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Title: Insatiable
ISBN: 0451213459
Author:
Virginia Henley
Publicate Date: 2004-11-02
Publish: 2004-11-02
List Price: $7.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $0.99
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Merchant Price: $7.99
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1: 2/3 Ho hum, 1/3 touching
In this book we meet the lovely, willful Catherine (Cat) and the dashing, ambitious Patrick (Pat). Cat is an heiress (of course)and dress designer for Queen Elizabeth. With a deceased father and cold, distant mother who cares more for her job as Her Majesty's Wardrobe Mistress than her only child, Cat grows to be an impulsive (but lovely) young woman who strives to get attention from others via her outrageous actions. Pat's father is an exiled ex-earl (treason) whose wife went into exile with him, leaving behind their only son to fend on his own. Pat retained control of the family manor house, but nothing else, so his overriding ambition was to marry well, preferably into a title. Things somewhat change when he has a psychic vision of the lovely Cat and becomes obsessed with her. Also, the fact that she's filthy rich (and lovely) and heir to an earldom is all the reason he needs to pursue her across England and Scotland.
As with other Virginia Henley novels, the main characters are far less likable then her secondary characters. Cat's impulsiveness wears old as does Patrick's need to find a rich wife. Further, the first half of the novel is simply repetitive. I quickly grew tired of hearing how lovely and delicate Cat was. If you've tired of reading about it in this short review, guess how much worse it will be when you read it on seemingly every single page for at least half of the book. The novel is repetitive in another way - it borrows heavily from Ms. Henley's earlier novel "The Dragon and The Jewel". For example, the events that drove the characters into each others arms is nearly identical in both books. Cat even refers to Patrick as her "magic man" just as Elenor does with Simon.
The book does pick up steam towards the end, with Catherine "growing up" and showing how much love she is capable of giving. The scene between her and her childhood nurse toward the end of the book was very touching and demonstrated Cat's growing maturity.
Summary: The book is fine for a bit of light reading, but if you are pressed for time, have already read Dragon and the Jewel, or will be annoyed by the repetitive dialog, you might be better off looking for another story. If you like Ms.Henley or historical romance, you might enjoy her older novel "A Year and a Day". It is more tightly written, has a better plot and very likable characters.
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2: T'was Alright
When I want a good historical romance, Virginia Henley is who I usually turn to for that fix. This was not one of her best works, but it was enjoyable all the same. The characters were certainly well shaped and the plotline interesting. I especially liked the twist of Lord "Bloody" Stewart's "gift" of second sight as it added an extra bit of intrigue to the novel.
I only had one problem with the willing suspension of disbelief that most readers have to face in order to become encompassed by a work of fiction. To me, it was utterly unbelievable that our heroine made it through catching the plague and all the gruesome lovliness that came with it, and still remain pregnant!
All in all, I would recommend this title to Romance readers and Henley fans alike. However, I will always be partial to Ms. Henley's earlier works, namely (as I like to call them) the "And the...and the" series: The Pirate and the Pagan, The Falcon and the Flower, The Raven and the Rose etc.
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3: Virginia Henley Puts The "H" In Historicals And Hot!!!
I love Virigina Henley's historicals. You are ALWAYS guaranteed a good historical read. Her characters are always vibrant and alive and Patrick and Catherine are no exception. These two strike sparks from their first introduction and it doesn't end there. As a result it was fun to read how these two very strong willed people were able to find love between themselves without loosing that which set them apart.
Readers that might be new to Ms. Henley might be put off by the strong-willed nature of Catherine...okay, Catherine is a brat to put it mildly. But she will be tamed by her Scot. Patrick is beyond patient with her and understands her better than she understands herself. The fact that he has the capability to see her thoughts gives him the added insight he needs to love her the way she deserves. Her past has dictated the way she acts and he understands this. He sets about to gain her without killing her spirit.
With the back drop of Queen Elizabeth's court and all of the intrigue that came with this time period, fans of historical romance will be well pleased. Ms. Henley truly has a talent for transporting her reader into whatever time period or location her creative mind chooses. As a result the reader will not only be gifted with a sensual and romantic story, but they will also be given a small lesson in history.
This is one historical I have no problem recommending and doing so highly. If you're only going to read a select few authors in the historical romance genre...you would do well to add Ms. Henley.
Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com
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4: It grows on you gradually
I really recommend it if you like history with a litle romance because it had a great amount of historical detail. It is an entertaining read. The heroine was a little too bratty. All her VH's heroines are headstrong impulsive types but this one was annoying because she kept denying her attraction to the hero for so long. Once she started being honest with herself, she wasn't irritating. This book has grown on me. I really do like it now but at first I hated Catherine. I liked Valentina in 'Tempted' mainly because she realized that she was attracted to Ram even though she didn't like him in the beginning. Since my first review of this book I realized that VH does explain why Catherine is a litle bratty and self-centered (mother issues) so it makes more sense. As always the historical details are great. Another bonus is that there is no extreme purple prose filled sex sessions every ten pages. Also there is no domestic abuse which is a real turn off even if it is appropriate for that period.
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5: Enjoyable
Insatiable will keep you up reading way past when you thought you would stop. The hero was strong and smart. The heroine a bit less so. Having the heroine declare over and over again how Impetuous she was got a bit tired. She had moments with children and her family like maid Maggie where she showed heart and real emotion. The mother and daughter relationship wa a treat, I would have liked to see it a bit more and see a bit of her mothers thoughts on the subject.
All in all another great read by Virginia Henley
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