Tag: fantasy

Mini-Reviews: Plumeria, Wake-Up, Shadow

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Lauren Willig, The Passion of the Purple Plumeria

Gwen Meadows, a “spinster” in her mid-40s, is publicly the chaperone of her young relative, Miss Jane Wooliston — and privately a principal member of the League of the Pink Carnation. When Jane’s younger sister disappears from school, Gwen and Jane immediately suspect spy-related foul play. But another girl is also missing: the daughter of Colonel William Reid, a retired East India Company officer who’s only recently come to England. Gwen and William team up to look for the missing girls, finding a legendary Indian treasure — and love — in the process. This is another fun installment of the Pink Carnation series, and it’s nice that Miss Gwen (usually reduced to comic relief) finally gets her turn in the spotlight. It’s refreshing and sadly rare to read about more mature adults finding romance! This isn’t one of my favorites in the series, but it’s still a good read — can’t believe there are only two more books to go!

Beth O’Leary, The Wake-Up Call

Izzy and Lucas are colleagues at the Forest Manor Hotel, and they can’t stand each other. Izzy is a sunshiny people-pleaser who always goes above and beyond, whereas Lucas is grumpy, reserved, and blunt to the point of rudeness. Further, Izzy confessed a crush to Lucas about a year ago, and he (seemingly) responded in a particularly cruel and insensitive way. Of course, the truth is more complicated — and now that Izzy and Lucas are being forced to work together to save their beloved hotel, their mutual “hatred” is turning into something else entirely. I really loved Beth O’Leary’s debut novel, The Flatshare, but her subsequent books have been too angsty and/or gimmicky for me. This book, however, feels like a return to form; it’s just a strong, well-written romantic comedy with some bonus holiday charm thrown in. The conflict between Izzy and Lucas centers around miscommunication, which may be frustrating for some, but to me their misunderstandings made sense given their very different personalities. Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope should definitely check this one out!

Philip Pullman, The Shadow in the North

Six years after the events of The Ruby in the Smoke, Sally Lockhart has established her own financial consulting firm. One of her clients loses her life’s savings when a shipping firm unexpectedly collapses, and she asks Sally to find out why. Meanwhile, Sally’s friends try to help a magician who’s receiving death threats. When the two cases turn out to be connected, Sally and her friends must go up against a ruthless businessman who will use any means necessary, including murder, to stop them. I’m continuing to enjoy the Sally Lockhart series, both for the immersive Victorian London setting and for the main characters, particularly Sally herself, her beau Fred, and their Cockney friend Jim. The book may be slightly too busy; there are a plethora of minor characters and plot strands that need following. There are also more than a few heartbreaking moments. But I nevertheless liked this book a lot and look forward to continuing with the series.

Mini-Reviews: Wicked, Left-Handed, Madam

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Julia Quinn, When He Was Wicked

Michael Stirling is known throughout society as “the Merry Rake,” but despite his myriad sexual conquests, he’s been in love with Francesca Bridgerton since the moment he saw her. Unfortunately, she was betrothed to his cousin John at the time and is now John’s wife. When John dies unexpectedly, Michael can no longer hide his true feelings, but can he pursue a relationship with Francesca without dishonoring his cousin’s memory? I wanted to like this book more than I did. I enjoy a hero who pines for the heroine, but in this case I didn’t understand why Michael was so obsessed with Francesca. He’s already in love with her when the story begins, so we don’t see what makes her so special to him. Further, he “courts” her exclusively by seducing her, so their romantic relationship is based entirely on sex, which I didn’t find particularly appealing. I’ve really liked some books in the Bridgerton series, but this one just wasn’t for me.

Garth Nix, The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

Eighteen-year-old Susan Arkshaw has come to London to find the father she’s never met. She tracks down Frank Thringley, an old friend of her mother’s, to see if he knows anything about her father — but she arrives just in time to see him crumble into dust at the prick of a hatpin. The hatpin’s wielder is Merlin, who describes himself as a “left-handed bookseller” and tells Susan she is in grave danger. He explains that the Old World of myths, legends, and ancient powers is real, and it’s starting to intrude dangerously into the ordinary world — unless Susan and the booksellers can stop it. This is a really creative YA adventure novel that seems intended to introduce readers to (or reinforce their love of) British fantasy fiction and mythology. I really liked all the literary allusions and the occasional humorous banter, but the book is a bit too episodic and plot-driven for me — too many action sequences, not enough character development. Overall, I liked but didn’t love it, and I probably won’t read the sequel.

