Reviews

City of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn

nakedsushi's review against another edition

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3.0

I read this book because I enjoyed the Veronica Speedwell series that Raybourn wrote. This is pretty much the same, but without the same familiar London, auxiliary characters, and gripping mystery. Even though this was was more an adventure novel, it still read very much like what you'd want out of a Raybourn story: plucky main character, dark broody love interest, supportive-but-eccentric aunt, etc.

I didn't like it as much as I thought and found the setting and the descriptions of the people a little old-fashioned, bordering on offensive, so 3 stars for now.

elliemvbrown's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

kcherry's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-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

4.0

llwooldridge's review

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The audiobook performer was hard to listen to and I didn’t really connect with the characters. 

westlinwind's review against another edition

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4.0

I want Aunt Dove's book.

ladyhighwayman's review against another edition

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4.0

First of all, I highly recommend reading the prequel to this novel: Whisper of Jasmine. It shows how Evie and Gabriel met, and gives good insight into the beginning of their relationship.

That being said, City of Jasmine takes place in 1920 Syria, and seeing as how I didn't know a whole lot of what was going on in that area then, I learned a lot. Evie and Gabriel were thrown into lots of adventures and came across a lot of suspicious characters, some dangerous, some just shady. The descriptions and seeing the area through the eyes of Evie totally brought the country to life. The descriptions were not overdone, but were the right amount.

While I miss the Lady Julia books, I'm just happy to have another book by Deanna Raybourn. Her style and feisty, independent heroines are still strong in books like City of Jasmine.

I couldn't put this down! Deanna Raybourn fans will not be disappointed.

nipomuki's review against another edition

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4.0

I listened to this in the last days of Audible Escape (the soon to be extinct Romance Package) and liked it a lot. It is a nice mixture of adventure and romance, with lost treasure, betrayed love and an interesting cast of side characters. The author did very well with the historical setting, while addressing issues of colonialism, imperialism, racism and feminism, all the while spinning her yarn.
I thought the narrator did a very good job with the many different dialects and accents. It was quite an immersive listen for me.

kriedesel's review against another edition

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4.0

A good book with a wonderful ending

ileandover41789's review against another edition

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5.0

Well done.

cjsamuel's review

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25