taisie22's review against another edition
5.0
Anne Winton arrives at Ballencrieff Asylum just in time for James Drake, the Mad Marquess, to appear before her, covered in blood as he tries to escape his captors. He is there because he was found over the body of a dead girl covered in her blood. Anne is strangely fascinated by him and he by her; he calls her his Owl and makes her his muse, using her as a model for his painting. Anne also has the gift of healing with her hands (Scots wise women often have this ability).
The story is somber and somewhat heartbreaking. Anne knows she can't attract the handsome and rich Marquess, but she can try to heal him. James knows that Anne is what he needs, but he is too broken to let her know that. There is the added mystery of why James is being treated so badly at the asylum despite his rich connections, all of which is settled in a very satisfying conclusion. I'm glad to find this author and I intend to read more from her. I especially liked her notes at the end of the book explaining her research as to what James suffered from.
The story is somber and somewhat heartbreaking. Anne knows she can't attract the handsome and rich Marquess, but she can try to heal him. James knows that Anne is what he needs, but he is too broken to let her know that. There is the added mystery of why James is being treated so badly at the asylum despite his rich connections, all of which is settled in a very satisfying conclusion. I'm glad to find this author and I intend to read more from her. I especially liked her notes at the end of the book explaining her research as to what James suffered from.
amandasbookreview's review against another edition
4.0
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review*
It is 1863 in the Scottish Highlands when Anne Winton arrives at Ballencrief Hall, a place for the mad. She is sent there to tend to some of the ladies, however she hopes to help heal people while she is there. As soon as she walks through the doors she comes face to face with a handsome young man, James Drake the Marquess of Devlin or known as the Mad Marquess. James Drake has been sent Ballencrief hall due to battling his inner demons. The attraction is strong between Anne and James right from the beginning. However, Anne is naive and innocent. James also sees the opportunity to use Anne to gain his freedom. The more time they spend together the more fascinated Anne becomes with James and James realizes that there is more to Anne than meets the eye. They both need to trust each other and heal if they want to have any chance at happiness.
This book was immensely darker than anticipated! The book right off the bat, grips the reader with this grim home full of misery and hopelessness. James Drake suffers from PTSD, not from war, but from a traumatic experience and struggles with his demons. Anne is kind and is determined to help him overcome them. This was a unique aspect coming from a romance novel. The book shows how mental illness was viewed in the 1800’s. Mental illness still has a stigma to this day but Russell gives the reader a glimpse of the horror inflicted on those struggling in that time period. This aspect of the novel was fascinating and terrifying all at the same time.
The characters were unbelievably developed. The people in Ballencrief Hall aren’t the only ones who suffer. Anne struggles with confidence and self-worth. She only sees herself as a means to an end and it can be truly relatable to the readers.
This book will keep the reader on their toes and wondering what will happen next! The author really made some twists and surprising elements! This is not an ordinary romance novel but a dark and passionate mystery that keeps the reader hooked until the end!
You can find this review and more on my blog: https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/blog/
It is 1863 in the Scottish Highlands when Anne Winton arrives at Ballencrief Hall, a place for the mad. She is sent there to tend to some of the ladies, however she hopes to help heal people while she is there. As soon as she walks through the doors she comes face to face with a handsome young man, James Drake the Marquess of Devlin or known as the Mad Marquess. James Drake has been sent Ballencrief hall due to battling his inner demons. The attraction is strong between Anne and James right from the beginning. However, Anne is naive and innocent. James also sees the opportunity to use Anne to gain his freedom. The more time they spend together the more fascinated Anne becomes with James and James realizes that there is more to Anne than meets the eye. They both need to trust each other and heal if they want to have any chance at happiness.
This book was immensely darker than anticipated! The book right off the bat, grips the reader with this grim home full of misery and hopelessness. James Drake suffers from PTSD, not from war, but from a traumatic experience and struggles with his demons. Anne is kind and is determined to help him overcome them. This was a unique aspect coming from a romance novel. The book shows how mental illness was viewed in the 1800’s. Mental illness still has a stigma to this day but Russell gives the reader a glimpse of the horror inflicted on those struggling in that time period. This aspect of the novel was fascinating and terrifying all at the same time.
The characters were unbelievably developed. The people in Ballencrief Hall aren’t the only ones who suffer. Anne struggles with confidence and self-worth. She only sees herself as a means to an end and it can be truly relatable to the readers.
This book will keep the reader on their toes and wondering what will happen next! The author really made some twists and surprising elements! This is not an ordinary romance novel but a dark and passionate mystery that keeps the reader hooked until the end!
You can find this review and more on my blog: https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/blog/
ladywithaquill's review against another edition
4.0
This was a much darker book than I anticipated, but I enjoyed every minute of it! The first half is a struggle, if you're not used to books with serious subject matter. The reader gets a fairly detailed look at asylums in the late 1800s, which, if you know anything about how mental patients used to be treated, is very brutal and inhumane in many circumstances. I liked how the author took the modern-day PTSD and applied it to a situation outside of war as well. Many historical books only apply PTSD to war veterans, when in fact many people with PTSD have not gone through war but rather other traumatic experiences.
Anne Winton is a young, gifted woman who has been sent to Ballencrieff Hall to care for the the patients there. Upon arrival, she quickly find herself in the grasp of a madman who is introduced to her as the Mad Marquess, otherwise known as James Drake, Lord Devlin. Thought to be a madman in league with the devil, he certainly seems it at first glance. However, as Anne gets to know him, she finds herself falling in love with the tortured soul beneath the mask. While the circumstances aren't ideal for a romance, Anne and James find themselves helpless to stop their growing attraction. But the question remains: will James be able to fight his madness long enough to gain his freedom?
Anne was a fascinating character from the start. She was innocent but also seemed to be unafraid to act on her sensual impulses. In addition, the author added an element of the supernatural in giving Anne the ability to literally heal with her hands. It seemed a bit out of place, but not so much that the story lost flow or interest. Quiet, generous, and kind to her core, Anne was a character I had no problem supporting fully. James was a bit of a conflict for me at first, because I didn't understand where his madness was coming from. It was very disconcerting hearing the story from his point of view when he was battling his inner demons. However, as the story progressed and he became more lucid, I really liked James. He had a good heart and while he had made poor decisions in the past, he learned from them. His devotion and gentle handling of Anne was heartwarming and made the romance in the story blossom.
This was my first book by this author and I greatly enjoyed it! It was a unique, thrilling story that held my attention from start to finish.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Anne Winton is a young, gifted woman who has been sent to Ballencrieff Hall to care for the the patients there. Upon arrival, she quickly find herself in the grasp of a madman who is introduced to her as the Mad Marquess, otherwise known as James Drake, Lord Devlin. Thought to be a madman in league with the devil, he certainly seems it at first glance. However, as Anne gets to know him, she finds herself falling in love with the tortured soul beneath the mask. While the circumstances aren't ideal for a romance, Anne and James find themselves helpless to stop their growing attraction. But the question remains: will James be able to fight his madness long enough to gain his freedom?
Anne was a fascinating character from the start. She was innocent but also seemed to be unafraid to act on her sensual impulses. In addition, the author added an element of the supernatural in giving Anne the ability to literally heal with her hands. It seemed a bit out of place, but not so much that the story lost flow or interest. Quiet, generous, and kind to her core, Anne was a character I had no problem supporting fully. James was a bit of a conflict for me at first, because I didn't understand where his madness was coming from. It was very disconcerting hearing the story from his point of view when he was battling his inner demons. However, as the story progressed and he became more lucid, I really liked James. He had a good heart and while he had made poor decisions in the past, he learned from them. His devotion and gentle handling of Anne was heartwarming and made the romance in the story blossom.
This was my first book by this author and I greatly enjoyed it! It was a unique, thrilling story that held my attention from start to finish.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
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