Mary Stewart, Madam, Will You Talk?

Charity Selborne is a young Englishwoman on holiday in the South of France. At her hotel in Avignon, she befriends a 13-year-old boy named David and gradually realizes that something is very wrong in his life. She then learns that David’s father, an accused murderer, is at large and has followed David to France. Charity’s decision to help David plunges her into days of suspense and fear, during which she encounters a mystery with its roots in World War II and finds love in an unexpected place. I really enjoy Mary Stewart’s novels of romantic suspense, though they all follow the same basic pattern: beautiful girl in exotic location finds danger and romance. But this is one of her strongest books, in my opinion — the plot is nice and twisty, and there’s a very memorable car chase. Recommended if you like this type of book!

Mini-Reviews: Daughter, Marry, Devil

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Juliet Marillier, Daughter of the Forest

Sorcha has lived an idyllic life with her father and six older brothers at Sevenwaters, a small Irish estate in the heart of a magical forest. But things change when her father marries Lady Oonagh, whose malicious sorcery soon tears Sorcha’s family apart. When Oonagh ensnares her brothers in a dreadful curse, Sorcha must perform an impossible task to save them — and she must remain silent till the task is complete. As she struggles with her task, she suffers many trials, including abduction by Britons and life among a hostile people. This was a reread for me, yet the book still completely sucked me in. The pace is incredibly slow, but I think the languorous plot adds to the dreamy, immersive nature of the world Marillier creates. It also lets readers get to know Sorcha well enough to find her extraordinary endurance believable. I love the book’s romance and its hopeful, yet not entirely happy, ending. I’ve enjoyed a few other books by Marillier, and I’m now inspired to dig deeper into her backlist!

Anne Gracie, Marry in Haste

Major Calbourne Rutherford has just returned to England after the Napoleonic wars, only to find that his brother has died and he’s inherited an earldom. Cal intends to discharge his necessary duties quickly and then leave the country, but his plans change when he learns that his teenage half-sisters are getting into mischief. Unable to curb their behavior himself, he seeks out their former teacher, Emmaline Westwood, for help. She refuses his offer of employment, so in desperation he offers her a marriage of convenience instead. This Regency romance isn’t reinventing the wheel; it’s just a solid, fun, formulaic example of the genre, and that’s not a bad thing! Part of the joy of reading romance — and genre fiction in general — is that you know what you’re getting, and there’s comfort in that familiarity. I’m also a fan of the marriage-of-convenience trope, so I am definitely interested in continuing with the series. Recommended for historical romance fans!

Richard Osman, The Last Devil to Die

The Thursday Murder Club is back in business when Kuldesh Sharma, an antiques dealer who helped them on their previous case, is shot in what appears to be a drug deal gone wrong. Kuldesh was temporarily in possession of a box of heroin worth £100,000, but now it’s gone missing. Who has the heroin, and did that person also murder Kuldesh? As always, the characters and humor make this series a delight; at one point, Joyce describes the bracelet her daughter’s boyfriend gave her as “a nice thought.” One of my favorite aspects of the series is that every character is portrayed as a real, complex human being — even the drug dealers and other bad guys. This book is a bit heavier than usual because it deals more with Elizabeth’s husband Stephen’s struggles with dementia. But it’s still a very good read, and I’m eagerly awaiting the net book — though the author has announced he’s taking a break and writing about new characters right now, alas!

Mini-Reviews: Agreeable, Dangerous, Ruby

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Julia Seales, A Most Agreeable Murder

In the English village of Swampshire, everyone is governed by the strict rules of etiquette handed down by its founder. Women are expected to pursue only ladylike occupations such as embroidery, but Beatrice Steele has a secret fascination with crime-solving. She knows she must hide her interest, lest she be stigmatized as a “morbid creep” and rendered unmarriageable. But when an eligible bachelor is murdered at a local ball, Beatrice can’t help enthusiastically pursuing an investigation, with the help of a surly yet handsome detective. This is a fun historical mystery set in a heightened reality: Swampshire is beset by comically terrible weather and infested with “squelch holes,” and Beatrice’s youngest sister might be a werewolf. It’s all very silly, but I enjoyed the book’s colorful characters and its skewering of various historical romance tropes. If there’s ever a sequel, I will definitely seek it out!

