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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Whoa! This is pretty darn intense. The story picks up closely to where the first book left off and proceeds full speed ahead. I cannot wait for the third book after the revelations made in this one!
I needed a few days to digest everything that happened in the last few chapters of this book. In fact, I went back and re-read some of it to make sure I was remembering it all correctly.
*Mild spoilers ahead.*
There are so many wonderful twists and turns, and Helen manifests abilities that are practically biblical. She and Lord Carlston grow closer, to his peril, which I found hard to swallow initially. I loved Helen's arc in this book, and her struggle to imitate a man had me shaking my head and laughing. Although, at least she got to wear pants for the first time. And she got to kiss Mr. Carlston properly, *AHEM*. It's obvious that they love each other deeply, but he is technically still married, and as Reclaimers, they are forbidden to be together. The book takes place at a time when marriages based on love were rare in the upper echelons of society, but it's not difficult to imagine that they did occur. Fingers crossed that they get their happy ending in the next book.
We also see that it's not just Lady Margaret and Helen who are in love with Lord Carlston, but that Mr. Hammond, her brother, is as well. I love Mr. Hammond. He's a complicated man with secrets, but he's also funny and loyal to a fault. The truth of his sexuality puts him at the mercy of the new boss of the Dark Days Club, Mr. Pike. I must admit that I found him dull, even though he was clever enough to manipulate Helen and Mr. Hammond to do his bidding. The truth about his wife only deepened my dislike of him.
Helen made lots of mistakes in the first book, and she continued making them in this one, but her heart was in the right place. For the most part, if the men in charge had entrusted her with more information instead of withholding it, her 'mistakes' could have been avoided.
I have a theory, one I've been confident in since the first book, about who the Grand Deceiver is. I believe it's the Duke of Selburn. What better way to get a first-hand look at the enemy, to know their every move, than to make yourself one of them? Even better, to be engaged to the Grand Reclaimer, to have her under his control, would be the ultimate coup. I never trusted him, not from the beginning. His reasons for wanting to marry Helen, even after the scandals, even after being Lady Catherine's daughter, even after she treated him like CRAP, were shallow at best. At least if he'd proclaimed to love her, that would be something. It would be a lie, but it would be something.
I know, I know, the Duke doesn't show up as a Deciever under the lens. But I think there's a reason why Lord Carlston went after him specifically when he was under the influence of the joining magic (or whatever it was called, I can't remember now). It could be because of their past history with Elise, but I doubt it's only that. When he was under the thrall of that magic, Carlston was pure animal, at the mercy of his instinct to protect, to eliminate all threats. What if it was about more than just protecting Helen from another suitor, but protecting her from an unseen evil?
I also don't believe Lord Carlston killed Stokes. I think Selburn did. It would be such a Grand Deceiver trick, to weigh down your enemy's soul with a crime they didn't commit, to sow doubt in their heart about who they really are. An unconfident Reclaimer is a far easier target, prone to mistakes and wishy-washy-ness.
Maybe I'm wrong. But now that it's come out that Elise was a spy (and is still alive), the waters are getting muddy. No one can be trusted. Well, except Darby, Carlston, Hammond, and Delia. I love that she was brought into the fold. She may not be a warrior, but she is observant, and she asks great questions.
I loved this book. I'm waiting expectantly for the next one.
*Mild spoilers ahead.*
There are so many wonderful twists and turns, and Helen manifests abilities that are practically biblical. She and Lord Carlston grow closer, to his peril, which I found hard to swallow initially. I loved Helen's arc in this book, and her struggle to imitate a man had me shaking my head and laughing. Although, at least she got to wear pants for the first time. And she got to kiss Mr. Carlston properly, *AHEM*. It's obvious that they love each other deeply, but he is technically still married, and as Reclaimers, they are forbidden to be together. The book takes place at a time when marriages based on love were rare in the upper echelons of society, but it's not difficult to imagine that they did occur. Fingers crossed that they get their happy ending in the next book.
We also see that it's not just Lady Margaret and Helen who are in love with Lord Carlston, but that Mr. Hammond, her brother, is as well. I love Mr. Hammond. He's a complicated man with secrets, but he's also funny and loyal to a fault. The truth of his sexuality puts him at the mercy of the new boss of the Dark Days Club, Mr. Pike. I must admit that I found him dull, even though he was clever enough to manipulate Helen and Mr. Hammond to do his bidding. The truth about his wife only deepened my dislike of him.
Helen made lots of mistakes in the first book, and she continued making them in this one, but her heart was in the right place. For the most part, if the men in charge had entrusted her with more information instead of withholding it, her 'mistakes' could have been avoided.
I have a theory, one I've been confident in since the first book, about who the Grand Deceiver is. I believe it's the Duke of Selburn. What better way to get a first-hand look at the enemy, to know their every move, than to make yourself one of them? Even better, to be engaged to the Grand Reclaimer, to have her under his control, would be the ultimate coup. I never trusted him, not from the beginning. His reasons for wanting to marry Helen, even after the scandals, even after being Lady Catherine's daughter, even after she treated him like CRAP, were shallow at best. At least if he'd proclaimed to love her, that would be something. It would be a lie, but it would be something.
I know, I know, the Duke doesn't show up as a Deciever under the lens. But I think there's a reason why Lord Carlston went after him specifically when he was under the influence of the joining magic (or whatever it was called, I can't remember now). It could be because of their past history with Elise, but I doubt it's only that. When he was under the thrall of that magic, Carlston was pure animal, at the mercy of his instinct to protect, to eliminate all threats. What if it was about more than just protecting Helen from another suitor, but protecting her from an unseen evil?
