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snakeling's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this one for the relationship between the main characters: Devlin and Hero are navigating the early days of their marriage, and what it means in terms of loyalty and trust, and yes, love. I like that they are both willing to put the work in their marriage, and that they try to communicate, even though they're thwarted by the external events.
veronica87's review against another edition
5.0
Four and a half stars
Time doesn't elapse very quickly between books in this series. I think the eight months between books three and four have been the longest stretch of time so far. This time we're dealing with the shortest time interval as only four days have passed since the end of the last book, an ending that saw Sebastian and Hero facing a new, scary, and exciting future.
The murder victim this time is/was a good friend of Hero's so it's a given that she and Sebastian will investigate. Whether or not they do it together, however, is the question. The feelings between Sebastian and Hero are deepening and I am loving seeing them both slowly realize it. It's a sure bet that neither one would have ever admitted to seeing this coming. But even as deepening emotions start to weave themselves into an already established physical attraction, there is still a certain level of wariness between them. No one knows better than Hero about the animosity that exists between Sebastian and her father, Lord Jarvis. One gets the feeling that Jarvis is just waiting for the right opportunity to crush Sebastian once and for all and Hero finds herself caught between these two important men in her life. Jarvis casts a long shadow in this fledgling relationship and whether or not it can survive divided loyalties is something that neither Sebastian or Hero can easily answer.
"He wanted to tell her she was also a part of why he intended to be careful,that he'd realized how important she was to him even as he'd felt himself losing her without ever having actually made her his."
It seems obvious to me however, that Hero has brought a sense of peace and happiness to Sebastian's life - or at least his home life - that has been sorely missing. I love his habit of coming upon Hero unawares and just taking a few moments to watch her doing ordinary things, as if it amazes him. Just lovely. And the ending, again, leaves me excited to see what comes next.
The mystery itself pulls on various Arthurian legends as well as the usual issues of the (then) current political landscape. Once again, I think things get a bit murky in the middle but it all evens out in the end. And if I'm honest, it doesn't bother me because the main draw here for me is just seeing how the various characters interact with each other. It's the human drama that makes me invest. The rest is just nice window dressing. And since I am wholly invested in seeing the relationships between Sebastian and Hero, and Sebastian and Hendon, evolve...I am in for the long haul.
Time doesn't elapse very quickly between books in this series. I think the eight months between books three and four have been the longest stretch of time so far. This time we're dealing with the shortest time interval as only four days have passed since the end of the last book, an ending that saw Sebastian and Hero facing a new, scary, and exciting future.
The murder victim this time is/was a good friend of Hero's so it's a given that she and Sebastian will investigate. Whether or not they do it together, however, is the question. The feelings between Sebastian and Hero are deepening and I am loving seeing them both slowly realize it. It's a sure bet that neither one would have ever admitted to seeing this coming. But even as deepening emotions start to weave themselves into an already established physical attraction, there is still a certain level of wariness between them. No one knows better than Hero about the animosity that exists between Sebastian and her father, Lord Jarvis. One gets the feeling that Jarvis is just waiting for the right opportunity to crush Sebastian once and for all and Hero finds herself caught between these two important men in her life. Jarvis casts a long shadow in this fledgling relationship and whether or not it can survive divided loyalties is something that neither Sebastian or Hero can easily answer.
"He wanted to tell her she was also a part of why he intended to be careful,that he'd realized how important she was to him even as he'd felt himself losing her without ever having actually made her his."
It seems obvious to me however, that Hero has brought a sense of peace and happiness to Sebastian's life - or at least his home life - that has been sorely missing. I love his habit of coming upon Hero unawares and just taking a few moments to watch her doing ordinary things, as if it amazes him. Just lovely. And the ending, again, leaves me excited to see what comes next.