Darcie Wilde, And Dangerous to Know

The stakes are higher than ever in Rosalind Thorne’s latest case: Lady Melbourne, a leader of London society, has hired her to recover some stolen letters. Lady Melbourne’s daughter-in-law is Lady Caroline Lamb, whose shocking love affair with Lord Byron has led many to believe she’s insane, so it’s especially important that the letters’ potentially scandalous contents are never publicized. Complicating matters is the fact that a woman was murdered at the gates of Melbourne House, and Rosalind suspects that the two incidents are connected. I liked this book a bit more than the previous one in the series; the mystery hangs together pretty well, although it’s almost peripheral to the intrigues swirling around the Melbourne clan. I’m also glad that things seem to be moving forward in Rosalind’s personal life (and in those of her friends as well). While I’m pretty confident that this series won’t be an all-time favorite, I’m looking forward to the next book!

Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke

Sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart is left alone in the world after her father’s tragic death overseas. When she receives an anonymous note telling her to “beware the seven blessings,” it’s the first of many strange mysteries Sally must unravel. For instance: Who burgled her room, and what was he or she looking for? How did her father really meet his end? Where is the priceless Indian ruby that apparently belongs to Sally? And why does the evil Mrs. Holland want Sally dead? This is a compelling YA adventure novel that apes the drama and sensationalism of Victorian penny dreadfuls. Some of the plot machinations feel a bit over the top, and there’s some unpleasant stereotyping of Chinese characters. But the depiction of the seamier side of Victorian London is fascinating, and Sally and her friends are intelligent, courageous, interesting characters. I’m excited to read more of their adventures in subsequent books!

Mini-Reviews: Player, Curses, Porter

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Stella Riley, The Player

Due to a scandalous tragedy, Adrian Devereux has spent the past 10 years living abroad, working as an actor and gambler. But now his brother, the Earl of Sarre, has died, so he must return to England and assume the title. There he learns that Marcus Sheringham, the man who betrayed him and forced him into exile, has huge gambling debts and must marry an heiress to avoid ruin. As Adrian gets to know Caroline, the heiress in question, he becomes convinced she’s too good for Marcus — and he certainly isn’t averse to a little revenge — so he devises an elaborate plot to marry Caroline himself. I’m so glad I discovered Stella Riley, because I’ve been loving her books — I devoured this one in a single sitting! While the plot is absurdly melodramatic, and I’m not usually a fan of the revenge-seduction trope, I loved Adrian and Caroline so much that I didn’t care. The most important thing for me in a romance is that I believe the main characters are truly right for each other, and I definitely got that with this book. Can’t wait for the next one!

Lish McBride, Curses

Lady Merit Cravan has been cursed to take the form of a beast, and she can only break the curse if she marries before her 18th birthday. Though Merit doesn’t expect love, she’s worried about making a bad choice, so she asks Tevin DuMont, a handsome but penniless con artist, for help evaluating her suitors. He’s made his living by charming rich young women, then accepting bribes from their parents to stay away, so he’s the perfect person to help unmask insincere fortune hunters. But as Merit and Tevin get to know each other better, their inconvenient feelings may ruin everything. I love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, and this one is unique in that the genders are flipped. But much as I liked Merit, I was far more interested in Tevin and the rest of his ramshackle family. (Especially his brother, Amaury — fingers crossed for a sequel where he’s the hero!) Instead of following the curse/marriage drama, I’d rather have followed the DuMonts on their adventures! Still, this is a fun read, and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the fairy tale.

AJ Pearce, Mrs. Porter Calling

In the spring of 1943, things are going well for Emmy Lake. Though her husband, Charles, is away at war, she enjoys living with her friends Bunty and Thelma, and she finds fulfillment in her job at Woman’s Friend magazine. That changes, however, when the magazine’s new publisher, a rich socialite named Mrs. Porter, begins suggesting changes that cater to the frivolous concerns of the wealthy rather than the issues the magazine’s readers really care about. As Emmy and her friends fight to save the magazine, another tragedy of war strikes, forcing them to reexamine their priorities. I’m continuing to enjoy this series, which manages to be upbeat and positive without sugarcoating the war’s harsh realities. Emmy and her friends are lovable characters worth rooting for. Her editor, Guy Collins, remains a favorite, and I hope I smell a hint of romance for him in future books! I’d definitely recommend this series to fans of the period, but start with book #1, Dear Mrs. Bird.

