A Grave Matter (Lady Darby Mystery: Book Three): Anna Lee Huber

"Scotland, 1830.  Following the death of her dear friend, Lady Kiera Darby is in need of a safe haven.  Returning to her childhood home, Kiera hopes her beloved brother, Trevor, and the merriment of the Hogmanay Ball will distract her.  But when a caretaker is murdered and a grave is disturbed at nearby Dryburgh Abbey Kiera is once more thrust into the cold grasp of death.

"While Kiera knows that aiding in another inquiry will only further tarnish her reputation, her knowledge of anatomy could make the difference in solving the case.  But agreeing to investigate means Kiera must deal with the complicated emotions aroused in her by inquiry agent Sebastian Gage.

"When Gage arrives, he reveals that the incident at the Abbey was not the first--some fiend is digging up old bones and holding them for ransom.  Now Kiera and Gage must catch the grave robber and put the case to rest...before another victim winds up six feet under."

I was thrilled to get back into the "Lady Darby Mystery" series.  It's no secret that I very much enjoyed the mystery and thrilling adventure (as well as the subtle, steamy romantic tension between Kiera and Gage) in the first two books of this series.  I had to wait a bit for this book to come in as a loan from another library, but boy did I ever devour it once I finally got my hands on it!  A little over two days later and I'm already writing my review!

We encounter a grieving Kiera a couple of months after Will's death at the close of book two.  She is depressed and seems to have lost a good part of herself in the fog of melancholy -- so much so that she cannot even bring herself to paint.  Though she makes efforts to heal and participate in life, she struggles to come to terms with the permanent and very tragic loss of her friend and mentor.  Her brother, Trevor, does his best to allow her space, but it's clear that he's worried about her grief.  I found him to be a well-rounded secondary character and a nice counterpart to Kiera's often-brooding nature in this book.  He's a good mixture of humor and seriousness.  Having him fall one way or the other would have felt either forced or overwhelming in the unrelenting seriousness.  It was nice to see another of Kiera's siblings since we've already spent a great deal of time witnessing her interactions with her elder sister, Alana, and her husband.  While I adore the relationship that's been cultivated between Alana and her husband, it's refreshing to have a new setting and prominent new secondary character -- it keeps things interesting!

When an unfortunate omen immediately precedes a horrible murder the night of the Hogmanay Ball, Kiera knows what she must do:  she's obligated to put her investigative skills and medical knowledge to good use -- especially in the absence of anyone else suitable.  She's surprised to realize just how willing she is to do such a thing.  Perhaps this is her way of throwing herself into work that would consume and distract her from the reality of Will's death?  Perhaps she's found another calling?  Or maybe the investigation is a way to once more make her feel close to Gage?  Either way, she jumps right into the investigation and, shortly thereafter, it's requested that she call Gage in to assist (because now everyone knows they've worked together before on two (successful) occasions).  She's unsure how she feels about inviting the handsome, charming, intelligent, confusing, frustrating man back into her life, but she really has no choice.  He's been specifically requested and Kiera knows there's no better man for the job.  Gage's arrival unleashes a myriad of confusing emotions within her, but -- as he slowly opens himself up to Kiera and reveals his true intentions -- she begins to realize just how much he's come to mean to her and the real danger he might pose to her future.

The romance is a wonderful undertone to the story, though it does take a more prominent role in this book than the previous two.  This is, of course, not to say that the series has become a "romance series" -- at least not yet.  The captivating mystery and intrigue still remain strongly at the forefront.  The twists and turns of the story and investigation kept me guessing.  I wasn't sure I knew who was at the heart of the crimes almost until Gage and Kiera did.  This is no small feat.  Huber artfully omits just enough information or has her characters skim over important bits in such a way that the readers are kept guessing throughout.  I like to believe that I'm not an easy reader to fool, but Huber manages to do this time and time again.  There's real talent in this writing and mastery to the storytelling.  I find myself pulled deeper and deeper into Lady Darby's world each time I pick up another book in this series.  The enthralling mystery, spectacular characters, artful blend of fiction and historical fact, all set against the stunning backdrop of England and (mainly) Scotland serve to create a fascinating world perfect for a reader's escape.

There were a few grammatical errors (I think they were just missed in the editing process), but they tripped me up where I had to make sure it was a typo and not just a turn of phrase I didn't comprehend the first time around.  I don't blame this on Huber, but the editing process.  These were tiny word errors rather than plot holes or mistakes, so I won't judge them too harshly.

As always, I highly recommend Huber's writing.  She has a knack for writing thrilling stories and amazing characters -- all while managing to stay true to their very strong, individual personalities throughout the series (at least thus far).  I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Kiera and Gage.

The Vatican Princess: A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia: C. W. Gortner

"INFAMY IS NO ACCIDENT.  IT IS A POISON IN OUR BLOOD.  IT IS THE PRICE OF BEING A BORGIA.

"Bestselling author C. W. Gortner effortlessly weaves history and drama in this captivating novel about one of the world's most notorious families.  Glamorous and predatory, the Borgia fascinated and terrorized fifteenth-century Renaissance Italy, and Lucrezia Borgia, beloved daughter of the pope, was at the center of the dynasty's ambitions.  Slandered as a heartless seductress who lured men to their doom, was she in fact the villainess of legend, or was she trapped in a familial web, forced to choose between loyalty and survival?

"With the ascension of the Spaniard Rodrigo Borgia as Pope Alexander VI, a new era has dawned in Rome.  Benefitting from their father's elevation are the new pope's illegitimate children--his rival sons, Cesare and Juan, and beautiful young daughter Lucrezia--each of whom assumes an exalted position in the papal court.  Privileged and adored, Lucrezia yearns to escape her childhood and play a part in her family's fortunes.  But Rome is seductive and dangerous:  Alliances shift at a moment's notice as Italy's ruling dynasties strive to keep rivals at bay.  As Lucrezia's father faces challenges from all sides, the threat of a French invasion forces him to marry her off to a powerful adversary.  But when she discovers the brutal truth behind her alliance, Lucrezia is plunged into a perilous gambit that will require all her wits, cunning, and guile.  Escaping her marriage offers the chance of happiness with a passionate prince of Naples, yet as scandalous accusations of murder and incest build against her, menacing those she loves, Lucrezia must risk everything to overcome the lethal fate imposed upon her by her Borgia blood.


"Beautifully wrought, rich with fascinating historical detail, The Vatican Princess is the first novel to describe Lucrezia's coming-of-age in her own voice.  What results is a dramatic, vivid tale set in an era of savagery and unparalleled splendor, where enemies and allies can be one and the same, and where loyalty to family can ultimately be a curse."


At the risk of stating the obvious, it took me a very long time to read this book (as evidenced by the gap in dates between my last review and this one).  I flew through the latter half of it, so I'd have to say the cause of this delay was the fact that the beginning -- the part leading up to Lucrezia's marriage to Giovanni -- dragged on a bit.  It was interesting and filled with rich details; I can see parts were integral to setting up the characters and backstory, but I just wanted the book to get going.  There was nothing "wrong" with the first part of this book, per se, but I guess I just expected a book on the Borgias to be filled with subterfuge and intrigue right off the bat.  It took a bit to get going, but I will say that there was more than enough of this to keep me satisfied as the story progressed.


