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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
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:
Yes
So here we are in the second novel of the Lord John series. In ways, I found this one to be much better than its predecessor. The first book was set up largely as a straightforward mystery, with clues scattered throughout the narrative, and the reader following John as he pieced it all together. This book does have a mystery, but it also has some romance and some very exciting battle scenes.
If I had to complain about anything in this book, it would have to be the conclusion. Sadly, for me that was probably the most boring part of the book. Having all the pieces of the mystery explained dragged the last part of the book for me. I know that this is a common style for mysteries, but for me it not only derails the story by having to go through the explanation, but it so often makes the reader question the intelligence of the character that they just now figured all this out.
But that's honestly my only complaint. I thought the rest of this book was great. The battle scenes, as I mentioned before, were very exciting. I really enjoyed the war bits and the description of John enduring his wounds and his healing process. I also liked how the relationship between John and Percy was developed. Sure, it was pretty convenient that they already knew that the other was gay, but the relationship itself grew in a believable way and I felt satisfied in its conclusion.
Overall John is an enjoyable character, and all the others around him are wonderful. They're all defined and I can see their individual personalities shining through. Which, given just how many of them cycle through the books so far, is a pretty impressive feat. Many times I find that in books with large casts, many characters are nothing more than names on a page, but most of the ones I've encountered in this series are definitely fully-realized people and are given enough personality to be memorable.
I will certainly be continuing this series and look forward to more of John and the others.
If I had to complain about anything in this book, it would have to be the conclusion. Sadly, for me that was probably the most boring part of the book. Having all the pieces of the mystery explained dragged the last part of the book for me. I know that this is a common style for mysteries, but for me it not only derails the story by having to go through the explanation, but it so often makes the reader question the intelligence of the character that they just now figured all this out.
But that's honestly my only complaint. I thought the rest of this book was great. The battle scenes, as I mentioned before, were very exciting. I really enjoyed the war bits and the description of John enduring his wounds and his healing process. I also liked how the relationship between John and Percy was developed. Sure, it was pretty convenient that they already knew that the other was gay, but the relationship itself grew in a believable way and I felt satisfied in its conclusion.
Overall John is an enjoyable character, and all the others around him are wonderful. They're all defined and I can see their individual personalities shining through. Which, given just how many of them cycle through the books so far, is a pretty impressive feat. Many times I find that in books with large casts, many characters are nothing more than names on a page, but most of the ones I've encountered in this series are definitely fully-realized people and are given enough personality to be memorable.
I will certainly be continuing this series and look forward to more of John and the others.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As Stefon from Saturday Night Live would say: This book has everything! A secret that needs to be unveiled, honorable and hot men-their sexual preferences notwithstanding, family affairs worthy of Russian classics` epicness, lonely alleyway and battle action, cameos from beloved book characters, love&sex AND a dialogue about love&sex! Add Diana's beautiful and clever use of language and the extensive research of facts, customs and ideas, and you'll have one near perfect piece of historical fiction which satisfies your hunger for history, knowledge, excitement, entertainment or simply the most humane need for a good read.
This book was recommended to me by an Outlander enthusiast, who insisted I can't lay my hands on The Scottish Prisoner before I get properly acquainted with Lord John and his earlier adventures, and in fact, I am really glad I did! I was not a big fan of Lord John in Outlander books, but this book certainly made me change my mind. Lord John is the first ever homosexual man I regret being homosexual, although he is perfect the way he is. His sexual preferences may differ from the classical "the Real Man" characteristics, but Lord John seemed a more man than any of the douches we encounter in superhero movies. As a character he is honorable, passionate about things he loves, smart, yes - stubborn, strong and gentle when he needs to be, - these are the things that make a Man (and not fast cars and shiny double-breasted suits as Westlife music video with the same title would suggest).
I was very curious about the male-male relationship, how it would unravel in a book, as I haven't encountered it much in literature (not that it would be a rare thing in books - I am speaking about the books I have read), my views were biased by stereotypes cultivated in popular media, and if Lord John exceeded my expectations, then Percy was a disappointment. Except for the dark curly hair, it was hard for me to understand John's infatuation with him. And Percy annoyed the hell out of me when John was reciting his first encounter with the Fraser couple.
Another thing that was sort of out of place - Jamie Fraser. Ok, I would lie if I said I wished he wasn't in the book at all, but those small encounters with him seemed a bit mechanically put in - forgive me the comparison, but it was a bit similar to Edward's appearance in New Moon (at least the film) - fans love Edward, lets give them more Edward! Fans love Jamie, lest give them small glimpses of him throughout the whole book! I hope this wasn't the case, but it seemed like it. But I also have to admit that probably those scenes with Jamie were the ones I enjoyed the most.
But, damn, it was good to be reading Diana Gabaldon again!
This book was recommended to me by an Outlander enthusiast, who insisted I can't lay my hands on The Scottish Prisoner before I get properly acquainted with Lord John and his earlier adventures, and in fact, I am really glad I did! I was not a big fan of Lord John in Outlander books, but this book certainly made me change my mind. Lord John is the first ever homosexual man I regret being homosexual, although he is perfect the way he is. His sexual preferences may differ from the classical "the Real Man" characteristics, but Lord John seemed a more man than any of the douches we encounter in superhero movies. As a character he is honorable, passionate about things he loves, smart, yes - stubborn, strong and gentle when he needs to be, - these are the things that make a Man (and not fast cars and shiny double-breasted suits as Westlife music video with the same title would suggest).
