Helpful Score: 4
I wish I could say I enjoyed Claimed by the Highlander more than, or even as much as, its prequel, Captured by the Highlander, but it just wasn't as exciting. Our hero, Angus, surely has a shameful past he's trying to run from, and I can appreciate his determination to now live a peaceful life, but his character development wasn't as stirring or as emotional as his friend's, Duncan, in Book One. Nor did I feel that there was a grand love shared between Angus and his lady, Gwendolen. I like my highlanders as much as the next woman--protective, strong, lusty, loyal; and while Angus was all of these, strangely, he still didn't stand out from the pack. Gwendolen vacillated between being courageous and defiant, and obedient and self-sacrificing, which was rather irritating. One day she's determined to fight her enemy's takeover, the next her panties get all wet with just one look from him--sheesh.
There's a certain amount of family intrigue (who's loyal to whom) to help keep the plot moving along, but I liked it best when Angus mends his fences with Duncan. Unfortunately, that particular scene was too brief.
There's a teaser chapter from Book 3 which actually sounds better than the first one. But I was disappointed with Claimed and think it's rather a dud compared to the wonderful tales that this author usually writes. I give it more than 3 stars but less than 3.5.
There's a certain amount of family intrigue (who's loyal to whom) to help keep the plot moving along, but I liked it best when Angus mends his fences with Duncan. Unfortunately, that particular scene was too brief.
There's a teaser chapter from Book 3 which actually sounds better than the first one. But I was disappointed with Claimed and think it's rather a dud compared to the wonderful tales that this author usually writes. I give it more than 3 stars but less than 3.5.
Helpful Score: 2
The beginning of this book was in a word...terrible. My initial reaction to the female character was how could anyone be so naive. No, stupid. I'm almost put the book down and didn't finish it, but I thought I'd skim the book just to say I read it. But I must admit the character got better more depth to her that I didn't see in the beginning. I ended up enjoying this book more than I thought I would, not a keeper but not bad. This is the second in a series (Captured by the Highlander is the 1st)I'm not sure I'll read the next, but maybe.
Helpful Score: 1
Last book I will read by MacLean. This was the dullest book in the world and I couldn't force myself to finish it. I had such high hopes for Angus since he was very intriguing in the first book. Here, he was so wooden and in a bad way. Gwenoleyn was just annoying. She was strong one minute and a total slut the next. It seemed like she was just being won over by Angus's bedroom skills. So definitely skip it.
