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I liked how different this was from what I have read before. Will definitely continue with the series.
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
I really liked this book. There was adventure, suspense, and love. The warriors were everything you would want from a Highlander book, and I am excited to read about each one! I really like Sil as the heroine and it was beautiful to watch her and Ian's relationship grow and mature. I REALLY liked Ian's family and Niall seems like such a great kid. I am eager to read about each of the four main warriors in the next three stories!
This is the first book in The Return of the Highlanders series. While my least favorite in terms of the romance, it's a necessary book due to the world building (which is paradoxically fantastic). These books need to be read/listened to in order and while each book has a specific couple as it's focus - there's also a series story arc that runs through all four. I actually really like the series as a whole, unfortunately the "hero" of this couple just gets on my nerves.
The problem is that when 80% of the book is dedicated to proving what an asshat the “hero” is ~ then it takes a LOT to “redeem” him. And that was only slightly accomplished here.
A little math first. The story never explicitly says how old the characters are at the same time. However, Sileas is described as 13yo in the events from “5 years earlier”. In current times, Ian’s younger brother is listed as 15yo and also as being nine years younger than Ian.
So at the time of marriage Ian: 19 & Sileas: 13. (The marriage is not consummated). Which makes current ages would be Ian: 24 & Sileas: 18.
Anyway, there’s some prologue-ish stuff over a few years and various ages are thrown about. Essentially, a core group of guys go visit a seer who tells them all about their future spouses. Ian (11 at the time) is told he will marry first in anger and second in love. We’re also given more details including the fact that Sileas is a little “hanger on” of the group who sees her as their tiny sister and indulge her inclusion at Ian’s behest.
Fast forward to him being 19 and he finds her running away from home at 13 to escape an arranged marriage her stepfather has set up. As Ian is “rescuing” her, they have to spend the night camping in the woods. When his clan comes upon them and learn they spent the night together they demand he marry her to “protect her virtue”. Since nothing happened, Ian is furious and has to basically be threatened into marrying her. He then proceeds to leave the country the day after their unconsummated wedding. For 5 years.
Now, Ian has been enjoying himself “between the thighs” of countless women (yes, the author uses that phrase) in France & wherever over the 5 years. But, of course, he expects his bride is as pure as the driven snow EVEN THOUGH he’s intending to have the marriage annulled upon returning.
Ian then sees that Sileas has become a beautiful woman and after a few days of ignoring her, decides he’s willing to stay married to her in order to have sex with her. And basically it’s chapter after chapter of him only wanting her for sex and being confused as to why she isn’t grateful he’s finally come home.
I think the biggest problem is that this book can’t seem to decide whether it’s YA/NA or adult with younger characters. Ian & his friends have been warriors for years & Sileas has basically been running the household with Ian’s parents while he’s away ~ but they all sort of act like middle schoolers emotionally.
Ian does finally. FINALLY. seem to get his act together and treat Sileas with some respect. But until the last 30 minutes of the book, it’s still very much a generic/general respect and courtesy to another human not love. It felt like she capitulated sensing that it was either stay with Ian in a moderately respectful but loveless marriage or constantly be under threat from a line of raping assholes who wanted her simply for a castle she’s supposed to inherit. Yeah ~ this is NOT an overwhelmingly romantic story. At all. As action/adventure it's terrific.
I really, really like Derek Perkins' narration. He does a fantastic job with a huge cast of regular characters and a massive number of secondary characters that each need their own voice. He sounds significantly "older" than the late teen/early 20's characters of the main characters, however his talent overshadows any reservations about that.
Trigger warning that’s also a complaint. There’s TWO different instances of attempted rape on Sileas by two different characters. I think it’s an overused “peril” as it is - but twice in the same book feels lazy.
The problem is that when 80% of the book is dedicated to proving what an asshat the “hero” is ~ then it takes a LOT to “redeem” him. And that was only slightly accomplished here.
A little math first. The story never explicitly says how old the characters are at the same time. However, Sileas is described as 13yo in the events from “5 years earlier”. In current times, Ian’s younger brother is listed as 15yo and also as being nine years younger than Ian.
