Tagged: michelle diener
A Dangerous Madness by Michelle Diener
(Cover picture courtesy of Michelle Diener’s site.)
The Duke of Wittaker has been living a lie…
He’s been spying on the dissolute, discontented noblemen of the ton, pretending to share their views. Now he’s ready to step out of the shadows and start living a real life…but when the prime minister of England is assassinated, he’s asked to go back to being the rake-hell duke everyone believes he still is to find out more.
Miss Phoebe Hillier has been living a lie, too…
All her life she’s played by society’s rules, hiding her fierce intelligence and love of life behind a docile and decorous mask. All it’s gotten her is jilted by her betrothed, a man she thought a fool, though a harmless one. But when she discovers her former fiancé was involved in the plot against the prime minister, and that he’s been murdered, she realizes he wasn’t so harmless after all.
And now the killers have set their sights on her…
The only man who can help her is the Duke of Wittaker–a man she knows she shouldn’t trust. And she soon realizes he’s hiding behind a mask as careful as her own. As the clock ticks down to the assassin’s trial, the pair scramble to uncover the real conspiracy behind the prime minister’s death. And as the pressure and the danger mounts, Phoebe and Wittaker shed their disguises, layer by layer, to discover something more precious than either imagined–something that could last forever. Unless the conspirators desperate to hide their tracks get to them first.
[Full disclosure: Michelle Diener invited me to review her book and I received a free ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
For all that I’m a history buff, I knew absolutely nothing about the period that A Dangerous Madness is set in. I really hardly know anything about England in the 1800s so after finishing Michelle Diener’s latest release I can very honestly say that I learned something.
Phoebe, the main character, is my type of woman. She’s strong and feisty but at the same time is actually aware of social norms and generally tries to follow them. Sure, she gets fed up with them and ends up not caring about certain ones but at least she isn’t your stereotypical total outcast of a heroine. James, the Duke of Wittaker is a good male lead. He’s not your perfect knight in shining armor but he does his best to improve his character when he starts to fall in love. In the past he’s done things he deeply regrets and you can tell that his guilt for some of the things weighs on him but he’s also done quite a bit of good.
The story begins with Phoebe’s fiancé dumping her and fleeing the country and it only heats up from there. Soon the prime minister is shot (which actually happened) and there’s a conspiracy that goes to the highest levels of the country behind the assassination. There are so many twists and turns you can’t tell how things are going to end up because Michelle Diener is so good at writing tales of political intrigue.
I’m not qualified to speak to the historical accuracy of A Dangerous Madness, but as Michelle Diener writes in her historical note, many of the events really did happen as she described them. The conspiracy is pure speculation but at the same time when you look at the real people involved it might not be all that far off from the truth. Perceval had many powerful enemies, that’s for sure! And that’s how historical fiction is best done: mostly history with a little bit of fiction in to spice things up.
Even if you haven’t read the first two books in the Regency London series, you can certainly start with A Dangerous Madness just like I did. They don’t have to be read in any particular order but I still can’t wait to read the first two books because I loved this one so much.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
In Defense of the Queen by Michelle Diener
(Cover picture courtesy of Michelle Diener’s site.)
An artist never betrays her patron . . . especially one of the world’s most powerful kings.
Susanna Horenbout has learned this lesson from the cradle. But when she receives a letter from her father telling her to do just that, she faces a dilemma. Betray Henry VIII, or carry out the request of her father’s employer, Margaret of Austria, and pass secret information to Henry’s queen, Katherine of Aragon.
Caught between the machinations of her husband and her nephew, the Emperor Charles, Queen Katherine needs all the allies she can get. But what can Susanna really do to help her, and even if she does, will it be enough?
Susanna and her betrothed, Parker—one of Henry’s most trusted courtiers—balance on the knife’s edge of treason as they try to make sense of both international and domestic conspiracies. Sometimes, it’s better the enemy you know . .
[Full disclosure: I was sent a free paperback copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.]
