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In Thrall to the Enemy Commander
Cleopatra's slave girl
and an enemy Roman soldier...
Egyptian slave Wennefer is wary of all men. But she can't help but be captivated by handsome Titus, adviser to Julius Caesar, even though he is commanding and intolerant of bold women like her. Their affair is as all-consuming as it is forbidden. But is he a man who will go to any lengths to love her despite their boundaries...or a sworn enemy she must never trust?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published March 20, 2018
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81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 30, 2020
I'm absolutely gutted that this Egyptian romance turned out to be one of the most misogynistic things I've ever read.
The problem is simply that Titus (the "hero") hates women. He honestly and without nuance believes that all women are shallow, petty, slutty, and inferior. Not only does he think this, he says it every chance he gets!
Example 1:
Example 2:
Example 3:
Example 4:
Example 5:
Example 6:
Can you believe this guy? (There was more, but I didn't have the heart to type it all up.) Obviously, then, this "love story" just becomes an exercise in Not Like Other Girls-ism, whereby a flaming misogynist realizes the error of his ways because he meets a woman whose boobs he likes enough that he sticks around and realizes that she actually has a brain. Hard pass.
Oh, also, he's a Big Manly Man of Superior Intellect and Self Control, but he's completely incapable of honoring her non-consent?
Uh...Boy, bye.
HARD. PASS.
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The problem is simply that Titus (the "hero") hates women. He honestly and without nuance believes that all women are shallow, petty, slutty, and inferior. Not only does he think this, he says it every chance he gets!
Example 1:
Women were mostly alike, he had found. Their minds were usually empty, but their bodies were soft and yielding, and they could provide a special kind of comfort after a day of taking lives.
Example 2:
Did she suspect him of something? Impossible. ...Besides, she was just a woman, with a woman's limitations of intellect. He had no reason to worry.
Example 3:
But the women were like shells—beautiful, alluring, and disappointingly empty. Their desire for wealth and status ranged far beyond their intellect. They were easily bored and seemed unable to participate in even the most basic discussions of philosophy or politics.
Example 4:
'Are you able to do it?'
'Of course I am able,' she told him. 'Am I not a woman?'
'Yes, and I am a man and thus you are naturally inferior to me.'
Example 5:
He yearned for her body, but also for her mind, for she wielded it like a secret knife.... But she was a woman. A woman! Women were not scholars. They were mothers and wives, maidservants and harlots. Besides, she was too desirable to be a scholar.
Example 6:
She was just a woman, after all. A Woman was only as powerful as a man allowed her to become. That was what he had always believed, had been taught since he was a boy.
But she was not like the other women.
Can you believe this guy? (There was more, but I didn't have the heart to type it all up.) Obviously, then, this "love story" just becomes an exercise in Not Like Other Girls-ism, whereby a flaming misogynist realizes the error of his ways because he meets a woman whose boobs he likes enough that he sticks around and realizes that she actually has a brain. Hard pass.
Oh, also, he's a Big Manly Man of Superior Intellect and Self Control, but he's completely incapable of honoring her non-consent?
'Stop,' she cried.
He wrapped his arms around her body and rammed his desire into her stomach, pushing against her with too much force. His shaft throbbed with impossible need. He found her loincloth with his hands and fumbled to release the knot, desperate to find his home inside of her. Gods, how he wanted her. Needed her.
'Please stop,' she said, and he felt the warm wetness of tears upon her cheeks. 'Just stop.'
But he could not stop. His need was too great.
Uh...Boy, bye.
HARD. PASS.
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May 4, 2021
Vanilla_91 - per RFS
.
Ho cominciato la lettura di Schiava del nemico con estremo entusiasmo, intrigata dalla trama e dall’ambientazione.
Nella magnificenza dell’antico Egitto, la strada della schiava Wen si incrocia con quella del comandante romano Tito. Wen è stata scelta dalla regina Cleopatra in persona per le sue doti di interprete e consigliera. Ha per i romani una forte avversione, a causa di un’aggressione subita, e nutre forti dubbi sulla lealtà del legionario. Sarà suo il compito di scoprire le reali intenzioni dell’uomo di Cesare.
Lei è un personaggio femminile acuto e brillante. Nel corso della storia ha intuizioni precoci, proposte consone alle situazioni e una cultura che la porta a spiccare. Certo, tutte queste doti sono un po’ irreali considerata la sua condizione di schiava, ma l’autrice fornisce una valida spiegazione nel corso del romanzo.
