Review: A picky reviewer loved this very different, rather unique historical romance based on solid history
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 19, 2013
Very, very occasionally I stumble across a book which simply takes my breath away. I'm pretty careful about the books I choose. I don't have a whole lot of time to devote to reading, so I don't like wasting the time I do have. I guess I'm usually happy with most I pick up, but even so, there's only a small number of books which I really treasure. This one, which was provided to me by netgalley, is absolutely one of the best historical romances I've read in a long time.To start with, it doesn't read like even a really good historical romance. It's thick with the political and social undercurrents which lead up to the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester in 1819, one of the most clearly defining moments in British industrial history, women's rights and British democracy. And yet, the plot, the setting and the characters are so carefully woven together, it doesn't lecture you, isn't dry, but grabs you and sucks you in until you can't put it down. I love both history and romance but I often feel there is just not enough real history in historical romances. There's too many fancy-schmanzy clothes, or silly manners, and not enough of the richness of real events. I find it incredibly frustrating that there aren't enough books out there that satisfy both my romance and history urges at the same time. This one does just that.Where to start?..- The setting feels completely unique. How many historicals (romances or other) are set in Manchester at the time when the Industrial Revolution began to really pick up steam? It doesn't have the shiny luster of London, which means it's not as easy for an author to research at a distance, and some readers wouldn't have a clue where it is, nor its importance to industrial history, but it has a grittiness as a setting that is absolutely compelling.- The characters are all multi-dimensional and develop at totally different rates. At times, it honestly felt a bit like reading a Thomas Hardy novel instead of a historical romance, but an altogether easier read! While I couldn't describe any of the characters as likeable, most of them have redeeming features, and they are all just incredibly interesting. It really is a cast of many characters, including one dead one orchestrating events from the past, and one purely evil one, who are both somewhat enigmatic (you are left wanting to know what made them that way). The heroine is essentially a tragic figure and her story is heart-wrenchingly sad, and yet she has backbone, and determination, without coming across as fake. Watching her story evolve is the main thread in the book. The hero is also a fascinating figure. He has to confront his own issues, but unlike so many historical romances, he doesn't become perfect as a result of his mistakes. He's human and real, and as for most characters in the book, nothing comes easily to either of them.- Both the hero and the heroine make mistakes, but they are not the usual TSTL mistakes which pass for plot devices in a lot of historical romances. The plot for this one is really well planned and it doesn't need that rubbish.- The writing is wonderful. Great descriptions, great dialogue and a lot of real people and places sprinkled in to bring it alive.The only negative thing I can honestly think of is the cover, which doesn't do the book justice IMO, but quite frankly, who cares when something is this good?5 stars. Absolutely amazing. I'm never deleting this one from my kindle. Ever.