Review: Interesting story, but had problems with the main characters
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 28, 2014
Just finished reading Book 2 and re-read Book 1 and I must say that I was a little disappointed in Book 2.I found the plot interesting, but I had problems with the main characters.  I had hoped that Jack, Sabre, and George would be a bit more kick-ass.  I mean, they played War as kids, know how to fight with guns, swords, knives and arrows.  I wanted strong female characters who could ride in to save the day as much as the guy.  What I've seen is girls who grew up independent and gutsy turn into simpering ninnies whose only interest is to have sex and whose talents and brains aren't utilized.While Jack at least got to use some of her skills in Book 1, Sabre never gets to use her talents with a sword.  That's disappointing as the first scenes are her dueling Quince and him knowing of her title, the "Whirling Dervish."  Instead, we see her moving into Quince's home and taking over.  She also is much more sexualized than someone in her day and age would have been.  Being interested in kissing is one thing, but it was a bit off-putting that she's trying to initiate sex with Quince, is naked in the tub adjoining his room (she just moves into the Duchess' quarters on her own) and seems to be rather skilled at oral activities before any consummation between the two ever takes place.  She's not a "hero" character, but instead, seems more of a "doxy," which is ironic as that's what the duel was all about.I also have a little trouble with the ages of the Haberdashers.  I've read a LOT of Regency in the past few years, and 18 years old doesn't mean you're "on the shelf."  These girls would barely have had a Season; two tops.  The guys are always surprised at how young they are, ("barely out of the schoolroom" as Quince realizes), so making them the heroine when they're at least 10 years younger than the heroes is a little unbelievable; especially when Gideon and Quince weren't interested in a wife or heirs.I didn't have as much a problem with Quince as others have.  I personally find it refreshing that the H hasn't slept with every milkmaid, servant and prostitute around.  What I had more of an issue with is the reader didn't have a chance to get to know Quince.  He had a horrible father, a mother that was taken from him (why and how old he was when this happened we don't know).  He didn't have siblings or real friends except Gideon and so that all goes into his character as an adult.  There is never a solid back story, so I think that's why Quince came across at times as a bit lethargic and wimpy.The blackmail issue was interesting, but it better be further discussed in Book 3 or else it was totally useless.  We don't get to find out the 4th member of the club, we don't know what happens to Sabre's father and WTF was that about letting the "Dragon" get away?  Quince is horrified to learn what the group has done in the past, but it's fine to let them escape to the Continent so that their evil ways can be plied to unsuspecting innocents?  Gee thanks!  I guess it would be OK if Charles Manson or Jeffrey Dahmer were simply put on a ship and let loose in England.  At least we wouldn't have to deal with them anymore!It's always a bit disappointing to have a storyline build, then fizzle so I'm hoping that Book 3 redeems.  I'm also interested to see what happens to Justin and Sam.  Glad that Robert and Charlie will get their own stories, but hope that we really get to see what makes these characters tick and why they act and think as they do.