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salene27's review against another edition
3.0
While this isn't the greatest book I have ever read, I did like it so much better than the first in the series. The hero and heroine were likeable and made me care what happened to them. There was much more action in this one, and I really liked the supporting characters as well. I think another big reason in liking this book, was the setting, Greece is so much more intresting than Mongolia.
I have purchased the 3rd book so we shall see how that one goes.
I have purchased the 3rd book so we shall see how that one goes.
ria_mhrj's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot more than Warrior, it was great fun. Will definitely hit the spot if you are in the mood for an Indiana Jones-style adventure, heavy on the romance.
renpuspita's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read in February 2011
More than 5 stars
Just wanna said :
Bennett Day (his name was from Elizabeth Bennett, from the famous Pride and Prejudice, blame his mother because of that, but he lucky than his brother that have name Fitzwilliam Darcy Day *lol*) really a rake, rogue, charmer, cheat, bastard, libertine, a SCOUNDREL , but he finally meet his downfall in Victoria Regina Gloriana London Edgeworth Harcourt (fyuuuh, really long name, eh?) or London Harcourt for the short.
The conclusion :
- I'm "monkey in hat" to Bennett :))
- I love the setting in this book (woo, wooo, I want to go to Greece!!)
- The story are fast paced (a little bit slow in the beginning), full action packed, and magical. Me likey!!!
- The cover is nom, nom, nom, and Bennett is my nom, nom, boyfriend ;)
Looking for historical stories mix with paranormal, magic, action, and steamy read? The Blades of The Rose by Zoe Archer is your answer and A MUST READ!
More than 5 stars
Just wanna said :
Bennett Day (his name was from Elizabeth Bennett, from the famous Pride and Prejudice, blame his mother because of that, but he lucky than his brother that have name Fitzwilliam Darcy Day *lol*) really a rake, rogue, charmer, cheat, bastard, libertine, a SCOUNDREL , but he finally meet his downfall in Victoria Regina Gloriana London Edgeworth Harcourt (fyuuuh, really long name, eh?) or London Harcourt for the short.
The conclusion :
- I'm "monkey in hat" to Bennett :))
Spoiler
monkey in hat : an analogy for "I love you" by Bennett- I love the setting in this book (woo, wooo, I want to go to Greece!!)
- The story are fast paced (a little bit slow in the beginning), full action packed, and magical. Me likey!!!
- The cover is nom, nom, nom, and Bennett is my nom, nom, boyfriend ;)
Looking for historical stories mix with paranormal, magic, action, and steamy read? The Blades of The Rose by Zoe Archer is your answer and A MUST READ!
nina1117's review
5.0
London Harcourt is an intelligent young widow brimming with anticipation to start a new life. When, she discovers and translates some tracings of an ancient language in her father's office, she is finally getting her chance as her father's translator. Bennett Day is sworn to protect magic from the Heirs, those who would like to use it to conquer the world. When London and Bennett cross paths in Athens, Greece, the attraction to each other is immediate and the adventure begins.
I picked this up because it was on a steampunk shelf at B&N. It's not so very steampunk as it is very steamy, but I still really enjoyed it. There were a couple of times where I was shocked but it's pure smuttiness, but it was a really interesting story and I liked the characters a lot. I think anyone who is interested in magic, historical fiction and smuttiness will enjoy it as well. :)
I picked this up because it was on a steampunk shelf at B&N. It's not so very steampunk as it is very steamy, but I still really enjoyed it. There were a couple of times where I was shocked but it's pure smuttiness, but it was a really interesting story and I liked the characters a lot. I think anyone who is interested in magic, historical fiction and smuttiness will enjoy it as well. :)
33p3barpercent's review
4.0
These books are so hard to label! They take place in the 1800s, but they've got action, adventure, and history in addition to the romance. What more could a girl want?
