The Dragon Lord's Daughters (2004) - Plot & Excerpts
I picked this up at the UBS sometime ago, I'd come across BS before in Fascinated and seen her name mentioned here on GRs. However I don't normally read romance set in Ancient Britain/Dark Ages/Medieval times so this sat on the back burner for some months. Then inspired by some recent reviews I'd read for some of Smalls other books I took the plunge. This book was not what I expected! I enjoyed each of the three short stories, which revolve around Merin Pendragons daughters, immensely. The daughters are all half sisters to each other and each has her own dream of how she shall find true love, and the attributes a good husband should have. Needless to say their actual marriage stories are somewhat different to their imagined ones.Merin Pendragon is a direct descendant of King Arthur and this story includes some of the Arthurian Myth which I found very interesting, a complicated story which Small manages to condense, so that as reader you suddenly know the story of betrayal between Arthur,Lancelot Arthurs step sisters and the lady of Shallot without actually having to think too hard about it.The main story is actually 3 novellas about Averil the eldest [but illegitimate:] of Merins daughters who finds her true love after a well meaning but ill thought out kidnapp attempt backfires, Maia the middle [and legitimate:] daughter who finds her true love though magic and mystery but has to prove her love in a fight between the mortal and fairy worlds. And Junia the youngest and also illegitmate daughter, whose story is one of love and loss and who endures terrible pain finally finding love from and unlikely corner. This did'nt read like a 'standard historical romance' but more like a story~tellers tale, which is probably the reason I enjoyed it so much. The three stories flow well and the epilogue draws everything together in a satisfactory way and doesn't leave the reader wondering 'what happens next'. Reading this has encouraged me to search out more of Smalls books and also wonder why I've never anything by her before.4 stars but I will re~read.NOTE Junias story contains a graphic and violent rape scene.
This is the first Bertrice Small book I read and I thought it was great. Averil is bridenapped because she is mistaken for her sister Mia (who is legitimate). Her and Rhys end up being a real love match though.Mia falls in love with a faceless man from her dreams. Emrys is very much real though and comes to claim his bride. This one is filled with magic and mystery.Junia falls in love with Simon who she finds out is from a terrible family that hates hers. This one is sadder than the other 2 stories but of course ends up working out even if not quite as expected. All in all this was a great book!
What do You think about The Dragon Lord's Daughters (2004)?
