Customer Reviews

Something Wicked

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoy the work of best-selling author Jo Beverley. Something Wicked the third of five in this Georgian series about the Malloren family is not only my favorite book of the series; it is my favorite Beverley book over-all.

Lady Elf Malloren 25, and her twin Lord Cynric are the youngest of the Malloren siblings. Her only sister Hilda, two years her senior, had been safely married off in her teens. Somewhat wilder for being allowed to join in her twins adventures Elf finds herself on the shelf. No doubt some of this is due to her over protective older brothers, least of which is the imposing Marquee of Rothgar. At times Elf has found their hovering a bit stifling.

When the opportunity presents itself Elf takes fate into her own hands. Her twin has just married the scandalous Chastity Ware and her remaining siblings are all away from home. She attends a masquerade at Vaux Hall hoping for some excitement. While wondering one of the secluded paths designated for clandestine meetings she overhears a dastardly plot. She is discovered and pursued, her only recourse is to trust herself to the care of the one man who has reason to hate her family most.

Fortitude Ware has no love for anything Malloren. We get a glimpse of his cruel upbringing in My Lady Notorious the first book of the Malloren series. His sister's marriage to Elf's twin has not softened his attitude. In fact it is at their wedding that he is forced into an action that makes him hate the Mallorens with a passion.

The reader gets the impression that Elf has always been intrigued by Fort and as she puts it, it is not surprising that twins should have similar tastes. She had gotten into the habit of baiting him at every meeting.

The masked Elf introduces herself as Lisette, knowing Fort would have nothing to do with her if he knew of her true identity. Fort, intrigued by her audacity, rescues her and offers her a tantalizing proposition as he is currently without a mistress. Elf manages to elude his attentions but then has second thoughts. If she is to die and old maid, she would take one night in the arms of the man she desperately wants. She claims a night of passion with the Earl of her dreams but insists on remaining masked.

Fort indulges her. Their night of love becomes perilous as the two are captured in their sleep by those Elf had overheard plotting treason. They awaken imprisoned in a dark basement with no means of escape. Not knowing their fate, Fort bares his soul to the woman he is already becoming deeply attracted to. Danger fuels their passion as well.

Their rescue is both a blessing as a curse for Fort learns of the identity of his lover. He is furious at being duped and devastated at exposing his vulnerability to his enemy.

The treasonous plot proceeds with both Mallorens and Ware playing heroes. Fort is injured and during his convalescense Elf does everything within her means to win him over. His pride will not allow it, though deep down he's softened a bit. He determines to marry another, anyone suitable, rather examime his turbulent feelings for Elf. Even Elf's brothers will do nothing to aid her in her battle. Rothgar goes as far as to lecture her on the perils of using people.

Though she cannot believe that she could love so deeply and not have the love returned, she concludes that loving Fort means putting his happiness above her own. She resigns herself to letting him find his own way even if it means she will lose him. Will the next masquerade determine her fate?

I do so love a dark and wounded hero. This story was pure wicked pleasure.

This was my first Jo Beverley book, being difficult to please, I really enjoyed the book. I regret that I found out later it was part of a series of books. I've read three of the five books on the Malloren story and this is by far my favorite. I could not put it down. I recommend the entire series: #1 My Lady Notorious #2 Tempting Fortune #3 Something Wicked #4 Secrets of the Nigt and #5 Develish. The fist 2 are not in print currently but are available via auction. The characters are strong, the plot and storyline is definetly wicked if you are familiar with the etiquette of the era and the trials are awesome. I've read it twice in one month, which I never read a story twice.

Elf Malloren, adored younger sister of the Malloren clan, is bored and lonely: her twin brother has just married, and the family has dispersed, leaving her in London with a married friend. She's a 25-year-old virgin with a sensual nature, strong-willed and determined, and longing for excitement. She also longs to understand what all the fuss is about where sex is concerned, but can't bring herself to marry one of her 'convenient' suitors. She wants to be in love.

Fort, Lord Walsgrave, has just become her twin's brother-in-law. Elf finds herself strangely drawn to Fort, but he hates all Mallorens with a vengeance. By coincidence, however, Elf falls into Fort's hands at a masquerade which she attended disguised as a demi-rep, Lisette, wearing a mask and speaking only French. Fort takes her home with him (this is all part of the political intrigue sub-plot, in which he is involved), but, although his kisses tempt her to make love with him, she can't go through with it, and escapes.

The next time she meets Fort, she acknowledges to herself that she is attracted to him; she makes an attempt to end the feud, but all he will promise is not to provoke a fight with her brothers. He calls her Vespa, a wasp, and makes it clear she holds no attraction for him.

Desperate situations call for desperate measures; the Lisette disguise returns, and Elf propositions Fort. They share a wonderful night of love... until they're kidnapped by the plotters, and the morning after, once they're rescued, Fort sees Elf without her mask and recognises her. In that moment, she's lost him.

This is the second Malloren book I've read, and again, while I prefer Mary Jo Putney's work, I did enjoy this very much. I am surprised at reviews below describing the book as 'disappointing' or 'boring'; I found it fast-paced and with an interesting plot. The only point at which I found myself getting a little bit bored was when Elf started taking an interest in the silk trade; I don't think we needed as much information as Beverley gave us here.

Something Wicked gets four stars rather than five because I don't think Beverley explained Fort's change of heart adequately. She wrote several passages of the book from Fort's point of view, so she could certainly have allowed us more insight. We go from Fort being furious at Elf's deception and never wanting to see her again, to a point a week or so later when he gives her his hand and says, "Friends?". What brought about that change of heart? We are not told.