After the culmination of Archer's Warrior, I was really excited to read Bennett's story, Scoundrel. He's such an unrepentant libertine, but in the most lovable way.Then add in the fact that his lady love is the daughter of his archenemies, the Heirs, and also the widow of a man he killed. Obstacles, much? As much as I love Bennett (and I do), the character that really shined for me was the Heroine, London. She's been cosseted and stifled as only a woman in restrictive nineteenth century Britain could be. She. Was raised to not ask questions, be quiet, and get married. And she did. She married the man her father chose for her (who was, like her father, a bad guy who wants the world's subjugation for the glory of England). When London's husband dies, she's expected to marry another one of her dad's cronies. In secret, London has been nurturing her love of languages by learning ancient ones that few people know. When her father finds out about this, he is not exactly pleased but his work for the Heirs could use a translator, so he whisks London off to Athens in order to follow the trail of one of the mythical sources of magic.
This may sound convoluted and confusing, but it's not. The adventure portion of this novel is thrilling and interesting. It never bogs down the pace.
When London meets up with Bennett for the first time, she tells him how much she wishes she could go on adventures. This is the first time, she says, she's been away from England and she's loving it. As the novel progresses, London comes into her own, finding and exploring her sexuality and her thirst for adventure. This lust for life is what draws Bennet to her and what eventually makes him fall in love--real, monkeys-in-hats love--with the irrepressible Victoria Regina Gloriana London Edgeworth Harcourt.
After the culmination of Archer's Warrior, I was really excited to read Bennett's story, Scoundrel. He's such an unrepentant libertine, but in the most lovable way.Then add in the fact that his lady love is the daughter of his archenemies, the Heirs, and also the widow of a man he killed. Obstacles, much? As much as I love Bennett (and I do), the character that really shined for me was the Heroine, London. She's been cosseted and stifled as only a woman in restrictive nineteenth century Britain could be. She. Was raised to not ask questions, be quiet, and get married. And she did. She married the man her father chose for her (who was, like her father, a bad guy who wants the world's subjugation for the glory of England). When London's husband dies, she's expected to marry another one of her dad's cronies. In secret, London has been nurturing her love of languages by learning ancient ones that few people know. When her father finds out about this, he is not exactly pleased but his work for the Heirs could use a translator, so he whisks London off to Athens in order to follow the trail of one of the mythical sources of magic.
This may sound convoluted and confusing, but it's not. The adventure portion of this novel is thrilling and interesting. It never bogs down the pace.
When London meets up with Bennett for the first time, she tells him how much she wishes she could go on adventures. This is the first time, she says, she's been away from England and she's loving it. As the novel progresses, London comes into her own, finding and exploring her sexuality and her thirst for adventure. This lust for life is what draws Bennet to her and what eventually makes him fall in love--real, monkeys-in-hats love--with the irrepressible Victoria Regina Gloriana London Edgeworth Harcourt.
amysugden's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thebodybuildingbookworm's review
5.0
I hadn't realized this book was part of a series until I was over half-way through with it. It is number two in the series, but I think it speaks well for the author that I didn't know it was a series book and did not find myself confused one little bit throughout the story. It was full of wonderful imagery, likable characters, and the pacing was amazing. I couldn't put the book down. I'm happy to say the rest of this series is now being added to the to-be-read pile simply because of this book alone. They're sitting on my kindle waiting for me to pick them up. Great job, Ms. Archer and here's hoping I enjoy the rest of the series as much if not more than this book.
witandsin's review
3.0
My review posted on Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/new-reviews/scoundrel-by-zoe-archer
The world is filled with magic, and, as one might expect, the world is also filled with people who would use that magic to fulfill their own selfish desires. That’s where the Blades of the Rose come in. The Blades are a group of men and women sworn to protect objects of magical power and return them to the countries and people they belong to.
