LOVED THIS BOOK!!! This was my first book by Siri Mitchell. I loved it. It totally took me right into the Elizabethan era. I've never read a regency-era fiction book before. Made me run to the video store and check out "Elizabeth" which I've never had any desire to watch before! This book takes place before all those Jane Austen movies/books which I love so much, so I wasn't sure about it, but still I just couldn't put it down. So much information about the courtier life: The ceruse paint, the dresses, the marriages. I loved it!!!! I highly recommend this book (can you tell?). 4 stars for research and (likely) authentic depiction of Elizabethan courtier life.Low stars for everything else. :(Confusing POV shifts, unclear passage of time, uneven and weak character development, radical shifts in character behavior (we've shared a moment over salad and now we're in love? After months of confusing animosity?), depressing event after depressing event, and on and on.
What do You think about De Schijn Voorbij (2009)?
This book seemed to drag on and on. Historically it was interesting but as a good read, not so much
—Delf
Beginning was good and ending quite good, middle dragged a bit so reason for only 3 stars.
—Sara
The historical aspects of being a courtier were very interesting.
—Mikehavel
