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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
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:
Yes
A very enjoyable book. It was a refreshing book about the late Victorian era; not too stuffy. I did predict a bit of it, such as the bad guy and all that, but it took a bit of a twist I wasn't expecting. I do hope the character of Lady Ashton gets more likable for me in A Poisoned Season because she was frustrating me a bit in this book. I very much loved the character of Colin Hargreaves; I look forward to seeing more of him.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
It was an alright novel, but didn't grab my attention as compared to other books of the same genre. In addition, I had thought maybe I'd read the next book of the series as And Only To Deceive spent a large portion of the first half establishing background, setting up for the series run; but the reviews for the next seven books don't look overly positive, particularly in regards to the independent character of Lady Emily that I had liked. She was certainly eccentric for the time era.
In addition, the murder mystery was too simple for my tastes -- I had pegged the character roughly 60% in, despite the book trying to make it sound like it was someone else.
So in summary: interesting read, but I don't think I'd recommend it.
In addition, the murder mystery was too simple for my tastes -- I had pegged the character roughly 60% in, despite the book trying to make it sound like it was someone else.
So in summary: interesting read, but I don't think I'd recommend it.
It's great to find a new series. I love that Lady Emily pushed the boundaries society had set and the mystery was good.
Warnings
Drugs: no
Sex: mentions of it but no description
Language: i can't remember but if yes, then just minor ones sparingly
Violence: no
Other: n/a
Drugs: no
Sex: mentions of it but no description
Language: i can't remember but if yes, then just minor ones sparingly
Violence: no
Other: n/a
This cinches it -- having finished the most recent in the series, I went back to the beginning as I should have done ages ago. Lady Emily is delightful and very real: flawed, a bit ridiculous and foolish at times, but also fiercely independent, clever, witty, and saddled with a most unfortunate mother and social obligations. Her thwarted and belated love for her late husband is touching; the intrigue satisfyingly thrilling at times; the romance fun; and the supporting cast of characters equal parts charming and odious. In love with Alexander's atmosphere and style -- this is very much uppercrust Victorian England, and the gallivanting off to Paris, Greece and the like keeps things fresh so that the very English tone doesn't become too overbearing. Having read two books in this series in as many days, consider me a convert. Will be devouring the rest in short order.
To be honest I don't know why I didn't abandon this book after the first 100 pages.
It was a good book, but that's about all I can say. It wasn't really good, it wasn't great, it wasn't terrible, god-awful or any of that, it was just good.
One other thing: it was boring. I was hoping for a much more exciting mystery, but what I got was barely a mystery at all.
So, the question is, why I am being nice enough to give it 3 stars instead of 2? I'll tell you why. It was good enough to finish. May be safer to say I rounded up from 2.5 stars, though.
It was a good book, but that's about all I can say. It wasn't really good, it wasn't great, it wasn't terrible, god-awful or any of that, it was just good.
One other thing: it was boring. I was hoping for a much more exciting mystery, but what I got was barely a mystery at all.
So, the question is, why I am being nice enough to give it 3 stars instead of 2? I'll tell you why. It was good enough to finish. May be safer to say I rounded up from 2.5 stars, though.