Helpful Score: 9
The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran was a great read. I highly recommend this book. The characters were well written. The dialogue between H/H was witty, at times heartbreaking. The story was well paced. I really enjoyed this book. I am definitely going to read more by this author.
Helpful Score: 9
Every once in a while I will find a book that will move me. It's more than just enjoying the storyline or characters or even just the beauty of the prose. It's all that and more. It's some indefinable spark in the story that draws me in and makes me feel transported. I love when I find that quality. It varies from person to person, but wherever it's found it's something to be treasured. I found that quality in this book. I know that it is one that I will be able to read again and again and still find some new element of the story that will entrance me all over again.
I loved the undercurrents in the characters. There was never anything cut and dry about them. There was always layer after layer of meaning and motivation behind their actions. So much tragedy surrounded them, but so much strength too. The personal tragedies compounded by the tragedies they experienced during the revolt in India made for very complex characters. As I read the story I kept thinking about Jo Goodman's books. This author gave me the very same qualities that I love about Goodman's books.
Emma was a very well drawn character. She came off as very dark to me, even in the beginning. The death of her parents seemed to seep into her. Her indifference toward her betrothed's betrayals and total change of character, as well as her dissatisfaction with society seemed to echo that depression in her. The passage:
"She sat down. The solitude suited her. She had known the room would be deserted; it was too early for damage to have been done to dresses and gloves. Later, women would crush inside, anxiously pacing the floor as their ayahs struggled along behind, patching ripped hems and scrubbing at stains. The charm of the shadows would fade, and the music would be drowned out by snapped complaints and snickered gossip.
"And this is my life," she whispered. This was what she had fought so hard to survive for when she had floated for endless hours on the breast of the ocean, the sun cracking her skin and settling salt beneath her fingernails." (pg. 49)
particularly moved me. Throughout the story the sadness and hopelessness seemed to breathe off the pages. It was very beautiful. It seemed at times, from my point of view at least, that she was almost suicidal. Which is an odd perception, because when in danger she never seemed to want to die. I just couldn't shake the thought that she teetered a little too close to wanting to be totally lost. Things like this passage:
"He grasped her face in his hands to slant her head, to give him deeper access, to fill her. Yes, do it, she thought, consume me, swallow me whole. Odd feelings with no root tore through her. She felt frenzied, almost angry, ready to jump out of her skin. He would take her before she went. How would she go? Would she die? Would she face the water again? Could anyone keep the promises she suddenly wanted from him?" (pg. 131)
made me really wonder about her state of mind. I don't know though... It was in the middle of a love scene. Possibly it was just an expression of how consumed by him she was? Either way, it just made me more fascinated by her character.
Julian was less well drawn than Emma. I appreciated the author showing the dueling cultures in his nature. The fact that no matter what he did, he would never be a true part of either country made him a very sympathetic character. In truth, the most intriguing parts of his character came in moments that gave more depth to Emma. I particularly liked the insight he showed in the fragment of the poem he quoted to her. I think that a defining moment of the change in her character came when she discovered what he had meant by that statement. I don't know if these thoughts of his character make it really only Emma who carried the story or whether Julian only really came to life when dealing with her.
I liked all of the love scenes, especially because they seemed to add something to the story. The love scene that occurred at Mr. Cothurst's house touched me in particular. It showed so much insight into who Emma had become and the sorrow and self-mockery that Julian suffered from because of that. It was raw and not really romantic, but I loved it because of those reasons. I felt it fit perfectly with their characters. I felt so badly for Julian. His yearning and his pain when he was only given crumbs of what he needed from her felt like a living thing. I thought it was a powerful scene and that Meredith Duran has great skill.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It lived for me in a way that very few books do. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this author. However, be aware that this book is not perfect. I thought that Marcus was a thinly drawn character and I would have enjoyed nuance in him and less simple "bad guy". Also, my copy needed more editing. There were times that an extra word would be inserted into a sentence or a letter was missing in a word. It was very distracting in a love scene. Instead of "take her" it was "ake her". It wasn't horrible; it just kept pulling me out of the story. Despite that, I think that this book will be one of my favorites of the year.
I loved the undercurrents in the characters. There was never anything cut and dry about them. There was always layer after layer of meaning and motivation behind their actions. So much tragedy surrounded them, but so much strength too. The personal tragedies compounded by the tragedies they experienced during the revolt in India made for very complex characters. As I read the story I kept thinking about Jo Goodman's books. This author gave me the very same qualities that I love about Goodman's books.
