What do you think?
The Warrior #3
The Warrior's Game
Out of a Perilous Intrigue ...Proud, desperate Lady Ami will "not be the plaything of powerful men But without the aid of the warrior Michel, she will be forced to submit to her king -- who wants free entry to Ami's badchamber by wedding her to a spineless court lackey. She "must win the bold knight's loyalty and protection, and turn him against the liege he so ably serves. To this end she is willing to offer herself to the dark, handsome mercenary -- never dreaming his strength, fire, and unexpectedly tender touch would capture her heart in earnest.... Comes a Passion Fearless and True
From nearly first glance Michel is certain Ami is the wife and lover he has long sought. But danger swirls relentlessly around the exquisite Lady in this treacherous court of intrigues. Yet how can the knight deny this love that is his destiny -- even if it makes him the adversary of King John ... and come at the price of duty and honor?
From nearly first glance Michel is certain Ami is the wife and lover he has long sought. But danger swirls relentlessly around the exquisite Lady in this treacherous court of intrigues. Yet how can the knight deny this love that is his destiny -- even if it makes him the adversary of King John ... and come at the price of duty and honor?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 31, 2002
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 28, 2017
Sir Michel is a knight in King John's service. Lady Amicia is a widow and ward of the King. Michel wants land, a wife and a family. Amicia wants to go home to her lands. When Michel sets his sight upon Amicia for a wife, he isn't discouraged by her forthrightness or her fiery temper. She is attracted to him, even though she fights the attraction.
King John devices a game. If Amicia reaches Thame Abbey first, she can choose life in a convent or to be the king's mistress. If Michel or another knight catches Amicia before she reaches the Abbey, the knight who catches her marries her. What fate will Amicia choose? Will Michel catch her first?
The Warrior's Game is a compelling read. This reader kept turning pages to see what happens next. I liked the characters, especially Amicia, Michel and King John. The plot is simple and the subplots kept it interesting. Denise Domning is becoming one of my favorite authors.
King John devices a game. If Amicia reaches Thame Abbey first, she can choose life in a convent or to be the king's mistress. If Michel or another knight catches Amicia before she reaches the Abbey, the knight who catches her marries her. What fate will Amicia choose? Will Michel catch her first?
The Warrior's Game is a compelling read. This reader kept turning pages to see what happens next. I liked the characters, especially Amicia, Michel and King John. The plot is simple and the subplots kept it interesting. Denise Domning is becoming one of my favorite authors.
September 29, 2013
Authentic Medieval with a Great Alpha Male Hero in the time of King John
This is the third in the Warrior Series but it can be read alone. All three are set in the time of King John and the Magna Carta, a foundational document adopted at the urging of rebellious barons in the 13th century limiting the powers of the king.
THE WARRIOR’S GAME is the story of Lady Amica del la Beres (“Ami”), the widow of a knight and the ward of King John. Unbeknownst to Ami, the king has promised her to one of his favored knights, Sir Michel de Martigny, a commoner son of a merchant who distinguished himself at the siege of Nantes. In Ami’s mind, he is no match for a king’s ward. Michel wants lands and heirs and is hoping the king will keep his promise and give him Ami. With that apparently in mind, the king has made Michel administrator of Ami’s manors, much to Ami’s chagrin.
Ami is a woman who is strong in all things except when it comes to Sir Michel. Whenever he touches her, she melts in his arms and turns into a tart. Being well aware of that, and a man who has made his way in the world through his ruthless intelligence and courage, Michel uses it to his advantage, embarrassing her for her disdain of his commoner origins. Ami willingly plays into his hand several times.
Domning’s story reflects much research into the 13th century life at court and these historic details add richness and authenticity to the tale. Not just the historical setting, but the historic sounds and smells. You feel like you are there with Ami, struggling to gain a toehold on the future when she is merely a woman who, at the king’s whim, could be given to some unacceptable man. Like Sir Michel, for example. No matter the knight is handsome and sexy and his kisses render her a mushball. The king would play his game and she is but a pawn.
If you like a real historic feel in your historical romance (as I do) and you like the medieval period, this is the romance for you. It’s well written and kept me turning pages. I recommend it.
