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clowdywings's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 -
This was difficult to get into and enjoy. Once you do, it's a little predictable but otherwise entertaining. It's not bad if you're looking for a historical fiction/romance/mystery book, though!
I found I really liked the previous book in the series, but this one wasn't quite as good. Eden's my favorite author so I've read nearly every one of her books. It is similar to her other works both in the plot and with the characters. I have to say, Ana was the only new/fresh character with the whole cast. Elliot was alright but he just blended in a little too well with the rest of her male characters.
As always, her pacing is quite well done. I really liked the climax. I don't think I've read a historical fiction that had a climax similar to this one ever before.
I wish she had put a specific date or even time period into her book. It would have helped me picture and put the whole story in the correct setting. From what I can tell we are past the French Revolution (1799) and sometime around the second Industrial Revolution (1870) but I'm not sure.
I did have to skip the stories that she had her characters write. They're charming, of course, but they confused me with the main plotline. I'm planning on going back and reading those eventually though. I do like the concept and idea of it. It must have been difficult to write 3 stories just for one book.
* Thank you Netgalley and the publisher Shadow Mountain for the ARC!!
---
Woooo!! I got approved for an ARC from NetGalley! So excited!!
This was difficult to get into and enjoy. Once you do, it's a little predictable but otherwise entertaining. It's not bad if you're looking for a historical fiction/romance/mystery book, though!
I found I really liked the previous book in the series, but this one wasn't quite as good. Eden's my favorite author so I've read nearly every one of her books. It is similar to her other works both in the plot and with the characters. I have to say, Ana was the only new/fresh character with the whole cast. Elliot was alright but he just blended in a little too well with the rest of her male characters.
As always, her pacing is quite well done. I really liked the climax. I don't think I've read a historical fiction that had a climax similar to this one ever before.
I wish she had put a specific date or even time period into her book. It would have helped me picture and put the whole story in the correct setting. From what I can tell we are past the French Revolution (1799) and sometime around the second Industrial Revolution (1870) but I'm not sure.
I did have to skip the stories that she had her characters write. They're charming, of course, but they confused me with the main plotline. I'm planning on going back and reading those eventually though. I do like the concept and idea of it. It must have been difficult to write 3 stories just for one book.
* Thank you Netgalley and the publisher Shadow Mountain for the ARC!!
---
Woooo!! I got approved for an ARC from NetGalley! So excited!!
lolarose1234's review against another edition
3.0
I definitely preferred this to the last one. I preferred the main plot in the gambling houses to the arson foiling in the last book. Hence I am now more invested in the action plot of stopping the Mastiff However the romance is less focused on in this series than advertised.
The biggest negative for me is the penny dreadfuls (which I said in my last review) they intersect with the main story causing interruption. However some readers like this niche.
This book however did have an increase in that compared to the last book. This wasn’t executed in the best way as it did appear to be Insta lovey especially on Hollis’s part. I don’t know if I would continue with this series if the first three were not free on audible with membership. I will definitely read the third one and decide then whether I will continue or not. I do like the narrators’s Irish accent for Brogan (hero in book 3).
The biggest negative for me is the penny dreadfuls (which I said in my last review) they intersect with the main story causing interruption. However some readers like this niche.
This book however did have an increase in that compared to the last book. This wasn’t executed in the best way as it did appear to be Insta lovey especially on Hollis’s part. I don’t know if I would continue with this series if the first three were not free on audible with membership. I will definitely read the third one and decide then whether I will continue or not. I do like the narrators’s Irish accent for Brogan (hero in book 3).
phoenix2's review against another edition
3.0
The Gentleman and the Thief is the second book of the "The Dread Penny Society" and it follows the same pattern as the first story, with new characters this time around.
I did love the two main leads and it was nice to meet the characters from the first book again!! Also, the new books introduced in the new one were interesting, especially the one with the school of ghosts! The romance was also cute, though it had some boring parts.
I did love the two main leads and it was nice to meet the characters from the first book again!! Also, the new books introduced in the new one were interesting, especially the one with the school of ghosts! The romance was also cute, though it had some boring parts.
the_reading_italian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
So cute!! I loved the characters and the mystery elements included. Absolutely adored the writing style, and just had so much fun overall. Would definitely recommend!!
witchydisaster's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bingley's review against another edition
(240504)
maybe just read too many dread penny books consecutively to be sufficiently captured by the story and hollis-ana pairing. Meh, not as captivating. Maybe try again later.
maybe just read too many dread penny books consecutively to be sufficiently captured by the story and hollis-ana pairing. Meh, not as captivating. Maybe try again later.
nhinshaw's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
Another cozy mystery. Second in the series. Easy read.
siouxsiehearn's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
caitybell's review against another edition
3.0
I realized halfway into this audiobook that it was, in fact, the second in a series. Thankfully, it didn't diminish the reading experience, but I do plan on going and reading book one now!
The Gentleman and the Thief is a quirky regency book with a little romance. Most of the book is focused on uncovering the mystery of the dark deeds happening within a secret gambling den. The characters are witty, fresh, and engaging. It was a slow read, a gentle and heartwarming story. My favorite bits were the excerpts of 'penny dreadfuls' before each chapter, and I loved the idea of a society of authors that use pen names doing their best to help the less fortunate in the city. Very pleasant read!
The Gentleman and the Thief is a quirky regency book with a little romance. Most of the book is focused on uncovering the mystery of the dark deeds happening within a secret gambling den. The characters are witty, fresh, and engaging. It was a slow read, a gentle and heartwarming story. My favorite bits were the excerpts of 'penny dreadfuls' before each chapter, and I loved the idea of a society of authors that use pen names doing their best to help the less fortunate in the city. Very pleasant read!