Beyond the Highland Mist [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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I liked it. Some parts kind of had me biting my nails and wanting to slap the characters for not realizing the obvious. It was pretty good.

I think Ms. Moning has potential to be a great writer.
But this book left me wanting. Other reviewers have done a good job of summarizing plot and strong points and weak points. I will simply add my own.

This book is not very romantic. Adrienne tries to protect herself, rather stupidly for stupid reasons. The revelations on her past don't give us enough insight and are not made in a timely manner. At the beginning, we understand why Adrienne, a self reliant 20th century woman would reject «Hawk»'s high handedness. In fact, I could never fall for the jerk myself.

But it gets to the point where we know in advance Adrienne is going to feign attraction to another character in order to push «Hawk» away. She does it a minimum of five times. It's tedious!

As for «Hawk», would romance writers please get over themselves! Could you please not name your male characters like F-16 pilots? It's VERY anachronical. Hawk is a very stereotypical male. In fact, he's probably cookie cutter highlander material, that is in women's fiction. Too late the author tries to add depth, but while I felt for «Hawk», it just boggled the mind that while having to go through what he did, he could not sympathize or understand that the only one way to win someone is to let them free.

The falconry image is supposed to make us feel elated over the symbolism and such. It failed to do me in. In fact I thought it was fairly revolting that I was supposed to fall in love with a man who considers and treats his "wife" like an animal to be caught, hooded and broken. Please, I don't expect men to just sit down a brood, but that's too much. And how are we supposed to believe that Adrienne, self reliant modern woman, finds this attractive? (Although I guess Ms. Moning, modern woman as she is does).

The whole falcon-hawk theme was way too blunt. We understood all right that only the falcon was a match for the hawk, but please don't hit me over the head with it. I understand (and I like ) romance novels. They aren't meant to be nobel prize winning litterature. But credit the readers with more smarts.

Ultimately, I realise Hawk suffers from a bi-polar disorder. One day he's Mr. Smoochie and the next he's the Terminator. It's hard for me to like the Terminator, although Mr. Smoochie was promising enough for me to want more of him.

As for the villain of this book, he's far more interesting than both protagonist. Adam feels more like the misunderstood party in this, at least until the very end where Ms. Moning kind of paints him into a corner, for very little reason other than wrapping up her book, and suddenly he changes into this sniveling, pathetic creature. Adam is only convincing as a villain if he is superior to Hawk. Unfortunately, instead of pitting Hawk and Adrienne together, outmatched against Adam, Ms. Moning wants us to believe Hawk is able to handle everything on his own. Yet another way this romance fails to deliver. There's a fine line between conjuring the «alpha male» and going overboard. I think in this book we're going overboard.

The book brought a few laughs and some characters, notably Grimm and Adam, were fun and interesting. The writing is good, which is why I would love to read a book of Ms. Moning that is not quite so plagued with plot devices, stereotypes, etc... etc.. I guess I will wait to buy another book by her that she outgrows the «highlander» theme.

I think if I had skipped the first 3/4 of this book I would have loved it. You have to get beyond Adrienne's annoying and nasty character and the problem of why Hawk loves her almost at first sight even though he has bedded many more beautiful women. Adrienne was so mean to Hawk that I was hoping the poison or the arrow would actually kill her. Aside from that the last few chapters were great and the love making when it occurred near the end was also terrific. If you like the Highlander series, you should read this, but I would not recommend it as a first read in the series or you might not want to continue.

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4.0 out of 5 stars I liked it!
I like books that don't pretend to be anything else than entertaining. So I decided to buy the book even after reading the bad reviews. Read more

Published 15 months ago by Lily12

4.0 out of 5 stars This was the begining of an adventure
Hawk and Adrienne. The past and the future come together in a twisted tale of revenge and for what? Deep wounds to a fool's pride. Read more

Published on April 14 2006 by CJ

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific story.Keeps you interested, but has annoying parts.
This is the third "Highlander" book I've read. I previously read Moning's "Kiss of The Highlander" and "The Dark Highlander. Read more

Published on Feb 21 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!
Awesome! From the first page to the last, I couldn't put one of these books down for a minute without thinking about the characters and wanting to get right back to the stories... Read more

Published on Feb 8 2004 by Babydoll171

3.0 out of 5 stars Slow To Start...But A Good Ending!!!
I must admit that this has not been one of my favorites by this author. I think she has finally come into her own since penning this novel. Read more

Published on Nov 27 2003 by Kristi Ahlers

3.0 out of 5 stars A Scottish Fling!
The first book by this author relating to time travel in the 1500's and Scotland. Having read some of her more recent work I did find this one lacking in its story line. Read more

Published on Sep 26 2003

2.0 out of 5 stars E for effort,
This is the second book I have read by Karen Marie Moning. I like to give writers at least a second chance at nabbing me up as a fan. I do love romance novels! Read more

Published on Aug 26 2003 by Dara Rourke

5.0 out of 5 stars Yummy
This is a HOT and SIZZLING exploration of a time-travel romance. It's impossible to put down.

Published on July 27 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars Hubba....
Time travel and a sexy man. Who can beat it. Also the sexy elfen creature Adam thrown in there. Not her best but a good Moning. Read more

Published on July 23 2003 by janethgrt

2.0 out of 5 stars Repetitive And Boring
This author seems to be quite popular and highly praised so I bought a couple of her books. I seem to be in the minority here because I found Beyond The Highland Mist to be a very... Read more

Published on July 7 2003 by J. Wilson

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