Tag: Victorian Lit

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (Dangerous Damsels #1) by India Holton

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (Dangerous Damsels #1) by India Holton

A historical romance with pirates, sassy ladies, dashing heroes, assassins, and all the tea? Ummm yes yes yes please! I needed little persuading when it came to reviewing this one. I was so excited for this hot new historical romance and I cracked my ARC open instantly! This one has been on so many top anticipated lists this summer and clearly it was also on mine!

I am always looking for historical romances that have funny plots and snappy dialogues, not to mention charming heroes so this one sounded like a great place to start. But truth be told, I have been in a reading funk lately and I was hoping this would be the book that would pull me out of the funk. But as with many big hype books, there is always that fear that the book won’t live up to the hype. So I went into this one hoping it would live up to the hype, but also aware that it might not.

When I started this one, I was drawn in but also admittedly—–lost. Ok you ask—-lost in a good way or in a bad way? Well friends, that’s a complicated question.

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Special Feature: The Age of Decadence: A History of Britain: 1880-1914 by Simon Heffer

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Age of Decadence: A History of Britain: 1880-1914 by Simon Heffer

I don’t read a ton of non fiction or history books anymore. I mean I kind of got my fill when I was doing my masters in history. It’s not that I don’t love history or reading non fiction history books, but I have to been in the mood for one. I do love history books, but for the most part, I lean toward novels and fiction or mysteries. But ever once in a while a great history book catches my eye.

One of my favorite periods in history is that odd few years between the Victorian era and WWI. It was a time of elegance and riches the likes of which the world is unlikely to ever see again. At the start of the Great War, the world as we know it under went massive social change and it’s such an exciting time period for me.

That was one of the reasons why this book caught my eye. It pinpoints my favorite period in history and brings it directly into the spotlight. Simon Heffer’s 900+ page history book has received some high praise from readers. While it might be on the long side, it covers so much of British history in great detail…..social, artistic, and cultural history come together in this exciting new history book! I cannot wait to check out some of the topics he covers in this one. And it sounds like it’s a very readable history book rather than a dull text. I am really looking forward to this one!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Spellmaker (Spellbreaker Duology #2) by Charlie N. Holmberg

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Spellmaker (Spellbreaker Duology #2) by Charlie N. Holmberg

I haven’t had very good luck with duologies. I typically find them to feel unfinished. There is something about the trilogy of three books that rounds out a story in a way that two books just doesn’t. So often I tend to pass on them, but then I was pitched Charlie N Holmberg’s Spellbreaker duology.

The covers for Holmberg’s books are whimsical and really stand out to me. They are easy to identify and the suggest something historical mixed with fantasy and I couldn’t pass on the first book. It just sounded so good and I did enjoy it so reading the second book in the duology was a no brainer for me! These books are quick reads and I really enjoyed diving back into Holmberg’s rich world!

I still feel the a trilogy would have worked better in this particular series but as duologies go, this one wasn’t bad at all. I enjoyed many aspects of this one and am excited to read more books by Holmberg!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell #6) by Deanna Raybourn

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell #6) by Deanna Raybourn

I have been a fan of Veronica Speedwell since the very first book. I adore the slow burn chemistry between Veronica and Stoker (her love interest) and the mysteries are always satisfying. Deanna Raybourn is such a great writer, I read her Lady Julia series as well as some of her standalone books and all have been so delightful!

One of the things that makes this series stand out to me more than some other historical mysteries is that both Veronica and Stoker have unique professions. Veronica is a butterfly scientist/hunter and Stoker is a taxidermist—although he has had quite a few other jobs in his life so maybe it’s better to consider him an adventurer with a colorful background. Their unique professions make them great at solving mysteries because they use their own scientific approach to the mystery.

Every time I pick up one of their books I always expect to read a mystery that included a deductive approach to solving the crime and of course I expect to have a little romance in the book. Stoker and Veronica’s chemistry has been so great, though the last book it finally came to reality but it seemed a little forced so I was really looking forward to seeing how their romance played out in this one.

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Heiress Gets a Duke (The Gilded Age Heiresses #1) by Harper St. George

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Heiress Gets a Duke (The Gilded Age Heiresses #1) by Harper St. George

Let’s start off by acknowledging the fact that this cover is simply stunning. When second I laid eyes on this cover, I knew I needed to read it. It’s gorgeous and it promises to capture the feeling of opulence in the Gilded Age. This was an easy yes to review!

I have never read anything by Harper St George before but she has written a number of romances so I was eager to see how she compared to some of the other historical romances I have been reading lately. I instantly fell in love with this one and the characters not to mention to luxurious setting!

I could easily have read this book in one sitting and in fact I almost did but then I had work the following day so I sadly had to put a bookmark in with only 10% left of the book. It was a quick romantic escape full of romance, heat, and chemistry. I loved it and am so glad that this book is the first of her new series. I am really looking forward to Violet’s story next!

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