Holly‘s review of Prince of Dreams
A wealthy and bitter exile, he most dangerous and desirable man in all of England, he burns to possess a proud, headstrong beauty who is promised to another. But winning Emma Stokehurst’s exquisite hand through threats and determination does nothing to fill the empty spaces in Nikolas’ heart until passion’s magic carries the handsome, tormented prince back to a bygone era of splendor and romantic dreams.
For there his destiny awaits him in a distant life. And in one remarkable woman’s tender touch, achingly familiar but gloriously new, he must seek the elusive promise of ecstasy . . .and learn, at last, to love.
I know many Kleypas fans don’t care for this book. It’s darker than some of her others and features elements many romance readers shy away from. I can’t help myself, I adore it. There’s something so raw about Nikolas, some indefinable thing that makes him worthy, even when he shouldn’t be. It doesn’t hurt that Emma is amazing. She’s strong and caring and compassionate, but she isn’t a doormat. Though parts of this are hard to read, it’s an excellent novel.
Nikolas has been exiled from Russia. He settles in England and plays the part of a jaded prince, but Emma Stokehurst has always held him captive. He decides he wants her for himself and does everything he can to make that happen, even scaring away her current suitor and alienating her from her family.
Emma knows her heart is broken when her one and only love leaves her. She blames her father and runs to the one man she knows will accept her – Nikolas Angelovsky. She decides to marry him, partly because she doesn’t think she’ll get another offer and partly to spite her family. Nikolas indulges her in her unconventional pursuits, including caring for the animals in her menagerie. He’s everything he promised he’d be as a husband – without any of the caring Emma is used to.
When a little boy lands on their doorstep and Nikolas admits the boy is his son – and that he wants nothing to do with him – that’s the last straw for Emma. She decides it’s time to close her heart to him. But something happens to Nikolas and he realizes he’s been a fool to push her away so long. Is it too little, too late?
Emma is an amazing heroine. She’s progressive for her time, without being silly or over-the-top. She’s an animal lover, a vegetarian and she’s practical and levelheaded about her lack of suitors and lack of looks. She doesn’t let Nikolas get away with anything, either. As a matter of fact, she often gives better than she got. That isn’t to say she’s perfect. She’s far from it. She’s young and impetuous, and too often lets her temper lead her into doing and saying things she can’t take back. She’s also stubborn to a fault.
Nikolas is broken. There’s no other word for him. His childhood and the experiences he dealt with in Russia have jaded him. He suffers from night terrors. He’s cynical. He wants something good in his life – hence his obsession with Emma – but he doesn’t think he deserves it. He does his best to push everyone away, especially Emma. He shouldn’t be a sympathetic character, but he is. Kleypas is a master at taking unsympathetic characters and making them lovable.
There is a lot in this novel that’s hard to take. The way Nikolas acts toward Emma and his son is often deplorable. And ***SPOILER ALERT*** he blatantly cheats on her at one point. ***END SPOILER ALERT*** There’s also a strange time-travel element that seems not to make sense with the rest of the story. I think Kleypas made it work, but I won’t deny it’s strange and obviously meant to push Nikolas into seeing what he’s been missing.
Despite the flaws, this is an emotional and gripping novel. If you can set aside some of the harder aspects of the story, I think you’ll find a hidden gem.
4.25 out of 5
The series:
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here
I read this book earlier this year, as I was going over Lisa Kleypas’ backlist. I don’t even know why I hadn’t read it before, I think the blurb didn’t catch my attention at first. I truly enjoyed it, and as you say, it’s quite darker than her more recent titles. However, I do have to say that I’ve found several of her older stories darker than more recent ones.
To me, that “element” (don’t want to repeat the spoiler) seemed to come out of the blue, but I do think it worked well within the context of what Nikolas was going through.
I think I am going to re-read it.
Mireya
Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors…and even though this is one of my least favorite books of hers…I did enjoy the characters especially Nikolas and the story line!!! Thanks for the lovely review!
Count me as a Kleypas fan that didn’t like this one as much!
I was very excited at seeing the Russian connection, but disappointed in the execution of it.
I always rather liked this one and Midnight Angel, though I know – like you said – that a lot of people don’t care for them.
I do like Emma and Nikolas, 🙂
I really liked this one. I reread it ever so often.
@Mireya – I agree that a lot of her older novels are darker compared to her more recent releases. Not that they’re pure fluff, but a lot of the grit has been shined over.
I agree that it worked in the context of the story. You also have to remember when this book was published and the time period it’s set.
@Lover of Romance – Isn’t Nikolas great? Like I said, I know many hated him, but not me…I’m such a sucker for the dark, twisted, tortured guys.
@Marg – what did you think about the Russian side of it? Taking out the rest of the story, I mean.
@Alex – I like Midnight Angel, too. I might need to re-read it.
@Nikki – I’m glad you like it, too. 🙂
I haven’t read this book but I can’t remember why. I’ll have to dig it out and give it a go.