I also don't believe Lord Carlston killed Stokes. I think Selburn did. It would be such a Grand Deceiver trick, to weigh down your enemy's soul with a crime they didn't commit, to sow doubt in their heart about who they really are. An unconfident Reclaimer is a far easier target, prone to mistakes and wishy-washy-ness.
Maybe I'm wrong. But now that it's come out that Elise was a spy (and is still alive), the waters are getting muddy. No one can be trusted. Well, except Darby, Carlston, Hammond, and Delia. I love that she was brought into the fold. She may not be a warrior, but she is observant, and she asks great questions.
I loved this book. I'm waiting expectantly for the next one.
This series is turning out to be one of the best researched pieces of (fantasy-based) historical fiction I've ever read. Goodman really brings the early 19th century regency era to life in her many wonderful descriptions and details.
I'm especially impressed with her ability to keep her characters' mindsets and opinions so steadfastly set in the 1800's. Helen is an excellent heroine, but she isn't a 21st century feminist put into the body of a girl from the past (as is pretty much every other YA hero of a fantasy/historical novel). Slowly, and over the course of two books- and probably some of the next in the series- she is shaking off the rigid society rules that once governed her life and gender. Her agonizing over things like her word seem so frustratingly obtuse to us (you seriously want to shake her sometimes) but ultimately rings true to the character Goodman has created.
Overall, excellent character building in the form of Helen, though I would like to see the rest of our cast (perhaps excluding Hammond, he was flushed out rather well in DDP) shored up in following books as no one else really changed- or even got a chance to speak- this time around. Carlston, as the central plot device, remained stagnant in his battle with his internal darkness until the last few pages of the book. I am very excited to see what will be done with him, Helen, and their new power in #3!
Duke what's his face can suck it though. Helen might still be trapped in the vestiges of a world completely dominated by male bravado, but I'll happily punch that dude in the face until he begins to comprehend that when a lady says no to your proposal multiple times you should learn to back the hell off. Especially when that lady has the strength to smash you into plaster dust.
I'm especially impressed with her ability to keep her characters' mindsets and opinions so steadfastly set in the 1800's. Helen is an excellent heroine, but she isn't a 21st century feminist put into the body of a girl from the past (as is pretty much every other YA hero of a fantasy/historical novel). Slowly, and over the course of two books- and probably some of the next in the series- she is shaking off the rigid society rules that once governed her life and gender. Her agonizing over things like her word seem so frustratingly obtuse to us (you seriously want to shake her sometimes) but ultimately rings true to the character Goodman has created.
Overall, excellent character building in the form of Helen, though I would like to see the rest of our cast (perhaps excluding Hammond, he was flushed out rather well in DDP) shored up in following books as no one else really changed- or even got a chance to speak- this time around. Carlston, as the central plot device, remained stagnant in his battle with his internal darkness until the last few pages of the book. I am very excited to see what will be done with him, Helen, and their new power in #3!
Duke what's his face can suck it though. Helen might still be trapped in the vestiges of a world completely dominated by male bravado, but I'll happily punch that dude in the face until he begins to comprehend that when a lady says no to your proposal multiple times you should learn to back the hell off. Especially when that lady has the strength to smash you into plaster dust.
4.5 stars. I continue to really enjoy this series. I liked seeing Helen kind of come into her own as she becomes more experienced in this world, and I also continue to really enjoy the dynamic between her and Carlston. And the friendship between Helen and Darby is always super excellent. Basically, this was a really excellent sequel, and I'm excited for the series to continue.
Spoiler
I was definitely suspicious when I read the first book and throughout this one that Carlston's wife would turn out to be both alive and evil, so I was pleased to see my instincts were correct. I have a feeling she'll also be involved with the whole magical world and will turn out not to just be a French spy, but we'll see, I could be wrong!
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 stars*
This is was such an incredible book. I enjoyed the first book but I loved this even more. There were so many things happen and so much action, my jaw was dropping and I was gasping every few pages. It was so enjoyable and there were so many twists and turns and I loved it!
This is was such an incredible book. I enjoyed the first book but I loved this even more. There were so many things happen and so much action, my jaw was dropping and I was gasping every few pages. It was so enjoyable and there were so many twists and turns and I loved it!
This series is quenching my clean regency feelings along with providing me with a very interesting world filled with fantasy and supernatural.
I love Helen. I love her character, I absolutely love how she cross dresses and also remains a lady at the same time. I love her relationship with the characters in her life. Better yet, the slow burn she has with Carlston is *chef kiss* perfection.
The Duke is ... constant reminder of guys who are kind but overly kind to the point where they don't really give you room to breathe. So the pieces of the plot with him are, by far, a dull bit, but they do give to the tension between the three of them.
The supernatural bits are interesting and full of mystery and intensity that totally ramps up in the end. It made me go and purchase Book 3 (the finale!) to find out how it all ends.
I recommend this series if you love everything listed above and like your girls with some backbone.
I love Helen. I love her character, I absolutely love how she cross dresses and also remains a lady at the same time. I love her relationship with the characters in her life. Better yet, the slow burn she has with Carlston is *chef kiss* perfection.
The Duke is ... constant reminder of guys who are kind but overly kind to the point where they don't really give you room to breathe. So the pieces of the plot with him are, by far, a dull bit, but they do give to the tension between the three of them.
The supernatural bits are interesting and full of mystery and intensity that totally ramps up in the end. It made me go and purchase Book 3 (the finale!) to find out how it all ends.
I recommend this series if you love everything listed above and like your girls with some backbone.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this more than the first book. There was a lot more action. Helen seems to be more comfortable in her Reclaimer role and is a lot more badass. Not to mention the connection between Helen and Carlston... I can't wait until the next book!