I didn't like it. I was more or less interested in it while I was reading it, and liked the characters decently well, but it was just long and didn't I didn't like it. I was more or less interested in it while I was reading it, and liked the characters decently well, but it was just long and didn't go anywhere. I kept thinking it was going somewhere, which is why I kept reading it. But the end was anticlimactic and strangely heartless (view spoiler)[I expected more drama, like Kate narrowly escaping death or having to fight for her life. But nope, our two main villains/menaces just abruptly die offstage. And despite their faults, you would expect their families to mourn them, but nope, everyone is just relieved and it's a "happy ending"?! It was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me reading them say it's good Torquil is dead so he doesn't have to go to an asylum... and then they quickly move past the deaths and talk about which house they want to live in and how to redecorate. Bleh. (hide spoiler)]...more
**spoiler alert** The parts with Anis and Carleton are nice. I like that we get to see their relationship develop and see Anis's thoughts evolve. I al**spoiler alert** The parts with Anis and Carleton are nice. I like that we get to see their relationship develop and see Anis's thoughts evolve. I also respect Anis's dilemma about giving up her freedom and her honest responses to Carleton about that. I feel like it's somehow something I don't see much in these types of books. In general, I like the romance in this book better than some of Heyer's others that feel more rushed and/or cut off abruptly at the end. I think it's very sweet. However, I found Maria, Ninian, and that one girl whose name I forgot (you know, that girl who is staying with Anis) to be very boring and often annoying. That's why I gave this only 3 stars, because Ninian and that one girl take up more than half the book, and I really didn't care about them.
Another thing I'm grateful for about this book compared to other Heyers is that it doesn't have some silly event at the end to make a climax. Like, no one is rushing off to stupidly elope and has to be stopped, and there is not suddenly a big, dumb misunderstanding. All the characters get to keep their wits and their dignity here. :)...more
Really boring! I didn't care about anything that was happening in this book nor did I find any of the main characters particularly likable. I usually Really boring! I didn't care about anything that was happening in this book nor did I find any of the main characters particularly likable. I usually like Heyer, but this one was a total miss. ...more
Not one of Heyer's best but still somewhat enjoyable, mostly for ambiance. The hero and heroine are both kind of childish and make a lot of stupid decNot one of Heyer's best but still somewhat enjoyable, mostly for ambiance. The hero and heroine are both kind of childish and make a lot of stupid decisions and cause a lot of trouble for no reason. ...more
WOW, THIS WAS A GREAT BOOK. I loved everything about it! I loved it so much! I read it weeks ago, and I still think about it. This is just your good, WOW, THIS WAS A GREAT BOOK. I loved everything about it! I loved it so much! I read it weeks ago, and I still think about it. This is just your good, old-fashioned, wonderful, swashbuckling adventure story. There are sword fights. There are duels. There is galloping on horseback across the country. There are disguises. There is true love. There is hilarious comedy. It reminds me a little bit of The Scarlet Pimpernel - it has the same setting and a similar feel - but I like this better. It has more heart and more fun, and I don't know... just more of everything that is exactly what I love. Every character in this book is great and interesting and funny and lovable. Georgette Heyer really outdid herself here. I have read like 20 of her books now, and this is totally in my top 2. And it would be great for a lot of people I wouldn't normally recommend Heyer to.
An encouragement: I'm just going to warn you that it starts a tad slow. It takes a little bit to get used to the language and really get into the story. And the beginning is... strange. I was really turned off the first time I started reading it, and I stopped at like chapter 3, and I didn't pick it back up until I was extremely bored like a year later. BUT I'M SO GLAD I PICKED IT BACK UP!!!! Because it is totally amazing once you're into it....more
I've read like 20 Georgette Heyer books at this point, and I've basically been reading them in order of highest average Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ rating. So every timI've read like 20 Georgette Heyer books at this point, and I've basically been reading them in order of highest average Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ rating. So every time I finish a book, I assume the next one is going to be worse, and every time, I wonder if I've read the last good Georgette Heyer book.
Well, I don't know if this is the last good Heyer, but I do know the one before it wasn't the last good one because this one was GREAT! I loved it! The characters are all super fun, and the whole story is a lot of fun to read. I actually liked it much better than a lot of the ones that had higher average ratings. Some other reviews complained that the book lagged in the middle. I didn't particularly notice this, but looking back, I think it's true that the plot does slow down a lot; however, I was interested enough in the characters that they were able to keep up the energy for me. I really enjoyed everyone in this book and all of the relationships they had with each other. I have no complaints; it was a great time!...more
Engaging but not Heyer's best. I enjoyed the characters, but they didn't leap off the page. The plot was mostly predictable (though there were a few fEngaging but not Heyer's best. I enjoyed the characters, but they didn't leap off the page. The plot was mostly predictable (though there were a few fun surprises) and sometimes it moved a little slow. I feel sort of neutral about it. Not a waste of time and not really boring, but not amazing either. ...more
This book is just fine. Was it only last weekend that I read it? This is something like my 13th Heyer book, and after so many, this one just seems likThis book is just fine. Was it only last weekend that I read it? This is something like my 13th Heyer book, and after so many, this one just seems like sort of an average of a lot of other ones. I don't usually feel that way with Heyer; usually I feel that all the books are unique and have different twists. I enjoyed this while I read it, but it's not particularly memorable or great. At least it didn't lose me; I started it one night and then finished it in the morning. If you love Heyer, you will enjoy this too, but start with some of her better and more interesting ones. The characters are enjoyable but also not amazing. (view spoiler)[I get a little annoyed with characters who just spend tons of time being mad at each other for no reason. (hide spoiler)]...more
A fun regency adventure including smugglers, robberies, masked men, secret hiding places, and a murder. The characters are amusing to read about and aA fun regency adventure including smugglers, robberies, masked men, secret hiding places, and a murder. The characters are amusing to read about and all endearing.
I've seen it billed as a romance but there's maybe 3 pages of people falling in love. What there is is the other kind of romance: heroism, mysteries, excitement, and adventures.
It's not a particular favorite, but it's definitely a lot of fun....more
I'm realizing that a lot of Georgette Heyer's books, and especially this one, read a lot like Shakespearean comedies. We've (review from 2014 I think)
I'm realizing that a lot of Georgette Heyer's books, and especially this one, read a lot like Shakespearean comedies. We've got witty banter, mistaken identity, letters being left everywhere, a swordfight, family disputes, lovers' quarrels, people chasing each other around the country, hilarious secondary characters, and just general mayhem over ridiculous predicaments. The characters don't always do the most rational things, but if you just go with it, you'll have a good time. There's certainly a lot to laugh about in the book, and there's a big, beautiful 1700's world to just sit back and enjoy. I think it probably takes a certain kind of sentimental, old-fashioned-loving type of person to really love Heyer, and... well, I'm a sentimental, old-fashioned-loving girl.
This is not my favorite book or anything, but I spent a very pleasant evening reading it....more
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