Comments on: REVIEW: The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:47:16 +0000

I have read the book and loved it. However:

——- SPOILER ALERT ——–

The only quibble I have with it is Annique’s arrival in Dover (Chapter 17, specifically pages 172 – 190). It don’t wash with me (and is completely out of Annique’s character and her behavior to this point in the book) that a seasoned, clever, and preternaturally aware spy such as she would so drastically drop her guard.

She acts like there is nothing to worry about — and I won’t buy the reason being that she has her sight back. If anything, I think that having the added information would make her more wary of her environment. She may be feeling inner joy, but she must first attend to the business of surviving and keeping several steps ahead of LeBlanc and Henri.

In order to move the plot forward, something had to happen in Dover and Grey did have to find her again. I can think of many other scenarios that could allow Grey and Annique to meet in Dover that would not have compromised Annique’s character so.

——- END OF SPOILER ——-

That said, Bourne has written a great debut that, I think, she could easily broaden into adventure fiction in the tradition of the Cornwell’s Sharpe series or O’Brian’s Aubrey–Maturin series.

Her economy of phrase, lack of sentimentality, absolute lack of anachronism (in all things), and finely drawn characters make this book a joy to read. There are very few books written this well.

Indeed, if romantic historical fiction had such things as lists of exemplars of best-practice, this book would rate extremely high on a very short list.

By: B

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:03:58 +0000

I loved the book! I stayed up ’til 1:00 am last night to finish. It is by far the best book in this genre that I have read in a long time.

By: Jane Harrington

Jane Harrington — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:27:20 +0000

Yep. I just looked over the book today and thought about all the different threads the author had and how well she weaved them through the story. The last thread she tidied up, Vauban, well, I was waiting. I thought she’s forgot, because I know the heroine does not know, and then the author pulled it out when it counted most. I know everyone is going to laugh. But I was lying on the bed and I started to kick my feet up and down like one of Bennett sisters did in the P&P film.

I loved the part where the heroine hit the tree–(no spoilers) and waited to die.

It came to her that she was not going to die. Or, at least, not just immediately.

By: Jane

Jane — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:38:19 +0000

Jane – don’t you think that Bourne did a great job of hiding in plain sight, so to speak. When I re-read the book, I was like, of course this is the secret. She says so here, here, and here. It’s extremely clever without the author saying “look at me and how clever I am.”

By: Jane Harrington

Jane Harrington — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 06:18:13 +0000

Wow, what good reviews and just think, I read the book and went nuts over it before I saw all this tonight. I absolutely loved the characters in this book, and the story is written really well. Oh, the surprises! The first one I did not expect so I went back and reread the whole beginning just to see all of the clues laid out.

And then there were even more surprises. There are lines in this book which are classic.

And it’s not what you expect at all. It’s better.

By: Kristie(J)

Kristie(J) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:48:57 +0000

I bought this one based on Jane’s review. Now I’m doubly glad based on yours. Sounds like we have one of the better ones first thing in the new year – gotta love that!!

By: loonigrrl

loonigrrl — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:32:28 +0000

I LOVE this book. I cannot believe how well written it is. I loved the characters, their relationship, the story, the language, everything. It’s fantastic.

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:35:52 +0000

I really think that this is one book that most people will enjoy. It is accessible but beautifully written. It has standard romance tropes but constantly surprised me.

It goes to show that sometimes you can write inside the box and create a masterpiece.

By: sherry thomas

sherry thomas — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:11:06 +0000

You know what I love? When a terrific book brings out eloquent reviews.

By: MaryKate

MaryKate — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:01:30 +0000

Wow – proofread much? That’s a whole lot of extraordinary. Sorry.

By: MaryKate

MaryKate — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:00:37 +0000

I’ve run out of adjectives to describe my love of this book. It’s one of those that I finished and immediately went back to start again. It’s Bourne’s mastery of dialect that is most astounding. Her French characters speak like French people without throwing in a “ma chere” or “petite.” She even gets word order correct when she has them speak English. It’s one of the most extraordinary romances I’ve read in ages.

The book is extraordinary. I honestly don’t know how other books are going to measure up to this book for me. But if this is indicative of how my reading year is going to go, I can hardly wait!

By: vanessa jaye

vanessa jaye — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:09:04 +0000

Oh, yeah, I bought this when I bought Iron Kissed, today. ::grin::

By: Jayne

Jayne — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:03:44 +0000

I hope those of you still waiting for this book will enjoy it. Jane’s review had me almost afraid to read it for fear it wouldn’t work for me. From my review, you can see it worked just fine. ;)

By: Stephg1

Stephg1 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:52:50 +0000

I was lucky enough to win this book and read it no savored it in hours. I couldn’t tell you how many because the writing, the characters, the atmosphere seduced me in such a way time seemed to stop while I occupied the world this wonderful new author created for me. It was as close to a perfect book that I have come across in a long time and just want to thank “Dear Author” for sending me the book and ending my reading year w/a delicious bang, I want some more!!!!

By: sula

sula — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:34:03 +0000

aaaarggg, the wait is killing me. I first heard about this book from the SBs, then this site reviewed it. Readers on AAR are starting to post about it. And my Borders does not have it in stock yet. Ah well, I just hope the wait will make it an even better read. :)

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:24:52 +0000

I hope it lives up to the hype too. Julia Quinn and Eloisa James are hosting Bourne and a discussion of her books at Quinn/James' website. Link here

By: Trish

Trish — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:22:41 +0000

This book is getting sooooo much buzz. I just ordered it from Amazon. Hope it lives up to the hype!

By: Bev Stephans

Bev Stephans — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:21:33 +0000

I’ve had this on my to-be-bought list since it was previously reviewed. I can’t wait to read it!