最後の騎士と男装の麗人

The de Burghs #7

by Deborah Simmons, 泉 智子 (Translator), デボラ シモンズ

ディ・バラ家の末息子ニコラスは、あてのない旅の途中、ひょんなことから行方知れずの兄を捜すエメリーという少年に出会った。
まだ若く心細そうなエメリーに力を貸してほしいと頼まれ、誇り高き騎士であるニコラスは、ともに旅をすることにする。ところが繊細な顔立ちのエメリーをつい目で追ってしまい、自分の感情に戸惑っていたある日、驚愕の事実が明らかになる。エメリーは少年ではなく、男装した美しい娘だったのだ。
厳罰を覚悟して怯える彼女に、ニコラスは思わず唇を重ねて言った。
「きみが女性だったのが、とてもうれしい」しかし、すぐに彼は自戒した――エメリーと親密になってはいけないと。

■デボラ・シモンズが長年、描き続けたディ・バラ家の物語。いよいよ本作で最終話を迎えます。ヒーローは今や立派な騎士に成長した七男ニコラス。作者からのメッセージとともにお楽しみください。

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Harlequin, Medieval, Historical Fiction, Medieval Romance

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Deborah Simmons is the author of twenty-five historical romances and novellas, published by Avon, Berkley, and Harlequin.

A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.

Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.

Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.

"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.

Reviews

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...

With Nicholas, Emery had some wonderfully stable times even amongst the chaos that seem to lurk around every corner. The troubling times help to bring these unlikely companions together, but the thing that brought them together may also be the one thing that can tear them apart.

Nicholas is everything you would want in a knight of his time. He is strong, cunning, and stubborn in his resolve. Most of all he is a man of his word and when he makes a vow no matter the size he intends to see it through the end even at the risk of his life. These characteristics would make any woman swoon in his presence. Though, for a while I had to question if he was dim witted since he seemed to have difficulty seeing Emery for who and what she truly was, even when his squire Guy was so quick to pick on the subtleties. I quickly learned that he was not dim witted, but instead like many, he could not see past what he wanted to see to learn the truth about what was in front of him. While this may seem like something negative to another, I appreciated that it showed that he may not be as perfect as others perceived the De Burgh family members to be.

Emery’s resolve to help her brother no matter the cost is extremely noble. It is clear from the very beginning that the love for her brother has been her driving force in many instances. While the love for a sibling may be what made her start her journey, it may not necessarily be the driving force in the end. Another enduring quality of Emery’s is her ability to keep up with the boys, yet display her femininity depending on what the situation calls for. At some times I found myself forgetting the woman underneath the cloths and the boy everyone else seen where one and the same. It also made me want to learn more about her both past and present.

This story was truly a incomparable experience for me. Historical romance is a genre which is fairly new to me and, in order to engage my interest really need to have some unique aspect to pique my interest. What attracted me first to this was that the author incorporated the Templar knights in the story. While the involvement of the Templar’s may have been what made me start the story I can honestly say that the author’s dynamic plotlines and entertaining characters are what drove me to finish the story. The various twist and turns the characters must face both from external factors as well as their own personal journeys kept me reading well into the late night hours, and had me opening my eyes in the morning to read more. It was a delight to able to experience this other world and I could actually picture these historical characters wandering the world we once lived in.

[Tracy Emro]

3.5 stars

I have to say the last two de Burgh brothers stories have been a little disappointing.

The writing is good and the plot flows well but they are really a bit on the bland almost boring side. The romance is almost non-existent and the heat level is barely lukewarm.

In this story Nicolas (the youngest deBurgh) finds his true love.

Emery is an odd heroine - there is really nothing wrong with her nor is there anything noteworthy about her.

The story opens with Nicolas protecting an knight being ambushed and asking him to protect Emery.

The knight that was ambushed is Emery's twin brother who is a hospitaller knight - he shows up to Emery injured and barely conscious. She tends him and wakes to find him gone. As she sets out to find him she meets up with Nicolas and Guy (his squire). She is dressed as a boy and they think she is a he.

