heavensbee's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
salene27's review against another edition
5.0
As with all the other books in these series, I loved it! Loved the scenes between mary & Sebastian, they had great tension and chemistry. Can't wait to read the next book.
kamreadsandrecs's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
So after the disappointment of Deception of the Emerald Ring, I went into this book hoping it’d hold up to my memories of it better than the book that preceded it, and I’m glad to say that: it actually did! Well, sort of.
As expected, it was the romance between Mary and Lord Vaughn that actually carried this book for me. I know I said I liked Letty and Geoffrey as a couple, and that I empathized a lot with Letty, but I think I like Mary and Vaughn’s romance more than Letty and Geoffrey’s. A lot of that has to do with what Mary and Vaughn are like as characters: they’re both jaded and cynical, and both have an edge of arrogance handfasted to cruelty. Would I want them as friends IRL? No, because I strongly suspect that if they were real they wouldn’t be very good people. But as characters? They are VERY interesting to read about - especially their dynamic when they’re around each other.
Speaking of Mary, there’s a thread here about the general misogyny of the era that was really put in the forefront in this book. The misogyny’s an undercurrent that runs throughout the books thus far, but in this book Mary has this conversation with Vaughn that lays the whole thing out in the open. She basically says that a man like Vaughn can make whatever choices he wants in life because his future is, for the most part, secure. A woman, on the other hand, has to marry well in order to ensure her future is stable. This is something Mary has known most of her life, and basically defined most of her actions - including her attempt to elope with Geoffrey in the previous novel, that was foiled by her sister Letty. She’s not HAPPY with it of course (she’d much rather have the freedoms of a man than be restricted by marriage), but she knows how society works and how the game is played, and her goal has been to play that game in such a way that she manages to gain some power over herself, instead of constantly being in the power of someone else. There’s also a passing reference to Mary Wollstonecraft - yes, Mary Shelley’s mother, whose work A Vindication on the Rights of Women is considered one of the earliest works of feminist politics and philosophy in the West. Mary observes that she agrees with the ideas put forward by Wollstonecraft and other feminists (though she doesn’t call them that; she calls them bluestockings instead), but doesn’t align with them in public because of the damage it would do to her desirability as a potential bride - plus, they’re not very fashionable.
Speaking of romance, Eloise and Colin’s romance actually moves forward in this novel! Unlike the last two books where I was only peripherally interested in what was going on with them, in THIS go round they actually go on a date! Other things happen around that date too that I won’t get into because of spoilers, but it’s nice to see them finally moving their relationship into “officially seeing each other” territory. I’m sure their romance will continue in the other books, so I’m looking forward to reading about how they get along with each other.
So overall, this was a read that held up to the time since I last read it, at least for the most part. Mary and Vaughn are an intriguing couple who stand in almost direct contrast to the other couples in the previous novels, and they make for a very refreshing read - more along the lines of a Bronte couple than an Austen one, in a way. The only spots of tarnish on the overall shiny package of this book occur in the latter part of the novel. Won’t say much more on that because of spoilers, but: Outlander fans may find something to pique their interest in that regard.
As expected, it was the romance between Mary and Lord Vaughn that actually carried this book for me. I know I said I liked Letty and Geoffrey as a couple, and that I empathized a lot with Letty, but I think I like Mary and Vaughn’s romance more than Letty and Geoffrey’s. A lot of that has to do with what Mary and Vaughn are like as characters: they’re both jaded and cynical, and both have an edge of arrogance handfasted to cruelty. Would I want them as friends IRL? No, because I strongly suspect that if they were real they wouldn’t be very good people. But as characters? They are VERY interesting to read about - especially their dynamic when they’re around each other.
