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tchien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This one was a surprise to me. I had thought it would be YA, which it is still described as such. However, the themes covered feel heavier and carry more gravitas than YA. Not a bad thing, but readers may have expectations going in. The author clearly did a lot of research about the Regency period and it shows. I respect the writing, the relevant and more themes, and the development of the characters, but at times the story felt longer and slower than it needed to be. So b/c of the latter, it wasn't a love for me, but a decent like. I listened to this on audio so I wonder if I would have felt differently had I read the book instead. I may give that a try at a later time to see if my rating changes.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Regency Buffy!
Such a unique mixing of genres, but it worked. I heard good reports of this, and fancied giving it a try, it has a cover I would usually associate with a teen romance I wouldn't touch, but the synopsis hooked me.
Orphaned Lady Helen is setting out on her debut season in Regency English society, with her aunt and uncle hopefully of finding her a suitable husband. She is less than keen on this, but a dutiful and grateful niece. Quite unexpectedly however, she learns of her own latent demon-slaying powers...
Wait - what?! Not quite what you'd expect, though in an era where Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is gaining in popularity (not one for me, I'm afraid), this could do extremely well, and should.
The Regency detail is appealing, with Beau Brummell and Prinny featuring, society well-characterised and a very formal, exclusive (and excluding) place. Helen is great - both Regency but also out-of-time kick-ass heroine-in-waiting. While we get plenty of ballroom and bedroom/dressing room scenes, we eventually (it takes a while to build up to it) see some otherworldly creatures and (rather silly) demonic terms introduced. It really is as if Buffy time-travelled back to the 1800s.
I was completely drawn in, despite the silliness of the vocabulary (my own personal feeling here), there was a lot of action (the rather lovely, I thought, Lord Carlston acting as shadowy and dangerous mentor to Helen, showing her the hidden dangers all around her.
We see the underside of London, some amazing scenes of privilege, and a plot that is set to flow into further episodes is set up. There is backstory involving Helen's mother, more than one love interest (one of whom I struggled to understand as a dogged suitor), a rather unusual future sidekick, and lots of demonic creatures.
The tone is about right, Helen's voice doesn't get too serious or too lordly. Carlston is a great mysterious-yet-sexy-as-hell dangerous tempter, and I would definitely want to see what happens next to them all.
One for ages 14 and above. It's made me want to revisit the Buffy series now too!
Such a unique mixing of genres, but it worked. I heard good reports of this, and fancied giving it a try, it has a cover I would usually associate with a teen romance I wouldn't touch, but the synopsis hooked me.
Orphaned Lady Helen is setting out on her debut season in Regency English society, with her aunt and uncle hopefully of finding her a suitable husband. She is less than keen on this, but a dutiful and grateful niece. Quite unexpectedly however, she learns of her own latent demon-slaying powers...
Wait - what?! Not quite what you'd expect, though in an era where Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is gaining in popularity (not one for me, I'm afraid), this could do extremely well, and should.
The Regency detail is appealing, with Beau Brummell and Prinny featuring, society well-characterised and a very formal, exclusive (and excluding) place. Helen is great - both Regency but also out-of-time kick-ass heroine-in-waiting. While we get plenty of ballroom and bedroom/dressing room scenes, we eventually (it takes a while to build up to it) see some otherworldly creatures and (rather silly) demonic terms introduced. It really is as if Buffy time-travelled back to the 1800s.
I was completely drawn in, despite the silliness of the vocabulary (my own personal feeling here), there was a lot of action (the rather lovely, I thought, Lord Carlston acting as shadowy and dangerous mentor to Helen, showing her the hidden dangers all around her.
We see the underside of London, some amazing scenes of privilege, and a plot that is set to flow into further episodes is set up. There is backstory involving Helen's mother, more than one love interest (one of whom I struggled to understand as a dogged suitor), a rather unusual future sidekick, and lots of demonic creatures.
The tone is about right, Helen's voice doesn't get too serious or too lordly. Carlston is a great mysterious-yet-sexy-as-hell dangerous tempter, and I would definitely want to see what happens next to them all.
One for ages 14 and above. It's made me want to revisit the Buffy series now too!
mickachoo's review against another edition
5.0
So I didn't even try to review this book because I've been out of reviewing for a while and didn't know what to say but I came back because I absolutely loved this book and I want to give it all I got for a review.
