A review by quirkykayleetam
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, by Cat Sebastian
adventurous
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
I wanted to read a fun, gay, period romance and this book fully delivered. It was lighthearted with characters I could root for, nicely steamy, and just perilous enough to be called an adventure.
I was happily surprised by the way the novel tackled chronic pain and disability. We watch Kit not only go through this, but learn how to adjust his life to it when it prevents him from doing his main business in life. The book also has complex discussions about the ethics of thievery, especially as it relates to violence and classism, letting each of its characters have their own take on the matter. This made the romance seem more dynamic and the side characters stand out more. While theft could be discussed, however, the novel drew a hard line at landowning aristocracy, describing the entire system as an inherent evil. If you do not want to face this subject in full, do not read this book. Likewise, it calls out laws against homosexuality. In this book, gay love is validated as a beautiful, life-affirming thing, no matter how many times the world may say otherwise.
The book's foibles lay mostly in its genre; towards the end the mystery of the plot begins to become predictable. The main character's lives and friend's are unrealistically connected. Did I want a bit more originality? Yes. Was I more invested in how Kit reacted to Percy in tight leather dueling pants? Also yes.
Points for period accuracy: Everyone has such common English names that they go by nicknames. There are literally two main characters named Elizabeth and I love it.
Points against period accuracy: BLACK PEOPLE EXISTED IN BRITAIN BEFORE THE 1950s. Betty may be described as "tawny," but that does not cut it. This is a harmful stereotype that I want stomped out of my period fiction as quickly and staunchly as possible.
I was happily surprised by the way the novel tackled chronic pain and disability. We watch Kit not only go through this, but learn how to adjust his life to it when it prevents him from doing his main business in life. The book also has complex discussions about the ethics of thievery, especially as it relates to violence and classism, letting each of its characters have their own take on the matter. This made the romance seem more dynamic and the side characters stand out more. While theft could be discussed, however, the novel drew a hard line at landowning aristocracy, describing the entire system as an inherent evil. If you do not want to face this subject in full, do not read this book. Likewise, it calls out laws against homosexuality. In this book, gay love is validated as a beautiful, life-affirming thing, no matter how many times the world may say otherwise.
The book's foibles lay mostly in its genre; towards the end the mystery of the plot begins to become predictable. The main character's lives and friend's are unrealistically connected. Did I want a bit more originality? Yes. Was I more invested in how Kit reacted to Percy in tight leather dueling pants? Also yes.
Points for period accuracy: Everyone has such common English names that they go by nicknames. There are literally two main characters named Elizabeth and I love it.
Points against period accuracy: BLACK PEOPLE EXISTED IN BRITAIN BEFORE THE 1950s. Betty may be described as "tawny," but that does not cut it. This is a harmful stereotype that I want stomped out of my period fiction as quickly and staunchly as possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcoholism
Minor: Cancer