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.