Scan barcode
agrimes01's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
paige87's review against another edition
5.0
A little more angst than I expected, but it added to the story if anything. Really enjoyable read.
ashs_books's review against another edition
4.0
Wow this book was an adventure!! I had no idea what I was about and the events that happened seemed to just get crazier and crazier! But it was awesome. I loved it. It was super fun! Monty is hilarious, I absolutely loved his character. I loved his relationship with Percy and how all of that unfolded. It was such a perfect combination of adventure, humour, romance and also serious topics like being gay in the 1700s, epilepsy and abuse. I absolutely loved it and would 100% recommend!
shksprsis's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
librarylandlisa's review against another edition
5.0
This was so much better than I thought it would be. In all truth, it was a 4.5 star book for me but the characters and the history made it super fun. The issues with prejudice against people of color and homosexuality are still issues kids deal with today so it makes it a very relatable book, though set in the 1700's. It is also full of some mystery and adventure!
The audiobook was a treat.
The audiobook was a treat.
sophie_at_morning_daylight's review against another edition
5.0
"It’s witty and romantic. With its characters falling outs and hidden love. I have literally burst into laughter a few times. I didn’t know I needed it and I love it."
- My comment on my first progress update when on Goodreads and I stand by it. Throughout this book it has always been 5 stars.
This review contains slight spoilers.
Overview:
Lord Henry Montague (Monty) is going on a year long Grand Tour of Europe with his friend Percy before he is set to learn how to run an estate before he inherits it from his Father. Monty drinks and gambles - a lot and sleeps with both men and women - a lot. His father who abuses him does not agree with this and is giving him one last chance to prove himself. His sister, Felicity an aspiring surgeon, is being sent with them so they can drop her off at a finishing school. Monty's stealing of a box he had no clue the value of turns their journey into a run as fugitives. The story turns to alchemical hearts and cure-alls that former French Prime Minister the Duke of Bourbon is trying to get back for his own power gains. But Monty wants the cure for Percy who after suffering from epilepsy for 2 years and not telling Monty has a fit in front of him on their trip.
This book tackles many important themes / issues but despite this the book is still a light-hearted read which melts the heart. This helps the audience learn about the issues but also show that despite the rough parts of life the good parts can still be kindled.
The themes that will follow: homosexuality, racism, female position, epilepsy, abuse and alcoholism.
Homosexuality:
Running along and intertwining with the plot is the two main characters exploring a homosexual romance with each other. This is the 18th century, where the words heterosexual and homosexual don't even exist as a male - female relationship is thought the only way. And the story begins in England where male - male relations are illegal and punishable up to death.
This was more interesting to read in a historical fiction than a story based in modern time because homophobia is common place and it gives a different perspective. As such; Felicity struggles to understand her brothers want for men especially in a romantic rather than sexual way. She's clever and sees it as science - which in 18th century saw only man and woman together as natural. She could understand male- male sexual relations as a 'vice' but not the romantic part. Felicity is a likable character and the companion book 'A Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy' is written in her perspective. So, to have this likable character with a view that is very problematic in the modern world is great and I think that's exactly why the author, Mackenzi Lee put it in there. This is a historical fiction, it's set in the early 1700's even some of the 'nicest' people will have views that we don't agree with today with our better understanding of the world. What maintains Felicity as a character the audience like is that she is trying to understand her brother and never does anything against him and his romantic interests.
Racism:
Percy our second lead male character is biracial and its said multiple times that they are stopped from doing something as some people view his skin as just dark enough to be classed as lesser. Percy was raised by his aunt and uncle after his dad bought him back from abroad then died. He's raised in a wealthy family but is still excluded from some events, such as dinning when guests are around. A main theme in this story is him trying to teach Monty, he can't always defend himself but that doesn't mean he want's Monty to do that for him. Monty's lack of understanding and arrogance to others from his position as a wealthy white man set to inherit an estate is something he has to deal with through his journey, to those who are not white (Percy and the pirates/privateers they sail with), and not men (particularly his sister).
Female Position:
Felicity travelling with the men also brings up difficult situations alike for Percy being biracial, such as not being allowed to stay at Inns. The full problem of lack of respect to females in the past isn't fully addressed in this book, situations arise but there is little conversation about it. But I can bet it will be in her companion novel which is great as its a different key theme to explore and too many developed themes in this book would hinder the plot.
Epilepsy:
Another issue Monty has to learn is he cannot choice what is right for someone. He has to learn to love Percy for who he is and that his illness will not hinder that and he just needs to care for him. Epilepsy was hugely misunderstood in this time period and it's warming to see Monty not afraid Percy is possessed, or contagious, or should be shunned but is just worried for him - even if he does first try to help in the wrong way.
Abuse:
The scale at which this story explores the depth, severity, consequences and affects of Monty's abuse from his father increases through the book, until raw emotion comes out and a healing process can start. This is the best piece I've read which tackles this subject.
Alcoholism:
Monty's drinking is his coping mechanism for his fathers abuse and his homosexuality. What is beautiful in this story is he isn't hated by his Percy or his sister for his drinking. Although, they do straight up tell him he's a mess. But they understood or where understanding the cause and knew they had to help him heal.
A beautifully descriptive, a sad truth and a powerful quote (pages from my edition of the book):
'A burst goes through me, like teeth breaking through the skin of a summer fruit in its prime' - page 362.
