I’ve Been Swayed
I don’t like historical romances set in India.
Well, I’d be better off saying I don’t particularly care for them. I’ve read one that I did like reasonably well. But all the talk of this one is doing some good if it got my attention long enough to purchase it. Like most romance readers I’m seeking out new life and fresh situations in romances, so I’m giving it a go. We shall see if the Duke lives up to his book’s title. I’m hoping the back blurb is just playing it up a bit much.
A lifetime of grief later, in a cold London spring, Emma and Julian must finally confront the truth…
My god, but this sounds like an emotional wringer! Of which I am a fan, iz true. I like a good tear jerker or tense, emotional reading ride every so often. This one sounds like it’s got it in dump truck loads. But, like I said, I’m trying to be more open about things I don’t normally like too…like the part set in India. So we shall see how it goes…besides the hero and heroine both sound too angst ridden to NOT see what the heck their respective problems are.
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I’d love to have your impressions on this one when you’re done! Although it’s probably not going to sway me – I’m going to buy it anyway :-DD. See, I’m just the opposite of you: I love historicals set in India. The very first historical I can remember reading was set in the exact same context, the Sepoy uprising of 1857. It was Shadow of the Moon by M.M. Kaye. I must have read it at least half a dozen times from cover to cover. And I love India as a whole. I love Bollywoods, I’m in awe over colorful sarees, I know more recipes for indian meals than I do for pasta sauces and I dream of going to India. Lol. but anyway, I’m still curious to see if Duke of Shadows is good enough to win you over. :)
Hi, Mary! I was able to start reading this one last night and I can tell it’s going to be an emotionally weighty one for sure. The writing is graceful and melodic. Very, very nice craft this author is using. She evokes images in a way I’ve never read before.
But on India itself – I happen to LOVE India! I knew after I posted that my first sentence above might be misleading, lol. :) I adore Indian food and music too. The culture is so absorbing, in the sense that I can’t get enough of learning about it. For some reason though, I’ve not found many books set there historically that blew my skirt up.
This one might change my opinion though, despite the horrific backdrop. I wuz bad girl and flipped forward a bit to see if that heavy tone continues throughout and happened across some startling descriptions. The author is not shying away from reality with this one. I hesitate to say this without having finished it, but what the heck: My first impression is that this is not escapism romance. Which is not a bad thing, depends on what you want at the time.
Thanks for the comments! I’ll read it on a dark, rainy day then. When it’s sunny I need something light and fluffy. Gray skies draw me towards more serious reads.
And I love what you said about the writing. Too often these days I feel like the stories are nice but the writing lacks finesse and originality.
One of the first books I read about Inida was The India Fan by Victoria Holt. It starts in England and then moves to India during the (Sepoy?) mutiny and I absolutely loved it.
I think I will give Duran a go, eventually. Credit to her for moving outside the romance ‘comfort zone’ (you know, England/ Scotland/ etc).
She should be encouraged, too, I think, by the diverse reactions to her book. A good, polarizing novel at least promises to be interesting.
You’re right, it is nice to get different scenery in what is largely a English set historical romance genre. I guess that’s why I found Cole’s If You Dare so refreshing.
I’m about halfway through this one now and it’s…interesting. A lot of strong points, one not so much (for me that is) that’s weighting it down a bit. I still think her writing is very image evoking. Love the way she brings the scenes to life.
I look forward to your review.
Love your blog, btw.
Meriam, thank you so much. I really enjoy yours too.