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milkybew's review against another edition
4.0
Great Plot
The story is captivating, a bit mysterious, sweet and spicy all in one. Love the plot and the main characters. The story are a bit heavy, with story involve around murder crime of heroine fiancé. There were hints of magical power from H side but not so much magic
The story is captivating, a bit mysterious, sweet and spicy all in one. Love the plot and the main characters. The story are a bit heavy, with story involve around murder crime of heroine fiancé. There were hints of magical power from H side but not so much magic
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
2.5, really, alas.
Liz Carlyle is one of my favorite historical romance authors, so I looked forward to her latest with eagerness. But I found this one to be a big disappointment.
The novel opens with our heroine, Grace Gauthier, at the scene of her fiance's murder. Living in England has made Grace feel an outsider -- both because she is half French, and because she grew up in Algeria, where her French father was a Commandant in the French Foreign Legion. Marrying Ethan Holding not for love, but for security, and to care for his two young stepdaughters (she's worked as their governess), Grace still feels shock at his death, particularly when she becomes a prime suspect in the case.
Hoping to find help from an old army friend, Rance Welham, Grace visits his mysterious club, only to find him away. Instead, she discovers the mysterious Lord Ruthveyn, half Indian, half Scottish, who finds himself drawn to Grace despite the fact that he "feels nothing" for her. We later discover this "feeling nothing" is a good thing, for Lord Ruthveyn is of the Vateis, a prophet or mystic, and member of the Guardians, a group devoted to protecting those who have such "Gifts." He has always put up a protective wall around himself, denying intimacy with others, because it is too painful to read others' emotions, or, as happened with his first wife and child, see their deaths before they happen.
Sensing that more murders may be in the air, Ruthveyn offers Grace a position as a governess for his two nephews, which she accepts. The murder plot plays out in the background (to a melodramatic end) while Grace and Ruthveyn come together and finally realize that they should marry.
The book seemed out of character for Carlyle. Stylistically, the writing seems far more cliche-ridden than her usual prose, and her wit and cleverness are notably absent. Character development-wise, the book also seemed lacking, particularly when compared to some of her earlier books (the Neville trilogy in particular). Plot-wise, this was far below Carlyle's usual standard; usually if there is a mystery or secret that unfolds during the course of her novel, it is intricately tied to character development, but here the murder mystery just seemed like window-dressing. And the supernatural stuff did not engage me. Carlyle did touch upon mysticism in one of her earlier books, it takes center stage here, and not to good effect. We hear a bit about Scottish mysticism, and all too much about Indian mysticism, giving the book an Orientalist (in the Edward Said sense of the word) feel. Perhaps Carlyle has truly become interested in Indian culture, but she isn't able to make it come alive in any believable way in this book; instead, it serves only as exotic accessory.
The book was shorter than Carlyle's previous novels (not in page count, but the larger typeface makes for a shorter story). It is also a new publisher for her, I think -- I wonder if a new editor has contributed to the lesser quality of this book? Or the rush to produce it? At times, I almost wondered if it had been ghost-written, so far from Carlyle's usual did it seem...
As in all of her first entries in a new series, Carlyle lays the groundwork for future volumes. Here's hoping the stories of Rance, Royton, and Anisha prove more believable...
Liz Carlyle is one of my favorite historical romance authors, so I looked forward to her latest with eagerness. But I found this one to be a big disappointment.
The novel opens with our heroine, Grace Gauthier, at the scene of her fiance's murder. Living in England has made Grace feel an outsider -- both because she is half French, and because she grew up in Algeria, where her French father was a Commandant in the French Foreign Legion. Marrying Ethan Holding not for love, but for security, and to care for his two young stepdaughters (she's worked as their governess), Grace still feels shock at his death, particularly when she becomes a prime suspect in the case.
Hoping to find help from an old army friend, Rance Welham, Grace visits his mysterious club, only to find him away. Instead, she discovers the mysterious Lord Ruthveyn, half Indian, half Scottish, who finds himself drawn to Grace despite the fact that he "feels nothing" for her. We later discover this "feeling nothing" is a good thing, for Lord Ruthveyn is of the Vateis, a prophet or mystic, and member of the Guardians, a group devoted to protecting those who have such "Gifts." He has always put up a protective wall around himself, denying intimacy with others, because it is too painful to read others' emotions, or, as happened with his first wife and child, see their deaths before they happen.
