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glyneth 's review for:
The Spymaster's Lady
by Joanna Bourne
I bought this one on the recommendations off of Amazon and I think I saw it on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and immediately went out and bought the rest for the Kindle app for my iPad. I cannot wait for Hawker's story, which apparently will be out in November.
This story tells the tale of Annique Villiers, a top spy for the French, also known as the Fox Cub. And the hero is Grey, the Head of Section (aka spying) for the British. I hid this whole review because of spoilers, but seriously, do not read this review before you've read through the book! Especially don't read this next paragraph.
* * * SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER * * *
I was amazed and surprised when Annique's disability was revealed. I had totally missed it on the first read, due to me not expecting it and the author's awesome misdirection and ability to engage the reader in the story, so that when it's revealed, you pretty much have to gasp in surprise and want to reread the book from the start again immediately, to see all the clues you missed. That said, I'm sure some people will see it because they're looking for it, or they just aren't as engaged as I was.
I found her losing the disability sad, because I really liked how she compensated for it, but the author set up the possibility well, and carried it out in a believable manner.
* * * SPOILER END * * *
I loved Grey, especially that he wasn't a gorgeous, handsome hero. Honestly, in his line of work, being noticed would be the LAST thing that would help him spy for England. I will admit to some tediousness on his part with mistrust of Annique, but it is explained well in the story, especially with her constant attempts to escape and hurt/maim him. I mean, wouldn't you, if you were being kidnapped and brought to a foreign country, and you couldn't go to your countrymen for help, as they would kill you, or worse, rape you and drop you in a brothel for a few years to serve out some manner of "penance" for getting caught? She literally has nowhere to turn and no one who she can trust to help her.
I was sad that information given at the beginning of the book to us readers was kept from her (re: Vauban) until the last few pages. If only that had been stated earlier, much of the book's Albion's plans plot could have been averted. Then again, we wouldn't have had such a lovely long story, so I guess it's okay. And Grey did say he thought she knew, but really, how could she have? She'd walked from the south of France to Paris when it happened! Think!
Lastly, the final reveal and her connection to Galba was a bit over the top, but I was able to reconcile it within the story and not linger on it over long. It wrapped up her conflict of loyalties a bit too well, but it still made sense for the story. And I'm sure this sort of thing could likely have happened back in the day.
Highly recommended if you like spy books.
This story tells the tale of Annique Villiers, a top spy for the French, also known as the Fox Cub. And the hero is Grey, the Head of Section (aka spying) for the British. I hid this whole review because of spoilers, but seriously, do not read this review before you've read through the book! Especially don't read this next paragraph.
* * * SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER * * *
I was amazed and surprised when Annique's disability was revealed. I had totally missed it on the first read, due to me not expecting it and the author's awesome misdirection and ability to engage the reader in the story, so that when it's revealed, you pretty much have to gasp in surprise and want to reread the book from the start again immediately, to see all the clues you missed. That said, I'm sure some people will see it because they're looking for it, or they just aren't as engaged as I was.
I found her losing the disability sad, because I really liked how she compensated for it, but the author set up the possibility well, and carried it out in a believable manner.
* * * SPOILER END * * *
I loved Grey, especially that he wasn't a gorgeous, handsome hero. Honestly, in his line of work, being noticed would be the LAST thing that would help him spy for England. I will admit to some tediousness on his part with mistrust of Annique, but it is explained well in the story, especially with her constant attempts to escape and hurt/maim him. I mean, wouldn't you, if you were being kidnapped and brought to a foreign country, and you couldn't go to your countrymen for help, as they would kill you, or worse, rape you and drop you in a brothel for a few years to serve out some manner of "penance" for getting caught? She literally has nowhere to turn and no one who she can trust to help her.
I was sad that information given at the beginning of the book to us readers was kept from her (re: Vauban) until the last few pages. If only that had been stated earlier, much of the book's Albion's plans plot could have been averted. Then again, we wouldn't have had such a lovely long story, so I guess it's okay. And Grey did say he thought she knew, but really, how could she have? She'd walked from the south of France to Paris when it happened! Think!
Lastly, the final reveal and her connection to Galba was a bit over the top, but I was able to reconcile it within the story and not linger on it over long. It wrapped up her conflict of loyalties a bit too well, but it still made sense for the story. And I'm sure this sort of thing could likely have happened back in the day.
Highly recommended if you like spy books.