The Black Lyon

by Jude Deveraux
The Black Lyon cover
Good Books rating 3.0
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 6481
  • Added: 2025-11-18
  • Updated: 2025-11-18
  • ISBN: 9781410446725
  • Published: 2012-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Lyonene, a woman torn between hatred and love, escapes her tumultuous marriage to Ranulf, the formidable English conqueror known as the Black Lyon. Her journey across the Irish Sea is fraught with lies and innuendo, but the magnetic pull of their intense relationship proves impossible to resist. The novel delves into the complexities of a marriage filled with both conflict and deep passion, set against the backdrop of historical conquest and personal turmoil. /n/n As Lyonene navigates her feelings and the challenges of her new surroundings, she must confront the truth about her husband and herself. The Black Lyon explores themes of power, love, and the intricate dynamics of a relationship that is as volatile as it is intoxicating. The historical setting adds depth to the characters' struggles, making their personal drama all the more compelling.

Reviews
Barnes & Noble · 2025-11-18
awful 1.00

The book is considered downright awful, featuring a whiny man-child and controversial themes that detract from the reading experience.

The reviewer found 'The Black Lyon' to be downright awful, particularly criticizing the portrayal of the male lead as a whiny man-child. They also took issue with the inclusion of controversial themes such as rape and victim-blaming, which they found deeply problematic. The reviewer's experience was marred by these elements, making it a disappointing read overall. Despite being a regular reader of historical romances, they found this book to be particularly off-putting.

Quick quotes

    This book is downright awful.

    It features a whiny man-child, rape, blaming the victim for rape ...

    I say that as someone who regularly read historical romances.

Sweet Savage Flame · IntrovertReader · 2021-04-06
great 4.00

The book is a great read with tumultuous highs and lows, but some elements fall short due to unnecessary cruelty and the antics of another character.

The reviewer found 'The Black Lyon' to be a great read, filled with tumultuous highs and lows. They particularly appreciated the emotional depth and the engaging narrative. However, they felt that Ranulf's unnecessary cruelty and the antics of another character detracted from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the book remains a compelling read with strong emotional moments and a captivating story.

Quick quotes

    The Black Lyon was a great read with tumultuous highs and lows.

    It was Ranulf's needless cruelty and the other woman's antics made it one fall short of ...

    The book remains a compelling read with strong emotional moments and a captivating story.

All About Romance · 1997-03-02
excellent 4.00

The story beautifully portrays a woman's patience and understanding in winning the love of a closed-hearted husband. It stands out as one of the best in this regard.

The reviewer highlights the unique strength of this book in its portrayal of a woman's patience and understanding in winning the love of a closed-hearted husband. They believe it is one of the best books in this category, showcasing the depth of emotion and character development. The story is timeless and resonates with readers, making it a standout in the genre. The characters are well-developed, and the narrative is engaging, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    These two books are the best I've read to strongly show a woman's patience and understanding in winning the love of a closed-hearted husband.

    The story beautifully portrays the journey of a woman's patience and understanding.

    It stands out as one of the best in this regard.

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