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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I normally always try to go for at least a 100 pages but I really quickly figured out this just isn't for me at all. The main character is a victorian feminist girlboss, who I quickly figured out, I can't stand. Then something that was obviously the start of a romance in my mystery book, and I am just checked out.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"Simply this: that truth is like that fox pup. If you suffer its ill effects in silence, it can do irreparable harm. Perhaps even kill you."
Wow I'm not sure of what to make of A Curious Beginning - but I guess, it was very aptly titled because this book has definitely made me curious about where the rest of the series is headed. The book is set in Victorian England, where Veronica Speedwell (our protagonist) has just buried her aunt when an offer of marriage is made to her:
I tilted my head and regarded her thoughtfully as I considered my reply. In the end, I chose unvarnished truth. "Mrs. Clutterhorpe, I can hardly think of any fate worse than becoming the mother of six. Unless perhaps it were plague, and even then I am persuaded a few disfiguring buboes and possible death would be preferable to motherhood."
And it's clear from this unusual beginning that Veronica is determined to thwart whatever gender role that Victorian society has in mind for her. To begin with, Veronica is a lepidopterist - and believe it or not this is not the first historical fiction/mystery/thriller I've read with a female lepidopterist as its protagonist this year, see: [b:Love, Lies and Spies|25320766|Love, Lies and Spies|Cindy Anstey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462516016l/25320766._SX50_.jpg|45053729] - that has ventured across the globe in search of specimens to collect. Furthermore, she has no attention of marrying but has instead had multiple liaisons with foreign men, never English men, on her adventures.
After settling her aunt's affairs, Veronica is looking forward to setting off on her next adventure but discovers that she has house-broken and a German baron, whom she has never met before that day, insists that she leave town as she is in immediate danger. Veronica is then swiftly transported to London, where she's deposited with Stoker, a surly taxidermist who has a hidden past of his own. When the baron dies under mysterious circumstances, both Veronica and Stoker flee to join acquaintances from his past...who happen to form part of a circus trope. And despite the slightly bizarre turn that the story took, I found myself still enjoying the story and quite eager to find out why the baron died and why he believed that Veronica was in danger. Furthermore, the circus scenes were actually quite interesting too, as the other mystery of Stoker's past is dangled before us. Of course, there are still parts of Stoker's history that are kept secret, which I guess will be unveiled across the series.
Spoiler
For example, I'm very curious about what happened in Stoker's expedition and how he's become so disreputable. And also, what has happened to his wife?Furthermore, Veronica was actually quite a fascinating heroine - in the sense that she constantly does unexpected things, though for logical reasons that aren't clear at first.
Spoiler
For example, she agrees to leave with the baron because it will save her transport costs to London, not because she truly believes that she is in any danger.Spoiler
Such as easily pointing out to Stoker how she could've ran away from him at the circus.Finally, I actually figured out bits and pieces of the the main mystery but it was still quite compelling when it was unveiled, as it involves a mix of political intrigue and family drama.
Spoiler
I'd guessed that Veronica could be related to the royal family, given that the baron is described as being close to Prince Albert - this, I felt, was a hint. And as it turns out, Veronica is Prince Albert's grandchild, born to a marriage recognised under Catholicism. However, this union is a secret to everyone and Veronica's existence challenges the existing royal succession.
4 stars
An extremely entertaining read with the amazing Veronica Speedwell as the centerpiece heroine. And what an heroine! Unconventional, modern, courageous, pragmatic and disconcerningly unexpected. Her wit is sharp and hilarious esp. when she gets into the face of poor Stoker. Their banter was deliciously piquant and funny, and more often than not, ending with Stoker sulking. For once, we get an heroine who is unashamedly more at ease with her sexuality than the hero. Poor Stoker indeed, the number of times her frankness made him blush
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Le tenía muchas expectativas a este libro porque todo lo que había escuchado eran buenas reseñas. Y si bien me gustaron mucho los protagonistas —Veronica es un personaje súper adelantado a su época, interesante y muy segura de sus convicciones, mientras que Stoker es intrigante con sus secretos y encantador por su sentido de la lealtad y protección—, la historia en sí no me encantó.
El misterio me resultó bastante aburrido y su resolución pasó sin pena ni gloria. Además, se me hizo muy difícil leer tanta crueldad animal. Entiendo que refleja la época, pero no fue fácil de digerir.
Todavía estoy debatiendo si continuar con la saga o abandonarla.