I enjoy European history, but I must admit that I knew surprisingly little about the Borgias before I picked up this book:  1) They were scandalous, murderous, cunning, ruthless, and powerful.  2) They resided in Italy.  3) They would stop at nothing to see their family succeed.  See?  That doesn't amount to much when you do even a little bit of digging and find out the rumored and true depths the Borgias went to in order to help see their family into the heights of power.  I knew even less about Lucrezia Borgia as an individual.  I recall reading some rumors about incest and murder, but this book's aim appears to have been to dispel some of these stories.


Written from the first-person perspective, I found the voice in this book to be interesting.  It covers Lucrezia's life across approximately a decade, seeing her from a naïve girl -- the apple of her powerful Papa's eye -- to a woman no longer disillusioned that her family will protect her if it goes against their own interests even in the slightest.  Shortly after her father ascends (bribes and threatens his way) to the height of religious power as Pope, Lucrezia engaged at thirteen to a man in his twenties.  The alliance is created to suit the Vatican's political aims and hopes to quell any issues with the powerful Sforzas (another recognizable name in Italian history).  She and her three brothers are the children of Rodrigo Borgia, the new pope, and a married woman, Vanozza.  Cesare is the eldest and Lucrezia's beloved elder brother.  He's handsome, talented, intelligent.  Though the Spanish title of the Borgia's is his birthright, his father forces him into the Church instead, with the aim of making him a Cardinal.  Juan is the adored favorite by both parents.  He's brash, ill-tempered, poorly-behaved, and the rivalry between Juan and Cesare which began into the cradle extends throughout their lives, encompassing even their younger sister.  After Lucrezia comes Gioffre.  She adores her younger sibling, though it becomes clear that Rodrigo is uncertain whether or not the child is actually his.  He is hesitant to issue word that he's the boy's father, but he allows him to use the Borgia name and makes sure that he's well married to suit the Borgia aims.


As the story progresses, so do the voice and narration style.  Lucrezia very slowly comes to terms with the evils of her family and learns (imperfectly) to play their games.  She realizes that, as a woman, she is a pawn; however, she is not without weapons of her own.  She falters and feels helpless at times, leaning, when she can, on Cesare.  As time passes, Lucrezia learns that her desires account for very little on the chessboard of Renaissance Italy.  She is bartered for alliances and even used as a spy against her own husband -- a matter made more complicated when she learns one of her brothers may be involved with him.  One of the more complex subplots is the relationship between Lucrezia, Juan, and Cesare.  The brothers have always been pitted against one another; their sister's favor is just another area in which they compete, though Cesare is the clear favorite over the cruel, bloodthirsty Juan.  The complex relationship creates an undertone of attraction between Lucrezia and Cesare, both confusing and terrifying for the girl.  Juan takes note of this and discovers the perfect way to have his revenge upon them both.  This sets into motion a turn of events which will forever change the Borgias.  Murder and secrets, revenge and covetousness are the plagues of the Borgia -- and it seems even Lucrezia is not immune.


After the dissolution of her first marriage to Giovanni, Lucrezia returns to society harboring a dark secret.  She is given little reprieve before she is informed of her father and eldest brother's newest machinations to see her married off in yet another alliance.  This time, they seem to have taken her interests into account.  They've allowed her to have the final say...and this time, she won't settle for anything less than love.  Finally, it seems like Lucrezia is allowed to have some happiness in her life.  She learns of what it truly means to be a wife after the farce of her first marriage and she finds protection in the arms of her second husband.  Unfortunately for Lucrezia, the Borgia reach is far and intimate.  Her happiness cannot last forever -- not as long as Borgia interests take precedence.


While the love between Lucrezia and her second husband blossoms, her relationship with Cesare becomes more strained and dangerous.  Cesare, having shed his role of Cardinal, becomes a powerful tour de force in Italy's complicated and often violent military history.  He throws himself into his tactical ventures, determined to see the name Borgia carved forever upon Italy -- he will see them live on infamy with the other great Italian empires.  Lucrezia, who knows her brother best, notices there is something terribly wrong with him.  Gone is his cool cunning, replaced with an almost irrational and violent nature.  He is ill.  And it seems that he'll stop at nothing to achieve what he most covets, even if that means destroying what little peace Lucrezia has been able to obtain.


There's a delicate, successful balance of history and fiction contained within this book.  Ripe with names, dates, and actual historical events, you feel as if you're learning something while you enjoy a work of fiction.  Granted, there is a great deal of literary license to be taken with a family as secretive and complicated as the Borgias were (the author even notes that little is known about what actually took place behind closed doors with the Borgias), but it does seem as if a great deal of research and thought was put into this book.  I would recommend a basic knowledge of the Catholic Church, the historical role of the Pope, the power the Vatican held, and the history of Italy prior to picking up this book or you may be a bit lost.  You don't have to be an expert, just have some basic knowledge or there's a chance you might not appreciate the strength, power, and influence of the Borgia family.  Lucrezia, I felt, was a great narrator and main character.  She changed and grew over time, learning that she may be a beloved Borgia daughter, but that amounted to little in the grand schemes of her family.  Cesare was another dynamic character.  He went from hero to villain, from beloved brother to selfish rival.  I wanted to believe his love for Lucrezia would win out over his own ambitions, but we learn over time that this was not to be.  The first half of Lucrezia's life was rather tragic, marked with only a few brief periods of joy before her family, once again, intervenes with their own designs.


The book took a bit to get going, but I did eventually get sucked in.  I'm glad that I stuck it out.  If you're a fan of historical fiction based upon real people and events, then this is right up your alley.  If you have an interest in infamous Italian/Spanish families, then all the better.

What Angels Fear (Sebastian St. Cyr Mysery, Book One): C. S. Harris

"The year is 1811.  As old King George III sinks deeper into madness, and the threat of social unrest and revolution haunts the privileged classes, a beautiful young woman is found raped and savagely murdered on the altar steps of an ancient parish church not far from Westminster Abbey.  An ornate dueling pistol discovered tangled in the blood-soaked folds of Rachel York's cloak and the damning testimony of a witness both point to one man, Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, a brilliant young nobleman shattered by his experiences in the Napoleonic Wars.  When a vicious attack during his arrest leaves a constable near death, Sebastian must run for his life.

"Now a fugitive, Sebastian calls upon his experience as an agent during the war to embark on a desperate quest to catch a brutal killer and prove his own innocence.  Ranging from the glittering ballrooms and sedate salons of Mayfair to the squalid back alleys and fetid churchyards of St. Giles, Sebastian accumulates a band of unlikely allies, including a street urchin named Tom, an opium-eating Irish doctor, and a lovely but mysterious actress who calls herself Kat Boleyn.  Years ago, Kat broke Sebastian's heart.  Now she may hold the key to his salvation -- or doom him to destruction.

"For as he plunges into a world of intrigue and espionage, Sebastian discovers that Rachel York was more than what she seemed.  When the twisted path leads from a French spymaster to a Machiavellian power broker, and from there to the future Prince Regent, Sebastian begins to realize that Rachel's death holds ominous implications not only for Sebastian's own family, but also for the future of the British monarchy.

"Seamlessly weaving historical fact and an intimate knowledge of the period with a multilayered and compelling story, What Angels Fear is a stunning fiction debut by a powerful new master of mystery and suspense."

I stumbled across a later installation of this series on the New Release shelf at my local library.  Anyone who reads this blog knows I've been on a bit of a mystery/suspense kick as of late, and I particularly favor period mysteries.  This one fit in perfectly.  To my surprise, my local library actually had the first book in the St. Cyr series and I very much looked forward to cracking it open.  I was hoping that it would be a captivating blend of murder-mystery and period drama; I was not left disappointed.

Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is implicated in the gruesome murder of a young actress in a church.  He's known to have some strange characteristics and abilities, making people suspicious of the young lord newly returned from the violence of the Napoleonic battlefields.  Perhaps the horrors of war have scarred him too deeply to allow him to walk freely amongst the people of London.  With the impending announcement of the Regency, England is uneasy and wary of any nobleman who might get away with such a violent, twisted crime.  There are calls for Devlin's blood and he does the only thing he can do:  He runs.  Though he knows the timeline for the murder is impossible -- he's entirely innocent of any such crime on English soil -- no one believes him.  And matters are only made worse when the unfortunate injury of a constable during Devlin's arrest appears to mark him as the violent animal everyone believes him to be.  Calling upon his skills attained on the Continent from his time spent as a spy for the British cause, as well as his unnatural physical abilities, Devlin manages to evade capture as he doggedly sets out to prove his innocence and seek justice for the slain young woman.

What Devlin does not expect to uncover is the complex web of lies and alliances, the network of political subterfuge, and the multitude of pawns in play on the intricate board that is Europe during the early nineteenth century.  Each fact he discovers seems only to reveal more questions, leading him down yet another wending path with blind turns and danger as his only companion.  Along the way, Devlin realizes that his family is more involved in the scandal than he originally believed.  Still, he remains determined to uncover the truth, even if it means the ruin of the St. Cyr name.

Along the way, we meet a band of lively characters.  The undercurrent of romantic tension with Kat Boleyn was a pleasant and tense layer to this multifaceted story.  The history between them is complicated, to say the least -- each of them extremely stubborn.  Devlin knows Kat has connections and skills which could very well save his life; however, he doesn't know the dark secrets Kat must withhold even from the man she secretly loves.  Though Devlin suspects she's somehow embroiled in the complex web, he has no idea just how deep the connection runs.  And Kat will do everything she can to keep it that way.  Tom is a street urchin Devlin meets when the boy tries to pick his pocket at an inn shortly after Devlin's initial escape from custody.  The boy has remarkable skill and drive, lending an air of complexity to his character.  He has a deep sense of loyalty and a seemingly endless supply in the belief that the truth triumphs, despite the hints that his past has proven anything but.  His sense of humor and quick wit lend levity to an otherwise dark and heavy plot.  Though Devlin resists at first, he quickly learns that Tom can come in handy.  Even with Devlin's skills and abilities, Tom has a way with people and a knowledge of the streets which Devlin puts to very good use.  Tom even manages to help Devlin out of a few close calls along the way.  In addition to these very prominent secondary characters (though Kat is a bit more complex than a simple "secondary character" because several chapters are, indeed, from her point of view), Devlin encounters several others whom liven up the plot and aid him in his search for the true killer.  His old friend, an opium-addicted doctor from the war, uses his medical knowledge to clarify the facts of Rachel's death, revealing truths which reveal hidden motives and startlingly grim truths about the murderer.  Devlin even forms a connection with a well-dressed grave robber, an expert at procuring bodies for medical and...personal...purposes.  Along with these men come a bevy of possible suspects ranging from Devlin's own family to those in the higher echelons of the monarchy; a Frenchman in exile who is more than he appears; an Italian artist with remarkable talent and a fascination with the beautiful dead woman.  Readers are left guessing almost until the very last chapter who is responsible for Rachel's death.

Harris weaves together an intricate fictional storyline with historical and political fact.  The settings are remarkably detailed and vivid, revealing the truly ugly sides of nineteenth century London.  Even with the filth and grime, there's a morbid beauty in these descriptions of London which call to mind the glorious poems of William Blake (see his works "London" and "The Chimney-Sweeper" for excellent examples, if you're interested -- I can absolutely see echoes of Blake's work here).  The marked differences between the suffering of the people and the privilege of the aristocracy are made painfully blatant in this book, adding notes of reality to the plot.  This is, perhaps, one of the things which pulled me in the most.  There were no romanticized depictions here, only harsh, bleak realism.  This was a very different approach than what I am used to when reading period fiction and I, for one, appreciated it, especially because it was handled so artfully.  I felt transported; sometimes in a way which made me uncomfortable.  It was a new sensation which, to be honest, made me start and stop a few times within the first half of the book.  The delay in my reading had nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the interesting nature of the story, and everything to do with the fact that it made me think and it made me experience emotions I'm not necessarily accustomed to when reading.  These ended up being what make this story so special.  The story is violent and dark, twisted and mysterious.  It's not going to be a book for everyone, but, man, does it end up being an exciting, thought-provoking read.

Devlin was a fantastic lead.  A lot of the mystery/suspense books I've read lately are told from the first-person; I ended up enjoying the fact that this book was not.  It's a format I'm more used to and I find that I'm more drawn to a narrator who is more removed from the story -- I don't always want to feel like "I" am the main character because it can sometimes read a little bit like a Fanfiction.  It was very interesting to see the way in which his mind worked and to experience his abilities as we do.  At first, I thought his yellow eyes, heightened senses and reflexes were a bit over-the-top (more like the author was attempting to create a cool, superhero-like main character than one who was realistic, which felt slightly out of place in the hyper-realistic setting), but I was very pleasantly surprised to discover in the Author's Note that Devlin's abilities and physical attributes are part of a very real genetic mutation (I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff).  This made me appreciate him all the more and it turned a once-unbelievable main character (though cool, nonetheless) into one who was perfectly suited for the life of a spy and to get himself out of what appears to be a hopeless and impossible situation.

As this book is the first in a series, the conclusion sets up the possibility for more adventures.  It also leaves a great deal of unanswered questions about the heavily-guarded secrets of Devlin's family history -- things for which some would be willing to pay dearly and others would do anything to protect.  With his drive and talents, I think Devlin makes a captivating main character and I really am looking forward to seeing where the series takes him.

While the story took me a few days to really get into (which I've already explained above), the plot moved at an excellent clip and contained so many twists and turns that I was often left spinning, just like Devlin.  I was invested in his search for the murderer, and I desperately wanted to see him clear his name.  The subplot of his complicated romance with Kat was an excellent touch and really fleshed him out.  It gave him a rich backstory even more intricate than his just having an uneasy relationship with his surviving family members, and the fascinating time he spent at war.  The hints of PTSD were a realistic touch to his character.  Devlin is strong and unique, but not infallible.

I will reiterate that this book will not be for everyone.  Like most murder-mysteries, it has some very intense violence and grim themes.  The vivid writing style, however, can make this even more disturbing to some readers, so I will caution you if you're weak of stomach or have an averse reaction to such things.  This is not a happy book on any level, but it is a fascinating one.  It keeps you guessing, it makes you think, and you don't see the end coming until it practically slaps you across the face.  Kudos to an author who managed to hide the truth from me for about 300 pages -- this is no easy feat.  I hope the same can be said of the other books in this series.  Another part of what makes this book so masterful is the fact interwoven with the fiction.  Harris is an accomplished scholar and it is certainly apparent in her knowledge of the time period in which this book is set.  I recommend this book to those with a strong continence, a love of intrigue, an admiration for strong male leads who have a soft spot for a strong woman, and who enjoy more than a little suspenseful mystery.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of Devlin in reviews to come.