'Pain and ecstasy live tight-knit in my heart' - page 426.
'We are not broken things, neither of us. We are cracked pottery mended with lacquer and flakes of gold' - page 497.
- My comment on my first progress update when on Goodreads and I stand by it. Throughout this book it has always been 5 stars.
This review contains slight spoilers.
Overview:
Lord Henry Montague (Monty) is going on a year long Grand Tour of Europe with his friend Percy before he is set to learn how to run an estate before he inherits it from his Father. Monty drinks and gambles - a lot and sleeps with both men and women - a lot. His father who abuses him does not agree with this and is giving him one last chance to prove himself. His sister, Felicity an aspiring surgeon, is being sent with them so they can drop her off at a finishing school. Monty's stealing of a box he had no clue the value of turns their journey into a run as fugitives. The story turns to alchemical hearts and cure-alls that former French Prime Minister the Duke of Bourbon is trying to get back for his own power gains. But Monty wants the cure for Percy who after suffering from epilepsy for 2 years and not telling Monty has a fit in front of him on their trip.
This book tackles many important themes / issues but despite this the book is still a light-hearted read which melts the heart. This helps the audience learn about the issues but also show that despite the rough parts of life the good parts can still be kindled.
The themes that will follow: homosexuality, racism, female position, epilepsy, abuse and alcoholism.
Homosexuality:
Running along and intertwining with the plot is the two main characters exploring a homosexual romance with each other. This is the 18th century, where the words heterosexual and homosexual don't even exist as a male - female relationship is thought the only way. And the story begins in England where male - male relations are illegal and punishable up to death.
This was more interesting to read in a historical fiction than a story based in modern time because homophobia is common place and it gives a different perspective. As such; Felicity struggles to understand her brothers want for men especially in a romantic rather than sexual way. She's clever and sees it as science - which in 18th century saw only man and woman together as natural. She could understand male- male sexual relations as a 'vice' but not the romantic part. Felicity is a likable character and the companion book 'A Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy' is written in her perspective. So, to have this likable character with a view that is very problematic in the modern world is great and I think that's exactly why the author, Mackenzi Lee put it in there. This is a historical fiction, it's set in the early 1700's even some of the 'nicest' people will have views that we don't agree with today with our better understanding of the world. What maintains Felicity as a character the audience like is that she is trying to understand her brother and never does anything against him and his romantic interests.
Racism:
Percy our second lead male character is biracial and its said multiple times that they are stopped from doing something as some people view his skin as just dark enough to be classed as lesser. Percy was raised by his aunt and uncle after his dad bought him back from abroad then died. He's raised in a wealthy family but is still excluded from some events, such as dinning when guests are around. A main theme in this story is him trying to teach Monty, he can't always defend himself but that doesn't mean he want's Monty to do that for him. Monty's lack of understanding and arrogance to others from his position as a wealthy white man set to inherit an estate is something he has to deal with through his journey, to those who are not white (Percy and the pirates/privateers they sail with), and not men (particularly his sister).
Female Position:
Felicity travelling with the men also brings up difficult situations alike for Percy being biracial, such as not being allowed to stay at Inns. The full problem of lack of respect to females in the past isn't fully addressed in this book, situations arise but there is little conversation about it. But I can bet it will be in her companion novel which is great as its a different key theme to explore and too many developed themes in this book would hinder the plot.
Epilepsy:
Another issue Monty has to learn is he cannot choice what is right for someone. He has to learn to love Percy for who he is and that his illness will not hinder that and he just needs to care for him. Epilepsy was hugely misunderstood in this time period and it's warming to see Monty not afraid Percy is possessed, or contagious, or should be shunned but is just worried for him - even if he does first try to help in the wrong way.
Abuse:
The scale at which this story explores the depth, severity, consequences and affects of Monty's abuse from his father increases through the book, until raw emotion comes out and a healing process can start. This is the best piece I've read which tackles this subject.
Alcoholism:
Monty's drinking is his coping mechanism for his fathers abuse and his homosexuality. What is beautiful in this story is he isn't hated by his Percy or his sister for his drinking. Although, they do straight up tell him he's a mess. But they understood or where understanding the cause and knew they had to help him heal.
A beautifully descriptive, a sad truth and a powerful quote (pages from my edition of the book):
'A burst goes through me, like teeth breaking through the skin of a summer fruit in its prime' - page 362.
'Pain and ecstasy live tight-knit in my heart' - page 426.
'We are not broken things, neither of us. We are cracked pottery mended with lacquer and flakes of gold' - page 497.
jbash_lo_fi's review against another edition
3.0
As a now former young adult I guess I have to accept I'm not really the target audience any more. Despite that, this was a fun and light hearted read, if a little trite and tropey.
I didn't warm to Monty much and thought he was actually kind of tame really. Felicity and her medicine skills seemed a little too convenient a plot device. I was also a bit frustrated by the lack of agency given to Percy.
I didn't warm to Monty much and thought he was actually kind of tame really. Felicity and her medicine skills seemed a little too convenient a plot device. I was also a bit frustrated by the lack of agency given to Percy.
jagic's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as I was keen to do so. It looks like historical fiction is not for me(exception is of course TJR, my queen). It took me two weeks to read this! I didn't dnf this because I want to read the second book which is about his aroace sister. We love her so much.
kelcaro1's review against another edition
3.0
its fine, but honestly if you want queer historical fiction you can do better.