This Medieval romance is a good example of how important good characters are to a novel. With strong characters, even the oldest cliches of the romance genre can find new life. If the characters are weak, though, all you’re left with is a contrived plot and unbelievable situations. The characters in The Flower and the Sword are like plastic figures in a toy castle.

It all starts because Rogan St. Cyr’s brother marries someone else instead of his intended bride, Catherine. So Rogan rides to the castle of Catherine’s father, hoping to appease him and thus prevent war. Catherine lusts after Rogan, but Rogan only has eyes for her younger sister, Lily.

Rogan marries Lily. But after their wedding night, Lily’s younger sister accuses Rogan of raping her. Lily believes her little sister – because her younger sister is pious – and because it would be a short book if she figured out her older sister Catherine is behind this. Rogan is flogged mercilessly and cast into the dungeon.

After a dungeon fire, Rogan is believed to be dead. Just before Lily is about to be married off again, Rogan appears and kidnaps her. Let the cliches begin! He thinks she betrayed him, so he forces her to live in an isolated cabin with two nasty servants. He belittles her and threatens to take away any children she may conceive. Does she make him come to his senses by being rational? No, first she stomps her foot and argues. Then, she decides the only way to make a life for herself is to become the “lady” of this cabin. She learns to do the chores and keep the place tidy. In effect, she becomes the Medieval Martha Stewart.

The next time Rogan sees her, he is shocked – shocked, I tell you – that her delicate skin is now bruised and scarred. Eventually, Rogan softens toward Lily and brings her back to his castle, just in time for the evil sister to manipulate the plot again.

Rogan’s behavior toward Lily makes him an unpleasant character. Sure, I’ll admit that being flogged and cast in the dungeon would ruin my day. But why put the blame only on Lily? Why not realize that she initially believed the accusations? His behavior would be easier to accept if the author explained why he was acting this way. Instead, we learn almost nothing about his background. He has some good moments, so he’s not exactly an “alpha heel,” but he comes close.

Once she’s over the foot-stomping stage, Lily meets her struggles with quiet dignity. But was she a character that readers could identify with? No. I couldn’t identify with someone who put up with so much. Also, she’s far too trusting of her evil sister to be believed. No one could live with someone as evil as Catherine and not realize something was wrong. When will the publishers stop using this plot device?

There were some enjoyable things about this novel. Rogan’s younger brother, a priest, keeps things sane much of the time, especially when he decides to take his priesthood seriously for the first time. The writing was clear and point of view was handled well. The author is capable of making us feel sympathetic for her characters, even Rogan, but that sympathy is shattered each time the reader starts to feel manipulated again. Unless you revel in the hackneyed cliches of the genre, it’s best to pass on The Flower and the Sword.