Review: A Very Different Setting
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 12, 2012
I chose to read this book because it's a Regency Dystopian story, something very different from what I've seen to date when it comes to historical romances. This is a straight historical with no paranormal elements in sight.The setting is London 1804. The combination of plague and civil disorder has taken its toll on the people. Those who are still alive struggle to survive with food shortages and finding somewhere safe to live. The glamorous houses and balls of the past are no longer, the plague being a great leveller. The author has taken the English v French war and given her own neat twist and this forms part of the plot. The setting is like another character in this story, bleak and dangerous, and I really liked this aspect of the story.Grayson Merrick, Baron of Harwich finds Lady Juliette Adair, the sole survivor of the plague at Colonel Bulger's estate. From the first, he is taken with her, and when she survives, he takes a special interest in her. Grayson is strong and determined to keep the people on his Harwich estate alive. He'll do anything to ensure his people are safe, yet Juliette is something he wants for himself. I liked Grayson a lot. He's an honorable man. Although he feels a little guilty at first for taking Juliette into his bed, he comes to rely on her for solace. She is the only thing in his life that's good and pure, a big contrast to the horror and desperation in the outside world. He falls in love with Juliette and thinks of her as his helpmate.On the other hand, I didn't feel as much sympathy for Juliette. She irritated me with her distrust, and I wanted her to just go to Grayson with her suspicions. I cheered when she finally behaved in the manner I thought she should. Toward the end of the story she redeemed herself in my eyes.There were times when I felt the plot dragged a little, but the story ended with a bang and a satisfactory conclusion. This is the first book in the series, and it will be interesting to see where the author takes her characters in future.So, would I recommend this story? Yes, if you want an original setting and something a little different you'll probably like this story. I rate it somewhere between 3 - 4 stars. A good read.