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misspeyton's review against another edition
5.0
The beginning of the book starts on a night Artemis Greaves and her cousin Penelope, whom Artemis is a lady’s companion, are saved by the Ghost of St. Giles. Maximus Batten, the Duke of Wakefield, witnessed his parents murder 20 years ago. This has made him a hardened man. He dresses as the Ghost of St. Giles and hunts for the man who murdered his parents. He decides that to honor his father’s legacy he needs to marry a woman of good breeding to carry on the Wakefield name. In courting Penelope, Artemis discovers that Maximus is the Ghost. Artemis seeks to blackmail him to get her twin brother, Apollo, out of Bedlam who had been accused of murder and madness. They are strongly attracted to each other, but know that they can never be.
Maximus and Artemis are a powerhouse couple. They compliment each other well and go toe to toe with each other. I loved their chemistry and banter. It was so palpable it nearly came off the pages. I love how Maximus slowly unravels for her and how he slowly falls in love. That tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife! Then when it snapped, it went off like a bang! The only thing I did not like was when Maximus called Artemis a “little b*tch”. Other than that one comment, I really enjoyed this book.
Artemis is such a great character. She’s so strong will and determined. She does not take anything from Maximus. Maximus was definitely a force to be reckoned. He was such a good hero for this book. The plot moves at a quick pace and ends neatly. I give this book 5/5 stars.
Maximus and Artemis are a powerhouse couple. They compliment each other well and go toe to toe with each other. I loved their chemistry and banter. It was so palpable it nearly came off the pages. I love how Maximus slowly unravels for her and how he slowly falls in love. That tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife! Then when it snapped, it went off like a bang! The only thing I did not like was when Maximus called Artemis a “little b*tch”. Other than that one comment, I really enjoyed this book.
Artemis is such a great character. She’s so strong will and determined. She does not take anything from Maximus. Maximus was definitely a force to be reckoned. He was such a good hero for this book. The plot moves at a quick pace and ends neatly. I give this book 5/5 stars.
natasha0410's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the_rabble's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
3.25
Stiff loner vigilante duke bonds with the steely poor cousin of the rich society darling he's courting over nature walks and siblings.
Spicy, multiple POV (focus on 2 MCs & Apollo), characters are lates 20s & early 30s, 1740s London.
So far these two are my favorite characters in Hoyt's bingeable Maiden Lane books. Still a lot of gin related moral panic by Maximus, but his POV has some of Hoyt's strongest lines. [Character arc]He also becomes increasingly unhinged during this book and it's 4/5 times pretty funny. Artemis is a refreshingly practical, wry main character with a fantastic brother introduced in the last book. She deals with some real shit while Maximus tangles with his own societal hang ups.
Bedlam scenes, like any scenes of incarceration or british mental health institutions, are fucking rough but Apollo slaps and his relationship with Artemis is very sweet.
Strong characters and dialogue. Plot wobbles a bit, but the mystery and big moves are fun. Ending is [vague vibe spoiler]a bit abrupt- def a set up for the next book more than primarily resolution or revelry for Maximus and Artemis.
Hoyt leaves a couple unaddressed threads from previous books (e.g. Maximus bashing Artemis behind her back in the last book is never addressed.)
Narrator - Claudia Harris does a good job. Style choices skew more theatrical than conversational for Maximus, which is a very valid choice if you read him being a bit of a drama queen as his leading characteristic. Excellent voicework on prose and dialogue.
Sex scenes - we have some initiating consent issues with kisses and at least one of a few sex scenes. It's immediately made clear both parties are down, but there's a few uncomfortable seconds. Otherwise hot, but generally hits that "dominant dude wants to be dominant" note over and over.
Artemis taking the reins or running forward into conflict in an asserting "yes, but you're doing this bc I allow and want it" way are the most interesting moments.
Spicy, multiple POV (focus on 2 MCs & Apollo), characters are lates 20s & early 30s, 1740s London.