Emma was a very well drawn character. She came off as very dark to me, even in the beginning. The death of her parents seemed to seep into her. Her indifference toward her betrothed's betrayals and total change of character, as well as her dissatisfaction with society seemed to echo that depression in her. The passage:
"She sat down. The solitude suited her. She had known the room would be deserted; it was too early for damage to have been done to dresses and gloves. Later, women would crush inside, anxiously pacing the floor as their ayahs struggled along behind, patching ripped hems and scrubbing at stains. The charm of the shadows would fade, and the music would be drowned out by snapped complaints and snickered gossip.
"And this is my life," she whispered. This was what she had fought so hard to survive for when she had floated for endless hours on the breast of the ocean, the sun cracking her skin and settling salt beneath her fingernails." (pg. 49)
particularly moved me. Throughout the story the sadness and hopelessness seemed to breathe off the pages. It was very beautiful. It seemed at times, from my point of view at least, that she was almost suicidal. Which is an odd perception, because when in danger she never seemed to want to die. I just couldn't shake the thought that she teetered a little too close to wanting to be totally lost. Things like this passage:
"He grasped her face in his hands to slant her head, to give him deeper access, to fill her. Yes, do it, she thought, consume me, swallow me whole. Odd feelings with no root tore through her. She felt frenzied, almost angry, ready to jump out of her skin. He would take her before she went. How would she go? Would she die? Would she face the water again? Could anyone keep the promises she suddenly wanted from him?" (pg. 131)
made me really wonder about her state of mind. I don't know though... It was in the middle of a love scene. Possibly it was just an expression of how consumed by him she was? Either way, it just made me more fascinated by her character.
Julian was less well drawn than Emma. I appreciated the author showing the dueling cultures in his nature. The fact that no matter what he did, he would never be a true part of either country made him a very sympathetic character. In truth, the most intriguing parts of his character came in moments that gave more depth to Emma. I particularly liked the insight he showed in the fragment of the poem he quoted to her. I think that a defining moment of the change in her character came when she discovered what he had meant by that statement. I don't know if these thoughts of his character make it really only Emma who carried the story or whether Julian only really came to life when dealing with her.
I liked all of the love scenes, especially because they seemed to add something to the story. The love scene that occurred at Mr. Cothurst's house touched me in particular. It showed so much insight into who Emma had become and the sorrow and self-mockery that Julian suffered from because of that. It was raw and not really romantic, but I loved it because of those reasons. I felt it fit perfectly with their characters. I felt so badly for Julian. His yearning and his pain when he was only given crumbs of what he needed from her felt like a living thing. I thought it was a powerful scene and that Meredith Duran has great skill.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It lived for me in a way that very few books do. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this author. However, be aware that this book is not perfect. I thought that Marcus was a thinly drawn character and I would have enjoyed nuance in him and less simple "bad guy". Also, my copy needed more editing. There were times that an extra word would be inserted into a sentence or a letter was missing in a word. It was very distracting in a love scene. Instead of "take her" it was "ake her". It wasn't horrible; it just kept pulling me out of the story. Despite that, I think that this book will be one of my favorites of the year.
Helpful Score: 5
One of my favorite books of 2008 - a keeper. Tragic and brutal in many ways, and yet very uplifting and romantic.
Grade: A+
Sensuality Rating: R
Grade: A+
Sensuality Rating: R
I read this book because I wanted to get a PBS credit, and the wish list for it was dwindling. I bought the book from all they hype almost 6 months ago, the winner of an online contest got a book deal and I wanted to check it out. Ive tried to start this book 3 times. Once I started reading the book, I was immediately transported to English influenced India. The description of India was impressive, the political struggle of this time, was one that I felt deep down, I knew what side I was on, but was torn as the h/h were. Though this book has a lot of war in it, I felt like I was reading this wonderful adventure about survival. First, from an awful betrothal, to a whirlwind love, to life, to dealing with demons of the past. While I feel that the hero does not act himself for a little while, it's not enough to bump the review to a 4. I can recommend this book highly! I emailed Ms. Duran and she has 2 books coming out next summer. You can bet, I will be there buying them.
Helpful Score: 3
Wonderful love story. I could not believe this was Meredith Duran's debut novel. Lots of heart-tugging emotion. Strong, intelligent characters. Fast-paced action. Once started, I couldn't put the book down. I found myself really pulling for this couple. I plan to read more from this talented new author.
