karaklos's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the premise of The Black Swan in Paris. A celebrity singer named Genevieve is used as a ploy to help gather intelligence against the nazis. Spending time with high-ranking German officials, she is able to obtain information critical to the Allies’ strategy. Meanwhile, the war becomes very personal for her as her whole family is involved in the resistance.
Genevieve’s backstory is over the top. Her parents are a baron and baroness and she was estranged from them over her illegitimate child who ends up passing away. Full of grief, she moves on becoming a famous singer (as one does).
Her business manager Max ends up being an SOE agent. She alternates between being pissed at him for lying to her about his real job and being hot for him. There were many many descriptions of his “taut muscles” that made me roll my eyes.
Genevieve learns that her mother, the baroness, has been captured by the nazis. She works out a plan with her sister to help rescue her, keeping it from Max. She then ends up falling in love with Max and forgets about her mother for a bit while they explore their feelings.
There are two main things I disliked about this book: 1) Genevieve is such a weak woman. She was tricked into helping the resistance and complained about it so much. I wanted her to be a strong, independent woman with her own desire to help. She breaks down emotionally a lot and Max has to pick her up and pet her and be the big lean, taut man. Ugh. 2) The romance is so painfully awful.
The conclusion is very rushed and difficult to believe. A disappointing read.
Genevieve’s backstory is over the top. Her parents are a baron and baroness and she was estranged from them over her illegitimate child who ends up passing away. Full of grief, she moves on becoming a famous singer (as one does).
Her business manager Max ends up being an SOE agent. She alternates between being pissed at him for lying to her about his real job and being hot for him. There were many many descriptions of his “taut muscles” that made me roll my eyes.
Genevieve learns that her mother, the baroness, has been captured by the nazis. She works out a plan with her sister to help rescue her, keeping it from Max. She then ends up falling in love with Max and forgets about her mother for a bit while they explore their feelings.
There are two main things I disliked about this book: 1) Genevieve is such a weak woman. She was tricked into helping the resistance and complained about it so much. I wanted her to be a strong, independent woman with her own desire to help. She breaks down emotionally a lot and Max has to pick her up and pet her and be the big lean, taut man. Ugh. 2) The romance is so painfully awful.
The conclusion is very rushed and difficult to believe. A disappointing read.
witchbitxh2000's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
zebedee123's review against another edition
Too gory/graphic
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Torture, Death, and Violence
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
3.0
Its not fair to this book that I was reading it at the same time as [b:The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay|3985|The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay|Michael Chabon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503806495l/3985._SY75_.jpg|2693329].
They are written in the same time frame, yet one book takes place in Nazi Occupied France and the other in New York City. So it was very telling that as a reader I felt for the characters in [a:Michael Chabon|2715|Michael Chabon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1515875672p2/2715.jpg] 'Kavalier & Clay' more than I did for Robards 'The Black Swan'
I felt the effects of the war through Chabons pages in New York, more than I did in Robards pages where the Black Swan was singing for Nazis.
Mind you Chabon is a Pulitzer Prize winning author... Winning the Pulitzer FOR the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay... which it why I started this review by saying "its not fair to this book..."
BUT unfortunately that's how it went down,
I could not connect to these characters, I don't know if that was the writing style, or the characters themselves.
I feel as though the author tried to pack as much sadness into these pages, but unfortunately it just fell flat. I was not heartbroken, I anticipated what would happen on the next page in the next chapter, and because of this it was not the most enjoyable read.
This book has great reviews so I was excited to read it. I guess its just not my style.
They are written in the same time frame, yet one book takes place in Nazi Occupied France and the other in New York City. So it was very telling that as a reader I felt for the characters in [a:Michael Chabon|2715|Michael Chabon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1515875672p2/2715.jpg] 'Kavalier & Clay' more than I did for Robards 'The Black Swan'
I felt the effects of the war through Chabons pages in New York, more than I did in Robards pages where the Black Swan was singing for Nazis.
Mind you Chabon is a Pulitzer Prize winning author... Winning the Pulitzer FOR the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay... which it why I started this review by saying "its not fair to this book..."
BUT unfortunately that's how it went down,
I could not connect to these characters, I don't know if that was the writing style, or the characters themselves.
I feel as though the author tried to pack as much sadness into these pages, but unfortunately it just fell flat. I was not heartbroken, I anticipated what would happen on the next page in the next chapter, and because of this it was not the most enjoyable read.
