The Deception of the Emerald Ring
Nov. 30th, 2006 10:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jmc_bksThe Deception of the Emerald Ring is the third book in Lauren Willig's series set in modern England and Napoleonic England, Ireland and France. Eloise Kelly, an American Ph.D. student in history, is researching English and French spies for her dissertation, and believes she has struck gold among the records of the Selwick family.
As usual, the bookflap text is misleading. Eloise hasn't been getting into trouble or carrying on with Colin. She's crushing on him and hoping there's something there, but no trouble yet. Two deadly spies? The Black Tulip has no problem killing, but there hasn't been any mention of any deaths at the hand of the Pink Carnation, IIRC. I'm sure there would've been deaths as a result of PC's work, but no stiletto work, unlike BT who seems to like flashing a blade. Letty isn't worried about being outdone by Geoffrey -- she's drunk when she takes off for Ireland and wakes up hungover on the Dublin transport without any idea of where she is. And how will the research occuring in the 21st century change the course of 19th century history? That line is just over the top melodrama IMO.
What did I like about the book? Same thing I liked about the two earlier books: the time shifts between narrators. I like the mix of modern, following Eloise in her research, moving from Selwick Hall to the British Library, and seeing how she decides where to look next. I also like the idea of the Pink Carnation, who is not your typical Napoleonic spy. Willig's writing style is getting better, too, I think, not that it was bad to begin with. I liked that Geoffrey and Letty are essentially on a road romance, learning to live with and like each other. But that pleasure is offset by the irritation that their conflict could've been avoided by a single conversation if Geoffrey didn't have his head up his ass, refusing to talk to Letty.
Overall grade: C+. It was more of a B- until I remembered how awkward the pacing was in places. Emerald Ring is about 100 pages too long. Ms. Willig needs a ruthless editor or a better critique group. The middle of the book -- from Letty's trip to Dublin to her being drawn into the Pink Carnation's confidence -- drags unbearably. And while the title is cute, it is pretty tangential, unlike the titles of the two earlier books of the series.
And this is just a quirk of mine: Eloise refers to the men she dates as "boys". She's 27 years old. At that point, they are men (or should be), not boys, and that seem a little juvenile to me. But that's a picky matter of taste.
Emerald rings aren't all they're cracked up to be. . . .
Eloise Kelly has gotten into quite a bit of trouble since she's been spying on the Pink Carnation and the Black Tulip -- two of the deadliest spies to saunter the streets of nineteenth-century England and France. Not only has she been unearthing secrets that will change the course of history, she's been dally with Colin Selwick -- great-nephew of Mrs. Selwick-Alderly, the keeper of important hidden documents -- looking for a romantic adventure to call her own.
Little does she know there's anothe fierce heroine running headlong into history. . . .
It's 1803 England, and Letty Alsworthy awakens in the middle of the night to discover that her sister, Mary, is about to make the very grave mistake of eloping with Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe (second in command of the League of the Purple Gentian). In an attempt to save the family name, Letty tries to break up the midnight assignation -- only to find herself accidentally carried off in her sister's place. The ensuing scandal forces Letty and Geoff into a hasty marriage -- and just as hastily, Geoff disappears on their wedding night, under orders to hurry to Ireland and help the Pink Carnation squash a ring of Irish rebels led by the Black Tulip. Not to be outdone by her husband, Letty steals away on a ship bound for the Emerald Isle, armed and ready to fight for her integrity, and to learn a thing or two about espionage -- never imagining she might learn a few things about love on the way. . . .
As usual, the bookflap text is misleading. Eloise hasn't been getting into trouble or carrying on with Colin. She's crushing on him and hoping there's something there, but no trouble yet. Two deadly spies? The Black Tulip has no problem killing, but there hasn't been any mention of any deaths at the hand of the Pink Carnation, IIRC. I'm sure there would've been deaths as a result of PC's work, but no stiletto work, unlike BT who seems to like flashing a blade. Letty isn't worried about being outdone by Geoffrey -- she's drunk when she takes off for Ireland and wakes up hungover on the Dublin transport without any idea of where she is. And how will the research occuring in the 21st century change the course of 19th century history? That line is just over the top melodrama IMO.
What did I like about the book? Same thing I liked about the two earlier books: the time shifts between narrators. I like the mix of modern, following Eloise in her research, moving from Selwick Hall to the British Library, and seeing how she decides where to look next. I also like the idea of the Pink Carnation, who is not your typical Napoleonic spy. Willig's writing style is getting better, too, I think, not that it was bad to begin with. I liked that Geoffrey and Letty are essentially on a road romance, learning to live with and like each other. But that pleasure is offset by the irritation that their conflict could've been avoided by a single conversation if Geoffrey didn't have his head up his ass, refusing to talk to Letty.
Overall grade: C+. It was more of a B- until I remembered how awkward the pacing was in places. Emerald Ring is about 100 pages too long. Ms. Willig needs a ruthless editor or a better critique group. The middle of the book -- from Letty's trip to Dublin to her being drawn into the Pink Carnation's confidence -- drags unbearably. And while the title is cute, it is pretty tangential, unlike the titles of the two earlier books of the series.
And this is just a quirk of mine: Eloise refers to the men she dates as "boys". She's 27 years old. At that point, they are men (or should be), not boys, and that seem a little juvenile to me. But that's a picky matter of taste.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-02 05:20 pm (UTC)Is this the last book in the series? And does Eloise finally get a HEA?
--Jennie
No HEA for Eloise yet.
Date: 2006-12-02 10:55 pm (UTC)