Book review : The Heart of a Hussar by Griffin Brady

The Heart of a Hussar
The Winged Warrior #1
by Griffin Brady

My rating: ★★★★★
😃A wonderful read: 5 full stars so well deserved !

It's an amazing historical fiction. An adventure romance so very compelling and I really think it's the best novel I read so far this year.

I would like to start by saying that I usually choose shorter novels (around 300 pages or a little more), but the setting, different from the usual, immediately attracted me and if at the beginning I started reading the first sentences, with the fear that I would bored because it was too long and too different from my usual readings ( historical mysteries and clean romances), I have to tell you that I was involved in the story from the very first page to the last one!

____ THE PLOT IN SHORT __ Muscovy, 1610.
Jacek Dąbrowski is a twenty-two-year-old Polish nobleman, cavalry officer of the legendary Winged Hussars, who dreams of gaining land possessions thanks to his valor and military merits.
One day, during a military campaign on Muscovite soil, then an enemy of Poland, he saves fifteen-year-old Oliwia and her little brother from the clutches of soldiers who were looting and razing a village to the ground.

Since the two young people are without parents and relatives, Lord Eryk, the commander, decides to take them to his castle where he will make them his proteges.

The return journey is long and Jacek and Oliwia, traveling on the same horse, begin to get to know each other and without knowing it, they lay the foundations of what will be a strong bond.

Between military campaigns and life at the castle, obvious rivalries and dangerous enemies hidden in the shadows, parties and courtships, passionate kisses, dreams and disappointments, this gripping story takes place over 4 years, until the moment Jacek realizes that the his dream has changed, but just at that moment fate plays a bad joke...

_________________________

__NOT A STANDALONE__
WARNING : FINAL CLIFFHANGER
__THERE IS A SEQUEL____
Before starting to read the novel, I read some reviews (all enthusiastic, but this sometimes turns out to be a trap because then I create too many expectations).
Thanks to the reviews I understood that the book would end with a cliffhanger__ something that I usually don't like at all__ but here I wanted to take a leap into the dark, because the setting and the subjects of the story, the legendary winged Hussars of Poland in the 17th century, intrigued me too much !
If we add that there was the tag #romance, my heart was already kidnapped.

(In the author's defense I must admit that she wrote this in the first pages of the book and the sequel was published only a month after the release of the first volume, because it was supposed to be a duology)
In my case I consider myself lucky to have already found a third volume which the author has decided to write in 2023.

___ ABOUT WINGED HUSSARS ____
They were a heavy cavalry formation active in Poland and in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1503 to 1702.
A distinctive feature of the Husaria were the "wings", wooden supports decorated with feathers, secured to their saddles or to the rear plates of their armour, which were intended to demoralize the enemy during a charge.
The hussars ranked as the elite of Polish cavalry, in fact they were all from noble families and they were raised since childhood to ride and to the use of many different weapons.

It has been very interesting to learn all these things about that military body and on a European territory of which I know little or nothing and of which I only know the fate of the post-war period of the 20th century.
I really didn't imagine that the Kingdom of Poland would be so powerful at that time.




___ BATTLES , SOLDIERS and TACTICS, ARMOUR and WEAPONRY __
What I didn't expect were the descriptions of battles, actions and military strategies, descriptions of weapons and traditional outfits of the time (both for soldiers and civilians) and I certainly didn't expect that they would fascinate me so much and that I would have found it very stimulating, really impressive.



I've read other books with battles and only the author Stella Riley managed to fascinate me, while other authors bored me deeply and if I had known before that there were so many battles described, I probably wouldn't have read the book... but I'm glad I didn't know BECAUSE THE AUTHOR DID AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB!!
Griffin Brady managed to combine all her historical and technical knowledge with the magic of fiction, creating within me great suspense, emotions and full participation in the scenes I was reading, as if a time machine had teleported me exactly there, in that place, at that time and with those people!

Each weapon, outfit and noble and military hierarchy was written with its original name and explained already during the story, BUT DON'T BE AFRAID OF GETTING CONFUSED,
for the reader's convenience, the author has also included a small dictionary for each word cited in Polish.
You will even find another chapter that will help you pronounce the names (after the first ten pages, everything will become very easy).

____ THE CHARACTERS __
Both the two main characters and the side ones are developed excellently.

We are able to see not only the physical appearance of each one, but also their character traits, their emotions, their thoughts, their aspirations and fears, their will to resist adversity and to conquer what they dream of.
The author managed to make them so intense that they seem real.

The dialogues are brilliant, often interspersed with short thoughts written in italics, which have the advantage of completing the dialogues and making the scene that the characters are experiencing vivid.

Some ironic banter between Jacek and his best friend Henryk or between the soldiers or between Jacek and Oliwia... give a light touch from time to time and entertains the reader.

___THE LOVE STORY___
as regards the romantic part, it appears just after 50% of the book, while in the first half some romantic premises are created, but the main characters are not exactly aware of it.

I admit that in the first half of the book, I was constantly wondering when the protagonists would fall in love and at a certain point I thought that the tag #romance was not appropriate for this fiction.
This was only for 5 seconds, because as soon as the two protagonists began to realize that they were attracted to each other, I was rewarded for all the waiting and the second part of the book is largely dedicated to the feelings of love of the two young people.
BUT NO BOREDOM, you will in fact find funny scenes, exciting scenes, you will suffer together with them and even more you will hope together with them.

___ JEALOUSY, INTRIGUE AND CONSPIRACY ___
In addition to the enemies in battle, the protagonists find themselves involved in difficult events, due to jealousy and presumption, envy and the desire for power and revenge, the arrogance and selfishness of some characters.

These situations create a lot of tension during the story, until reaching a climax that will determine definitive (or almost definitive) turning points not only for Jacek and Oliwia, but also for other main characters.

So the novel is compelling not only for what concerns the action and the romantic aspect, but also thanks to other elements cleverly inserted as a subplot.


---> Historical fiction SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE, even teenagers. ---> Despite the time period and the theme, the author managed to write the novel with: _ Clean language (or at most swear words which nowadays are not swear words) _ Sweet and romantic kisses _ Battles and deaths without gruesome descriptions


___ DO I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? ___ yes, I recommend it 100% if you love historical fiction.

Don't be scared by the fact that you also have to read the sequel to feel completely satisfied, you will turn the pages one after the other, completely fascinated by everything that is told by the author and experienced by the characters!

I've already started reading book #2 and I can't wait to read #3 too.

___ THANKS FOR READING MY OPINION, I hope that my English, full of flaws (it is not my mother tongue), has not ruined too much of what was intended to be praise for this novel and my thanks to the writer.

THE SEQUEL :
BOOK #2 "A Hussar's Promise": read my review

_______________ A little off-topic:
while I was reading, my Jacek had the features of a young Henry Cavill ( picture from the Tudors ), because his description corresponds to dark hair, sapphire blue eyes and a frown in his gaze.
with the qualities of a great warrior and a man of sound principles that the writer gave him and the appearance of Henry Cavill, how could I not fall in love with him? 😉





...But those pictures below are my favorites, that's how I imagine Jacek when he turns lovely to Oliwia :

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Book review : A Revolution of Hearts by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

A Revolution of Hearts
by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

My rating: ★★★★☆
This must be read as 4.5 stars

--- I loved it and after finished it I feel like I'm missing the charaters.----

It's a lovely clean adventure-romance set between France and England in the late 18th century and related to the well known "Scarlet Pimpernel" ( by Emma Ocrzy / Emmuska Orczy ).
I read and appreciated E. Orczy fiction novels, so this is one thing that made me choose to read this book.

Despite the awful cover ( too dull colors,too much grey color in the background and not at all charming people ) that is suggesting something very dramatic, this is a lively romantic novel with a hint of adventure and of course a happy ending.

__THE PLOT__ Early 1789. Paris
Mademoiselle Dacia de Prideaux and her brother Marcel, from a rich and aristocratic family, are going to the theater.
While she only thinks about love and can't wait to meet her boyfriend again, her brother is taken by the new political currents, led by Robespierre, who would like to see the monarchs deposed and would like equality between the social classes.
That same night, 2 shocking events happen: her lover will marry someone else and Marcel will be killed by someone of his own political persuasion (this is not a spoiler, we know this right away).
Witnessing the murder and accused by the murderer of being the murderer, Dacia has to flee France and thus begins her adventure in England.
An adventure that is anything but easy, made up of physical effort, disguises, false identities and dangers... But in all this another aristocrat with a heart of gold, an adventurous soul and broad views will help her in her new path: Master Richard Harris, a close associate of Sir Percy Blakeney, the famous Scarlet Pimpernel.

__________________________________________

While in the start the story looked a little bit dull to me ( the chapters at the theater, while she was looking for her loved one ) after the murder ( about 20% through the book) all became interesting.


_ THE SETTING __
This is not a challenging novel (we can compare it to the usual regency romances), but the author has managed to give the reader a precise idea of the time and background in which the story took place, making the atmosphere alive and real, thus how the feelings and emotions of all the characters are fully perceptible.

