Comments on: REVIEW: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

By: Lauren Willig – The Secret History of the Pink Carnation « Fyrefly’s Book Blog

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:09:09 +0000

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By: Susan/DC

Susan/DC — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:31:16 +0000

Positive reviews like this definitely don’t help me with my New Year’s resolution to reduce the TBR pile — now I want to go out and get this book. I’ve been ogling the series for a while, as I’m both a historical and mystery fan and it would satisfy both cravings. But with six copier paper boxes full of books I haven’t yet read (I’m too afraid to count to know how many books that represents), I’ve felt guilty every time I even think about reading something else. I know I’ll succumb, however, even if Jayne dissed Possession (I’m definitely with Janine on that one).

By: Keishon

Keishon — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:33:15 +0000

I’ve heard good things about this series but haven’t had any luck in getting into the story but I do plan to give it another go.

By: DS

DS — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:01:37 +0000

I listened to this boo for about two hours then shut it off. The tongue in chee parts didn’t work for me. It did inspire a hunt for the history of the green carnation flower which apparently was the favorite boutonniÃ¨re of the the aesthetic set. And by the way, why doesn’t anyone ever write a historical romance set in that milieu? Lots of room for bad behavior, witty bon mots and odd characters. In fact it would be even better if it had some steampunk themes included.

By: Maya

Maya — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:10:28 +0000

what a gorgeous cover. for that alone i’ll make a point of seeking this out next time i’m in the book store.

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:09:47 +0000

See I enjoyed the historical story line way more than the modern one. It’s not that I don’t care about Colin and Eloise, just that insofar as I do care about them, I want to see their story move along more quickly. I’ve enjoyed the whole series so far.

By: Marg

Marg — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:30:44 +0000

I really enjoy this whole series. I am waiting for the fourth book to come out here soon…I hope!

By: Leah

Leah — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:49:48 +0000

I tried to get into this series last winter, and although I liked the modern characters, I could not believe the historical plot, so it didn’t work for me. The idea is fun, and the covers are truly gorgeous. Oh, and as an old history grad student, she’s got the title format right! It always seems to be Blah blah blah blah: blah blah-blah blah blah. If you don’t use the colon, it’s not real academic history!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:55:03 +0000

I read this book over Christmas, and I have to admit I was a little disappointed. I REALLY enjoyed the Colin and Eloise parts, and I thought Richard was to die for (and after reading that the author really enjoys the BBC’s Sharpe series, I totally imagined Richard as Sean Bean. Mmmm…). But Amy veered a little to close to TSTL for me. First there was the whole flouncing off the sleep on the deck of this ship thing (which… proper lady? Early 19th century? Sailors all about? I’m so sure.). Then there were her bumbling attempts to help Richard in his spying which resulted in him nearly getting killed. I finished it wishing that Amy’s cousin (Jane, was it?) had been the heroine. Now, this dissatisfaction hasn’t stopped me from reading the rest of the series, so point to Willig! I actually found the second two much more enjoyable and their heroines much more bearable.

By: Janine

Janine — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:07:38 +0000

â€œPossessionâ€ a book that bored me to tears.

I remember that, Jayne! And I magnanimously forgive the insult to one of the best, most romantic books written in the 20th century.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:39:30 +0000

Busy, busy. Hmmm, maybe I should give the third and fourth book a try then, I would love to love those books, not least because of their gorgeous covers LOL. About all I remember from the second book is suffering my way through a mediocre plot, desperately searching for something that would catch my attention. It was a typical average read, and only my good memories of the first book made me actually finish the story.

By: Jayne

Jayne — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:30:59 +0000

I haven’t read “Tulip” or “Ring” yet though I do have a copy of “Tulip” that I plan to get to as soon as possible. Though since I’m already reading arcs due out in March and have several for April already lined up, it might take quite a while to get to it. I did finish “Crimson Rose” and loved it too.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:22:41 +0000

Ohhh, I loved this book, it’s nature is, indeed, very tongue-in-cheek, but as I read it long before I ever heard of Joanna Bourne, I can honestly say that this author made me re-think my opinion of spy plots. Btw., it was Rosario’s review which inspired me to try out this author.

I am kind of curious about your other reviews on this series, I remember being quite disappointed with The Masque of the Black Tulip, somehow all the good parts were missing (including an engaging plot). #3 in the series is somewhere floating on my TBR but so far I wasn’t tempted to rearrange my reading priorities.