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Legendary Warrior

(Warrior #1)

Donna Fletcher (Goodreads Author)

4.10 · Rating details · 553 ratings · 25 reviews

When Reena's village falls into the hands of a brutal landlord, she seeks the help of a warrior known only as The Legend. She should have been afraid after all the stories she's heard at her father's knees, but from the moment she meets him, it is not fear she feels but fierce passion. Magnus has never known a lass brave enough to look him in the eye, let alone one who wou

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Kindle Edition, 388 pages

Published April 17th 2012 by Avon (first published 2004)

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Average rating 4.10 ·

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· 553 ratings · 25 reviews

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Apr 17, 2014 Susan rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2014, historical-romance, kindle-e-book, library-or-loan-book, romance, medieval-middle-ages, sucked-garbage-throw-it-out, terrible-writing-ruins-book, writing-amateurish-and-forced, secondary-romance-included

Magnus (the "Legend") and Reena
Ireland 1500s

It's been a while since I've read a book this bad, one that made me so angry at how bad it was written but yet I still managed to finish every word of it. I am either a masochist or an eternal optimist, hoping at each page turned that the book would improve and it will be worth spending the time to continue. I'm better off as a pessimist since this book did not deserve my optimism.

So what are the problems? Here are a few random samplings and thoughts: ...more

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Jan 19, 2021 Carissa rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

The first 1/2 was good, by the time I got to 70ish% I found the story lacking its climax at this point. I ended up skimming to the end.

#hrreadathon

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Aug 02, 2014 Elis Madison rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure-and-danger, era-medieval, writing-stuff, a-bit-of-mystery

Desperate for help for her starving village, Reena Cullen seeks out the titular legendary warrior—known as the Legend, hoping he can help. In exchange, she offers her unique map-making skills, which provide a significant advantage for a warrior, in terms of battle tactics.

Magnus, said Legendary Warrior, is happy to accept the deal—he has his own reasons for helping out, and, hey, he kinda digs the chick, even if she's skinny and not exactly beautiful in any classical sense.

I still want to know ...more

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Nov 12, 2016 Mystique rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: recommended

unique 3D characters and a unique plot.
Overall, one of the best historical romances I have read!
The dialogues are meaningful and well-written.
Overall, a definite keeper!
5+++ stars

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Oct 10, 2020 Reading Fanatic rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Pretty Good
I thought this was a pretty good book. Donna Fletcher is one of my favorite highland romance novelist; I've read several of her books. But of all her books I've read so far, this one is my least favorite as there were a couple of things about the story that bugged me and ultimately took away from my enjoyment of it.

Magnus is known far and wide as the Legend, a fierce and merciless warrior. In truth, Magnus is sweet, kind, protective, and wonderful—with the ability to be ruthless wh Pretty Good
I thought this was a pretty good book. Donna Fletcher is one of my favorite highland romance novelist; I've read several of her books. But of all her books I've read so far, this one is my least favorite as there were a couple of things about the story that bugged me and ultimately took away from my enjoyment of it.

Magnus is known far and wide as the Legend, a fierce and merciless warrior. In truth, Magnus is sweet, kind, protective, and wonderful—with the ability to be ruthless when necessary, especially in protection of his people. Reena is a wonderful heroine. She is a peasant village girl, who can read (a rare occurrence, and one which, thankfully, is adequately explained) is an extremely talented artist, and a gifted mapmaker. As the book blurb says, Reena goes to Magnus for help; she wants protection for her village which is at the mercy of their new overlord, an Earl. She strikes a deal with Magnus; protection in exchange for her services as a mapmaker. I really enjoyed the interaction between Reena and Magnus. They are two intelligent, level-headed people, and the romance that develops between them proceeds along those lines...they don't have any ridiculous misunderstandings, there are no trust issues, and Magnus is a very unusual hero, in that he is very open to love.

On aspect of the story that I found ridiculous was Reena's belief that if Magnus were to marry her beautiful, best friend, Brigid, then this would seal his loyalty to the village and thus keep the villagers under his protection. I didn't see how Reena could possibly think that a landed knight would marry a peasant village girl, no matter how beautiful; take her as his leman, yes, but as a wife? It would be one thing for Magnum to have thoughts of marrying a peasant; he was a knight after all and could pretty much do as he pleased, maybe—I know realistically there were all kinds of rules etc. but this is fiction—but I thought Reena's thinking was unrealistic.

Another thing that really annoyed me was Reena's seeing Magnus and the Legend as two different people. When he wasn't dressed for battle, she and Magnus interact easily. They talk, they laugh, and there is a sweet attraction building between them. However, as soon as he puts on his black helmet, which encompasses most of his face, she is intimidated by, and even a little fearful of, Magnus. I could understand this happening at first, before she got to really know Magnus. But I saw no reason for it once she got to know who he truly was. She even thought to herself that the helmet was just a mask that hid his true nature from the rest of the world, yet still she persisted in her idiotic belief that they were two people. It just went on for too long.

