I adore this book. Feehan's writing style is perfectly suited for gothic novels. Although I generally hate how domineering her heroes are vs how limp her heroines are, this book is a huge exception. Right from the beginning they start out on even ground. The heroine is the beauty, strong and caring, with a solid streak of honesty that makes her stand out. The hero is the tortured beast who knows he shouldn't keep the heroine for himself but can't seem to walk away from her.

Everything about this novel works for me. The dark and gloomy castle, the strange howling in the night, the ghosts, the beasts, the dark and stormy weather. But mostly it's the romance I love. I love that Nicolai falls in love with Isabella in spite of his good intentions, and that Isabella brings out the best in him. They way they care for each other is fabulous, and really brings home what romance is all about. All-in-all a great read.