Scan barcode
beastreader's review against another edition
1.0
I never read the first book in this series. Which is fine as this book could be read as a stand alone novel. I picked up this book because I like reading period piece stories and the mystery piece intrigued me as well. In the beginning I had no problems with the book. In fact, I was kind of liking it. Then I put it down only intending for a short period to come back to the book. When I did, I read about a half a dozen more chapters and was like am I reading the same book. What happened. I could not stand anything in it and found it boring. It helped put me right to sleep. I than read from another reviewer that it takes until about page 200 before the story really picks up steam. I was already at 127, so I decided to skip until page 200. Nope, I could not do it. I only read a few more pages and promptly put this book down for good. The characters were annoying, then there was the sudden stop when Peggy would start to investigate and then she was stopped and I was let with more talking (whining). No thanks.
gcullman's review against another edition
3.0
Better than the first in the series. Good plot twists and better character development.
lberestecki's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected. I liked Peggy, although I felt her character was a bit inconsistent, and the supporting cast had some interesting characters. The plot was decent, despite one of the "big reveals" being very obvious. I did expect it to be less mature than it was - the subject matter is more appropriate for older teens, which is fine since I'm an adult, but is worth noting.
I don't think I loved the book enough to go back and read book 1, but it is likely that I'll continue with the series as new books come out.
Received from Netgalley.
I don't think I loved the book enough to go back and read book 1, but it is likely that I'll continue with the series as new books come out.
Received from Netgalley.
mackle13's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
The book moved along at a fair pace, and I never found myself bored, which is why I'm (currently) bumping this 2.5 up to 3, instead of down, but...
Well, first let me say that I had read somewhere that this was the last of the series. I have since learned that there's a third - which is very good, because there's so much left unresolved that had this been the finale, I would've been very disappointed.
But my biggest issue with the book, really, is that Peggy is a terrible spy. Firstly, because she doesn't actually get down to a whole lot of spying and, secondly, because when she does, she's just pretty darn awful at it.
Peggy spends most of the book dithering about her personal life, about her uncle and Sebastian and Matthew, and how she really ought to be investigating that whole Jacobite thing, but isn't so so inconvenient because her life is falling apart!
I mean, both Matthew and Olivia are better spies in this book. (Actually, more than once I thought Olivia should be the spy instead of Peggy, since, despite her flakiness, she actually seemed more proactive of the two.)
Anyway -
Things did ramp up at the end. I was vaguely reminded of, what with her fate being decided by a I expected more of it, though. I expected it to be more relevant to the story/world at large, and not just to her personal fate.
And then the ending, which was so wonderfully convenient, but, hey, at least someone's off investigating the Jacobites while Peggy's busy trying to get out of marrying Sebastian.
I'm still looking forward to the next - and possibly final - book in the series. I am hoping that the story gets wrapped up, though, because while this series is all well-and-good for some enjoyable fluff, I'm not sure I could stick with it on a long haul.
The book moved along at a fair pace, and I never found myself bored, which is why I'm (currently) bumping this 2.5 up to 3, instead of down, but...
Well, first let me say that I had read somewhere that this was the last of the series. I have since learned that there's a third - which is very good, because there's so much left unresolved that had this been the finale, I would've been very disappointed.
But my biggest issue with the book, really, is that Peggy is a terrible spy. Firstly, because she doesn't actually get down to a whole lot of spying and, secondly, because when she does, she's just pretty darn awful at it.
Peggy spends most of the book dithering about her personal life, about her uncle and Sebastian and Matthew, and how she really ought to be investigating that whole Jacobite thing, but isn't so so inconvenient because her life is falling apart!
I mean, both Matthew and Olivia are better spies in this book. (Actually, more than once I thought Olivia should be the spy instead of Peggy, since, despite her flakiness, she actually seemed more proactive of the two.)
Anyway -
Things did ramp up at the end. I was vaguely reminded of
Spoiler
Casino RoyaleSpoiler
card game - rigged or otherwise.And then the ending, which was so wonderfully convenient, but, hey, at least someone's off investigating the Jacobites while Peggy's busy trying to get out of marrying Sebastian.