So far these two are my favorite characters in Hoyt's bingeable Maiden Lane books. Still a lot of gin related moral panic by Maximus, but his POV has some of Hoyt's strongest lines. [Character arc]
Bedlam scenes, like any scenes of incarceration or british mental health institutions, are fucking rough but Apollo slaps and his relationship with Artemis is very sweet.
Strong characters and dialogue. Plot wobbles a bit, but the mystery and big moves are fun. Ending is [vague vibe spoiler]
Hoyt leaves a couple unaddressed threads from previous books (e.g. Maximus bashing Artemis behind her back in the last book is never addressed.)
Narrator - Claudia Harris does a good job. Style choices skew more theatrical than conversational for Maximus, which is a very valid choice if you read him being a bit of a drama queen as his leading characteristic. Excellent voicework on prose and dialogue.
Sex scenes - we have some initiating consent issues with kisses and at least one of a few sex scenes. It's immediately made clear both parties are down, but there's a few uncomfortable seconds. Otherwise hot, but generally hits that "dominant dude wants to be dominant" note over and over.
Artemis taking the reins or running forward into conflict in an asserting "yes, but you're doing this bc I allow and want it" way are the most interesting moments.
surejan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
About 2/3 through the book, the MMC gave me the ick. Between Ghost of St. Giles fatigue and his insistence on basically singing the “you’re so brave, you’re well behaved” song to the FMC, I was over it. Especially since he was like you’re so brave be my mistress instead of my wife because trauma. Dude, you suck. Worst ghost by far lol.
mvbookreviewer's review against another edition
5.0
Duke of Midnight is the 6th book in the Maiden Lane series and by far my most favorite. Towards the end of Lord of Darkness, the 5th book, once again Elizabeth Hoyt makes a startling revelation, perhaps the most astonishing one at that since the series began. The identity of the 3rd Ghost of St. Giles, this time someone who is more driven by his own personal vengeance against those that had done him and his family wrong, a member of the nobility, not to mention a member of the Parliament itself; Maximus Batten, the Duke of Wakefield.
Readers who have had their run ins with Maximus in previous books in the series would have been hard pressed not to be intrigued by all that he is. Projecting a cold and formidable front, the Duke of Wakefield is someone who seems to be as straitlaced as they come, his utter dislike or perhaps even hatred for gin and makers of gin something that is known all over the country. While Maximus works hard to push through relevant laws that could tackle with gin making, something which he believes most passionately is the core reason behind the decay of society, at night, Maximus dons the mask and costume of the Ghost and traipses through the worst of slums in London, in the hopes of finding clues that would lead him to the villain he has been pretty much searching for a major part of his adult life.
Artemis Greaves is a character that came into prominence through the introduction of her beautiful cousin Lady Penelope Chadwicke into series, for whom Artemis is companion to. Lady Penelope is someone who wants nothing but the best for herself. Thus, determined to have Maximus as her husband, Penelope embarks upon the quest with much fervor, which does earn her the attention of Maximus in his usual cool, aloof and calculated manner. There is no joy in a transaction which Maximus believes suites him rather well. There is no fire that burns in him to possess Lady Penelope, unlike Artemis her companion who makes him want to go into hiding with her by his side and forget the whole world.
Artemis gets under his skin without Maximus knowing of it, their interludes during the quiet hours of the morning on his estate grounds something that pricks and prods at him until his emotions are tangled up in need for none but Artemis. But Artemis is one with her own agenda to push forward. Someone who is ready to do anything for the freedom of the one man for whom she would lay down her whole life for, even if it means enlisting, bribing or even coercing the help of the powerful Duke himself to do so.
There are multiple reasons why Duke of Midnight ended up being my favorite of the series. For anyone who knows of my reading tastes, I am someone who is drawn to dark characters, a bit ruthless and driven by needs that they cannot control when it comes to the heroine in question, no matter how hard they may try. Maximus was that hero for me from the Maiden Lane series. Brought up to take his rightful role as the Duke, the responsibilities of being one are thrust upon him at a tender age when both his parents get killed. Maximus has to grow up overnight without having time to properly grow into the duties required of him. Thus makes Maximus a hard man, a man who is principled, a man who often times comes off as cold, aloof and removed from the rest of the world, an image that serves him well most times.
