Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Known for her light hearted romances, the author adds plenty of humor into this above average tale.
Hmmmmmmmm. Alright, so the writing is good. There are occasional great turns of phrase, and a bit of decent highbrow humor. The entire book is quite reminiscent of Downton Abby -- what with all the earls and ladies and the constant reminders of one’s proper place in British society.
However, the story moves like molasses at times, and as much as everything seems in place for a good read, it just never excites, exalts, or makes me feel like I’m lucky to have picked it up. I’m not overly disappointed that I read (listened to) it, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
However, the story moves like molasses at times, and as much as everything seems in place for a good read, it just never excites, exalts, or makes me feel like I’m lucky to have picked it up. I’m not overly disappointed that I read (listened to) it, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was delightful. A romp through classiest England. Told with much humour, insight and good authorial crafting.
It often had me smiling: bemused or amused, often both.
It often had me smiling: bemused or amused, often both.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
funny
Second listen: Nov. 2016: My response (and enjoyment) is just as it was two years ago. One of her best, though the female lead could've been more developed. Fun story, however!
First listen: Jan. 15, 2014. Oh, this was a delight, and especially wonderful as an audiobook (thank you Daniel Philpot!) as we got to hear Hugo's Yorkshire accent in its full glory. A bit predictable as far as plot goes, but, beyond wanting to kick Lord Darracott swiftly and repeatedly in the breeches, I enjoyed watching it all unfold before me. My only sadness is not having another Heyer cued up on my ipod for the next month of commuting. . . Audible.com, here I come.
First listen: Jan. 15, 2014. Oh, this was a delight, and especially wonderful as an audiobook (thank you Daniel Philpot!) as we got to hear Hugo's Yorkshire accent in its full glory. A bit predictable as far as plot goes, but, beyond wanting to kick Lord Darracott swiftly and repeatedly in the breeches, I enjoyed watching it all unfold before me. My only sadness is not having another Heyer cued up on my ipod for the next month of commuting. . . Audible.com, here I come.
You can't get better than Georgette Heyer for the intricacies of Regency England and the ins and outs of Society. I had a hard time getting into this one, though. It takes place on the country estate of the irascible Lord Darricot and his family. Discovering, upon the death of one of his sons and grandsons, that his heir was now the son of his disowned son--disowned for marrying a common weaver's daughter--Lord Darricot commands his grandson, Major Hugh Darricot to come meet him. Everyone expects him to be nothing more than a country bumpkin from Yorkshire, but they discover there may be more to him than they thought.
I don't know if it was the country setting, rather than London in Season, or the fact that it's about the whole family, really, not just the witty repartee of the hero and heroine, but I thought much of the book was kind of boring. The last 100 pages or so make up for it--lots of humor and excitement--but I was disappointed with the rest. Still, it's different from many of her others, at least that I've read so far, and it was kind of neat to get a feel for a whole large family and all their foibles.
I don't know if it was the country setting, rather than London in Season, or the fact that it's about the whole family, really, not just the witty repartee of the hero and heroine, but I thought much of the book was kind of boring. The last 100 pages or so make up for it--lots of humor and excitement--but I was disappointed with the rest. Still, it's different from many of her others, at least that I've read so far, and it was kind of neat to get a feel for a whole large family and all their foibles.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
I think my enjoyment of this book was hindered by three things, none of which are criticisms of the book itself, just realities:
1. There's very little romance. I went into it expecting more based on previous novels I had read by her. For those who prefer very little romance, I recommend this as a good place to start with Heyer! It's just not what I was expecting, and it didn't make the book any less of a good book... actually, I think it was overall extremely well written and a great story.
2. I personally didn't have enough context of the "Ajax" character to fully appreciate the story. Heyer is drawing heavily on the Iliad and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, both of which I have never read. I feel like having read the Shakespeare at least would have given me much greater context for appreciating this book. It also means that this book leaned a little more literary than I was expecting - which is GREAT, but again, not what I was looking for at this particular time and place.
3. I'm in a bit of a reading slump because my mind is really preoccupied. I was looking for an escape read and this wasn't it.
So, for my personal enjoyment, I would honestly give it 3 stars at most. But I can appreciate that it's a great book and Heyer's writing shines in a different way here in this book from her other works. The character development is 😘(chef's kiss!), and the family dynamics are fascinating. The free trade storyline I personally found kind of boring and not of personal interest but that's just me. So I'm landing on 4 stars, but mentally 3.5. I think a lot of Heyer fans would really love this book, and I think it's also a great read for non-Heyer fans who are looking for something with great family dynamics and a touch of adventure and fantastic characters.
1. There's very little romance. I went into it expecting more based on previous novels I had read by her. For those who prefer very little romance, I recommend this as a good place to start with Heyer! It's just not what I was expecting, and it didn't make the book any less of a good book... actually, I think it was overall extremely well written and a great story.
2. I personally didn't have enough context of the "Ajax" character to fully appreciate the story. Heyer is drawing heavily on the Iliad and Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, both of which I have never read. I feel like having read the Shakespeare at least would have given me much greater context for appreciating this book. It also means that this book leaned a little more literary than I was expecting - which is GREAT, but again, not what I was looking for at this particular time and place.
3. I'm in a bit of a reading slump because my mind is really preoccupied. I was looking for an escape read and this wasn't it.
So, for my personal enjoyment, I would honestly give it 3 stars at most. But I can appreciate that it's a great book and Heyer's writing shines in a different way here in this book from her other works. The character development is 😘(chef's kiss!), and the family dynamics are fascinating. The free trade storyline I personally found kind of boring and not of personal interest but that's just me. So I'm landing on 4 stars, but mentally 3.5. I think a lot of Heyer fans would really love this book, and I think it's also a great read for non-Heyer fans who are looking for something with great family dynamics and a touch of adventure and fantastic characters.