Tito è inizialmente molto orgoglioso, convinto della superiorità maschile. Ha, nell’evolversi della vicenda, una bella crescita. Tuttavia, la sua figura ha del potenziale inespresso, in quanto la sua caratterizzazione non viene eccessivamente approfondita. Da un comandante delle truppe romane mi sarei aspettata una maggiore incisività.
È molto particolare la versione che l’autrice ci riporta di Cleopatra. Nel romanzo viene raccontata con fedeltà la passione della regina per la cultura e le sue innumerevoli conoscenze. Ho trovato, però, eccessivamente romanzato il suo personaggio: benevola fino all’inverosimile e senza mordente.
La narrazione è agile e sciolta. Gli avvenimenti accadono nei giusti tempi e mantengono viva l’attenzione del lettore.
Una lettura molto piacevole.
.
Ho cominciato la lettura di Schiava del nemico con estremo entusiasmo, intrigata dalla trama e dall’ambientazione.
Nella magnificenza dell’antico Egitto, la strada della schiava Wen si incrocia con quella del comandante romano Tito. Wen è stata scelta dalla regina Cleopatra in persona per le sue doti di interprete e consigliera. Ha per i romani una forte avversione, a causa di un’aggressione subita, e nutre forti dubbi sulla lealtà del legionario. Sarà suo il compito di scoprire le reali intenzioni dell’uomo di Cesare.
Lei è un personaggio femminile acuto e brillante. Nel corso della storia ha intuizioni precoci, proposte consone alle situazioni e una cultura che la porta a spiccare. Certo, tutte queste doti sono un po’ irreali considerata la sua condizione di schiava, ma l’autrice fornisce una valida spiegazione nel corso del romanzo.
Tito è inizialmente molto orgoglioso, convinto della superiorità maschile. Ha, nell’evolversi della vicenda, una bella crescita. Tuttavia, la sua figura ha del potenziale inespresso, in quanto la sua caratterizzazione non viene eccessivamente approfondita. Da un comandante delle truppe romane mi sarei aspettata una maggiore incisività.
È molto particolare la versione che l’autrice ci riporta di Cleopatra. Nel romanzo viene raccontata con fedeltà la passione della regina per la cultura e le sue innumerevoli conoscenze. Ho trovato, però, eccessivamente romanzato il suo personaggio: benevola fino all’inverosimile e senza mordente.
La narrazione è agile e sciolta. Gli avvenimenti accadono nei giusti tempi e mantengono viva l’attenzione del lettore.
Una lettura molto piacevole.
May 5, 2024
I am able and willing to put up with a lot of nonsense in my daily dose of romance, but this was too much.
- the MMC and FMC feel like side-characters, while the actual plot revolves around Caesar and Cleopatra
- the MMC is a raging misogynist, and he is an activist who tries to cover the FMC's boobs up
- when the other characters "educate" the MMC and tell him to check his fucking attitude he pays lip service to how amazing and speshul the FMC is and ofc she can keep her boobs out by all means - while still being a raging misogynist
- when the FMC tells him to stop, he "can't help himself" lulz
- it's all good & she instantly forgives and forgets
- he decides unilaterally that she hates him and it's not meant to be and @85% in (!!!!!!!) when she comes with him in a blatant booty call he tries to make her give up on having sex with him by showing her his dong
- sadly I am not joking
Needless to say I dnf'd this in a rage
- the MMC and FMC feel like side-characters, while the actual plot revolves around Caesar and Cleopatra
- the MMC is a raging misogynist, and he is an activist who tries to cover the FMC's boobs up
- when the other characters "educate" the MMC and tell him to check his fucking attitude he pays lip service to how amazing and speshul the FMC is and ofc she can keep her boobs out by all means - while still being a raging misogynist
- when the FMC tells him to stop, he "can't help himself" lulz
- it's all good & she instantly forgives and forgets
- he decides unilaterally that she hates him and it's not meant to be and @85% in (!!!!!!!) when she comes with him in a blatant booty call he tries to make her give up on having sex with him by showing her his dong
- sadly I am not joking
Needless to say I dnf'd this in a rage
April 6, 2021
La storia d'amore sarebbe anche carina, se non fosse per la solita tiritera dei Romani cattivi, rozzi, conquistatori e...attenzione, novità...misogini da far schifo. Il protagonista maschile è detestabile nel primo terzo del romanzo, poi boh, recupera in qualche modo.
Peccato, occasione sprecata. L'autrice fa di tutto per farci capire che ha fatto i compiti a casa, buttando lì informazioni quasi didattiche sulla romanitas e sulle tradizioni egiziane.