The Warrior trilogy:
THE WARRIOR’S WIFE
THE WARRIOR’S MAIDEN
THE WARRIOR’S GAME
This is the third in the Warrior Series but it can be read alone. All three are set in the time of King John and the Magna Carta, a foundational document adopted at the urging of rebellious barons in the 13th century limiting the powers of the king.
THE WARRIOR’S GAME is the story of Lady Amica del la Beres (“Ami”), the widow of a knight and the ward of King John. Unbeknownst to Ami, the king has promised her to one of his favored knights, Sir Michel de Martigny, a commoner son of a merchant who distinguished himself at the siege of Nantes. In Ami’s mind, he is no match for a king’s ward. Michel wants lands and heirs and is hoping the king will keep his promise and give him Ami. With that apparently in mind, the king has made Michel administrator of Ami’s manors, much to Ami’s chagrin.
Ami is a woman who is strong in all things except when it comes to Sir Michel. Whenever he touches her, she melts in his arms and turns into a tart. Being well aware of that, and a man who has made his way in the world through his ruthless intelligence and courage, Michel uses it to his advantage, embarrassing her for her disdain of his commoner origins. Ami willingly plays into his hand several times.
Domning’s story reflects much research into the 13th century life at court and these historic details add richness and authenticity to the tale. Not just the historical setting, but the historic sounds and smells. You feel like you are there with Ami, struggling to gain a toehold on the future when she is merely a woman who, at the king’s whim, could be given to some unacceptable man. Like Sir Michel, for example. No matter the knight is handsome and sexy and his kisses render her a mushball. The king would play his game and she is but a pawn.
If you like a real historic feel in your historical romance (as I do) and you like the medieval period, this is the romance for you. It’s well written and kept me turning pages. I recommend it.
The Warrior trilogy:
THE WARRIOR’S WIFE
THE WARRIOR’S MAIDEN
THE WARRIOR’S GAME
October 1, 2012
I thought this was an excellent historical romance. It had a strong and intriguing plot, fabulous hero and heroine and fantastic chemistry between them.
Denise Domning has obviously done her homework - the historical setting is detailed (without becoming tiresome) and vividly brought to life. You really get a sense for the rigid class constraints of Medieval Britain and the snobbery that the highborn had for the lower classes. This forms part of the conflict between our highborn English widow, Ami, and Michel, the sexy French mercenary who works for King John.
I enjoyed every page of this book and think that it really deserved a better title than this - although Denise Domning does admit that she is 'title-defective!" The only element that didn't quite work for me was King John's motivation for the 'game' he plays with our hero and heroine. History has labelled him as a bit of a sly, manic-depressive but I still couldn't understand what he got out of playing with the lives of these two characters - especially since he appeared to want the feisty Ami for himself! However, this is a minor detail - all in all this was a riveting read. Highly recommended.
Denise Domning has obviously done her homework - the historical setting is detailed (without becoming tiresome) and vividly brought to life. You really get a sense for the rigid class constraints of Medieval Britain and the snobbery that the highborn had for the lower classes. This forms part of the conflict between our highborn English widow, Ami, and Michel, the sexy French mercenary who works for King John.
I enjoyed every page of this book and think that it really deserved a better title than this - although Denise Domning does admit that she is 'title-defective!" The only element that didn't quite work for me was King John's motivation for the 'game' he plays with our hero and heroine. History has labelled him as a bit of a sly, manic-depressive but I still couldn't understand what he got out of playing with the lives of these two characters - especially since he appeared to want the feisty Ami for himself! However, this is a minor detail - all in all this was a riveting read. Highly recommended.
Read
November 24, 20124**** A very good historical romance. It tells the story of a woman who has been made a ward of King John and how little control she has over her own life. The details of how even the more wealthy people lived is really interesting. An enjoyable read.
March 25, 2014
Such a fun read from start to finish. Lady Amicia becomes ward of the King after the death of her husband . True to the time period she lives in she has no rights. She must bend to the will of the King and play his devious games . Michel a foreign mercenary is promised a wife and has chosen Amicia .The King will not make it easy for any if his subjects and turns their lives upside down, but the only option is to play his game.
I really liked Amicia she was also in the first book of this series "The Warrior's Wife ". She's smart ,beautiful,funny and compassionate .Her quick wit and tongue save her many times but her passion betrays her .
