Ratings Overall: 9 Sensuality: 7 Fantasy Element: 9

This is an Official Review by a Fantasy Romance Writer Official Reviewer

Review for Night Bird, The
Author: Catherine Asaro
Date of Review: 01/15/09
Reviewed by: Heather

Reviewer Comments: Allegra is minding her own business, actually on her way to visit the Song Weavers Guild, admiring the view as she takes a dip in the lake when she is kidnapped by some nomads. She is taken from her land into another where she is sold to the highest bidder. But first she must go through the humiliation of being dressed and touched in a way she has never known. She very quickly realizes she received the better man even though he is the Prince Regent and a calculating man and tries to use it to her advantage.

Markus, the Prince Regent, is not sure what to make of Allegra as she defies him at every turn and gets under his skin. He then marries her, which he considers to be a privilege, and she becomes the consort to a kingdom that has been overrun by another king. Allegra has a special skill and he asks her to sing for him and he has the best night sleep he has ever had. He asks her to sing at another banquet and she escapes from him and the sadistic Yargazon with the young king. Markus follows her and is then he held prisoner but he more than anything wants to win Allegra’s heart.

There are many twists and turns in this fantasy plot as the reader is taken through all manner of scenes that will entice them to turn the next page. Needless to say there is a happy ending. Throughout the book there are references to different types of negotiations, hostage situations take on new perspectives as the characters move in and out of the kingdoms. It is through these skirmishes that the reader can understand how these characters interact with each other.

As a reader I did have difficulty keeping up with all of the royal relationships that were mentioned throughout the book. I am still unsure who is related to whom and why they were either on the outer or in the inner circle but this did not detract from the storyline and the relationship between Allegra and Markus.