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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
Coming straight from the vibrant Veronica Speedwell series, stepping into Lady Julia's world was a stark contrast. Without having read any prior reviews, I was somewhat taken aback by the book's darker tone. While the lighter moments with her family provided welcome relief, I found myself feeling ambivalent about Lady Julia herself throughout the narrative. Initially unsure about continuing the series, my curiosity about Brisbane and the March family will likely lead me to read at least the second book. Though perhaps an unfair comparison, I adored Veronica and Stoker, but I struggled to consistently connect with this story's female lead. Additionally, the mystery unfolded at a rather slow pace, and I correctly identified the murderer well before a reveal that felt both rushed and anticlimactic.
Raybourn's series is an elegant mix of murder mystery, romance, and Jane Austenesque "marriage plot." She's a lovely writer, wry and witty. I've read them all except the latest one, which is on the teetering pile on my nightstand.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
[3.5] I think what held this book back from being as enjoyable as it could have been was the portrayal of Romani people throughout this work. It was a lot to have to deal with outdated stereotypes and then to top it all of the second-sight/mystical bullshit that was thrown in as well. It felt racist af but I digress. Outside of this unfortunate depiction, I throughly enjoyed the world-building and the main character Julia is a rare case study in complexity with her naive kindness that teeters between compassion and ignorance in combination with her sharp wit. Another questionable thing about this book is the plot twist which I saw coming but not for the fucked up reason that it actually was. Like how are the vibes of this book so phobic in so many ways.
I wasn't sure at first if this was not just a romance novel that I didn't want to be reading. There were some rather trite bits occasionally. But I started to really like Julia. The plot was also good--the murder is so personal and devastating that I was emotionally connected. Then it doesn't turn into a romance novel; Julia's and Brisbane's romance doesn't get off the ground. At the end I still wasn't sure if they whole romance wasn't just about lust--tumultuous lust at that-- with nothing more substantial behind it. Yet I liked it enough to know I wanted to read the second book. I also really, really liked Julia's family. They are real and wonderful and you want to be part of their craziness. I also really liked her dad--good to see a positive relationship with a parent in a book. It was a real relationship--Julia is very well aware of her father's faults and knows when to make up her own mind. However, she also really can rely on him for emotional support.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced