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vae's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes you just need melodrama, and this delivers in buckets.
rachelini's review against another edition
4.0
This book, written in 1992, still has elements of old skool romance, things that would probably make me go "hmmmm" in a book written today. And also lots of miscommunication. But Loretta Chase is such a good writer that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
ohnoitsharmony's review against another edition
i'll be honest, i didn't understand a single word of all of the debacle surrounding the chess-piece and the political conflict and whatnot, but the way that loretta chase writes dialogue and the chemistry between the hero and heroine... oof. however i do wish this had been waaay raunchier.
amyiw's review against another edition
3.0
This was Good mostly but only OK in other ways. It dragged trying to explain the nuances of the politics and culture of historical Albania and the Albania language. There was a very complicated intrigue intertwined but very hard to parse out because of all of the characters. Some characters were more for social, some political, some romantic, and some familial, and some overlapped in multiple plot lines. The complication took away from the romance that finally started to be interesting around 50-60%. Then the attitude of Esme towards her husband for.... well it was over done and I was just starting to like her spunk and fire.
The premise of the intrigue which has all to do with Esme's inheritance and a chess set... well it makes no sense. If the chess set is left to Esme as a dowry then whoever is supposed to guard it, should have put it in a safe deposit box or sold it and invested. Leaving it on a table, out in the open. The premise made no sense to me. And exactly why did George have it? ***sigh***
Well this wasn't one of Loretta Chase's best HR IMO but it ended pretty well so good over all though a bit of a slog through Albania. I wish it could have been made beautiful and mystical by Chase because it is obvious that she loves it but... I just didn't feel any affinity and wanted to get out as soon as we got in, back to Italy or England. Glad I read it but wont be a re-read for me. Not even close to [b:Lord of Scoundrels|425377|Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, #3)|Loretta Chase|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381766823s/425377.jpg|414437] in the same series.
---------update while reading---------------
1/2 way through. Coming off [b:Not Quite a Lady|132599|Not Quite a Lady (Carsington Brothers, #4)|Loretta Chase|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924476s/132599.jpg|1356166] and in comparison, this is quite a drag. I'm sloughing through Albania warfare that is not made very interesting, a nefarious selling of weapons that is not well done, and a attack and many false dyings. The characters, other than the two main characters, are completely uninteresting and even irritating. It does seem to be getting a little more interesting and the main characters have their moments but mostly a drag. It is too bad as it is obvious that Albania and culture is close to the author's heart, it is just hard to create interest to those that know little of the country and history. Being thrown into it doesn't make it so.
Spoiler
leaving her to her grandmother while he was fixing up his estate. Culturally he could not have her help. But she over reacts horribly, I get being mad but... well. And then, she escapes out during the night from her grandmother's house. She should have hidden the Queen and left in the morning but no let's put all the pieces together so we can steal them.The premise of the intrigue which has all to do with Esme's inheritance and a chess set... well it makes no sense. If the chess set is left to Esme as a dowry then whoever is supposed to guard it, should have put it in a safe deposit box or sold it and invested. Leaving it on a table, out in the open. The premise made no sense to me. And exactly why did George have it? ***sigh***
Well this wasn't one of Loretta Chase's best HR IMO but it ended pretty well so good over all though a bit of a slog through Albania. I wish it could have been made beautiful and mystical by Chase because it is obvious that she loves it but... I just didn't feel any affinity and wanted to get out as soon as we got in, back to Italy or England. Glad I read it but wont be a re-read for me. Not even close to [b:Lord of Scoundrels|425377|Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, #3)|Loretta Chase|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381766823s/425377.jpg|414437] in the same series.
