City of Jasmine
City of Jasmine book #1
by Deanna Raybourn
GENRE : #HistoricalAdventureMystery
( with a little touch of romance)
My rating: ★★★★☆
Actually 3,9 stars rounded up to 4.
If you’re looking for a vibrant desert journey packed with sparkling dialogue, compelling characters, and a rich, historical atmosphere, then Deanna Raybourn’s City of Jasmine might just be your next favorite read.
While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this to those hunting for a heart-stopping, sweeping romance, I wholeheartedly suggest it to anyone who loves a swift, fun-filled adventure with a truly satisfying finish.
THE STORY IN A NUTSHELL:
It’s the 1920s, and the world-renowned aviatrix Evangeline Starke has long believed her husband, Gabriel, went down with the Lusitania.
Their whirlwind London courtship was cut tragically short—or so she thought.
Five years on, Evie has reinvented herself as a globetrotting pilot and journalist. But her carefully constructed world is blown apart when she receives a mysterious, very recent photograph of Gabriel.
Accompanied by her eccentric Aunt Dove, Evie follows the trail to the "City of Jasmine"—Damascus. She quickly realizes nothing is as it seems. With a priceless, long-lost relic at stake and criminals stopping at nothing to find it, Evie is thrust into a perilous desert trek.
It’s an odyssey that forces her to confront the deceptions that tore her marriage apart and perhaps embrace a future she never thought possible.
A First-Class Adventure: MY THOUGHTS on Deanna Raybourn’s City of Jasmine
WHAT I LOVED:
1__ Evangeline Starke Adventurous Life Introduction: I was immediately drawn in by the concise yet effective introduction to Evangeline Starke. We quickly learn how she reinvented herself as a celebrated aviatrix, earning a living by globetrotting and providing newspapers with captivating articles and photographs of herself, her adventurous aunt, and her aristocratic friend, Wally. This instantly establishes an unconventional heroine and sets the stage for thrilling escapades across the world.
2__ Eve, Captivating Heroine of the Story: Evie is a beautifully crafted character who resonates deeply because of her complexity and realism. She's not a perfect heroine but a real person—full of contradictions, strength, and vulnerability.
Her enduring love for her husband, despite years of absence and a difficult marriage, showcases a passionate stubbornness that feels genuine rather than contrived. The way she conceals her true feelings, even from herself, adds layers to her emotional struggle.
What truly stands out is Evie's refusal to be a victim. Even when faced with her husband's rough treatment, she responds with wit and unyielding will, demonstrating both courage and fierce loyalty. She's patient beyond reason and willing to confront painful truths instead of running away, which gives her remarkable depth. Her self-awareness, acknowledging her flaws while also displaying generosity and warmth to those around her, makes her incredibly relatable.
It's a shame the author didn't imbue Gabriel with the same depth or charm, as this imbalance can diminish the emotional impact. But Evie's character shines so brightly that she carries the story with authenticity and heart.
She's the kind of character you want to root for, the kind who stays with you long after you turn the final page.
3__ Impressive Desert Adventure: I absolutely loved the thrilling desert adventure that unfolds, filled with twists and turns. It magically rekindled that specific atmosphere of the Middle East, reminiscent of the fairy tales of Aladdin, Scheherazade, and The Arabian Nights, which I adored as a child. Unfortunately, I had lost that enchantment over the years, particularly after the rise of ISIS and the Taliban, their attacks on the West, the executions of journalists, and the ongoing conflicts between various religious factions. For a long time, when I thought of the Arab world, all that came to mind was dust, dirt, blood, and fear.
This book, however, delivered an adventure that reignited my curiosity, making me want to discover more about the historical and cultural stories behind these lands.
4__ Historical Echoes: I also thoroughly enjoyed the historical backdrop of the 1920s. The narrative subtly highlights how, even after the devastation of the First World War, Western colonial empires continued their attempts to exert control over what was not rightfully theirs.
The references to Lawrence of Arabia were particularly engaging (whom I only knew from movies, since he's part of British history, while I'm Italian). While reading the book, I found myself exploring online the life of this Englishman who tried to help the Arabs establish an independent state, and how the subsequent events and the revolts against the Turks unfolded in a disappointing manner.
I enjoyed researching, through Wikipedia, blog articles, and old black-and-white photos, the real-world places mentioned in the book, such as Damascus, Palmyra, and the Zenobia Hotel, an elegant hotel that was still in operation until 2013, but now sadly a victim of the conflict in Syria, riddled with holes and decay. This historical immersion added a rich layer to the story.
5__ Intrigue and Mystery: The intrigue surrounding the archaeological finds, perfectly interwoven with the political climate of the time, was another strong point. It kept me guessing and fully invested in the unfolding mystery.
6__ A Vibrant Supporting Cast: Finally, I loved almost all the supporting characters, both good and bad. Evie's loyal friend Wally, the enigmatic Sheikh Hamid, the diverse personalities at the archaeological dig, the charming British diplomat Hallyday, and even the funny and chatty parrot, they all added depth and flavor to the narrative. There was only one character I didn't quite connect with, although I know many readers appreciated her.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE:
1__ A Romance Mismatch: My primary disappointment stemmed from the book's cover and blurb (in addition to a prequel written a year after the book), which strongly suggest an intense love story between two protagonists deeply in love with each other. However, for up to 90% of the book, it seems like the only one truly in love is Evie. Her ex-husband, meanwhile, consistently adopts a gruff tone, and the only two kisses we witness toward the middle of the book are completely sterile and devoid of passion and genuine feeling. The romance trope should be "enemies to lovers," but here, even the slightest hint of love and interest on his part is missing, making the book profoundly disappointing from a romantic perspective.
Only in the last 10% do we get a making-love scene. It's tasteful; the author hints at it without explicit details, making it suitable for younger readers. Unfortunately, even after that scene, there are no overwhelming emotions or romantic thrills.
For a romance, I wanted more emotional payoff and definitely more chemistry!
2__ The Unconventional Aunt: The character I didn't like was the elderly aunt. While she's meant to be a whimsical, adventurous character, which could have been endearing, her portrayal as a 60-year-old Victorian woman who, despite her storied past, still flirts and makes insistent advances, even towards young men, felt off-putting. I found it quite jarring and out of place within the narrative.
It's also utterly absurd that, at a certain point in the story, she, at 60 years old and without prior experience, manages to fly an airplane on her own after less than an hour of lessons. This is particularly unbelievable, considering Evie herself has taken countless lessons from aviators recovering from the war, preparing herself practically, mentally, and physically.
3__ Too much of Peter Pan Influence: The last thing that bothered me slightly was the constant references to Peter Pan and Wendy, and the famous fairy tale. I've loved that fairy tale since I was a child, but in this context, it seemed a bit forced, and for a man of the world like Gabriel to constantly reference Peter Pan felt somewhat ridiculous and out of character.
If you’re craving a fast-paced escape into a vibrant, bygone era, City of Jasmine is a fantastic choice!
Thank you for stopping by and reading my review. 😊
A review of the short prequel that tells the story of Eve's first meeting with her husband Gabriel can be found here:
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