Alicia Thomas’s review of Virgin Slave, Barbarian King by Louise Allen
Historical romance published 1 Dec 07 by Harlequin
I’m always looking for historical romances set in unusual times and places. Virgin Slave, Barbarian King definitely fit the bill. I had to read it right away.
Julia has been raised as a very “civilized” and proper Roman senator’s daughter. She is used to cleanliness and luxury. She is not used to hairy men or doing household chores. She is also not used to warm relationships and a sense of belonging.
Wulfric saved Julia from being raped (and who knew what next) by lower class Romans during the chaos of the sack of the city by his people. The Visigoths didn’t rape or murder the people, they took wealth to help pay the debt the treacherous Romans had refused to acknowledge. He kept her even though she didn’t know how to cook or clean and had a terrible attitude. Wulfric is appalled that Julia thinks he would force her to sleep with him. I had a hard time believing this man could be true.
I mean, weren’t “barbarians” horrible immoral rapers and pillagers who took slaves with brutality and forced their wicked intentions on them? A check on Wikipedia shows that was not always the case. Allen presents the Goths as having a code of honor higher than the Romans and this turns out to be the truth. Gasp! You mean I can actually let myself believe this wonderful hero could actually have existed? Yes!
I know, I know! I’ve heard it a thousand times, “Don’t go to romances or movies to learn your history,” but I really don’t do that. Honest! I use them to get a vision for a setting. Then I go look it all up to find out the truth. Virgin Slave, Barbarian King is fiction but the presentation of the principal parties involved (under light, quick inspection) rings true.
So, with historical accuracy out of the way, what about the characters? Wulfric is a great hero. He’s exactly what you’d want a hero to be. He’s a little too perfect but it’s ok. Julia has a lot to learn and she changes and grows through the book. Wulfric is a constant while Julia is doing all kinds of crazy things. They are fun.
They did, though, carry on the “I can’t let (him/her) know I love (him/her)” way too long. And I’ve gotten so used to heroines knowing not to interrupt a fighter’s concentration during a battle, it shocked me that Julia actually did this. So, a few things niggled at me. Over all, though, this book is a great read for any historical buff.
Grade: B
Blurb: Julia Livia Rufa is horrified when barbarians invade Rome and steal everything in sight. But she doesn’t expect to be among the taken! As Wulfric’s woman, she’s ordered to keep house for the uncivilized marauders. Soon, though, Julia realizes that she’s more free as a slave than she ever was as a sheltered Roman virgin.
It would be all too easy to succumb to Wulfric’s quiet strength, and Julia wants him more than she’s ever wanted anything. But Wulfric could one day be king, and Julia is a Roman slave. What future can there be for two people from such different worlds?
Read an excerpt.
For those who are really into the history and the culture in the books here is a great post on this book. I had picked up the history in the book was good but I had no idea she’d gone so far with it. It makes me want to raise my grade.
It does assume you’ve read the book, though, so it has all kinds of spoilers including all the important ones. I’d recommend reading this after you read the book.
http://www.vivanco.me.uk/modern_romance_scholarship/analysis_of_louise_allens_virgin_slave_b
Here is the blog page where you can comment and read more.
http://teachmetonight.blogspot.com/
“Barbarian” usually meant anything not Roman or at around 400 not accepted by the Church. Yay the rise in the power of the Pope. The Visigoths generally weren’t as bad about the raping and pillaging as say, the Huns, at least until 476 when the Visigoths sacked Rome the last time and killed the last Roman emperor.
The Romans were generally not all that nice. There was an interesting series on the History Channel about Barbarians like the Visigoths and Huns. I’m going to read this soon.
Yes, we saw some of those last year and the year before… we don’t have TV, now (sigh). All 7 kids and I stop whatever we’re doing and watch a good history or science documentary.
>About This Hysterical Accuracy : The Naughty Bits
LOL! I love it!
“I know, I know! I’ve heard it a thousand times, “Don’t go to romances or movies to learn your history,” but I really don’t do that. Honest!”
I actually got an A-/B+ in my senior seminar class because I read romances.lol. No one else knew what a serf was, but I did. My teacher said I’d be brilliant if only I came to class. I guess I should really think Kathleen Woodiwiss then for saving my butt in college.
I seriously, seriously doubt that “noble” goths were “noble” to their slaves. Slave = isn’t exactly human, and doesn’t deserve respect which you only give to equal, which most probably means another free warrior man.
The language is completely unauthentic, characterization is appalingly bad, so somehow I doubt that logic defying facts in the book are suddenly right. But I am no expert.
And that’s just sad that people over 10 don’t know what serf is.
Check out that first link. Actually, the Visigoths were a culture going through major changes. They were newly Christianized and were repulsed by the inhumane and the dishonorable aspects of Roman society. The facts that they treated their women better and didn’t rape and murder as they came through Rome are easily verified. That was enough to make me think the author probably did her homework. It just doesn’t fit that she would put something as specific as their slaves becoming part of their household without it being true. She was too accurate about too many other things.
As far ast the language, I’m confused. What wasn’t authentic?