So at the time of marriage Ian: 19 & Sileas: 13. (The marriage is not consummated). Which makes current ages would be Ian: 24 & Sileas: 18.
Anyway, there’s some prologue-ish stuff over a few years and various ages are thrown about. Essentially, a core group of guys go visit a seer who tells them all about their future spouses. Ian (11 at the time) is told he will marry first in anger and second in love. We’re also given more details including the fact that Sileas is a little “hanger on” of the group who sees her as their tiny sister and indulge her inclusion at Ian’s behest.
Fast forward to him being 19 and he finds her running away from home at 13 to escape an arranged marriage her stepfather has set up. As Ian is “rescuing” her, they have to spend the night camping in the woods. When his clan comes upon them and learn they spent the night together they demand he marry her to “protect her virtue”. Since nothing happened, Ian is furious and has to basically be threatened into marrying her. He then proceeds to leave the country the day after their unconsummated wedding. For 5 years.
Now, Ian has been enjoying himself “between the thighs” of countless women (yes, the author uses that phrase) in France & wherever over the 5 years. But, of course, he expects his bride is as pure as the driven snow EVEN THOUGH he’s intending to have the marriage annulled upon returning.
Ian then sees that Sileas has become a beautiful woman and after a few days of ignoring her, decides he’s willing to stay married to her in order to have sex with her. And basically it’s chapter after chapter of him only wanting her for sex and being confused as to why she isn’t grateful he’s finally come home.
I think the biggest problem is that this book can’t seem to decide whether it’s YA/NA or adult with younger characters. Ian & his friends have been warriors for years & Sileas has basically been running the household with Ian’s parents while he’s away ~ but they all sort of act like middle schoolers emotionally.
Ian does finally. FINALLY. seem to get his act together and treat Sileas with some respect. But until the last 30 minutes of the book, it’s still very much a generic/general respect and courtesy to another human not love. It felt like she capitulated sensing that it was either stay with Ian in a moderately respectful but loveless marriage or constantly be under threat from a line of raping assholes who wanted her simply for a castle she’s supposed to inherit. Yeah ~ this is NOT an overwhelmingly romantic story. At all. As action/adventure it's terrific.
I really, really like Derek Perkins' narration. He does a fantastic job with a huge cast of regular characters and a massive number of secondary characters that each need their own voice. He sounds significantly "older" than the late teen/early 20's characters of the main characters, however his talent overshadows any reservations about that.
Trigger warning that’s also a complaint. There’s TWO different instances of attempted rape on Sileas by two different characters. I think it’s an overused “peril” as it is - but twice in the same book feels lazy.
eh. Would rather have had Ian as a more mature man than some weird man-boy. Sileas was great.
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
FMC: 3.5
MMC: 1.5
💕: 2.5
Plot: 3
🌶️: 3
MMC: 1.5
💕: 2.5
Plot: 3
🌶️: 3
The Guardian
3 Stars
When visiting a soothsayer, four young highland boys receive prophecies of their future brides. Ian MacDonald is told that he will marry twice - once for hate and once for love. Years later he is forced to wed a childhood friend and deserts her to fight in France. Upon his return, he discovers that gangly Síleas has become a beautiful and spirited young woman with little patience for a man who chose war over hearth and home. Is it too late for Ian to prove his love for her?
Ian has to be one of the most self-centered, obnoxious and irritating heroes ever to disgrace the pages of a historical romance novel. He returns home and expects the woman he deserted to welcome him with open arms and kiss the ground he walks on . . . Well, he is in for a big surprise!
Síleas is a charming heroine - beautiful, caring and independent. The only problem with her character is her love for the undeserving Ian. It seems that love truly is blind…and deaf … and stupid!
The rest of the plot revolving around a struggle for leadership of the Clan is well developed with some exciting action scenes. Unfortunately, it never quite succeeds in compensating for the weak romance.
The rest of the series focuses on the other boys: Alex the womanizer, Duncan the tormented and Connor the leader. As their characters are far more likable than Ian, I am willing to give their books a chance.
