Helpful Score: 9
Every once in a while I will find a book that will move me. It's more than just enjoying the storyline or characters or even just the beauty of the prose. It's all that and more. It's some indefinable spark in the story that draws me in and makes me feel transported. I love when I find that quality. It varies from person to person, but wherever it's found it's something to be treasured. I found that quality in this book. I know that it is one that I will be able to read again and again and still find some new element of the story that will entrance me all over again.
I loved the undercurrents in the characters. There was never anything cut and dry about them. There was always layer after layer of meaning and motivation behind their actions. So much tragedy surrounded them, but so much strength too. The personal tragedies compounded by the tragedies they experienced during the revolt in India made for very complex characters. As I read the story I kept thinking about Jo Goodman's books. This author gave me the very same qualities that I love about Goodman's books.
Emma was a very well drawn character. She came off as very dark to me, even in the beginning. The death of her parents seemed to seep into her. Her indifference toward her betrothed's betrayals and total change of character, as well as her dissatisfaction with society seemed to echo that depression in her. The passage:
"She sat down. The solitude suited her. She had known the room would be deserted; it was too early for damage to have been done to dresses and gloves. Later, women would crush inside, anxiously pacing the floor as their ayahs struggled along behind, patching ripped hems and scrubbing at stains. The charm of the shadows would fade, and the music would be drowned out by snapped complaints and snickered gossip.
"And this is my life," she whispered. This was what she had fought so hard to survive for when she had floated for endless hours on the breast of the ocean, the sun cracking her skin and settling salt beneath her fingernails." (pg. 49)
particularly moved me. Throughout the story the sadness and hopelessness seemed to breathe off the pages. It was very beautiful. It seemed at times, from my point of view at least, that she was almost suicidal. Which is an odd perception, because when in danger she never seemed to want to die. I just couldn't shake the thought that she teetered a little too close to wanting to be totally lost. Things like this passage:
"He grasped her face in his hands to slant her head, to give him deeper access, to fill her. Yes, do it, she thought, consume me, swallow me whole. Odd feelings with no root tore through her. She felt frenzied, almost angry, ready to jump out of her skin. He would take her before she went. How would she go? Would she die? Would she face the water again? Could anyone keep the promises she suddenly wanted from him?" (pg. 131)
made me really wonder about her state of mind. I don't know though... It was in the middle of a love scene. Possibly it was just an expression of how consumed by him she was? Either way, it just made me more fascinated by her character.
Julian was less well drawn than Emma. I appreciated the author showing the dueling cultures in his nature. The fact that no matter what he did, he would never be a true part of either country made him a very sympathetic character. In truth, the most intriguing parts of his character came in moments that gave more depth to Emma. I particularly liked the insight he showed in the fragment of the poem he quoted to her. I think that a defining moment of the change in her character came when she discovered what he had meant by that statement. I don't know if these thoughts of his character make it really only Emma who carried the story or whether Julian only really came to life when dealing with her.
I liked all of the love scenes, especially because they seemed to add something to the story. The love scene that occurred at Mr. Cothurst's house touched me in particular. It showed so much insight into who Emma had become and the sorrow and self-mockery that Julian suffered from because of that. It was raw and not really romantic, but I loved it because of those reasons. I felt it fit perfectly with their characters. I felt so badly for Julian. His yearning and his pain when he was only given crumbs of what he needed from her felt like a living thing. I thought it was a powerful scene and that Meredith Duran has great skill.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It lived for me in a way that very few books do. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this author. However, be aware that this book is not perfect. I thought that Marcus was a thinly drawn character and I would have enjoyed nuance in him and less simple "bad guy". Also, my copy needed more editing. There were times that an extra word would be inserted into a sentence or a letter was missing in a word. It was very distracting in a love scene. Instead of "take her" it was "ake her". It wasn't horrible; it just kept pulling me out of the story. Despite that, I think that this book will be one of my favorites of the year.
I loved the undercurrents in the characters. There was never anything cut and dry about them. There was always layer after layer of meaning and motivation behind their actions. So much tragedy surrounded them, but so much strength too. The personal tragedies compounded by the tragedies they experienced during the revolt in India made for very complex characters. As I read the story I kept thinking about Jo Goodman's books. This author gave me the very same qualities that I love about Goodman's books.
Emma was a very well drawn character. She came off as very dark to me, even in the beginning. The death of her parents seemed to seep into her. Her indifference toward her betrothed's betrayals and total change of character, as well as her dissatisfaction with society seemed to echo that depression in her. The passage:
"She sat down. The solitude suited her. She had known the room would be deserted; it was too early for damage to have been done to dresses and gloves. Later, women would crush inside, anxiously pacing the floor as their ayahs struggled along behind, patching ripped hems and scrubbing at stains. The charm of the shadows would fade, and the music would be drowned out by snapped complaints and snickered gossip.
"And this is my life," she whispered. This was what she had fought so hard to survive for when she had floated for endless hours on the breast of the ocean, the sun cracking her skin and settling salt beneath her fingernails." (pg. 49)
particularly moved me. Throughout the story the sadness and hopelessness seemed to breathe off the pages. It was very beautiful. It seemed at times, from my point of view at least, that she was almost suicidal. Which is an odd perception, because when in danger she never seemed to want to die. I just couldn't shake the thought that she teetered a little too close to wanting to be totally lost. Things like this passage:
"He grasped her face in his hands to slant her head, to give him deeper access, to fill her. Yes, do it, she thought, consume me, swallow me whole. Odd feelings with no root tore through her. She felt frenzied, almost angry, ready to jump out of her skin. He would take her before she went. How would she go? Would she die? Would she face the water again? Could anyone keep the promises she suddenly wanted from him?" (pg. 131)
made me really wonder about her state of mind. I don't know though... It was in the middle of a love scene. Possibly it was just an expression of how consumed by him she was? Either way, it just made me more fascinated by her character.
Julian was less well drawn than Emma. I appreciated the author showing the dueling cultures in his nature. The fact that no matter what he did, he would never be a true part of either country made him a very sympathetic character. In truth, the most intriguing parts of his character came in moments that gave more depth to Emma. I particularly liked the insight he showed in the fragment of the poem he quoted to her. I think that a defining moment of the change in her character came when she discovered what he had meant by that statement. I don't know if these thoughts of his character make it really only Emma who carried the story or whether Julian only really came to life when dealing with her.
I liked all of the love scenes, especially because they seemed to add something to the story. The love scene that occurred at Mr. Cothurst's house touched me in particular. It showed so much insight into who Emma had become and the sorrow and self-mockery that Julian suffered from because of that. It was raw and not really romantic, but I loved it because of those reasons. I felt it fit perfectly with their characters. I felt so badly for Julian. His yearning and his pain when he was only given crumbs of what he needed from her felt like a living thing. I thought it was a powerful scene and that Meredith Duran has great skill.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It lived for me in a way that very few books do. I cannot wait to see what comes next for this author. However, be aware that this book is not perfect. I thought that Marcus was a thinly drawn character and I would have enjoyed nuance in him and less simple "bad guy". Also, my copy needed more editing. There were times that an extra word would be inserted into a sentence or a letter was missing in a word. It was very distracting in a love scene. Instead of "take her" it was "ake her". It wasn't horrible; it just kept pulling me out of the story. Despite that, I think that this book will be one of my favorites of the year.
Helpful Score: 9
The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran was a great read. I highly recommend this book. The characters were well written. The dialogue between H/H was witty, at times heartbreaking. The story was well paced. I really enjoyed this book. I am definitely going to read more by this author.
Helpful Score: 5
One of my favorite books of 2008 - a keeper. Tragic and brutal in many ways, and yet very uplifting and romantic.
Grade: A+
Sensuality Rating: R
Grade: A+
Sensuality Rating: R
I read this book because I wanted to get a PBS credit, and the wish list for it was dwindling. I bought the book from all they hype almost 6 months ago, the winner of an online contest got a book deal and I wanted to check it out. Ive tried to start this book 3 times. Once I started reading the book, I was immediately transported to English influenced India. The description of India was impressive, the political struggle of this time, was one that I felt deep down, I knew what side I was on, but was torn as the h/h were. Though this book has a lot of war in it, I felt like I was reading this wonderful adventure about survival. First, from an awful betrothal, to a whirlwind love, to life, to dealing with demons of the past. While I feel that the hero does not act himself for a little while, it's not enough to bump the review to a 4. I can recommend this book highly! I emailed Ms. Duran and she has 2 books coming out next summer. You can bet, I will be there buying them.
Helpful Score: 3
Wonderful love story. I could not believe this was Meredith Duran's debut novel. Lots of heart-tugging emotion. Strong, intelligent characters. Fast-paced action. Once started, I couldn't put the book down. I found myself really pulling for this couple. I plan to read more from this talented new author.