They travel together for days before Nicolas figures out that Emery is a girl. But it doesn't change his mind about helping her find her brother. They are being pursued by a Templar knight and he fears for Emery's safety.

Anyway - Emery's uncle turns up dead and so does the Templar - at this point the reader discovers Nicolas and Emery's secrets. And the reasons they both think they can't be together.

Long story short - they find her brother and all their problems are resolved very quickly. The End.

I was hoping for more - at least a really good epilogue since this was the end of the series - but I didn't get it.

The first five books were incredible and I would recommend them - the last two, not so much.

[Rosamary Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ve serinin son kitabıyla serimizi tamamlamış olduk. Bu kitapta en küçük de Burgh'umuz, diğer kitaplardan gözlemci kişiliğiyle tanıdığımız Nicholas anlatılıyordu. Ve tabi kızımızda gizemi/kovalamacayı beraberinde getiren Emery idi 😂
Her Deborah kitabında olması gereken bir gizem tabi ki bu kitabımızda da mevcuttu. Nicholas ve Emery de bir maceraya atılırken onlara Guy -Nicholasın yaveri- eşlik ediyordu. Kitap boyunca Guy'ın tatlılıkları ve bu çifti sürekli bir araya getirme çabalarını okurken çok eğlendim 😂😀 tabi bu durum çiftimizin romantik sahnelerinden çaldığı için biraz üzüldüm. Hatta gerçek anlamda hani duygusal/romantik diyebileceğimiz bir sahne, vurucu bir an yoktu.

Serideki diğer kitaplardaki gibi olaylar kitap ortalarında çok güzel gidiyorken birden çözülüyor. Hani kitabın sayfa sayısı az anlıyorsunuz ama bu kadar da hızlı çözülmeyebilirdi. Ya da olayların aksiyon bölümünü biraz daha geride bırakıp çözüm bölümüne geçebilirlerdi diye düşünüyorum. Sonunda bir acelecilik vardı ama gene olarak bakıldığı zaman güzel bir kitaptı.

[Elgyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Příběh je opět poněkud chatrný.

s. 12 „Kde je ten balíček, co jsem ti poslal?“
„Jaký balíček? O žádném nevím?“ otázala se Emery nechápavě. Těch otázek je tam moc.
Nepochopila jsem, jak se G dostala k balíčku, který byl poslaný Emery do úplně jiného domu.

Jsme na konci 13. století a používáme vidličku (s. 156), kilometry (s. 195 atd.) a brambory - s. 217 jako pytel brambor. A máme knihovnu „o tisících svazcích“ (s. 231).

s. 52 hrabě z Campionu je už zase vévoda. Aby na s. 112 atd. byl opět hrabětem. A na s. 254 vévodou.

s. 61 Ta postel je dost velké pro nás všechny
s. 75 odhlodaný vyrazit
s. 155 a svou velšskou manželku nemírně miluje
s. 158 na pověst a Samsonovi
s. 178 umlčel
pozvednutím
s. 193 člověk?“zadrmolil
s. 195 dokázat?“nedal
s. 231 Obrátil opatrně několik strana
s. 266 nejstaršího Duncana [Dunstana]

ji/jí - s. 237

[Blu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really good read for me, it got me out of a book slump that lasted a year!

I originally pick this book because it reminded me of Mulan. And it’s price was cheap.

It was fast-paced and quite simple. Maybe that’s why I was able to read it through the end.
It’s the first historical romance novel I’ve ever read therefore a lot of its aspects were a bit new to me. But it was well-written and I was able to discern the characters for what they are and who they are.

I also find Nicholas misunderstandings of Emery’s gender really funny. Especially as his view when he though her a youth became unusual (according to him).

Guy became a favorite of mine by the end of the story.