Speaking of Mary, there’s a thread here about the general misogyny of the era that was really put in the forefront in this book. The misogyny’s an undercurrent that runs throughout the books thus far, but in this book Mary has this conversation with Vaughn that lays the whole thing out in the open. She basically says that a man like Vaughn can make whatever choices he wants in life because his future is, for the most part, secure. A woman, on the other hand, has to marry well in order to ensure her future is stable. This is something Mary has known most of her life, and basically defined most of her actions - including her attempt to elope with Geoffrey in the previous novel, that was foiled by her sister Letty. She’s not HAPPY with it of course (she’d much rather have the freedoms of a man than be restricted by marriage), but she knows how society works and how the game is played, and her goal has been to play that game in such a way that she manages to gain some power over herself, instead of constantly being in the power of someone else. There’s also a passing reference to Mary Wollstonecraft - yes, Mary Shelley’s mother, whose work A Vindication on the Rights of Women is considered one of the earliest works of feminist politics and philosophy in the West. Mary observes that she agrees with the ideas put forward by Wollstonecraft and other feminists (though she doesn’t call them that; she calls them bluestockings instead), but doesn’t align with them in public because of the damage it would do to her desirability as a potential bride - plus, they’re not very fashionable.
Speaking of romance, Eloise and Colin’s romance actually moves forward in this novel! Unlike the last two books where I was only peripherally interested in what was going on with them, in THIS go round they actually go on a date! Other things happen around that date too that I won’t get into because of spoilers, but it’s nice to see them finally moving their relationship into “officially seeing each other” territory. I’m sure their romance will continue in the other books, so I’m looking forward to reading about how they get along with each other.
So overall, this was a read that held up to the time since I last read it, at least for the most part. Mary and Vaughn are an intriguing couple who stand in almost direct contrast to the other couples in the previous novels, and they make for a very refreshing read - more along the lines of a Bronte couple than an Austen one, in a way. The only spots of tarnish on the overall shiny package of this book occur in the latter part of the novel. Won’t say much more on that because of spoilers, but: Outlander fans may find something to pique their interest in that regard.
taque's review against another edition
4.0
A good read. I heartily enjoyed the main characters being some who were seen negatively in other stories.
ladyhighwayman's review against another edition
2.0
I was very disappointed in this book, especially after the excellency of the last two volumes of the series. The Seduction Of the Crimson Rose moved at a much slower pace. I was so used to the fast-paceness of the previous three volumes that I became quite bored quite fast. I simply wasn't interested in the characters of Mary or Vaughn and the story seemed to go downhill once they declared their 'love' for each other. I can't count how many times I thought, "Spare me!" Actually, I was quite interested in Vaughn before The Seduction Of the Crimson Rose. In the previous two volumes he was a mysterious sort of character. There was no mystery in this book.
The better parts of this book was the last third. The only purpose of The Seduction Of the Crimson Rose seemed to be the uncovering of the Black Tulip and that was incredibly disappointing, as well.
The story of Eloise, however, was very much the best part. I was disappointed with how her chapters are greatly spaced out between the historical chapters. There just isn't enough of her story, in my opinion.
Nevertheless, I do very much love this series and am looking forward to the next installment.
The better parts of this book was the last third. The only purpose of The Seduction Of the Crimson Rose seemed to be the uncovering of the Black Tulip and that was incredibly disappointing, as well.
The story of Eloise, however, was very much the best part. I was disappointed with how her chapters are greatly spaced out between the historical chapters. There just isn't enough of her story, in my opinion.
Nevertheless, I do very much love this series and am looking forward to the next installment.
violetlily13's review against another edition
3.0
This is perhaps the most interesting book in the series, largely due to the main characters, who aren't at all like the naive, honest protagonists of the previous two Pink Carnation books. Mary and Vaughn are, to put it in Potteverse terms, Slytherins in the best of ways, outwardly cold and cunning, enjoying the finer things in life and using society to their advantage. Yet they are also broken, embittered against those around them and probably also against society itself. They are ambiguous in their loyalties and their behaviour, surprisingly good examples of grey-area characters - it wasn't at all something I expected of Willig's writing. Willig gives us insight into how these characters tick, and the psychological complexities of their development as individuals and of their relationship were fascinating.
