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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Probably a best book in the series, but still kind of disappointing…
It’s stupid of me to want something more from historical romances, it’s stupid to expect something more from Suzanne Enoch, but her premised always somehow fool me, that this time, it would be amazing.
I started this book with only one goal, finish it so I can be done with this series. But when after few pages it started to be clear where we are going, I was excited. I never knew I wanted a book in style “Darwin’s journals met historical romance”, but I do now… I need that book in my life, but unfortunately it wasn’t this. Don’t get me wrong, this was a fine leisure read. But fine isn’t enough for me in the case I can feel how the author is letting the potential slip between her fingers.
We could get some real adventure and juicy sex scene, but instead we – once more – got some etiquette lessons and conflicted, unresolved and unclear feelings. I am sick of protagonist who don’t know what they want, when to us, it is absolutely clear what they want.
I am a little more specific from now on, not exactly spoiler-y, but… I am discussing some later issues of the book.
Also, let’s talk about contraception. If the author completely omitted existence of something like that, it would be mostly fine, I would be angry at Shaw for not being more careful, but sure, we are living in a fantasy without unwanted pregnancies. But Shaw told us several times, how careful he always is to not cause any problems to a lady… he is not like Howard, he is careful and… perfect at everything. But with Zephyr, for which he apparently cares about, he just throws all the worries out of the window… If this whole episode had some point, I could make my peace with it, but it didn’t. It is just hanging there, absolutely useless, ruining our protagonist’s characters.
Talking about her character work… it really is extremely sloppy. I liked Sir Joseph in the beginning of the book. He was the slightly batty botanic, who cared the most in this world about his plants, but also loved his daughter. He could be a little condescending in places, but with his superior mind, it is completely understandable. But as the book proceeded, the author probably felt that there wasn’t enough family drama and… it was absolutely unnecessary. Not mentioning that he could make enough of a family drama, without ruining his character.
In spite of being disappointed, I still enjoyed reading this book. I also loved the pieces of sailor’s songs.
It’s stupid of me to want something more from historical romances, it’s stupid to expect something more from Suzanne Enoch, but her premised always somehow fool me, that this time, it would be amazing.
I started this book with only one goal, finish it so I can be done with this series. But when after few pages it started to be clear where we are going, I was excited. I never knew I wanted a book in style “Darwin’s journals met historical romance”, but I do now… I need that book in my life, but unfortunately it wasn’t this. Don’t get me wrong, this was a fine leisure read. But fine isn’t enough for me in the case I can feel how the author is letting the potential slip between her fingers.
We could get some real adventure and juicy sex scene, but instead we – once more – got some etiquette lessons and conflicted, unresolved and unclear feelings. I am sick of protagonist who don’t know what they want, when to us, it is absolutely clear what they want.
I am a little more specific from now on, not exactly spoiler-y, but… I am discussing some later issues of the book.
Also, let’s talk about contraception. If the author completely omitted existence of something like that, it would be mostly fine, I would be angry at Shaw for not being more careful, but sure, we are living in a fantasy without unwanted pregnancies. But Shaw told us several times, how careful he always is to not cause any problems to a lady… he is not like Howard, he is careful and… perfect at everything. But with Zephyr, for which he apparently cares about, he just throws all the worries out of the window… If this whole episode had some point, I could make my peace with it, but it didn’t. It is just hanging there, absolutely useless, ruining our protagonist’s characters.
Talking about her character work… it really is extremely sloppy. I liked Sir Joseph in the beginning of the book. He was the slightly batty botanic, who cared the most in this world about his plants, but also loved his daughter. He could be a little condescending in places, but with his superior mind, it is completely understandable. But as the book proceeded, the author probably felt that there wasn’t enough family drama and… it was absolutely unnecessary. Not mentioning that he could make enough of a family drama, without ruining his character.
In spite of being disappointed, I still enjoyed reading this book. I also loved the pieces of sailor’s songs.
I enjoyed much about this book. The banter between the h/h was well done. They were both witty and interesting. I enjoyed life aboard their ship and the mission they were take with - it was unique for a regency-set novel.
The addition of the members of the ton seemed superfluous. They did nothing more than provide background noise, which was rather unnecessary. I really wanted to see a different outcome with Zephyr's father, though I understand that wasn't possible based on his character.
Overall a light read. The unexpected setting and witty banter set this apart and make it worth reading.
The addition of the members of the ton seemed superfluous. They did nothing more than provide background noise, which was rather unnecessary. I really wanted to see a different outcome with Zephyr's father, though I understand that wasn't possible based on his character.
Overall a light read. The unexpected setting and witty banter set this apart and make it worth reading.
I'm not generally a fan of ship-board romances or historicals written in bad dialect and this, with it's lackluster humor and even more lackluster character interactions*, isn't going to change my mind. It didn't take me long to start skimming and I ended up entirely skipping whole sections in the middle, so this might even be a DNF depending on how you look at it.
*I hesitate to say romance because it was all so very meh.