I really liked Amicia she was also in the first book of this series "The Warrior's Wife ". She's smart ,beautiful,funny and compassionate .Her quick wit and tongue save her many times but her passion betrays her .
June 30, 2022
A mashup of old skool romance stylistically but with sex positivity (vs virginity) and consent, plus unusually realistic historic details.
I loved the history, but fighting my way through the older romance genre writing style was not my thing. I also normally like court intrigue, but in this case, the heroine keeps realizing she’s incompetent at it, which meh.
I loved the history, but fighting my way through the older romance genre writing style was not my thing. I also normally like court intrigue, but in this case, the heroine keeps realizing she’s incompetent at it, which meh.
June 2, 2017
A bored king trifles with his subjects. His lack of regard & care ruins a lady's reputation & puts her in the middle of dangerous competition, he tries to cheat his loyal knight & punish a simpering vassal.
The thrust & parry of sharp wit is intriguing.
The thrust & parry of sharp wit is intriguing.
September 8, 2021
The best of the three.
The Warriors Series is excellent. I read them in just three days. Though related characters they are independent stories you must not miss. Do read them as them writer wrote and released them. Enjoy I surely did so.
The Warriors Series is excellent. I read them in just three days. Though related characters they are independent stories you must not miss. Do read them as them writer wrote and released them. Enjoy I surely did so.
July 10, 2017
The Warrior's Game
I loved this story. I recommend everyone to read this book. I look forward to reading more of her books. Kattie.
I loved this story. I recommend everyone to read this book. I look forward to reading more of her books. Kattie.
June 9, 2018
Fun story
Besides being an entertaining book, I found myself comparing the status of women during the era of the book with current times. Thanks for your research, Denise!
Besides being an entertaining book, I found myself comparing the status of women during the era of the book with current times. Thanks for your research, Denise!
November 18, 2013
This might be more aptly titled “The King’s Game,” in that the only true player is King John, and all the characters are his prawns--
--er, pawns.
As ward of the king, Widowed Amicia de la Beres (we met her in The Warrior’s Wife) cannot leave court or marry unless the king approves—and he rarely approves. It’s far more convenient for him to keep her in court, so he can dangle her before his courtiers as a rich prize—all while using the income from her estates for himself. She'd like to protest but she can't. The king is notoriously fond of dallying with noble women. If Amicia wants to preserve her virtue, she has to stay under his radar.
Yeah, good luck with that.
Michel de Martigny is a French knight and mercenary. His common birth and Frenchness (because who doesn’t love the French) make him less than popular at court, but he is one of the king’s favorites. In fact, John made him a promise—he can choose a wife from among the ladies at court. The king offered him a certain high-ranked noblewoman, but Michel knows better than to accept—he’s already fighting duels all the time with noble English idiots who want his peasant, foreign skin. All he’d have to do is marry one of their daughters or sisters and the whole country would want his blood. No, what he needs is a woman of just barely noble birth, one who could raise his children to nobility down the line, but who could be his wife without causing a major "incident." In other words he needs a "lady" who isn't too far above him. A knight’s daughter. One who’s wealthy but not ridiculously so, and one who doesn’t have kin who would try to make her a widow right off the bat.
Amicia de la Beres is just what he needs.
She won’t like it—women of her sort are too proud to wed a merchant’s son. Michel is counting on the king to force her to it. But there's one small obstacle.
The Villain.
Sir Enguerran d’Oilly (another one of those funny villain names) has also received the king’s promise that he will have Amicia. He’s beenrobbing stewarding her estates and making substantial payoffs to assure that, as his wife, she’ll have no right to complain about it.
What’s a king to do? Well, naturally, John takes a run at her himself. Failing that, he invites the two would-be swains in to insult her. Michel does an excellent job of it—she’s gonna hate him no matter what, so why be kind? He’ll rape her as many times as it takes to get an heir and then dump her and enjoy the favors of a woman of his own class.
Yeah. This is our hero.
