When compared to Jo Beverleys first Company of Rogues book, or even the second, Christmas Angel leaves a lot to be desired. The first few chapters were interesting enough though now that Ive reached the end I think it was somewhat weak, and set the pace for the whole book. Leander has just returned from abroad and is looking to take an English wife to help him settle to his duties as an earl, but finds that every young lady he encounters falls in love with him on site. Thats believable given how ladies were taught to be during that time and that all of the Rogues are devilishly handsome. Then, however, the forced entry of the heroine and Leanders instant decision that shes the one just from one fumbled meeting with her ruined any magic there might have been. So the story progressesand progressesand progresses. Theres a lot of interaction between Judith and Lee, but so many of their assumptions and actions are based on this idea that neither of them wants to love the other, when its obvious that they already do.
The storys climax was also rather anti-climatic. Some stories are written to be what I call meanderingtheyre not so much about an extraordinary set of events as about character development and the world around. Christmas Angel felt like it was trying to be one of those books but didnt quiet grasp it. In retrospect, the climax is easily identifiable but during the read there was little lead up and almost no emotional attachment to what was happening. Frankly, the part that had me most ensnared the whole time was when Bastian goes missing (while under Nicholas care no less!) and is found half frozen at the top of a huge tree.
The closing was a bit hard to swallow, though in keeping with Ms. Beverleys style. I call these smothering happy endings and thus far Beverley is the only writer Ive encountered who qualifies for the label. I had to put the book down several times in the last ten pages because it was just so cheesy I felt somewhat embarrassed to be reading it.
For its lack of plot though, Christmas Angel does have its high points. Leander is a rather unique man; Ive never encountered one quite like him. The way his parents relationship plays into his life is also rather effective and lends weight to his ideas on love and marriage, and his affection for Bastian and Rosie always earned an Aww! moment. As with all of the Company of Rogues books, the weaving-in of other Rogues created highlights throughout and kept the world itself from being flat. When in doubt, go on to another member of that elite circle!
www.whitneycarter.wordpress.com
The storys climax was also rather anti-climatic. Some stories are written to be what I call meanderingtheyre not so much about an extraordinary set of events as about character development and the world around. Christmas Angel felt like it was trying to be one of those books but didnt quiet grasp it. In retrospect, the climax is easily identifiable but during the read there was little lead up and almost no emotional attachment to what was happening. Frankly, the part that had me most ensnared the whole time was when Bastian goes missing (while under Nicholas care no less!) and is found half frozen at the top of a huge tree.
The closing was a bit hard to swallow, though in keeping with Ms. Beverleys style. I call these smothering happy endings and thus far Beverley is the only writer Ive encountered who qualifies for the label. I had to put the book down several times in the last ten pages because it was just so cheesy I felt somewhat embarrassed to be reading it.
For its lack of plot though, Christmas Angel does have its high points. Leander is a rather unique man; Ive never encountered one quite like him. The way his parents relationship plays into his life is also rather effective and lends weight to his ideas on love and marriage, and his affection for Bastian and Rosie always earned an Aww! moment. As with all of the Company of Rogues books, the weaving-in of other Rogues created highlights throughout and kept the world itself from being flat. When in doubt, go on to another member of that elite circle!
www.whitneycarter.wordpress.com
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