Mini-Reviews: Orchid, Leopard, Between

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Lauren Willig, The Orchid Affair

After spending the past 16 years as a governess, Laura Grey is eager to be sent on her first mission for the Pink Carnation. To her dismay, she’ll be posing as a governess — but her real job will be to spy on her pupils’ father, André Jaouen, who works for Bonaparte’s ministry of police. André is keeping many secrets, and as Laura discovers where his loyalties truly lie, she also finds herself increasingly drawn to him. This is another enjoyable installment of the Pink Carnation series. I liked seeing how the French Revolution and rise of Napoleon affected the people who were experiencing it firsthand. I also enjoyed the romance between Laura and André, who have both experienced hardship and gained wisdom from it. The book’s pacing is a bit slow, though, and I just didn’t love it quite as much as some others in the series. Still, I’m glad to have revisited this one!

Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill, Leopard in Exile

This sequel to The Shadow of Albion finds most of the principal characters in America, known in this universe as New Albion. Sarah, now the Duchess of Wessex, travels to Baltimore to help her friend Meriel, whose husband Louis (the lost dauphin of France) has gone missing. The Duke of Wessex follows his wife, but he’s also been given a spy mission he may or may not choose to complete. And the evil sorcerer the Marquis de Sade is seeking the Holy Grail, rumored to be in the French colony of Louisianne, which will give him unimaginable demonic power. After I loved the previous book so much, it’s not surprising that this one was a bit of a letdown. While the setting is unique and fascinating, I got weary of all the world-building, especially when it slowed down the narrative. Also, I wanted more character interaction and development; I particularly felt the lack thereof in Sarah and Wessex’s relationship. That said, I’m still glad to have read the book and sorry the series won’t continue.

Mhairi McFarlane, Between Us

Roisin has been dating Joe, a successful TV writer, for nearly a decade, but lately she’s been thinking about breaking up. The problem is that they’re both part of a tight-knit friend group, and she doesn’t feel like she has a good enough reason to dump him. But things come to a head when the friend group gathers to watch Joe’s new TV show, which contains scenes straight from Roisin’s life, including private details about her dysfunctional family. After this betrayal, Roisin begins to wonder if she ever really knew Joe at all. I’m a McFarlane fan and enjoyed this latest book very much, but those expecting a light contemporary romance will be disappointed. Though there is a very sweet love story, the vast majority of the plot centers around Roisin’s relationship with Joe and her growing knowledge of his true character. McFarlane likes to explore the ways men can abuse and exploit women, so the focus on Joe is not surprising, but I would have liked a little more emphasis on Roisin’s new romance and her complicated family dynamics.

Mini-Reviews: Wedding, Healer, Falling

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Mary Simses, The Wedding Thief

Sara and her younger sister, Mariel, have never really gotten along. They haven’t even spoken for the past year and a half — ever since Mariel stole Sara’s boyfriend, Carter. Now Mariel and Carter are getting married, and when her mom tricks her into coming home for the wedding, Sara seizes the opportunity for a little sabotage. But as she reluctantly reconnects with Mariel, she begins to see her life and relationships in a new light. I liked the premise of this book, but the execution was lacking. Sara is 38 but acts like an immature teenager for most of the book, switching up the seating chart, giving the caterer the wrong order, and so on. But Mariel is even worse, and I didn’t buy the book’s attempts to redeem her in the end. I did like Sara’s new love interest, though I couldn’t quite figure out what he saw in her. Overall, I was disappointed in this book and won’t seek out more by the author.

Claudia J. Edwards, Eldrie the Healer

Eldrie is the illegitimate daughter of a king, but she left home at 16 to get away from her indifferent father, odious half-brothers, and the burdens of royalty. She’s much happier traveling alone from place to place, practicing her craft as a healer. When she teams up with Huard, a skilled hunter and loyal companion, Eldrie finds she enjoys his company. But as they meet new people and encounter various perils, she reluctantly realizes that her destiny lies in her home country. This is a book I really enjoyed for about the first half, when Eldrie and Huard are having adventures and getting to know each other better. But the plot (OK, the romance) takes a turn I didn’t expect or particularly like. And in the end, almost nothing is resolved; it’s clear that this book was intended to be the first in a series, but the author sadly passed away before writing any further installments. So while this book had a lot of promise, it ultimately left me disappointed.

