A review by santonss
The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig
4.0
Overall, I liked this book, but not as a part of the Pink Carnation series. It feels more like a different novel, set in a very different place, India instead of Mayfair. With such plot changes and new characters to explore, Freddy and Pen, it is to be expected. First we have the change in location, which in of itself is a big part, but not unheard of, the reader was taken to Ireland in the " Emerald Ring" , France, in the first "Pink" and outer estates and country homes. But this is a different culture,and requires an appreciation of " non-western" history, the Mughals, Islam, Hinduism, many languages like Urdu,even food. While I was reading this book, I saw in the store a kit to make Hyderabadi briyani. It was really good, and the best part was I was curled up on a cold winter night, enjoying my fake Indian food while reading about the chase scene in the market. I could quite literally smell the spices.
Next we have another change in the series. For the first time, we start out our main heroine already married. While this volume is more sexually charged like the "Secret History" and the "Black Tulip" it is not nearly as explicit. This is not necessarily as bad thing. Hot steamy sex scenes are all well and good, but this kind of book, so accurate in many historical aspects, made it almost tawdry. So I am pleased with this level of detail.
Now, added to this mix is adultery. This book more than any other questions the roles of women in the 19th century. As Pen says, she is thought of as Freddy's wife, as much as Freddy's horse or Freddy's chattel. Here, we have a strong minded woman chafing against the roles of women as she knows them. While women's rights were common as a result of the change in ideas, they were far more demure than we think of the role of the so-called Femi-Nazi. This was about control over ones life, and having freedom to make choices. Some might call Pen and her choices in life selfish, simplistic and a result of boredom in a leisured lifestyle. WOuld Pen have felt as unhappy with her forced marriage to Freddy if she had been a laborer or servant. But as daughter of a baroncy she has the idle time to feel used.
This book raises a lot of questions, the role of race in 1804 as well its impact now. Questions of loyalty, to ones partner, to ones family, to ones country (or country of origin) are pretty deep thoughts for a romance novel. Its so much more than that. It is an enjoyable take on the Post- colonial other.
As the series progresses, I keep feeling that with each new character match, one of Amy's and Henrietta's friends or RIchard's -to even almost enemies like Lord Vaughn, we get further and further removed from the Pink Carnation herself. But It does explain bits of hints from Eloise about her legacy and impossible far reaching network. But the question is how would Alex and Cleaver get the credit for the Marigold, by ways of the Carnation, if they did not know her identity? How did Jane and Miss Gwen get involved?
Alas, far too many thoughts, far too many questions. As for Eloise and Colin, its pretty slow,nothing as exciting and the nighttime haunts of Selwick Manor, Or interludes in a chapel. But its real enough.
So maybe I appreciate this book more than the others, but my favorites are still the first two for overall plot.
Next we have another change in the series. For the first time, we start out our main heroine already married. While this volume is more sexually charged like the "Secret History" and the "Black Tulip" it is not nearly as explicit. This is not necessarily as bad thing. Hot steamy sex scenes are all well and good, but this kind of book, so accurate in many historical aspects, made it almost tawdry. So I am pleased with this level of detail.
Now, added to this mix is adultery. This book more than any other questions the roles of women in the 19th century. As Pen says, she is thought of as Freddy's wife, as much as Freddy's horse or Freddy's chattel. Here, we have a strong minded woman chafing against the roles of women as she knows them. While women's rights were common as a result of the change in ideas, they were far more demure than we think of the role of the so-called Femi-Nazi. This was about control over ones life, and having freedom to make choices. Some might call Pen and her choices in life selfish, simplistic and a result of boredom in a leisured lifestyle. WOuld Pen have felt as unhappy with her forced marriage to Freddy if she had been a laborer or servant. But as daughter of a baroncy she has the idle time to feel used.
This book raises a lot of questions, the role of race in 1804 as well its impact now. Questions of loyalty, to ones partner, to ones family, to ones country (or country of origin) are pretty deep thoughts for a romance novel. Its so much more than that. It is an enjoyable take on the Post- colonial other.
As the series progresses, I keep feeling that with each new character match, one of Amy's and Henrietta's friends or RIchard's -to even almost enemies like Lord Vaughn, we get further and further removed from the Pink Carnation herself. But It does explain bits of hints from Eloise about her legacy and impossible far reaching network. But the question is how would Alex and Cleaver get the credit for the Marigold, by ways of the Carnation, if they did not know her identity? How did Jane and Miss Gwen get involved?
Alas, far too many thoughts, far too many questions. As for Eloise and Colin, its pretty slow,nothing as exciting and the nighttime haunts of Selwick Manor, Or interludes in a chapel. But its real enough.
So maybe I appreciate this book more than the others, but my favorites are still the first two for overall plot.