[♡PıNaR DeğiRmeNci ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Son De Burgh
The de Burghs Serisi 7
Deborah Simmons
Cıx beğenmedim
Anlamadım da özelikle sonunu
Kardeşini aramak için erkek kılığına giren emily kardeşini bulmak için söz veren lordun yanında yer alıyor yolculuk esnasında tabi ondan etkileniyor fakat gel görün ki sona kadar öyle yani
Nicolas ise tam bir faciaydı bana göre
Nerde abileri nerde o
Simon Nicolas beni pek sönük kaldılar
Garip tahmin etmedi kitap beni özelikle sonu
Nerde ilk kitaplar nerde bu kitap
Sevmedim böyle bir sonu da hak etmiyordu bence seri
Daha güzel olmalıydı😢

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I haven't read any of the others yet, but it stands alone quite well, and it kept me turning pages. The chemistry between the hero and heroine is palpable and well-written, and the mystery behind the hero and heroine's respective histories is also well done and kept hidden until close to the end. And I loved the medieval setting!

[Ti · Rating 2 out of 5]

A unconsummated relationship. Other relationships from previous books are not mentioned in the same type of way. SO many threads left hanging. Good if this was one of the only ones in the series that you read, but in context is quite... out of place.

[Mnms · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the aftermath of the crusades, it is an uncommon setting which works well. Unfortunately I didn't find the story all that interesting.

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

ถ้าบอกความรู้สึกที่เรามีต่อเรื่องนี้เป็นเพลง ก็คงต้องเป็นเพลงประกอบละคร "แต่ปางก่อน" ค่ะ
เพราะเรา "รอคอยเธอมานานแสนนาน ทรมานวิญญาณหนักหนา ระทมอยุ่ในอุรา แก้วกานดาฉันปองเธอผู้เดียว"

นั่นเพราะว่า เราเริ่มอ่านซีรีย์ชุดนี้มาตั้งแต่เมื่อมากกว่าสิบปีก่อน (และเราไม่ใช่นักอ่านรุ่นแรกเมื่อเล่มแรกในชุดออกขายนะคะ เรามาเริ่มอ่านตอนที่เล่มสองวางขาย) เรื่องราวของพี่น้องเจ็ดคนในตระกูลนักรบที่เลื่องชื่ออย่างเดอเบิร์ก ผู้ที่บิดาเป็นเอิร์ลแห่งแคมเปี้ยน ผู้สอนลูกชายทั้งเจ็ดให้เป็นอัศวินที่แข็งแกร่ง และเป็นผู้ชายที่มีเกียรติ

แต่ละเรื่องในชุด นำเสนอคาแร็คเตอร์ที่แตกต่างกัน ตามลักษณะของพี่น้องแต่ละคน แต่เล่มที่เรารอคอยอยากอ่านมากที่สุดก็คือ เล่มของน้องชายคนเล็ก นิโคลัส เดอเบิร์ก เขาเติบโตภายใต้ร่มเงาของพ่อ และพี่ชาย เป็นเด็กฉลาด และน่าสนใจมาก ๆ

นั่นเป็นสิ่งแรกที่นำความผิดหวังมาให้กับเรา ถ้าเราไม่เคยอ่านเรื่องในชุดนี้มาก่อน เราอาจจะชอบเล่มนี้มากกว่านี้ก็ได้นะคะ แต่นั่นเป็นสิ่งที่เป็นไปไม่ได้ เราอ่าน และติดตามหนังสือชุดนี้มาตลอด ความคาดหวังเกิดขึ้นแล้ว และเมื่ออ่าน ต้องขอบอกว่า เราไม่เห็นนิโคลัสที่เราพบในเล่มก่อนหน้าในหนังสือเล่มนี้เลย จริงอยู่ค่ะ เวลาในเล่มนี้ห่างจากเล่มอื่นมาก ๆ เพราะนิโคลัสเป็นเพียงเด็กชายเล็ก ๆ แต่เราไม่เชื่อว่า เขาจะหายไปทั้งหมด ข้อด้อยในการเขียนคาแร็คเตอร์ของเขาก็คือ คนแต่งไม่ได้ใช้เวลามากพอในการสื่อให้คนอ่าน (อย่างเรา) เห็นว่า เกิดอะไรขึ้นกับเขา

