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A review by amyiw
The Lion's Daughter by Loretta Chase
3.0
This was Good mostly but only OK in other ways. It dragged trying to explain the nuances of the politics and culture of historical Albania and the Albania language. There was a very complicated intrigue intertwined but very hard to parse out because of all of the characters. Some characters were more for social, some political, some romantic, and some familial, and some overlapped in multiple plot lines. The complication took away from the romance that finally started to be interesting around 50-60%. Then the attitude of Esme towards her husband for.... well it was over done and I was just starting to like her spunk and fire.
The premise of the intrigue which has all to do with Esme's inheritance and a chess set... well it makes no sense. If the chess set is left to Esme as a dowry then whoever is supposed to guard it, should have put it in a safe deposit box or sold it and invested. Leaving it on a table, out in the open. The premise made no sense to me. And exactly why did George have it? ***sigh***
Well this wasn't one of Loretta Chase's best HR IMO but it ended pretty well so good over all though a bit of a slog through Albania. I wish it could have been made beautiful and mystical by Chase because it is obvious that she loves it but... I just didn't feel any affinity and wanted to get out as soon as we got in, back to Italy or England. Glad I read it but wont be a re-read for me. Not even close to [b:Lord of Scoundrels|425377|Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, #3)|Loretta Chase|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381766823s/425377.jpg|414437] in the same series.
---------update while reading---------------
1/2 way through. Coming off [b:Not Quite a Lady|132599|Not Quite a Lady (Carsington Brothers, #4)|Loretta Chase|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924476s/132599.jpg|1356166] and in comparison, this is quite a drag. I'm sloughing through Albania warfare that is not made very interesting, a nefarious selling of weapons that is not well done, and a attack and many false dyings. The characters, other than the two main characters, are completely uninteresting and even irritating. It does seem to be getting a little more interesting and the main characters have their moments but mostly a drag. It is too bad as it is obvious that Albania and culture is close to the author's heart, it is just hard to create interest to those that know little of the country and history. Being thrown into it doesn't make it so.
Spoiler
leaving her to her grandmother while he was fixing up his estate. Culturally he could not have her help. But she over reacts horribly, I get being mad but... well. And then, she escapes out during the night from her grandmother's house. She should have hidden the Queen and left in the morning but no let's put all the pieces together so we can steal them.The premise of the intrigue which has all to do with Esme's inheritance and a chess set... well it makes no sense. If the chess set is left to Esme as a dowry then whoever is supposed to guard it, should have put it in a safe deposit box or sold it and invested. Leaving it on a table, out in the open. The premise made no sense to me. And exactly why did George have it? ***sigh***
Well this wasn't one of Loretta Chase's best HR IMO but it ended pretty well so good over all though a bit of a slog through Albania. I wish it could have been made beautiful and mystical by Chase because it is obvious that she loves it but... I just didn't feel any affinity and wanted to get out as soon as we got in, back to Italy or England. Glad I read it but wont be a re-read for me. Not even close to [b:Lord of Scoundrels|425377|Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, #3)|Loretta Chase|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381766823s/425377.jpg|414437] in the same series.
---------update while reading---------------
1/2 way through. Coming off [b:Not Quite a Lady|132599|Not Quite a Lady (Carsington Brothers, #4)|Loretta Chase|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924476s/132599.jpg|1356166] and in comparison, this is quite a drag. I'm sloughing through Albania warfare that is not made very interesting, a nefarious selling of weapons that is not well done, and a attack and many false dyings. The characters, other than the two main characters, are completely uninteresting and even irritating. It does seem to be getting a little more interesting and the main characters have their moments but mostly a drag. It is too bad as it is obvious that Albania and culture is close to the author's heart, it is just hard to create interest to those that know little of the country and history. Being thrown into it doesn't make it so.