Diane Farr, Falling for Chloe

Chloe and Gil grew up together and are the best of friends, but neither considers the other a romantic prospect. When a chance thunderstorm forces them to take shelter in a cottage together overnight, however, they are forced into an engagement. Though not actually intending to marry Gil, Chloe uses the opportunity to visit his sister, Tish, in London, and help repair her shaky marriage. The biggest problem seems to be Tish’s infatuation with the rakish and charming Lord Rival, but Chloe’s attempt to divert his attention goes awry when she is drawn to him herself. After a few lackluster reads, this light Regency romance was such a breath of fresh air! I adored Chloe and Gil and found their journey from friends to lovers both believable and satisfying. The bits from Lord Rival’s POV made me roll my eyes a little — clearly he’ll have his own book — but overall, I really enjoyed this one! Definitely recommend, especially for fans of steamless historicals.

Mini-Reviews: Temporary, Beautiful, Battle

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Sarah Adams, The Temporary Roomie

This sequel to The Off Limits Rule features Lucy’s brother, Drew, and her best friend, Jessie. They’ve never gotten along, but right now Drew needs a fake girlfriend for a fancy work event, and Jessie needs somewhere to live while her house gets treated for mold. They reluctantly agree to help each other out, but they can’t resist arguing and playing increasingly elaborate pranks on each other. But when their “fights” start feeling less hostile and more flirty, neither is quite sure how to redefine their relationship. This book is another cute, undemanding contemporary romance. I liked it more than The Off Limits Rule because the obstacles to the romance are grounded in the characters, particularly Jessie’s fears of abandonment and intimacy due to her past. This book isn’t necessarily a must-read, but if you just want to be entertained for an afternoon, it’s a solid choice.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful Ones

Ten years ago, penniless 19-year-old Hector fell in love with the beautiful but equally penniless Valérie. He left to make his fortune, she promised to wait, but within a year she married a wealthy man. Now Hector has returned, rich and successful, and he’s determined to see Valérie again. She’s acting as chaperone for her husband’s young cousin, Nina, whom Hector decides to court as a way to get closer to Valérie. But as he and Nina spend more time together, his scheme becomes much more complicated. I loved Velvet Was the Night, so I had high hopes for this book, which is much more in my wheelhouse (pseudo-historical romance with magic!). I really liked the complexity of the three main characters; there are chapters from each person’s point of view, so even the villain is three-dimensional. But something about the book’s writing style kept me at a distance and prevented me from getting emotionally invested in the story. It’s still a good book, and I would recommend it, but I didn’t LOVE it like I wanted to.

Lucy Parker, Battle Royal

Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere are total opposites in terms of personality and taste: “He went in for elegant minimalism. She rarely saw an object that couldn’t be improved with sequins. She was, aesthetically, his worst nightmare.” They’re also rival bakers competing for the chance to make the wedding cake for a member of the British royal family. But when they’re forced to team up as judges on a reality baking show, Sylvie and Dominic find common ground and a surprising attraction. I adore Lucy Parker’s contemporary romances, and this one is no exception. It’s the kind of book you sink into and lose track of time while reading. The romance is a delicious slow burn that more than compensates for the slightly too cluttered plot. Now I’m even more excited for the sequel coming out next month!

Mini-Reviews: Mischief, Magic, Useful

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Lauren Willig, The Mischief of the Mistletoe

Arabella Dempsey has been a “poor relation” for years, and now she has no choice but to become a teacher at a young ladies’ academy. There she literally runs into Reginald “Turnip” Fitzhugh, who is visiting his sister, Sally. In the ensuing chaos, Arabella picks up a dropped Christmas pudding and discovers a mysterious French message inside. It might be just a lovers’ assignation — but what if it’s something more sinister? Arabella and Turnip team up to investigate and fall for each other in the process. This is an adorable installment of the Pink Carnation series! Turnip is a big dumb lovable sweetheart, and Arabella is someone who both needs and appreciates his kindness. The spy plot is a mere wisp of a thing, but who cares when the book is so much fun? This is right up there with The Seduction of the Crimson Rose as one of my favorites in the series thus far.