The modern portion of this book was also well-developed, not only with Eliose and Colin's blossoming relationship, but also in its introduction of academic rivalry (more like desperation on Dempster's part). It added more realism to the frame narrative to show one of the darker sides of academic work, forcing Eliose to think about her own motives for pursuing the Pink Carnation (and Colin). It was with this book that I saw the frame narrative/modern plot really coming into its own and contributing to the novel as a whole.
There are still weaknesses in this novel's plot and the cliches of nineteeth-century fiction, especially the "Other Woman" that comes between the protagonists. The resolution of that sub-plot was dissatisfying, removing that character too easily so that Mary and Vaughn could be together in the end. The villain was also too obvious - I guessed who it was far too early in the book, and it ruined any sense of suspense this novel could have maintained. It's for these reasons that I rate this book 3/5 rather than 4, but I think that, overall, this book is a strong addition to the series.
The modern portion of this book was also well-developed, not only with Eliose and Colin's blossoming relationship, but also in its introduction of academic rivalry (more like desperation on Dempster's part). It added more realism to the frame narrative to show one of the darker sides of academic work, forcing Eliose to think about her own motives for pursuing the Pink Carnation (and Colin). It was with this book that I saw the frame narrative/modern plot really coming into its own and contributing to the novel as a whole.
There are still weaknesses in this novel's plot and the cliches of nineteeth-century fiction, especially the "Other Woman" that comes between the protagonists. The resolution of that sub-plot was dissatisfying, removing that character too easily so that Mary and Vaughn could be together in the end. The villain was also too obvious - I guessed who it was far too early in the book, and it ruined any sense of suspense this novel could have maintained. It's for these reasons that I rate this book 3/5 rather than 4, but I think that, overall, this book is a strong addition to the series.
girlinacardigan's review against another edition
3.0
https://jenninsf.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/the-seduction-of-the-crimson-rose-by-lauren-willig/
magdon's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely lovely! A light frothy well-written romp, plus I figured out a great deal of the big plot secret plus there was a nice shout-out to my college advisor's "excellent monograph." I also enjoyed how she took her "bad guys" from the previous book and made them the romantic leads.
soulkissed2003's review against another edition
5.0
In modern day England, graduate student Eloise faithfully plods along through her research. By now, she has learned the identities of several British spies from the Napoleonic era. Eloise has her own continuing romance with Colin, a descendant of some of the aforementioned spies. While delving into his family records, she reveals the romances and intrigues that marked his ancestors lives as well. By this, the fourth book in the series, I feel like I've gotten to know the characters well and enjoyed seeing that two of the lesser liked, more forceful personalities got some time in the spotlight.
Political turmoil, romantic tension, and secret identities . . . it makes for a powerful combination and an excellent story. Light yet compelling reading that will keep you hooked.
Political turmoil, romantic tension, and secret identities . . . it makes for a powerful combination and an excellent story. Light yet compelling reading that will keep you hooked.
ubalstecha's review
4.0
The Seduction of the Crimson Rose follows two characters from Willig's previous instalments of her Pink Carnation series, namely the jilted Mary Alsworthy and the dark and pouty, Lord Vaughn. Mary desperately wants another season to catch a husband, now that her sister Letty has stolen her best prospect. Lord Vaughn has to repay the Pink Carnation for a favour. In exchange for the money to finance said season, Mary agrees to be bait for the Black Tulip. But as the two work together, they begin to develop feelings that may complicate the situation for everyone.
I liked this book far more than I should have. Willig has done something interesting in this book. She has taken two characters that are seen as manipulative and self-centred in previous books and makes them sympathetic heroes. The complications thrown at the romance are typical regency romance, dead wives returning, family disapproval and other suitors, but by making these two characters compelling enough to carry the story, Willig proves that she is more than a regency romance writer.
Good addition to the series.
I liked this book far more than I should have. Willig has done something interesting in this book. She has taken two characters that are seen as manipulative and self-centred in previous books and makes them sympathetic heroes. The complications thrown at the romance are typical regency romance, dead wives returning, family disapproval and other suitors, but by making these two characters compelling enough to carry the story, Willig proves that she is more than a regency romance writer.
Good addition to the series.