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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Another interesting Diana Gabaldon story. While there's not really any way to compare this to Outlander (it's much shorter and there's no romance to speak of), it was still full of rich historical details. And I always fell smarter after having listened to a Gabaldon story. She uses the $20 words instead of the nickel ones. It never ceases to amaze me the lengths people would go to in order to protect theirs or their family's reputations. Enter a loveless marriage? Fine, as long as it benefits the man financially. And moves the woman up in social circles. And keeps smut off the family name. To think that a broken engagement would imply a defect in the woman annoys me, but I know back then, women weren't as valuable as men. And while I know homosexuality is nothing new, I had no idea there were "molly houses" which were basically homosexual brothels. I learn so much about history in a Gabaldon story, lol. Anyway, this was an interesting mystery. What looked like two separate mysteries to solve ended up dovetailing into one odd conclusion.
So much fun... Laugh out loud, wonderful story and characters.
Definitely not Outlander. Not that it was bad but it was "interesting". As much as I zoned out listening to it, I still managed to figure out what was going on. The last 1/3 was the best of the entire thing; it really picked up pace. I will read the rest but not any time soon.
I quite enjoyed the first 2/3 of this book, thought it would be 4 stars. I find Lord John quite the enjoyable protagonist and I love the different types of society he moves through compared to most stories set in this time. Unfortunately the last third of the book seemed to drag on endlessly.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
DNF
Okay I wanted to give this a try cuz I love Lord John, but omg I’m so bored. I got about 80% done with the book and I can’t bring myself to care about reading more. My mom didn’t care for this series and I never understood why, now I do. It was so hard to keep up with all the character names and remembering who did what. I wanted to like it but I’m gonna be honest with myself and just not like it. Love you Lord John, just not in your own book series.
Okay I wanted to give this a try cuz I love Lord John, but omg I’m so bored. I got about 80% done with the book and I can’t bring myself to care about reading more. My mom didn’t care for this series and I never understood why, now I do. It was so hard to keep up with all the character names and remembering who did what. I wanted to like it but I’m gonna be honest with myself and just not like it. Love you Lord John, just not in your own book series.
A nice, interesting read for those familiar with the Outlander characters. Gabaldon does great period detail while keeping the action moving.
mysterious
slow-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
For those looking for an Outlander fix, these are a good way to pass a little time while you wait for the next book to come out. I loved John Grey in the Outlander books and it was fun to learn a little more about him. But this book is very male-centric, and is mostly one conversation after another over supper or wine or brandy between John and various men of his acquaintance. There are almost no female characters at all, and very little action. And it all ties up a little too neatly in the end. Over all, I give it 3.5 stars... the story is entertaining enough, but not amazing, and the book is mostly kept afloat by Grey's charm.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read most of Outlander as a teenager and young adult (the German translations). This was an experiment.
I liked reading a mystery in a different time and I especially enjoyed all the research that went into gay culture of London in the 18th century.
The writing style is sometimes a bit too descriptive for me and it took me a while to get into the book at the beginning. Still, a nice read.
I liked reading a mystery in a different time and I especially enjoyed all the research that went into gay culture of London in the 18th century.
The writing style is sometimes a bit too descriptive for me and it took me a while to get into the book at the beginning. Still, a nice read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Violence, Medical content, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Homophobia, Transphobia
Minor: War