Il romanzo non spicca mai il volo, diciamo che plana placidamente e a tratti va a sbattere contro gli alberi.
Peccato, occasione sprecata. L'autrice fa di tutto per farci capire che ha fatto i compiti a casa, buttando lì informazioni quasi didattiche sulla romanitas e sulle tradizioni egiziane.
Il romanzo non spicca mai il volo, diciamo che plana placidamente e a tratti va a sbattere contro gli alberi.
September 20, 2018
/working on review/
Want to read
January 2, 2018It's been a long time since Harlequin had a full novel featuring ancient times! I feel like there's not enough variety at times (with the popularity of Regency era), so it's nice to see a change in time and location.
Interesting to note, the heroine's name was probably chosen due to the similarity (sound) to Jennifer. But Wenennefer (also Wennefer, Wennufer or Unnefer) is (AFAIK) a male name in ancient Egypt. There was "an ancient Egyptian High Priest of Osiris at Abydos, during the reign of pharaoh Ramesses II of the 19th Dynasty." - "His name "Wenennefer" ("the one who continues to be perfect"), is one of the epithets of Osiris, which alludes to this god's post-mortem power." (Wiki).
Since this is from the time of Cleopatra, a name like Isadora might have been more fitting (Gift of Isis in Greek). But whatever. LOL. I'm not meaning to nit-pick or anything.
Interesting to note, the heroine's name was probably chosen due to the similarity (sound) to Jennifer. But Wenennefer (also Wennefer, Wennufer or Unnefer) is (AFAIK) a male name in ancient Egypt. There was "an ancient Egyptian High Priest of Osiris at Abydos, during the reign of pharaoh Ramesses II of the 19th Dynasty." - "His name "Wenennefer" ("the one who continues to be perfect"), is one of the epithets of Osiris, which alludes to this god's post-mortem power." (Wiki).
Since this is from the time of Cleopatra, a name like Isadora might have been more fitting (Gift of Isis in Greek). But whatever. LOL. I'm not meaning to nit-pick or anything.
October 30, 2019
I love finding uncharacteristic historical romances. What I love even more is discovering the great ones. Greta Gilbert is absolutely amazing writer. Her prose is magic
“She wanted to pull away from him, but she could not bring herself to do it. It was as if his body was having a private conversation with hers and cared not what her mind might think.”
Wen-Nefer is a simple slave girl with special gift and vast intelligence. She works for the famous Cleopatra.
Titus is a commander in Caesar’s army. Yet there is a little secret to him.
Their attraction is deep, almost involuntary. They are like two souls who are meant to be together yet they don’t know why.
In this book we are taken into ancient history of Cleopatra and Caesar. They both play supporting roles to our MCs. This famous story is told from very down to earth, human perspective which I really appreciate and therefore found believable. Author presented cultural difference between Roman and Egyptian customs which I found very fascinating because I didn’t know about any of it.
Our main characters are so good together, there is attraction, there is great banter and also deep philosophical conversations about freedom among other things.
This is not the kind of a perfection kind of book that checks all the boxes you’ve ever wanted. This is the kind of story that will stay with you if only because of its unusual setting and strong characters.
“She wanted to pull away from him, but she could not bring herself to do it. It was as if his body was having a private conversation with hers and cared not what her mind might think.”
Wen-Nefer is a simple slave girl with special gift and vast intelligence. She works for the famous Cleopatra.
Titus is a commander in Caesar’s army. Yet there is a little secret to him.
Their attraction is deep, almost involuntary. They are like two souls who are meant to be together yet they don’t know why.
In this book we are taken into ancient history of Cleopatra and Caesar. They both play supporting roles to our MCs. This famous story is told from very down to earth, human perspective which I really appreciate and therefore found believable. Author presented cultural difference between Roman and Egyptian customs which I found very fascinating because I didn’t know about any of it.
Our main characters are so good together, there is attraction, there is great banter and also deep philosophical conversations about freedom among other things.
This is not the kind of a perfection kind of book that checks all the boxes you’ve ever wanted. This is the kind of story that will stay with you if only because of its unusual setting and strong characters.
November 6, 2018
This was an easy read, but in the end it was just "meh" for me. It reads like 21st century people plopped in ancient Egypt, among the intrigues of Cleopatra's court. The historical context was really great - it was refreshing to read about a little-used era of history. There were lots of politics and machinations, as Julius Ceasar and Cleopatra meet and combine forces against her husband-brother Ptolemy. Wen and Titus are both spies in their own right, and both are intelligent and quick-witted.