I Was Anastasia: Ariel Lawhon

"In an enthralling new feat of historical suspense, Ariel Lawhon unravels the extraordinary twists and turns in Anna Anderson's 50-year battle to be recognized as Anastasia Romanov.  Is she the Russian Grand Duchess or the thief of another woman's legacy?

"Countless others have rendered their verdict.  Now it is your turn.

"Russia, July 17, 1918:  Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police force Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia where they face a merciless firing squad.  None survive.  At least that is what the executioners have always claimed.

"Germany, February 17, 1920:  A young woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anastasia Romanov is pulled shivering and senseless from a canal in Berlin.  Refusing to explain her presence in the freezing water, she is taken to the hospital where an examination reveals that her body is riddled with countless, horrific scars.  When she finally does speak, this frightened, mysterious woman claims to be the Russian Grand Duchess Anastasia.

"Her detractors, convinced that the young woman is only after the immense Romanov fortune, insist on calling her by a different name:  Anna Anderson.  As rumors begin to circulate through European society that the youngest Romanov daughter has survived the massacre, old enemies and new threats are awakened.  With a brilliantly crafted dual narrative structure, Lawhon wades into the most psychologically complex and emotionally compelling territory yet:  the nature of identity itself."

This is the book I started reading at the tail end of my vacation (it was also the last one I'd brought with me, so I am sort of grateful that I didn't fly right through it or I would have been lost).  Once again, I have Pinterest to thank for my reading material.  The algorithm it uses to come up with recommendations really is very impressive; more often than not, it seems to be able to really pick up on what my tastes gear toward and come up with books I may not have chosen for myself, but would more than likely enjoy.  This book popped up a number of times (even after I pinned it) and I came across it at my local library, so it felt a bit like fate.

I've always been fascinated with European history (more so British history than anything else) and there's just something captivating and tragic about the Romanovs.  I even enrolled in a Russian history course during my undergraduate studies (which was amazing, by the way -- in part because I was also able to learn quite a bit about the country from which most of my family originates:  Lithuania) and I found it absolutely fascinating, especially when it came to the revolution.  I grew up watching the animated film Anastasia (one of my cousins is even named "Anastasia"), so I have always been around the story of the Grand Duchess and her ill-fated family -- even in my British history studies because her mother was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.  It was not until somewhat more recently that I was exposed to the story of Anna Anderson, the real-life woman who claimed to be THE Anastasia.  Every so often (thank you, internet, for tracking my history...), an article will pop up in my Facebook feed about Anna and her grand claims and mysterious background.  I won't give away what I have learned from these articles, but, rather, will stick to the context of this book.




I'm currently about a third of the way through this book.  It has a very unique narrative style, bouncing back and forth from Anna to Anastasia.  It transcends the decades in less than chronological order (at least for Anna) and it can be difficult to follow at times, but it is so very much worth it.  The intricacies and nuances I've been able to catch thus far are captivating.  We begin with an unnamed narrator cautioning us that conveying her story will only pass along its burden, though we continue onwards regardless.  This is followed by Anna making a last-ditch effort to remain in America before her visa expires and it is after this that the meandering hallways of Anna's memories are revealed.  We are given the distinct impression that she's a credible narrator because of the details she provides and the lengths to which she's been willing to go -- the sacrifices she's been willing to make -- in order to prove her identity.  We see how other people have tried to use her, either for monetary or notoriety gain; how she has been touted as a lost princess or sneered at as an imposter.




However, I think my favorite parts thus far have been Anastasia's point of view.  The Romanovs are often portrayed as spoiled and aloof -- totally out of touch with reality and the things they should have handled as the Russian royal family -- and I'm not disputing that they were not; however, it has been very interesting to read a different perspective.  Told from Anastasia's point of view, these sections offer a very intimate look into the Romanov family and behind closed doors.  Their confusion and fear were palpable entities during their downfall and subsequent transportation to Siberia.  You feel sympathy for a family which is, more often than not, shown to be completely detached from reality.  The details Anastasia is able to capture, her determination and will are astounding for someone so young and in such a dire situation.  It's all written beautifully and it really immerses you in this world of turmoil and upheaval experienced by Anastasia and her family.


I'm looking forward to seeing how all of this progresses.




***


I'm now 2/3 of the way through this book and the tension is definitely heating up.  The narrative style is so successful and captivating, with Anna and Anastasia's perspectives playing out with different narrators and their timelines creeping ever closer.  I find myself speeding through because I want to get to the point where their stories/timelines collide.  What will we discover?  What is the truth?  In a backwards fashion, we learn how Anna came to be in America, all of the times she'd been exploited or vilified, how she'd come to survive off of her infamy.  How the surviving Romanov family members had attempted to buy her off and why they did so.  With Anastasia, we witness the treatment of the imperial family under the revolutionaries and then the Bolsheviks.  We see how they were taken down more than a few notches (perhaps several hundred notches, to be honest) in an effort to rub their noses in reality.  The subtle ways in which they'd been sheltered, even in captivity.  There's even a little bit of sweet romance between some of the captors and captives.  Anastasia's first-person perspective portions remain my favorite parts of this book.  Her personality is spunky and her will to survive is admirable.  History tells us that the story does not end well for the Romanovs, but I'm still looking forward to seeing what the last part of the book has to offer, and I consider this a great feat of writing.


***


I finished this book a few days ago and I'm happy to finally get around to finish my review.  Completing a book in a matter of a few days is no great feat for me (in fact, this one actually took me a bit longer than normal because of my hectic schedule and trying to get back into the swing of things after vacation), but I do consider it notable when there are specific reasons that I simply cannot put a book down.  While the book, as a whole, is extremely interesting and captivating, the latter half is so brimming with suspense that you're practically salivating for more.  You HAVE to know if Anna is Anastasia.  So many times over I thought I'd had the plot figured out; I believed I'd discovered Lawhon's aim.  I was wrong so many times over.  The beauty of this style of writing (with two perspectives beginning decades apart and then creeping inexorably closer, gradually building the tension while it reveals tidbits of information and carefully omitting others) is that you know where the story ends up, you're just not sure how it got there.  And, in this particular story, that makes all the difference in the world.  This style is what makes this book unique and such a fascinating read.  It could have just been yet another historical fiction providing hope for those who believe that, surely, someone must have survived what history can only categorize as a massacre of the royal family.  The writing is so poignant and it resonated so deeply with me that I was completely absorbed in the story (woe to my husband who kept trying to interrupt the last few chapters despite the fact that I told him I just wanted to finish my book...).


Anastasia's portions of the story remained my favorite, though I do think that Anna's became even more interesting as the story progressed.  The impact of the surviving Romanov family members upon her life was of particular interest to me -- their desperation to quell Anna's claims and collect the Romanov inheritance.  I thought the way in which Lawhon managed to get the readers to sympathize with Anna while retaining the sense of mystery and uncertainty about her was artful.  There were a couple of Anna's portions which dragged on just a bit; however, having finished the book, I can say that pretty much every single detail was required to further the reader's belief/disbelief.  One must take this book as a whole rather than two separate stories which happen to be contained in the same book.  There are nuances and details woven with such care throughout, creating an epic interconnected story.


Anastasia's perspective was dramatic and vivid.  Having completed that aforementioned Russian history course, I'm familiar with the ways in which the Romanovs were treated after their fall from grace.  Yes, they were a royal family vastly out of touch with reality, but does any human being really deserve to be punished thusly?  Anastasia's companionship with Tomas provided much-needed tenderness in her dark, disparaging world and I found the details to be very sweet.  The book had the potential to become far too heavy without this.


