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paperbackstacks's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
annestefia's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a literal GEM–you know, those novels with great plot, searing chemistry and heartbreaking romance, powerful characters, amazing storyline, but has low ratings and few reviews– I just can't believe My Beautiful Enemy isn't Sherry Thomas's best work because this is just as good to be adapted as a series or movie.
This is about two spies who fell in love and was seperated by their country, family, and opposing duty. Only to be reunited in the point of life where everything has changed. A tale of love, lost and sacrifice–and Good God! I'm such a sucker for these.
"The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl are lovers who cannot be together, so they spend their lives on opposite banks of the Silver River, which is what the Chinese call the Milky Way."
“But on the seventh day of the seventh moon of the year, a flock of magpies form a bridge across the river, and they are briefly reunited, before they must each return to their own bank for the long wait to begin again.”
“It is up to the beholder to decide whether the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl are about to reunite, or about to part again,” said Catherine...
“What is your verdict, Captain? Joyous reunion or more heartrending separation?”
o(〒﹏〒)o
This is about two spies who fell in love and was seperated by their country, family, and opposing duty. Only to be reunited in the point of life where everything has changed. A tale of love, lost and sacrifice–and Good God! I'm such a sucker for these.
"The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl are lovers who cannot be together, so they spend their lives on opposite banks of the Silver River, which is what the Chinese call the Milky Way."
“But on the seventh day of the seventh moon of the year, a flock of magpies form a bridge across the river, and they are briefly reunited, before they must each return to their own bank for the long wait to begin again.”
“It is up to the beholder to decide whether the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl are about to reunite, or about to part again,” said Catherine...
“What is your verdict, Captain? Joyous reunion or more heartrending separation?”
o(〒﹏〒)o
lynnlovegreen's review against another edition
I enjoyed reading this historical romance by the great Sherry Thomas. The setting includes Victorian England and Chinese territory, and characters Catherine and Leighton are complex and likable. Highly recommended!
klndonnelly's review against another edition
4.0
Told in present and flashbacks, this beautiful story belongs on everyone's shelf. Gorgeous prose and beautiful characters.
My only complaint is to do with structure; I wish there was slightly less back-and-forth as I felt a little disoriented a few times. But it would be a 4.5 if GR would allow.
My only complaint is to do with structure; I wish there was slightly less back-and-forth as I felt a little disoriented a few times. But it would be a 4.5 if GR would allow.
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
4.0
First, this book should be read after its prequel. Between the two of them, it's a great story. I have no idea why the two are separated, with only one (?) printed. Is this a publisher decision? Combining the two neatly would have made a better book.
Characters: Assassin, Spy
World Building: Standard London, some China
Plot: Internal, flashbacks to initial meeting, sinister plot to foil, emotional torment
Sex: Um. Discreet would describe it best.
Read another: Yes. I love Thomas' writing.
Characters: Assassin, Spy
World Building: Standard London, some China
Plot: Internal, flashbacks to initial meeting, sinister plot to foil, emotional torment
Sex: Um. Discreet would describe it best.
Read another: Yes. I love Thomas' writing.
jlovesromance's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
seakosmos's review against another edition
4.0
I am impressed and (pleasantly) surprised by this book! Not only is the story unique for taking place mostly in Asia (and also part of the time in London) and having a plethora of non-white characters, but it is also extremely compelling. After reading the first book with its intense build-up, I couldn't not race through this one to find out what happened to these characters.
Sherry Thomas does this wonderful thing with her love stories where she makes her characters genuinely, plainly LIKE each other. There is passion and attraction...but there is also respect and affection, and she writes it in a way that makes me sit back and grin. Her characters are curious and listen (with the exception of a few, but they are the antagonists for a reason). They enjoy learning about each other because they like each other as people. It shouldn't be so rare to have that in a romance novel, but (sadly) it is.
Additionally, her main female character is both physically and emotionally strong, but allowed to be feminine and need help - something that is also, unfortunately, rare. She is a strong character without being unrealistic. Just because she is a skilled martial artist doesn't mean she doesn't need (or like) to be taken care of sometimes. I appreciated that quite a bit.
Now, I'm going to go read my way through the rest of Sherry Thomas's books.
Sherry Thomas does this wonderful thing with her love stories where she makes her characters genuinely, plainly LIKE each other. There is passion and attraction...but there is also respect and affection, and she writes it in a way that makes me sit back and grin. Her characters are curious and listen (with the exception of a few, but they are the antagonists for a reason). They enjoy learning about each other because they like each other as people. It shouldn't be so rare to have that in a romance novel, but (sadly) it is.
Additionally, her main female character is both physically and emotionally strong, but allowed to be feminine and need help - something that is also, unfortunately, rare. She is a strong character without being unrealistic. Just because she is a skilled martial artist doesn't mean she doesn't need (or like) to be taken care of sometimes. I appreciated that quite a bit.
Now, I'm going to go read my way through the rest of Sherry Thomas's books.
megloveswords12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Violence
morgankailackerman's review against another edition
3.0
There are some good moments to this novel, but for the most part it was a little dry. I wanted something a little sexier and some of the moments were spiced too heavily with history that I did not care about. Some scenes near the end made me flip through the book but overall was a little boring. The characters were interesting but the book was never a page turner.