Emma Mills, Something Close to Magic

Aurelie is a baker’s apprentice with a magical gift for seeking and a secret thirst for adventure. So when bounty hunter Iliana asks her for help in finding a particularly elusive target, Aurelie agrees, even when the job takes her away for her bakery and into the dangerous Underwood. There they encounter Prince Hapless and his entourage just in time to foil a kidnapping attempt. Aurelie soon finds herself falling for Hapless, but can she give up the stability of her life as an apprentice for the uncertainties of love? I really enjoyed this YA fantasy novel. The plot isn’t particularly original, but the banter between the main characters is delightful, and the romance between Aurelie and Hapless is very sweet. The book cheekily promises a sequel, and I will definitely seek it out once it’s published!

Darcie Wilde, A Useful Woman

Rosalind Thorne was born into high society, but after a family scandal several years ago, she’s barely clinging to the fringes. Because ladies seek her help in navigating various social situations, she has a reputation as a “useful woman.” When young gentleman Jasper Aimesworth is found dead in the Almack’s ballroom, his sister Honoria begs Rosalind to investigate his death. I previously read this book and remember liking it, and I’m happy to say my positive opinion still holds. Obviously I’m going to read any book whose premise is “murder at Almack’s,” and I really enjoyed the book’s portrayal of just how difficult it was to behave properly in Regency society, where a single wrong step could mean disaster. Rosalind is a sympathetic character, and I look forward to seeing how her family drama and romantic life develop in subsequent books!

Mini-Reviews: Splendor, Remember, Albion

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B.R. Myers, A Dreadful Splendor

Genevieve Timmons is a fake spiritualist who uses her seances to steal from the wealthy families who hire her. When the law catches up with her, she gets an unexpected reprieve: A lawyer hires her to perform a seance for Mr. Pemberton of Somerset Park, whose fiancée tragically died the night before their wedding. The lawyer thinks the seance will bring his employer peace, but when Genevieve arrives at the park, she learns that Pemberton has other ideas — he thinks his fiancée was murdered and wants to use the seance to prompt the guilty party to confess. As Genevieve gets to know the various people living at the park, she uncovers many secrets and possibly even a real ghost or two. This is a decent read, combining gothic historical mystery with a bit of romance, but I felt there was a little too much going on. Between Genevieve’s sad backstory and the various machinations at Somerset, character development takes a backseat. Overall, I didn’t dislike the book, but it didn’t particularly do anything for me either.

Mary Balogh, Remember Me

Lady Philippa Ware is finally making her London society debut at age 22, after delaying it several times due to a family scandal. There she meets Lucas Arden, the Marquess of Routh, whom she once overheard insulting her as “soiled goods.” She hates him at first but is soon drawn to him, and he to her. Both their families encourage a match between them, but can they overcome their painful shared past? This isn’t a bad book, but I found it a frustrating one. Balogh seems much more interested in family dynamics than in the core romance here; Philippa and Lucas are almost afterthoughts in the huge cast of characters, many of whom were introduced in book #1 and will inevitably have their own books in the series. I also found Lucas’s grandparents more overbearing than endearing in their relentless pressure for him to produce an heir. That said, I still want to continue with the series and will hope for stronger romances in subsequent books.

Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill, The Shadow of Albion

It’s 1805, and Sarah Cunningham has decided to leave her life of drudgery in Baltimore for the promise of good fortune in London. But once she’s in England, her carriage has a terrible accident — and when she wakes up, everyone is calling her the Marchioness of Roxbury. Moreover, the world is strangely different from her own: America never had a revolution and the Stuarts are still on the throne of England. As Sarah struggles to understand her new identity, she also clashes with the Duke of Wessex, Roxbury’s fiancé and a spy for the English king. But Sarah and Wessex must eventually put aside their differences to foil a nefarious French plot. I feel like that summary just barely scratches the surface — suffice to say, this book is a mixture of alternate-history epic, political intrigue, and Regency romance that I really, really loved! It’s a dense read but still somehow a page-turner, and I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction (despite the alternate/fantastical elements). Can’t wait to read the sequel!