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Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'
An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker
3 reviews
imaginationindex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
3.75
“When Lady Katherine’s father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she discovers treason wasn’t the only secret he’s been hiding: he was also involved in a murder plot against the reigning Queen Elizabeth I. With nothing left to lose, Katherine disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father’s mission, and to take it one step further — kill the queen herself.
Katherine’s opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare’s newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn’t know is that the play is not just a play. It’s a plot to root out insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.
The mastermind behind this ruse is Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen with secrets of his own. When Toby and Katherine are cast opposite each other as the play's leads, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. But the closer they grow, the more precarious their positions become. And soon they learn that star-crossed love, mistaken identity, and betrayal are far more dangerous off the stage than on.”
What I did love (this Shakespearean translation was kinda disappointing):
- Historical history from the clash between Protestants v Catholics, the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and Shakespeare’s plays tied into politics (learned about the last part too) Author leaves a great bibliography at the end which I appreciate!!
- Speaking of Shakespeare, I love when the play is used in the plot. Twelfth Night has been on my list of plays to annotate forever!
- Finally, last thing about Shakespeare… I love how he was written. He was entertaining and witty as a character. As a playwright, rewriting certain scenes were some of the best parts of the book.
- Bisexual Representation done WELL in the Elizabethan Era!? I was stunned in a good way! (Topic of gender is also covered well when certain characters cross dressed)
- Dual POV was written well and not at all confusing to understand
What I misprise (this one’s fun):
- Stakes were so high, but there was such small payoff at the end.
Carey hands Toby his cloak and boom, he’s free. Kit makes it to freedom with no trouble It felt very rushed! - Very convoluted assassination plot. As well very convoluted plan to catch the would be assassin.
- So. Many. Side character. Names. If I have to write them down and still get them confused, I have a problem.
One of my TBR books from the physical pile down… +100 to go! 😅
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Torture, Death, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
pages_with_panda's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
✅ Finished Nov 9, ‘22
Give me any kind of story set in the midst of a Shakespearean play, throw in enemies-to-lovers, an assassination plot, and mistaken identities/cross-dressing? I'm here for it. 100%. I really enjoyed this book!
Synopsis: "When Katherine's father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father's mission--kill the queen herself. Her opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare's newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn't know is that the play is it’s a plot to root out insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.
Behind this ruse is Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen. When Toby and Katherine are cast opposite each other as the play's leads, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another.”
Fun read for me full of murder and spies and lies. I loved how Katherine (or Kit when she's undercover as a boy) and Toby were forced together by the play and how well the double-entendre of their dialogue worked in 'The Tempest.' I also enjoyed the historical aspect of the story and getting to meet the Bard himself. I especially liked the chemistry between the two leads and the growth between their relationship. The stolen glances, the lies, the protectiveness between them. It was great.
The ending felt a bit rushed though, and even though the story is told in dual POVs, we didn't get enough from both characters there at the end. It was disappointing, but still a fun read.
Give me any kind of story set in the midst of a Shakespearean play, throw in enemies-to-lovers, an assassination plot, and mistaken identities/cross-dressing? I'm here for it. 100%. I really enjoyed this book!
Synopsis: "When Katherine's father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father's mission--kill the queen herself. Her opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare's newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn't know is that the play is it’s a plot to root out insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.
Behind this ruse is Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen. When Toby and Katherine are cast opposite each other as the play's leads, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another.”
Fun read for me full of murder and spies and lies. I loved how Katherine (or Kit when she's undercover as a boy) and Toby were forced together by the play and how well the double-entendre of their dialogue worked in 'The Tempest.' I also enjoyed the historical aspect of the story and getting to meet the Bard himself. I especially liked the chemistry between the two leads and the growth between their relationship. The stolen glances, the lies, the protectiveness between them. It was great.
The ending felt a bit rushed though, and even though the story is told in dual POVs, we didn't get enough from both characters there at the end. It was disappointing, but still a fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
justheretoreadbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
I loved loved the whole premise. a murder plot on the stage of Shakespeare?
yes please
it makes me want to read all of Shakespearean plays. honestly, just that is a worthy accomplishment, i thought i had sworn off Shakespeare after i had to do it for school but now this made me willingly read more Shakespearean dramas and that language and that's an huge thing
i also kinda want to go see plays now, the whole behind the scenes view really makes it all the more enchanting.
it also got me out of a huge huge slump
this book had everything, adventure,mystery, love, drama of course, spies, plots, and did i mention love?
but it needed more. like. it had everything but i just wished there was more. maybe a little more plotting, more behind the scenes and more of Kit and Toby's practices more of Shakespeare, more of spy business. just more. and it felt the lacking kind of more, not the sequel kind of more if that makes sense. i personally think if the book had been a bit longer it would've worked better for me
but overall it was an amazing book and i really loved it.
the characters, the setting, the scene, the very very very cute scene of them in the market and the almost end scene in the costume, just every interaction really.
basically: wjhbfzfbzruh.
100% recommend if you like historical fiction and drama.
yes please
it makes me want to read all of Shakespearean plays. honestly, just that is a worthy accomplishment, i thought i had sworn off Shakespeare after i had to do it for school but now this made me willingly read more Shakespearean dramas and that language and that's an huge thing
i also kinda want to go see plays now, the whole behind the scenes view really makes it all the more enchanting.
it also got me out of a huge huge slump
this book had everything, adventure,mystery, love, drama of course, spies, plots, and did i mention love?
but it needed more. like. it had everything but i just wished there was more. maybe a little more plotting, more behind the scenes and more of Kit and Toby's practices more of Shakespeare, more of spy business. just more. and it felt the lacking kind of more, not the sequel kind of more if that makes sense. i personally think if the book had been a bit longer it would've worked better for me
but overall it was an amazing book and i really loved it.
the characters, the setting, the scene, the very very very cute scene of them in the market and the almost end scene in the costume, just every interaction really.
basically: wjhbfzfbzruh.
100% recommend if you like historical fiction and drama.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death of parent
i think it will come under the religious bigotry tag only but im not sure so im putting it here as well. it includes death and torture of catholic christians by a protestant christian monarch. the torture is not shown in detail. but it is mentioned
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