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katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it.
I loved the world of Albania, I loved exploring that culture and people. I loved Esme, who was so incredibly brave. I mostly loved Varian, though sometimes his pride was a nuisance -
I liked the wily Ali, and the intrigues of Albania and the unrest being stirred up.
I thought Jason was a douche for doing what he did, though. And it was shockingly idiotic for someone who is supposed to be this clever strategist.
My only complaint is that Varian and Jason treat Esme like she's a moron. Yes, she has a temper, but at the end of the day, she's making sound decisions based on the information she has. Literally every mistake she made could be laid at the feet of some asshole who is scheming in some dumbass plan that involves her, but doesn't bother to inform her of it. Jason does that, Varian does that, and her grandmother does that. And the decisions Esme makes, I would have made too.
I hate that they never own up to their own responsibility for the messes, but just put everything on Esme and treat her like an idiot for doing THE RIGHT THING in the situation they have thrust her into.
So that's my quibble. But I really did enjoy the book.
I loved the world of Albania, I loved exploring that culture and people. I loved Esme, who was so incredibly brave. I mostly loved Varian, though sometimes his pride was a nuisance -
Spoiler
I was shouting at him for not allowing her to be with him, to help, when they were back in England. Like, come on. Don't treat her like some English flower - accept her as she is. Helping you fix your estate, helping your people... this is what she has done for most of her life, and you are setting her aside now? Swallow your pride and treat her like the capable woman that she is, please.I liked the wily Ali, and the intrigues of Albania and the unrest being stirred up.
I thought Jason was a douche for doing what he did, though. And it was shockingly idiotic for someone who is supposed to be this clever strategist.
Spoiler
How could he not imagine that his daughter would seek to avenge his murder? Come fucking on, I could see that even just 10 pages into the book. Had he just TOLD her the fucking plan, she may not have liked it, but at least she wouldn't have charged off to Tepelena to murder Ismal and sacrifice her life. This entire shitshow could have been avoided, if he had just not condescended and manipulated his bright, fierce daughter. He raised her to be a warrior, but treats her like a weak, useless girl. Idiot.My only complaint is that Varian and Jason treat Esme like she's a moron. Yes, she has a temper, but at the end of the day, she's making sound decisions based on the information she has. Literally every mistake she made could be laid at the feet of some asshole who is scheming in some dumbass plan that involves her, but doesn't bother to inform her of it. Jason does that, Varian does that, and her grandmother does that. And the decisions Esme makes, I would have made too.
I hate that they never own up to their own responsibility for the messes, but just put everything on Esme and treat her like an idiot for doing THE RIGHT THING in the situation they have thrust her into.
So that's my quibble. But I really did enjoy the book.
mhbee's review
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.0
adelie_wants_books_and_snacks's review against another edition
2.0
Amazing writing obviously it’s Loretta Chase duh. The plot started out really good but as soon as Varian and Esme meet it went downhill for me. The ending was good too.
The characters are soooo unlikeable. From the description I was expecting Esme to be this badass who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, who is self reliant and can take care of herself. She actually is extremely immature and really closed minded. She’s not receptive at all to what others have to say. The whole “spitfire” description is actually just her throwing a tantrum when she doesn’t get her way. And she always complained about everything. Nothing was ever good enough for her. She was just awful.
Varian gave me the creeps big time for the first half of the book. The fact he thought Esme was a child and still was attracted to her even though she’s 18 was so gross. It made the romance really uncomfortable to read.
And speaking of the romance it really wasn’t very romantic. It was just Esme shouting abusive things to him the whole time and him thinking she was a child lol
It was so off putting.
I actually ended up having a mega crush on and rooting for Ismal. And he’s supposed to be the bad guy! Lmao
Definitely not my fav Loretta Chase book.
