31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favorite So Far, February 7, 2008
This book, the fourth in the series, centers around Lord Vaughn and Mary Alsworthy, the older sister of Letty, the heroine of the last novel. When this book opens, the vain and self-centered Mary is still reeling from being jilted by Geoffrey, a former suitor who ended up marrying Letty. Although not brokenhearted (Mary's interest in Geoffrey was purely financial), Mary is still bitter over the fact that after several seasons, she is remains unmarried. Afraid she is about to end up a spinster, she agrees to help Lord Vaughn, an elusive, sardonic rake who is constantly quoting (and misquoting) Shakespeare, attempt to capture the French spy who calls him/herself The Black Tulip.
As the action unfolds-- and there is a lot of suspense in this installment-- Mary and Vaughn are drawn to each other, although they fight against their growing attraction. Many of their exchanges are reminiscent of Rhett/Scarlett or Benedick and Beatrice in that they spar and flirt, while still guarding their feelings. Eventually they fall in love, but their romance is not conventional-- in fact, there isn't even a real love scene between them (my only real disappointment with this book. It was a glaring absence).
While I was reading "The Seduction of the Crimson Rose," I thought that it would likely generate a lot of mixed reviews, largely because Mary and Vaughn are not conventional protagonists. Also, although there are romantic scenes, both characters are so pragmatic that they don't get swept away in the manner of the pairings in the other three "Pink Carnation" books. This is not to say, however, that there aren't romantic scenes. They are, and they are sweet, although still in keeping with the characters' more emotionally reticient natures.
For me, this installment was the most interesting and satisfying, not only because the writing is the strongest, but because Mary and Vaughn, despite their unconventionality, had what felt like the most real romance.
Are Vaughn and Mary likeable? Not as immediately endearing as Henrietta, Amy or Letty or, for that matter Richard, Miles, or Geoffrey, but they are very well drawn, distinctive characters. In the previous books, Vaughn came across as lecherous and a little creepy. It is to Willig's credit that in this one we get a deeper impression of the man as highly flawed, but still sympathetic-- complex, but surprisingly tender. And when Mary falls in love with Vaughn and performs her first unselfish acts, it's hard not to like her.
There are many reveals in this novel, and the writing is very crisp. Also, Eloise finally makes progress with Colin.
To my mind, the Pink Carnation books are unlike anything else on the market-- a very readable hybrid of historical fiction, romance and suspense. And this installment was, for me, the most compelling of them all so far.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a very entertaining read, February 10, 2008
Like the previous reviewer, I enjoyed "The Seduction of the Crimson Rose" very much and also thought that it was probably the best installment in the series so far -- perhaps it was because Lord Vaughn reminded me so much of some of my favourite Georgette Heyer heroes, or perhaps it was because the modern bits of this novel was limited to the bare minimum -- charming and amusing though the bits pertaining to Eloise Kelly are, I did find myself skimming through those few chapters in order to read more about Miss Mary Alsworthy and Lord Vaughn. Whatever the reason, I'm recommending "The Seduction of the Crimson Rose" as an enjoyable must read.
Her pride and self-confidence already shot when the gentleman she had chosen to be her husband, Lord Pinchingdale, accidentally ends up marrying her less beautiful younger sister, Letty ("The Deception of the Emerald Ring"), the beautiful Mary Alsworthy finds that she is willing to consider any enterprise that will not make her financially dependent on her sister and her new brother-in-law. Which is why, when the jaded and sardonic Lord Vaughn comes to her on behalf of the Pink Carnation with a plan to flush out the dreaded French agent, the Black Tulip. Of course this would mean having to spend more time with the infuriating Lord Vaughn, but Mary is willing to put up with the rake if it will help her achieve her aims. The last thing she expected was to find herself entangled with the many secrets of Vaughn's past, or that she would come to rely and care for him...
I really enjoyed Vaughn and Mary as a couple: their interactions sparkled with wit, energy and sexual tension, and it was this chemistry between the two principal characters that made the book such a wonderfully entertaining read. What also made the book very satisfying was the manner in which the author "fleshed" out both Vaughn's and Mary's characters. Neither character is the typical kind romantic hero or heroine -- both are a bit self-contained, pragmatic and manipulative, used to having their own way. And "watching" how other, softer traits that these two characters possesses came to the fore as the story progressed was both enjoyable and satisfying. Of course the story was an interesting one too, even if I did wonder a little about the practicality of Pink Carnation's scheme to entrap the Black Tulip. This, however did not prevent me from losing myself in the book. All in all, "The Seduction of the Crimson Rose" was a very nice, entertaining read, and one I would recommend wholeheartedly. And I would end by noting that readers should ignore all those lamentable tags that compare this series to "Pride and Prejudice" and to Bridget Jones. This series is nothing like.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Seductive, yet..., February 7, 2008
I have read, re-read and enjoyed all of the previous books in this series, and eagerly waited for this one to be published. As a good page-turning read it did not disappoint. This is certainly the most well-written of Willig's books to date -- the action is exciting, the story line compelling and without the plot holes that plagued the earlier books.
All the same,I just didn't like it as much as the earlier installments -- and that is largely because I did not find the main characters sympathetic. Willig tries hard to humanize the very prickly Mary and Lord Vaughn, but even their romance does not make them seem less shallow and selfish. One of the best thing about the carnation books has been the flawed but endearing heroines -- and Mary doesn't fit into their ranks any better than she does in the scene where she stands painfully outside their circle of friendship at a party.
That said, the Eloise and Colin chapters positively shine in comparison. Eloise is at her most endearing, Colin charming and far more human, and there is an actual plot developing with the introduction of a "bad guy" to the scene.
All in all, this book is well worth the read, and certainly advanced the action a good way forward. I'll look forward to a return to a more appealing heroine in the next installment -- perhaps sweet, shy Charlotte will finally get her long promised man?
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