Talking about the background in which the events take place and the atmosphere that the story gives us, the book can be divided into various sections:

__ Pre-revolutionary France and the first troubles shaking the country: the leaflets circulating with the new anti-monarchist ideas, the secret meetings of those who want to change history, the police and the first skirmishes and revolts underway.

__ The escape to England, Dacia's fear and anguish of being captured, the pain of her brother's death and the flashbacks of those moments, the fear of the unknown in an unknown world, the adventure together with strange characters that others they are simply men dedicated, by choice, to saving people in danger of their lives.

__ Life at Master Harris' estate, a bit of Downton Abbey set in the late 1700s, with servants, haughty aristocrats, balls and theatrical rehearsals of a Shakespeare comedy.

__ Imminent danger and action including rescue and total reversal of current situations.

__ Finally declarations of love and the only kiss of this slow-burn (very slow, too slow) romance and happy ending.

__ THE 2 MAIN CHARACTERS _
I liked both although in my opinion there is too little interaction between the two in the book.

😀 🌷The first half of the book focuses more on DACIA:
and it can be said that she is the only protagonist.
---> I liked her because as a wealthy and privileged person she found herself forced to take on the role of a very humble person and to take on all the hardships, pains and sacrifices of that type of life.
First she worked as a waitress and then as a scullery maid, but despite the humiliation she didn't complain, on the contrary, she learned the meaning of sacrifice and understood how she too, in her previous life, without realizing it, had been haughty and very demanding with her their servants, without taking their feelings and self-love into consideration.
The author focuses several times on these considerations and between the lines invites the reader to reflect 8 and I liked it ), because if it is true that today we (or should) all have the same rights, there is still a big gap between very wealthy people and poor and humble workers who often suffer the arrogance, arrogance and boastfulness of those who have more money and more power (even in our normal daily lives).

😀 🌷 When RICHARD (Master Harris) finally enters the scene
we still have too few scenes to know him well and the interactions between the two are few and devoid of the warm emotions that should instead constitute the romantic and sweet part of the story.
So, even after meeting the character, it was initially difficult for me, the reader, to fall in love with him and if the plot on the back cover had not revealed to me the name of the male protagonist of the couple, up to 75% I would not have even known who he was, since courtship was absent.
Richard has another girlfriend, not out of love, but imposed by his father and so for a good part of the time he tries to find points in common with her.
He behaves ambiguously with Dacia, as if he had a soft spot for her, but didn't realize it... but I would have liked the author to accentuate this unconscious attraction more.
When "falling in love" finally begins, I loved it but we are quite far into the book and so for me it wasn't enough.
The author inserts glances between Dacia and Richard during the story, but they are not enough to create an expectation complete with butterflies in the stomach for the reader, it all arrives later ( so that's why it is "too" slow-burn to me )
This is the main reason why I didn't give 5 stars, but since the whole story as a whole involved me and I liked it, I sincerely think that the book deserves a full 4.5

__ A PINCE OF HISTORY____ Have you ever heard of the "Cagots" in France?
I didn't and I learned, from this book, that the Cagots are pariahs (people of the lowest social status, living in isolation from the majority), that in the Middle Ages they lived on both sides of the Pyrenees and that popular superstition saw them as object of contempt and horror, partly inspired by the visceral fear felt by populations exposed to leprosy.
I LOVE TO LEARN THINGS by reading historical fiction !!!!


---> RECOMMENDED for those who love clean romances that are sweet and adventurous at the same time.
---> NOT RECOMMENDED for those looking only for romance and hot scenes

__I WOULD LIKE __ to read a series of book with this couple as main characters about their adventures rescuing people along with Walter ( Richard's brother ), Mr. Carter ( Richard's former valet and aid in his adventures), Marguerite ( Dacia's french best friend ) e of course Sir Percy Blackney.

FREE DOWNLOAD: you can download a free ebook of a short sequel-novella of this story ( named "Sergeant Jake and his Lady "), by subscribing to the author's newsletter on her website ( https://www.rondahinrichsen.com/ ---> click on FREE BOOK ).
I did it and of course I've already read it ( nothing very amazing but nice to read, so many thanks to the author for the giveaway )

THANK YOU all for reading my opinion and please forgive my English since it's not my language 😉

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Book review : Fools and Mortals by Bernard Cornwell

Fools and Mortals
by Bernard Cornwell

My rating: ★★☆☆☆
2.5 stars, rounded down to 2, because I can expect such a dull story from a novice author on his first book, but not from a renowned author like Bernard Cornwell (and only one with a renowned and famous name can get away with it and still be able to sell the book).

I'm sorry to say that reading this book is a waste of time and money.

If you are really curious to read it (like I was and I chose it with great enthusiasm), then RENT IT FROM THE LIBRARY OR HAVE IT BORROWED FROM A FRIEND, DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON THIS BOOK (if you like it you can do it later)

The plot, reading the back cover, was interesting and the story could have been captivating and engaging, if only it had been developed with unexpected events and twists that had managed to keep the reader in suspense.

What was also needed was a main character with an incisive character and great willpower, perhaps also endowed with a big heart and great intelligence, a character that the reader could respect and become fond of.

The world of Shakespearean theater is certainly fascinating and this is what led me to choose this novel: I love theater and I appreciated both the historical notions on the birth of "playhouses" and on the life of actors during the Elizabethan era and on the difficulties and terror sown by the Puritans.

What distinguishes a good writer from a normal historical scholar, however, is precisely knowing how to enchant the public through a compelling plot, with which to surprise the reader with each chapter and push him to turn page after page with pressing curiosity.

___PLOT___ We are in London, during the reign of Elizabeth I Tudor.
William Shakespeare is not only an actor, but has his own company of actors and writes comic and tragic plays to be performed both on public stages and in the private mansions of the nobility.
The main character of the book is his young brother Richard, also an actor, who constantly lives in the shadow of his older brother, already well known and appreciated and completely devoid of affection towards Richard.
At that time female actresses were not accepted, so female characters were played by very young boys, still without beards and with voices not yet set up as adults.
This is Richard's biggest worry, besides poverty and hunger. He wants to play male roles and of course earn more money, but William is difficult to convince and the disagreements between them are getting deeper, which leads Richard to think about leaving his brother's company.
When the manuscript on the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet disappears, William and the other actors immediately think that Richard is the culprit, but he is not the only one who is dissatisfied and angry with William. To save his honor and his job, Richard will have the only option to find the real traitor.
______________________

It doesn't matter that there are no murders or gruesome battle scenes.
Theft and betrayal + brotherly love + the birth of a love story + the enchantment of Shakespeare's works, are all elements from which a wonderful and captivating story could emerge from the first to the last page! __ But this is not the case !!!!__

1) This STORY is FLAT, devoid of emotional elements capable of arousing in the reader surprise, hope, fright, relief and the whole range of emotion that a fiction enthusiast expects.

---> Almost three quarters of the book (that's right, you got it right, three quarters, that is, nothing interesting happens until almost the end! ) only tell us about the daily life of Richard and the other actors, when they rehearse on stage, occasionally addressing vulgar jokes, to joke or even to take offense), when Richard returns to his cold attic or goes to the pub.
If I could laugh at the first vulgar joke (not because of the swear word, but because of the situation: adult men tease each other like school children would), after a while it becomes tiring.

I'm not offended by the swear words, given the period in which the story takes place it was something I expected, but a good writer knows how to make people laugh by creating funny situations.
If a writer thinks he can make people laugh just by using vulgar jokes, then he isn't worth much to me.

2) Between one rehearsal and another, Cornwell inserts pieces of some of Shakespeare's works... Yes, of course, it's interesting, but copying verses and inserting them into each chapter isn't that difficult.

3) CONFUSIONARY WRITING STYLE.
The story is told in the first person by Richard who, in the middle of recounting each situation, goes on to recount past life memories that last so long that the reader forgets what he was telling before. When Richard returns to talk about the present it is difficult to understand immediately. There is great confusion.

Furthermore, during dialogues important to the story, the author inserts sentences from other people who do not participate in the scene, but are simply in the same place ( in the background ) and perhaps are arguing or uttering jokes on the stage during the play's reharsal.
So more confusion !
If I'm watching a film and during the main dialogue I hear other sentences in the background, there are no problems, because I see the scenes and understand that they are background chatter. In a book, however, I need the writer to make me understand this in some way, he can't simply insert jokes from other characters, here and there, in the middle of a dialogue between 2 or 3 people who are part of the main scene ! (I hope I was able to explain the concept).

4) At 60% of the book I was still waiting for something to happen!!!
I'm not exaggerating, it's really like that !
I usually leave books that fail to engage me, after 25% or at most 30% of the story.
This book is written by a very successful writer, so I kept thinking: "now something will happen"... but no.
I couldn't believe it!!!
I felt angry and mocked and I kept reading it deliberately, so now I can write an honest review with full knowledge of  it.

5) From 65% onwards, it finally seems that the story starts and the reader can finally wake up from a long lethargy caused by an insipid and boring plot.
Chapters 8 and 9 of the fourth part of the book are finally a little more interesting (but never really compelling, I repeat that this seems like a book written by a novice).
Don't have too many illusions though, you will have just a pinch of action, the solution to the problem, a little relief, again a slight suspense because there is a new problem, a new and quick solution to the problem, described in a completely simplistic way. That's all ...

