Monday

Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale

http://www.laurakinsale.com/
I have always been a big fan of Laura Kinsale. She is the Queen of Angst. You know, those heroes who had sex with their step-mother when they were twelve and their father beat them, then sent them to an asylum where they went blind and then they turned into a blind assassin and nobody likes them because they kill people, however, they are the designated hero. Now, that is angst! So, when I heard that after a five years absence, Queen Kinsale had written a new, lighthearted book, I, of course immediately put it on my list.

So, I started to read it and for some reason I kept putting it down. I liked the heroine Callista, but really didn’t like Trev. There were some funny gags and slapstick comedy going on. However, it wasn’t until page 289 that I started to like the hero. When he tries to explain why he did a really stupid life endangering act, I finally found him adorable. However, shortly after that his past catches up with him. So, after two weeks, I folded my tent and started another book. Both characters do the “I’m not good enough for you” routine for way too long. I didn’t’ think the couple really clicked.

I am probably the only person in Romanceland who didn’t like this book.

If all of the book had been like page 289, this book would had been astounding, but sad to say it wasn’t and sad to say I found this a disappointing read from a really talented author.

Time Place: Regency England
Rating:
Sensuality Rating: Warm

6 comments:

Michelle said...

OK, so I think I will skip this title, but I wanna know the title of the one you described at the beginning of your post, with the sleeping with step-mom, beating by dad, blind assassin that everyone hates. Thats the one that I wanna read, so please let me know about that one!
Michelle

SidneyKay said...

Well, Michelle, I might have combined or exaggerated some plots in my exuberance. However, here are some of Laura Kinsale's early books and I mean early. Which means that they are really close to having some jerks for heroes in them.

Flowers from the Storm - 1992: contains a stroke, madhouse, evil family and Quaker heroine.

The Shadow and the Star - 1991: contains childhood sexual abuse of hero.

Uncertain Magic - 1997: Contains a Fey heroine

My Sweet Folly - 1997: Contains a older heroine and a not so nice, maybe mad hero.

For My Lady's Heart - 1993: Contains a angst filled heroine.

Some of these are Medieval and warning, Kinsale is a pretty heavy duty author, so, small doses recommended.

KT Grant said...

"You know, those heroes who had sex with their step-mother when they were twelve and their father beat them, then sent them to an asylum where they went blind and then they turned into a blind assassin and nobody likes them because they kill people, however, they are the designated hero."

That statement you said above is perfect. But I really enjoyed this one and still trying to figure out if Trev is a virgin or not. What do you think?

Anonymous said...

Kay. I too adore Laura Kinsale.

I too didn't much love this book.

You are not alone.

Heidenkind said...

Well, I haven't read it yet. You never know, I might hate it.

Melissa said...

I enjoyed the story, but it took a while to get into it. I had to sit it down for 2 other books before returning to Trev and Callista. Their misguided notions, I mean conflict, lasted too long and the ending wrapped up too quickly.