Do not let the cover of the book deceive you, this book is not meant for younger audiences despite what it suggests. This mature book depicts 19th century London in great deal. It very difficult to not visualize the balls or propriety of society. The story dives into the affairs of people from various social standings and how the ideals of the Georgian era confine and control them. The struggle of a feminist troubled by her desire to be with a man she fears will never look her way and the struggle of a man who has fled the war of his native country now forced to fit into the mold of an Englishman set the stage of the tale. Despite their differences, the fates of Drusilla Clare and Gabriel Marlington are decided by the societal prejudice of women. The story excels at describing the equally explosive emotions of both men and women in unexpected situations. It also does well at normalizing the existence of LGBTQ+ by describing the dynamics of a polyamorous relationship.
While Drusilla may seem hypocritical at times, her inner turmoil shows just how much she has been affected emotionally by the standards that seek to control her. Gabriel will make you feel a hostility towards men in general but the reminder that he is indeed not a native Englishman will bring insight into the stark difference of societal ideals in two countries. The book will make you laugh, it will make you pity the characters, and it will deliver a story that is constantly moving with no pauses in action. Just when you think it has stabilized, the story will take a new turn that may or may not be expected. This book was surprise after surprise for me and that is what made me want to keep reading. The mood of the book changed within the blink of an eye leaving no room to get bored!
While Drusilla may seem hypocritical at times, her inner turmoil shows just how much she has been affected emotionally by the standards that seek to control her. Gabriel will make you feel a hostility towards men in general but the reminder that he is indeed not a native Englishman will bring insight into the stark difference of societal ideals in two countries. The book will make you laugh, it will make you pity the characters, and it will deliver a story that is constantly moving with no pauses in action. Just when you think it has stabilized, the story will take a new turn that may or may not be expected. This book was surprise after surprise for me and that is what made me want to keep reading. The mood of the book changed within the blink of an eye leaving no room to get bored!