Helpful Score: 3
This author is going to be one to watch for sure, she has a really distinctive writing style and her characters are real, emotive, and deeper then what is seen on the surface. In this case the starring couple are perfect for each other in more ways then one - loved it!
Helpful Score: 2
A well written story with a fresh plot line from a debut author. Can't get better than this.The characters are developed and the sexual tensions is very good between them. I liked this book a lot, a very good read.
Helpful Score: 2
I took this book on a cruise with me, and once I started reading it never wanted to leave the room until it was finished! I have kind of moved away from historical romance over the last year, but this book brought back to me everything I love about the genre. The hero was to die for. A very emotional and satisfying read.
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book much more than I expected to. It's been a long time since a book caught me up in a story like this one did. Can't wait to read more from this author.
This book was pretty good. I liked the little history of British Indian Society. Good characters and a heroine that is not whiny for a change. She went through a lot in order to be with Julian Sinclair. I enjoyed this book and will read more of this author.
A compelling story in two parts about Julian Sinclair, a part-Indian heir to an English dukedom and Emmaline "Emma" Martin, a very young woman artist who lost her parents on their voyage to her wedding in India.
Emma encounters much pain and loss throughout the book, she's a tortured young woman but never so much as to be totally maudlin. Julian lives on the periphery of "good" English society in India, racism keeping him out, his title and status keeping him in. They meet, wind up on the run together, fall in love.
The heroes in most romance novels are pretty compelling, books are special when the heroines are more than one dimensional or memorable in any way. Duran succeeds here with Emmaline who is complex and talented and interesting. She's suffered but she manages to always keep going, she has a strength of character and will to live that always moves her forward.
There's love and loss, a bit of mystery to keep things moving. I can't say it was the most romantic story but the storytelling was engrossing and made the book difficult to put down.
Duran includes a couple of pretty steamy but not tawdry love scenes. I wouldn't say her love scenes are the epicenter of the book as you might find with other authors, but just another nuance to the romance.
Great book.
Emma encounters much pain and loss throughout the book, she's a tortured young woman but never so much as to be totally maudlin. Julian lives on the periphery of "good" English society in India, racism keeping him out, his title and status keeping him in. They meet, wind up on the run together, fall in love.
The heroes in most romance novels are pretty compelling, books are special when the heroines are more than one dimensional or memorable in any way. Duran succeeds here with Emmaline who is complex and talented and interesting. She's suffered but she manages to always keep going, she has a strength of character and will to live that always moves her forward.
There's love and loss, a bit of mystery to keep things moving. I can't say it was the most romantic story but the storytelling was engrossing and made the book difficult to put down.
Duran includes a couple of pretty steamy but not tawdry love scenes. I wouldn't say her love scenes are the epicenter of the book as you might find with other authors, but just another nuance to the romance.
Great book.
I'm not usually enamored with British/India set stories but this one was so highly praised, I had to find out what all the hoopla was about. What did I find? A story that is totally unique, engaging, heartbreaking yet uplifting all at once! We see the atrocities of a bloody and senseless war, we follow the aftermath in the lives of both Emmaline and Julian who lived through it. We also see the tragedy of depression, the fickleness of fate and above all, the deep and enduring nature of true love (sigh!)
By the end, I realized I have found an all-time favorite hero in Julian. His love knew no bounds, it was deep and everlasting. The fact that he was willing to live, loving Emma and helping her for the rest of his life, knowing she may never return that love, absolutely knocked me out! Even as she hurt and rebuffed him time after time, he stayed. Now, don't get me wrong, Emma had every reason to be hurt. One cannot even imagine the depth of her pain after all she went through nor can we totally understand her depression and her fears, they were so real and devastating. For Julian to know his failure, to remember her joy and see what she had become yet fight for their love is.... well, what great romance novels are made of
By the end, I realized I have found an all-time favorite hero in Julian. His love knew no bounds, it was deep and everlasting. The fact that he was willing to live, loving Emma and helping her for the rest of his life, knowing she may never return that love, absolutely knocked me out! Even as she hurt and rebuffed him time after time, he stayed. Now, don't get me wrong, Emma had every reason to be hurt. One cannot even imagine the depth of her pain after all she went through nor can we totally understand her depression and her fears, they were so real and devastating. For Julian to know his failure, to remember her joy and see what she had become yet fight for their love is.... well, what great romance novels are made of
