TEST
We’re in England in 1067 AD and, as romance readers, we all know what happens all over the English countryside around that time. Yes, this is yet another book of Norman conqueror meets defiant Saxon lady. It’s a pretty good one at that, but doesn’t exactly break new ground.
Jobert de Brevrienne is given the Saxon estate of Oxbury by King William the Conqueror. On his arrival, Jobert is ambushed by Saxon rebels. When the rebels face execution, one of them is discovered to be Lady Edeva, daughter of Oxbury’s former lord. She tries to kill Jobert with everything she can lay her hands on, but he makes her a deal to leave her untouched if she serves as his chatelaine. Still distrustful of her enemy and mindful that her brothers are among the surviving rebels, Edeva agrees. The deal continues to hold, even after Edeva and Jobert discover the joy of giving in to their mutual lust. But they face more powerful enemies than Edeva’s family – Jobert’s old enemies have the king’s ear.
Edeva is a medieval superwoman. Not only does she handle weapons well enough to be taken for a man, she is such an expert seamstress that Queen Matilda wishes her to move to court in Rouen. This is even more amazing, since we are told that she ran wild with the boys until she began to fill out in her early teens, then learned those skills in a few years. She can sew and cover large areas with embroidery at unbelievable speed. She’s also marvelous in bed and a perfect chatelaine. Personally, I feel her weaponry skills could have been left out with no loss to the story. Past the first few chapters, they mattered little, and frankly, during those chapters I feared this read was going to turn into an iteration of Johanna Lindsey’s Hearts Aflame.
Jobert believes in ruling through cooperation rather than through force. At the same time, he turns his back as his men rape their way through the female servants, in full public view. He tries to marry Edeva, and certainly avails himself of her, but makes little effort to get to know her as a person. His callous treatment of the subservient women is consistent with the gritty style, but I missed any emotional interaction between Edeva and Jobert. Just because their private parts are joined frequently does not mean they are intimate.
The book is blessedly free of silly mistakes. While I caught a few historical faux paus, it is clear that Ms. O’Dell has done her homework. However, there are instances that display a lack of feel for European history. An example is Jobert’s longish hair, which Edeva thinks makes him resemble a warrior from one of the old legends. If Ms. O’Dell presumably is talking about Vikings, the Danes ruled England less than 40 years earlier. Or is the reference to Beowulf?
There is nothing wrong with choosing a subject familiar to the readers. The very familiarity can create a sense of recognition and belonging. However, the demands on the author are much greater if she takes her readers down the path most traveled. It takes a remarkable chef to turn leftovers into a gourmet meal. The Saxon’s Daughter ranks somewhere between these extremes, although author O’Dell is rather a good chef. It is a good read of its kind, but doesn’t stretch the genre one whit.
I liked this book, but I would have loved it if Jobert and Edeva had been more intimate. Or less intimate, if you see what I mean. If you are on the lookout for a gritty read of the spicier kind, you could do worse than picking up The Saxon’s Daughter.
Grade: B-
Book Type: Medieval Romance
Sensuality: Burning
Review Date: 04/03/98
Publication Date: 1998
Related Reviews
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.