35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
SPOILER ALERT... RIDICULOUS!!, July 26, 2010
I started reading this book and it seemed like it was going to be really good. But, NO, it had to be totally ridiculous. First off, the cover of the book is all wrong. The main female character, Miriah, has blond hair not brown. If you don't want a spoiler, stop reading. This book had more resurections then we will see before the biblical rapture. Almost everybody that dies in this book mysteriously comes back to life. To start with, the main male character, The Duke of Ashton, Adam/Ash, is suppose to have died in a steamboat explosion. But he washes ashore on the main female character, Mariah's beach. Which that is all fine and good because that is what the basis for the storyline. Mariah's father is murdered while he is away on a trip to London. Later in the story, she finds out that he is alive and well and staying in London with her mother. And guess what, her mother was also suppose to have died when Mariah was only two years old. There's more, she finds out that not only is her father and mother alive and well, but she also has a twin sister that she never knew about. In the meantime, the main male character, Adam/Ash, has found out that his mother, who was also suppose to have died when he was a young child, also lives. Not only does his mother live, but he has younger sister. And his mother has remarried his dead (who died & stayed dead), father's best friend. And lucky him, he also has two step siblings. Now Mariah also has a friend, Julia, from her life at her manor. The story eludes to Julia being part of the high society circles in London and then she had ran away to this small town near Ireland to hide from this elusive past. But Mariah talks her friend into going back to London with her. Another resurection mystery, while out shopping they stop in a tea room and two women seem to recognize Julia and start whispering "isn't that?" and "I thought she was dead" ect. Which by the way never was explained. In the meantime back at the bat cave....A mysterious assasin is popping in and out of the story trying to kill Adam/Ash. He has loyal friends working behind the scenes to hunt down this would be assasin. They have discovered that the killer is a sailor who also was suppose to be dead. The story finally comes to a climatic end when the Duke, Adam/Ash decides that he wants to have a dinner party to have all the involved family get together to meet each other and celebrate all their resurected lives....And of course the would be assasin shows up to make his kill in front of a room full of witnesses, because that is what all the smart assasins do. What could go wrong?.., he has been discovered, so he grabs Mariah and puts a knife to her throat and threatens to kill her. He cuts her throat, but not enough to kill her and Adam/Ash saves the day by shooting the would be assasin in the head with a gun he had hidden in his coat. They all find out that the person behind the murder plot is none other than Adam/Ash's Aunt who raised him as her own son but secretly despised him for his inheritance to be Duke, over her own son. But, the party must go on. Mariah excusses herself like a proper lady and retires to her room for the night. Her best friend Julia walks her back to her room but returns to finish the dinner party because everybody still has to eat right? What could be more appetizing then having the host blow someone's head apart and having his lover's throat cut. At least they cover the murderer's body up. So all is well in LA LA LAND. Mariah's new found family, Adam's New found family and his loyal friends all live happily ever after.
Why did I contiue to read? You ask? Well it's like looking at a terrible accident. You know you shouldn't look but you do anyway because that is just our nature. We know how bad it's going to be but we just can't help ourselves. What can I say? I hoped it would get better but alas it didn't. :(
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very Mediocre, August 12, 2009
I've read all of Mary Jo Putney's historical books (as well as her recent magic-oriented books) and generally love most of them. I somewhat enjoyed the first half of this book --- which is why I gave it two stars. Even then, there was a little too much background information on all of the Duke's friends (I imagine this is because they'll each be getting a book of their own). The first half also has several plot holes (such as when she asks him if he speaks English and then announces they are married -- well, wouldn't you know that your husband speaks English???). However, the second half has so many coincidences and unbelievable twists that I came close to just giving up on it. I read thru to the end but it definitely DOES NOT compare with her early historicals -- read Dancing on the Wind or Shattered Rainbows for a true taste of Putney's ability to write good historical romance novels.
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16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
LACKING IN DEPTH, WITHOUT FEELING AND VERY FLAT AND BORING....., September 10, 2009
What a flat and boring book! I thought the premise interesting: a school for Lost Lords.... a new series by Putney - who in the past has written superb historical romances - so I dived into the book with gusto.
However, this book was by far one of her worst efforts. I am not going to get into the plot - because a few reviewers have posted it already - but I will go as far as saying that even though the story was interesting and it attracted me to read it - I was taken aback by the lack of character development and lack of poignancy, which I was hoping a story such as this should have had.
The main characters were very lackluster and flat - almost wooden and stilted and lacking in vitality. They had no chemistry and their attraction for each other didn't sizzle off the pages or left you panting waiting for their demise.... The secondary characters were for the most part ok - but the narrative got too wordy and the love scenes had no heart felt passion.
Specially the lame-ass ending of who the killer is and their motives... I cannot recommend this book - and I am shocked I actually finished it.... Wow - very disappointing and a total waste of time and $$$!
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