I'll start by saying that I'm not a big fan of historical fiction that goes before the early 1900s. I do think that this book has the potential to be a best seller amongst the audience that finds this time period, along with historical fiction, appealing. I was kind of surprised at the almost 20 pages of "explaining" and I think that if I hadn't already been turned off by my lack of enjoying historical fiction during the 1600s, this would certainly be a turn off for me. I do understand the sometimes necessary explaining, especially with fiction in different time periods, just like nobody 20 years ago knew what a "selfie" was. I personally think the long "Dear Reader" passage also takes up time and content unnecessarily.
Like I said from the beginning, this was a no-go for me, but the writing is really well done, and I do see it becoming a best seller for the right audience.
Like I said from the beginning, this was a no-go for me, but the writing is really well done, and I do see it becoming a best seller for the right audience.