Review: Sadly, 1 1/2 stars
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 11 4, 2013
I liked The Trials of Artemis. Sure, it was a little out there with the whole Haberdasher-tomboy thing, but I accepted that plot device and enjoyed the book. The characters were interesting and believable. I was more than happy to give this next installment a go. The beginning of Athena's Ordeal is terrific, especially given the glimpses we've had of the secondary characters in the previous book. From there, though, both plot and characterization distintegrate precipitously and never stop.***SPOILER ALERT***Here's what was good, in my opinion.1. Within a minute of seeing her for the first time, the very proper Duke of Beloin propositions a woman to be his mistress. The woman turns out to be a lady and the sister of an acquaintence. What a terrific set up! I was hooked.2. As expected, such an insult to a lady's honor requires "satisfaction" and the duke is challenged to a duel. The challenger, rather than being the lady's brother, turns out to be the lady herself. The duke wins the duel but not easily. The lady is so impressed with the duke's swordsmanship she becomes immediately enamored of him.  She states she will marry him. I couldn't wait to see how the relationship would evolve.Here's what ruined the book for me.1. The gentlemanly and honorable Duke of Beloin allows the lady in question to invade his country estate and stay there unchaperoned. Unbelievably, he isn't concerned enough about her reputation to send her back to her own home. Really? The duke in this book must have been the evil twin.2. In his late twenties, the duke is still a virgin. Absolutely preposterous, especially in that era.3. The lady cleans house with the staff and rolls dough along with the kitchen servants. Also preposterous.4. The villains' secret society made me think of The DaVinci Code. Talk about getting my head booted out of the story.I don't think I have the heart to read the third book, which will be George's story.