The characters are soooo unlikeable. From the description I was expecting Esme to be this badass who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, who is self reliant and can take care of herself. She actually is extremely immature and really closed minded. She’s not receptive at all to what others have to say. The whole “spitfire” description is actually just her throwing a tantrum when she doesn’t get her way. And she always complained about everything. Nothing was ever good enough for her. She was just awful.
Varian gave me the creeps big time for the first half of the book. The fact he thought Esme was a child and still was attracted to her even though she’s 18 was so gross. It made the romance really uncomfortable to read.
And speaking of the romance it really wasn’t very romantic. It was just Esme shouting abusive things to him the whole time and him thinking she was a child lol
It was so off putting.
I actually ended up having a mega crush on and rooting for Ismal. And he’s supposed to be the bad guy! Lmao
Definitely not my fav Loretta Chase book.
420blazeit's review against another edition
3.0
this was definetly a new type of historical romance for me. we moved out of victorian times and more into regency here, so virtually everything was/felt different. from the writing style, to the word choice, to the characters values, this felt like i was reading historical fiction with romance rather than a romance that is set in a historical time period. this also meant tht i was looking up every other word while reading and that kindle progress bar was moving so SLOW. come to find out this was only 368 pages…. i’m embarrassed. but anyway, i’m now on the loretta chase bandwagon and cw till i get to the third book in the series
bookish_kristina's review against another edition
DNF 10% No rating
The writing style isn’t working for me. All exposition seems to be done through dialogue. Even both main characters’ descriptions were told to us via conversation. In the case of the FMC, her best friend describes her physical features TO HER. ‘You’re very pretty, you have healthy, shiny hair shot with red, and my mother says your green eyes sparkle’
The writing style isn’t working for me. All exposition seems to be done through dialogue. Even both main characters’ descriptions were told to us via conversation. In the case of the FMC, her best friend describes her physical features TO HER. ‘You’re very pretty, you have healthy, shiny hair shot with red, and my mother says your green eyes sparkle’
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked Esme- she was bonkers but interesting. Varian was a fairly typical regency romance hero. The romance took a while to get off the ground, it was as much about the story as it was about the romance but I really enjoyed the story and the slow build made it all more enthralling.
I really enjoyed reading about early 1800s Albania- it felt like a completely different culture and was a really nice change to read a historical romance not set in England.
I really enjoyed reading about early 1800s Albania- it felt like a completely different culture and was a really nice change to read a historical romance not set in England.
nellesnightstand1's review against another edition
5.0
I was looking at all the book club choices last night.It seems I bought Lion's Daughter free a couple years ago and hadn't read it. I blame my tiredness on Ms. Chase! I was up all night. Literally, I went to bed at 8:30 am! I don't ever remember reading this one, Joanne Farley, have You? I was hooked! If you haven't read it you need to!! Esme is an 18 year old kickass heroine. Varian, is a penniless rogue who lives off others. They grow so much! It was so good!
tessisreading2's review against another edition
2.0
This reads as though Loretta Chase set out to write an early-era Bertrice Small novel, but without the crazy sex. Everything is extra-passionate and wild and doesn't make a lot of sense; the hero has cute stupid nicknames for the heroine; they are frequently star-crossed and fight a lot for no particular reason; the villain is incredibly hot and has a gay sidekick who is in love with him; the villain is mildly sexually ambiguous and sexually obsessed with the heroine; people fake their own deaths a lot. Bertrice Small makes it work, but Loretta Chase just doesn't heap on the crazysauce sufficiently to make this a really compelling read.
nellesnightstand's review against another edition
5.0
I was looking at all the book club choices last night.It seems I bought Lion's Daughter free a couple years ago and hadn't read it. I blame my tiredness on Ms. Chase! I was up all night. Literally, I went to bed at 8:30 am! I don't ever remember reading this one, Joanne Farley, have You? I was hooked! If you haven't read it you need to!! Esme is an 18 year old kickass heroine. Varian, is a penniless rogue who lives off others. They grow so much! It was so good!
gemafalda's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0