The Garden Intrigue

The Garden Intrigue

by Lauren Willig

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, book nine



Secret agent Augustus Whittlesby has spent a decade undercover in France, posing as an insufferably bad poet. The French surveillance officers can't bear to read his work closely enough to recognize the information drowned in a sea of verbiage.

New York-born Emma Morris Delagardie is a thorn in Augustus's side. An old school friend of Napoleon's stepdaughter, she came to France with her uncle, the American envoy; eloped with a Frenchman; and has been rattling around the salons of Paris ever since. Widowed for four years, she entertains herself by drinking too much champagne, holding a weekly salon, and loudly critiquing Augustus's poetry.

As Napoleon pursues his plans for the invasion of England, Whittlesby hears of a top-secret device to be demonstrated at a house party at Malmaison. The catch? The only way in is with Emma, who has been asked to write a masque for the weekend's entertainment.

Emma is at a crossroads: Should she return to the States or remain in France? She'll do anything to postpone the decision-even if it means teaming up with that silly poet Whittlesby to write a masque for Bonaparte's house party. But each soon learns that surface appearances are misleading. In this complicated masque within a masque, nothing goes quite as scripted- especially Augustus's feelings for Emma. (description from Amazon.com)

Oh, but do I love this series! It is wonderful historical fiction full of intrigue, romance, and strong characters both male and female.  I have learned more about the dealings between England and France during this time period from Lauren Willig than I ever did in school...

I love the descriptions of the dresses, the parties, the social ettiquettes, and of course, the spy codes. I love seeing smart women not only assist, but often outsmart their male counterparts.  I love it all. 

This particular volume in the series not only continued the trend of great characters, but also showed a great glimpse into a fascinating period in Napolean Bonaparte's "career."  It was so interesting to see what life would have been like as a part of his household while he became Emperor in France.  I loved seeing the connections between the politics, the parties, and the inventions of the period.

As for the next book, I *cannot* wait to see what happens to Eloise and Colin as she finds her time in England drawing to a close.  As always, their continuing story makes up all my absolute favorite bits in each book. 

Full disclosure: ARC originally received from NetGalley.

Tempestuous

Tempestuous
by Lesley Livingston
Wondrous Strange, book three

"I don't love Sonny Flannery."

That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.

But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley. (description taken from Amazon.com)

What a great ending to the series. Besides having breathtaking covers (all three of them...I could just drool over them all day...), I love the complexities of the characters, the multilayered twists and turns of the plot, and the multitude of Shakespearean references!

It's been awhile since I read Darklight - probably the day it came out - and I had worried that I would have some issues remembering all that had happened, but Livingston does an excellent job bringing readers up to speed in a very lighthanded way. In fact, she sets up the plot so well that I was a little worried that the plot would not wrap up to my satisfaction before the end of the book and I knew that this was the end...

Livingston not only wrapped everything up...she did it well, with style, and even though I am totally satisfied as a reader, I would most definitely pick up another Wondrous Strange book if ever one appeared on the shelves!!

I don't want to give any spoilers away so I won't give too many details, but the persons who released the gates between the realms, allowing the Fae to enter the mortal world, are revealed. Their dastardly plot seems to be impossible to foil, but Kelley, Sonny, Fenn and their friends all find out exactly what they are made of and what sacrifices they are willing to make for each other and the world. Interesting, heartbreaking, and loyal decisions are made...friendships are forged and broken...love is lost, mended, and born.

Loved it!

Will Grayson Will Grayson

Will Grayson Will Grayson
by John Green and David Levithan

It's not that far from Evanston to Naperville, but Chicago suburbanites Will Grayson and Will Grayson might as well live on different planets. When fate delivers them both to the same surprising crossroads, the Will Graysons find their lives overlapping and hurtling in new and unexpected directions. With a push from friends new and old - including the massive, and massively fabulous, Tiny Cooper, offensive lineman and musical theater auteur extraordinaire - Will and Will begin building toward respective romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history's most awesome high school musical.

To be totally and completely honest, I have never read anything before by John Green. I have read both Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, though. I also saw David Levithan speak at Book Expo America last year and he is dynamic, funny, and interesting! I mention these facts only because I was so blown away by this book and I wasn't really expecting it, and I think that's because I hadn't read anything solely by these authors previously...combining them, apparently, is pure magic!

To start with, besides the fact that the premise is unexpected and funny, the characters are so authentic and fully formed in this book, it astounds me. Each Will was completely different and in many ways complimented the other. Their friends, or lack thereof, was fitting and made their life stories compelling. I loved how they became dependent on the existence of each other...but, I'm trying not to give spoilers! Sorry!

On to Tiny Cooper...I think he is my new favorite book character. Not only is he fabulous, he is funny, honest, open, lovable, awe-inspiring, and gut-wrenchingly true to himself. I cannot state how much I loved Tiny and the way he affected others around him.

Okay, okay...enough gushing...anyway, if you haven't picked this book up yet... GO NOW! You will not regret it.

PS - I listened to this as an audiobook and it is fantastic. The narrators, MacLeod Andrews and Nick Podehl, are amazing. You never doubt who is speaking and they can both sing, as well! Funny and touching.

Full disclosure: Audiobook version reviewed for SLJ.