The romance was a bit obvious and clumsy, and it was hard to believe that Cleopatra and her handmaidens would not only tolerate such a match, but even encourage it and play the role of matchmakers. There wasn't a lot of angst, which I usually like but it felt lacking in this story.
All in all, a serviceable read. I'd be willing to try another story set in this time period, but maybe not this author again.
The romance was a bit obvious and clumsy, and it was hard to believe that Cleopatra and her handmaidens would not only tolerate such a match, but even encourage it and play the role of matchmakers. There wasn't a lot of angst, which I usually like but it felt lacking in this story.
All in all, a serviceable read. I'd be willing to try another story set in this time period, but maybe not this author again.
March 30, 2018
I absolutely adored this book!! Greta Gilbert is a truly gifted author who has weaved a tale so intriguing that I had to force myself to read slower to make sure I did not miss anything. This amazing story has it all. Suspense, intrigue, duplicity, conspiracies, betrayal and most abundantly it has love. It is very rare to find a book this packed full of historical facts that will not bore you to tears, but will leave you wanting to know more. The HEA is definitely hard won which makes it all worth it in the end. Those that enjoy historical romances should love this!! I received this ARC via NetGalley and I am voluntarily writing the review for this book. All opinions are honest and only my own. Regards: Anna
April 5, 2018
Alexandria, Egypt. 48 BC. Slave Wen-Nefor is conscripted by the exiled Queen Cleopatra as a translator, helping her navigate a treaty with Julius Caesar of Rome. Loyal to Rome, if not Caesar himself, is Titus, also embroiled in these empire-shaking schemes. Soon, the insightful Wen and the determined, if deceitful, Titus find themselves locked in a battle of wits and wills, and passion ignites against a backdrop of ancient history that feels immediate and intense. Singing with atmosphere and with scholarship, In Thrall to the Enemy Commander gives us an enigmatic heroine who fascinates at every turn, and immerses us fully in a world long-gone, but wonderfully-conjured. 4 1/2 stars. -- Rachel Hyland
* This review appears in the April 2018 issue of Romantic Intentions Quarterly.
* This review appears in the April 2018 issue of Romantic Intentions Quarterly.
September 15, 2018
This is the first Harlequin romance I've read and it wasn't bad! Gilbert is a gifted writer who clearly does her research. I was initially drawn in by the setting. I rarely see ancient settings in historical romance anymore. It pairs an Egyptian slave with a Roman soldier during the reigns of Cleopatra VII and Julius Caesar. The romance is somewhat anachronistic, presumably catering to modern readers, but I personally appreciated that Titus gave Wen time to adjust to the physical intimacy of their relationship.
March 20, 2020
The first Mills and Boon Historical I've come across set in Roman times. I had to read it when I noticed! And it certainly didn't disappoint. There's plenty else happening than the love, but that's enough! Set with Cleopatra and Caesar, it tells a good story of love across lines - of how it respects no race lines, and I think that's something we need in today's climate of racial mistrust and animosity xx
May 11, 2019
I quite liked the characters; especially the setting up of skill sets and follow through of actions.
I simply LOATHE the ending. We have two highly intelligent characters; both in high respect to a ruling leader of significant status. And they are going to run off in a rowboat with no supplies, no resources, and Wen quite ill from lack of sustenance during the war siege.
I simply LOATHE the ending. We have two highly intelligent characters; both in high respect to a ruling leader of significant status. And they are going to run off in a rowboat with no supplies, no resources, and Wen quite ill from lack of sustenance during the war siege.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2020
Eh bien, une fois n'est pas coutumes. Voici une histoire à laquelle je n'ai pas du tout accroché. Des le début, le héros est tellement misogyne que ça m'a rebuté. Et malgré le côté historique des traditions, je n'ai pas su me plonger pleinement dans l'histoire. Dommage.
February 15, 2021
I enjoyed this, the writing took you there and the relationships with the characters were good. The "carpet" bit was overdone but I get it.
Satisfying arc and ending.
Satisfying arc and ending.
dnf
May 23, 2023Bored
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 2, 2018"Gilbert’s fascination with the ancients creates a sweeping tale of Cleopatra’s treacherous royal court when a slave is conscripted to become the exiled Queen’s attendant. ... the engaging characters, impossible situation, and the power exchange between master and slave will have readers up past their bedtime" (RT Book Reviews).
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews