This was okay. Although the more I think about it, the less I like it. It was predictable, and the 'falling in love with my captor' trope is not only old school, but pretty awful. The heroine both sounded too modern, and came across as spoiled and naïve. The author tried to write her as strong and independent, but the way she treated Duncan regarding her former fiancée and his horrific actions showed her real personality. And regarding the former fiancée - he felt like a copy of Outlander's Black Jack Randall.

I almost feel like I read two books in one with this novel. There was a really clever twist in the plot half way through, which took me totally by surprise and changed my view of one of the main characters completely. Without giving anything away, there is an element of duplicity going on and when that is revealed, the rest of the novel is completely different.

I have to say I usually pride myself on seeing these things coming a mile off from the little clues we get, and they were there, but I didn't catch it this time. Minus one respect point for me. And once revealed, I really had a strong urge to go back to the beginning and look at this character again and examine every word they said, armed with this new knowledge. But of course, I didn't really do that. I went on and read the other half of the book instead, which unfortunately, wasn't as good. The reveal worked great as a plot device for shock value, but I didn't like the character as much afterwards, so that kind of dulled the effect.

All together, it's a good highlander read, but not a great one. I would read from this author again, but I wouldn't be tempted to re-read this one as I would others.

I give it 3 stars.

I really enjoyed this book. This is actually one of the only Highlander book that was focused around and during a war. There was a lot of deep anger in the Hero which of course made him more intriguing. I have read books where the heroine was captured only to fall in love with the brute of a highlander, though most they move much more quickly. I actually enjoyed how this one took it's time and they were more or less ready for it by the time it happened. I Was shocked at the turn of events regarding Angus, though I should have seen it coming. I am anxious to read the next book in the series!

I had to remind myself several times that this was written in 2011.

GOD i loved it - no idea how I didn't see the massive twist coming, and goddamn Duncan is hot. Can the Butcher of the Highlands whisk me away too?

This book got very mixed reviews. The hero is typical highlander warrior until u read more into book and find secrets about him. The heroine was reviewed by others as annoying and naive asking the butcher to put down his arms because there could be a better solution the blood shed and vengeance that will darken his soul and send him to hell. She keeps this belief all way through book and even though she starts off very sheltered and naive about the world and real war, she does wise up after certain events almost get her raped and abused.
My reason for only giving 4stars was the modern speak used by characters and the mostly English pronounced words spoken by the Scottish character's, when I read book with accents I find I get more into it and remember their Scottish if the words are wrote the way they speak. Aye lass, bluidy hell, lassie and fookin wasn't much in a 390 book with mostly Scottish characters.
I did enjoy the slow romance and subduction and eventful HEA. No epilogue at end which I didn't like. I'll still carry on with series because I need to find out what happens to Angus.

I was so happy to run across this story. I thought i would not like this series but withing the first 20 pages i was hooked. This story was fun, interesting, heart pounding and full of the damages caused by human nature. There were a few points that i wanted to slap the Heroine and tell her to open her eyes, but i was so glad when she finally opened her mind and accepted that maybe not everything she though she knew was accurate.
It had intense moments of anger, surprise, and sensual feeling. I cannot wait to read the rest of this trilogy.

Best $2 i ever spent! 4.5 stars

Classic highlander tale, very satisfying.