After this, the author, so presumptuously taken with himself and his knowledge of Shakespeare, returns for the umpteenth time to tell us about the rehearsals, the costumes they wore, who knew the lines and who didn't, reports some of the most incisive lines and re-tells us the whole story of "Midsummer Night's Dream".

6) ___ MAIN CHARACTER: completely ANONYMOUS.
Speaking of the protagonist, Richard Shakespeare, I have no dislike for him, but I certainly can't say that he has a charming personality or that he can win over a reader in any way.
He is good looking and basically he is also a good guy, but he is not a character who emerges and will be remembered.
Richard is under the thumb of his older brother, he is unable to assert himself and the only time he finds in himself the strength to act, although he is a good boy, he exaggerates in violence against the one who is the real traitor, reducing him to a cripple.
Maybe I could have accepted the first blow, but he could have spared the subsequent beatings and in that scene the character disappointed me.

7) ___ SIDE CHARACTERS___

----> The character of W.Shakespeare:
I don't know exactly what he was like in reality, because I've never read his biography, but if I didn't like him in the film with Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench (All Is True, 2018), in this book he is even more unpleasant, very presumptuous, arrogant and devoid of any affection towards his brother (which is the only reason why we can appreciate the protagonist and that is because we feel sorry for him!).
  He was probably a real asshole in reality too, he certainly wasn't a good husband and a good family man.
 His works will remain great over time and testify to his talent, but the portrait that emerges from Cornwell's story is that of an opportunist like many others, arrogant and presumptuous, a cheating husband and a domineering and affectionless brother. Great playwright and poet as a human being... Meh.
Since this is a fiction, perhaps it could have given us a more appreciable W.Shakespeare.

---> ABOUT THE OTHER CHARACTERS: the writer inserts so many people and so many names (many of which actually existed), that initially it is really difficult to remember who is who.
None are particularly memorable, let's say that, taken as a whole, they contribute to giving an idea of the atmosphere of the time.

8) I didn't expect a love story, but the romantic element included in the book could have been developed a little more and better.
It could have been a strong point of the plot together with the theft and recovery of the script.
Instead, neither theft, nor betrayal, nor the sentimental story manage to act as catalysts, everything revolves around Shakespeare's verses which are scattered throughout the book.
Perhaps Cornwell wanted to write a book that was both educational and interesting, but the result is that this book is neither...

I also think that the publisher was only able to publish such an insignificant novel because of the author's renowned name.
______________

---> I can understand that every reader has personal tastes and that each of us perceives things differently, so I understand that for some this book is worth 2.5 stars while for others 3.5 or perhaps almost 4 stars...
But the reviewers, who rated it 5 stars, also wrote that this book is superlative.... the top of the quality... SORRY, BUT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT.
It's still a mystery to me.

Thank you for reading my opinion, probably written in a horrendous way, both because English is not my language, and because when I feel angry and disappointed by a book, I write in one go, without even the desire to reread my text (I've already had enough of the book and am happy to put it away forever).


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LIBRO disponibile anche in EDIZIONE LINGUA ITALIANA, leggi la mia recensione !

La Congiura dei fratelli Shakespeare
by Bernard Cornwell

My rating: ★★☆☆☆
2.5 arrotondato per difetto a 2, perchè una fiction del genere posso aspettarmela da un principiante e non da un apprezzato e navigato scrittore !

( e solo uno con un nome rinomato e famoso, può farla franca e riuscire a vendere ugualmente il libro )

___ Comincio col dire che IL TITOLO ITALIANO è ASSOLUTAMENTE INADEGUATO, NON C'ENTRA NULLA CON LA STORIA e ancora una volta devo pensare che GLI EDITORI NON LEGGANO I LIBRI __ QUESTA COSA MI DA VERAMENTE UN GRANDISSIMO FASTIDIO e neppure la copertina è azzeccata ( copertine e titoli a casaccio = zero professionalità ).

Mi dispiace dirlo, ma la lettura di questo libro è uno spreco di tempo e denaro.
Se proprio siete curiosi di leggerlo ( come lo ero io e lo scelsi con grande entusiasmo ), allora NOLEGGIATELO IN BIBLIOTECA O FATEVELO PRESTARE DA UN AMICO, NON SPENDETE SOLDI IN QUESTO LIBRO ( se vi piacerà potrete farlo in un secondo momento )

La trama, leggendo la quarta di copertina, era interessante e la storia sarebbe potuta essere accattivante e coinvolgente, se solo fosse stata sviluppata con eventi e colpi di scena imprevisti che fossero riusciti a tenere il lettore in tensione.
Serviva, inoltre, un protagonista dal carattere incisivo e dalla grande forza di volontà, magari anche dotato di un grande cuore e un grande ingegno, un personaggio che il lettore potesse stimare a a cui si potesse affezionare.
Il mondo del teatro shakespeariano è sicuramente affascinante ed è questo che mi ha spinto a scegliere questo romanzo: adoro il teatro e ho apprezzato sia le nozioni storiche sulla nascita delle "playhouse" ( i teatri ), sulla vita degli attori durante l'era elisabettiana e sulle difficoltà e sul terrore seminati dai puritani.

...MA ciò che distingue un bravo scrittore da un normale studioso storico però, è proprio saper incantare il pubblico attraverso una trama avvincente, con la quale sorprendere il lettore  ad ogni capitolo e spingerlo a girare pagina dopo pagina con incalzante curiosità.

___TRAMA___ Ci troviamo a Londra, durante il regno di Elisabetta I Tudor. William Shakespeare, non solo è attore, ma ha una propria compagnia di attori e scrive opere comiche e tragiche da rappresentare sia sui palchi pubblici che nelle case private della nobiltà. Il protagonista del libro è il suo giovane fratello Richard, anche lui attore, che vive costantemente all'ombra del fratello maggiore, già ben conosciuto ed apprezzato e del tutto privo di affetto nei confronti di Richard. A quel tempo non erano accettate le attrici donne, per cui i personaggi femminili venivano interpretati da ragazzi molto giovani, ancora privi di barba e con la voce non ancora impostata da adulti. Questo è il più grande cruccio di Richard, oltre alla povertà e alla fame. Lui desidera interpretare ruoli da vero uomo e naturalmente guadagnare anche di più, ma William è difficile da convincere e gli screzi tra loro sono sempre più profondi, il che porta Richard a pensare di lasciare la compagnia del fratello. Quando il manoscritto sulla tragedia di Romeo e Giulietta sparisce, William e gli altri attori , pensano immediatamente che il colpevole sia Richard, ma egli non è l'unico ad essere scontento. Per salvare il proprio onore e il proprio lavoro Richard avrà come unica opzione quella di scovare il vero traditore.

_______________________

Non importa che non ci siano omicidi o truculente scene di battaglia. Furto e tradimento + amore fraterno + nascita di una storia d'amore + l'incanto delle opere di Shakespeare, sono tutti elementi da cui poteva venire fuori una storia meravigliosa e accattivante dalla prima all'ultima pagina ! MA NON è COSì !!!!

1) Questa STORIA è PIATTA, priva di elementi emozionali che sappiano suscitare nel lettore  sorpresa, speranza,  spavento, sollievo e tutta la gamma di emozione che un appassionato di fiction si aspetta.

---> Quasi tre quarti del libro ( esatto avete capito bene, tre quarti, cioè non suiccede nulla di interessante fino quasi alla fine !  ) ci raccontano solamente della vita giornaliera di Richard e degli altri attori, quando sul palco fanno le prove, rivolgendosi di tanto in tanto, battute volgari, per scherzare o anche per offendersi ), quando Richard torna nella sua fredda soffitta o va al pub.
Se alla prima battuta volgare potevo ridere ( non perchè facesse ridere la parolaccia, ma per la situazione : uomini adulti si punzecchiano come farebbero degli scolaretti ), dopo un po' la cosa diventa stancante. Non sono offesa dalle parolacce, dato il periodo in cui si svolge la storia era un elemento che mi aspettavo, ma un bravo scrittore sa far ridere creando situazioni buffe.
Se l'unico modo in cui un autore sa far ridere è la battuta ricca di parole volgari, allora mi dispiace, ma come autore per me non è un gran che.

2) Tra una prova e l'altra, Cornwell inserisce pezzi di varie opere di Shakespeare... Si certo, è interessante, ma ricopiare pezzi di versi e inserirli in ogni capitolo non è poi così difficile.

3) TRAMA CONFUSIONARIA. La storia viene raccontata in prima persona da Richard che nel mezzo del racconto di ogni situazione, passa a raccontare ricordi di vita passata che durano così a lungo da far dimenticare al lettore, che cosa stava raccontando prima. Quando Richard torna  a parlare del presente è difficile capirlo immediatamente. C'è una grande confusione.  Inoltre, durante dialoghi importanti per la storia, l'autore inserisce frasi di altre persone che non partecipano alla scena, ma sono semplicemente nello stesso luogo e magari stanno litigando o pronunciando battute sul palco. Sentire altre frasi sullo sfondo in un film ci può anche stare, perchè vedo le scene e capisco che sono chiacchere di sottofondo. In un libro però ho bisogno che lo scrittore me lo faccia capire in qualche modo, non può semplicemente inserire battute di altri personaggi, in qua e in là, nel mezzo di un dialogo di 2 o 3 persone, che in quel momento fanno parte della scena principale ! ( spero di essere riuscita a spiegare il concetto ).

