The Dark Knight by Elizabeth Elliott
Historical Romance
June 26, 2012
Random House

Reviewed by Mandi

Favorite Quote: “I am your knight. You are my lady. Time is all that can change those facts, but time is not yet our enemy.”

A while ago on Twitter, I saw a couple of people mention that they were very happy Elizabeth Elliott was writing again. After a little research I discovered this author has three books out in the mid-90’s (all well received). I became intrigued, and decided to request The Dark Knight for review, to see what all the hype was about. I’m so glad I did.

Set in the late 1200’s, Dante Chiavari has one goal in life – to destroy his uncle, who murdered his parents and stole all that would belong to him and one day return to Venice, and reclaim all that is his. As a young man, Dante was left with no parents or money and eventually found his way to King Edward’s court in England. As an adult, he is the King’s assassin, an extremely feared man. Now that he has a plan in place to exact revenge on his uncle, he has decided he will do one last task for King Edward, before retiring back to his home country. His last assignment will change his life. The king’s magician who can foresee the future warns Dante:

“Your fate and the king’s have become intertwined over the years. The fate of one woman in particular will affect you both in equal measure, but she is a scale that cannot be balanced.”

He also tells him:

“If this girl weds Faulke Segrave or if she dies by the hand of another assassin, you will never leave England alive. That is how your fate is connected.”

His assignment involves riding to where Avalene de Forshay is staying with her aunt and uncle. Avalene has been betrothed to a man named Faulke Segrave. King Edward is worried that since Avalene has ties to Welsh heritage, that Faulke will marry her and convince the other Marcher lords to rise up against Edward. The king wants Dante to ride in, pretending to be her father’s knight, Sir Percival, and get her away from Faulke, who eventually will be forced to marry an English bride. Avalene, not happy living with her aunt and uncle, willingly escapes with “Sir Percival” thinking she is being taken back to her father’s estate.

From here the story unfolds as Dante and Avalene travel across the English countryside, running from enemies and falling in love. She has to put all of her faith into a man she barely knows:

After tomorrow my life will never again be the same. My entire future depends upon a man I have known for less than a day. My future depends on you, Sir Percival.” She studied his face, trying to reassure herself that she was doing the right thing in trusting him. “Tell me the truth. Do you think you will succeed?”

He answered without hesitation. “I have no doubt of plan, so long as you remain cooperative.”

“What makes you so certain?”

The corners of his mouth curved upward. “I was sent here to protect you and see to your safety, my lady, and I am very good at what I do.”

So much stands out in this book. First of all, at the beginning, Dante cares only about revenge and nothing else. He could care less about this woman named Avalene and what his mission is. As long as he completes it and gets to go back to Venice and live his days out in peace, the consequences of his actions towards Avalene mean nothing to him. But then he meets Avalene, and his world tumbles. There is not only an immediate physical lust between them, but he comes to respect her. She challenges him, and is one of the few people to ever look upon him without fear. He realizes this woman would bring pleasure and surprises to him for a long time to come.

Under the guise of Sir Percival, he is a knight. Chivalrous to the core with Avalene. And so, so masculine.

Even after his true identity is discovered, he is still such a gentleman to her. He cherishes her, and will protect her at any cost. He is horrible to his enemies and those he doesn’t trust, yet utterly devoted to Avalene, soft and warm. He is completely alpha and it’s truly romantic and just made me smile throughout.

Dante has self loathing, looking at himself as truly a demon. I kind of wish this had played out more as the book progressed. He has such cold blood running through him as he revenges his parents death and deals with the  man he has become, this side fizzles a little bit as the book progresses. I wish he would have held onto that a little longer.

Finally he fitted his lips to hers in a kiss so gentle, so filled with reverence that she felt tears come to her eyes. Like everything else about Sir Percival, his kiss was perfect. It was a kiss that a knight bestowed upon his lady-love, a kiss that spoke of the yearning he suffered for a lady who was forever beyond his reach. It was a kiss that sealed fates.

Dante is an extremely skilled assassin. There is absolutely no question that no harm will come to Avalene as they travel, and all of their enemies will be completely wiped out by Dante and his few trusted friends. This lends to great romantic notions in this book. All I do is read romance books, but this book has such grand romantic notions in it that it makes it stand out. One look from Dante to his friends, and they obey his every order. He can have a band of dozens of men confront him, and a few minutes later, he is the only one left standing. He doesn’t fight fair, even poisoning Avalene at one point, to eventually rescue her from someone, but it all just adds to the excitement of this book.

This book is just purely romantic

“I knew you were behind the tapestry,” he said. “I also knew the railing was about to give way. I was waiting for you, waiting for you to fall.”

Waiting all my life for you, he added silently, waiting all my life for you to fall in love with me.

Oh Dante. I’m in love with you! I hope other readers will fall in love too.

Rating: A-

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