I didn't have any expectations for this book. If any, it was low. I just grabbed this off a clearance rack because I'm greedy and I'll take any book I can get my hands on.
This book was slow to start with. I was snapchatting in the middle of reading, saying "this book is so slowwww!" and just wanting it to be over. I only even started reading it because I had nothing else and I was waiting for books in the mail. Like, it was good, just TOO SLOW!
I still wanted to finish it because I do love a historical fiction AND fantasy/paranormal so I listened to some of the audiobook. That didn't work out for various reasons (mostly, I'm an idiot) but when I picked up the book again, I was somehow just immediately sucked into it.
The thing that stood out to me the most was the authenticity of the world. The author did so much research and she put so much detail into this story that it just amazed me to no end. At times I would forget I was reading a book from 2016 and not 1812! I've watched my fair share of historical movies and documentaries and shows and I've read the books and I can tell when some things just aren't accurate but, I mean, we ain't living in the 1800's anymore; it's hard to be 100% accurate. This book just does not disappoint though. It was worked really hard on and I love to see that.
Obviously, the demons aren't historically correct but come on.
I was just so overcome with how beautifully the world of regency London and the paranormal aspects of the story melded together in this book. One minute they're at a ball and discussing propriety and the next there's a demon feeding off of someone's life force and then there's this handsome forbidden Earl and who doesn't love that?
And who doesn't love incredibly awesome characters???
Helen is great. She's headstrong and she's confident but she's also young and confused and things just get worse when she learns about this new paranormal world and it's also 18th century London and she's gotta be proper and a lady and NOT SHOW HER ANKLES and also not associate with the scandalous Earl of Carlston. Who doesn't love a forbidden romance though, hey?
I just love everything about this book. I do. I need more people to appreciate it. Thank you.
I didn't have any expectations for this book. If any, it was low. I just grabbed this off a clearance rack because I'm greedy and I'll take any book I can get my hands on.
This book was slow to start with. I was snapchatting in the middle of reading, saying "this book is so slowwww!" and just wanting it to be over. I only even started reading it because I had nothing else and I was waiting for books in the mail. Like, it was good, just TOO SLOW!
I still wanted to finish it because I do love a historical fiction AND fantasy/paranormal so I listened to some of the audiobook. That didn't work out for various reasons (mostly, I'm an idiot) but when I picked up the book again, I was somehow just immediately sucked into it.
The thing that stood out to me the most was the authenticity of the world. The author did so much research and she put so much detail into this story that it just amazed me to no end. At times I would forget I was reading a book from 2016 and not 1812! I've watched my fair share of historical movies and documentaries and shows and I've read the books and I can tell when some things just aren't accurate but, I mean, we ain't living in the 1800's anymore; it's hard to be 100% accurate. This book just does not disappoint though. It was worked really hard on and I love to see that.
Obviously, the demons aren't historically correct but come on.
I was just so overcome with how beautifully the world of regency London and the paranormal aspects of the story melded together in this book. One minute they're at a ball and discussing propriety and the next there's a demon feeding off of someone's life force and then there's this handsome forbidden Earl and who doesn't love that?
And who doesn't love incredibly awesome characters???
Helen is great. She's headstrong and she's confident but she's also young and confused and things just get worse when she learns about this new paranormal world and it's also 18th century London and she's gotta be proper and a lady and NOT SHOW HER ANKLES and also not associate with the scandalous Earl of Carlston. Who doesn't love a forbidden romance though, hey?
I just love everything about this book. I do. I need more people to appreciate it. Thank you.
joannedrake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Super fun, a well researched Alt-Regency. Ball gowns and beasties, Lady Helen is introduced to a world that exists below the surface of polite society. Very slow burn on the romance, which feels very appropriate. Looking forward to the next installment.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
4.0
A hugely enjoyable romp through Regency London. I'm keen to see what the teenage Shadowhunters fan in the family thinks, but certainly, as a fan of the Shadowhunters books sent in Victorian London, I thought this was a great find, and now I'm simply gutted that I need to wait a month for the next book to come out!
carrymey's review against another edition
4.0
Actually 4.75, because there is always room for improvement *wink*
But this book. THIS BOOK.
I had my eye on this one for months and never dared to buy it, being
afraid it would not live up to the Pride&Prejudice X Buffy promise.
However, it did. I wasn't sure how it would work, but oh it did. It did.