Overall, this was a fascinating read with a unique structure to it, which, I felt, makes it so successful.  It definitely helps if you know and understand a little bit of Russian history to truly appreciate why the revolt took place, but it's not necessary to know everything since Lawhon does such a good job of explaining it as the story goes along.  I definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction or is looking for a book with a different setup than your run-of-the-mill chronological timeframe.  As the information above indicates, this book really is a psychological journey.


***Side Note:  I discovered that Lawhon is another Nashville author -- another happy coincidence.  I ended up (unintentionally) taking books by two different Nashville authors on my trip to that city.

The Anatomist’s Wife (Lady Darby Mystery, Book One): Anna Lee Huber

“Scotland, 1830.  Following the death of her husband, Lady Kiera Darby has taken refuge at her sister’s estate, finding solace in her passion for painting.  But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.

 

“Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the houseguests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage—a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent.  While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn’t about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.  When their search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges her to give up their inquiry.  But Kiera is determined to protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim…”

 

This book was another Pinterest find and I devoured it in the matter of a couple of days on my vacation (I read a lot…).  I wish I’d had the opportunity to do some of my RAIR (reviewing as I read) process, but, alas, my memory will have to serve here.

 

I’ve been on a bit of a kick with new genres/authors/subjects and this one looked right up my alley—especially with my tendency as of late to be drawn toward anything remotely Sherlock-esque (just take a look at my Pinterest account).  I was right.  This book was AMAZING!  Anyone who even spares a glance at my reading history will instantly realize that I gear toward period books (specifically 1800s Great Britain).  Not only was the setting perfect for my tastes, but I have a think for quirky, intelligent female leads.  What I didn’t expect to find was a very palpable romantic undercurrent—what a pleasant surprise!!!  This made the book perfect for someone with similar tastes to mine, but wants to branch out into other genres (it’s a good “segue”).

 

There are murder and intrigue, tension and mystery, elegantly crafted settings and vibrant characters.  There’s a rich backstory which seamlessly collides with the present setting of the book, creating powerful clashes and intense tension.  Kiera, herself, is an extremely strong character—an excellent female lead.  She is witty and fiery, all while retaining something uniquely feminine that one would expect of a well-bred woman of this era.  She’s also extremely talented and intelligent, things which other guests at the house party overlook in favor of their own prejudices.  She navigates their malice and suspicion with enough strength and determination to make any reader proud.  Her sister and brother-in-law are well-developed, excellent secondary characters.  Amidst the turmoil following the murder of one of their houseguests, they suffer their own concerns and fears, which is a good part of Kiera’s intense determination to solve the mystery (along with her understandable desire to clear her own name).

 

We are first introduced to Gage as a handsome rake of a houseguest whom Kiera looks down upon for his dissolute ways and—seeming—claim to fame while riding his father’s coattails as a prominent investigator.  Along with Kiera, we soon learn that not all of the hype is for naught.  While Kiera assists in the investigation, the two of them come to an uneasy truce of sorts, both of them bringing their own set of talents, knowledge, and strengths to the table.  It turns out that Gage is not quite who Kiera expects him to be.  Were this a “traditional romance novel,” he would be considered the male lead; however, this is not your average book and it’s not your average story.  The narrative style lends to a certain sense of mystery about Gage and the other characters and this was a refreshing point of view.  It keeps the tension (both romantic and otherwise) very high and makes it nearly impossible to put this book down.  The attraction between Gage and Kiera becomes nearly as palpable as another person in the room as they work together to solve the gruesome crime.

 

All of this is set against a stunningly crafted backdrop of the Highlands.  Kiera’s sister’s home is a beautiful castle nestled in the striking wilds of Scotland; the characters are surrounded by the natural beauty and wonder of the place, lending an air of beauty to an otherwise rather dark novel.  I appreciate very little more than I do a good setting and this book certainly delivered.  For me, at least, the mark of a good book is one where I become utterly immersed in the setting, characters, and plot.  A bad or boring setting will only throw the veil off of the imagination (perhaps even more so when the narrator is first-person; there’s nothing more difficult when one cannot picture herself in the narrator’s shoes).

 

I absolutely, wholeheartedly recommend this book.  It’s a mystery filled with intrigue, gruesome murder, and nefarious plots, all with twists and turns that kept me guessing.  The setting and the characters really make this story something special.  While it’s absolutely a mystery, there’s definitely enough romance in it for someone looking for a bit of a different dimension to this genre (or for someone like me who is more used to reading romance than mystery and needs a way to help her “branch out.”)  This is a period mystery with all the tension and drama one could hope for.  I am tickled pink that there are more books in this series and I’m looking forward to seeing more of Lady Darby and Gage.

 

Side Note:  I didn’t realize it when I picked up this book to pack away for my vacation that Huber resides in Nashville, Tennessee.  This just so happens to be where I went on my vacation, so it seemed rather apropos.  What a happy coincidence!

The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke, Book One): Tessa Dare

"WHEN GIRL MEETS DUKE, THEIR MARRIAGE BREAKS ALL THE RULES...

 

"Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury's to-do list has been short and anything but sweet:  brooding, glowering, menacing London ne'er-do-wells by night.  Now there's a new item on the list.  He needs an heir--which means he needs a wife.  When Emma Gladstone, a vicar's daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she'll do.

"His terms are simple:

They will be husband and wife by night only.
• No lights, no kissing.
• No questions about his battle scars.
Last, and most importantly...  Once she's pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

"But Emma is no pushover.  She has a few rules of her own:

• They will have dinner together every evening.
• With conversation.
• And unlimited teasing.
• Last, and most importantly...  Once she's seen the man beneath the scars, he can't stop her from falling in love."

And we're back to Tessa Dare!  This is her newest book and I was SO excited to start reading it.  I've plowed (no pun intended) my way through the rest of her books and was desperate for some new reading material.  Dare is easily my favorite period romance author.  I have some others whom I very, very much enjoy, but none quite so much as Dare.  Her characters always manage to charm me with their quirks and their extremely unique personalities.  Dare is one author I could never accuse of "recycling" plots or characters; each is so individualistic that I find this to be her trademark.  She writes unique, powerful characters -- each with their own mannerisms, speech patterns, and appearances.  One of my favorite aspects of her writing is probably the fact that she imbues each of her characters with some sort of "flaw," whether it be physical, emotional, or psychological.  This book was no different.

I'm about halfway through this book and Ash has very quickly become one of my favorite characters of all time.  His personality and penchant for Shakespearean insults are spectacular.  I will say that some of his (more comedic) comments thus far feel a bit more "modern" than I am used to in a period book, but I still found them incredibly amusing.  His wit and sense of humor are wonderful.  It took me a minute to understand just why he spoke so archaically, but, once I did, I appreciated him all the more.  It's no secret that he's horribly scarred from his accident at war.  I very quickly saw this book as a variation on Beauty and the Beast, but there is so much more to this book than that...think Beauty and the Beast meet Batman.  This sounds utterly absurd, I know, but you'll understand what I mean once you read it.  I picked up this book believing I would find another physically-and-emotionally damaged, gruff, surly male hero, but I have discovered so much more in Ash.  His character is so refreshing and so very different from the stereotype I was anticipating.  This is not to say that there's anything horribly wrong with the stereotype, just that I am extremely pleased to have encountered such a different hero.  Of course, Ash certainly is physically and emotionally damaged, but it's how he handles his life and his encounters that is so fun (not a very good word, but oh well) and enjoyable to read.

