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Rosemary O'Malley

Autor(a) de The Red King

3 Works 43 Membros 5 Críticas

Obras por Rosemary O'Malley

The Red King (2012) 26 exemplares
Manhandled 15 exemplares
The Red King (2012) 2 exemplares

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Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/

I received this book from the author to read and review and have to say that the 723 pages was a little off putting. Turns out that this is Ms O'Malley's first novel and it was great. Ruaidhri is a pirate captain called the Red King because of his long, flowing red hair. He and his men work the north African coast taking contracts and swashbuckling their way all over. Ruaidhi has his mind and heart bent on only one thing though and that is vengeance. He wants Maarten Van de Wort dead and will use anything and anyone to get it done. Through a series of flashbacks we learn that a 10 year old Rory, Ruaidhri, was stolen by Maarten and raped, tortured and made to do some heart scarring things. Now a grown man, Ruaidhri lives to kill Maarten. Andrew is a Scottish orphan who had been raised in a monastery. Eighteen years old, innocent and beautiful he is rescued from a burning ship where he was being held captive. Malik, one of Ruaidhri's men makes a mad dash below the burning decks and saves young Andrew from certain death. Once aboard the pirate ship, Andrew heals and insists on helping with the work. He becomes the favorite of the crew and butts heads with Ruaidhri more than once on moral and personal issues. The sheer innocence and beauty that is Andrew makes him a pawn in the revenge plan being hatched by Ruaidhri. As time passes though a great attraction forms between the Red King and Andrew that may just kill everyone. This was a wonderfully written story of lust, passion and a love that passes every barrier a man can put up. It takes place somewhere during the Spanish Inquisition though the date is really not important. What makes this story outstanding is the absolutely wonderful characters and the wealth of strong emotions that Ms O'Malley has created. Every man on the pirate ship is damaged in some way yet their unwavering devotion and love of Ruaidhri binds them together into a cohesive unit. Truly they are a band of misfits each with his own story. The dichotomy between Andrew and Rory and their eventual coming together was masterfully written and definitely does not read like a first novel. I found the way that the rough edges that both Andrew and Rory had were used perfectly to smooth down and bring out the best in each man. This story was driven by the love that the that I developed toward each character and the strong disgust and hatred that is fostered toward Maarten. There is a good deal of violent rape and torture in this book which is necessary to the story so if the subjects are offensive to you or you can't read it, this book may not be for you. Maarten was a man that found pleasure only in the pain he could inflict on others and was a merciless and depraved being. Don't be put off by the length of this story because you will devour each page and want more. The eventual HEA is well worth the emotions that were wrung from me. I cannot recommend this exceptional love story strongly enough. It is not your typical sweet, sappy love story. You need to read this book. My thanks for the memorable ride Ms O'Malley.
… (mais)
 
Assinalado
Connorz | Jan 4, 2023 |
DNF-ing at 60%, applying math, rounding up and marking as "read".

I get it that Rory suffered abuse and betrayal.
I get it that he was a lowly slave.
He and the author told us that many many times. So many times, in fact, that I am sick and tired of it.

I haven't seen him being a pirate, though both the author and Rory insist on it.
I haven't seen him defending the fishermen villages, though both the author and Rory insist on it. Again. I don't get it why the village he visited with Andrew is short of worshipping him.

What I do see is an angry and bitter man, who is using an innocent soul, manipulating Andrew, turning the boy he "loves" into a whore and coercing him to commit murder in the name of justice. Get your own revenge, with your own bloody hands, Rory.

I really hate the guy.

One star.

~~~*

I just have to add:

This is another book with too many words. I am clueless as to why some of the people and adventures are even in it, they carry no purpose at all. The book is packed, so to speak, with the proverbial guns that never get a chance to fire. Most of it is meaningless and tiresome.

I was promised more action and angst somewhere later in the book. Maybe I am too impatient, but I can't possibly enjoy a book that can only hold my interest in the beginning - 10%, somewhere later - 8%, and maybe another 6% closer to the end. It's absurd.
… (mais)
 
Assinalado
Mrella | 2 outras críticas | Mar 8, 2021 |
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. Very hot and sexy short story. The smexxin was HOT and almost crosses the border of consent.

Enjoyable for a quick, dirty read. ;)
 
Assinalado
vampkiss | Oct 23, 2013 |
I really enjoyed the characters and the world building in this story. I will admit to being a bit squeamish during some of the more violent scenes, but I was thoroughly engrossed by the plot.
 
Assinalado
JDRuskin1184 | 2 outras críticas | Jun 9, 2013 |

Estatísticas

Obras
3
Membros
43
Popularidade
#352,016
Avaliação
3.9
Críticas
5
ISBN
1