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purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
"You are a professional."
"Yes, ma'am," Alice said.
"You would never behave in a manner contrary to the agency's Code of Conduct."
"No, ma'am."
"Because this is a thriller, not a romance, isn't that so, Agent A?"
"Yes, ma'am."
The final thrillingly fantastical romantic farce in India Holton's Dangerous Damsels series is even more packed with literary (mis)quotes, (mis)adventures, and innuendo. And this time with two book-nerd protagonists — Alice (Agent A) and Bixby (Agent B) — who steal our hearts and have us instantly under the spells as if they were born to piracy or witchcraft instead of the secret service.
“Reading is not a hobby,” she said. “It is a way of life.” He was silent a moment as he considered this, then he nodded in agreement."
Alice and Bixby, two orphans who were (mis)educated and molded into top agents, are clearly the heart of this story, but readers of the series will be happy to find that Cecilia and Ned, Charlotte and Alex, and the elderly piratical matriarchs all have significant roles here at the end — and at the end of the end in a surprisingly touching epilogue that champions female friendship and found family.
It's the middle of the story that lags a bit for me. Alice and Bixby's undercover attempts to find a weapon at a house party of pirates drags on a bit long for my tastes, though there are plenty of pirate shenanigans and (un)veiled sexual tension to keep most readers happy.
Besides Alice and Bixby's relationship (superb), the good-natured lampooning of the literary (always amusing), and the incorporation of past characters, the rambunctiously intelligent writing voice is what makes me a fan of these books. The Secret Service of Tea and Treason reaches Terry-Pratchett-levels of a sort of anthropocentric metaphoring that I never cease to find blazingly brilliant and absurdly amusing.
His brain ran around shouting urgent orders and waving red flags, trying to forestall an eruption of emotion he absolutely could not afford... And his heart, sighing in defeat, packed up all its wild and hungry longings and went to hide under a blanket.
Daniel and Alice exchanged a glance that didn't know whether to be amused or anxious, but that mostly wished it could go sit in a corner somewhere and read a book.
A laugh sounded... It was dry, brief; the kind of laugh that has eyes in the back of its head and just knows when you're about to do something stupid.
As the silence lengthened, growing heavy with overtones, undertones, and implications, the air between them blushed, made up an excuse, and departed the room in awkward haste.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Abandonment
cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Like everything India Holton writes, this book is a delight. The wit and whimsy of Holton’s worlds and writing style are unmatched, and her characters are so well crafted and multidimensional. Her inclusion and celebration of neurodivergent protagonists in this book warmed my heart. This entire series is a wild romp full of pirates, witches, spies, and literary allusions, and I truly could not love it more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.5
This was such a fantastic read! I think League is still my favourite, but I really enjoyed the rivalry between Alice and Daniel and how that changed through their mission. There were some truly funny scenes - a pirate conga line, I loved it!
I did find this a little slower in some spots, and while I adored the epilogue for the amazing friendships and HEAs, I just wish there was something a little different than the traditional romance epilogue for all of the couples. Anyways, I will happily pick up India Holton's next books!
I did find this a little slower in some spots, and while I adored the epilogue for the amazing friendships and HEAs, I just wish there was something a little different than the traditional romance epilogue for all of the couples. Anyways, I will happily pick up India Holton's next books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Pregnancy
katrinaward's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book made me sob. Every single sentence written by Holton is a masterpiece, but the way this book handled the isolating experiences of growing up neurodivergent is the best thing I’ve ever read. I will be reading this book again and again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
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