4) Al 60 % del libro stavo ancora aspettando che succedesse qualcosa !!!
Non sto esagerando, è davvero così !
Solitamente abbandono i libri che non mi coinvolgono, già dopo il 25% o al massimo il 30% della storia.
Questo libro è scritto da uno scrittore di grande successo, quindi continuavo a  pensare : " ora succederà qualcosa" ..e invece nulla. Non potevo crederci !!!
Mi sentivo arrabbiata e presa in giro ( i libri costano soldi, non ce li regalano ) e ho continuato a leggerlo volutamente per poter scrivere una recensione onesta e veritiera.

5) Dal 65% in poi, finalmente sembra che la storia parta e finalmente il lettore possa risvegliarsi da un lungo letargo provocato da una trama insipida e noiosa.
I capitoli 8 e 9 della quarta parte del libro, finalmente sono un pò più interessanti ( ma mai veramente avvincenti, ripeto che questo sembra un libro scritto da un novellino ).
Non fatevi troppe illusioni però, avrete appena un pizzico di azione, la soluzione del problema, un piccolo sollievo, di nuovo una leggera suspense perchè c'è un nuovo problema, una nuova e veloce soluzione del problema, descritta in maniera del tutto semplicistica. Tutto qui ...

Dopo ciò, l'autore, così presuntuosamente preso da se stesso e dalla propria conoscenza di Shakespeare, torna per l'ennesima volta a raccontarci le prove, i costumi che indossavano, chi sapeva le battute e chi no, riporta alcune delle battute più incisive e ci ri-racconta tutta la storia di "Midsummer Night's Dream" (Sogno di una notte di mezza estate ).

6) ___ PERSONAGGIO PRINCIPALE : completamente ANONIMO. A proposito del protagonista, Richard Shakespeare, non provo antipatia per lui, ma di certo non posso dire che abbia una personalità affascinante o che in qualche modo possa conquistare un lettore.
Bello d'aspetto lo è e fondamentalmente è anche un buon ragazzo, ma non è un personaggio che emerge e che si farà ricordare. Richard è succube del fratello maggiore, non riesce a farsi valere e l'unica volta che trova in se stesso la forza di agire, sebbene sia un bravo ragazzo, esagera nella violenza contro colui che è il vero traditore, riducendolo ad uno storpio.

7) ___ PERSONAGGI DI CONTORNO___ ----> ----> Il personaggio di W.Shakespeare: come fosse in realtà di preciso non lo so, perchè non ho mai letto la sua biografia, ma se già non mi era piaciuto nel film con Kenneth Branagh e Judi Dench, in questo libro è ancora più antipatico, molto presuntuoso, arrogante e privo di qualsiasi affettività nei confronto del fratello ( che è l'unico motivo per cui possiamo apprezzare il protagonista e cioè perchè ci fa pena ! ).  Probabilmente era un  vero stronzo anche nella realtà, di certo non era un buon marito e un buon padre di famiglia.   Le sue opere rimarranno grandi nel tempo e testimoniano il suo talento, ma il ritratto che ne emerge dalla storia di Cornwell è quello di un opportunista come tanti altri, arrogante e presuntuoso, marito fedifrago e fratello prepotente e privo d' affetto. Grande  drammaturgo e poeta MA COME UOMO ...MAH. Visto che questa è una fiction, forse poteva regalarci un W. S. più apprezzabile.

---> RIGUARDO AGLI ALTRI PERSONAGGI : lo scrittore inserisce talmente tanta gente che inizialmente è davvero difficile ricordarsi chi è chi.
Nessuno è particolarmente memorabile, diciamo che presi nell'insieme contribuiscono a dare un'idea dell'atmosfera del tempo. 
8) Non mi aspettavo una storia d'amore, ma anche l'elemento romantico inserito nel libro poteva essere sviluppato un po' di più e meglio. Poteva  essere punto di forza della trama insieme al furto e al recupero del copione.
Invece né il furto, né il tradimento, né la storia sentimentale riescono a fungere da catalizzatori, tutto ruota intorno ai versi di Shakespeare che sono disseminati in tutto il libro.
Forse Cornwell voleva scrivere un libro che fosse sia didattico che interessante, ma il risultato è che questo libro non è ne l'uno ne l'altro... e penso che l'editore abbia potuto pubblicare una storia così insignificante solo grazie al nome rinomato dell'autore.

___________ __ Posso capire che ogni lettore abbia gusti personali e che ognuno di noi percepisca le cose in maniera diversa , quindi comprendo che per qualcuno questo libro valga 2,5 stelle mentre per altri 3,5 o forse quasi 4 stelle...MA CHE LE RECENSIONI A 5 STELLE IN INGLESE SCRIVANO CHE QUESTO LIBRO è SUPERLATIVO .... SCUSATE, MA NON RIESCO A  COMPRENDERLO. Mi chiedo se hanno davvero letto tutto il libro per intero e mi chiedo se siano davvero tutti stati sinceri sui propri sentimenti al riguardo...chi lo sa, per me rimane un mistero.

Grazie per aver letto la mia opinione, probabilmente scritta in modo orrendo, perchè quando mi sento arrabbiata e delusa da un libro, scrivo di getto, senza neanche la voglia di rileggere il mio testo ( ne ho già avuto abbastanza del libro e sono contenta di archiviarlo per sempre ).

Book review : Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Devil in Winter
Wallflowers Book 3
by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: ★★★★★
Genre: Steamy Regency Romance 5 FULL STARS !! :-D

Gosh!   Definitely not my usual reading   ...this really took me by surprise since I didn't know what kind of romance writer Lisa Kleypas is. 

You know, I just chose something romantic having many enthusiastic reviews, without the faintest idea about the kind of romance.
It's a well written story with hot and sensual scenes, where I won't tell you what is or isn't there... because the author has been generous in all the descriptions!
... And it's definitely suitable for adults.

--------> But that's not why I gave it 5 stars: 
it's because in addition to the theme on which the book "seems" to mainly focus, i.e. the hot and sexy intimate scenes, the author was good at inserting other emotional elements and parallel plots, which are intertwined with the love story of the two main characters.

---> I am not an expert of romance and in particular not of those with explicit sex scenes, which I usually discard, but according to my tastes, a love story becomes engaging and truly pleasant to read if the reader is also involved in other events and situations.
Some that constantly keep him/her on the razor's edge, piquing his/her curiosity and leading him/her to make suppositions and conjectures, to hope for one solution or another and to keep on turning the page by the desire to know what will happen the next moment. 

---> Here the author has been completely successful in keeping alive the interest of a reader, me, who usually rejects this type of reading!

_____ THE PLOT____ London, 1843.
Desperate to escape her scheming relatives, Evangeline Jenner, a 23-year-old spinster desperately trying to escape her abusive relatives, who want to rob her of her future inheritance by marrying her to their slimy and stupid son, finds the only possible solution in proposing herself in wife to London's most infamous scoundrel: Viscount Sebastian St. Vincent, a thirty-year-old womanizer whose father has squandered his entire fortune.
The advantage for her is to escape family members who mistreat her and keep her prisoner, the advantage for him is that he will be rich again and will be able to satisfy his father's creditors.
To get married immediately they must reach the village of Gretna Green, Scotland, famous for the marriages of couples who do not have their parents' permission.
She sets the condition that she will only give herself to him on her wedding night (to validate the marriage which would otherwise be considered null), then she will dedicate herself to the care of her dying father, who had left her as a child and she will be independent with her part of the money.
He happily accepts the condition posed by her, because spending more than one night with the same woman bores him to death.
So they leave that same night and together with the journey their life adventure also begins...
But is Sebastian really the rake he seems or does he, after all, have a heart too? And will Evangeline, Evie to her friends, be able to keep at a distance a man she's really falling in love with ?
_____________________

MY THOUGHTS WHILE I WAS READING :
--> Usually clean romance plots follow more or less these stages:
meeting between hero and heroine + dislike and/or adversity + overcoming problems + first kiss + other problems ( other kisses ) + definitive solution + finally sweet and intimate moment between the main characters + they lived happily ever after.

--> Well, this novel begins with the meeting of Sebastian and Evie who already know each other superficially (they met in the previous books of the series).
+ they make an agreement and a journey together follows. We do not have a classic courtship but the story of the journey is so beautiful and sweet to read, which can be equivalent to the courtship in which the protagonists begin to become familiar with each other.
+ The wedding ( so fun scene and I confess that I was also nervous for fear that one of the "villains" would stop it.)
+ Everything is ok and we have "a whole chapter" about their wonderful wedding night that WILL NOT DISAPPOINT any of the romantic readers 😉

So far we are at 25% through the book and my thought was: WHAT NOW? I HAVE ALREADY READ EVERYTHING THAT USUALLY TAKES PLACE IN THE SPACE OF AN ENTIRE BOOK...

