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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.5
This was a SLOW BURN, but the payoff was well worth it! Again, Milan's intricate and original premise - a biracial and Black man engineering a telegraph line to cross the Pacific needs someone to develop a telegraphic code for Chinese - is brilliant. I was fascinated to learn more about how telegraph lines were laid (particularly across oceans) and how codes were developed and used by operators. And the level of detail! Milan walks us through how our female main character, a Chinese woman raised by an American missionary, develops a useable code that conveys the complexity and dimensionality of Chinese characters in a very one-dimensional code. Honestly, for 75% of the book, I was far more interested in this plot than in the romance, as the main characters are so often in different countries, or even continents.
What ultimately makes the romance work is the unique twist on epistolary, as our main characters develop a way to send coded telegrams while he's at sea. I loved the use of these codes to develop their confidence in each other, and then eventually to deepen their physical and emotional intimacy.
I would consider this workplace romance - kind of - and friends to lovers - kind of. Ultimately, it's the bridging of two people who have a LOT of personal reflection and growth they need to accomplish before they can truly commit to each other. I was so satisfied with each of their storylines, as they navigate their own traumatic pasts and uncertain futures.
As we saw in book two, we again see both characters navigating complex code switching, and we get an excoriating examination of transracial "adoption" during this time - a commentary that has a lot of relevance today, too.
This is a slow-paced story in every respect, with around a year elapsing in the storyline, frequent time jumps, and significant distance - geographically and emotionally - between MCs. The writing is stunning (no surprise for Milan readers) and I cried messily through the last 10%. I will also note that for a book where the romance was largely secondary for the first 75% this HEATS UP at the end, and I loved it!
What ultimately makes the romance work is the unique twist on epistolary, as our main characters develop a way to send coded telegrams while he's at sea. I loved the use of these codes to develop their confidence in each other, and then eventually to deepen their physical and emotional intimacy.
I would consider this workplace romance - kind of - and friends to lovers - kind of. Ultimately, it's the bridging of two people who have a LOT of personal reflection and growth they need to accomplish before they can truly commit to each other. I was so satisfied with each of their storylines, as they navigate their own traumatic pasts and uncertain futures.
As we saw in book two, we again see both characters navigating complex code switching, and we get an excoriating examination of transracial "adoption" during this time - a commentary that has a lot of relevance today, too.
This is a slow-paced story in every respect, with around a year elapsing in the storyline, frequent time jumps, and significant distance - geographically and emotionally - between MCs. The writing is stunning (no surprise for Milan readers) and I cried messily through the last 10%. I will also note that for a book where the romance was largely secondary for the first 75% this HEATS UP at the end, and I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Racism, Grief, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, War, Racial slurs, and Death
book_gremlin42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Slavery and Emotional abuse
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-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
4.75
The Devil Comes Courting is the third full length novel in this series. The love story is between Amelia Smith (genius Chinese-British woman, living with her adopted mother after being widowed young) and Captain Grayson Turner (brother to MC of book 2, Black American veteran of the US Civil War, and telegraph entrepreneur).
The beginning of the novel finds Grayson scouring Amelia's village for a reclusive genius, who turns out to be Amelia. He hires her to come work for his telegraph company and help him code Chinese characters.
The first half of the novel reads much more like historical fiction than a romance. There are sweet and subtle moments between them throughout, but what you really get at first is both MCs facing challenges, disappointments, and learning to be honest. Grayson is determined to avoid the sorrow that comes with visiting family and remembering his brothers killed in the war. Amelia is determined to put on a happy face despite the xenophobia/racism/sexism drilled into her by the woman (a British missionary) who adopted her.
Eventually Grayson gives Amelia encouragement to not be fine and think more deeply about her upbringing and how wonderful she is. Amelia asks Grayson whether he's happy, making him really think about happiness, and makes clear she thinks he's marvelous as is.
The racism, sexism, colonialism, and othering presented in this book is hard to read but important. Milan adds in her author's note that in reality it was probably much worse. There is a moment between Amelia and the woman who raised her that explores the violence and manipulations of white women's tears like nothing I have read in a romance.
I found myself read slowly purposely so that I (a white woman) could absorb as much as possible from Milan's craft. I also didn't pressure myself into speeding along because I enjoyed what I was experiencing and learning in each moment.
The second half of the book picks up pace and focuses more on the romance while not at all minimizing the experiences of the MCs. It is a slow paced workplace/epistolary romance. The MCs fall in love via numbered letters and telegraphs and make sure the other feels seen and cared for. While it takes a long time to heat up, once it does, it sure does.
The conclusion of the novel was everything I wanted and my expectations of what's to come in this series are very high. Milan is a treasure of the genre.
This would have been a 5 star read for me except some bits about the telegraph business dragged too much to keep my interest, if I could give a rating between 4.75 and 5 I would. LOL.
