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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I was actually sorry when this one ended. [eta 2018: I have now read & listenened to this book multiple times, and the last scene always just kills me. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3]
This book is done a great disservice by its cover, which sys, "just another historical romance". Yes it is a historical. And there is a romance, amidst much other activities. But, it so beautifully, and often cleverly, written, that if you love words, it will make your heart sing. Gorgeous use of language. Why isn't the cover, I don't know, perhaps embossed leather?
Wonderful. I'm meant to be on holiday soaking up sights, but I've been disappearing behind bushes (no sniggering at the back, please) to devour this. Just about to start [b:The Spymaster's Lady|959745|The Spymaster's Lady (Spymasters, #1)|Joanna Bourne|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345986088s/959745.jpg|944648]. Bliss.
Proper review to follow.
Proper review to follow.
Okay, if you sometimes binge on historical romances, and then read all the ones your friend recommended and then try heading out on your own and suddenly realize, oh wait, the majority of the genre is awful, full of 'his forceful kisses stifled her protests!' type stuff where the protagonists are cardboard cut-outs distinguished only by how annoying they are...
Here is an author to start your next binge with.
I suspect the 'historical' part is not something you should lean on too hard, so if that's going to be a big deal for you, this may not be your book, but to be honest, I don't want too much historical realism in my romances; when you look at the degree of agency afforded to women and the lower classes throughout most of history, it's just damn depressing. On the other hand, I find stories where every girl is climbing down a drainpipe and dressing as a boy, or, alternately, where women are afforded all the respect and dignity men are almost as aggravating, because if that's the case, why does this society still appear to be run by men?
So, clever women who see how their society constrains them and work to get around the barriers? I'm not going to be too critical.
Bonus for total lack of 'overpowering your objections is sexy!'
(Side-note: The female protagonist has the cutesy elocution Georgette Heyer uses to indicate someone is a native French speaker. Basically, she talks like Leonie from [b:These Old Shades|311182|These Old Shades (Alistair, #1)|Georgette Heyer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173644611s/311182.jpg|2682162]. This might annoy you? I didn't mind.)
Here is an author to start your next binge with.
I suspect the 'historical' part is not something you should lean on too hard, so if that's going to be a big deal for you, this may not be your book, but to be honest, I don't want too much historical realism in my romances; when you look at the degree of agency afforded to women and the lower classes throughout most of history, it's just damn depressing. On the other hand, I find stories where every girl is climbing down a drainpipe and dressing as a boy, or, alternately, where women are afforded all the respect and dignity men are almost as aggravating, because if that's the case, why does this society still appear to be run by men?
So, clever women who see how their society constrains them and work to get around the barriers? I'm not going to be too critical.
Bonus for total lack of 'overpowering your objections is sexy!'
(Side-note: The female protagonist has the cutesy elocution Georgette Heyer uses to indicate someone is a native French speaker. Basically, she talks like Leonie from [b:These Old Shades|311182|These Old Shades (Alistair, #1)|Georgette Heyer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173644611s/311182.jpg|2682162]. This might annoy you? I didn't mind.)
Three shading to 4 stars but The Black Hawk gets the 4 stars. For fans of Justine and Hawker, this book traces their beginnings, aged 13, as well as the story of Marguerite, the leader of Le Fleche, and Willam Doyle (Guillame) as they try to survive the predations of Robespierre era France.
Took a while to get into, but once it got going it was quite good.
4.5 rounded up because why not.
I'm not a big spy fan, but decided to give this book a chance since I'd apparently read [b:The Spymaster's Lady|959745|The Spymaster's Lady (Spymasters, #1)|Joanna Bourne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1345986088s/959745.jpg|944648] and quite liked it, although I don't actually remember it.
The characters really make this book. Of course there's exciting action -- it's the French Revolution of course -- but I love the dry humor that really makes the book seem, well, *French*, and how they deal with the uncertainty of the Terror.
There were a few nitpicky things I didn't like but overall it was an amazing read.
I'm not a big spy fan, but decided to give this book a chance since I'd apparently read [b:The Spymaster's Lady|959745|The Spymaster's Lady (Spymasters, #1)|Joanna Bourne|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1345986088s/959745.jpg|944648] and quite liked it, although I don't actually remember it.
The characters really make this book. Of course there's exciting action -- it's the French Revolution of course -- but I love the dry humor that really makes the book seem, well, *French*, and how they deal with the uncertainty of the Terror.
There were a few nitpicky things I didn't like but overall it was an amazing read.
