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A review by justinkhchen
Deception by Amanda Quick
medium-paced
3.75
Delightful, but not a new favorite, Deception has the foundation of an adventure-driven historical romance I've come to expect from Amanda Quick, but the final outcome feels a little tame comparing to other titles I picked up prior.
The positives: I really enjoy both the hero and heroine: Jared as a levelheaded, punctual 'pirate' completely turns the stereotype (crass, big emotions) we've come to expect on its head, and the fact he's described to look exactly like a typical pirate adds the additional comical touch. Staying true to Amanda Quick's preference for strong female heroine, Olympia's book-smart more than compensates for her lack of real-life experience, and she's often more than willing to stand her ground rather than becoming frazzled or annoyingly ignorant. I also pick up narrative cues from Mary Poppins (Jared being a tutor to a chaotic household) and The Sound of Music (heroine softening a stoic hero)—which are all inspired reference points I appreciate. Lastly, I was pleasantly shocked by certain 'reveals'—did not expect such subject matter being highlighted with such nonjudgmental attitude from a 90s publication!
The letdown: Amanda Quick historical romances is for me either a spirited romp, or woven with an engaging mystery; while Deception IS centering around treasure hunting, the progression is placid and static (lots of reviewing/decoding paper materials). Even the obstacles encountered throughout are low-stake, and I find the villain reveal to be particularly obvious, and the least interesting out of all the potentials. While I like both Jared and Olympia, their romance lacks spark—it is almost too levelheaded in a story that is already filled with talking and not enough action.
Deception is still plenty readable, as it fulfills my thirst for a decent historical romance. But as far as Amanda Quick's titles go, this one will rank low among others I've read (not by a large margin, I should emphasize). A little more 'domestic' and less adventurous, but the decent premise and a collection of colorful secondary characters (I ship Mrs. Bird and Graves!) still make this one worthwhile overall.
***Historical Hellions Book Club | August 2024 Selection***
The positives: I really enjoy both the hero and heroine: Jared as a levelheaded, punctual 'pirate' completely turns the stereotype (crass, big emotions) we've come to expect on its head, and the fact he's described to look exactly like a typical pirate adds the additional comical touch. Staying true to Amanda Quick's preference for strong female heroine, Olympia's book-smart more than compensates for her lack of real-life experience, and she's often more than willing to stand her ground rather than becoming frazzled or annoyingly ignorant. I also pick up narrative cues from Mary Poppins (Jared being a tutor to a chaotic household) and The Sound of Music (heroine softening a stoic hero)—which are all inspired reference points I appreciate. Lastly, I was pleasantly shocked by certain 'reveals'—did not expect such subject matter being highlighted with such nonjudgmental attitude from a 90s publication!
The letdown: Amanda Quick historical romances is for me either a spirited romp, or woven with an engaging mystery; while Deception IS centering around treasure hunting, the progression is placid and static (lots of reviewing/decoding paper materials). Even the obstacles encountered throughout are low-stake, and I find the villain reveal to be particularly obvious, and the least interesting out of all the potentials. While I like both Jared and Olympia, their romance lacks spark—it is almost too levelheaded in a story that is already filled with talking and not enough action.
Deception is still plenty readable, as it fulfills my thirst for a decent historical romance. But as far as Amanda Quick's titles go, this one will rank low among others I've read (not by a large margin, I should emphasize). A little more 'domestic' and less adventurous, but the decent premise and a collection of colorful secondary characters (I ship Mrs. Bird and Graves!) still make this one worthwhile overall.
***Historical Hellions Book Club | August 2024 Selection***