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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
While I enjoyed the martial arts and elements of the lead's interactions, on the whole I felt it bogged down in some poor flashback integration, unreal romance, lackluster loyalty, dastardly villains' - plural - cheapness, unspeakable 2 week old baby plot device, etc. I didn't read the first one which may have helped me like them more? But since they never really meet in the first when they're children, I'm assuming, I doubt it.
I really enjoyed the expansion of the world beyond like the UK and India and the specificity with which it was handled. I love the structure of historical romances and I love the rigidity of society as a dramatic constraint but it means frequently the world of the book is very narrow whereas here we explored so much more and the way that Sherry Thomas detailed the world was wonderful. Loved it. And spies??? Mr and Mrs smith vibes.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
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!
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.
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.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
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.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence