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A review by lisacanteven
Of Socialites and Prizefights by Arden Powell
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was the final book I read in October while I was in a big reading slump. Also I have not read another book in this series. Both of these things might have affected my rating, but the further I read the less interesting I found this book.
Deepa works as an escort in a roaring 20's time setting in the magical world in the story. Deepa is good at her job, but she never feels romantically or sexually satisfied by men. She enjoys fancy things, so she knows that her job gets her those things.
Enter Roz, a butch mechanic who also boxes in the local women's boxing league? The details are vague, but Deepa goes to Roz's matches and gets to know Roz. At the same time Deepa is posing as a wealthy nobleman's fiancee. They happen to have a great arrangement and understanding, so Deepa is open with Roz about their arrangement.
What Deepa is not open with is the curse that was put on her by her ex. He cursed her to turn into a leopard every night from midnight to 6am or dawn - it's unclear until when.
Honestly I thought this book was way too long for what it gave us. It easily could have been novella length and given us enough to enjoy the story. Instead it was novel length and didn't show as much as it should have in that many pages. By 75% I was just scanning the dialogue and getting all I needed to get.
I will definitely not be reading anymore books in this series even though I think they are all queer. I also don't think this white author should be writing Indian rep because it came off as tokenism.
Deepa works as an escort in a roaring 20's time setting in the magical world in the story. Deepa is good at her job, but she never feels romantically or sexually satisfied by men. She enjoys fancy things, so she knows that her job gets her those things.
Enter Roz, a butch mechanic who also boxes in the local women's boxing league? The details are vague, but Deepa goes to Roz's matches and gets to know Roz. At the same time Deepa is posing as a wealthy nobleman's fiancee. They happen to have a great arrangement and understanding, so Deepa is open with Roz about their arrangement.
What Deepa is not open with is the curse that was put on her by her ex. He cursed her to turn into a leopard every night from midnight to 6am or dawn - it's unclear until when.
Honestly I thought this book was way too long for what it gave us. It easily could have been novella length and given us enough to enjoy the story. Instead it was novel length and didn't show as much as it should have in that many pages. By 75% I was just scanning the dialogue and getting all I needed to get.
I will definitely not be reading anymore books in this series even though I think they are all queer. I also don't think this white author should be writing Indian rep because it came off as tokenism.