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jensen1's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
christiana's review against another edition
4.0
Solid historical fiction read. Kind of reminds me of Les Miserables mixed with Ocean's 11.
inkfire's review against another edition
5.0
I particularly enjoyed the pacing of this story. The development of Montmorency as a character was really like a reverse Jekyll and Hyde, which I really enjoyed.
I think it would be a blast to read the second book, since his character is so fresh in my mind. :)
I would say that readers that enjoy society drama like Changeling or North and South would like this story, though there is quite a bit of emphasis on crime and the justification thereof.
I think it would be a blast to read the second book, since his character is so fresh in my mind. :)
I would say that readers that enjoy society drama like Changeling or North and South would like this story, though there is quite a bit of emphasis on crime and the justification thereof.
mllejules's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gbliss's review against another edition
5.0
I like this. I really liked this. I zipped through this and can't wait to get to the library tomorrow and pick the next two in the series and put in a request for the fourth and final book.
The odd thing is, I am not totally sure why I found it so appealing and interesting.
There wasn't an awful lot of "action." There was a fair amount of historical detail, but unlike other historical novels/mysteries I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know. I was surprised at the amount of time and space devoted to "Lifestyles of the Rich and Thief-ish." And on the whole it felt like the set up for a more developed storyline to be pursued in future books, in other words like this was table setting.
And yet, I loved it.
At times it reminded me of Perfume -- historical mystery with villain as good-hearted hero -- and of Count of Monte Cristo -- outsider punished by society returns in the guise of a wealthy man and exacts revenge and climbs up in "society."
This ended up being just one of those books I enjoyed READING.
The odd thing is, I am not totally sure why I found it so appealing and interesting.
There wasn't an awful lot of "action." There was a fair amount of historical detail, but unlike other historical novels/mysteries I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know. I was surprised at the amount of time and space devoted to "Lifestyles of the Rich and Thief-ish." And on the whole it felt like the set up for a more developed storyline to be pursued in future books, in other words like this was table setting.
And yet, I loved it.
At times it reminded me of Perfume -- historical mystery with villain as good-hearted hero -- and of Count of Monte Cristo -- outsider punished by society returns in the guise of a wealthy man and exacts revenge and climbs up in "society."
This ended up being just one of those books I enjoyed READING.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
3.0
Montmorency is a gentleman. Scarper is a thief. They both are liars.
yabetsy's review against another edition
4.0
Montmorency, a petty thief in Victorian England, is badly injured and then caught by the police, but his time recuperating in jail is the beginning of a whole new life for prisoner #493.
Montmorency is a light and fun read: the prisoner uses the knowledge he gained in prison to develop a new life of crime, complete with two personas, that of a rich man and his loathsome servant, to pull it off. Readers will be pulling for Montmorency and will want to dive into the sequels.
Montmorency is a light and fun read: the prisoner uses the knowledge he gained in prison to develop a new life of crime, complete with two personas, that of a rich man and his loathsome servant, to pull it off. Readers will be pulling for Montmorency and will want to dive into the sequels.
mollyoneillwrites's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read this as the audiobook, narrated by Steven Fry. It remains as enjoyable as I remembered from my childhood, and the performance is really good. I particularly enjoyed Fry's "Sissy Longman" voice, which was truly horrifiying.
A good plot, a likeable but nuanced protagonist and a well researched setting. 5 stars for a great YA book
A good plot, a likeable but nuanced protagonist and a well researched setting. 5 stars for a great YA book
deeparcher's review against another edition
3.0
It was sort of a fun book. I don't think I'll read the others in the series, but it was kind of fun to read this one.