And of course, Amicia, despite being brutally humiliated by all three men and particularly Michel, can’t help herself—the first time Michel touches her she’s all
I kinda hate it when the heroines are used as public urinals and still want to bang the guy who does it, so that bugged me up until Michel pulled his head at least halfway out of his anal orifice. I say "halfway" because, at the end, he demands that she trust him, but refuses to return the favor. She's hurt by this—and we're told he can read her feelings so he must know, and he also must know that the info he's withholding would have spared her considerable despair and terror when things go pear-shaped. Of course it’s better for US that she not know, but why is it better for HER—or him, for that matter? Where is the real benefit in keeping her out of the loop?
All that said, when I get engaged enough to want to argue with the characters, it’s a great sign. There’s tons of political intrigue and a couple truly toxic villains. So 4.5 stars.
And Denise, if you read this, hurry the heck up with the next one—you have me jonesing for more authentic, well-researched Medievals!
--er, pawns.
As ward of the king, Widowed Amicia de la Beres (we met her in The Warrior’s Wife) cannot leave court or marry unless the king approves—and he rarely approves. It’s far more convenient for him to keep her in court, so he can dangle her before his courtiers as a rich prize—all while using the income from her estates for himself. She'd like to protest but she can't. The king is notoriously fond of dallying with noble women. If Amicia wants to preserve her virtue, she has to stay under his radar.
Yeah, good luck with that.
Michel de Martigny is a French knight and mercenary. His common birth and Frenchness (because who doesn’t love the French) make him less than popular at court, but he is one of the king’s favorites. In fact, John made him a promise—he can choose a wife from among the ladies at court. The king offered him a certain high-ranked noblewoman, but Michel knows better than to accept—he’s already fighting duels all the time with noble English idiots who want his peasant, foreign skin. All he’d have to do is marry one of their daughters or sisters and the whole country would want his blood. No, what he needs is a woman of just barely noble birth, one who could raise his children to nobility down the line, but who could be his wife without causing a major "incident." In other words he needs a "lady" who isn't too far above him. A knight’s daughter. One who’s wealthy but not ridiculously so, and one who doesn’t have kin who would try to make her a widow right off the bat.
Amicia de la Beres is just what he needs.
She won’t like it—women of her sort are too proud to wed a merchant’s son. Michel is counting on the king to force her to it. But there's one small obstacle.
The Villain.
Sir Enguerran d’Oilly (another one of those funny villain names) has also received the king’s promise that he will have Amicia. He’s been
What’s a king to do? Well, naturally, John takes a run at her himself. Failing that, he invites the two would-be swains in to insult her. Michel does an excellent job of it—she’s gonna hate him no matter what, so why be kind? He’ll rape her as many times as it takes to get an heir and then dump her and enjoy the favors of a woman of his own class.
Yeah. This is our hero.
And of course, Amicia, despite being brutally humiliated by all three men and particularly Michel, can’t help herself—the first time Michel touches her she’s all
I kinda hate it when the heroines are used as public urinals and still want to bang the guy who does it, so that bugged me up until Michel pulled his head at least halfway out of his anal orifice. I say "halfway" because, at the end, he demands that she trust him, but refuses to return the favor. She's hurt by this—and we're told he can read her feelings so he must know, and he also must know that the info he's withholding would have spared her considerable despair and terror when things go pear-shaped. Of course it’s better for US that she not know, but why is it better for HER—or him, for that matter? Where is the real benefit in keeping her out of the loop?
All that said, when I get engaged enough to want to argue with the characters, it’s a great sign. There’s tons of political intrigue and a couple truly toxic villains. So 4.5 stars.
And Denise, if you read this, hurry the heck up with the next one—you have me jonesing for more authentic, well-researched Medievals!
July 2, 2013
*May contain spoilers*
I'm actually giving this a 3.5, but for some reason Goodreads doesn't allow half stars.
I love period pieces, but I wouldn't live in the Medieval ages for all the money in the world. Why? Because as a woman I wouldn't be allowed to keep it! For all the crap women still have to put up with today, at least we're able to make our own money, buy our own homes and tell a guy to go F himself if we want. I'll stay in 2013 thank you.
Here's why:
Synopsis: When Amica's beloved husband dies, she becomes a ward of the king and her money/properties are given to a a male trustee. In the king's custody she will remain until she is married to someone else who then will gain her funds. Her current trustee wants her as his wife, for that obvious reason, but there is also a commoner-turned-knight, Sir Michel who wants her for the same reason: her dowry (any guy who has the nerve to call women gold diggers needs to look up this word 'dowry'!).
