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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed the main romance and particularly the Marquis. Frederica is pretty similar to other Heyer heroines, but she is unique in her set-up as someone striving to make a match for her sister instead of herself.
However, and I know there are some repulsive, hateable characters in Heyer romances, but I found Frederica's sister Charis to be the most infuriating, unlikable character I've read in her fiction. She's a wet goose, stupid, babbling brook, spineless, pathetic, boring space cadet--she's all looks and no substance whatsoever (which half the characters in the book comment on). All this makes her annoying, but it's nothing compared to the poorly timed choice she makes.
[Spoiler]
She agrees to an elopement after her sister Frederica gave up everything for her and had spent over a week nursing their sick brother in the country. Absolutely selfish, and all for an absolute dolt of a man who has nothing but a handsome face; he's got a string of platitudes for personality. Given modern standards of independence, sure she should be able to do what she wants, but contextualized, she is just awful and a horrible sister. I strongly wished F shunned and left her to fend for herself after the massive slap to the face her selfish sister gave her. One might say, "oh she's young" but not every dumb teenage girl elopes with a handsome brick for brains and screws over her doting sister who was responsible for her being launched into society in the first place. Just the worst.
Also, I hate that the Marquis frequently calls Frederica "my child" - that they're related, though less than first cousins, is already bad, but a weird nickname like that is doubly ick.
However, and I know there are some repulsive, hateable characters in Heyer romances, but I found Frederica's sister Charis to be the most infuriating, unlikable character I've read in her fiction. She's a wet goose, stupid, babbling brook, spineless, pathetic, boring space cadet--she's all looks and no substance whatsoever (which half the characters in the book comment on). All this makes her annoying, but it's nothing compared to the poorly timed choice she makes.
[Spoiler]
She agrees to an elopement after her sister Frederica gave up everything for her and had spent over a week nursing their sick brother in the country. Absolutely selfish, and all for an absolute dolt of a man who has nothing but a handsome face; he's got a string of platitudes for personality. Given modern standards of independence, sure she should be able to do what she wants, but contextualized, she is just awful and a horrible sister. I strongly wished F shunned and left her to fend for herself after the massive slap to the face her selfish sister gave her. One might say, "oh she's young" but not every dumb teenage girl elopes with a handsome brick for brains and screws over her doting sister who was responsible for her being launched into society in the first place. Just the worst.
Also, I hate that the Marquis frequently calls Frederica "my child" - that they're related, though less than first cousins, is already bad, but a weird nickname like that is doubly ick.
This is not a Jane Austen and you realize easily, however I really enjoyed it. At first I was a bit wary because there was a lot of stuff and dialogues that would not have happened that way in an Austen, but then it is said that Heyer took modern times into regency and it made it easier to digest.
I absolutely ADORED Frederica. I loved that she cared for her siblings to the point of not caring about herself. I loved how stubborn, independant and reliable she is. I loved how she hated to rely on Alverstoke, but still did it. I loved Alverstoke as well. In the beginning he struck me as a right down ass, but I enjoyed his wit and the way he always said the truth and had no fear of putting people in their place.
I absolutely enjoyed every single dialogue of Frederica and Alverstoke and in fact, would have liked to see much more of them.
I would have found it better if the book would have been more from Fredericas perspective. I kind of felt like Alverstoke was the protagonist more than Frederica.
On the whole this was not as genius as an Austen but really enjoyable! I am looking forward to read more of Georgette Heyer.
I absolutely ADORED Frederica. I loved that she cared for her siblings to the point of not caring about herself. I loved how stubborn, independant and reliable she is. I loved how she hated to rely on Alverstoke, but still did it. I loved Alverstoke as well. In the beginning he struck me as a right down ass, but I enjoyed his wit and the way he always said the truth and had no fear of putting people in their place.
I absolutely enjoyed every single dialogue of Frederica and Alverstoke and in fact, would have liked to see much more of them.
I would have found it better if the book would have been more from Fredericas perspective. I kind of felt like Alverstoke was the protagonist more than Frederica.
On the whole this was not as genius as an Austen but really enjoyable! I am looking forward to read more of Georgette Heyer.
lighthearted
medium-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:
Yes
Frederica by Georgett Heyer
Revisiting a favorite author’s writing after over half a decade was to be a joy for me. Instead, while reading it on vacation, I found myself bogged down in words and conversations that did not seem to fit into my life in the same joyous way I remembered them from the past. This author is remembered fondly but having read her books during my naïve teens and now being in my seventies do wonder if it is an age issue I am facing with the story or if the many books I have since read along with the numerous life experiences that I have encountered have somehow left me less enamored of the story than my memories of the book once were. The story is fine but filled with terms that are not common now. The story is filled with more words than I felt were necessary. In ways it felt archaic and difficult to relate to. I can’t put my finger on the reason I am not as thrilled with the story as I was when first I read it but am glad that I read it again. The synopsis of the book gives a clear idea of what the book is about so won’t go into the details of the family, romances that take place or any other details.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC – This is my honest review.
2-3 Stars
Revisiting a favorite author’s writing after over half a decade was to be a joy for me. Instead, while reading it on vacation, I found myself bogged down in words and conversations that did not seem to fit into my life in the same joyous way I remembered them from the past. This author is remembered fondly but having read her books during my naïve teens and now being in my seventies do wonder if it is an age issue I am facing with the story or if the many books I have since read along with the numerous life experiences that I have encountered have somehow left me less enamored of the story than my memories of the book once were. The story is fine but filled with terms that are not common now. The story is filled with more words than I felt were necessary. In ways it felt archaic and difficult to relate to. I can’t put my finger on the reason I am not as thrilled with the story as I was when first I read it but am glad that I read it again. The synopsis of the book gives a clear idea of what the book is about so won’t go into the details of the family, romances that take place or any other details.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC – This is my honest review.
2-3 Stars
Heyer really knows how to write a brilliant mature romance. *sigh* (and by mature i dont mean smut. how i wish there was a georgette heyer-like romance and writing, AND with steamy smut. alas, it’s always one or the other)
Nothing better for being illness than Georgette Heyer - the author who invented the Regency novel.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
The beginning of this book was pretty slow, but it kept me engaged enough to get to the exciting parts which sped up towards the end. The book was quite funny and enjoyable.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated