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A review by lizshayne
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was exquisite. Hall is in his usual top form of taking the irritating tropes of romance (people refusing to have conversations, dukes in love with social inferiors, psychological trauma) and asking "okay, but like what would these look like if they were actual rather than manufactured impediments"?
And, also true to form, Hall is writing about class and the way that it shapes and cuts and squeezes and constrains. And, yes, obviously also gender, but the relationship between gendered power and class power plays out in really interesting ways.
Hall's other story—the story of the absolute reasonableness of historical trans people which we already know exist—is the background on which this story writes itself. Especially given the current wave of transphobia, it's nice to have someone respond with "yes, and...we have a romance to write."
And, also true to form, Hall is writing about class and the way that it shapes and cuts and squeezes and constrains. And, yes, obviously also gender, but the relationship between gendered power and class power plays out in really interesting ways.
Hall's other story—the story of the absolute reasonableness of historical trans people which we already know exist—is the background on which this story writes itself. Especially given the current wave of transphobia, it's nice to have someone respond with "yes, and...we have a romance to write."