เมื่อเปิดเรื่อง นิโคลัสร่อนเร่ไม่ยอมเดินทางกลับบ้าน หลังจากที่กลับมาจากสงคราม เรื่องเปิดเผยภายหลังว่า มีบางอย่างเกิดขึ้นในสงคราม เขาล้มป่วย และรู้สึกท้อใจที่ตัวเองไม่ใช่นักรบอันยิ่งใหญ่อย่างที่คนคาดหวังในครอบครัวของเขา ซึ่งนี่เป็นคำอธิบายที่ใช้ได้นะคะ น่าเสียดายว่า คนแต่งพูดแบบเล่าให้ฟัง ไม่มีการแสดงอารมณ์ หรือความรู้สึก จนเราไม่อาจสัมผัสได้ว่า นี่เป็นเรื่องใหญ่ที่กระทบต่อตัวตนของพระเอก หรือทำให้เขากลายมาเป็นคนอย่างที่เราเห็นในเรื่อง เลยกลายเป็นว่า ไม่อาจเข้าถึง "ตัวตน" ที่แท้จริงของนิโคลัสได้ เลยทำให้เป็นการอ่านแบบ ไม่ค่อยแคร์เขาเท่าไหร

ความรู้สึกนี้ก็เป็นเหมือนกันกับคาแร็คเตอร์ของนางเอก เรารู้สึกว่า คนแต่งให้ภูมิหลังตัวละครไม่เพียงพอ และเนื้อเรื่องมุ่งเน้นกับเหตุการณ์ตามท้องเรื่อง ซึ่งบอกตามตรงว่า ก็ไม่ได้น่าสนใจอะไรมากมายนัก เมื่อไม่มีปัจจัยด้านอารมณ์มาขับเคลื่อนเรื่องราว เราเลยรู้สึกเฉยเมยมาก ๆ กับทุกสิ่งที่เกิดขึ้น

ขนาดตอนจบเรื่องที่เมื่อพระเอกพานางเอกลับบ้านเพื่อไปพบพ่อและพี่ชาย ก็ยังไม่รู้สึกเหมือนเป็นบทสรุปของหนังสือชุดที่เราชอบมากที่สุดชุดนึงเลยนะคะ มันแห้งเหี่ยว น่าเบื่อมากกว่า

คะแนนที่ 57

[Sabrina (Soter) Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Emery agiva come una scintilla che lo riportava alla vita,come un balsamo per la sua anima logorata.C'era più che il desiderio a unirli,perché lei sembrava colmare un grande vuoto dentro di lui,offrendogli conforto nelle ore buie della sua esistenza."

Siamo tra le 3 e le 4 stelline.Come per il libro di Reynold, anche quest'ultimo della serie de Burgh dedicato al più giovane Nicholas è stato scritto dall'autrice con anni di stacco rispetto agli altri della serie (una specie di ripensamento? XD) e non ha la stessa "verve". Le somiglianze tra i due sono varie: entrambi si trovano in viaggio lontani da casa (e riluttanti a tornarci), entrambi hanno avuto problemi di saluti che li hanno fatti sentire in un certo modo inferiori ai fratelli maggiori (leggi: si piangono addosso assai XD) ed entrambi si trovano ad incappare in una "damigella in difficoltà" che li trascina in una missione misteriosa (e nel caso di Reynold alquanto fantasiosa XD) con risvolti inaspettati. Rispetto a Reynold sicuramente Nicholas è un personaggio più positivo e determinato, Reynold portava la sua lagna a livelli mai visti mentre il fratellino minore ha una forza d'animo che lo porta a combattere contro i propri mali nonostante sia rassegnato a non avere un lieto fine. Mi ha fatto piacere rincontrare Geoff ed Elene e il conte di Campion, in un epilogo finale che riunisce tutta la numerosa famiglia de Burgh (ma ammetto che avrei voluto che i fratelli fossero più presenti, molti vengono appena nominati! ç_ç). La storia d'amore tra Emery e Nicholas mi è piaciuta abbastanza, entrambi hanno dei segreti che gli impediscono di stare insieme (ma ovviamente grazie all'influenza de Burgh e ad un piccolo "aiuto" dall'oriente tutto si sistemerà) peccato che alla fin fine è tutto molto casto e poco passionale (giusto un paio di baci...e nella prima parte del libro lui pensava fosse un maschio! XD persino il suo fedele scudiero era un passo avanti! XD). In generale sono contenta di aver potuto leggere le storie di tutti i de Burgh ma Nicholas e Reynold non sono decisamente all'altezza dei fratelli maggiori (o del padre).