I'm still looking forward to the next - and possibly final - book in the series. I am hoping that the story gets wrapped up, though, because while this series is all well-and-good for some enjoyable fluff, I'm not sure I could stick with it on a long haul.
rubenstein's review against another edition
4.0
While the young demographic has me raising my eyebrows once again, I still thoroughly enjoyed Dangerous Deceptions. It doesn't leave the reader hanging from the events that happened in Palace of Spies (though it's entirely possible the year-long wait in between these novels will do that on its own!) and Peggy's uncovering answers for her questions. This series provides a refreshing change from my usual 1800s-era Historical Fiction and I'm loving the closer look at the Jacobites! Although I'd be hesitant to recommend this series to a younger reader, older teens and adults are sure to be pleased!
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
holtfan's review against another edition
2.0
As far as sequels go, Dangerous Deceptions follows its predecessor fairly well. It is less confusing but also less action packed, the exciting stuff doesn't happen till the end. The plot itself is improbable, convenient, and dramatic. I was excited for more of Olivia but I don't think I got to know her better. Or Peggy. Or any of the character. I really dislike Peggy's romance with Matthew. Its all fluttering nerves and stolen kisses. There isn't even the interest of romantic tension anymore. Who wants to read about people misunderstanding and then being perfectly happy together? Borrrring.
But the thing is, most of this book is booorrring. There is a spy ring to be infiltrated and conspiracies to stop and our intrepid heroine can't seem to get her stuff together! She's worried about her finances and being a lady in waiting and saying witty things and gets irritated when her actual job distracts from that. It was hard to like her or sympathize with her problems.
Still, the last quarter was fun and interesting and I liked it once the heroine put her plot into motion.
I don't think I'll find the third book. I can only take so much of this first-person style.
But the thing is, most of this book is booorrring. There is a spy ring to be infiltrated and conspiracies to stop and our intrepid heroine can't seem to get her stuff together! She's worried about her finances and being a lady in waiting and saying witty things and gets irritated when her actual job distracts from that. It was hard to like her or sympathize with her problems.
Still, the last quarter was fun and interesting and I liked it once the heroine put her plot into motion.
I don't think I'll find the third book. I can only take so much of this first-person style.
daphne2000's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so much better than expected. I recently read the first book in this series, [b:Palace of Spies|17165966|Palace of Spies (Palace of Spies, #1)|Sarah Zettel|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1373398802s/17165966.jpg|23592753], and thought that it would have been best as a standalone, so I didn't have high expectations. I was expecting Dangerous Deceptions to be a 3 star read at best, but it far exceeded my expectations.
One thing that I love about this series is that the spy work that happens is actually believable. Sure, they don't get much done most of the time, but that's what makes it realistic. Most bad guys don't just leave incriminating evidence in the open at the first place the MC looks.
My one gripe with this book is that some of the plot twists I saw coming from a mile away. For example
I can't wait for the third book, [b:The Assassin's Masque|23714082|The Assassin's Masque (Palace of Spies, #3)|Sarah Zettel|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423859521s/23714082.jpg|43323895], which I believe is coming out in 2016.
One thing that I love about this series is that the spy work that happens is actually believable. Sure, they don't get much done most of the time, but that's what makes it realistic. Most bad guys don't just leave incriminating evidence in the open at the first place the MC looks.
My one gripe with this book is that some of the plot twists I saw coming from a mile away. For example
Spoiler
it was insanely obvious who her father was.I can't wait for the third book, [b:The Assassin's Masque|23714082|The Assassin's Masque (Palace of Spies, #3)|Sarah Zettel|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423859521s/23714082.jpg|43323895], which I believe is coming out in 2016.
mrsbofe's review against another edition
3.0
A very nice sequel mixed in with some fun writing makes this book a light but fun read for me. The story line is pleasant and the characters are nice. It didn't have me on the edge of my seat, but it was a nice read and would recommend.
More...