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A review by natashaleighton_
One for All by Lillie Lainoff
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
An exceptionally written and action-packed, gender-bent retelling of The Three Musketeers that thoroughly ensnared me with it’s whirlwind plot and utterly endearing protagonist readers are going absolutely love!
Set against the backdrop of 17th C France, One For All follows Tania (a girl with a chronic illness) who gets the chance to train as a musketeer in a training facility posing as an elite ladies’ finishing school. There, Tania hones her skills for sword fighting and seduction, in order to help uncover a treasonous plot that threatens both king and country. And with those new skills, Tania may even be able to find the people responsible for her father’s death.
This was an exceptionally well written and enjoyable read with an endearing sisterhood of swashbuckling, espionage-seeking Musketeers that I was equal parts envious and in awe of!
Now, I should probably mention that I’m not that familiar with Alexandre Dumas’ original. In fact, most of what I know stems solely from childhood recollections of the 1993 movie, so I can’t really tell if there’s any tidbits or nods to the original story and characters.
What I do know however, is that Dumas’ Musketeers weren’t women using society’s gender based stereotypes to benefit their own covert operations —which I thought was actually GENIUS! Lets face it, the best spies—be it in real life, in books or on screen, are always the most unsuspecting of people. And you can’t get more unsuspecting than a debutante.
Tania, our protagonist (who we first meet confronting thuggish burglars) was a really well developed and complex character who doesn’t let her disability define her, nor stop her from achieving her dreams (of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming a Musketeer.)
This an own voices novel, so Tania’s experiences with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) are based on the author’s own POTS diagnosis and experiences. Which I felt did add an extra layer of poignancy to some of the book’s earlier scenes (where Tania’s chronic illness leads to ridicule, aversion or outright dismissal.)
I did, however, love that she finds such a supportive, found family-style sisterhood at the L’Acaémie des Mariées, who respect Tania and push her to be the best she can be.
Likewise, I really enjoyed the romance aspects which were phenomenal (the tension and slow-burn chemistry was absolutely delicious) with not one but TWO handsome love interests (Henri and Étienne) to swoon over. Though personally, my heart belonged solely to Henri, whose (super relatable) lack of coordination and constant tendency to blush instantly won me over—I just wish we got to see more of him.
So, if you’re looking an empowering, female led (and feminist) historical fantasy full of sword fights, espionage and tons of adventure or love gender-bent retelling then you definitely have to check this out, it’s MARVELLOUS!
Also, a massive thank you to Titan books for this incredible proof and including me on the UK blog tour.
Set against the backdrop of 17th C France, One For All follows Tania (a girl with a chronic illness) who gets the chance to train as a musketeer in a training facility posing as an elite ladies’ finishing school. There, Tania hones her skills for sword fighting and seduction, in order to help uncover a treasonous plot that threatens both king and country. And with those new skills, Tania may even be able to find the people responsible for her father’s death.
This was an exceptionally well written and enjoyable read with an endearing sisterhood of swashbuckling, espionage-seeking Musketeers that I was equal parts envious and in awe of!
Now, I should probably mention that I’m not that familiar with Alexandre Dumas’ original. In fact, most of what I know stems solely from childhood recollections of the 1993 movie, so I can’t really tell if there’s any tidbits or nods to the original story and characters.
What I do know however, is that Dumas’ Musketeers weren’t women using society’s gender based stereotypes to benefit their own covert operations —which I thought was actually GENIUS! Lets face it, the best spies—be it in real life, in books or on screen, are always the most unsuspecting of people. And you can’t get more unsuspecting than a debutante.
Tania, our protagonist (who we first meet confronting thuggish burglars) was a really well developed and complex character who doesn’t let her disability define her, nor stop her from achieving her dreams (of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming a Musketeer.)
This an own voices novel, so Tania’s experiences with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) are based on the author’s own POTS diagnosis and experiences. Which I felt did add an extra layer of poignancy to some of the book’s earlier scenes (where Tania’s chronic illness leads to ridicule, aversion or outright dismissal.)
I did, however, love that she finds such a supportive, found family-style sisterhood at the L’Acaémie des Mariées, who respect Tania and push her to be the best she can be.
Likewise, I really enjoyed the romance aspects which were phenomenal (the tension and slow-burn chemistry was absolutely delicious) with not one but TWO handsome love interests (Henri and Étienne) to swoon over. Though personally, my heart belonged solely to Henri, whose (super relatable) lack of coordination and constant tendency to blush instantly won me over—I just wish we got to see more of him.
So, if you’re looking an empowering, female led (and feminist) historical fantasy full of sword fights, espionage and tons of adventure or love gender-bent retelling then you definitely have to check this out, it’s MARVELLOUS!
Also, a massive thank you to Titan books for this incredible proof and including me on the UK blog tour.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Ableism, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual assault