[Tracy Emro]

3.5 stars

I have to say the last two de Burgh brothers stories have been a little disappointing.

The writing is good and the plot flows well but they are really a bit on the bland almost boring side. The romance is almost non-existent and the heat level is barely lukewarm.

In this story Nicolas (the youngest deBurgh) finds his true love.

Emery is an odd heroine - there is really nothing wrong with her nor is there anything noteworthy about her.

The story opens with Nicolas protecting an knight being ambushed and asking him to protect Emery.

The knight that was ambushed is Emery's twin brother who is a hospitaller knight - he shows up to Emery injured and barely conscious. She tends him and wakes to find him gone. As she sets out to find him she meets up with Nicolas and Guy (his squire). She is dressed as a boy and they think she is a he.

They travel together for days before Nicolas figures out that Emery is a girl. But it doesn't change his mind about helping her find her brother. They are being pursued by a Templar knight and he fears for Emery's safety.

Anyway - Emery's uncle turns up dead and so does the Templar - at this point the reader discovers Nicolas and Emery's secrets. And the reasons they both think they can't be together.

Long story short - they find her brother and all their problems are resolved very quickly. The End.

I was hoping for more - at least a really good epilogue since this was the end of the series - but I didn't get it.

The first five books were incredible and I would recommend them - the last two, not so much.

[Adriana Fogaça · Rating 2 out of 5]

O Clã Dos De Burgh 8/8
O Último De Burgh
Deborah Simmons
H. Históricos 121
2013

Que decepção!!!

Esperei tanto por este livro, mas, infelizmente, não correspondeu as minhas expectativas.

Já, no livro anterior fiquei com a sensação que a autora havia perdido a mão, mas dei um desconto, porque Reynold, sem dúvida, sempre foi o De Burgh mais sombrio e melancólico.

Mas Nicholas o mais inteligente, e porque não dizer o mais "sábio" dos irmãos, mesmo quando era um adolescente. Agora, quando adulto, se transformou num homem com pena de si mesmo.

Simplesmente patético!!!

E para piorar, não consegui saber nada sobre a maioria da família De Burgh. Só apareceram Geoffrey e Elene, que estão felizes e com dois filhos. Só!!!

Decepção!!!

[HÜLYA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bir serinin daha sonuna geldik..Çok severek okuduğum bir seri oldu.Ama bu son De Burgh'da bende mi bir şey vardı anlamadım ısınamdım kitaba.Konu güzel ama hikaye akmadı. Çeviride bir şey yoktu.Sorun ben de idi sanırım..

[Esra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Çok eğlenceli bir serinin daha sonuna geldik :( Campion Kontunun 7. ve son oğlu Nicholas'ın hikayesiydi... Her şeye imkansız imkansız dediler beni meraktan öldürdüler sorun ne diye... Korkmadım da değil yani bazı şeyleri öğrenince ama her deburgh hikayesi gibi mutlu sonla bitti..

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really looked forward to this book, but felt like the best of the story was packed into the last 25 pages.

[Bernie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

good old-fashioned romance from Mills & Boon with chivalrous knights and a lady 'who doth protest too much' for her time. Very brave of her in the circumstances. I liked it a lot.

[Welzen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una historia que no me ha terminado de convencer de modo que no le puedo poner tres estrellas. Esperaba más de este libro por el ser último de una serie que me gustó desde el principio.

[Usagi Tsukino · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars.
Uh... a bit boring, but all in all a nice read.

[sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

I finally found the last the sons. And it was a very good read. I have enjoyed each one. And makes me very happy.