There is a bit of intrigue interwoven throughout the plot. The villain of the piece, Peter Kilkern, Reena's overlord, is a greedy, evil man, who causes much grief to his tenants, and there is a history between Magnus and Peter which adds tension to the plot.

In any event, despite the annoyances, I really did enjoy this book and would recommend it as a worthwhile read. FYI, this is not a clean romance; but the love scenes are beautifully written and are not, IMO, overly descriptive. One of the things I particularly liked about the book, was Reena's determination to remain a maid until she met the man she would marry. I also loved Magnus' honorable treatment of Reena...at no time did he try to make her his mistress. Happy reading! ...more

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Jun 19, 2017 V SB rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Finally! After reading books that left me feeling meh, I came across this one. Absolutely loved it from start to finish..
It tells the tale of Magnus The Legend and a simple peasant woman but an exceptional mapmaker Reena.
The tale starts when Reena has no choice but to search for the man called the legend to save her village from the cruel earl. In exchange for his protection she will offer her map making skills.
I loved this book. It had everything in it - action, mystery and romance. This is o ...more

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Oct 19, 2019 Jericho McKraven rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: nope-shelf

It seemed like a great setup but nothing ever happened. It was too much near-peril and not enough... anything... It's a cute read though so if you're looking for something light and happy give it a read. ...more

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Feb 05, 2020 Trip Linton rated it it was amazing

Love this book!!!!

I really love this book. In most books there comes a part when u can put it down, not this one. For me I could not stop reading until the end which if fantastic!!!!

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Jan 18, 2018 sandy forguson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Would highly recommend

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Nov 07, 2015 Melissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: 1500s, historical-romance, ireland, medieval-romance, duke-marquess-earl-viscount-baron, adventure-action, captive-kidnapped-sold-heroine

When the old Earl dies his cruel nephew inherits the title and lands including Reena's village. Peter Kilkern, Earl of Culberry will no longer allow the villagers to hunt on his land and will be taking almost all of their harvest as well. The village becomes bleak and starved. Reena is a skilled mapmaker and she decides to go on her own to find The Legend. She offers to become his official mapmaker if he will help her village and he agrees. Reena and Magnus spend more and more time together and ...more

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Apr 14, 2015 Jeene Hobbs rated it it was amazing

as good as it gets

A lovely read. Magnus, the Legend, is the dark and secretive warrior/leader. Reena is the faithful, bright, talented, courageous daughter who wants to protect her village. Magnus is reminiscent of Piers Montgomery in Tanya Anne Crosby's Lyon's Gift. Multifaceted complex men. Reena sees the world with her artist's eye.

Add to that a second pair, Thomas, Magnus's best friend, and Brigid, Reena's BFF. Brigid is a beautiful widow who isn't sure she can love again. Thomas is a huge ...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Tiffany rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historical, donate

The first 80% of the book had me flying through the pages and then when they confessed their love for one another, I was done. I finished the book only to finish it and get it over with. I like idea of Reena and her dreams but her personality was lacking. Magnus was extreme. He was either grrr I'm mean and horrible /death stare or a puppy in love. I love happily Ever Afters but the last 80ish pagers made my eyes roll. I also feel the writing was lacking. I've read other stories by Fletcher and I ...more

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Nov 03, 2016 Rachelle Russell rated it it was amazing

Good Read

Everything is coming up Fletcher! Donna Fletcher is legendary for good highland love stories and this one isn't any different. I loved the main characters and the attention to detail. I lost myself in the wonder of the story. ...more

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Jun 04, 2014 Antoinette Lewis rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I enjoyed the concept of how very intelligent Reena was and the attraction and faith she had in the legend.

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Jul 14, 2016 Feathzzz rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british-historical-fiction, historical-fiction, romance

Read while in jail. Actual rating: 3

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Feb 12, 2011 Anne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: mature teens and adults

I have enjoyed every book by this author that I have read. This story was a bit different than some of the others of the same kind, and i found the story interesting and well done.

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Dec 16, 2014 Fera Flies Free rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites-to-start, i-am-touched, craving-for-more, love-at-first-sight, lovely-great-pleasures, pure-enjoyable, read-2014, read-in-english, the-involved-emotion-i-love, uh-oh

Ah.. another what seemed like a highlander romance with a brave, courageous Reena and an undeniably strong yet gentle Magnus <33

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Feb 11, 2013 Natalie rated it liked it · review of another edition

I read these out of order, but not as good as the 2nd book.

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Apr 04, 2013 ❆ Crystal ❆ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: g-highlanders

Great book. Great series. I gave 4 stars. I enjoyed and would recommend.

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Dec 14, 2014 Lin #Historical lover...❤️ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, read-in-2014

loved this book. It told a wonderful story with unique components that was thrilling to read.

my only wish was that the sex was hotter.

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Nov 26, 2014 Alyse added it · review of another edition

This book was okay. Kinda dry. The story was flat and a little too squishy for me.

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Jun 05, 2015 Jenny Murley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own

OMG!!! Hot Hero and Courageous Heroine. Reena is qwesome when she defends her family and friends, and Magnus is incredible as he fights his brother for her

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