I really feared that the book would continue with a succession of skirmishes and intimate scenes until I felt nauseated...

...BUT HERE COMES THE BOMB :
While I expected that the problems would come from asshole family members or that Sebastian was really the scoundrel bastard that he himself and his bad reputation proclaimed, she is the one who creates problems with her stubbornness and one-sided decisions.

-----> In addition to the disagreement between the two spouses, new dynamics enter the plot, altogether with painful events, new unexpected challenges, moments of action and new characters, who will have a very important role in the course of events.

----> Furthermore, every time it seems that a certain difficulty is about to be overcome by smoothing the path of the two young, a new emotional element comes into play and it revolutionizes the plans of our heroes once again.

---> In all this whirlwind of events, not only the great attraction that Sebastian and Evie feel for each other and their mutual desire are highlighted, but also the deep feeling that is being created thanks to the mutual support they give each other in overcoming critical moments ( in which sometimes their very lives are at risk).

CHARACTERS: THE COUPLE __ I liked both characters, although I must admit that for 5 minutes, I found her a bit hypocritical, too stubborn and too whiny, luckily she then redeemed herself...I'll explain better below.

___ SEBASTIAN and the subplot that makes his personality interesting:
from the story emerges his nature was not as selfish and contemptuous as it seems from the previous books... Basically the young man's nature was good, but having lost, at very young age, his mother and his loving sisters, he had grown up in a superficial way with a selfish and spendthrift father, certainly not the best of examples. The great beauty he possessed led women to throw themselves at his feet, resulting in great self-confidence, arrogance and boredom.
By reading the story WE REALIZE THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS WAY OF DOING IS THE LACK OF A PURPOSE, OF SOMETHING TO DEDICATE TO AND OF A GOAL TO REACH.

Evie's arrival ( a "wallflower" who is not only more beautiful than he had previously noticed, but also turns out to be much sharper and more intelligent than he supposed ) combined with her need for protection and the problems related to her father's work her, trigger a process that manages to bring out from Sebastian his true value and skills.

His respect and esteem for her arises immediately and this changes the balance between them.
He immediately offers her the needed help and so he discovers that in dedicating himself to someone and something he finds the satisfaction and fulfillment that he previously lacked.

If on the one hand he is gratified by all this, the change scares him very much.
He feels vulnerable for the first time, because now he feels that "his well-being depends on someone else's happiness".
---> Being selfish and self-centered is ultimately much easier.
LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING, and even though he behaves like a lovely husband, he refuses to admit that he feels himself in love.
The care that Sebastian gives Evie ( despite the fact that she no longer wants to behave like a wife ) and his unconsciously sweet gestures easily made it easy for the reader to fall in love with him.

WARNING SPOILER ___ ___ There is a moment when she takes off the wedding ring (which is a small protagonist of the story from the beginning), he continues to pretend to be the indifferent asshole who doesn't get hurt by anything, but later on, we will discover that he had hung the ring on a chain around his neck, therefore the object had an intrinsic value to him: it represented the bond with her, their adventure to and in Greta Green and all moments spent together.
So for him, keeping the ring around his neck was like keeping her (and the bond with her) close to his heart... but Evie doesn't know this, she will discover it by chance only later. SPOILER END ___ ___


_____ EVIE and what gives her value: Evie's value lies precisely in her strength of mind and her courage in throwing herself into new situations which ultimately do not give her guarantees, but could be a leap into the void, just to escape an unacceptable family life.
Shyness and a slight stammer, mainly due to the mistreatment suffered in the family by greedy relatives, do not make her popular at social events.
Instead of crying over herself, she rebels against events and reacts.
She doesn't want to be intimidated even by Sebastian's boastfulness, but she wins his respect and obtains his kindness.
The journey to Gretna Green is very long and full of discomfort and yet she never complains, pursuing her goal with clarity and great determination.
She falls in love with Sebastian not only because he is beautiful and, as we will discover, a fabulous lover, but above all because for the first time she experiences what it means to have someone who covers her with attention, takes care of her, cuddles her and makes her feel protected and safe.

During the trip, Evie has the opportunity to see a side of Sebastian that he had never shown to anyone and she will learn to appreciate him also for his desire to get involved in her father business despite having never worked before.

---> What Evie gives Sebastian is "faith" in him and his abilities, something that everyone else continues to deny him despite facts proving the opposite.

---> Obviously Evie also has her fragilities and the fear of falling in love with someone who perhaps sooner or later will betray her is what complicates things.
As I already said above, there is actually a moment in which Evie makes me angry:

WARNING SPOILER ___ ___to protect herself from a strong disappointment in love, she no longer wants to have sexual relations with Sebastian, SPOILER END___ ___ however don't think that after the first 25% of the book, there are no more hot scenes: Sebastian tries in every way to provoke her desire with kisses and touching, intense or amused and inviting looks, barely hinted mischievous smiles ...

--> There is a scene WARNING SPOILER ___ ___ which, although not a complete sexual intercourse, it is anyway sex and she is in ecstasy because of that, so I said to myself: WHAT A KIND OF HYPOCRITE!
Furthermore, she doesn't want make love with him, but when he tries to detach himself from her to overcome the constant temptation, she whines "because no one wants her and everyone has always left her in a corner".
NO GIRL! IT'S YOU WHO ARE DOING THIS TO YOURSELF, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO WHINY! SPOILER END ___ ___
...luckily this attitude changes thanks to an unexpected dramatic event and all situations are turned upside down again.

__ I ALSO LOVED EVERY MOMENT in which Sebastian enjoyed scandalizing her with risqué topics or words that gentlemen would never say in front of a woman.
It made me laugh too much every time she pointed out: I DON'T LIKE THAT WORD, like a diligent little nun could do and then he usually smiled smugly and topped up the dose.
Then she smiled just as much, accepting the joke and accepting Sebastian's personality in its entirety.
---> These little skirmishes are not only funny to read, but they help to create an intense bond between them two.
A certain playfulness and complicity are born, this strengthens their relationship.

__SIDE CHARACTERS:

--> I adored Cam Rohan, a young half-Irish and half-gypsy man, who not only has the charm of a pirate, but is also intelligent, capable at his job and knows how to prove himself to be a loyal and affectionate friend for Evie and a great help to Sebastian.
He is a secondary character, but he was fundamental to the realization of Sebastian and Evie in a world hostile to them.
____ We have a scene of a kiss between him and the heroine's friend Daisy... don't have any illusions about this couple, but each of the two has a book dedicated to, with a related love story (see at the bottom).
I will definitely read that one telling about Cam Rohan love story : "MINE TILL MIDNIGHT" ( book #1 in The Hathaways series )

---> Lord Westcliff ( Sebastian's former best friend ): ...always serious, always loyal to duty and justice.
Main character in book #2 alongside Lillian, but that one I won't read, because I don't want to go back to an asshole Sebastian. I am happy with everything that is told in this book.
I'm more interested in "A Wallflower Christmas", to read next December. That's book #5 in the series, in which all the characters from the previous books are reunited.

---> Lillian ( Evie's friend ): when she was mentioned I didn't see her as a poor one in a difficult situation, but I disliked her.
Then later her jokes become funny and she proves to Evangelin (Evie) that she is a good friend who can be counted on.

---> the family of villains ... a little exaggerated, they seemed to have come out of the Cinderella fairy tale: a triple stepmother in the role of the 3 uncles and the 2 step sisters concentrated in the character of the slimy cousin.
I suppose it was necessary to be represented in this way in order to justify Evie's proposal to the rake in question, resulting in her escape to Gretna Green

--> the other villain: the perfect expression of a dissatisfied person who is constantly envious of others success, devoured by envy, anger and desire for revenge.

4 CURIOSITIES that the author cleverly inserted into the events: 

1) GAME OF DICE and EXPLANATIONS OF THE CALCULATION OF PROBABILITIES: logic + mathematics ... It was interesting to read how expert croupiers and gamblers make their bets not by relying on chance, but on very precise calculations.
The process is explained just enough to capture the reader's attention without becoming boring.

2) COMBAT AND LEVERS TO LAND THE OPPONENT: Cam explains to Sebastian that to defend himself and defend the place effectively, he must put aside the correct behavior of a lord. To deal with drunks and brawlers and avoid trouble in the shortest possible time, it is necessary to implement some immobilization techniques. Here too a brief explanation and demonstration together with other club employees.

3) BLEEDING TECHNIQUE TO TREAT: obviously leeches are no longer used as in the 18th century, but the doctor brings a special device and explains how the whole procedure works.
What I FOUND UNLIKELY:

WARNING SPOILER ___ ___even though Sebastian was against it thanks to his common sense, the doctor and all the other doctors proposed that solution.
Evie is brave to follow her husband's will, but it is a little absurd that the doctors proposed the wrong thing, while Evie and friends find the "right cure" on their own through the remedies of grandmothers and housekeepers.
...Oh well, after all it's a fiction, let's ignore it. SPOILER END ___ ___

4) A PARTICULAR VARIANT OF SMALLPOX. I didn't know there were various types of smallpox, much less that the disease attacked the brain and could show itself through symptoms of confusion and madness.

These little notions have somehow enriched my knowledge and given a little added value to the author's writing style and the plot of the book.

CONCLUSION: is it worth reading? If you are looking for a beautiful love story full of sensuality, a little adventure and action, feelings (including friendship, loyalty, spirit of sacrifice), irony and lightness combined with moments of drama, the answer is yes!
If you are romance-addicted, then ABSOLUTELY YES!

---> I find the whole story interesting from start to finish.

Oh my goodness, such a long review!
I suppose I needed to share my enthusiasm... well, if you've read this far, thank you for your patience and interest in my opinion.
English is not my native language, but I hope I managed to write in an understandable way and that my thoughts can be useful to you in choosing or rejecting this novel :-)

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LIBRO disponibile anche in EDIZIONE LINGUA ITALIANA, leggi la mia recensione !

Peccati d'Inverno
di Lisa Kleypas
My rating: ★★★★★
Genere: Regency Romance
5 STELLE PIENE !! :-D

Caspita, decisamente, non il mio solito tipo di lettura... Son stata colta di sorpresa, dato che non sapevo che tipo di scrittrice di romanzi rosa fosse Lisa Kleypas, ho scelto qualcosa di romantico che avesse molte recensioni positive, senza la più pallida idea al riguardo...
E' un Romance dalle scene molto calde e sensuali, dove non sto a dirvi cosa c'è e cosa non c'è ...perchè c'è tutto ! L'autrice non si è risparmiata nelle descrizioni ed è decisamente adatto solo ad adulti.

Ma non è per questo che ho dato 5 stelle:

----> Dal mio punto di vista, infatti, il libro è ben scritto e la storia mi è piaciuta tantissimo,  perché oltre al tema su cui "sembra" focalizzarsi principalmente il libro, ovvero le scene intime calde e sexy, l'autrice è stata brava ad inserire altri elementi emozionali e trame parallele, che s'intrecciano alla storia d'amore dei due protagonisti e che mantengono il lettore coinvolto con un turbinio di emozioni che vanno dal divertimento alla suspense, dalla tristezza alla tensione per situazioni pericolose, dall'insofferenza nei confronti dei cattivi alla felicità per una nuova chance di vita...

---> Come ho già detto non un'esperta di romance e in particolare non di quelli con scene di sesso esplicite, che di solito scarto, ma non per bigotteria, semplicemente perchè "il troppo annoia" ( penserei lo stesso se il libro fosse stato sulla cioccolata che adoro o su qualsiasi altra cosa, se dall'inizio alla fine il tema si ripete in continuazione ed è sempre e solo fine a se stesso ). 
---> La storia d'amore per me diventa coinvolgente e davvero piacevole da leggere se il lettore viene coinvolto anche da altri elemnti che lo tengono continuamente in suspense stuzzicandone la curiosità e inducendolo a fare supposizioni e congetture, a sperare per una soluzione o per l'altra, girando continuamente le pagine con la brama di sapere cosa succederà l'attimo dopo.
---> Qui l'autrice ha avuto pieno successo nel mantenere vivo l'interesse di una lettrice,la sottoscritta, che solitamente scarta questo tipo di letture !

_______ LA TRAMA ___ Londra, 1843.Nel disperato tentativo di sfuggire ai suoi intriganti parenti, Evangeline Jenner , una zitella 23 enne che cerca disperatamente di sfuggire a parenti maneschi, che vogliono derubarla della  futura eredità facendola sposare al loro figlio viscido e stupido, trova l'unica soluzione possibile nel proporsi in moglie al più famigerato mascalzone di Londra: il Visconte Sebastian St. Vincent, un trentenne donnaiolo il cui padre ha sperperato tutto il patrimonio.Il vantaggio per lei è sfuggire ai familiari che la maltrattano e la tengono prigioniera, il vantaggio per lui è che sarà nuovamente ricco e potrà soddisfare i creditori del padre.
Per sposarsi immediatamente devono raggiungere il villaggio di Gretna Green, in Scozia, famoso per i matrimoni di coppie che non hanno il permesso dei genitori.
Lei pone come condizione, che si concederà  a lui solo la prima notte di nozze ( per convalidare il matrimonio che diversamente sarebbe considerato nullo ), poi si dedicherà alle cure del padre morente, che l'aveva lasciata da piccola e sarà indipendente con la sua parte di soldi.
Lui accetta la condizione posta da lei con contentezza, perchè passare più di una notte con la stessa donna lo annoia da morire.
Partono dunque la notte stessa e insieme al viaggio comincia anche la loro avventura di vita.
Ma Sebastian è davvero il bastardo mascalzone che sembra oppure in fondo anche lui ha un cuore?
...Ed Evangeline, Evie per gli amici, riuscirà a tenere a distanza un uomo di cui si sta davvero innamorando ?

----------------

I MIEI PENSIERI MENTRE LEGGEVO : -->  Comincio col dire che fin ora ero abituata a trame che, nel loro svolgimento, seguivano questo più o meno queste tappe:
incontro dei 2 protagonisti + antipatia e/o avversità + superamento dei problemi * bacio  + altri problemi + soluzione definitiva + finalmente momento dolce e intimo tra i protagonisti + vissero felici e contenti.

--> Bene, questo romanzo comincia con l'incontro dei due protagonisti che già si conoscono superficialmente  ( si sono incontrati nei libri precedenti della serie ), stringono un patto, ne segue un viaggio che non è un corteggiamento ma è talmente bello e dolce da leggere che può equivalere al corteggiamento in cui i protagonisti cominciano a prendere confidenza tra loro.

--> Il matrimonio offre spunti divertenti e confesso che ero anche in tensione per paura che qualcuno dei "villains" lo fermasse.

--> Tutto ok e abbiamo "un intero capitolo" sulla meravigliosa notte di nozze che NON DELUDERA' nessuna delle lettrici romantiche...... Fin qui siamo al 25% del libro e il mio pensiero fu : E ORA ? HO GIà LETTO TUTTO CIò CHE DI SOLITO SI SVOLGE NELL'ARCO DI UN INTERO LIBRO... temevo davvero che il libro sarebbe proseguito con un susseguirsi di qualche scaramuccia e scene intime fino ad averne la nausea... 

ECCO CHE INVECE ARRIVA LA BOMBA :
mentre i mi aspettavo che i problemi sarebbero arrivati dai familiari stronzi o che Sebastian fosse davvero il bastardo mascalzone che lui stesso e la sua brutta fama proclamavano, è proprio lei a rovinare tutto con la sua testardaggine e le sue decisioni a senso unico.

-----> Oltre allo screzio tra i due sposi entrano nelle trama nuove dinamiche, vicende dolorose, nuove sfide inattese, momenti d'azione e nuovi personaggi che avranno un ruolo molto importante nel corso degli eventi. 
----> Inoltre ogni volta che sembra che una certa difficoltà stia per essere superata appianando il cammino dei due giovani ecco che entra in gioco un nuovo elemento emozionale che rivoluzione nuovamente i piani dei nostri eroi. 
In tutto questo turbinio di eventi vengono messe in rilievo non solo l'attrazione che Sebastian ed Evie hanno l'uno per l'altra e il loro desiderio, ma anche i sentimento profondo che si sta creando grazie all'appoggio che ognuno da all'altro nel superare momenti critici in cui a volte la loro vita stessa è a rischio.

PERSONAGGI : LUI E LEI __  mi sono piaciuti entrambi anche se devo ammettere che per 5 minuti, durante la storia, l'ho trovata un po' ipocrita, troppo cocciuta e troppo frignona, per fortuna poi si è riscattata...spiego meglio sotto.

___ PERSONAGGIO: SEBASTIAN e la sottotrama che rende interessante la sua personalità: 
dalla storia emerge la sua natura non era così egoista e sprezzante come sembra dai libri precedenti, di base l'indole del ragazzo era buona, ma avendo perso, in età molto giovane, madre e sorelle che ne avevano cura con affetto, era cresciuto in maniera superficiale con un padre egoista e scialacquatore, non certo il migliore degli esempi. 
La grande bellezza di cui era dotato portava le donne a buttarglisi ai piedi, ne conseguiva grande sicurezza in se stesso, arroganza e noia. ( come dite? Certo, sono d'accordo, non è comunque da giustificare !!! Essere stronzi è una scelta, non si sono scuse che engano !)

IN REALTà, man mano che leggiamo la storia, CI RENDIAMO CONTO CHE LA CAUSA DI QUESTO MODO DI FARE è LA MANCANZA DI UNO SCOPO, DI QUALCOSA A CUI DEDICARSI E DI UN TRAGUARDO DA RAGGIUNGERE.

L'arrivo di Evie, non solo più bella di quanto lui avesse mai notato, ma anche molto più acuta ed intelligente di quanto lui supponesse, unito al bisogno di protezione di lei e ai problemi legati al lavoro del padre di lei, innescano un processo che riesce a tirare fuori da Sebastian il suo vero valore e capacità.

Il rispetto e la stima di lui nei confronti di lei cominciano da subito e questo cambia gli equilibri. Lui le offre aiuto e scopre che nel dedicarsi a qualcuno e a qualcosa trova la soddisfazione e il completamento che prima gli mancavano. 
LA SUA BATTAGLIA INTERIORE: Se da una parte è gratificato da tutto ciò, il cambiamento lo spaventa, si sente vulnerabile per la prima volta, perchè ora sente che "il suo star bene dipende dalla felicità di qualcun altro".