I was very curious about the male-male relationship, how it would unravel in a book, as I haven't encountered it much in literature (not that it would be a rare thing in books - I am speaking about the books I have read), my views were biased by stereotypes cultivated in popular media, and if Lord John exceeded my expectations, then Percy was a disappointment. Except for the dark curly hair, it was hard for me to understand John's infatuation with him. And Percy annoyed the hell out of me when John was reciting his first encounter with the Fraser couple.
Another thing that was sort of out of place - Jamie Fraser. Ok, I would lie if I said I wished he wasn't in the book at all, but those small encounters with him seemed a bit mechanically put in - forgive me the comparison, but it was a bit similar to Edward's appearance in New Moon (at least the film) - fans love Edward, lets give them more Edward! Fans love Jamie, lest give them small glimpses of him throughout the whole book! I hope this wasn't the case, but it seemed like it. But I also have to admit that probably those scenes with Jamie were the ones I enjoyed the most.
But, damn, it was good to be reading Diana Gabaldon again!
A solid addition to the expanded world of Outlander. Lots of good background on Lord John and gives the full backstory of Percy, who appears in the Big Books out of the blue, with only a few mentions of what went on previously. There is also an important scene with Jamie Fraser that plays directly into The Scottish Prisoner. Of course, I read them out of order and had no idea what the fallout was that was referred to frequently in Scottish Prisoner.
I love Lord John Grey. I kind of want to be best friends with him. Or, at least take him out for drinks and commiserate about how he has absolute shit luck with romance. He seems okay with his life, but I just feel so bad for him, like, all the time.
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade is the second novel in the Lord John spin-off series which takes place during the twenty year timespan of Voyager. You don’t need to have read the Outlander novels to enjoy these books, though. They stand very well on their own.
The Lord John books are essentially historical mysteries set during the time of the Seven Years War. Lord John is a an officer in the British army. He is also gay, something which was absolutely taboo at that time, and punishable at times by execution. The central mystery of the book features Lord John and his family once again becoming embroiled in the scandal that killed his father years before. Because of the scandal, which ended with the Earl supposedly killing himself, and LJG’s older brother refusing to take his title, the remaining Grey family has had to step carefully lest they too be accused of treason.
The thing is, LJG’s father didn’t kill himself; he was murdered, and his mother made it look like suicide in order to keep her children safe. So when pages from his father’s journal start showing up as threats in his family’s mail, LJG is drawn back into the scandal, trying to dig up the truth. All the while this is going on, his mother is about to remarry, bringing with him a new stepbrother called Percy, with whom John becomes romantically entangled. LJG’s investigation also brings him into contact with Jamie Fraser, the Scottish Jacobite prisoner he fell in love with during his time as warden of Arsdmuir prison. Jamie does NOT reciprocate his feelings, but he may have information that could clear his father’s name.
Despite being a well-educated man of means, Lord John Grey is a constant underdog, forced to live in a world where he can never be himself. His constant transgressions provide a backbone of conflict that runs throughout even the most mundane of his interactions. Nobody in his life suspects his double life, and at points he’s forced to act as if he was “normal” and punish those who commit the same acts he does privately in order to remain safe. It’s an institutionalized hypocrisy that all these secretly gay men lived with daily, and Gabaldon manages to portray her world as one where Lord John is far from the only person in this precarious social situation. It’s a fascinating and heartbreaking dynamic.
I’m SUPER excited for the next book in this series, which is supposedly the story of how Jamie and Lord John finally become friends. I am beyond ready for Jamie to stop acting like such an ass about LJG’s sexuality. He behaved atrociously in this book to LJG, cultural norms or not. I’m ready for them to be BFF now.
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade is the second novel in the Lord John spin-off series which takes place during the twenty year timespan of Voyager. You don’t need to have read the Outlander novels to enjoy these books, though. They stand very well on their own.
The Lord John books are essentially historical mysteries set during the time of the Seven Years War. Lord John is a an officer in the British army. He is also gay, something which was absolutely taboo at that time, and punishable at times by execution. The central mystery of the book features Lord John and his family once again becoming embroiled in the scandal that killed his father years before. Because of the scandal, which ended with the Earl supposedly killing himself, and LJG’s older brother refusing to take his title, the remaining Grey family has had to step carefully lest they too be accused of treason.
The thing is, LJG’s father didn’t kill himself; he was murdered, and his mother made it look like suicide in order to keep her children safe. So when pages from his father’s journal start showing up as threats in his family’s mail, LJG is drawn back into the scandal, trying to dig up the truth. All the while this is going on, his mother is about to remarry, bringing with him a new stepbrother called Percy, with whom John becomes romantically entangled. LJG’s investigation also brings him into contact with Jamie Fraser, the Scottish Jacobite prisoner he fell in love with during his time as warden of Arsdmuir prison. Jamie does NOT reciprocate his feelings, but he may have information that could clear his father’s name.
Despite being a well-educated man of means, Lord John Grey is a constant underdog, forced to live in a world where he can never be himself. His constant transgressions provide a backbone of conflict that runs throughout even the most mundane of his interactions. Nobody in his life suspects his double life, and at points he’s forced to act as if he was “normal” and punish those who commit the same acts he does privately in order to remain safe. It’s an institutionalized hypocrisy that all these secretly gay men lived with daily, and Gabaldon manages to portray her world as one where Lord John is far from the only person in this precarious social situation. It’s a fascinating and heartbreaking dynamic.
I’m SUPER excited for the next book in this series, which is supposedly the story of how Jamie and Lord John finally become friends. I am beyond ready for Jamie to stop acting like such an ass about LJG’s sexuality. He behaved atrociously in this book to LJG, cultural norms or not. I’m ready for them to be BFF now.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Nesse livro parece que a série deslanchou. Os três primeiros (sendo que dois são contos) foram bem mais ou menos, mas nesse eu fui fisgada!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes