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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hit Or Miss Author, February 19, 2009
This review is from: The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Mass Market Paperback)
I have been looking forward to this book for what seems like forever. Throughout this series I have been intrigued by Lord Easterbrook. He was so different from all the other characters and I couldn't wait to see what made him tick. Unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations.
I think the statement that Easterbrook makes to Leona, "I am Easterbrook" really defines the entirety of his character. He's troubled yes, but the issues he has are overshadowed by his arrogance and belief in his own superiority. On one hand I think this is a refreshing attitude. It's hard sometimes to suspend belief when nobility act like they don't have a sense of entitlement. I think it's more realistic to show a nobleman secure in his belief that people should do what he says just because of who he is. On the other hand it makes him aggravating. His arrogance starts to grate and you have to wonder why Leona is letting him walk all over her.
When I learned the reason for Easterbrook's reclusive habits I was intrigued. I was eager to see how the author would handle this disability. I never felt like that was explored though. There was no need to get a handle on it because it seemed like it surfaced in fits and starts. We're told that it's a constant battle for him to deal with it, but it wasn't an issue when it would be inconvenient to the story and only appeared when the author wanted to show Easterbrook's angst. I wanted consistency and a real look at what a struggle life must be for him. We got vague memories of a hard childhood and the bitter realities of being able to see into an unhappy home, but it wasn't enough. I couldn't help but feel that everything skimmed the surface and nothing really had any depth.
Leona was a flat character for me. I think she was supposed to be multifaceted with being torn between her longing for Easterbrook and her belief that her brother needed her, but it didn't work for me. When she decides she wants to be with Easterbrook forever she easily dismisses the earlier difficulties she had with leaving her brother to manage things on his own. The opium plot had the potential to be interesting, but it didn't work out. There were too many plots going on that there was no depth to any of them. I don't have many good things or bad things to say about Leona. She was just... there. Like furniture. There was nothing interesting about her.
I had a problem with Leona's character consistency. When Easterbrook makes the big reveal to her about his disability she's surprised. I find that very odd when multiple times before she gave the impression that she sensed him trying to probe her mind so she hid her thoughts. If she has felt that before and comments to herself on it, then why would it be shocking to find out the truth? Wouldn't it be more of an "aha!" moment to her? It seemed inconsistent.
The ending went out with a whimper instead of a bang. When the characters find out whom the villain is it's kind of disappointing. Instead of, "Wow, really?" it was, "Oh... really?" I think my problem with the book was the fact that so much was told, not shown. I wanted to be able to see the characters develop and fall in love. Instead I was told they were developing and that they were falling in love. Also, if there were fewer plots I believe I would have been able to focus on them more and become invested in the outcome.
Madeline Hunter is definitely a hit or miss author for me. I keep buying her because when her work is on for me I absolutely love her writing. I fall into the story and read for hours. Even though this book was meh for me I still admire the way Madeline Hunter turns a phrase. I think that she is a very skilled writer even when I am unable to become engaged by the characters and storyline. If this is your first book by Hunter and you weren't into it you might want to try another. She's very skilled; unfortunately it's only hit or miss.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Seduction and secrets, January 28, 2009
This review is from: The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Mass Market Paperback)
What would it be like if you had the ability to know the emotions and feelings of everyone around you; you could tell if they are lying to you, if they're feeling guilty about something, if they dislike you, if they desire you. Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook, has suffered from this problem his entire life and it's caused him to be something of a recluse. But he remembers a young woman whom he met in Macau years before, Leona Montgomery, who was somehow able to shield her thoughts and feelings from him.
Leona has made her way to London in order to try to set up some more shipping deals for her late father's business which her brother has now inherited. However she has a second mission, to try to find out who was behind the intimidation of her father and to expose the trade in opium with which various peers of England are involved. When she meets the Marquess of Easterbrook she discovers that the man she knew as Edmund in Macau is actually a titled Lord, perhaps one of those involved in the trade - especially as she suspects him of stealing her father's notebook.
As Christian and Leona get to know each other again he begins a determined pursuit of her. But Leona knows she will need to return to Macau eventually and that she's not the right sort of person for Christian anyway. But in order to keep Leona safe Christian will have to spend a great deal of time with her and he may find he can't live without her calming influence on his life - even though his secrets may drive her away.
Once again this was another good book by Madeline Hunter, one that had a rather original storyline and whose pacing was very good. Leona and Christian were both slightly unusual characters with Christian using his skills in seduction, as well as occasional imperious pronouncements, to get his own way, and Leona working doggedly to find out what really happened with her father. Christian and Leona both have issues to face in this book but overall it was a very enjoyable read with some interesting detail about the opium trade between England and China.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easterbrook revealed at last, February 11, 2009
This review is from: The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Mass Market Paperback)
I was fascinated with Lord Easterbrook when he first appeared in "Rules of Seduction." He was remote, uncivilized, and honestly, a little weird. But so commanding and masculine! Now we know all the nuances of his quirks, and why he gravitates toward Leona.
I found Hunter's revelations about the Opium trade and British-Chinese dealings very well researched. Connecting to the characters humanized the whole situation. As always, Hunter weaves a story both historical and romantic, full of mystery and criminals who don't quite get away. The only sure thing is that someone will have a HEA, and it won't be the bad guys.
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