Published: August 9, 2011
Links: IndieBound
(support an independent bookseller near YOU!)
Amazon, Barnes & Noble
(available as Kindle/Nook and Audiobook editions)
ARC provided by TLC Tours for a fair and honest review
Synopsis from Goodreads
Lucy Derrick is a young Regency woman of good breeding and poor finances: after the death of her father, she is forced to maintain a shabby dignity as an unwanted boarder with her unpleasant uncle, fending off marriage to the local mill owner, Mr. Olson. But her prospects of even that unwanted match are complicated by the appearance of a beautiful stricken man who appears on the family doorstep begging her not to marry Mr. Olson just as he collapses. This appearance seems to open the door to a series of increasingly strange occurrences surrounding Lucy. Soon it becomes clear that there is more at stake than her own happiness — and that she is caught between two forces, one ancient and one modern — and that the soul of her very country is at stake.
We start off to find Lucy Derrick in a predicament worthy of Jane Austen: penniless and beholden to an unkind and distant relative, suffering the petty degradations of such a situation and being coerced into a bleakly loveless marriage. Unable to see any escape from her current suffering but to take on the equally unappealing status of wife of Mr. Olsen, local mill owner, Lucy is about to accept her fate of a life of unhappiness. All that changes, however, when none other than Lord Byron appears at her uncle’s door, begging her not to marry her betrothed.
To fully understand the import of such an event, you have to realize that Lord Byron was the rock star of his age. The young, beautiful, bad boy of the British aristocracy who brought countless well bred women to their knees swooning. Here’s a visual:
*yes, I know this is Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy but we’re talking the same factor of swoon worthiness*
*pets picture*
*drools*
*Wait! Where was I? Oh yes….*
What comes next is a wonderful mystery, worthy of Charles Dickens, with twists and turns and people who turn out not to be exactly what they appear. And these characters are wonderful, full bodied, quirky people, each one of which was a delight to read, particularly the villains who were absolutely delicious!! Add to all of that a wonderful magical element and a quest to save the world and you’ve got a wonderful story that’s near impossible to put down.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 books
Monday, August 1st: One Book Shy of a Full ShelfTuesday, August 2nd: Pensive BookeatersWednesday, August 3rd: A Chick Who ReadsMonday, August 8th: Fiction State of MindWednesday, August 10th: In the HammockThursday, August 11th: Unabridged ChickMonday, August 15th: Bewitched BookwormsTuesday, August 16th: Life in the ThumbWednesday, August 17th: All About {n}Monday, August 22nd: Stiletto StorytimeWednesday, August 24th: Books, Movies, and Chinese FoodThursday, August 25th: Adventures of an Intrepid ReaderThursday, August 25th: Historical TapestryMonday, August 29th: A Buckeye Girl ReadsWednesday, August 31st: A Musing Reviews
I almost forgot!!! The wonderful folks at Random House are letting us give away a copy of this book to one winner (US/Canada)!
Just fill out the form and you’re entered!
Now go and get lost…in a book!
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Sounds fascinating. I'm definitely going to add this to my stack!
My recent post Review: Unbroken
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Sounds great! Thanks so much for the heads up and the give-away!
I am on a regency kick as of late – this would be perfect! 🙂
apereiraorama[at]gmail[dot]com
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Thanks for the giveaway, im definitely adding this to my large stack of tbr books
ang1549@gmail. com
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Thanks for the giveaway, this book sounds very interesting. I love historical fiction and I've found it increasingly difficult to find ones that I like. When I was reading MG books, there were so many fun, historical fiction books. With YA, I find it more difficult. Is this one YA? Or more of an adult crossover?
My recent post In My Mailbox (13)
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Yay! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
My recent post Review and Give-Away: The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss
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Don't you just love this era!!! I'm such a sucker for it and this book was really fantastic!
My recent post Review and Give-Away: The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss
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Hee-hee! I hear you about the ever expanding TBR. But at least you're never bored, right? Thanks for entering!
My recent post Review and Give-Away: The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss
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Hey, hon!!! This is more adult, but only because the characters are adults. The themes are very much like a YA as is the content. Hope this helps! 😀
My recent post Review and Give-Away: The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss
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I love a book with a strong heroine – especially a historical. Thank you for sharing and for the lovely giveaway opportunity.
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I love a good historical romance! Thanks for pointing this one out to me, and giving me a chance to win a copy:)
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I'm so glad to hear how much you enjoyed this book because I'm really looking forward to reading it myself. I think Liss is a terrific writer. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
My recent post Mailbox Monday: August 15, 2011
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Wow, what a rave review! Thanks for being a part of the tour. I'm featuring your review on TLC's Facebook page today.
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Thanks, Heather!! I was thrilled to be a part of the tour. The book was great!
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