I've really enjoyed this series and maybe I had crazy high expectations on this one bc I expected more in terms of the actual scientific and social advances or rather expected it much sooner in the book. I felt a lot of the inner workings of both MCs minds tho needed to explain their actions and non actions was way overdone and repetitive. I feel bad saying that and I fully admit it could be that after reading the first couple novellas and 2-3 full length books in this series in a row and all in the last couple weeks that I need a change of pace. I have really enjoyed the other installments and already grabbed the next one. I may read a wholly different book first before that one so that I come back refreshed and ready for another sojourn to Regency England. The book is a worthy read don't get me wrong but just was not my fave in this series. You can't really go wrong tho with this author. This wasn't my favorite Milan in some respects. The romance was very understated and while I loved the glimpses we'd seen of Sebastian and Violet's friendship in the other Brother Sinister's books, a lot of that playful, humorous aspects were missing in this one, for legitimate reasons, but if you were hoping for a light-hearted romance this one probably doesn't fit the bill. I gave it four stars though because I totally dug the idea of a Violet being a woman scientist and being this brilliant person whose hidden her true self all these years (shrinking Violet anyone?) and exploring the scientific era (the papers to be published, the public lectures, how does one go about experimenting and finding results) I found very enjoyable, and I particularly liked how Milan made Violet's research focus (Snapdragon breeding) spring out of a deeply personal place. Also her mother was awesome. Scary, but awesome. Sebastian was likable and I thought that his strongest trait, his ability to make people laugh and smile, to bring things together or as a catalyst for positive change was a fun aspect to his character, I did feel he was a little too perfect to be entirely enjoyable. I suppose Violet's suffering and issues were too severe to really allow him any room for mistakes but you could see why his brother thought him insufferable.
What do You think about The Countess Conspiracy (2013)?
I enjoy CM's style of writing--her characters seem very real and full of depth.
—rdevries
Loved Violet and Sebastian's story! please please please let them have a baby!
—aleextello
I liked it. Just not my favorite of the series. Dragged a bit at times.
—Nick