---> Essere egoisti ed egocentrici in fondo è molto più facile, l'amore cambia tutto e pur comportandosi da innamorato rifiuta di ammettere che prova questo sentimento.La cura che Sebastian ha per Evie, nonostante lei non voglia più comportarsi da moglie e i suoi gesti inconsapevolmente dolci, mi hanno facilmente fatta innamorare di lui.

ATTENZIONE SPOILER ___ ___ C'è un momento in cui lei toglie l'anello di matrimonio ( che fin dall'inizio è un piccolo protagonista della storia ), lui continua a fingere di essere lo stronzo indifferente che non rimane ferito da nulla, invece più avanti scopriamo che aveva appeso l'anello ad una catenina al suo collo, ergo per lui l'oggetto aveva un valore intrinseco, rappresentava  il legame con lei, la loro avventura a Greta Green e i bei momenti trascorsi insieme. Dunque per lui tenere l'anello al collo era come tenere lei (e il legame con lei) vicino al cuore...ma Evie questo non lo sa, lo scoprirà casualmente solo più avanti. FINE SPOILER ___ ___

__ PERSONAGGIO _ EVIE e ciò che le da valore: ogni libro di questa serie mostra come ognuna della 4 ragazze che per più di una stagione londinese sono state solo wallflower, riesce a riscattare la propria esistenza e a trovare il vero amore.
Il valore di Evie sta proprio nella sua forza d'animo e nel suo coraggio nel buttarsi in nuove situazione che in fondo non le danno garanzie, ma potrebbero essere un salto nel vuoto.
E' una ragazza che viene lasciata in ombra dagli altri a causa della timidezza e di una leggera balbuzie, dovuta soprattutto ai maltrattamenti subiti in famiglia dagli avidi parenti.
Invece di piangere su sé stessa, si ribella agli eventi e reagisce. Non vuole farsi intimidire nemmeno dalla sbruffoneria di Sebastian, conquistandone così la stima e ottenendone la gentilezza.
Il viaggio a Gretna Green è molto lungo e colmo di scomodità eppure lei non si lamenta mai , perseguendo il suo obiettivo con lucidità e grande decisione.

S'innamora di Sebastian non perchè è bellissimo e, come scopriremo, un favoloso amante, ma perchè per la prima volta sperimenta ciò che significa avere qualcuno che la copre di attenzioni, si prende cura di lei, la coccola  e la fa sentire protetta e al sicuro.
Evie durante il viaggio ha l'opportunità di vedere un aspetto che Sebastian che lui non aveva mai mostrato a nessuno e imparerà ad apprezzarlo anche per la sua voglia di mettersi in gioco nonostante non abbia mai lavorato prima d'allora.
---> Ciò che Evie regala a Sebastian è la "fiducia", sia come partner sia nelle sue capacità, qualcosa che tutti gli altri continuavano a negargli nonostante i fatti dimostrassero il contrario.
---> Ovviamente anche Evie ha le sua fragilità e la paura di innamorarsi di qualcuno che forse prima o poi la tradirà è ciò che complica le cose da una parte, ma che forse crea anche le basi per un impegno reciproco solido, nonostante la vita non possa mai dare certezze assolute.  Come ho già detto sopra, effettivamente c'è un momento in cui Evie mi fa arrabbiare: per proteggere sé stessa da una forte delusione amorosa, non vuole più avere rapporti sessuali con Sebastian, tuttavia non pensate che dopo il primo 25% del libro non ci sia più nulla : Sebastian cerca in tutti i modi di creare desiderio in lei, i baci non erano compresi nel patto e oltre agli sfioramenti, agli sguardi, ai sorrisi, ai baci caldi c'è una scena ATTENZIONE SPOILER ___ ___ che pur non essendo un rapporto sessuale completo, è comunque sesso e lei è praticamente in estasi per cui io mi son detta : CHE RAZZA DI IPOCRITA !  Inoltre lei non vuole concedersi a lui, ma quando lui cerca di distaccarsi da lei  per superare la tentazione continua, lei frigna " perché nessuno la vuole e tutti l'hanno sempre lasciata in un angolo " . EH NO RAGAZZA ! SEI TU CHE STAI FACENDO QUESTO A TE STESSA, NON HAI DIRITTO DI FRIGNARE ! FINE SPOILER ___ ___
...Per fortuna questo atteggiamento cambia grazie ad un evento drammatico inaspettato e tutte le situazioni vengono nuovamente mette sotto sopra.

_LUI E LEI__ HO ADORATO INOLTRE OGNI MOMENTO in cui lui si divertiva a scandalizzarla con argomenti osé o parole che i gentiluomini non direbbero mai davanti ad una donna.  Mi faceva troppo ridere ogni volta che lei puntualizzava : I DON'T LIKE THAT WORD ( non mi piace quella parola ),  come una piccola e diligente suorina e lui sorrideva compiaciuto e rincalzava la dose. A quel punto lei sorrideva altrettanto, accettando lo scherzo e accettando la personalità di Sebastian nella sua interezza. IN QUESTO LEI MI è PIACIUTA MOLTO.

---> Queste piccole schermaglie non solo sono divertenti, ma contribuiscono a creare un legame intenso tra loro.
Si creano una certa giocosità e complicità, che rafforza il loro rapporto. 
Evie mi è piaciuta anche quando mostra di rispettare a pieno la volontà del marito nel momento in cui il dottore proponeva una soluzione che andava contro ogni buon senso, ma che al tempo era una pratica molto diffusa tra i medici.
Sebastian non voleva sottoporsi a quel procedimento e Evie, combattuta tra la volontà del marito e  l'opinione professionale del medico, decide di rispettare la volontà del marito( vedi sotto al punto in cui parlo del SALASSO ).

__PERSONAGGI DI CONTORNO : 

--> Cam Rohan, impiegato nel club del gioco d'azzardo: giovane mezzo irlandese e mezzo zingaro, che non solo ha il fascino da pirata, ma è anche intelligente, capace nel suo lavoro e sa dimostrarsi un amico leale ed affettuoso per Evie che, conoscendolo sin da piccolo, lo considera un fratello.
Naturalmente ciò indispone Sebastian, ma Cam non fa mai nulla per mettersi tra marito e moglie, anzi con modi non convenzionali aiuta St. Vincent ad inserirsi i un mondo che non gli apparteneva e a farsi rispettare da coloro che lo ritenevano un intruso non abbastanza forte, emotivamente e caratterialmente, per sostenere quella situazione e quel tipo di lavoro.
E' un personaggio secondario, ma è stato fondamentale per la realizzazione di Sebastian ed Evie in un mondo a loro ostile.
DIFFICILE NON INNAMORARSI DI LUI e sarà con lui protagonista, che più avanti leggerò nuovamente Lisa Kleypas!
____ Abbiamo una scena di un bacio tra lui e l'amica dell'eroina, ma per questa coppia non fatevi illusioni: ognuno dei due ha un romanzo dedicato, con relativa storia d'amore. ( Daisy è nel libro 4 della serie Wallflowers : Scandalo in primavera; Cam è nel libro 1 della serie Hathaways, con il titolo Fino a mezzanotte ).

---> Lord Westcliff, ex amico del protagonistatenebroso, sempre serio e ligio al dovere e alla giustizia.
  Protagonista nel libro #2 insieme a Lillian. Non lo leggerò, perché non mi va di tornare ad un Sebastian stronzo. Sono contenta di tutto ciò che viene raccontato nel libro presente.

---> Lillian, amica della protagonista e neo-moglie di Lord Westcliff: quando veniva nominata per gli eventi concernenti il libro precedente, non la vedevo come una vittima, ma mi stava antipatica.
Poi successivamente le sue battute divertenti me l'hanno resa più simpatica. Lei dimostra ad Evangelin ( Evie ) di essere una buona amica, su cui si può contare.

---> La famiglia dei cattivi: un po' esagerati, sembravano usciti dalla favola di cenerentola: una tripla matrigna nei panni dei 3 zii e le 2 sorellastre concentrate nel personaggio del viscido cugino.
Suppongo fosse necessario essere rappresentati in questo modo per poter giustificare la proposta di Evie al rake di turno con conseguente fuga a Gretna Green.

--> L'altro cattivo: la perfetta espressione della persona scontenta e costantemente invidiosa del successo altrui, divorato dall'invidia, dalla rabbia e dal desiderio di vendetta.

___ LOCATION :

---> Gretna Green ___ le lettrici di romance conoscono già questa località. Per chi non lo sa dirò semplicemente che questa cittadina scozzese, vicino al confine con l'Inghilterra, divenne famosa in passato per i matrimoni delle coppie in fuga, che non avevano il consenso dei genitori.
Qui non era nemmeno necessario andare in chiesa, i matrimoni potevano essere celebrati da chiunque, anche se  per lo più i posti dove venivano celebrati i matrimoni erano i fabbri. I documenti che venivano preparati immediatamente e la presenza di 2 testimoni era sufficiente per confutare il matrimonio. Unica clausola per evitare l'annullamento era consumare il matrimonio subito alla prima notte di nozze ( per questo i fabbri non solo avevano tutto l'occorrente, ma disponevano anche di una stanza per la prima notte ).
La scena del matrimonio è molto divertente e la prima notte di nozze molto calda e sensuale.

---> Club di gioco d'azzardo ___ non mi piaceva inizialmente che l'autrice facesse prendere in mano questo lavoro a Sebastian...ma perlomeno lo ha reso più accettabile facendo togliere prostitute e mandandole in un luogo vicino dedicato a quell'attività. "In un certo qual modo" il protagonista pian piano lo trasformerà in un club rispettabile( metto tra virgolette, perchè ovviamente si tratta sempre di gioco d'azzardo che comunque non è legale e sia in passato che al giorno d'oggi è un vizio che rovina la vita delle persone, per cui per me non è accettabile ).

____ 4 CURIOSITA' che l'autrice ha inserito abilmente in mezzo agli eventi: 

1) SPIEGAZIONI DEL CALCOLO DELLE PROBABILITà: logica + matematica ...è stato interessante leggere come i croupiers e i giocatori d'azzardo esperti, facciano le loro puntato non affidandosi al caso, ma a calcoli ben precisi.
Il procedimento viene spiegato quanto basta per catturare l'attenzione del lettore senza scadere nella noia.

2) COMBATTIMENTO E LEVE PER ATTERRARE AVVERSARIO: Cam spiega a Sebastian che per difendersi e difendere il locale in maniera efficace, deve mettere da parte il comportamento corretto da lord. Per fronteggiare ubriachi e attaccabrighe ed evitare guai nel più breve tempo possibile, è necessario infatti mettere in atto alcune tecniche di immobilizzazione. Anche qui una breve spiegazione e dimostrazione insieme ad altri impiegati del club.

3) TECNICA  DEL SALASSO PER CURARE: ovviamente non sono più usate le sanguisughe come nel 700, ma il dottore porta un apparecchio apposito e spiega come funziona tutto il procedimento.
Ciò CHE HO TROVATO IMPROBABILE : nonostante Sebastian si opponesse grazie al suo buon senso, il dottore e tutti gli altri dottori proponevano quella soluzione.
Evie è coraggiosa a seguire la volontà del marito, ma è un poco assurdo che i dottori proponessero una  cosa sbagliata, mentre Evie e amici trovano da soli la "giusta cura" attraverso i rimedi di nonne e governanti ...mah !..eh vabbè, in fondo è una fiction, sorvoliamo.

4) UNA PARTICOLARE VARIANTE DI VAIOLO. Non sapevo ci fossero vari tipi di vaiolo, ne tanto meno che la malattia attaccasse il cervello e potesse mostrarsi attraverso sintomi di confusione e pazzia.
Queste piccole nozioni hanno in qualche modo arricchito la mia conoscenza e dato un piccolo valore aggiunto allo stile di scritture dell'autrice  alla trama del libro.

CONCLUSIONE : vale la pena leggerlo ? Se cercate una bella storia d'amore ricca di sensualità, un poco di avventura e azione, sentimenti ( tra cui anche amicizia, lealtà, spirito di sacrificio ), ironia e leggerezza unita a momenti di drammaticità, la risposta è si !
Se siete romance-addicted, assolutamente si !

Trovo tutta la storia interessante dall'inizio alla fine.
L'unica differenza tra i romanzi normali ( diciamo così ) è che trattandosi di un romanzo dai toni caldi, le parti in cui i protagonisti hanno dei rapporti vengono raccontate per filo e per segno. Se noi abbreviassimo quelle parti, vi assicuro che non rimarrebbe una storia vuota, bensì rimarrebbe una storia ugualmente dolce ed avvincente ed è questo ciò che apprezzo di più.

Ringrazio chiunque abbia letto la mia recensione con interesse, spero possa essere utile nella scelta o meno del romanzo.
Non sempre i libri che leggo hanno la corrispondente edizione italiana, ma se volete rimanere aggiornati potete seguirmi sulla mia PAGINA FB: Tizi Cozy Corner .

Book review : The Crimson Cavalier by Mary Andrea Clarke

The Crimson Cavalier
by Mary Andrea Clarke
The Crimson Cavalier series book #1

My rating: ★★★★☆
Actually 3,7 stars rounded up to 4.

Very nice lighthearted read, though suitable for "cozy mystery" readers and for young adults.

It was so refreshing to me reading it after
 the dark mystery I read before. It was just what I needed and what I was looking for, but as I said it's a good read if you're just looking for "this" kind of read.

___ THE PLOT IN SHORT __ Late 18th century London.
When an aristocratic citizen, a magistrate, is murdered on the road to Bath, along which carriages are often attacked by highwaymen, Miss Georgiana Grey's alter ego, the Crimson Cavalier, is suspected of being the killer.
The Crimson Cavalier, who steals to donate the money obtained from the stolen goods to the most needy, is innocent as regards the murder, but having robbed the magistrate just the previous evening and having his ring, puts her in serious danger.
The only thing left for her to do is discover the real killer, before being arrested and taken to the gallows.
-------------------------------------

The story immediately begins with a hint of adventure: the attack on a carriage, the collection of the stolen goods, the indignant aristocrats, the usual melodramatic ladies beyond all reasoning, an escape by the bandit, an unexpected encounter that makes the good bandit fear of being discovered, an embarrassing and funny situation...

A series of situations that reminded me a little of the old films, set in 1700, which were so fashionable in the 30s, 40s and 50s (for example the Scarlet Pimpernel TV series or Scaramouche) and this immediately put me in a good mood, because I knew that there would be no dramatic scene, no death among the good people (in this kind of story only villains get the worst, while all good people survive and can live happily, hurray!!!! ).

____ THE CHARACTERS ____ 

---> Our heroine, Georgiana, is an aristocrat who robs the rich to help poor people. She naturally loves adventure and the thrill of risking being discovered and caught.
She is immediately likable because she is an independent person who, despite the rules of etiquette of the society of the time, has no problem openly saying what she thinks, opposes forced marriages and stands up to an affectionate but very bigoted brother,  who wants to impose a husband on her at all costs.

---> Luckily in the story there is also the usual maid/best-friend Emily, 100% trustworthy, who supports Georgiana and helps her to extricate herself from the messes of her double life.
Even the rest of the servants, despite not knowing the secret of the Crimson Cavalier, constitute a reliable staff always ready to obey their mistress' orders.

---> In addition to the over-protective brother with blinders, we naturally also have the spinster cousin who lives in Georgiana's house, to ensure that the life of our young girl, with a bizarre and slightly rebellious character, always proceeds on the right path.
I must say that this character got on my nerves several times and I would have liked her to be thrown out of the house... but then meddlers, the "know it all" ones, are part of life and how could a character like that be missing? His participation was a given.

---> The male counterpart of our heroine... you were expecting it, right? I understand you and I tell you that he is aristocratic, handsome, kind, protective and very intelligent and intuitive.
His name is Mr. Mawell Lakesby and of course the author is very good at making us hope for something romantic throughout the book...
I don't want to lead you to read this book hoping for a romance, I remind you that I defined the book as "cozy mystery" and unfortunately no romance occurs (maybe I should have put a spoiler warning, but I don't want to give false illusions), even though his interest in her is clear.
I also love his sparkling eyes and his veiled smiles and his gallantry, never artificial but always dictated by honesty and attraction for her.
Of course, I hope there will be at least a hint of open courtship in the next book.

___ YOU CAN READ IT AS A STANDALONE __ This book is the first in a series of 3, but it's also readable as a standalone.
I will also read the next ones, when I once again need light, worry-free reading.

___ COZY MYSTERY ___ The cover and the plot already tell us that it is a cozy mystery.
The language is clean, there are no violent scenes, there is no blood, there are no sex scenes and there are no kisses.

----> Overall, the story was always engaging, from the first to the last page, and I was really curious to know who was responsible for the murder.

----> However, the final solution arrived a little too hastily and this, together with the fact that there wasn't even an open courtship on the part of the male co-protagonist towards the female protagonist, reduced my score: this is why I rated it only 3,7 rounded to 4 stars.

___ HISTORICAL SETTING BUT NOT A HISTORICAL READING __  Although it is set at the end of the 18th century, it has no historical references and there are no characters who actually existed. This also reduced a little my score, but as I said the settings with carriages, bandits, guns and parties with ratafia, tea, gloves and fans, give the story a little of suggestiveness making reading enjoyable.

___ CONCLUSION____ : do I recommend it?
Yes, BUT ONLY to those who love COZY MYSTERIES, i.e. LIGHTWEIGHT and CAREFREE WHODUNITS.
I have read some negative reviews, but I think the books should be evaluated in their genre, comparing them with other books of the same genre.
This mystery obviously cannot be compared with other more intense and dramatic historical mysteries or with strong and impressive scenes and with a much more elaborate plot and mystery, it wouldn't make sense!

:-) Thanks for reading my opinion and forgive my English. It's not my language and while it's easier for me to read in English and make sense of it, it's not at all easy to speak and write correctly.

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