Helpful Score: 2
For some reason it has taken me 2 years to read this sequel to Night's Rose. I really enjoyed Night's Rose and found it surprisingly character driven, intricate, and original. The only thing I didn't like was that it bordered on dark erotica at times and made me really uncomfortable. However the rest of the story made up for these issues, but that discomfort is perhaps why I didn't immediately jump into reading it's sequel, The Prince of Frogs.
Again, there are some brutal sex scenes that made me uncomfortable but I would hardly call reading this book to be a chore. I loved the characters, who are so well realized that, even though I'm not a reader who enjoys a lot of intrigue in her books, I kept wanting to find out what happened next and was never disappointed in the ways that Evans revealed the motivations and true alliances of each character. With one exception. I just don't see the draw of Gareth's character. I don't think Evans ever really redeemed him to me. In contrast, Ambrose is the quintessential dark, romantic hero who proves his love for the heroine time and time again. I can't see how she would ever have to wonder whom she prefers more--the man who acts like a jerk, purposely hurts her time and again, and doesn't even thank her for risking everything to save him, or the man whom she's known most of her life, who stands by her when her world crumbles around her, and even tries to help her get back her ungrateful, spoiled, and idiotic husband because she's in loooove. Because Gareth really never proves himself to this reader, I agree with the previous reviewer in that the ménage à trois at the end of the book seems a little forced. With one third of the lovers unworthy of the others and actually related to one, it makes the scene a little uncomfortable. I am glad that Rose finally consummates her love for Ambrose but I really could have done without Gareth there. I think I would have preferred it if the author wrote him merely as a cad and let Ambrose pick up Rose's pieces.
The end of the novel leaves massive room for a sequel so I imagine these relationships were to be explored more in another novel. As of the end of 2011, it doesn't look like another novel is forthcoming, which is a shame because I do believe that Evans has the capability and artistry to make me like this strange arrangement between two half-brothers and the woman they love. But right now the relationships feel incomplete.
My dislike of Gareth aside, I do think this is a worthwhile historical, fantasy romance.
Again, there are some brutal sex scenes that made me uncomfortable but I would hardly call reading this book to be a chore. I loved the characters, who are so well realized that, even though I'm not a reader who enjoys a lot of intrigue in her books, I kept wanting to find out what happened next and was never disappointed in the ways that Evans revealed the motivations and true alliances of each character. With one exception. I just don't see the draw of Gareth's character. I don't think Evans ever really redeemed him to me. In contrast, Ambrose is the quintessential dark, romantic hero who proves his love for the heroine time and time again. I can't see how she would ever have to wonder whom she prefers more--the man who acts like a jerk, purposely hurts her time and again, and doesn't even thank her for risking everything to save him, or the man whom she's known most of her life, who stands by her when her world crumbles around her, and even tries to help her get back her ungrateful, spoiled, and idiotic husband because she's in loooove. Because Gareth really never proves himself to this reader, I agree with the previous reviewer in that the ménage à trois at the end of the book seems a little forced. With one third of the lovers unworthy of the others and actually related to one, it makes the scene a little uncomfortable. I am glad that Rose finally consummates her love for Ambrose but I really could have done without Gareth there. I think I would have preferred it if the author wrote him merely as a cad and let Ambrose pick up Rose's pieces.
The end of the novel leaves massive room for a sequel so I imagine these relationships were to be explored more in another novel. As of the end of 2011, it doesn't look like another novel is forthcoming, which is a shame because I do believe that Evans has the capability and artistry to make me like this strange arrangement between two half-brothers and the woman they love. But right now the relationships feel incomplete.
My dislike of Gareth aside, I do think this is a worthwhile historical, fantasy romance.
Helpful Score: 1
Would have been five stars until the very last scene. Rose and Ambrose are wonderful in this book; Gareth a big presence too. I probably won't get the next installment if all three of them are "involved" again.
Although I did not read the first book, this book did quite well by itself. It was intriguing and a well written, sexy, wonderful new twist to Sleeping Beauty and The Frog Prince. The characters are great in a story that keeps you guessing as to who are the good guys and visa versa. The thing that might improve this book is a possible sequel to wrap up some loose ends that seem to have been purposely left open. To tell of what those loose ends are would be spoiling it. A good read that I would recommend.
