Books › Dark of the Moon
Dark of the Moon
First published 1988 · 575 pages
A sweeping, stormy historical saga of forbidden passion, bitter betrayal, and a love that refuses to die.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a tempest of old-school romance, where every glance is loaded with forbidden desire and every misunderstanding carries life-or-death stakes. The narrative moves at a brisk, adventurous clip, sweeping the reader from the rugged, rain-swept ruins of rebellious Ireland to the gilded, suffocating ballrooms of London society. It is steeped in a stormy, angsty mood that perfectly matches the intense emotional turbulence of its protagonists. The prose is lush and unapologetically dramatic, leaning into the sweeping emotional highs and devastating lows characteristic of classic 1980s historical romance. It is a perfect match for readers who love high-stakes, passionate sagas where love is hard-won, fiercely fought for, and ultimately undeniable.
- Mood
- stormy
- angsty
- adventurous
- romantic
- Tone
- dramatic
- passionate
- earnest
- sweeping
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- forbidden desire · betrayal and redemption · loss of innocence · class divides · enduring love
- The writing
- Lush and emotionally charged, the writing leans into the dramatic flourishes and intense sensory details typical of classic 1980s historical romance.
- The arc
- The journey moves from desperate survival and forbidden longing through bitter betrayal to a hard-won, passionate reconciliation.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave old-school, high-angst historical sagas featuring morally gray heroes, sweeping settings, and intense romantic turmoil.
Content notes
- dubious consent
- violence
- class-based exploitation
- kidnapping
About the book
FROM AN IRELAND SEETHING WITH REBELLION TO THE GILDED CAGE OF LONDON SOCIETY
Rescued from the streets of Dublin, Caitlyn O'Malley found herself under the protection of Connor d'Arcy, Earl of Iveagh by day, Ireland's boldest highwayman by night...from the brooding ruins of Donoughmore Castle, the rugged nobleman rode out to prey on the hated English. Soon Caitlyn was riding with him - tormented by her growing passion for the man who made her a woman yet thought of her as a child...until that night of disaster when Caitlyn was forced to betray Connor in order to save him. Though in his rage and hurt, he spurned her she knew they could not live apart - and vowed to rekindle the flames of their undeniable love...
Description from Open Library.
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