This book has great reviews so I was excited to read it. I guess its just not my style.
raeleechoins's review against another edition
2.0
This book is mediocre. It’s just another French resistance novel. There’s nothing special about it.
bprinter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-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? No
3.0
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Black Swan of Paris
Author: Karen Robards
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: history lovers, WWII, resistance, romance
Publication Date: June 30, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 17+ (romance, violence, slight gore, resistance, and war)
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 400
Synopsis: Paris, 1944
Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smokescreen. An unwilling darling of the Nazis, the chanteuse’s position of privilege allows her to go undetected as an ally to the resistance.
When her estranged mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is captured by Nazis, Genevieve knows it won’t be long before the Gestapo succeeds in torturing information out of Lillian that will derail the upcoming allied invasion. The resistance movement is tasked with silencing her by any means necessary—including assassination. But Genevieve refuses to let her mother become yet one more victim of the war. Reuniting with her long-lost sister, she must find a way to navigate the perilous cross-currents of Occupied France undetected—and in time to save Lillian’s life.
Review: I really loved this book! I thought the writing was beautiful and well done. The book was about the French Revolution, which I don’t know a ton about and I thought it gave me some insight into the historical movement. The book had very well developed characters and the world building was also very well done.
However, I felt like the middle of the book slowed down in pacing. It was extremely long and almost made reading it feel like crawling through mud. However, the ending was good and it was worth the read in my opinion.
Verdict: Recommended!!
Book: The Black Swan of Paris
Author: Karen Robards
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: history lovers, WWII, resistance, romance
Publication Date: June 30, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 17+ (romance, violence, slight gore, resistance, and war)
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 400
Synopsis: Paris, 1944
Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smokescreen. An unwilling darling of the Nazis, the chanteuse’s position of privilege allows her to go undetected as an ally to the resistance.
When her estranged mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is captured by Nazis, Genevieve knows it won’t be long before the Gestapo succeeds in torturing information out of Lillian that will derail the upcoming allied invasion. The resistance movement is tasked with silencing her by any means necessary—including assassination. But Genevieve refuses to let her mother become yet one more victim of the war. Reuniting with her long-lost sister, she must find a way to navigate the perilous cross-currents of Occupied France undetected—and in time to save Lillian’s life.
Review: I really loved this book! I thought the writing was beautiful and well done. The book was about the French Revolution, which I don’t know a ton about and I thought it gave me some insight into the historical movement. The book had very well developed characters and the world building was also very well done.
However, I felt like the middle of the book slowed down in pacing. It was extremely long and almost made reading it feel like crawling through mud. However, the ending was good and it was worth the read in my opinion.
Verdict: Recommended!!
poojha2's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really excited to read this novel. Set up in the city of love. It is my most favorite city. I have always wanted to read a book set up in paris. It was terrifying to think that the city of love endured so much during the war.
I couldn't able to muster enough courage to read those horrors in that book. But I have to complete it. How could they torture them. Even reading this filled my mind with horrific images. To get information, they used to remove fingernails. Oh My God. I thank god I didn't born in those era.
I'm scared for Genevieve. What if she got caught?? My heart stopped beating while she was singing for the wedding anniversary of consul general while Wagner looked at her like a hawk. I was damn sure he was going to find out her secret. Finally when he went away, my breath came.
I couldn't put down the book after Genevieve when to Cherbourg, I was so nervous that she would get caught or worse be killed. I wanted her to immediately go to max to tell him all that. But unfortunately she had a concert and she couldn't be able to speak with him.
I couldn't be able to explain what I feel when I read this. It felt like I was watching them happening in front of me. The killings, bombings, torturing of people to confess the truth. They make me go numb. There was always a constant fear for Genevieve.
I adored Max and Genevieve together. They're so cute when they fight. I was waiting for the moment when they'll get together and I am so happy with the ending.
I couldn't able to muster enough courage to read those horrors in that book. But I have to complete it. How could they torture them. Even reading this filled my mind with horrific images. To get information, they used to remove fingernails. Oh My God. I thank god I didn't born in those era.
I'm scared for Genevieve. What if she got caught?? My heart stopped beating while she was singing for the wedding anniversary of consul general while Wagner looked at her like a hawk. I was damn sure he was going to find out her secret. Finally when he went away, my breath came.
I couldn't put down the book after Genevieve when to Cherbourg, I was so nervous that she would get caught or worse be killed. I wanted her to immediately go to max to tell him all that. But unfortunately she had a concert and she couldn't be able to speak with him.
I couldn't be able to explain what I feel when I read this. It felt like I was watching them happening in front of me. The killings, bombings, torturing of people to confess the truth. They make me go numb. There was always a constant fear for Genevieve.
I adored Max and Genevieve together. They're so cute when they fight. I was waiting for the moment when they'll get together and I am so happy with the ending.