Sensing that more murders may be in the air, Ruthveyn offers Grace a position as a governess for his two nephews, which she accepts. The murder plot plays out in the background (to a melodramatic end) while Grace and Ruthveyn come together and finally realize that they should marry.
The book seemed out of character for Carlyle. Stylistically, the writing seems far more cliche-ridden than her usual prose, and her wit and cleverness are notably absent. Character development-wise, the book also seemed lacking, particularly when compared to some of her earlier books (the Neville trilogy in particular). Plot-wise, this was far below Carlyle's usual standard; usually if there is a mystery or secret that unfolds during the course of her novel, it is intricately tied to character development, but here the murder mystery just seemed like window-dressing. And the supernatural stuff did not engage me. Carlyle did touch upon mysticism in one of her earlier books, it takes center stage here, and not to good effect. We hear a bit about Scottish mysticism, and all too much about Indian mysticism, giving the book an Orientalist (in the Edward Said sense of the word) feel. Perhaps Carlyle has truly become interested in Indian culture, but she isn't able to make it come alive in any believable way in this book; instead, it serves only as exotic accessory.
The book was shorter than Carlyle's previous novels (not in page count, but the larger typeface makes for a shorter story). It is also a new publisher for her, I think -- I wonder if a new editor has contributed to the lesser quality of this book? Or the rush to produce it? At times, I almost wondered if it had been ghost-written, so far from Carlyle's usual did it seem...
As in all of her first entries in a new series, Carlyle lays the groundwork for future volumes. Here's hoping the stories of Rance, Royton, and Anisha prove more believable...
sophiewilliams's review against another edition
2.0
It was ok. No desire to read anything else by the author though
jaimewrites's review against another edition
3.0
I really, really wanted to love this book. I love Carlyle's romances more than nearly any other author writing historicals at this point, and I love paranormal storylines beyond measure. And I did like this book, and the world she's creating for future books! But for some reason, the two main characters never quite clicked for me. They didn't feel quite as deeply drawn as some of her other heroes and heroines. And a lot of this book felt like set-up for future books in the series. I'm definitely interested in checking out future books, but this one disappointed me a bit.
yaeli's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lumbermouth's review against another edition
2.0
Would have been LESS garbage, except for the inexplicable and awkward introduction of the paranormal, by which I mean SOME PEOPLE CAN ~SEE THINGS. Cue a lot of boring garbage family history about The Gift being passed down through family lines, secret society, YAWN. At least she still had a transcendental pussy (NOTE: they always have a transcendental pussy). Pages upon pages of her transcendental pussy were skipped.
nononanette's review against another edition
not as good as her others. rather long winded and hero is a bit of a mouthful.
virginiaduan's review against another edition
3.0
I am always leery of romances that either dabble in the occult/mysticism and "foreign/exotic" (eg: Indian, Chinese, etc) religions or practices. However, Carlyle wove these elements in tastefully and not too "otherizing" (if that makes any sort of sense). The mystery was well done (even if I guessed some of it) and had a satisfying conclusion. A quick and enjoyable read.
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
4.0
Characters: Military daughter/governess. Spy/precognitive.
World Building: Algiers. India. Tantra and pranayama. Secret society.
Plot: Murder mystery.
Sex: Medium. Tantric.
Read another: Yes.
World Building: Algiers. India. Tantra and pranayama. Secret society.
Plot: Murder mystery.
Sex: Medium. Tantric.
Read another: Yes.
claudiap's review
2.0
This book was just ok. I found the plot dragged out a lot and felt boring. The characters were too serious. There was no humour or wit. Even the romantic scene lacked intensity and spark. The paranormal element didn’t seem quite right in the story. It’s not awful, but not remarkable either.
But let me praise the narrator. She made me go through the all book.
But let me praise the narrator. She made me go through the all book.