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A review by rellimreads
The Guardian by Margaret Mallory
3.0
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.