The Promise by D.D. Chant

One thing you should know about me is that I usually don’t do historical romance. Sure, historical action (which does not exist) is fine, but a whole book centered on romance is a little overboard for me. Yup, I have no patience reading a whole book about a girl and a guy falling in love in Saxon England. It just gets a bit boring! However, with The Promise, I was kind of proved wrong…
4 out of 5 stars

The Promise by D.D. Chant
4 out of 5 stars
Out! Available!

Summary from Goodreads: Dear Reader,

I wish to tell you a tale that began with a promise destined to change the lives of many. When only a child, Lady Adele of Berron lost her family during a dreadful battle and was betrothed to a stranger. Lord Rafe of Valrek, only a boy himself when the battle of Calis raged, grew to be a feared warrior and trusted advisor to his King. But sadness filled his past and Adele served only to remind him of all he had lost. However the promise that bound these two together caused great anger to some. What, Dear Reader, happened in those days of treachery and darkness? Incline your ear that I may whisper the secrets that you so desire to hear......

Lady Quill

Basically, The Promise is the love story between Rafe and Adele. Of course, it’s not just a love story. It’s a historical love story with action and intrigue! Yay! In other words, it’s not boring. And coming from me, that’s pretty high praise. Then again, when you have a story with murders, a nasty villain, action and blood, how can you call it boring? That’s a rhetorical question, isn’t it?

Compared to Broken City, I have to say that The Promise is better. Well, at least that’s my opinion. I feel like the characters are more memorable and the plot was less spontaneous. Also, the typos were less obnoxious. There were still typos, but it was more like missing a comma in the middle of a sentence instead of gaping grammatical errors. (No offense…)

I really liked the writing style! It was clever and addicting without being in your face, as well as having to vintage feel to it. I admired how the style really did sweep me into Saxon England with all the dresses and weapons and others. Plus, it expanded my vocabulary! (Random, I know.) I had to look up some words, but that’s totally fine with me. Now I can officially say I know what yarrow tissane is! Happiness!

The prologue to The Promise is epic! I mean, what other story has a prologue that’s like a letter to the reader, quickly debriefing him or her on the basics of the story? Not only did that save space and words, but it quickly intrigued the reader as well. I’m pretty impressed, which is quite impressive as well. Also, Lady Quill is such a cool name! I wonder if it has to do with writing the story with a quill….

Who knows?