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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I’M DYINGGGG
Maximus is everything that is better in the world and have I never meet such an heroine like Artemis, so this is probably my favorite book after Wicked Intentions.
Maximus is everything that is better in the world and have I never meet such an heroine like Artemis, so this is probably my favorite book after Wicked Intentions.
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Maximus Batten is the autocratic and cold Duke of Wakefield, a fierce parliamentarian and overprotective brother. He’s also the third Ghost of St. Giles, prowling the streets of London at night, relentless in the hunt for his parents’ murderer. One night he saves Artemis and her cousin, Penelope, from an attack in St. Giles and they recognise a kindred spirit in the other immediately.
Artemis acts as Penelope’s lady’s companion, hiding herself behind a drab and demure exterior. She longs to burst free from the shackles of her position, however, her beloved twin brother is wrongly imprisoned in Bedlam and she could never abandon him. There’s little she can do to help him, until she realises the true identity of the Ghost and blackmails the powerful Duke into freeing her brother.
The chemistry between Maximus and Artemis was so intense and all-consuming. I loved their sharp banter and the way they pushed each other. They both revelled in the challenge and they really felt so well-matched. Maximus sees the strong and passionate woman under Artemis’s mask. I did get a little weary of the constant Diana / huntress comparisons after a while though - I get it, she’s named after the Goddess of the hunt.
I loved that Artemis threw caution to the wind and just seized what time she could with Maximus. She wants him - the man, not the Duke - and refuses to feel shame for that, even if she never expects Maximus to marry her.
Maximus, of course, has his head so far up his arse that he is set on marrying the most ‘appropriate’ option for his Duchess, regardless of his feelings and the fire between him and Artemis. I felt a bit frustrated that such a powerful man wouldn’t just say fuck it, and marry the woman he wanted. It took him a while to get there!
Alongside the fierce relationship developing between Artemis and Maximus, there’s a tense side plot with rescuing Apollo from Bedlam and Maximus finally closing in on his parents’ murderer. I was gripped by Apollo’s storyline and how hard Artemis fought for him.
Artemis is the real highlight for this story but it’s another excellent entry in the series!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
challenging
dark
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a good time reading this, though the romance's progression got under my skin just enough to sour the overall story arc for me. I can absolutely see the appeal of this premise for many readers and understand why it's a favorite of the series - the starchy duke made feral by love is a beloved set-up - though it's unfortunately just a premise that rarely hits for me, particularly when class difference is the primary conflict. I enjoyed seeing Maximus's unraveling, but struggled to see his decisions as feral in a hot way instead of just feral in a delusional way, ie this man did not once consider the outcome of never preventing pregnancy with Artemis while actively proceeding with plans to marry HER COUSIN and install HER in a separate home, I just? I adore Artemis and her build-up to this book, and felt a bit annoyed that Hoyt toes the "not like the other girls" line here to a degree that felt unnecessary and inconsistent with her character. Also, justice for Hero, because I still haven't forgiven Maximus for demanding she proceed with marriage to the man who literally assaulted her in book two (It's never addressed again so you just have to forget it happened I guess? Unfortunately I'm a cancer and an enneagram six so this is physically impossible for me).
But, APOLLO. I'm ready.
But, APOLLO. I'm ready.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I mean, Elizabeth Hoyt is not subtle about letting Artemis be like… actual Artemis. She’s always striding around the woods barefoot, often accompanied by a faithful hound, and naturally she is an exquisite archer.
This is great, because as you might remember from the last book, Maximus Batten is rather mean about Artemis, who is the loathsome Lady Penelope’s companion and who makes it her life’s mission to attract as little attention as possible. Little does he know that Artemis can and does match his spirit—hers is just trapped, in the ways that unfortunate women’s were back then.
Their dynamic is impeccable, their sex scenes scorching, and Maximus’ ||identity as the third Ghost of St. Giles is the closest Ghost we get to actual Georgian Batman.||
I’m not sure if this or the first Maiden Lane, Wicked Intentions, is my favorite; it’s a close-run thing.
A quarter star off because ||Artemis didn’t get to be a badass at the end. She just… sank.||
This is great, because as you might remember from the last book, Maximus Batten is rather mean about Artemis, who is the loathsome Lady Penelope’s companion and who makes it her life’s mission to attract as little attention as possible. Little does he know that Artemis can and does match his spirit—hers is just trapped, in the ways that unfortunate women’s were back then.
Their dynamic is impeccable, their sex scenes scorching, and Maximus’ ||identity as the third Ghost of St. Giles is the closest Ghost we get to actual Georgian Batman.||
I’m not sure if this or the first Maiden Lane, Wicked Intentions, is my favorite; it’s a close-run thing.
A quarter star off because ||Artemis didn’t get to be a badass at the end. She just… sank.||