I really enjoy Emma thus far.  She's so spunky and I particularly appreciate that she's so far outside the realm of a "shrinking miss" that they're not even on the same continent.  This needed to happen for the plot to work and for her to match Ash's very powerful personality.  His character very easily could have overpowered his female counterpart in the story, but Dare has managed to make a very nice pairing with both their backgrounds and personalities.  Her backstory is rich and I can believe that it helped to shape her into the woman she was when she met Ash.  Having just read another story with a vicar's daughter as the female lead, I can confidently say that I enjoyed this rendition a bit more.  She felt more human and flawed.  Granted, Emma and the other female lead had very different backgrounds and experiences with their families, so this probably played a big role.  As a character, Emma successfully bridged the chasm between vicar's daughter and romantic lead -- things I, personally, have never really felt went together well.

The reading continues onward and I'll return with the completion of my review.

***

So I ended up devouring the rest of the book mere hours after finishing the first part of this review.  Ash is easily the best male lead I've encountered in a very, very long time -- if not my all-time favorite.  His sense of humor was absolutely charming and wholly unexpected.  He's a goofball.  (I suspect I may have enjoyed him so much because it reminds me a bit of my husband -- he can be very gruff and abrasive sometimes, but he's a totally different man and his personality really shines when it's the two of us and he's comfortable and can just be himself.)  He feels a great deal younger than he actually is, which was rather fun.  I was still completely enamored of his use of Shakespearean insults, even at the end of the book.  While his damaged body, mind, heart, and soul were a huge part of who he was, I sincerely appreciate the lengths Dare went to in order to make him more than just the sum of his broken parts.  He was SO much more than another beast waiting for his beauty to heal him and make him whole; to show him that he was worth loving.  His personality was outstanding and really made this book a success.

Emma, as I suspected, turned out to be the absolutely perfect foil for Ash.  She remained fiery and determined, no matter the circumstances.  She was strong and willful, romantic and sweet.  She was going to prove to Ash that she was attracted to every single thing about him -- whether he liked it or not.

There are a few good twists and turns in this book that kept the plot moving along at a very pleasant clip.  The Monster of Mayfair was a particularly fun aspect and I'm sticking to my earlier statement that this book is Beauty-and-the-Beast-meets-Batman.  It makes complete sense once you read the book...I promise.

I already CANNOT wait to read the next book in this series.  The premise was already put into place in this story and we were introduced to some fantastically unique female characters in this book -- I can only expect that Dare plans on creating a story for each of them.  I'm already itching to get my hands on the next story!

Dare has once again solidified her place as one of my favorite (if not my VERY favorite) author of this genre (or even in general).  This is supremely high praise and I don't think it is overblown in the slightest.  Her characters are rich, charming, and easy to love.  She imbues each and every last one of them with personalities and quirks which really bring them to life.  Her plots are exciting, unique, and steamy.  The romance is believable and fun.  I am absolutely enamored of her writing style and creativity.  I simply cannot say enough about Dare and I HIGHLY recommend her to anyone who is a fan of period romance, or is even just interested in this genre.

EDIT:  I forgot to add one of the main reasons I enjoyed Emma so much...  I mentioned before that she's no shrinking miss, but I failed to mention just how naughty she is.  As opposed to feeling over the top or bordering on just plain erotica (usually where there is very little substance to the characters), it was fun and playful!  She wasn't afraid of experimentation, nor did she shy away from Ash's appetites.  While the mentality was probably a bit more modern, it was SO refreshing.  I didn't realize how tired I'd grown of cautious women who shirk away from anything but the most vanilla of acts.  Few characters (and authors) can pull this off with such ease and believability:  Emma and Dare are the perfect example of this.

The Devil Wears Plaid: Teresa Medeiros

 “Emmaline Marlowe is about to wed the extremely powerful laird of the Hepburn clan to save her father from debtor’s prison when ruffian Jamie Sinclair bursts into the abbey on a magnificent black horse and abducts her in one strong swoop.  Though he is Hepburn’s sworn enemy, Emma’s mysterious captor is everything her bridegroom is not—handsome, virile, dangerous…and a perilous temptation for her yearning heart.

 

“Jamie expects Emma to be some milksop English miss, not a fiery, defiant beauty whose irresistible charms will tempt him at every turn.  But he cannot allow either one of them to forget he is her enemy and she is his pawn in the deadly Highland feud between the clans.  So why does he still want her so badly for himself?  Stealing his enemy’s bride was simple, but can he claim her innocence without losing his heart?”

 

I seem to be on a bit of a Teresa Medeiros kick lately (and I even have another of her books ready to start reading at lunch today).  This one is a standalone novel, though I can certainly see the potential for a second book, given one of the very vivid secondary characters.  Having just read Some Like It Wild, I can absolutely see some similarities in the characters and some echoes of plot similarities (and twists).  I could criticize this as “recycling,” but the differences are poignant enough where I will just say that the formula seems to work, so why knock a good thing?  I don’t feel cheated or disappointed and I still very much enjoyed the book.

 

I was left feeling like we got to learn a lot more about Emma’s point of view than Jamie’s.  We got to experience her falling in love with Jamie, while I saw Jamie falling in lust with Emma and didn’t quite get to see love come to fruition (even though I know he did fall in love with her).  I liked Emma’s sense of duty and sacrifice.  She was willing to give up everything to allow her family to have a better life.  She wasn’t afraid of the sacrifice and faced it with a unique bravery; she faced down Jamie and his fearsome band of Highland outlaws with a similar attitude.  I found this very admirable.  Overall, Jamie was a great male lead (despite the fact that I thought we saw much less of his point of view than we should have toward the end of the story).  His sense of duty and determination was a good mirror for Emma’s.  I really enjoyed the plot twists concerning Jamie and his multifaceted character.  There was a hardness to him that felt very true to his lifestyle and difficult upbringing in the Highland mountains, constantly being hunted by the Hepburns; yet, the gradual softness he felt toward Emma felt natural and believable.

 

The duality of some of the major secondary characters, the absolutely stunning scenery descriptions, and the overarching plot were rich and really sucked me into the story, making for a very quick read.  I practically devoured the book.  Medeiros always writes such enthralling stories; it’s so easy to lose one’s self in them and she really does create excellent “escapes” for her readers.  By far the most enthralling part of this story were the vivid descriptions of the Highlands.  When I was finished, I was half in love with the setting, myself.  It really felt like I was experiencing this magical place alongside Emma; it felt so real, in fact, that I am sure Medeiros had to have actually visited the Scottish Highlands in order to create such vivid scenery.

 

This was a great standalone novel and I recommend it as an introduction to Medeiros if you’re considering reading her works, but you don’t quite know if you want the commitment of being drawn into reading a series.  Her Scottish characters are wild and exciting, much like the land from whence they hail.  Their dialect is believable and not overly-exaggerated (which I have honestly experienced with some other authors).  Despite having some characteristics of great Greek Tragedies, Medeiros was able to maintain a lightheartedness that made the book fun.  This has always been something I admire about her style.