London Harcourt knows nothing of the Blades. She also doesn’t know she’s the daughter of a powerful member of the Heirs of Albion, a British cult bent on subjugating the world’s magic for England’s – and their own – benefit. A brilliant linguist, London often has to hide her intellectual pursuits, considering her father’s view that women are supposed to be pretty, weak creatures and nothing more. But when her father says he needs her skills as a linguist, London jumps at the chance to travel to Greece.
Bennett Day is a scoundrel, a ladies’ man, and a talented cryptologist for the Blades. He knows that the Heirs are after the legendary Greek Fire, and he’ll do anything to stop them from possessing it. He just never expects the sexist Heirs to bring a woman on their mission. Nor does he count on the fact that the lady in question will capture his interest in a way no woman ever has. Unfortunately, London is the daughter of his enemy and she’s also one of the very, very few people in the world who can speak a dialect of ancient Greek that’s needed to solve ancient riddles and locate Greek Fire. Can the Blades’ legendary Casanova convince the daughter of an Heir to work with him? In an ordinary situation, Bennett would have no doubts. Yet, London is anything but ordinary…
Zoë Archer continues her incredibly unique Blades of the Rose series with Scoundrel. There’s so much thought, detail, imagination, and knowledge of the nineteenth century world in Scoundrel that it’s a veritable feast for the mind. I loved the complexities of the mysteries London, Bennett, and their allies had to solve.
Bennett and London themselves are sure to charm any reader. Bennett is a rogue through and through, but he’s far from heartless. In fact, he gives his heart to just about every woman he meets. What makes Bennett unusual for a rake is that his concept of love is no less valid for his spreading it than London’s idea of love which is the more conventional heart belonging to only one person. Still, I adored watching Bennett discover that his love for London is something out of the ordinary. As for London, she is a woman of extraordinary intellect and bravery that, while common for Blades of any gender, is unusual for a gently-bred Victorian lady. The two of them together fit like lock and key and it wasn’t difficult to become invested in their romance. And speaking of romance, there is a secondary love story in Scoundrel that I won’t spoil other than to say it captured my attention from the start and I was equally, if not more interested, in it than I was in London and Bennett’s romance.
The action of Scoundrel keeps the story moving at a quick clip. Ms. Archer also brings the Greek isles to life in much the same way as she did Outer Mongolia in the first Blades of the Rose book, Warrior. Aside from the fight against the Heirs that spans the series, there isn’t any overlap between Warrior and Scoundrel. A reader who has not yet read Warrior could pick up Scoundrel and follow along without any problems (though I still recommend reading Warrior for no other reason than its sheer entertainment value). Overall, I continue to enjoy the complex, engaging world of the Blades of the Rose. Ms. Archer is an incredible writer and storyteller and I can’t wait to read the next Blades of the Rose book, Rebel.
The world is filled with magic, and, as one might expect, the world is also filled with people who would use that magic to fulfill their own selfish desires. That’s where the Blades of the Rose come in. The Blades are a group of men and women sworn to protect objects of magical power and return them to the countries and people they belong to.
London Harcourt knows nothing of the Blades. She also doesn’t know she’s the daughter of a powerful member of the Heirs of Albion, a British cult bent on subjugating the world’s magic for England’s – and their own – benefit. A brilliant linguist, London often has to hide her intellectual pursuits, considering her father’s view that women are supposed to be pretty, weak creatures and nothing more. But when her father says he needs her skills as a linguist, London jumps at the chance to travel to Greece.
Bennett Day is a scoundrel, a ladies’ man, and a talented cryptologist for the Blades. He knows that the Heirs are after the legendary Greek Fire, and he’ll do anything to stop them from possessing it. He just never expects the sexist Heirs to bring a woman on their mission. Nor does he count on the fact that the lady in question will capture his interest in a way no woman ever has. Unfortunately, London is the daughter of his enemy and she’s also one of the very, very few people in the world who can speak a dialect of ancient Greek that’s needed to solve ancient riddles and locate Greek Fire. Can the Blades’ legendary Casanova convince the daughter of an Heir to work with him? In an ordinary situation, Bennett would have no doubts. Yet, London is anything but ordinary…
Zoë Archer continues her incredibly unique Blades of the Rose series with Scoundrel. There’s so much thought, detail, imagination, and knowledge of the nineteenth century world in Scoundrel that it’s a veritable feast for the mind. I loved the complexities of the mysteries London, Bennett, and their allies had to solve.