---------update while reading---------------
1/2 way through. Coming off [b:Not Quite a Lady|132599|Not Quite a Lady (Carsington Brothers, #4)|Loretta Chase|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924476s/132599.jpg|1356166] and in comparison, this is quite a drag. I'm sloughing through Albania warfare that is not made very interesting, a nefarious selling of weapons that is not well done, and a attack and many false dyings. The characters, other than the two main characters, are completely uninteresting and even irritating. It does seem to be getting a little more interesting and the main characters have their moments but mostly a drag. It is too bad as it is obvious that Albania and culture is close to the author's heart, it is just hard to create interest to those that know little of the country and history. Being thrown into it doesn't make it so.
katrinaward's review
Really uncomfortable sexual assault scene after some very weird dynamics with Varian thinking of and treating Esme like a child. The sexual assault and cavalier way the book moved on was enough for me.
veronian's review against another edition
2.0
I remember Loretta Chase's Scoundrels series being one of my early introductions to historical romance/regency, and I know I enjoyed them at the time but.... ? I was kind of struggling with The Lion's Daughter. All the elements were here that I think I like (road trip romance, BAMF women, people that are generally not TSTL) but somehow it just didn't gel together for me this time. I also found the villain irritating and nonsensical rather than interesting. Obviously there must be something here, because I know I read this entire series before in the past, and actually remember things from it fondly, but for the life of me I wasn't able to enjoy this book and it all just felt a bit dry and cardboardy. This was a 3.5* before and a 2* now, unfortunately.
rosemaryandrue's review against another edition
4.0
This is vintage Loretta Chase - an unconventional heroine, a wastrel hero that you somehow still like, dastardly villains, a wonderful matter-of-fact way of storytelling. I did feel that the initial attraction between the leads did not make much sense, but after you moved past that it was an enjoyable romance.
kimberlycarrington's review against another edition
4.0
kobfroggie's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent H/h dialogues. I enjoyed their interactions so much. The plot is way too busy though. But nice touch on the Albania's historical tidbits and background.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
bananatricky's review against another edition
4.0
Read this a few days ago and read several more since then so this is a rough review only.
This is the first book I can recall reading set mostly in Albania. Esme is a brave resourceful girl, daughter of the Red Lion, who believes her father has been murdered by Ismal. In reality her father wants her safely in England as he fears that Ismal will kidnap her in order to force him to betray Ali Pasha. Esme's father is the youngest son of an English noble family - disowned by his relatives he moved to Albania and fell in love with the country.
Varian is a good-looking parasite, a wastral English nobleman he survives solely by living off wealthy, less well-born people. At present he is living off Esme's uncle, Gerald(?). Esme has a cousin, Percival, who her uncle believes is actually her half-brother. The two look very similar although Esme is a woman and Percival is a 12 year old boy.
The few reviews I skim read were less than enthusiastic but I rather liked this book. Varian is endearingly useless. Esme has to look after him, translate for him and teach him how to survive in Albania - such a relief after all these masterful heroes who are always in control.
We see into the palace of Ali Pasha and meet the evil, but angelically beautiful, Ismal. We travel through the beautiful wild Albanian countryside and attend a traditional wedding. Then to England and a formidable Grandmother. All mixed up with lots of fight scenes and fascinating glimpses into a history which was previously unknown to me.
And I had a soft spot for Varian!
This is the first book I can recall reading set mostly in Albania. Esme is a brave resourceful girl, daughter of the Red Lion, who believes her father has been murdered by Ismal. In reality her father wants her safely in England as he fears that Ismal will kidnap her in order to force him to betray Ali Pasha. Esme's father is the youngest son of an English noble family - disowned by his relatives he moved to Albania and fell in love with the country.
Varian is a good-looking parasite, a wastral English nobleman he survives solely by living off wealthy, less well-born people. At present he is living off Esme's uncle, Gerald(?). Esme has a cousin, Percival, who her uncle believes is actually her half-brother. The two look very similar although Esme is a woman and Percival is a 12 year old boy.
The few reviews I skim read were less than enthusiastic but I rather liked this book. Varian is endearingly useless. Esme has to look after him, translate for him and teach him how to survive in Albania - such a relief after all these masterful heroes who are always in control.
We see into the palace of Ali Pasha and meet the evil, but angelically beautiful, Ismal. We travel through the beautiful wild Albanian countryside and attend a traditional wedding. Then to England and a formidable Grandmother. All mixed up with lots of fight scenes and fascinating glimpses into a history which was previously unknown to me.
And I had a soft spot for Varian!