SHADOW MUSIC

Author: Julie Garwood ISBN: 9780345500731 1/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: BALLANTINE
Time Period: Medieval, 1200's

For Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel, Scotland is a land of stunning vistas, wild chieftains, treacherous glens, and steep shadows–skullduggery, betrayal, and now murder. Prized for her exquisite beauty, the daughter of one of England’s most influential barons, Gabrielle is also a perfect bargaining chip for a king who needs peace in the Highlands: King John has arranged Gabrielle’s marriage to a good and gentle laird. But this marriage will never take place. For Gabrielle, everything changes in one last burst of freedom–when she and her guards come upon a scene of unimaginable cruelty. With one shot from her bow and arrow, Gabrielle takes a life, saves a life, and begins a war. Within days, the Highlands are aflame with passions as a battle royal flares between enemies old and new. Having come to Scotland to be married, Gabrielle is instead entangled in Highland intrigue. For two sadistic noblemen, underestimating Gabrielle’s bravery and prowess may prove fatal. But thanks to a secret Gabrielle possesses, Colm MacHugh, the most feared man in Scotland, finds a new cause for courage. Under his penetrating gaze, neither Gabrielle’s body nor heart is safe.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

There's good news and bad news about this review. As much as I'd love to give this newest Garwood offering a Top Pick award, I can't. But for everyone who's a solid Julie Garwood fan like me, you'll find many more positives than negatives about SHADOW MUSIC, making this one a must-have for everyone who loves this extraordinary author.

Here's the good news: It's a Julie Garwood historical romance. Period. Garwood's trademark sense of humor still shines and we get to revisit a lot of old friends or hear mention of other characters from many of Garwood's previous cherished medievals. SHADOW MUSIC basically carries forward many characters from RANSOM and relates to a feud mentioned in her previous release, SHADOW DANCER. (I haven't read that book, by the way. However, that might be a good thing because when I do get the chance to read SHADOW DANCER I'll know exactly what feud its modern characters are referring to.) And once again Ms. Garwood introduces a female lead that is strong, determined and yet can be just a wee bit ditzy, harkening back to the beloved heroines from some of my personal favorites, such as Brenna from THE WEDDING and Madelyne from HONOR'S SPLENDOUR.

However, it's inevitable to compare this book to those older medievals—we just cannot help it. Those of us fans who rank Garwood's Scottish medievals at the pinnacle of the historical romance tier with their perfect melding of drama, romance and humor, will find it simply impossible not to. And that's where my bad news comes in.

To be totally honest, at times I feel like I'm reading bits and pieces of storyline taken from those older books, plopped here and there throughout SHADOW MUSIC. One small example would be a confrontational scene in a stable between the two main characters in SHADOW MUSIC, which immediately set the bells ringing in my head. And while Garwood's signature humor is here, the magnetic flow of her prose isn't. There's a spark missing, a special sparkle that's lacking that made all her previous medieval romances books I've read a gazillion times over, and never have grown tired of rereading.

Yes, SHADOW MUSIC could have been better, but it's still a much awaited Julie Garwood historical, and just for that I am ever so grateful. It's been a long time coming, and I'm sure that no matter what sense of déjà vu readers experience while reading this book—it's always nice to have a replay of our fondest scenes—SHADOW MUSIC is still well worth the read.

Welcome back to medieval times, Ms. Garwood. How you have been missed!

Nancy Davis