Maximus is also the only Ghost of St. Giles who actively continues his training for the role, having turned part of his home into a training facility where he subjects himself to grueling hours of training so that he is one lethal machine of brawn, intelligence and strong will, focused on getting to the truth behind the murders of his beloved parents and making those responsible pay.
That strong ironclad will of Maximus was something that I admired and bemoaned over in equal doses. There is something quite alluring about a man who knows his own mind, well, for that matter I love a woman who knows her own mind as well – but with Maximus, him being my favorite hero in the series, I am allowed to be a little biased. The fact that his attraction and want for Artemis clouds all his senses does not make him give up on what he has planned for his life, but rather, he wants Artemis on his terms, as hard headed and stubborn it makes him. But the beauty of it when it comes to heroes who are strong minded comes in their submission to the greater force of love for the heroine, which is an aspect I enjoyed in Duke of Midnight. The moments of jealousy which overtakes Maximus during the heady encounters with Artemis, the ones that makes him go all “mine” with sheer possessiveness – those were the moments I reveled in.
Artemis is a heroine who shone equally bright in the story. With a future that looked bleak, with nothing to her name but the goodwill of an uncle who took her in, Artemis’s determination to work against the odds nevertheless, to prove the innocence of her brother was something that resonated deep within me. Even her burgeoning feelings for the Duke is something Artemis is willing to sacrifice in order to see to it that her beloved brother is removed from Bedlam, where he is rotting away into an existence that would prove to be the death of him, sooner rather than later.
I believe that Artemis is the best fit for someone with such powerful emotions and desires as Maximus. She is able to get through to him in a way that no one else can, her ability to read him so effectively being a quality of utmost importance given how easily he can don on a mask that would show to to the rest of the world that nothing touches him, when in fact things deeply do. Artemis dares him to show to her that side of his that few would ever see – the one without the artifice that society dictates he wears whenever he goes out and about. That for me, was the beauty behind the union between Artemis and Maximus when all was said and done.
Loved it all, which is why I would recommend this book with the whole of my heart!
Rating = 4.75/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Readers who have had their run ins with Maximus in previous books in the series would have been hard pressed not to be intrigued by all that he is. Projecting a cold and formidable front, the Duke of Wakefield is someone who seems to be as straitlaced as they come, his utter dislike or perhaps even hatred for gin and makers of gin something that is known all over the country. While Maximus works hard to push through relevant laws that could tackle with gin making, something which he believes most passionately is the core reason behind the decay of society, at night, Maximus dons the mask and costume of the Ghost and traipses through the worst of slums in London, in the hopes of finding clues that would lead him to the villain he has been pretty much searching for a major part of his adult life.
Artemis Greaves is a character that came into prominence through the introduction of her beautiful cousin Lady Penelope Chadwicke into series, for whom Artemis is companion to. Lady Penelope is someone who wants nothing but the best for herself. Thus, determined to have Maximus as her husband, Penelope embarks upon the quest with much fervor, which does earn her the attention of Maximus in his usual cool, aloof and calculated manner. There is no joy in a transaction which Maximus believes suites him rather well. There is no fire that burns in him to possess Lady Penelope, unlike Artemis her companion who makes him want to go into hiding with her by his side and forget the whole world.
Artemis gets under his skin without Maximus knowing of it, their interludes during the quiet hours of the morning on his estate grounds something that pricks and prods at him until his emotions are tangled up in need for none but Artemis. But Artemis is one with her own agenda to push forward. Someone who is ready to do anything for the freedom of the one man for whom she would lay down her whole life for, even if it means enlisting, bribing or even coercing the help of the powerful Duke himself to do so.
