Review: 3.5 stars less emotionally visceral than I would have hoped
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 28, 2014
I was intrigued by the premise: a Victorian-era setting against the Great Exhibition of 1851 in which a titled Lord involves himself with a Japanese Fan Dancer and the intrigue that comes with both the uniqueness of the relationship and the secrets held by Hanako.  Royce presents a world that feels very real and is easy to imagine the wonders, as if seeing them for the first time as Londoner’s did.  The Victorian era was beginning to exert influence on social and societal customs and with Albert’s insatiable fascination with new technologies and scientific advancement, a new era of industrial, scientific and exploratory discoveries are being integrated into the public eye.  A scant ten years before Albert’s death and Victoria’s subsequent retirement from public life, the mood and curiosity of the public was insatiable.Lord Skyler Ridgemont is in service to the crown, seeing to the contractual needs and intricacies of performances, and tying up the loose ends.  While he is intrigued by the unique presence and approach of the Japanese woman, Hanako, he feels a connection that surprises him.  Hanako finds him uniquely different, her vacillation between reticence and proper behavior mixing with a very forward display not acceptable in polite society at that time.The story has several different sub-plot points that need to be worked through: the interracial relationship, Hanako’s inability to find a solid behavioral pattern that would not bring shame on Skyler, even as she won’t be accepted, and Hanako’s big secret.  Each unfolds slowly, with plenty of back and forth and diversions of setting and place that help the reader to enjoy the scenery.  While there is a romance, it’s very slow to develop and most of the story is consumed with the reveals from Hanako while Skyler is far more open and easy to know.  I will say that the pacing is stronger in the earlier chapters of the book, while it never gains the level of fast moving, must turn the page, the steady unsteadiness of the pacing did allow time to revel in the descriptions and feel – although less emotionally visceral than I would have hoped,.  Romance in this story did take a backseat for me to the luxe descriptions and scene setting.I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.