Solid romance and multi-layered plot*NOTE: I received a free review copy of this book.*Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS. Rating: 7/10PROS: - Geoff’s an okay protagonist and generally a likeable character. I liked the character of Anaïs very much, though: not just her fiery spirit and bravery, but also her ability to come off as a ninny when she’s really quite intelligent. I found the scenes in which she pretends to be foolish and flighty very amusing. - The sexual tension between Geoff and Anaïs is well done--equal parts frustration, tenderness, and raw desire--and the payoff scenes are good. There aren’t many actual bedroom scenes (although there are several other scenes that amount to foreplay), but the ones that do exist are passionate.- Although it leads to some frustratingly dense passages, the plot is multi-layered and intriguing. Above and beyond the usual romance plot.- The story contains an impressive amount of detail, from descriptions of the setting, to the characters’ backgrounds and motivations, to specifics of plot development, to the social and political structure of 1830s England.CONS:- There is so much focus on details of the plot and on the individual characters’ personalities-- Anaïs’s strength and selflessness, Geoff’s honor and protectiveness, etc.--that there’s not much time devoted to their actual connection. I wasn’t sure precisely why they were so drawn to each other at the beginning of the story. Particularly early on, there are few scenes that show them truly connecting on more than a physical level.- Much of the story’s emotional drama comes from the fact that Geoff and Anaïs passionately desire each other but are both convinced that the relationship is unwise. But their reasons for thinking so weren’t terribly clear to me…or at least, I didn’t buy into them. So the characters’ anguish at wanting each other but valiantly resisting the urge to give in to that desire grew tiresome for me.- I tend to find epigraphs unnecessary in the best of circumstances, if only because I think a book or chapter ought to stand on its own and not rely on the wisdom of someone else to connect to or expand upon. This book contains a quote from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War at the beginning of each chapter--and what made the quotes particularly annoying for me is that many of them are cryptic or maddeningly philosophical (example: “In general, the Tao of the invader is this: When the troops have penetrated deeply, they will be unified”). Every last one of them pulled me out of the story in a negative way.Overall comments: I enjoyed the romance here just fine, and the plot is interesting if a bit dense. There are sections that incorporate hints and details pertaining to so many of the different plotlines that they’re difficult to follow because the dialogue flits from one topic to the next, sometimes failing to fully explain or contextualize one comment before moving on. Still, overall I think this is worth a read. The cover art and blurb drew me in, I didn't realize the book would be on the dry side. It came across as tons and tons of exposition with not enough warm human contact to make up for it. Anais was a little too perfect as the tomboy turned chosen one and the same for our hero.The best part was the kissing scene between a couple of secondary characters. They're the only reason I'll read the next book.I did request the first one to see if that would help me like this on a reread. That's a much better book, this one didn't gain any stars after reading that one.Predictable and blah, however, others loved it---that's what makes the world an interesting place.
What do You think about The Bride Wore Scarlet (2011)?
The main characters, Bessett and Anais, are likeable but I felt like the story is predictable.
—arlie
Slow to start, but very well written. Once got into it loved it.
—laptop