The mystery itself pulls on various Arthurian legends as well as the usual issues of the (then) current political landscape. Once again, I think things get a bit murky in the middle but it all evens out in the end. And if I'm honest, it doesn't bother me because the main draw here for me is just seeing how the various characters interact with each other. It's the human drama that makes me invest. The rest is just nice window dressing. And since I am wholly invested in seeing the relationships between Sebastian and Hero, and Sebastian and Hendon, evolve...I am in for the long haul.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
Sebastian and Hero are married! I love that Harris did not draw this out like many series do with the whole "will they or won't they". I like that softness that Hero brings to Sebastian, but that it is not their romance that guides the story. As they are heading off to their honeymoon, there is a murder, of course. The woman murdered was a friend of Hero's so both get dragged into solving the crime. Just because they are now married does not mean that either of them has changed, and how they go about trying to solve the case. And, as a reader I love it. The banter between the two carries and that is what makes them fun to read about. Just because they are now married it is not happily ever after, but that they are a team that has to learn to be together. This case also touches on the myth of King Arthur, Camelot, and a future poet laureate. What I also love about this series is the historical fact that Harries weaves into her stories. At the end she has a historical note where she lets you know what is real and a bit about it. As a history buff, I have to usually go check out Wikipedia after. At book seven this series is still going strong!
Sebastian and Hero are married! I love that Harris did not draw this out like many series do with the whole "will they or won't they". I like that softness that Hero brings to Sebastian, but that it is not their romance that guides the story. As they are heading off to their honeymoon, there is a murder, of course. The woman murdered was a friend of Hero's so both get dragged into solving the crime. Just because they are now married does not mean that either of them has changed, and how they go about trying to solve the case. And, as a reader I love it. The banter between the two carries and that is what makes them fun to read about. Just because they are now married it is not happily ever after, but that they are a team that has to learn to be together. This case also touches on the myth of King Arthur, Camelot, and a future poet laureate. What I also love about this series is the historical fact that Harries weaves into her stories. At the end she has a historical note where she lets you know what is real and a bit about it. As a history buff, I have to usually go check out Wikipedia after. At book seven this series is still going strong!
seriouslybookish's review against another edition
4.0
The only negative thing about this book like its predecessors is the Kat drama. I am so fine with the repetitiveness. I hope Sebastian will finally put Kat behind him.
Also the mystery was one of the more better ones in this series. It took me by surprise and was surprisingly well executed.
Also the mystery was one of the more better ones in this series. It took me by surprise and was surprisingly well executed.
laurenjodi's review
4.0
When Maidens Mourn
4 Stars
Sebastian St. Cyr and his new bride are pulled into another case when the body of Hero's friend, Gabrielle Tennyson, is discovered floating in a boat near an archeological dig related to King Arthur's Camelot. When Gabrielle's young cousins are also revealed to be missing, Sebastian and Hero find themselves in a race against time to stop a ruthless killer before it is too late.
An enjoyable addition to the series. The character development is excellent as usual and the inclusion of elements from Arthurian legend is a huge bonus to the literary lover in me. It is always fascinating to realize the extent to which King Arthur's life has influenced British culture.
Sebastian and Hero find themselves working at cross purposes through much of the investigation, but once they begin confiding in one another, both the case and their relationship starts coming together. While it is still the early days of their marriage and they a have yet to completely trust one another, it is becoming clear that they may be formidable as individuals, but as a pair they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately, the murder mystery is the weakest in the series thus far as there are insufficient clues for the reader to figure out the culprit for themselves. Nevertheless, the twists and turns of the investigation are action packed and suspenseful.
All in all, this entire series is fantastic and I am eager to get to the next installment.
4 Stars
Sebastian St. Cyr and his new bride are pulled into another case when the body of Hero's friend, Gabrielle Tennyson, is discovered floating in a boat near an archeological dig related to King Arthur's Camelot. When Gabrielle's young cousins are also revealed to be missing, Sebastian and Hero find themselves in a race against time to stop a ruthless killer before it is too late.
An enjoyable addition to the series. The character development is excellent as usual and the inclusion of elements from Arthurian legend is a huge bonus to the literary lover in me. It is always fascinating to realize the extent to which King Arthur's life has influenced British culture.
Sebastian and Hero find themselves working at cross purposes through much of the investigation, but once they begin confiding in one another, both the case and their relationship starts coming together. While it is still the early days of their marriage and they a have yet to completely trust one another, it is becoming clear that they may be formidable as individuals, but as a pair they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately, the murder mystery is the weakest in the series thus far as there are insufficient clues for the reader to figure out the culprit for themselves. Nevertheless, the twists and turns of the investigation are action packed and suspenseful.
All in all, this entire series is fantastic and I am eager to get to the next installment.
kvsreads's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
fluffyturtle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0