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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I am so consistently impressed by how very much she packs into her novels, an honest look at the historical period while still so joyful.
I wrote a review of this series for the library's blog: http://carnegiestout.blogspot.com/2017/02/staff-review-brothers-sinister-series.html
I wrote a review of this series for the library's blog: http://carnegiestout.blogspot.com/2017/02/staff-review-brothers-sinister-series.html
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
I've been wanting Oliver's story from the start and couldn't wait to read this one. It started off soooo good and has one of the best meet disasters I've read in a while! Unfortunately, as the story went on, the angst felt more and more unnecessary and I was left feeling very frustrated by Oliver. That angst and the secondary romance between Emily and Anjan (which was cute and sweet and could have been it's own novella), took away from the main romance. It also made the book feel too long since all I really wanted was to get back to Jane and Oliver. The heartbreaking explanation behind Oliver's decisions and all the push away came so late in the story that sadly I didn't have a whole lot of empathy left. I wanted more grovel from him after everything that happened. Jane was definitely a highlight of the book for me though. She was resourceful, intelligent, and so brave. She's probably my favorite heroine in the series so far (though I have really loved all the female main characters in this series). Overall, I'm happy to have read this one, but I'm sad that I didn't love it as much as the previous books.
Content Warnings
CW: bullying, classism, corporal punishment (past), kidnapping and threats of violence, physical and emotional abuse by caretaker, seizures/epilepsy
Loved the relationship between the hero & heroine and the relationships they had with their siblings. I also have a younger sister named Emily, so those moments were very touching to me - you want to protect them and keep them safe, but sometimes it's hard to realize that they are growing up and have parts of their life that you're not involved in. I'm glad Jane found value in herself and wasn't willing to settle with Oliver until he accepted her for who she truly was. Another excellent book by Ms. Milan, and bonus points for being set mainly outside of London and ballrooms!
Jan 2015: Just remembered how much I loved the book inside a book conceit with the adventure novels
Jan 2015: Just remembered how much I loved the book inside a book conceit with the adventure novels
Spoiler
penned by Oliver's aunt. The reveal that she wrote the soaring adventures while being trapped in her own apartment with crippling agoraphobia brought tears to my eyes.
Another cheesy romance, but this one had a heroine who was determined to be herself, no matter what, and she stayed that way. It was refreshing, and fun.
This was an adorable little read.
Perfect for the distraction I was looking for.
We are following a story of Jane.
Poor Jane, she doesn't know any better, so she simply does the exact opposite instead of putting effort in and failing. She's over the top, extreme in topic, loud in conversation and overall a lovely human being (character). Jane is logical, she's realistic and yet forgiving all in the same.
She unfortunately also was saddled with a horrible family, who thankfully for her, are all deceased except for an airhead uncle and a caged little sister.
The story line although a little stretched, is totally bearable.
I think I appreciate this book most significantly because there are NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS here. The characters are not hiding their emotions, they're very open and realistic.
Much appreciated.
Thank you Courtney Milan.
Perfect for the distraction I was looking for.
We are following a story of Jane.
Poor Jane, she doesn't know any better, so she simply does the exact opposite instead of putting effort in and failing. She's over the top, extreme in topic, loud in conversation and overall a lovely human being (character). Jane is logical, she's realistic and yet forgiving all in the same.
She unfortunately also was saddled with a horrible family, who thankfully for her, are all deceased except for an airhead uncle and a caged little sister.
The story line although a little stretched, is totally bearable.
I think I appreciate this book most significantly because there are NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS here. The characters are not hiding their emotions, they're very open and realistic.
Much appreciated.
Thank you Courtney Milan.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another great book from Courtney Milan. Extremely emotional, delightful, and complex in a way that not a lot of historical romances bother to attempt. I don't expect a lot of books in this genre to spend time thinking about the greater social and political implications of the system they spend time in. I can absolutely enjoy books that don't concern themselves with it. However, including those questions about class and power and politics, and not narrowing their scope just to how they effect the main characters, makes the world feel thoughtful and big and lived in in a different way. I felt that the very end was a little bit rushed, and the pace never quite fell into a comfortable rhythm, but I didn't care because I was enjoying the book so much.
Race and political representation and social expectations and marrying for money and child guardianship and medical ethics and mental health. And romance. Highly enjoyable.
For a discussion of the first three Brothers Sinister books, see here: https://randomalex.net/2016/10/01/courtney-milan-and-romances/
For a discussion of the first three Brothers Sinister books, see here: https://randomalex.net/2016/10/01/courtney-milan-and-romances/
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved almost everything about this book. If you met Oliver in Book 1 and found him a bit... bland, rest assured that this book develops him as a more complex character. As for Jane, she sparkles as a heroine and brings plenty of laughs to a book that otherwise engages heavy themes related to race, social class, and disability. The plot takes some interesting turns, and the final act is a tear-jerker.
Readers who have read both The Duchess War and The Governess Affair will likely appreciate this story the most. Be forewarned thattwo of the supporting characters end this book on a sort of cliffhanger, setting up the next book in the series.
Readers who have read both The Duchess War and The Governess Affair will likely appreciate this story the most. Be forewarned that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death, Racism, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship