Colleen O. (CT1Colleen) reviewed My Lord and Spymaster (Spymasters, Bk 2) on + 146 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I did like this book better than the first in the series. Jess Whitby is a wonderful characher and so is Captain Sebastian Kennett. They way the book goes into the London underground in that time period is very faacinating. I would like to learn more about that part of history.
Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
Helpful Score: 3
It was a tossup whether I loved this book or Spymaster's Lady better, but both of them are keepers. Again, Joanna Bourne has found a way to convey the heroine's thoughts in a vernacular that is uniquely hers. I loved the main characters, and there are a number of excellently drawn secondary characters. No sloppy writing here. If I wanted to quibble about anything, I would say her H&H are almost TOO intelligent, multi-talented, and superhumanly tough and capable. She has one tiny weakness, and he is apparently perfect. But hey, for me it's part of the fantasy I'm looking for when I read romance.
Helpful Score: 2
Jess is a woman caught between two worlds. The past and her future. When Jess's father is accused of treason with France by the very man she loves, how is she going to prove it? Ms. Bourne has an amazing ability to turn just ordinary prose into something extrodinary. At times the book lagged a bit, because as a reader I kept wanting something to happen to move the book along. I knew who the guilty party was very early in the book, but was surpised at who the sidekick was. It took along time to reveal Jess's past, but I was satisfied in the end. Sebastian was a good pairing with Jess and I felt their connection. I am looking forward to the next JB. :-)
Helpful Score: 1
Although I loved the first novel in this series "The Spymaster's Lady," I was extremely disillusioned with the sequel.
The plot was was fragmented and the chemistry between the heroine and the hero was not believable. The male protagonist had nothing on his mind but sex from the first meeting and it just didn't work for me.
I almost began counting how many times the author used "as hell" in the story.
The final culmination, the "love scene" between the two characters fell extremely flat. Overall very disappointing.
The plot was was fragmented and the chemistry between the heroine and the hero was not believable. The male protagonist had nothing on his mind but sex from the first meeting and it just didn't work for me.
I almost began counting how many times the author used "as hell" in the story.
The final culmination, the "love scene" between the two characters fell extremely flat. Overall very disappointing.
Catherine M. (Catherine1) reviewed My Lord and Spymaster (Spymasters, Bk 2) on + 60 more book reviews
I read the first book of this series, The Spymaster's Lady, and really enjoyed it. I don't know why I never bothered to pick up the next book in the series when it came out. I finally decided to get it off my wish list and order it. I really wish I hadn't. Everything that I loved about the author's style in the last book was repeated here, but it really didn't work for me.
What I really liked about the last book was the flow of the language. The heroine was French and her thoughts and dialogue really felt authentic to me. The wordiness didn't bother me because it was all part of the experience of Annique (most of the book was from her pov). That same style was duplicated in this book. What was wonderful and had a great feel for Annique was horribly tedious for Jess.
I thought Jess was going to be really interesting. I mean, with her past she had to have some interesting character motivations. Unfortunately she wasn't anything special. Her actions made no sense to me and even though she was supposed to be some genius mind I honestly couldn't see it. She was a very weak character (even though we're told again and again that she's strong) and caved to whatever pressure was placed on her. It was irritating to read about.
I really didn't like Sebastian's character. He was basically a carbon copy of Grey from The Spymaster's Lady. Grey too was overwhelmingly dominant. He was very much so an "I know best" kind of guy. It worked for him because of his position as spymaster. I didn't mind him overwhelming Annique and controlling her actions because she was the enemy and to act otherwise would be stupid. That does not mean it was ok for Sebastian though. Why exactly is he acting that way? His controlling, egotistical behavior was so irritating.
Now, why exactly did these people fall in love? I really have no idea. One moment they're lusting and hating each other and then the author tells us they're in love. I just disliked the characters and couldn't get into the book.
One thing I do have to admit though... I really want to read Adrian's book. I liked him in the last book and I liked him in this one. I truly hope that he won't be a carbon copy of the other two male leads though.
What I really liked about the last book was the flow of the language. The heroine was French and her thoughts and dialogue really felt authentic to me. The wordiness didn't bother me because it was all part of the experience of Annique (most of the book was from her pov). That same style was duplicated in this book. What was wonderful and had a great feel for Annique was horribly tedious for Jess.
I thought Jess was going to be really interesting. I mean, with her past she had to have some interesting character motivations. Unfortunately she wasn't anything special. Her actions made no sense to me and even though she was supposed to be some genius mind I honestly couldn't see it. She was a very weak character (even though we're told again and again that she's strong) and caved to whatever pressure was placed on her. It was irritating to read about.
I really didn't like Sebastian's character. He was basically a carbon copy of Grey from The Spymaster's Lady. Grey too was overwhelmingly dominant. He was very much so an "I know best" kind of guy. It worked for him because of his position as spymaster. I didn't mind him overwhelming Annique and controlling her actions because she was the enemy and to act otherwise would be stupid. That does not mean it was ok for Sebastian though. Why exactly is he acting that way? His controlling, egotistical behavior was so irritating.
Now, why exactly did these people fall in love? I really have no idea. One moment they're lusting and hating each other and then the author tells us they're in love. I just disliked the characters and couldn't get into the book.
One thing I do have to admit though... I really want to read Adrian's book. I liked him in the last book and I liked him in this one. I truly hope that he won't be a carbon copy of the other two male leads though.
My Lord and Spymaster was hard to get hold of, because she's so fabulous, right down to every historical, sartorial, brilliantly developed characters, plots, subplots and superb suspense!! Please, PBS reader, post the "Rogue Spy" or or at least a review I can dive in to!Thx~
