Reynold de Burgh: the Dark Knight
Grade : C+

Hmmmm...I really have to admit that Reynold de Burgh: the Dark Knight is a tough book to grade. On a purely empirical level, this just isn't high art (and I'm not comparing it to Dostoevsky or anything; I mean in comparison to other romance novels). It had some conventions that got on my nerves - like nearly 300 pages of "I'm not good enough for you". At times, the premise strains credulity (the townspeople believe they are tormented by a dragon). But, it manages to be a fun, often engaging read anyway.

Reynold de Burgh has always felt somewhat set apart in his large, powerful family. His brothers and father are the medieval equivalent of superheroes, and he has a lame leg. He's tried not to let that stop him for long, but he still feels inferior, and he's pretty sure women view him that way too. Eventually, he decides that he needs to get away from home for awhile so he can differentiate himself from his brothers and make his own way in the world. Though he thinks to sneak away alone, some of his sister-in-law's relatives figure out what he's up to, so they send a squire (Peregrine) with him. Reynold doesn't have a particular direction in mind, though he tells passing travelers that he is on a pilgrimage. Peregrine calls it a quest.

Their purpose becomes clearer when they approach Grim's End, an oddly deserted town. It appears to be uninhabited, but there are no ruins to indicate an attack or rotting corpses to indicate any sort of plague. As they enter the town, the church bells begin to ring. Reynold and Peregrine go to the church, where they find what's left of the townspeople. Sabina Sexton is brave enough to approach Reynold and seek his aid; Grim's End is under attack by a dragon, and since he's obviously a knight, she wants him to slay it and save the town. Although Reynold is skeptical, he agrees to help.

Almost immediately, he encounters resistance from Urban, who was formerly steward to Sabina's father (who died shortly after the dragon attacks began). Urban has become accustomed to running the show as the only adult male remaining, and he doesn't seem to want Reynold around. (I also have to add that anyone who doesn't pick up from the get-go that Urban has something to do with the attacks might just be functionally illiterate.) For a medieval knight, Reynold is pretty wise in the ways of science. He doesn't believe in dragons, but it's obvious that the townspeople are scared of something. They here loud roars, and see fire - though no one left in town can really say they have seen the beast. Reynold resolves to go to other towns to find eye witnesses, set some sort of trap for whatever it is that is wreaking havoc, and set the town to rights again.

Naturally, Reynold is drawn to the beautiful Sabina. She, in turn, is drawn to the handsome knight who has come to their aid. Both of them feel unworthy. In Reynold's case, it's the aforementioned lame leg. Sabina has another issue (revealed late in the book) that she feels disqualifies her for marriage. At first they both misinterpret the other's body language as well. Reynold doesn't want to touch Sabina - not because he isn't attracted, like she thinks, but because he's too attracted. As events escalate, they share several kisses and stolen moments, each all the while feeling unworthy. They will need to stop the attacks and overcome their own personal demons before they can be together.

Okay, dragon attacks. It takes some suspension of disbelief to embrace characters who believe in dragons. Granted, this is a medieval, and people at the time were definitely more inclined to magical thinking. What helps save this is Reynold's healthy skepticism. Had everyone believed in dragons (in a non-paranormal, of course), this would not have worked for me. As it was, Sabina did not come across as the sharpest knife in the drawer. It wasn't just that she believed in dragons; her misplaced trust in Urban was hard to credit.

While Reynold is smarter, his "poor me, no woman will ever want me" shtick gets old fast; and it goes on for virtually the entire book. While it goes on, it really stops the romance cold. Half a book-full would have been plenty.

So why, exactly, did I like the book? Well, for the most part, it's engaging. I wanted to know the motivation behind the attacks, and I enjoyed watching Reynold figure it out. I also enjoyed the setting. While I wouldn't say it was redolent of gritty realism, it's not medieval-lite either. Little details here and there seem authentic, and the characters don't act like modern people wearing chain mail.

Simmons' writing is seamless and engaging as well. There are plenty of references to the de Burgh family, and they show up at the very end. But if you haven't read any of the previous books (and I hadn't) you're not really left out in the cold, either. The story stand on its own just fine.

So while I hate to split hairs, I'd really call Reynold de Burgh: the Dark Knight a C++, or maybe a B--. It's a fun read, if a little flawed, and long-time de Burgh fans will probably want to give it a try regardless.

Reviewed by Blythe Smith
Grade : C+

Sensuality: Kisses

Review Date : August 21, 2009

Publication Date: 2009

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Blythe Smith

I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
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