You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
I like historical fiction and the story was interesting. But I did a bit of speed reading.
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Rape
I was captivated by the romance, drama, mystery and characters of this book. Couldn't wait to get back to it. I want more story now that I'm done.
I found this book (unsurprisingly) on the freebie table at my local library. They had it as an advanced reading copy, so when they were done with it, they had to put it on the freebie table rather than the $0.25 table. Free books FTW!
Overall I enjoyed this book. I did have a few problems with it: Jameson's chapters (especially in the beginning) were uneven, the book often falls into an awareness of its own existence and can be quite meta, and the main tension that carries the action through 3/4 of the book has little historical evidence available via Google. Now, the two authors are both history professors and this complaint might have been alleviated in later editions, but I had to do some major suspension of disbelief to accept that premise.
Once those issues were resolved, however, it was a very compelling (if somewhat trite) book. There was definitely room for improvement, as I believe the authors were trying to make more of a statement that ended up coming through, but it was a good ride.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I did have a few problems with it: Jameson's chapters (especially in the beginning) were uneven, the book often falls into an awareness of its own existence and can be quite meta, and the main tension that carries the action through 3/4 of the book has little historical evidence available via Google. Now, the two authors are both history professors and this complaint might have been alleviated in later editions, but I had to do some major suspension of disbelief to accept that premise.
Once those issues were resolved, however, it was a very compelling (if somewhat trite) book. There was definitely room for improvement, as I believe the authors were trying to make more of a statement that ended up coming through, but it was a good ride.
21-year-old Fanny Easton, a talented painter and a 'fallen woman,' escapes the streets by disguising herself as a boy and becoming the apprentice of a portrait painter on the run from the law, who is in turn trying to save the life of a brilliant runaway slave. The story takes place in pre-Revolutionary Boston and is alternately a romance, a mystery, a farce (with deliciously crude humor), and a political drama. The writing is excellent -- the characters have remarkably clear voices, and there's a great deal of wordplay. Good stuff.
I feel that the cover misrepresents the novel, written by two historians, about the pre-revolutionary war times. Yes, there was romance in a comedic Shakespearean way, but it was mostly about history: about the cruelty of slavery, the starting of a rebellion and of course. Throw in a murder for good measure.
This novel is part "Girl with the Pearl Earring" part "Twelfth Night" part "1776" and some Sherlock Holmes as well.
This novel is part "Girl with the Pearl Earring" part "Twelfth Night" part "1776" and some Sherlock Holmes as well.
☆☆☆1\2
This book does an excellent job of putting you right into 18th century Boston, the characters and settings are quite believable. It really shows that the authors are history professors. I did find the end a little anticlimactic though.
This book does an excellent job of putting you right into 18th century Boston, the characters and settings are quite believable. It really shows that the authors are history professors. I did find the end a little anticlimactic though.
Since I just visited Boson for the first time, I liked hearing all the street names that I walked. Also, I am a sucker for historical fiction.
Should have saved this for the summer. A good beach read—a little raunchy, plenty of intrigue—but as historical fiction less guilt inducing.