Helpful Score: 4
Set in the 13th century, Coulter's latest (following The Rebel Bride) returns to the world of her Song series (Earth Song, Fire Song, etc.) and tells the story of Merryn, a young woman who's four times widowed but still a maid when Sir Bishop of Lythe arrives at castle Penwyth. Merryn bears the brunt of an ancient curse, which declares that no man will ever take Penwyth, or her, by force. Her four previous husbands all died within hours of storming the castle and seizing its mistress. Unconvinced that the curse is real but wise enough to take precautions, Bishop figures he'll be safe if he woos the lady first. But as he settles into life at the castle, he starts having dreams featuring an unknown wizard and witch. The novel alternates between Bishop's story and that of the mysterious figures in his dreams, but the dream-story eventually overpowers the romance between Merryn and Bishop. The dual plotline is jumpy and disjointed, and it leaves little time for Coulter to examine her characters thoroughly. Though the dream couple's relationship holds some appeal, the story's paranormal touches feel like special effects-a splash of drama to fill out a story stretched too thin. Overall, this offering lacks the emotional intensity of Coulter's best works and is unlikely to woo many new readers.
--Publisher's Weekly
--Publisher's Weekly
Helpful Score: 2
This is kind of a silly book, it does not very effectively attempt to tie several times together. I struggled to finish it. Not one of her best efforts.
Helpful Score: 1
It is full of romance, magic and mystery. It will keep you on your seat and you can't stop reading it.
Helpful Score: 1
good read
Helpful Score: 1
No one can go wrong with Catherine Coulter!!
Helpful Score: 1
nice combo of romance, magic, life in the 1200's
Helpful Score: 1
A good historical read!!
Very enjoyable
good read, a little slow at first, but the ending was satisfactory none the less.
Typical Catherine Coulter book. The idea of being 18 years old and a 4 time widow was an interesting idea, and its fun to see what happens next to the heroine.
This is the last in her "Song" series.
Loriann S. (nalastormhunter) reviewed The Penwyth Curse (Medieval Song, Bk 6) on + 35 more book reviews
A friend left it to me when we stopped being friends, and it was a rather boring read, but that's just my opinion, perhaps someone else out there will like it more.
How would you like to be eighteen and four times a widow? If you live with a curse, sometimes things like this happen. And so they did. We have two sets of heroes and heroines; one set is in the present (A.D. 1278)and the other set is sometime else. We have both over- and underlapping stories, a dynamite mystery, lovers underfoot (visit with Dienwald and Philippa from EARTH SONG) and mega-doses of magic and mayhem.
Catherine L. (sassysilver) reviewed The Penwyth Curse (Medieval Song, Bk 6) on + 35 more book reviews
This is a good book if you love Catherine Coulter. I am not really one of her fans, so it's hard for me to rate it. The story is good, and it's a fast read. Try it!
A different type of story. Witches and Wizards and magic wands. Along with the "present" 1272 England.
Very unusual good story
Colleen N. (flyguysangel) -
Nice Historical Romance with a plot that was worth following.
A great medieval story by a fantastic writer!
Shelley F. (shelleysalibi) reviewed The Penwyth Curse (Medieval Song, Bk 6) on + 280 more book reviews
From the inside cover...
How would you like to be eighteen and four times a widow? If you live with a curse, sometimes things like this happen. And so they did.
We have two sets of heroes/heroines; one set is in the present (AD.1278) and the other set it, quite simply, sometime else. We have both over and underlapping stories, a dynamite mystery, lovers underfoot (visit with Dienwald and Philippa from Earth Song) and mega-doese of magic and mayhem.
How would you like to be eighteen and four times a widow? If you live with a curse, sometimes things like this happen. And so they did.
We have two sets of heroes/heroines; one set is in the present (AD.1278) and the other set it, quite simply, sometime else. We have both over and underlapping stories, a dynamite mystery, lovers underfoot (visit with Dienwald and Philippa from Earth Song) and mega-doese of magic and mayhem.
How would you like to be eighteen and four times a widow? If you live with a curse, sometimes things like this happen. And so they did. We have two sets of heroes and heroines; one set is in the present (A.D. 1278)and the other set is sometime else. We have both over- and underlapping stories, a dynamite mystery, lovers underfoot (visit with Dienwald and Philippa from EARTH SONG) and mega-doses of magic and mayhem.
I ordered this without knowing anything about it - but I've read books by her before and enjoyed them - what a versatile author she is! I am not much into wizards and witches but I was completely mesmerized by this book - twists and turns all set in the 1200's and before. Good read. Lots of subtle humor (not laugh out loud, but makes you smile)
Coulter is always a great read.
Set in the 13th century, Coulter's latest (following The Rebel Bride) returns to the world of her Song series (Earth Song, Fire Song, etc.) and tells the story of Merryn, a young woman who's four times widowed but still a maid when Sir Bishop of Lythe arrives at castle Penwyth. Merryn bears the brunt of an ancient curse, which declares that no man will ever take Penwyth, or her, by force. Her four previous husbands all died within hours of storming the castle and seizing its mistress. Unconvinced that the curse is real but wise enough to take precautions, Bishop figures he'll be safe if he woos the lady first. But as he settles into life at the castle, he starts having dreams featuring an unknown wizard and witch. The novel alternates between Bishop's story and that of the mysterious figures in his dreams, but the dream-story eventually overpowers the romance between Merryn and Bishop. The dual plotline is jumpy and disjointed, and it leaves little time for Coulter to examine her characters thoroughly. Though the dream couple's relationship holds some appeal, the story's paranormal touches feel like special effects-a splash of drama to fill out a story stretched too thin. Overall, this offering lacks the emotional intensity of Coulter's best works and is unlikely to woo many new readers.
This is a really silly book. Genny Sikes
Two sets of heroes/heroines; one set is in the present (A.D. 1278) and the other set is sometime else. Over-and underlapping stories, a mystery, lovers underfoot, and mega-doses of magic and mayhem.
Romance novels rock!
Interesting twists to plot.
No paper cover and the cover is a little sunbleached from being in a window.
Great read!
