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seforaflorian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Violence, and Grief
utopiaandmelancholy's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wish I could have read this book without knowing the twist! There was surprisingly less swashbuckling in this than I expected from popular culture surrounding the story, but what I got instead was a good story told from a female perspective which allowed for the twists and turns to be unfolded, rather than experienced directly. The characters felt very vivid (along with the lovely engravings in this edition) and I liked the story so much I've immersed myself in its myriad adaptations since - all of which I enjoyed - which I hope is a sufficient testament to Orczy's story and writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Misogyny and Classism
epsyphus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Very enjoyable historical romance. I really liked the romance and I find English books that just rag on the French way funnier than I should.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Classism
raeli's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Death and Kidnapping
Minor: Violence and Xenophobia
lucychafia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Really sweet romance and also adventure! I enjoyed it, but sometimes it did get a little slow
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Classism
Minor: Racism
meagancuth's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
Reread 2021:
I remember thinking the beginning was slow the first time I read this book in my teens, nearly 20 years ago now. (On that read, I finally got hooked on the story *right* at the time I should have put it down to go to sleep and stayed up until the wee hours of morning reading. I re-read it many times in the next few years, and was LONG overdue for a reread this time through. ) It didn't feel slow at all this time as I watched all the threads coming together that I knew would be important later.
This may not be the most realistic story you'll ever read, but the romance and adventure and clever outwitting are spot on for a satisfying story. (As a side note, the garden scene is one of the most intense and passionate love scenes I've ever read, and that with barely a kiss on a hand and brush of fingertips.)
This read through was actually a listen, on Librivox, and I quite enjoyed Karen Savage's reading of the story.
I remember thinking the beginning was slow the first time I read this book in my teens, nearly 20 years ago now. (On that read, I finally got hooked on the story *right* at the time I should have put it down to go to sleep and stayed up until the wee hours of morning reading. I re-read it many times in the next few years, and was LONG overdue for a reread this time through. ) It didn't feel slow at all this time as I watched all the threads coming together that I knew would be important later.
This may not be the most realistic story you'll ever read, but the romance and adventure and clever outwitting are spot on for a satisfying story. (As a side note, the garden scene is one of the most intense and passionate love scenes I've ever read, and that with barely a kiss on a hand and brush of fingertips.)
This read through was actually a listen, on Librivox, and I quite enjoyed Karen Savage's reading of the story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Racism, and Violence
This story includes blackmail and betrayal.