Scan barcode
A review by the_rabble
Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt
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? Yes
3.25
Stiff loner vigilante duke bonds with the steely poor cousin of the rich society darling he's courting over nature walks and siblings.
Spicy, multiple POV (focus on 2 MCs & Apollo), characters are lates 20s & early 30s, 1740s London.
So far these two are my favorite characters in Hoyt's bingeable Maiden Lane books. Still a lot of gin related moral panic by Maximus, but his POV has some of Hoyt's strongest lines. [Character arc]He also becomes increasingly unhinged during this book and it's 4/5 times pretty funny. Artemis is a refreshingly practical, wry main character with a fantastic brother introduced in the last book. She deals with some real shit while Maximus tangles with his own societal hang ups.
Bedlam scenes, like any scenes of incarceration or british mental health institutions, are fucking rough but Apollo slaps and his relationship with Artemis is very sweet.
Strong characters and dialogue. Plot wobbles a bit, but the mystery and big moves are fun. Ending is [vague vibe spoiler]a bit abrupt- def a set up for the next book more than primarily resolution or revelry for Maximus and Artemis.
Hoyt leaves a couple unaddressed threads from previous books (e.g. Maximus bashing Artemis behind her back in the last book is never addressed.)
Narrator - Claudia Harris does a good job. Style choices skew more theatrical than conversational for Maximus, which is a very valid choice if you read him being a bit of a drama queen as his leading characteristic. Excellent voicework on prose and dialogue.
Sex scenes - we have some initiating consent issues with kisses and at least one of a few sex scenes. It's immediately made clear both parties are down, but there's a few uncomfortable seconds. Otherwise hot, but generally hits that "dominant dude wants to be dominant" note over and over.
Artemis taking the reins or running forward into conflict in an asserting "yes, but you're doing this bc I allow and want it" way are the most interesting moments.
Spicy, multiple POV (focus on 2 MCs & Apollo), characters are lates 20s & early 30s, 1740s London.
So far these two are my favorite characters in Hoyt's bingeable Maiden Lane books. Still a lot of gin related moral panic by Maximus, but his POV has some of Hoyt's strongest lines. [Character arc]
Bedlam scenes, like any scenes of incarceration or british mental health institutions, are fucking rough but Apollo slaps and his relationship with Artemis is very sweet.
Strong characters and dialogue. Plot wobbles a bit, but the mystery and big moves are fun. Ending is [vague vibe spoiler]
Hoyt leaves a couple unaddressed threads from previous books (e.g. Maximus bashing Artemis behind her back in the last book is never addressed.)
Narrator - Claudia Harris does a good job. Style choices skew more theatrical than conversational for Maximus, which is a very valid choice if you read him being a bit of a drama queen as his leading characteristic. Excellent voicework on prose and dialogue.
Sex scenes - we have some initiating consent issues with kisses and at least one of a few sex scenes. It's immediately made clear both parties are down, but there's a few uncomfortable seconds. Otherwise hot, but generally hits that "dominant dude wants to be dominant" note over and over.
Artemis taking the reins or running forward into conflict in an asserting "yes, but you're doing this bc I allow and want it" way are the most interesting moments.