Bennett and London themselves are sure to charm any reader. Bennett is a rogue through and through, but he’s far from heartless. In fact, he gives his heart to just about every woman he meets. What makes Bennett unusual for a rake is that his concept of love is no less valid for his spreading it than London’s idea of love which is the more conventional heart belonging to only one person. Still, I adored watching Bennett discover that his love for London is something out of the ordinary. As for London, she is a woman of extraordinary intellect and bravery that, while common for Blades of any gender, is unusual for a gently-bred Victorian lady. The two of them together fit like lock and key and it wasn’t difficult to become invested in their romance. And speaking of romance, there is a secondary love story in Scoundrel that I won’t spoil other than to say it captured my attention from the start and I was equally, if not more interested, in it than I was in London and Bennett’s romance.
The action of Scoundrel keeps the story moving at a quick clip. Ms. Archer also brings the Greek isles to life in much the same way as she did Outer Mongolia in the first Blades of the Rose book, Warrior. Aside from the fight against the Heirs that spans the series, there isn’t any overlap between Warrior and Scoundrel. A reader who has not yet read Warrior could pick up Scoundrel and follow along without any problems (though I still recommend reading Warrior for no other reason than its sheer entertainment value). Overall, I continue to enjoy the complex, engaging world of the Blades of the Rose. Ms. Archer is an incredible writer and storyteller and I can’t wait to read the next Blades of the Rose book, Rebel.
jaimewrites's review
4.0
I think this is the best of the series - Bennett and London are both engaging heroes, the secondary characters are equally as awesome, and the adventure is fast-paced and entertaining. This was one of those books I was reluctant to put down until it was finished!
alice2000's review
5.0
After reading [b:Warrior|7199027|Warrior (The Blades of the Rose, #1)|Zoe Archer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1264553344s/7199027.jpg|7860127] I wasn't sure if Zoe Archer could keep up the great momentum she got going. I am happy to say she did. I loved Bennett & London as much as I did Thalia & Gabriel. Another great location, Greek Isles, and more great action, adventure, magic and romance.
Bennett & London's connection was both steamy and so sweet. After reading so many books where the rake/womanizing/scoundrel leading man has never felt love and is resistant to it it's nice to get a book about one who adores women so much. He readily admits he loves something about each and every woman he comes across. It was a refreshing change and really helped me engage with his character. The fact that his mother is a huge Jane Austen/Pride & Prejudice fan (hence his name) is just another perk. London also could have been a cliche, but instead was a delightfully intelligent, fully formed character. She grew so much through the book, but it felt natural.
The only complaint I have so far is that all the Heirs seem a bit alike. Lamb/Jonas from Warrior were near the same as Edgeworth/Fraser in Scoundrel. Still, that small thing doesn't detract from my near perfect enjoyment of this series.
Bennett & London's connection was both steamy and so sweet. After reading so many books where the rake/womanizing/scoundrel leading man has never felt love and is resistant to it it's nice to get a book about one who adores women so much. He readily admits he loves something about each and every woman he comes across. It was a refreshing change and really helped me engage with his character. The fact that his mother is a huge Jane Austen/Pride & Prejudice fan (hence his name) is just another perk. London also could have been a cliche, but instead was a delightfully intelligent, fully formed character. She grew so much through the book, but it felt natural.
The only complaint I have so far is that all the Heirs seem a bit alike. Lamb/Jonas from Warrior were near the same as Edgeworth/Fraser in Scoundrel. Still, that small thing doesn't detract from my near perfect enjoyment of this series.