What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

Of Paupers and Peers by Sheri Cobb South -- Regency Romance

James Weatherly, a penniless curate and Latin tutor, receives the shock of his life when he learns he is the new Duke of Montford! About 100 years ago, James's great-great grandfather disowned his second son for marrying a milkmaid. Though James's great-grandfather was disowned, the estate and title were still entailed and James is the next heir. With a purse full of coins, he sets out on the common stage and by foot to Montford Priory and is attacked by ruffians. He manged to get in a few blows before being knocked senseless. Miss Margaret Darrington discovers the unfortunate man lying in the road. She assumes he is Mr. Fanshawe, the tutor she has hired for her younger brother Phillip. James finds he can not remember his identity or anything before he was attacked. Assuming he is the tutor, he goes home with Margaret. Margaret fears her younger, beautiful sister Amanda will fall in love with the tutor. Margaret has grand plans for Amanda which include marrying a fortune and supporting the family. Amanda makes the acquaintance of an unknown, infuriating young man whom she can't seem to get out of her mind. As Mr. Fanshawe, James quickly becomes one of the family. He enjoys his cozy chats with Margaret and even teaching Phillip. When he finally recovers his memory, he discovers that he desires to be a permanent member of the Darrington family. However, in order to discover his lady love's true feelings, he must remain incognito for awhile longer. Margaret comes to lean on the sturdy young tutor and depends on his advice and conversation. Surely that doesn't mean she's in love with him, does it? After all, he's in love with Amanda, or is he? A Gypsy fortune teller tells Margaret she has a difficult choice to make that will affect her future.Is love the choice she meant? What to do? If you're a fan of this genre you will know how the story goes. The plot drags a bit in the middle with a few random, unlikely moments of discovery. The writing is otherwise decent and the period details about country life are good. The characters interact with each other realistically for the most part and can easily be identified with. Margaret and Amanda resemble the Dashwood sisters in Sense and Sensibility. James is a much stronger character than Edward Ferrars, however, and I really liked him. He's sweet and a bit awkward and very earnest. This is a pleasant read in the tradition of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. It's what Heyer would call a "quiet" romance. I rather liked it but I wouldn't rate it in my top 10 or even top 20.

Star Crossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce -- Young Adult Historical Fantasy

Set in a fictional fantasy sort-of Renaissance era world, this fantasy features a 16 year old thief named Digger as the narrator. Digger is on the run from the dangerous Greenmen. They caught up to her and her partner Tegen while on a job "recovering" some important letters. Digger spends the night in a thief's hideout waiting for Tegen. When he doesn't come, she concludes he was killed and takes off running. While on the run she encounters a party of young nobles heading down the river to escape duty. The young nobles take her up in exchange for directions. Digger, the most devout of the liar god's servants, spins a tale of a life spent inside the walls of a convent. The parents of the young nobles catch up to them and attempt to dole out punishment to the wild teenagers. The very young Lady Merista Nemair has a big surprise when she discovers her parents have returned from exile (they were banished for being a part of rebel forces during a civil war) and plan to take her to their castle in the mountains to prepare for her Kernja-velde, a coming-of-age ceremony. Meri is shy and unsure of what to expect. She takes a liking to Celyn, as Digger is calling herself and asks her parents to bring Celyn as her lady's maid. They also bring along Phandre, a noblewoman whose parents died in exile. Digger can't help becoming soft in her luxurious surroundings so to stay sharp, she steals little things from the castle. Then the guests begin to arrive including Marlytt Villatiere, a city courtesan and Lord Remy Daul, the foster brother of Meri's father. Lord Daul catches Digger doing what she does best. In exchange for her silence, he puts her to work for him spying and stealing from The Nemair and their guests. The Nemair have been good to her but if they find out her secret, will they stay kind? Digger doesn't want to take that chance and soon finds herself in way over her head as she uncovers secrets involving forbidden magic and political intrigue. She discovers that she has violated the thief's rules don't get caught and don't get involved. This book differs greatly from the author's first novel, A Curse Dark As Gold. This one is set an an entirely fantasy world which in some ways resembles the real world and in other ways does not. The history, politics and religions of this country are incredibly confusing. The story seems to start in the middle, assuming the reader knows what Digger means with references to various gods and political leaders and then the history is revealed in bits and pieces. Digger's story is also hinted at and then finally revealed towards the end. This method of story telling did not work for me. I had a really hard time getting into the story. All of the unfamiliar and unpronounceable names complicated the already complicated story. Once Digger starts spying for Lord Daul, then the story picks up and I couldn't put it down. The ending seems like it would be rushed but was actually paced well. I was hoping for something along the lines of a Tamora Pierce novel or Patricia C. Wrede's Mairelon the Magician but this one was just too complicated and out there for my tastes. I would recommend it to experienced fantasy readers.