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kimmerp's review
3.0
4 for a well crafted story, but I am giving it a 3 for the overall result. I think this author is very talented, but her main character Harriet Westerman still alludes me and I just can't connect to her. Maybe because it felt like this wasn't in this story very much. The other characters are pretty well drawn (Crowther and Michaels for sure) but the author hasn't figured out how to accurately portray Harriet or she wants her to be less easily pigeon-holed as a character.
margitc's review
3.0
In Imogen Robertson’s Circle of Shadows, Harriet Westerman and her companions travel from eighteenth century England to the Duchy of Malberg on hearing that her sister’s new husband, Daniel Clode, has been arrested for murder of Lady Martesen. They must work quickly; the Duke is about to get married and does not want this distraction in his court. Both Harriet’s understanding of human nature and the scientific knowledge of her friend, anatomist Gabriel Crowther are required to unravel the tangled intersections of alchemy and science, spycraft and secret societies.The complications of the human heart and the convoluted politics of German principalities must be unknotted if Daniel is to go free.
I enjoyed the independent character of Harriet Westerman and found the descriptions of life in the court of Malberg fascinating. The plot was rather complicated at times and while the resolution might seem contrived in another era, it worked here. I’d be interested in reading about Harriet’s next adventure.
kellyhager's review
4.0
This is the fourth book for a series but I haven't read the other three. That didn't detract from my experience, although I do think it would've been more fun if I had read the others.
This is the kind of book that requires a little bit of patience and attention from the reader. There's a lot going on and it took me a little while to understand everything and a little longer to get sucked in. And this is also not one of those books that you can just read to escape. This (like my beloved Mad Men) requires some work from the reader. (It's worth it, I promise.)
This was a very fun book, and I do hope to read her earlier books at some point.
If you're looking for a beach read that you won't be ashamed to show off in public, this is for you.
This is the kind of book that requires a little bit of patience and attention from the reader. There's a lot going on and it took me a little while to understand everything and a little longer to get sucked in. And this is also not one of those books that you can just read to escape. This (like my beloved Mad Men) requires some work from the reader. (It's worth it, I promise.)
This was a very fun book, and I do hope to read her earlier books at some point.
If you're looking for a beach read that you won't be ashamed to show off in public, this is for you.
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