A review by megatza
The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Annique Villiers is a French spy, but she now carries a secret that could harm the fragile balance of the Napoleonic Wars. But will she turn this information over to the English? She's captured by the French, who don't trust her, and while imprisoned she meets Grey, chief spy for the English. She craves him, even as she knows she can't have him and her blindness prevents her from seeing his face. She escapes to England, regains her vision, and when Grey comes to her rescue, she doesn't recognize him. So he conceals his identity from her as part of a ploy to turn her over to his own boss. Will he torture her for secrets? Or make passionate love to her?

This series has been on my TBR for a few years, and I'm glad I finally started it. I love spies and intrigue, and the first half of the book takes place outside of England. I thought Joanna Bourne used Annique's blindness effectively, and it only builds her persona as a remarkable spy. The romance between Grey and Amnique does start as instalusty, even if she cannot see him at first, but I think that's also effective as Bourne builds the believability of the love story the more time Grey and Annique appear on page together.