I keep finding these gems of stories. Ones that I pick up thinking they're going to be all right and they end up being fantastic. Something Dangerous is one of those books.One problem, that was easily overcome though, was that this is the second book in a trilogy, I didn't know that when I started reading it. I thought it was sort of weird how there were certain references made every once and a while that were being referred to as if the author knew what it was. Even so, I found the book did really well on it's own. I loved it.Every character, at least by the end of the book, was fully developed. I found that fascinating because Vincenzi had well over two dozen characters to keep track of. The reason I say by the end of the novel they become three demensional, is that while you're getting to know some of the characters (especially the twins) they seem just really shallow. But then again, that's what they are when the novel first starts. They are shallow, naive, young, but as they experience things such as the depression, marriage, children, love, and World War II, they begin to change and grow and step out of that sheltered mold they had been in for so long.Despite it being 710 pages (at least my edition) it's a hard book to put down. But, also being that long there are the moments when it gets a bit dull, they were few and far between though so I really didn't mind them. Also because so much of the book was so absorbing you just kind of pass over the dull moments.I honestly think that this book can be read on it's own. The way Vincenzi writes it, doesn't really rely on the other books, or at least the prior novel. But by the time you're finished with this book you are dying to read the others. Once I'm done with the trilogy I'll let you know what order they're probably best read in.
It had been some time since I read No Angel the first of Penny Vincenzi's "Spoils of Time" trilogy. I could remember bits of the story and therefore when I began the second in the trilogy I worried how long it would take me to get back up to speed. I needn't have worried though as the book was written really well so as to reintroduce all the key players and I found ask the important plots from book one flooding back.The Spoils of Time trilogy continues to follow the Lytton family, publishing magnates and rich socialites as head of the family Celia and her very different children navigate their way through life. whilst the first book "No Angel" focused upon the first world war and Celia's loves and life this second book focuses on the years before and throughout the second world war and the lives of the children in the Lytton family as they grow and fall in love and begin families of their own.I felt like this book took forever to read, it is one of those really involved family sagas on par with those written by Barbara Taylor Bradford and it covered such a wide variety of dramas and love affairs that it felt quite like it was undertaking a mammoth read. The characters are all really well structured and there are a huge variety of different ones in the book but it's one of those books which some might find frustrating as you can pretty much guarantee its full of cliches such as girl sleeps with boy girl gets pregnant type of thing. None of the plot lines can't be seen coming but somehow there is something strangely comforting in that. The book has left all the characters nicely poised for book three which I know I will definitely read but perhaps after a little gap again. After a book so full of high drama and family in fighting I feel I need to take a break and try something faster paced.
What do You think about Something Dangerous (2005)?
The nice thing about book 2 in the Spoils of Time series is that you pretty much know and care for all the characterers straight off so I was vested from page one. Celia's Lytton is by far the glue that holds this family and book together. I don't want to say to much that will spoil it for the next reader I will say how surprised and a bit sad i was for many of my favorite people. Dear Kit, Sebastian, and I the twins. I never thoughtI would be all in for the twins but I grew to love them. I never loved Barty but, I do appreciate her. Billy is a love. Lawrence so so good. I mean good in a bad way!!!! Overall, an amazingly addicting book with so many characters. You may not love them all but you will love reading how this family is effected by war, each other and choices made.
—Kelly
This is the second book in the series and it is in the time of World War II and Celia is holding down the fort at the publishing house aloing with liver as others go off to war. Adele one eh of the twins is in a bad situation caught in France with her lover and two children. Venitia finds that her husband is having an affair and divorcing him but before he goes off to war they see each other again and this results in another pregnancy. Barty has issues of her own and is engaged but then breaks it off to get back into a relationship with Oliver and eventually has a child but Oliver is killed. The twins come into their own and stop acting like spoiled children and have to face reality. Lots of interesting twists and turns in the publishing industry and the fight for survival. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
—Ann Boytim
A follow-up on 'No Angel' and in this book the Lytton twins Adele and Venetia, daughters of Celia and Oliver, grow up with the world at their feet.Born into the Lytton publishing empire they are rich and admired. But the Nazi German aspect is darkening their future very soon.Barty Miller, also written about in 'No Angel', is faced with temptation on the other side of the ocean, in the US. And then there is Kit who is falling in love with Isabella, Sebastian's daughter by his first wife Pandora.Things get complicated because Celia has a secret about Kit's dad. In the end the Lytton publishing company facing bankruptcy is saved by someone unexpected.I look forward to the sequel.Penny Vincenzi is such a marvelous writer, in my view hardly anybody can beat her style.
—Elizabeth