3 Stars
When visiting a soothsayer, four young highland boys receive prophecies of their future brides. Ian MacDonald is told that he will marry twice - once for hate and once for love. Years later he is forced to wed a childhood friend and deserts her to fight in France. Upon his return, he discovers that gangly Síleas has become a beautiful and spirited young woman with little patience for a man who chose war over hearth and home. Is it too late for Ian to prove his love for her?
Ian has to be one of the most self-centered, obnoxious and irritating heroes ever to disgrace the pages of a historical romance novel. He returns home and expects the woman he deserted to welcome him with open arms and kiss the ground he walks on . . . Well, he is in for a big surprise!
Síleas is a charming heroine - beautiful, caring and independent. The only problem with her character is her love for the undeserving Ian. It seems that love truly is blind…and deaf … and stupid!
The rest of the plot revolving around a struggle for leadership of the Clan is well developed with some exciting action scenes. Unfortunately, it never quite succeeds in compensating for the weak romance.
The rest of the series focuses on the other boys: Alex the womanizer, Duncan the tormented and Connor the leader. As their characters are far more likable than Ian, I am willing to give their books a chance.
Received for review from NetGalley (requested by me)
Overall Rating 4.25
Story Rating 4.00
Character Rating 4.50
NOTE: A long time ago I used to devour Highland Romance like it was going out of style. However, I haven't read a truly straight up Highlander historical in a very long time. Margaret Mallory has managed to peak my love for them once again and make me count down to her next release in this series.
What I Loved: The Guardian is a book filled with great characters, plot, and storytelling. Sileas has to be one of the most capable leading ladies that a person could ask for in a historical romance. When the story starts she is very young, fleeing from a bad situation, and forced to marry the boy she has always had a crush on (he is older by about 5 years). He leaves immediately after the wedding and doesn't return for 5 years. In that time, Sileas has grown into a beautiful, smart, capable, and caring woman. She has taken care of his family, home, and ailing father. She manages to stand up to Ian and their romance plays out perfectly in the book.
What I Liked: The Guardian is a book full of great characters. There are too many to list without giving away too much of the story. However some of my favorites are: Alex, Conner, Duncan, and Naill (whom I am sure I misspelled his name). It is a great to see a strong "bromance" in a story with Alex, Conner, and Duncan. I think Naill is going to be just as strong as his older brother and his friends. The pacing of this story was also done just about right with very few lulls.
Complaints: Alex's book won't be out for awhile and that one looks very funny. Who could tame a man like Alex?
Why I gave it a 4.25: I felt The Guardian had all the elements that make a Historical Romance fun to read: good story, great characters, laughs, cries, and a good guys vs bad buys showdown. This was truly a throwback to all the great books I read in my teens and will be reading the rest of the series as it comes out.
Who I would recommend this book too: Historical romance readers. This was a fantastic read!
Overall Rating 4.25
Story Rating 4.00
Character Rating 4.50
NOTE: A long time ago I used to devour Highland Romance like it was going out of style. However, I haven't read a truly straight up Highlander historical in a very long time. Margaret Mallory has managed to peak my love for them once again and make me count down to her next release in this series.
What I Loved: The Guardian is a book filled with great characters, plot, and storytelling. Sileas has to be one of the most capable leading ladies that a person could ask for in a historical romance. When the story starts she is very young, fleeing from a bad situation, and forced to marry the boy she has always had a crush on (he is older by about 5 years). He leaves immediately after the wedding and doesn't return for 5 years. In that time, Sileas has grown into a beautiful, smart, capable, and caring woman. She has taken care of his family, home, and ailing father. She manages to stand up to Ian and their romance plays out perfectly in the book.
What I Liked: The Guardian is a book full of great characters. There are too many to list without giving away too much of the story. However some of my favorites are: Alex, Conner, Duncan, and Naill (whom I am sure I misspelled his name). It is a great to see a strong "bromance" in a story with Alex, Conner, and Duncan. I think Naill is going to be just as strong as his older brother and his friends. The pacing of this story was also done just about right with very few lulls.
Complaints: Alex's book won't be out for awhile and that one looks very funny. Who could tame a man like Alex?