Likewise, he then leaves her for about four months before making contact again; the only excuse he gives her was that he was 'abroad'. Why were we, the readers, not told what he was up to during that time? Why weren't we privy to his changing feelings for Elf? Without these insights, I found it hard to accept how Fort's hatred of all things Malloren - and especially Elf - could disappear virtually overnight.

I usually do not like books where the heroine is the main character - I prefer it to be the male. And I did not expect to enjoy Elf so much. At 25 she was bored with her life and wanted an adventure. Always under the thumb of her very protective brothers - they were all out of town and she wanted an adventure. Well, she certainly did that - and the adventure part of the book - and her seduction of Lord Walgrave - her brother in law -- who thought she was a Frenchwoman because she was behind a mask. Well, this part of the story was perfect. I felt the connection between Elf and Fort in earlier books and just knew they would be a great couple. However, the book bogged down in the end - after the adventure was over and Fort realizes that it is Lady Elf that he has seduced - he is not pleased. Well, he thinks he is not pleased. The latter part of the book drags with the coming together of these two rightly as a couple. I could definetely have done with more romance and sizzle in the last quarter of the book. Again I will stress the need to read these in order - there was so much that I would not have understood had I not read My Lady Notorious first, followed by Tempting Fortune second and this book third. So much more enjoyable - this is a great series!!!

Another Jo Beverley masterpiece! This is the story of Elf Malloren (twin of Cyn)and sister of Rothgar (God I can't wait to get to HIS story)and the Earl of Walgrave (Fort).
If you've read the prior two novels on these Malloren's you can fully appreciate the animosity that drives Fort to hate and despise all Malloren's.

Lady Elfred (Elf) is now 25 and feeling a bit 'on the shelf' as well as bored out of her mind. Her watchdog brothers are all elsewhere and she is staying with a married friend who is also feeling like an adventure so they decide to go masquerading at the 'wicked' Vauxhall Gardens - mainly for a little spice in their lives. Unfortunately, Elf ends up getting a little more excitement than she bargained for. After a couple of narrow scrapes she finds herself running literally, right into Fort, who of course, does not recognize her in disguise. In order to save her from a worse fate (she eavesdropped on a treasonous plot) he abscounds with her to his mansion for a night of pleasure. In disguise, Elf does get a wonderfully wicked taste of what is to come and so the story goes.

Elf does escape Fort with her virginity still intact but he has awakened in her a taste for more 'wickedness' and also her sense of duty in establishing whether or not Fort is really part of a treasonous plot against the King.

Now she must decide what to do, wait for her brothers to come to sort out this mess or take action! What's a girl to do! Well, naturally, she really would like to run into Fort again and really do something wicked - just once in her life!

This is a wonderful story - a definite keeper and I really can't wait to get to the rest of these Malloren's! You will love this book!

I have just begun to read books written by Jo Beverly, and I found "Something Wicked" to be a non-stop page turner. I could not put it down. The character of Elf Malloren was brought out more fully, and connecting with her was remarkably easy. Speaking of Jo Beverly in general, I love how she incorporates actual historical events into her stories. Once you have read "Something Wicked", you'll tell your friends, neighbors, and even strangers that it is definetly worth a trip to the bookstore to purchase this remarkable book!

Beverley's "Something Wicked" is something special in romance fiction. As always, her heroines delight, and her heroes entice. And this book, yet another in the Malloren series, is full of all the exciting plot twists and intriguing characters those books are known for. But this time, the Malloren in question is a girl...And such a girl. Elfled Malloren, a likeable girl with much to recommend her, finds herself unaccountably drawn to a man who holds her entire family in abject contempt. Just how does she woo and win her man, against such obstacles? Well, I'd love to tell you but I'd hate to spoil the surprises for you!

Well, I personally think JB's did it again! I really enjoyed this one. It's 1 of 5 in her Malloren series & it did not let me down... in fact, it was one of my favorites. Well, to be honest the very, very end was a tad anti-climatic but not enough to ruin it for me. I was absolutely delighted with Lady Elf - she was smart, delightfully fun, & not afraid to go after what she wanted. I did not start out thinking I would like Fort (mainly due to the other books in the series) but he turned out to be a good hero (even though he was a jerk occassionally!). As always the whole Malloren family played a great role & improved the whole story...... just LOVE those Malloren men! lol There were also a couple of other secondary characters that added a lot; some of the conversations between Lady Elf & her friend Amanda were a hoot! As usual, JB added some great pieces of history & gave a very colorful description on the times. Overall a really enjoyable read!

Wicked? Absoloutely. Ms. Beverly again presents us with another stunning masterpeice. The historical background is well-written, but more importantly, her characters are never dull. Neither are her story plot-lines unoriginal. I found most of the book to be absoloutely wonderful, (not to mention those "wicked" scenes that really do live up to their namesake), but the ending was a bit boring, as if you alreadly knew what was going to happen and spent the last fifty pages waiting for it. But otherwise, truly an exceptional novel. A definite read for Jo Beverly fans.

Restless and bored with her life of endless socializing and meaningless repitition, Lady Elfled Malloren sets out for an adventure at the Vauxhall Gardens masquerade. Her daring costume attracts more than a few masked males, and Elf finds herself "rescued" by Fortitude Ware, her family's greatest enemy. Wearing a mask and pretending to be a French girl called Lisette, Elf succeeds in disguising her true identity from Fort. She has always felt drawn to this man, but something stops her from giving in completely to her physical yearnings.

Fort finds himself strangely intrigued by the lovely Lisette, and sets about persuading her to become his mistress. When he discovers that she is in reality a member of the family who seriously blighted his life, his anger knows no bounds. It seems very doubtful that he will ever be able to return Elf's powerful love.

Another poignant and passionate installment of the Malloren family saga, "Something Wicked" will not disappoint. I can't wait to get my hands on the fourth book!