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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The second instalment goes a little deeper into the characters, and shows us some of Helen's physical training so she can take on her role as a Reclaimer. I enjoyed Helen's chafing to get started, all the while having to learn about the restrictions placed on her behaviours in this role, thanks to her oath to the Crown. These restrictions often conflicting with the already ridiculous societal restrictions placed on gentlewomen. I found it amusing and understandable that Darby was better able to understand how to integrate her lady's maid role with her role as Helen's Terrene (I kept thinking soup tureen every time I saw that silly term!)
Alison Goodman has again done a terrific job showing off her research into the Regency period; I particularly enjoyed the details the author provided around sea bathing for women. I'd been curious about this ever since I read about Lydia Bennett's desire to go sea bathing
I'm so glad we got to know more about Carlston's inner circle, and Hammond became quite a sympathetic character over the course of this novel.
I did not enjoy this instalment as much as the previous one as I found some of the situations that arose over the course of the story to be a frustrating, as many of them would never have happened if people had just bloody well communicated with one another! And to deliberately throw the Oath in as a way to very conveniently prevent discussion between characters who've all sworn to the Crown as members of the Dark Days Club was again too easy a way to throw impediments in front of Helen. The final thing that totally didn't work for me was Helen falling down in front of the biggest gossips of her acquaintance -- nope! Did not work for me, as she's been through weeks now of intense physical training, so she would actually be much more graceful than the average gentlewoman, and not prone to fall as if she were a massive klutz, a behaviour she had never displayed till that moment.
So, I'm still on board for book 3, and I'm hoping that no more of the things that irritated me in book 2 appear in book 3.
Alison Goodman has again done a terrific job showing off her research into the Regency period; I particularly enjoyed the details the author provided around sea bathing for women. I'd been curious about this ever since I read about Lydia Bennett's desire to go sea bathing
I'm so glad we got to know more about Carlston's inner circle, and Hammond became quite a sympathetic character over the course of this novel.
Spoiler
I was infuriated by Helen's former fiance, Duke Selburn, who stalked Helen throughout this story, and spent every interaction infantilizing her. His "nice guy" veneer is stripped away here to reveal a pretty ugly person.I did not enjoy this instalment as much as the previous one as I found some of the situations that arose over the course of the story to be a frustrating, as many of them would never have happened if people had just bloody well communicated with one another! And to deliberately throw the Oath in as a way to very conveniently prevent discussion between characters who've all sworn to the Crown as members of the Dark Days Club was again too easy a way to throw impediments in front of Helen. The final thing that totally didn't work for me was Helen falling down in front of the biggest gossips of her acquaintance -- nope! Did not work for me, as she's been through weeks now of intense physical training, so she would actually be much more graceful than the average gentlewoman, and not prone to fall as if she were a massive klutz, a behaviour she had never displayed till that moment.
So, I'm still on board for book 3, and I'm hoping that no more of the things that irritated me in book 2 appear in book 3.
Oooo the plot thickens! I can't wait to see Lady Helen kick some serious demon butt.
AHHHHH Need more NOW. *sobs in a corner waiting for next book*
My poor, tattered heart. But wowza this was a great book.
The chemistry! All the characters were incredible and fascinating (except Selburn who was annoying and clingy and desperate.) I don't want to wait until November for book 3!!!
The chemistry! All the characters were incredible and fascinating (except Selburn who was annoying and clingy and desperate.) I don't want to wait until November for book 3!!!
I’m sorry but not sorry about the unpopular opinion that’s about to be typed onto this review: I cannot get on the Carlston fan-wagon. I am so team Selburn and I will forever dream of him winning the hand of Helen. Carlson just is way to broody, which would usually work for me but man is he a guard dog. Selburn is/was/still is too but his isn’t as like animalistic to me? I’m not sure. All I know is Carlston is still technically married and that should be a red flag to Helen.
The Dark Days Club still absolutely loathes Carlston (which I think kind of draws Helen to him even more than usual) and they are wanting to do anything to get him out of their neat little club even though he is the best they have. But at the end of the last book, after some unfortunate events, he is becoming a little... darker. He can’t really control it either, but The Dark Days Club will use anything they can to get what they want.
I just liked the parts including the brothel (and no, nothing like weird about it. I just like the neat little preteen we meet).
This series is really unique and I am going to continue! It’s just really thick with details and sometimes I’ll find myself thinking of something else and realize I didn’t really miss that much.
---
Slow burn... but good burn. RTC.
The Dark Days Club still absolutely loathes Carlston (which I think kind of draws Helen to him even more than usual) and they are wanting to do anything to get him out of their neat little club even though he is the best they have. But at the end of the last book, after some unfortunate events, he is becoming a little... darker. He can’t really control it either, but The Dark Days Club will use anything they can to get what they want.
I just liked the parts including the brothel (and no, nothing like weird about it. I just like the neat little preteen we meet).
This series is really unique and I am going to continue! It’s just really thick with details and sometimes I’ll find myself thinking of something else and realize I didn’t really miss that much.
---
Slow burn... but good burn. RTC.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't devour the sequel as I did the 1st book, yet I still recommend it. The combination of historical fiction and the paranormal was excellent. A woman, of high society especially, in England in 1812 had so much holding her back. Yet, Lady Helen, with her powers as a Reclaimer, must battle, and learn to live, in these roles. Her training was a big part if this story, and the development of other characters was well done. Darby & Hammond are 2 favorites of mine now. New characters are introduced, and the story line was well developed, leaving a hanging end, of course, for a 3rd book.
I didn't devour the sequel as I did the 1st book, yet I still recommend it. The combination of historical fiction and the paranormal was excellent. A woman, of high society especially, in England in 1812 had so much holding her back. Yet, Lady Helen, with her powers as a Reclaimer, must battle, and learn to live, in these roles. Her training was a big part if this story, and the development of other characters was well done. Darby & Hammond are 2 favorites of mine now. New characters are introduced, and the story line was well developed, leaving a hanging end, of course, for a 3rd book.