarrassed by his wife’s antics but is also a bit relieved to be rid of her. He leads a complicated life and doesn’t need or want the intrusion of a wife. Lucien, you see, is a man with several identities. He plays the role of fop to perfection in order to distract the nobility from catching on to his alter egos. He leads a secret life as Damion Flynn, a darkly handsome smuggler, “The Black Rose,” a notorious rebel leader, and Lord Thackery, a friendly nobleman! He doesn’t have time for a wife.
Alexandra, now free of her pesky husband, plans to follow through on her plans to clear her deceased father’s name. He was a scholar whose theories of an existing alien race were derided and dismissed by his colleagues. Alexandra intends to find artifacts off-world to prove his theories and must charter a spaceship to accomplish her task. This conveniently leads her directly into the arms of her husband – only she doesn’t recognize him, because he’s adopted his Damion persona. Lucien/Damion intends to keep an eye on his wayward wife and agrees to transport her. Somewhere along the way Alexandra falls in love with Damion, her dark dream man, never realizing his true identity.
And thus begins this rather convoluted marriage of inconvenience tale.
When I first began this story I felt cheated. The atmosphere was purely medieval in tone and wasn’t any different from the dozens of other medieval romances I’ve read. But I chugged along and was rewarded about a quarter of the way in, when the story turned into a rip-roaring space adventure with tons of unexpected twists and turns. I had visions of placing this book next to my keepers by Justine Davis, who skillfully interwove a futuristic setting with complex characters and managed to create two unforgettable romances in The Skypirate and Lord of the Storm. Unfortunately, the romance and character development in The Black Rose leave much to be desired and are mostly secondary to the rest of the plot elements.
Alexandra is a heroine who desperately wants to be strong and intelligent; instead, she comes across as annoyingly “feisty” instead. She’s stubborn, she’s impulsive, she’s rude and judgmental, she spends most of the book in a PMS state of mind, and she teeters on TSTL territory far too often. She’s also flawlessly beautiful. It’s her beauty that appears to be the only reason the hero supposedly falls in love with her.
Lucien is less trying on the nerves, because his motives are rooted in a past tragedy. It’s extremely difficult to get a grip on him, however, because he spends the book portraying so many different men. Just when I thought I was getting to know the “real” Lucien, he’d take on a new persona. Although the book contains an interesting premise, the many subplots and alter egos left my head spinning.
The Black Rose tells an action-packed and highly unusual story, but it simply does not work as a romance. When the relationship came to its abrupt and highly unbelievable happily-ever-after ending I was left feeling very dissatisfied. When, oh when, is Justine Davis going to return to this subgenre?
Grade: C-
Book Type: Futuristic Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 11/07/00
Publication Date: 2000
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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.