Adora

Heroine as Doormat

Adora is married at a young age to Orkhan the Grand Turk to cement political ties between him and her father, who would be the emperor of Byzantium. Left to languish in a convent, Adora meets and falls in love with Murad, Orkhan's son, but then she is unexpectedly summoned to the sultan's bed, and brutally deflowered with an object at the sultan's command, then raped by him. Does she hate him, or any of the others who participated in this horrific scene, for ill-treating her? Not at all. The next day she asks meekly to be schooled in the arts of seduction so as to better please her husband, and while she never loves him, she never ever makes him understand the pain he caused her; rather, she treats him with respect and affection. To top it all off, Murad decides it's her fault that his father raped her, so he decides to degrade and humiliate her too, and what do you know, she continues to love him!

Small's novels are fascinating because of their historical research, but she seems to love to subject her heroines to cruel and degrading treatment, and there is never any kind of retribution or comeuppance for those who abuse them. Too often, her heroines actually love their abusers, even though they never show remorse for the things they do. There are some books of hers (The Kadin, Love Wild and Fair, and a few others) that are actually favorites of mine.) But stories like this one leave a sour feeling in my stomach.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

loved the book.

loved the book.

Very good

Nice love story

Really like it. A very good read!

If you like love and hatred, this is the book for you. If you like history, romance and intrigue this is definitely the book for you.

Great+read

It+has+it+all+mystery%2C+passion%2C+intrique+and+a+sense+of+history.+Its+always+good+for+a+day+read.++A+favorite+to+be+enjoyed.++I+like+the+characters+they+feel+real+and+complex.++

There is True LOVE

There has been only a few books that has taken me so low that my heart cried out, Bertrice Small as done this 4 times to me in her books. This book has done me end . But I will try, dont get me wrong is was a great book. What Adora went threw in her life of people who hated her so bad all i will say it is in her family to go to the link of what they were trying to do. And then when she was past on to another world of life it took her away. Then there came love and the true loves she has or had will never die. And the things she believe in and she did stand up to what she did believe in and she was a very head strong Lady. And Murad an Alex. I will never forget this story ( Love an War ) I have this book on softback beides on my ebook. IT IS A MUST TO READ. LADYS HaVE THE TISSURES READY. I wish Ms Small will would bring out Hellion an Love Slave, on ebook as well. All the books I have on Ms Small is a must to read great books as well.

Excellent read!!!

My very first of Beatrice Small. I love it! Very entertaining and a page turner.

Adora..

I too was surprised not to see a good review for this book, it was the first Bertrice Small book i read back in high school and it made me a true fan, im just about to order a new copy as the one i ahd got torn up years ago and no store ive gone to carries this title anymore! Cannot wait to read it again!-Loren

A great love story

I was very surprised not to find any reviews on this book. I am a huge Bertrice Small fan and this was the very first one of her books I read. It tells about a man who would just about anything to gain the woman he loves. It's engaging, right up until the end, which, by the way, made me cry. Great book!

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