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trin's review against another edition
2.0
The first in a sort of spin-off series from the [book: Outlander] books, which I have not read. Or rather, I started reading Outlander but stopped after about 100 pages because I just couldn’t get into it. I had a similar problem here. This is historical fiction, set in mid-18th Century England. (A period I was pretty appalled to realize I have rather limited knowledge of; limited, I mean, to [book: Tom Jones]—and not even the book, the movie!) Lord John Grey is a fairly interesting character: he’s gay, the first man he loved died tragically, and the second is in another country and in love with someone else. The plot seems like it could be interesting too: Grey accidentally observes that the man who’s engaged to his young cousin has the pox and must find a way to break off the engagement; there’s also a murder that may or may not be connected. Right away you’ve got promise of trips into London’s underbelly, full of brothels and molly-houses. And yet…I just couldn’t get into it, man! I mean, unlike Outlander, I did manage to finish, but I just never felt engaged, never felt involved. It’s not that it was bad—although the several chapters of infodump toward the end were not my favorite thing ever; in fact, I’m sure lots of you would actually enjoy it quite a lot. I think this may just be one of those things where a certain author’s style just doesn’t work for me. I’ll recognize that something is good or at least competent, but it’s just not for me. Based more on style than on topic, which seems odd, but I guess it can happen. The synapses fail to connect. I can’t get emotionally involved, and thus I can’t really care about what I’m reading.
bibliophile80's review against another edition
3.0
A little disappointed that Jamie was but a mention, so it can't get my higher ratings, but altogether it was still a good book. I did feel like Lord John kept us at an arm's distance emotionally.
lkoopal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
3.75
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
4.0
I want to know more about Percival Wainwright!
breranb's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
debbarney's review against another edition
4.0
As with all Gabaldon books, it was grant writing. LJG was an interesting character in the books but I don't feel he was worth a whole series of books for himself. That being said, if you liked Lord John in the books, you will probably like this series. I just wasn't interested in him enough to want to read stand alone books mainly about him. Just my opinion.
sbreadsfantasy's review against another edition
5.0
As Always, Another Great Gabaldon Work
I cannot get enough of Diana Gabaldon’s research or her writing style. I have tremendous respect for her craft. This was my first Lord John Book, but definitely not my last!
I cannot get enough of Diana Gabaldon’s research or her writing style. I have tremendous respect for her craft. This was my first Lord John Book, but definitely not my last!
meginbrooke's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
elfbread's review against another edition
3.0
Boring. So boring. I think I'll take a break from Lord John for a while.
mmelberg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0