There are multiple reasons why Duke of Midnight ended up being my favorite of the series. For anyone who knows of my reading tastes, I am someone who is drawn to dark characters, a bit ruthless and driven by needs that they cannot control when it comes to the heroine in question, no matter how hard they may try. Maximus was that hero for me from the Maiden Lane series. Brought up to take his rightful role as the Duke, the responsibilities of being one are thrust upon him at a tender age when both his parents get killed. Maximus has to grow up overnight without having time to properly grow into the duties required of him. Thus makes Maximus a hard man, a man who is principled, a man who often times comes off as cold, aloof and removed from the rest of the world, an image that serves him well most times.
Maximus is also the only Ghost of St. Giles who actively continues his training for the role, having turned part of his home into a training facility where he subjects himself to grueling hours of training so that he is one lethal machine of brawn, intelligence and strong will, focused on getting to the truth behind the murders of his beloved parents and making those responsible pay.
That strong ironclad will of Maximus was something that I admired and bemoaned over in equal doses. There is something quite alluring about a man who knows his own mind, well, for that matter I love a woman who knows her own mind as well – but with Maximus, him being my favorite hero in the series, I am allowed to be a little biased. The fact that his attraction and want for Artemis clouds all his senses does not make him give up on what he has planned for his life, but rather, he wants Artemis on his terms, as hard headed and stubborn it makes him. But the beauty of it when it comes to heroes who are strong minded comes in their submission to the greater force of love for the heroine, which is an aspect I enjoyed in Duke of Midnight. The moments of jealousy which overtakes Maximus during the heady encounters with Artemis, the ones that makes him go all “mine” with sheer possessiveness – those were the moments I reveled in.
Artemis is a heroine who shone equally bright in the story. With a future that looked bleak, with nothing to her name but the goodwill of an uncle who took her in, Artemis’s determination to work against the odds nevertheless, to prove the innocence of her brother was something that resonated deep within me. Even her burgeoning feelings for the Duke is something Artemis is willing to sacrifice in order to see to it that her beloved brother is removed from Bedlam, where he is rotting away into an existence that would prove to be the death of him, sooner rather than later.
I believe that Artemis is the best fit for someone with such powerful emotions and desires as Maximus. She is able to get through to him in a way that no one else can, her ability to read him so effectively being a quality of utmost importance given how easily he can don on a mask that would show to to the rest of the world that nothing touches him, when in fact things deeply do. Artemis dares him to show to her that side of his that few would ever see – the one without the artifice that society dictates he wears whenever he goes out and about. That for me, was the beauty behind the union between Artemis and Maximus when all was said and done.
Loved it all, which is why I would recommend this book with the whole of my heart!
Rating = 4.75/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
desertlover's review against another edition
4.0
Like the majority of my book friends, this has been my favorite of the series thus far. Artemis was everything I appreciate in a heroine.
felizas's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tiffany_sostar's review against another edition
Almost forced myself to finish this just so I could give it 0.25 stars. I do not come to romance books for misogyny, homophobia and sexual assault. The scene at 35% in the prison was so disgustingly violent and unnecessary. What the actual fuck. First and absolutely the last time I will touch anything by this author. Romance can be such a joyful and liberatory genre, but this is absolutely not it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Rape
julie2525's review against another edition
3.0
Action & Adventure, Class Difference/Forbidden Romance, Off-Limits Friend
Max (Maximus Batten, Duke of Wakefield), is looking for a wife who meets simple and strict parameters: rich, beautiful, and not particular inquisitive. He scours St. Giles at night, looking for the person who killed his parents, so a simple woman who is ideal. He finds his vapid woman. He also find her female companion, Artemis, who doesn't miss a thing and is quite the huntress herself. [Insert romance.] Her past is complicated. His past is complicated. He doesn't know what he wants. There's quite a bit of sneaking around and action.
Max (Maximus Batten, Duke of Wakefield), is looking for a wife who meets simple and strict parameters: rich, beautiful, and not particular inquisitive. He scours St. Giles at night, looking for the person who killed his parents, so a simple woman who is ideal. He finds his vapid woman. He also find her female companion, Artemis, who doesn't miss a thing and is quite the huntress herself. [Insert romance.] Her past is complicated. His past is complicated. He doesn't know what he wants. There's quite a bit of sneaking around and action.