Sir Michel sets out after Ami who counters him by reminding him she is higher ranking and though she may be a woman, she isn't going gently into anyone's bed and she certainly isn't keeping her opinions to herself. There is betrayal of a high ranking woman (hey we weren't allowed to do anything back then, so we had to entertain ourselves somehow), a game/wild goose chase set forth to the trustee, Amica and Michel by the king, sword fighting, some misunderstandings between Michel and Amica, blood and a good name and reputation to protect. (Note, it's only rape if you're not married and the offender is only punished if he is a lower social rank than the female. A suitable "punishment" would be to marry his victim. Oh super...*Eyeroll* Seriously, If I wanted to read this kind of Bullshit I'd read the bible).
As the book progresses, Michel and Amica eventually do fall in love and choose one another, but Michel does remember the king's statement "being married to Amica will be like riding a wild stallion". Michel's thought goes to "the most wild of horses make the tamest in the end". Great, so he loves her but over time she'll be tame. Yeah, that's not love jackass. I guess for that time period it's a happy ending. I mean Ami and Michel do love each other, and Michel does admit it's more than her properties he ends up wanting. Her was but one of her choices, and she does choose him.
Domning is actually a very good writer. I can't blame her for writing how it actually was back then. She's very descriptive and a very good researcher of the time period. As angry as I was at the male characters, I did want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. I wish there was a little bit more to the ending, but it's satisfactory enough.
I'm actually giving this a 3.5, but for some reason Goodreads doesn't allow half stars.
I love period pieces, but I wouldn't live in the Medieval ages for all the money in the world. Why? Because as a woman I wouldn't be allowed to keep it! For all the crap women still have to put up with today, at least we're able to make our own money, buy our own homes and tell a guy to go F himself if we want. I'll stay in 2013 thank you.
Here's why:
Synopsis: When Amica's beloved husband dies, she becomes a ward of the king and her money/properties are given to a a male trustee. In the king's custody she will remain until she is married to someone else who then will gain her funds. Her current trustee wants her as his wife, for that obvious reason, but there is also a commoner-turned-knight, Sir Michel who wants her for the same reason: her dowry (any guy who has the nerve to call women gold diggers needs to look up this word 'dowry'!).
Sir Michel sets out after Ami who counters him by reminding him she is higher ranking and though she may be a woman, she isn't going gently into anyone's bed and she certainly isn't keeping her opinions to herself. There is betrayal of a high ranking woman (hey we weren't allowed to do anything back then, so we had to entertain ourselves somehow), a game/wild goose chase set forth to the trustee, Amica and Michel by the king, sword fighting, some misunderstandings between Michel and Amica, blood and a good name and reputation to protect. (Note, it's only rape if you're not married and the offender is only punished if he is a lower social rank than the female. A suitable "punishment" would be to marry his victim. Oh super...*Eyeroll* Seriously, If I wanted to read this kind of Bullshit I'd read the bible).
As the book progresses, Michel and Amica eventually do fall in love and choose one another, but Michel does remember the king's statement "being married to Amica will be like riding a wild stallion". Michel's thought goes to "the most wild of horses make the tamest in the end". Great, so he loves her but over time she'll be tame. Yeah, that's not love jackass. I guess for that time period it's a happy ending. I mean Ami and Michel do love each other, and Michel does admit it's more than her properties he ends up wanting. Her was but one of her choices, and she does choose him.
Domning is actually a very good writer. I can't blame her for writing how it actually was back then. She's very descriptive and a very good researcher of the time period. As angry as I was at the male characters, I did want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. I wish there was a little bit more to the ending, but it's satisfactory enough.
August 30, 2014
I appreciate the historical accuracy of Domning's books and this book was no exception. She gave a very accurate accounting of how minor noblewomen were treated as pawns during this time period as well as how they looked upon themselves. I thought King John was a jerk. With all the sneakiness and manipulation going on behind the scenes, the bloody history of England should come as no surprise.
Although I didn't care for Lady Amicia's attitude it was all she had left after everything was taken from her when she became a widow, so it was understandable to a degree. It was surprising to see how hungry she was for male company which is not what we typically are told about during this time period.