The Virgin's Lover (Tudor Court, Book Six): Philippa Gregory

"Elizabeth I has ascended to the throne of England, a position she has waited and schemed for all her life.  She is surrounded by advisers, all convinced that they know what would be best for the country and certain that a young woman cannot form political judgements.  Elizabeth feels that she can rely on just one man:  her oldest friend, Robert Dudley.  it is soon plain that he is more than merely a friend.  In a house in the countryside waits a very different woman, Amy Robsart -- Robert's wife.  She has no taste for life at court and longs for the day when her husband will return home and attend to his family.  She has loved him since she was a girl, but now they are adults she hardly sees him.  Meanwhile, the pressure grows for Elizabeth to marry, for it is unthinkable that a queen should rule on her own.  Elizabeth's preference is clear, but he is unavailable.  But what if the unthinkable were to happen...  Philippa Gregory blends passion, personalities and politics in this stunning novel of the Tudor court and a country divided."

This installation in Philippa Gregory's Tudor Court series took me a bit longer to read than I thought it would (and I'm not entirely sure why).  I very much enjoyed and appreciated the way in which Gregory tied together all of her prior books (even The Queen's Fool, which focused on the life of a fictional character to insert the readers into the time period and give them a better "insider's" view of Mary and Elizabeth, as well as the time period).  Readers were introduced to Robert Dudley in The Queen's Fool.  While I liked his character there, I found him to be very different in this book - perhaps because the readers are given insight into his mind and machinations instead of a rather biased opinion from a besotted young girl (i.e. Hannah from the book prior to this).  Knowing what I know about the real Robert Dudley (being the British history buff that I am), I found this portrayal to be very interesting and fairly in-line with what I know of him.  I struggled a little bit more with the portrayal of Elizabeth I; maybe because I've seen her presented as a powerful, self-sure woman in a man's world so many times over in both fiction and non-fiction.  This specific portrayal and her character quirks were also introduced in The Queen's Fool, but this book really made them evident.  I understand that Elizabeth was still a young woman when she took the throne, but I have long had such a high opinion of her as a queen that this was occasionally difficult for me to swallow (perhaps this is why it took me so long to read?).  Amy, on the other hand, was the character who garnered all of my sympathies.  I didn't care for her at all in The Queen's Fool, where she was portrayed as irrational, clingy, and borderline-insane (granted, this also came from the point of view of a very young woman (Hannah) who fancied herself in love with Amy's husband).  Maybe she seemed more sane and pitiable in this book because we got to see things from her point of view (I wonder if the difference was intentional on Gregory's part because what madwoman really sees her own madness?).  The amount of loyalty, devotion, and love she felt for Robert regardless of his faults and incessant slights against her - his veritable abandonment of her - was truly heartbreaking.  Gregory's artful juxtaposition of Elizabeth and Amy - two very different women in love with the same man - was extremely well done.  This is, I believe, what made the book a worthy read.  There was still a great deal of politics and religious issues, which - though necessary - made the reading a touch dry at times; however, I will say it did not get quite as dry as The Taming of the Queen (the amount of religious information in that book made it a bit of a struggle at times).  I will have to say that The Other Boleyn Girl is still my favorite of all of Gregory's books.  I can absolutely appreciate the common threads and characters Gregory was able to weave into this series (I especially enjoy seeing Mary Boleyn's daughter and granddaughter in this book).  My disclaimer is this:  The Other Boleyn Girl can be a standalone read for almost anyone, but that is not the case for the rest of the books in this series.  The time period becomes more and more complex and, to understand the subterfuge, familial relations/rivalries/interplay, and have any chance of grasping the politics and religious turmoil, one must read all of the books in this series.  This is not for everyone.  Be prepared to delve very deeply into English politics, policies, and religion(s) - yes, that plural was intentional - when reading these books.  I don't want to scare you away, but simply make you aware that not all of the books in this series are as easy to read as The Other Boleyn Girl...this book included.  I recommend this book as a must-read for the series (it's very interesting to see so many things converge), but I didn't love it as much as others (though I will say I liked parts of it much better than some of Gregory's other books).

Goddess of the Hunt (Toby and Isabel Trilogy, Book One): Tessa Dare

“Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband.  But first she needs some target practice.  So she turns to her brother’s best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man.  But her practice kisses speak a smoldering passion – one that could send all her plans up in smoke.

 

“Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of long-buried secrets.  He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming, he must give his passions free reign.  Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control.  When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin?  Or will he risk his heart and claim her for his own?”

 

I’ve said it before and I am sure I will say it many times in the future:  I love Tessa Dare.  She is easily one of my favorite authors.  It is rare that I encounter an author who is so fun, so readable, and so creative as Dare is.  I enjoy each and every single one of her books that I pick up, and I have a very, very hard time putting them back down.  This is one of Dare’s earliest books and, while I can tell (because I’ve read so many of her books now), it doesn’t make the book any less enjoyable.  Her style has shifted a bit over the years and her characters have become more well-rounded, but the common thread of fun, exciting, creative plots remains.

 

I am thrilled this book is a series because I have really enjoyed a lot of the characters; however, I’m a bit baffled by the fact that I’ve found a couple sources that call the series “Toby and Isabel Trilogy.”  I have no idea who Isabel is after finishing this book, but I’m sure she will come into play eventually.  I have some suspicions, but I don’t want to divulge them just yet.  I also feel like there could even have been a prequel!  Henry, Lucy’s older brother, and his wife, Marianne, seem to be very much in love.  In fact, Jeremy even says his friends’ marriage is a love-match.  They seem rather happily married because Marianne keeps popping out little ones.  I want to know more about them and their story!  Even though Henry rubs me the wrong way as a brother and guardian, I am interested in his character as a man – especially because he steps up in the latter half of the book.  I hope Dare might consider writing a prequel for Henry and Marianne, even though Marianne fell a little bit flat in this book (of course, she didn’t exactly play a major role).

 

As with a few of her other books, I think Dare developed one of her lead characters a little bit more than the other.  In the case of this book, I think Lucy was more developed than Jeremy.  Jeremy had a much better backstory, but his present-self (does that make sense?) was a bit flatter than Lucy’s.  She was all energy, life, and fire.  Jeremy – while I understand Dare was trying to make him into a cold, stoic, monolith of a man, I felt as if I didn’t see nearly as much from his point of view; nor did I quite feel satisfied with the shift into his realization that he did, indeed, love Lucy.

 

Lucy’s pursuit of Toby was amusing.  Her shenanigans – while a little bit over the top – were funny.  (I still find myself asking where in the heck she got the book from which she learned her “seduction” techniques.)  I got a good sense of who Lucy was and Dare gave us information on her upbringing, but I don’t feel as if her backstory was quite as developed as Jeremy’s (as previously stated).  Everyone told me how they thought she felt about missing seasons in Town and not having her “coming out,” but I don’t recall ever really knowing how Lucy felt about it.  Knowing what I do of her character, I think she may well have been fine with it, happy to remain free in the country.