The beginning of the novel finds Grayson scouring Amelia's village for a reclusive genius, who turns out to be Amelia. He hires her to come work for his telegraph company and help him code Chinese characters.
The first half of the novel reads much more like historical fiction than a romance. There are sweet and subtle moments between them throughout, but what you really get at first is both MCs facing challenges, disappointments, and learning to be honest. Grayson is determined to avoid the sorrow that comes with visiting family and remembering his brothers killed in the war. Amelia is determined to put on a happy face despite the xenophobia/racism/sexism drilled into her by the woman (a British missionary) who adopted her.
Eventually Grayson gives Amelia encouragement to not be fine and think more deeply about her upbringing and how wonderful she is. Amelia asks Grayson whether he's happy, making him really think about happiness, and makes clear she thinks he's marvelous as is.
The racism, sexism, colonialism, and othering presented in this book is hard to read but important. Milan adds in her author's note that in reality it was probably much worse. There is a moment between Amelia and the woman who raised her that explores the violence and manipulations of white women's tears like nothing I have read in a romance.
I found myself read slowly purposely so that I (a white woman) could absorb as much as possible from Milan's craft. I also didn't pressure myself into speeding along because I enjoyed what I was experiencing and learning in each moment.
The second half of the book picks up pace and focuses more on the romance while not at all minimizing the experiences of the MCs. It is a slow paced workplace/epistolary romance. The MCs fall in love via numbered letters and telegraphs and make sure the other feels seen and cared for. While it takes a long time to heat up, once it does, it sure does.
The conclusion of the novel was everything I wanted and my expectations of what's to come in this series are very high. Milan is a treasure of the genre.
This would have been a 5 star read for me except some bits about the telegraph business dragged too much to keep my interest, if I could give a rating between 4.75 and 5 I would. LOL.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Homophobia and Child abuse
greymalkin's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Delightful! I loved that the main characters felt as smart as they were supposed to be, and that the other characters had more depth & complexity than is often found in historical romances (hemmed in by the need to portray stereotypes of the day). As a science-nerd I really enjoyed the very plausible portrayal of building up the telegraph network and the character system.
I really enjoyed how the two main characters helped each other grow and supported each other. The physical attraction was only part of their attraction to each other. This book also had a lovely example of longing for each other that didn't splash over into negative effects on other people (such as lashing out in ill temper, making stupid decisions, getting unreasonably jealous, being unable to think of anyone else, etc).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Classism and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexism
crownoflaurel's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Colonisation
Moderate: Gaslighting, Xenophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War
kavanomo's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: War
Minor: Alcohol
eregriel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Kidnapping
heydebigale's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
5.0
An epistolary romance told through telegraphs and code?! Amazing. Iconic. I loved it!!
Amelia is a Chinese woman who was taken in (as a 6 year old) by British missionaries during the Taiping Rebellion.
Grayson is a telegraph company owner who is attempting to connect the telegraph line from China to San Francisco.
Grayson hires Amelia to come up with a way to encode Chinese characters for the telegraph system. The two build a friendship and then fall in love through telegraphs and it is SO sweet. This book was incredibly unique because many romance novels have the two characters together for most of the book. This book spans a few years and the two MCs are only together for a fraction of that time.
It’s amazing how so many of the issues folks dealt with in the 19th century are still a problem today. Sustainable technology and adoption are both focused on in this book and both are so relevant today.
I love all of Courtney Milan’s books but this one is particularly special. Highly highly recommend.
Notes: primarily takes place in Fuzhou & Shanghai, China. Also on Grayson’s ship in the pacific. Amelia is Chinese raised by British missionaries and Grayson is a Black American.
Amelia is a Chinese woman who was taken in (as a 6 year old) by British missionaries during the Taiping Rebellion.
Grayson is a telegraph company owner who is attempting to connect the telegraph line from China to San Francisco.
Grayson hires Amelia to come up with a way to encode Chinese characters for the telegraph system. The two build a friendship and then fall in love through telegraphs and it is SO sweet. This book was incredibly unique because many romance novels have the two characters together for most of the book. This book spans a few years and the two MCs are only together for a fraction of that time.
It’s amazing how so many of the issues folks dealt with in the 19th century are still a problem today. Sustainable technology and adoption are both focused on in this book and both are so relevant today.
I love all of Courtney Milan’s books but this one is particularly special. Highly highly recommend.
Notes: primarily takes place in Fuzhou & Shanghai, China. Also on Grayson’s ship in the pacific. Amelia is Chinese raised by British missionaries and Grayson is a Black American.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
kyeruhh's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Colonisation, Religious bigotry, Classism, Racism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Homophobia
martamae77's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Sexual content, Racism, Sexism, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Religious bigotry
Minor: War, Homophobia, Vomit, and Death