As for Michel, he was yet another pawn in the king's game and a good catch if Amicia could just get over her attitude toward him. Domning didn't let her readers down as this book has the usual great descriptions, leading the reader to feel as though they were there.
Although I didn't care for Lady Amicia's attitude it was all she had left after everything was taken from her when she became a widow, so it was understandable to a degree. It was surprising to see how hungry she was for male company which is not what we typically are told about during this time period.
As for Michel, he was yet another pawn in the king's game and a good catch if Amicia could just get over her attitude toward him. Domning didn't let her readers down as this book has the usual great descriptions, leading the reader to feel as though they were there.
August 30, 2015
This is my least favorite of all the Denise Donning books I've inhaled in the last few days. I loved Ami when she was a minor character in an earlier book, but here she seemed so proud it turned me off. Also, Michel could have been more interesting. His background was barely a blip compared to other Donning heroes I've read lately. Finally, and worst of all, the love story wasn't that developed. All that seemed to draw these two people together was physical attraction.
This isn't a terrible book, but it pales in comparison to the author's other work I've read.
This isn't a terrible book, but it pales in comparison to the author's other work I've read.
June 6, 2017
Denise Domning has a fantastic way of describing medieval settings. They feel authentic and researched and add so much texture to the story. Here, we meet widowed Ami and mercenary knight Michel. Both are pawns of King John, who is a very interesting gray-shade character himself. It was interesting to read how Ami and Michel maneuvered themselves through the vagaries of the royal court, both trying to achieve what they want. Intrigue abounds, but it is no match for the unexpected attraction these two feel for each other.
November 26, 2012
This was my favorite in the warrior series. I love the setting and the way that Ms. Doming delves into the way that medieval women were treated. It gives you a great understanding of what life was like for them - whether a peasant or of noble birth. I would have given this book 5 stars except for the ending. I was hoping for an epilogue or something to finish the tale, but instead, it was left to my imagination.
March 25, 2013
Never trusted Michel feel anything but self interest towards Ami. And Ami was supposed to be skillful at staying out of court intrigue, but that fact is never confirmed with her almost immediately plunging herself in scheming and trouble. Finally, even if it was true that King John was a bored jerk who liked toying with his subjects lives/feelings/livelihood, for sheer sport, I didn't care for the plot including this detail at all.
April 9, 2014
I can't believe I'm giving this 4 stars but I really did like it. I liked how the characters stay true themselves and are all annoyed by confining class norms but still find themselves following the social rules that they find irritating. I already loved Ami from the first book and Michel is just, hmmm yummy, strong, confident, self made, ambitious, all man, yet gentle and vulnerable with the woman he cares for. I love a hero like Michel.
April 24, 2016
This medieval set story is a great addition to her historical novels. The return to King John’s court is a great setting for a lovely romance between a knight’s proud daughter who is full of her own importance and a knight from a common trade background. The explanations of the rise of the middle class and the massive increase in the wealth of the merchants carries the story forward without turning into a history lesson.
January 3, 2016
Fast paced romance
Entertaining read and fast paced romance. Common born knight proves his honor and loyalty while fighting for the love of his life. The lady does protest too much; eventually realizing the knight is worthy of her love.
Entertaining read and fast paced romance. Common born knight proves his honor and loyalty while fighting for the love of his life. The lady does protest too much; eventually realizing the knight is worthy of her love.
the-kindle-black-hole
July 21, 2012I'm pretty sure this is the same book as the one now on Kindle at Amazon under Denise Domning. http://www.amazon.com/The-Warriors-Ga...
Freebie today.
Freebie today.
February 17, 2013
A good read, well written with believable research. The hero and heroine are likeable and the character development is believable. The potential for change established in the story.
April 16, 2013
Really really good book. I enjoyed reading about the time period and the main characters had a lot of chemistry!
July 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this. Domning creates some interesting characters and brings the period to life. There are quite a few editing/spelling errors, but it's worth it.
July 18, 2013
I would have given it a 3.5 if I could have
Read
August 8, 2013This book was great, the plot was new and interesting and then at the end it just ended. It was the least satisfying ending I've seen. It's like it's missing a chapter or two.
December 23, 2013
4,5 Stars
June 11, 2014
Denise has a way to make you feel that you are the heroin in each novel!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews