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rmadden's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was ok. I did like the twist of the murderer though. I thought I knew who it was, but I was very wrong. However, I don’t think I will be continuing this series.
hollsbooks's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
furey's review
4.0
What Angels Fear is a mystery wrapped in historical fiction. Sebastian St. Cyr is the sole surviving son of an earl, and he has been framed for a murder. He goes on the run to stay our of prison and investigate the murder to clear his name. Fast paced investigation that includes commentary on the English class system and the concern that England will go the way of France. Interesting characters and good pacing. I will continue to read this series.
mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
This is the first book in a historical mystery series set in the early 19th century, with this installment taking place in London. Content warnings apply for violence, in particular brutal violence against women. One sentence spoiler-free verdict: I enjoyed this considerably and anticipate reading more of the series with pleasure.
Spoilers ahead.
The mystery elements worked very well for me, misdirecting and surprising me. I was about two thirds of the way through the book before I first suspected the villain, and at that time I still had multiple possible suspects in mind. Of the secondary characters, I especially liked Tom, a street urchin, though his working-class diction occasionally seemed a trifle heavyhanded. 4 out of 5 well-satisfied stars.
N.B. I came to the book by way of a list of Sharon Lee's: my thanks to her.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Spoilers ahead.
Spoiler
The book is a little overexaggerated, but I was in the mood for a quick read with well-defined heroes and villains, rather than a downbeat, historically-accurate portrayal of London on the eve of the Regency Era. Yes, the central figure, Sebastian St. Cyr, a young nobleman with war trauma, is rather idealized, but I had a great deal of fun following his adventures.The mystery elements worked very well for me, misdirecting and surprising me. I was about two thirds of the way through the book before I first suspected the villain, and at that time I still had multiple possible suspects in mind. Of the secondary characters, I especially liked Tom, a street urchin, though his working-class diction occasionally seemed a trifle heavyhanded.
N.B. I came to the book by way of a list of Sharon Lee's: my thanks to her.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
jen_is_booked's review
5.0
Really well done!
Fantastic start to this series. Very well written, action packed and a great mystery you won't soon unravel. I highly recommend this, and can't wait to start the next in the series.
Fantastic start to this series. Very well written, action packed and a great mystery you won't soon unravel. I highly recommend this, and can't wait to start the next in the series.
labwa_0712's review
3.0
This was a great beginning to a new series. The characters are interesting and I am excited to continue reading the next books.
eyreguide's review
4.0
Sebastian St. Cyr is a very intriguing character to follow. Throughout this book his noble attitude and secret feelings are hinted at but continually hidden by a veneer of studied self-interest and carelessness. He's everything I find particularly appealing about darker, wounded main characters so it's no wonder that I really enjoyed this book!
The mystery starts off with a look at what happens to the victim, Rachel York. The reader glimpses her personality and her hopes for the future which makes it even more disturbing and saddening as we get to know her better through the course of Sebastian's investigation. The gradual and simultaneous understanding of the victim, the 'detective' (Sebastian) and of the truth behind the mystery was such an intriguing way to develop the whole story, and I really admired how well the author plotted everything out. The mystery was pretty impenetrable - I tried so hard to figure out who the murderer was before Sebastian but failed utterly. Even when some pretty glaring clues were dropped. It made for a fantastic reveal though!
The story moves very quickly and has many seemingly suspicious characters to keep the reader always second-guessing. There are so many secrets Sebastian has to unravel which made this a very engaging mystery and since Sebastian is also a puzzle in himself the story was that much more intriguing. The historical setting added to the level of interest I had in the mystery as well - the state of England at that time was not very promising, and the undercurrent of civil and political change was a nice backdrop to place this highly complex mystery.
This book did have some darker, gruesome moments which made the story sometimes very thought-provoking and melancholy but it has a wonderful lead in Sebastian St. Cyr, with his uncanny sight, hearing and reflexes, and I enjoyed reading how his cleverness, his disguises and his persistence helped him unravel this mystery. I look forward to reading more of this series!
The mystery starts off with a look at what happens to the victim, Rachel York. The reader glimpses her personality and her hopes for the future which makes it even more disturbing and saddening as we get to know her better through the course of Sebastian's investigation. The gradual and simultaneous understanding of the victim, the 'detective' (Sebastian) and of the truth behind the mystery was such an intriguing way to develop the whole story, and I really admired how well the author plotted everything out. The mystery was pretty impenetrable - I tried so hard to figure out who the murderer was before Sebastian but failed utterly. Even when some pretty glaring clues were dropped. It made for a fantastic reveal though!
The story moves very quickly and has many seemingly suspicious characters to keep the reader always second-guessing. There are so many secrets Sebastian has to unravel which made this a very engaging mystery and since Sebastian is also a puzzle in himself the story was that much more intriguing. The historical setting added to the level of interest I had in the mystery as well - the state of England at that time was not very promising, and the undercurrent of civil and political change was a nice backdrop to place this highly complex mystery.
This book did have some darker, gruesome moments which made the story sometimes very thought-provoking and melancholy but it has a wonderful lead in Sebastian St. Cyr, with his uncanny sight, hearing and reflexes, and I enjoyed reading how his cleverness, his disguises and his persistence helped him unravel this mystery. I look forward to reading more of this series!
krhysling's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pallavi_sharma87's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 star
I had a very high expectation on this one and it did disappoint me a bit.
Set with a backdrop of unrest in King George III's England, in 1811, Sebastian St. Cyr is arrested for the horrible murder of a beautiful young woman on the altar steps of an ancient church in Westminster Abbey. Even though the Police chief has his own doubts, all the clues' points towards Sebastian. To cap it all, Sebastian runs from Police. He knows he is innocent and to clear his name, he takes up his own investigation. He has his friends, his sleuthing skills and a rare genetic condition to show him the way towards the killer.
A lot of running! A lot of legwork. I bet; Sherlock Holmes would have looked down upon Sebastian for not using his grey cells. Sebastian was running back and forth between a set of people which I found a bit taxing! A good book, maybe I will pick up the next one to decide on to read the series or not.
Happy Reading!!
I had a very high expectation on this one and it did disappoint me a bit.
Set with a backdrop of unrest in King George III's England, in 1811, Sebastian St. Cyr is arrested for the horrible murder of a beautiful young woman on the altar steps of an ancient church in Westminster Abbey. Even though the Police chief has his own doubts, all the clues' points towards Sebastian. To cap it all, Sebastian runs from Police. He knows he is innocent and to clear his name, he takes up his own investigation. He has his friends, his sleuthing skills and a rare genetic condition to show him the way towards the killer.
A lot of running! A lot of legwork. I bet; Sherlock Holmes would have looked down upon Sebastian for not using his grey cells. Sebastian was running back and forth between a set of people which I found a bit taxing! A good book, maybe I will pick up the next one to decide on to read the series or not.
Happy Reading!!