 

Jeremy’s character was developed rather differently.  I don’t think I got a decent sense of what he actually looked like until very late in the book (much later than normal), which felt a bit strange.  I don’t recall even learning his eye color until quite a few chapters in the book.  This was a little bit strange for a book in this genre, which relies so heavily upon its readers’ imaginations and ability to (for lack of a better phrase) “be attracted to” its male leads.  Thinking back on it, I don’t think I got a good description of any of the male characters in this book!  How odd.  I think this may have just been an oversight because it is one of Dare’s earliest published works.  She’s gotten much better about this.  It is because of this that Jeremy remained rather ambiguous in my imagination for quite some time and it felt a bit odd.  I did enjoy his backstory very much.  Dare has a knack for developing male leads who have some powerful, unique backstories; this is something I always find impressive and one of my favorite aspects of her work.  Jeremy (by the way, I adore his nicknames “Jem” and “Jemmy” enough where I have a newfound love for the name and would consider it for one of my as-yet-non-existent-future-children) was a decent character.  I was frustrated with the poor communication he and Lucy shared, but I suppose that means that I genuinely cared about them and I was invested in them – always a good sign.  Bits and pieces of the story were a bit over the top, but I didn’t mind this overmuch.

 

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Dare’s books; therefore, of course I am going to recommend this one.  I would not go so far as to say that this book was my favorite of hers, but I will say it’s up there on my list.  I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy (and I’ll keep not-so-secretly hoping for a prequel for Henry).  It is a fun, easy read and Dare is by far one of the best romance authors I’ve ever read.

The Queen's Fool (Tudor Court, Book Five): Philippa Gregory

“A stunning novel set in the Tudor court, as the rivalry between Queen Mary and her half-sister Elizabeth is played out against a background of betrayal, conflict and passion.  The savage rivalry of the daughters of Henry VIII, Mary Tudor and Elizabeth, mirrors that of their mothers, Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.  Each will fight by any available means for the crown and future of the kingdom.  Elizabeth’s bitter struggle to claim the throne she believes in hers by right, and the man she desires almost more than her crown, is watched by her ‘fool’:  a girl who has been forced to leave her homeland of Spain, as a Jew fleeing the Inquisition.  In a court where truth is wittily denied and lies are mere games, it is the fool who can speak plainly:  in these dangerous times, a woman must choose between ambition and love.  Elizabeth will not make the same mistakes as her mother.”

The teaser for this book does not really do it justice; it makes it seem as if the book is more about Elizabeth than anything else, but this is not true.  The book is told from the point of view of Hannah Verde (or, Hannah Green), daughter of a secretly Jewish printer and bookseller, after she is brought to the court of the young Edward IV only a short while before his premature death.  In a series built upon historical facts, Hannah represents a deviation from this technique.  She has a gift of “the sight” and, essentially, has premonitions and sees angels.  Following one of these visions, Hannah is brought by Robert Dudley to court as his little spy.  Without detailing the progress of the book in too much detail, Hannah’s loyalties are a very complex mixture of devotion, girlish love, admiration, and familial responsibility.  She “changes hands” several times throughout the book from Robert Dudley to Queen Mary, then to Elizabeth, and back and forth, back and forth.  It is a great device to capture important details from all sides without having to use an omniscient narrator.  The reader only knows as much as Hannah knows.

The parts of her story where she switched households between Mary and Elizabeth were interesting; I enjoyed the insights into their characters.  However, I think the most interesting were the bits where we saw Hannah’s betrothal to Daniel and everything that follows after it becomes too dangerous for her Jewish family to stay in England.  I believe Hannah is a supremely strong individual – I cannot imagine surviving what she does.

All of the plots, the scheming, the subversion that we know of the Tudor court from Gregory’s previous books remain in this one.  I think the structure of this book was a wise way for Gregory to incorporate the stories of these half-sisters instead of creating two separate books that would have had a great deal of overlap to the point of being detrimentally repetitious.  I particularly enjoyed the portrayals of Elizabeth and Mary from Hannah’s eyes.  I could absolutely see notes of Katherine of Aragon in Mary (especially the passion with which she loved her husband – for those of you who have read The Constant Princess, you know that Katherine calls the passion of the women in her family their curse) and both Henry and Anne in Elizabeth (in Elizabeth’s easy Tudor confidence and her ability to get what she wants from others).  I didn’t, however, see much of them as they were portrayed in The Taming of the Queen.  Perhaps because that one was told from the point of view of Kateryn, a woman who was determined to love the girls and their brother as if they were her own?

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book.  It was an easy, interesting read.  Hannah’s story was extremely interesting and it served to broaden the world far past the limitations of England’s shores.  Gregory did an excellent job on this book.  Though it strays from the format of her other books in the series, it is definitely worth the read.

The Taming of the Queen (Tudor Court, Book Four): Philippa Gregory

“Why would a woman marry a serial killer?

“Because she cannot refuse…

“Kateryn Parr, a 30-year-old widow in a secret affair with a new lover, has no choice when a man old enough to be her father, who has buried four wives – King Henry VIII – commands her to marry him.

“Kateryn has no doubt about the danger she faces:  the previous queen lasted 16 months, the one before barely half a year.  But Henry adores his new bride, and Kateryn’s trust in him grows as she unites the royal family, creates a radical study circle at the heart of the court, and rules the kingdom as regent.

“But is this enough to keep her safe?  A leader of religious reform and the first woman to publish in English, Kateryn stands out as an independent woman with a mind of her own.  But she cannot save the Protestants, under threat for their faith, and Henry’s dangerous gaze turns on her.  The traditional churchmen and rivals for power accuse her of heresy – the punishment is death by fire, and the king’s own name is on the warrant…

“From an author who has described all of Henry’s queens comes a deeply intimate portrayal of the last:  a woman who longed for passion, power, and education at the court of a medieval killer.”

I have obviously been on a bit of a Philippa Gregory kick, haven’t I?  I just love the Tudor era so much that it makes it easy for me to pick up yet another book set in this time period.  Gregory’s easy writing and captivating characters are, once again, at the heart of this book; however, I will say that I struggled with the amount of religion in this book.  I am so impressed that Kateryn was the first woman to publish in English (I believe it was a book of prayers or psalms, if memory serves me), but the sheer amount of theological discussion and preaching was, at times, enough to make my eyes glaze over.  Granted, this could just be because I, personally, can only deal with a certain amount of religion in a work of fiction before I can’t take it anymore.  This could be completely different for another reader with different interests.  I am fully aware that so much of Henry VIII’s reign revolved around religious doctrine, practices, laws, teachings, etc. (I’ve written papers on it and done my share of reading non-fiction materials on the subject), so I understand the importance of Gregory including this in the book, but it sometimes slowed down the story and the pacing.  While I thoroughly enjoyed Kateryn as a character and sympathized with her struggles and her lost love, this story was my second least-favorite in this series (one step above The Constant Princess).  The most memorable moment was the revelation of the official portrait used on the cover of the book.  I recall reading about the portrait somewhere, but I had long-since forgotten.  To have it revealed in the book was gut-wrenching and very interesting – I don’t want to give anything away!  I also loved how hard Kateryn worked to bring Henry’s children together.

Overall, I did like the book, but the weightiness of the religious aspect sometimes bogged down the story.  I understand what was trying to be accomplished, but it felt a bit religion-heavy for a historical fiction.  I think the point could have gotten across with a bit less of the details or sermons.  I will say that I did some research on Kateryn after finishing the book (she is probably the queen I knew the least about) and her story is very interesting, her life reached far past the date of her death, as did the consequences of her marriages (yes, that is plural – you’ll have to read for yourself to find out!).  She was an admirably strong, determined woman.  I hope I don’t give too much away when I say that I’m sorry her “happy ending” was not all that she hoped it would be.  I recommend this book as a necessary installation in this series, but – like I said – it was not my favorite.  It was probably the most suspenseful in the series, which is something to be said.