Why I gave it a 4.25: I felt The Guardian had all the elements that make a Historical Romance fun to read: good story, great characters, laughs, cries, and a good guys vs bad buys showdown. This was truly a throwback to all the great books I read in my teens and will be reading the rest of the series as it comes out.
Who I would recommend this book too: Historical romance readers. This was a fantastic read!
Ian MacDonald is a douche, Sìleas was a silly ninny girl. Therefore I did not enjoy this book.
Ian wanted nothing to do with Sìleas when he was forced to wed her. Granted she was 13. What girl looks good when they are 13? He leaves to fight and he comes back and he doesn't even recognize his own wife... again he was gone for 5 years and at the young age women change a lot but still. So Sìleas has been longing for Ian for 5 years. She has stayed with his family/clan and helped it survive. She goes everyday to the sea to watch for her husband who said she was ugly and who literally had a knife to him when he wed her. She has held on to all these ridiculous fantasies that he was going to come back to her, take her in his arms and confess that he never meant any of the things he said and that he has missed her every day he was gone. Ridiculous. The reality is that he comes home and has every expectation of annulling the marriage (it was never consummated) When he sees her, he has no clue who she is. He just sees a pretty girl and he knows he wants to bed her.... So when he finds out that she is in fact his wife he decides that he will accept the marriage and let her be his wife. He literally thinks and says these things to her. And what does she do? Well he kisses her so she forgets about it. UHHHHHH mothereffer should be on his knees begging her to stay with him. Let me point out the wrongs he has done her and the rights she has done him.
1. He calls her ugly.
2. He leaves for 5 years and she wants him every day and he goes around with anything with breasts.
3. he comes home and doesn't recognize her.
4. She stayed with his family and helped run the house, take care of his sick father, helped his brother and mother with everything.
5. The woman who took Ian's virginity comes to stay at the house and she says nothing about it.
6. She has been humiliated and mocked for 5 years because she couldn't get her husband to come home.
All of this adds up to Ian being a complete and total douche. He doesn't redeem himself at all. When he finally beds her I guess he gets kind of sweet.... I mean he wants to save her but thats it.. That does not make up for all the wrongs.
Sorry I just could not get with this story because everything Ian did made me hate him and every time Sìleas forgave him it made me hate her.
Ian wanted nothing to do with Sìleas when he was forced to wed her. Granted she was 13. What girl looks good when they are 13? He leaves to fight and he comes back and he doesn't even recognize his own wife... again he was gone for 5 years and at the young age women change a lot but still. So Sìleas has been longing for Ian for 5 years. She has stayed with his family/clan and helped it survive. She goes everyday to the sea to watch for her husband who said she was ugly and who literally had a knife to him when he wed her. She has held on to all these ridiculous fantasies that he was going to come back to her, take her in his arms and confess that he never meant any of the things he said and that he has missed her every day he was gone. Ridiculous. The reality is that he comes home and has every expectation of annulling the marriage (it was never consummated) When he sees her, he has no clue who she is. He just sees a pretty girl and he knows he wants to bed her.... So when he finds out that she is in fact his wife he decides that he will accept the marriage and let her be his wife. He literally thinks and says these things to her. And what does she do? Well he kisses her so she forgets about it. UHHHHHH mothereffer should be on his knees begging her to stay with him. Let me point out the wrongs he has done her and the rights she has done him.
1. He calls her ugly.
2. He leaves for 5 years and she wants him every day and he goes around with anything with breasts.
3. he comes home and doesn't recognize her.
4. She stayed with his family and helped run the house, take care of his sick father, helped his brother and mother with everything.
5. The woman who took Ian's virginity comes to stay at the house and she says nothing about it.
6. She has been humiliated and mocked for 5 years because she couldn't get her husband to come home.
All of this adds up to Ian being a complete and total douche. He doesn't redeem himself at all. When he finally beds her I guess he gets kind of sweet.... I mean he wants to save her but thats it.. That does not make up for all the wrongs.
Sorry I just could not get with this story because everything Ian did made me hate him and every time Sìleas forgave him it made me hate her.