*I hesitate to say romance because it was all so very meh.
I found this book really uninteresting. I couldn't finish it, and didn't even make it 100 pages in before I completely lost interest. I didn't like either of the characters, neither seemed to have any 'spark' to make them remarkable in any way.
I'm beginning to find Suzanne Enoch a real hit and miss author for me. A few of her books I have absolutely loved, and a few, like this one, I have been unable to finish. I find if I can't finish one of her books, it becasue I find the characters unlikeable, more so than the actual story.
The only thing stopping me from giving this book a lower rating is because I didn't hate it, it was just plain uninteresting.
I'm beginning to find Suzanne Enoch a real hit and miss author for me. A few of her books I have absolutely loved, and a few, like this one, I have been unable to finish. I find if I can't finish one of her books, it becasue I find the characters unlikeable, more so than the actual story.
The only thing stopping me from giving this book a lower rating is because I didn't hate it, it was just plain uninteresting.
So called enlightened colonialism. As they say in my part of the world, that's it, that's all.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Solid read, really enjoyed the FMC and MMC (all that banter!!) Lot of colonization/"savage" talk thou, which tbf I did realize there was going to be but ..WOW it was a lot. It gets a bonus star for the MMC not being a bloodthirsty bugger himself, but everyone else was pretty terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Cultural appropriation
Minor: Cannibalism
This was an enjoyable sea worthy tale, and while I didn't love it, it is still a fun, easy read. This is the third installment in The Adventurers Club series and we get the swash buckling, dashing Captain Bradshaw Carroways story. (Just a side note...I think this could be read as a stand alone as almost the entire book takes place at sea so the previous characters make only brief appearances). Shaw is tasked in taking Miss Zephyr Ponsley and her father, Sir Joseph, around to islands so that Sir Joseph may collect new plants and animals for his discoveries. Even though Shaw is in the marines and this is not exactly what he signed up for, he accepts as he also has a secondary secret mission given to him from the Duke of Sommerset (who was hardly in the book this time around, sigh).
Now, Zephyr has been her fathers assistant for years, traveling the world helping him collect his botany and drawing sketches to accompanying his findings. She was not brought up in London and therefore does not know all the proper rules of society and is very free with her thinking and her opinions. Upon her first meeting with Shaw, she snorts at some comment he makes and he is immediately intrigued and drawn to her. He takes it upon himself to always accompany her about the islands as they travel, to protect her from unknown dangers, and they continue their sparring back and forth. Shaw tells her he wants to bed her and she tells him that he must court her properly....and he does. There are some wonderful, tender moments as their courtship progresses. Oh and the ending on the ship, so sweet it brought a sigh to my heart.
Overall, this was a good book. A few things dragged it down a bit for me though. Shaw is forced to take on some more passengers who need to get back home immediately and I felt they added a layer of unnecessary chatter that wasn't needed. I can not really imagine ladies and gents and maids willingly go aboard a naval ship versus a passenger ship...the comforts are far different! Also, once again, was the overuse of the word chit. I don't know why it bothers me but I just do not like seeing it on almost every single page! Then of course, we barely see Lord Sommerset and I really hope Ms Enoch is working on his book next! But for this book, if you like a strong, snappy (in a good way) heroine and a strong, passionate hero who fall in love over the high seas with a bit of danger, this is a great book for you! Oh, and of course, the talking parrot makes an appearance to add a bit of chuckles! :) 3 1/2 stars
Now, Zephyr has been her fathers assistant for years, traveling the world helping him collect his botany and drawing sketches to accompanying his findings. She was not brought up in London and therefore does not know all the proper rules of society and is very free with her thinking and her opinions. Upon her first meeting with Shaw, she snorts at some comment he makes and he is immediately intrigued and drawn to her. He takes it upon himself to always accompany her about the islands as they travel, to protect her from unknown dangers, and they continue their sparring back and forth. Shaw tells her he wants to bed her and she tells him that he must court her properly....and he does. There are some wonderful, tender moments as their courtship progresses. Oh and the ending on the ship, so sweet it brought a sigh to my heart.
Overall, this was a good book. A few things dragged it down a bit for me though. Shaw is forced to take on some more passengers who need to get back home immediately and I felt they added a layer of unnecessary chatter that wasn't needed. I can not really imagine ladies and gents and maids willingly go aboard a naval ship versus a passenger ship...the comforts are far different! Also, once again, was the overuse of the word chit. I don't know why it bothers me but I just do not like seeing it on almost every single page! Then of course, we barely see Lord Sommerset and I really hope Ms Enoch is working on his book next! But for this book, if you like a strong, snappy (in a good way) heroine and a strong, passionate hero who fall in love over the high seas with a bit of danger, this is a great book for you! Oh, and of course, the talking parrot makes an appearance to add a bit of chuckles! :) 3 1/2 stars
I've read this book maybe six or seven times and I keep going back to it. I don't know if it's the pairing of Shaw and Zephyr or the setting in the Pacific Ocean, but I love it.