Shadow Music: A Novel
by Julie Garwood
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Book Summary Information
Author: Julie GarwoodEdition: Hardcover
Published: 2007-12-26
ISBN: 0345500733
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Reviews of Shadow Music: A Novel
Book Review: Pretty Terrible, but Amusing for a Hot Summer's Day
Summary: 2 Stars
"Was contentment the ultimate to be wished for? Were passion and love and excitement only for dreams? Was it ever possible to have it all?" wonders Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel in Julie Garwood's latest historical romance "Shadow Music." "Shadow Music" is the tale of a beautiful princess promised by King John of England to a Scottish Lord. The union is meant to settle tensions along the Scottish border. Gabrielle's betrothed is murdered and she is taken in by a Highland clan who protects her and accepts her as one of their own. "Shadow Music" is a tale of love, lust, and political maneuvering that, once you get into it, makes for a good read.
The characters leave much to be desired. They are neither multidimensional nor believable. Gabrielle is described many times as being beautiful and troublesome, yet those adjectives hardly create a whole character. What are her hopes? Ambitions? True feelings? What really makes her tick? Her character is flat. I also questioned why Gabrielle was able to speak Gaelic, which she said was her mother's native language, when her mother was from St. Biel, in the Byzantine Empire. I did not find Gabrielle's character to be realistic and was not able to relate to her.
Another example of the lack of character development can be found in the Barons Percy and Coswold. They are in constant competition for Gabrielle's hand until she's excommunicated following false accusations. Garwood does not explain why the two men want Gabrielle so much besides for that she is beautiful. We do learn that Barron Coswold has ambitions about finding the gold of St. Biel, but even those ambitions are not expanded upon. How did he learn about the gold? What does he hope to achieve by finding it? What has brought him to this point in his life? There is no substance behind their names, leaving them unmemorable and unbelievable.
The plot is predictable and the foreshadowing is overkill. Garwood is not subtle in hinting what will come next. She ends chapters with phrases such as "The best-laid plans had a way of changing" and "never in her wildest thoughts could she have imagined what was coming."
Moments that seem important to the plot are covered quickly and with little detail. For example, the feud between the MacHugh and MacKenna clans is spoken of frequently and MacHugh's desire to avenge the attempted murder of his brother Liam is an important side plot. The battle between the two clans is two pages long. Another significant portion of the book that is skimmed over all too quickly was when Isla accused Gabrielle of being a wanton woman. Gabrielle is suddenly shunned from society, excommunicated from her country, and wounded by men throwing stones. I found this highly unbelievable. There was no proof and only a second before she was a pillar of virtue and grace!
There is not much that sets this book apart from others in its genre. I found the book difficult to get in to. However, if one ignores the one-dimensional characters and predictable story line, "Shadow Music" is a decent read. This was my first experience with a Julie Garwood novel, and I probably wouldn't read one of her books again. Some of her novels must be great, though, since she's been on the New York Times Bestseller's list 15 times. This story was not spectacular and the characters were certainly not memorable, but reading this novel is not the worst way to spend a hot summer's day.
Summary of Shadow Music: A Novel
Throughout her acclaimed writing career, Julie Garwood has captivated readers with characters who are compelling, daring, and bursting with life. Now one of the most popular novelists of our time proudly returns to her beloved historical romance roots–in a thrilling tale of love, murder, adventure, and mystery set against the haunting landscape of medieval Scotland.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.
A gripping novel that delves into the heart of emotions–unyielding passions of love, hate, revenge, and raw desire–Shadow Music is magnificent gift from Julie Garwood and a crowning achievement in her amazing career.
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