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A review by kikiandarrowsfishshelf
The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau
4.0
Disclaimer: Digital ARC via the publisher
Genevieve has a problem. It isn’t that she is French living in England when relations between the two countries are not going well. It isn’t that she is Huguenot who cannot go to France because of that whole not-a-Catholic-we-slaughter-you thing.
Her grandfather got her a job. At a porcelain factory, painting on flowers and things.
In other words, he sold out her artistic talents because you know, in the days of Hogarth, women really didn’t do things like that, as Genevieve is brutally reminded when she tried to gain the professional notice of the famous artist.
But then Genevieve is presented with an opportunity, a chance to be an artistic spy.
Of course, things are never that simple and who the true villains and heroes are is only one small mystery that Genevieve will have to solve.
The story centers around the discovery of a shade of blue, an interesting historical time that really doesn’t seem to be used very much in historical fiction. Bilyeau also manages to work in the tense political situation not only in France but also between France and England at the time. Of more interest are the roles of women. Unlike many historical fictions with an unusual woman of the times, The Blue actually has women who talk to each other and care about each other. Genevieve finds herself questioning her loyalties not because of a discovery of true love, but a discovery of friendship.
Don’t feel, the book is also part romance. There is love, believable love and believable lust in the volume. The love triangle, if that is what it truly is, doesn’t feel forced and Genevieve’s conflict seems like a real conflict.
Genevieve is a good character. She has the right combination of assurance and self-doubt. She is willing to stand her ground but does present as having a sense of entitlement. When she is constrained, there is a believable reason why she chafes at the bonds. Because she is so human, it is quite easy to root for her.
The book is a good, solid historical thriller with just the right seasoning of gothic.
Genevieve has a problem. It isn’t that she is French living in England when relations between the two countries are not going well. It isn’t that she is Huguenot who cannot go to France because of that whole not-a-Catholic-we-slaughter-you thing.
Her grandfather got her a job. At a porcelain factory, painting on flowers and things.
In other words, he sold out her artistic talents because you know, in the days of Hogarth, women really didn’t do things like that, as Genevieve is brutally reminded when she tried to gain the professional notice of the famous artist.
But then Genevieve is presented with an opportunity, a chance to be an artistic spy.
Of course, things are never that simple and who the true villains and heroes are is only one small mystery that Genevieve will have to solve.
The story centers around the discovery of a shade of blue, an interesting historical time that really doesn’t seem to be used very much in historical fiction. Bilyeau also manages to work in the tense political situation not only in France but also between France and England at the time. Of more interest are the roles of women. Unlike many historical fictions with an unusual woman of the times, The Blue actually has women who talk to each other and care about each other. Genevieve finds herself questioning her loyalties not because of a discovery of true love, but a discovery of friendship.
Don’t feel, the book is also part romance. There is love, believable love and believable lust in the volume. The love triangle, if that is what it truly is, doesn’t feel forced and Genevieve’s conflict seems like a real conflict.
Genevieve is a good character. She has the right combination of assurance and self-doubt. She is willing to stand her ground but does present as having a sense of entitlement. When she is constrained, there is a believable reason why she chafes at the bonds. Because she is so human, it is quite easy to root for her.
The book is a good, solid historical thriller with just the right seasoning of gothic.