When a somewhat rakish knight travels to a faraway castle to answer a summons, repay a debt of honor, rescue a damsel in distress, and fall in love in the bargain, what do you get? Well, funny you should ask. On the surface, it all sounds promising, but then I started reading. Breath of Heaven definitely has its good moments. However, it also has an irrationally eeeevil villain and a hint of woowoo mysticism that hinders rather than helping the plot.

Rhys de Remy’s philandering ways at the court of Henry II have started to catch up with him. If he wishes to avoid a forced marriage, he’ll need to find a way out quickly. Thankfully, a possible escape arrives in the form of a summons from Aubregate. The lord of Aubregate once saved Rhys’ life, Rhys has written to him faithfully in gratitude, and knows that he owes a debt of honor. Because of this, he sets out at once. When he arrives at Aubregate, he learns what is required of him.

Edward, Lord of Aubregate is dying and fearful of what will happen to his daughter when he dies. As an heiress, she and Aubregate could become targets for the unscrupulous. Therefore, he has summoned Rhys to marry his daughter. Though Rhys does not even know the woman’s name, he owes much to Edward, and is prepared to marry his daughter.

Then he meets Eliane. As it turns out, Rhys and Eliane had an earlier encounter in the woods of Aubregate where Eliane threatened him for trespassing. However, unlike many feisty heroines from central casting, Eliane actually accepts that her father would arrange her marriage. She doesn’t toss her curls or protest that she will die unwed rather than take Rhys. In fact, many aspects of the betrothal and marriage of Rhys and Eliane will feel realistic to readers, sometimes even uncomfortably so. Even so, both Rhys and Eliane manage to come across as being believably strong-willed and well-matched to one another. Eliane may not be a modern heroine, but that does not keep her from having strength.

This novel is an adventure story in many ways, and the adventure parts of the book are by far the strongest. As the presumed heiress of a dying man, Eliane holds a precarious position, and a most evil neighbor is conniving to force her into a marriage. Therefore, Rhys and Eliane must not only build a relationship, but outwit a villain. It makes for addictive reading at the best parts of the novel, most of which can be found in the middle chapters.

Unfortunately, the evil villain is not only just an undesirable alliance; he is portrayed as both cunning and unspeakably vile. No act is too evil or petty for him to contemplate, and it all just gets to be too much after a while. I could buy that this man was selfish and wanted both Eliane and Aubregate for himself, but I found it harder to believe he had been plotting against Eliane, Rhys, various other secondary characters, innocent wee puppies, and probably his own horse since he was a mere squire.

On top of that, the adventure and romance in Breath of Heaven are cluttered with various bits of mystical silliness. As a straight Medieval adventure tale, this novel would have fared better. However, cheesy supernatural elements and a supervillain push it into the territory of the slightly better than average. The setting may not be the usual, but it’s still not one I can recommend.