Of course I had the constant comparison to Buffy, which I LOVED as a
teen. And it really fitted all so well.
When I began it I instantly loved Helen. That is a thing that doesn't
happen that often. Usually the characters grow in me slowly. But
something about Helen just appealed to me a lot.
The world, the descriptions and explanations of the regency era were all
so well done, that you completely fell into this world from the first
second. It all seemed very well thought through and researched, though
it is ignorant to say so, since all my knowledge of that time comes from
Jane Austen stories, but still it felt right, you know?
At first I absolutely hated Lord Carlston, but then, oh then, he grew on
me. So much. Like, really.
I loved how he was so much like a normal gentleman just the day after he
fought the Deceiver. I absolutely adored that. I actually adored every
single encounter between Helen and Carlston. At first so seemingly
against each other. Fighting, testing each other. And then gradually
building a kind of trust, that was fragile, but there.
The language was spot on throughout. And I loved the slower moments,
where it was about balls and stuff. (I always loved those more than the
actually plot, even in Harry Potter.)
All the secondary characters were great, especially Darby and the awful
Uncle.
The paranormal part of it was, in the beginning, a bit confusing for me.
However I gradually understood it and thought it original, but still a
bit weird. Maybe because I'm used to these "normal" fantasy elements,
that are not so science based.
All in all I really could not put it down. I read most of the book last
Sunday from morning to evening. It felt almost as if a box of candies,
that I couldn't get enough of.
I really can't wait for the next book! I fear the wait will be long,
though it will be out by Christmas/New Years!
If you enjoy Regency stories and Buffy or darker fantasy, this is a book
for you!!
But this book. THIS BOOK.
I had my eye on this one for months and never dared to buy it, being
afraid it would not live up to the Pride&Prejudice X Buffy promise.
However, it did. I wasn't sure how it would work, but oh it did. It did.
Of course I had the constant comparison to Buffy, which I LOVED as a
teen. And it really fitted all so well.
When I began it I instantly loved Helen. That is a thing that doesn't
happen that often. Usually the characters grow in me slowly. But
something about Helen just appealed to me a lot.
The world, the descriptions and explanations of the regency era were all
so well done, that you completely fell into this world from the first
second. It all seemed very well thought through and researched, though
it is ignorant to say so, since all my knowledge of that time comes from
Jane Austen stories, but still it felt right, you know?
At first I absolutely hated Lord Carlston, but then, oh then, he grew on
me. So much. Like, really.
I loved how he was so much like a normal gentleman just the day after he
fought the Deceiver. I absolutely adored that. I actually adored every
single encounter between Helen and Carlston. At first so seemingly
against each other. Fighting, testing each other. And then gradually
building a kind of trust, that was fragile, but there.
The language was spot on throughout. And I loved the slower moments,
where it was about balls and stuff. (I always loved those more than the
actually plot, even in Harry Potter.)
All the secondary characters were great, especially Darby and the awful
Uncle.
The paranormal part of it was, in the beginning, a bit confusing for me.
However I gradually understood it and thought it original, but still a
bit weird. Maybe because I'm used to these "normal" fantasy elements,
that are not so science based.
All in all I really could not put it down. I read most of the book last
Sunday from morning to evening. It felt almost as if a box of candies,
that I couldn't get enough of.
I really can't wait for the next book! I fear the wait will be long,
though it will be out by Christmas/New Years!
If you enjoy Regency stories and Buffy or darker fantasy, this is a book
for you!!
christiana's review against another edition
2.0
OMG this book was so boring. I picked this book back up because the library was closed over New Years and nothing else was calling to me. While I appreciate the lengths the author went to to make this historically accurate, I don't know why you worry about that when writing a demon hunting story. There's something weird to me about making one of the sort of love interests 7-8ish years older when the MC is 18 (I get it; different time period, etc., but it was weird for me to get over). And the demon feeding/defense whips struck me as just strange. It was hard for me to get past for some reason. Also, this book resolved nothing. I kind of don't know that it could stand on its own as there is not really any resolution at the end.
trgrze20's review against another edition
3.0
This book I found to be really slow and didn’t pick up till the last 100 pages. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.
writinghideout's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the twist on the regency here - it was written with all of the authenticity of a great Regency novel, had the romantic intrigue… and monsters trying to kill everyone. Amazing! So glad I already have the second one from the library. I’m excited to get started on it!