With the serious cliffhanger at the end of the second book I knew I immediately had to start In Defense of the Queen. I’m very invested in this series by this point so you can understand why I was a little anxious to find Susanna in a lot of trouble in this third installment.
As with the previous two books, I loved the characters. Susanna and John’s bond is stronger than ever partly because of all of the trials they’ve gone through as a couple. Still, I was more than little worried about the two what with all of the assassination attempts and Susanna being accused of treason. I’ll admit that I have become quite attached to both Susanna and John.
I liked how we were in Susanna’s point of view a lot more than we were in the second book because she still is my favourite character. She’s tested again and again but I love that no matter how hard or awful the situation is, she stays loyal to John (even when it works against her). It’s not easy to be torn between your family’s loyalties and your loyalty to your patron and Michelle Diener played that dramatic tension perfectly.
The previous two books both had the complicated plots I’ve come to expect and love from Michelle Diener. This one tops them. There are twists and turns everywhere and the larger conspiracy is both well hidden and very believable. I honestly didn’t see the end coming and for a cynical reader like myself that’s very unusual. The ending wrapped things up nicely while at the same time leaving a little wiggle room for another sequel. I don’t think John and Susanna’s story is over quite yet.
If you haven’t read the first two books I can’t recommend them highly enough. Michelle Diener writes some darn good historical fiction and whether you’re looking for accuracy or a good plot you’ll be satisfied by her writing.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
Keeper of the King’s Secrets by Michelle Diener
(Cover picture courtesy of Michelle Diener’s site.)
A priceless jewel. A royal court rife with intrigue. A secret deal, where the price of truth could come too high . . .
The personal artist to King Henry Tudor, Susanna Horenbout is sought by the queen and ladies of the court for her delicate, skilled portraits. But now someone from her past is pulling her into a duplicitous game where the consequence of failure is war. Soon, Susanna and her betrothed, the King’s most dangerous courtier, are unraveling a plot that would shatter Europe. And at the heart of it is a magnificent missing diamond. . . .
With John Parker at her side, Susanna searches for the diamond and those responsible for its theft, their every step dogged by a lethal assassin. Finding the truth means plunging into the heart of the court’s most bitter infighting, surviving the harrowing labyrinth of Fleet Prisonand then coming face-to-face with the most dangerous enemy of all.
[Full disclosure: I received a free print copy from Michelle Diener in exchange for an honest review.]
After the awesome novel that was In a Treacherous Court, I decided that I desperately needed to read the rest of Susanna Horenbout and John Parker’s story. After all, there’s still plenty of intrigue coming up in the court of Henry VIII at this point in time.
Michelle Diener didn’t disappoint with this sequel. Compared to her debut novel (which was good) this one is even better simply because of the quality of the writing. She slows down a little to describe things like how Susanna illuminates manuscripts but not too much so that the plot is any slower than the first book. The extra descriptions are relevant and on the whole just make the story better, not slower.
The characters are, as always, fantastic. I enjoyed seeing Susanna and John working together to find the Mirror of Naples because you can really feel their love for each other. They work well together as a team and even though they don’t always agree on things their love shines through and they’re able to reconcile. Compared to a lot of YA I’ve been reading lately, this adult historical fiction novel was a breath of fresh air because of the stable, loving relationship Susanna and John have.
One thing I was surprised at was how fleshed out King Henry VIII was in this book. We get to see a lot more of him this time around and you kind of see both the good and bad sides of his character. I don’t want to give too much away, but I’m sure I’m not the only Jean fan in this book because he truly is a fascinating character.
As with the previous novel in the series Keeper of the King’s Secrets kept me guessing right up until the very end. It was well researched and well plotted; you really couldn’t ask for more in historical fiction. There’s also a very interesting little cliffhanger at the end that will make you very, very eager to get your hands on the next book In Defense of the Queen.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
In a Treacherous Court by Michelle Diener
(Cover picture courtesy of Michelle Diener’s website.)
1525: Artist Susanna Horenbout is sent from Belgium to be Henry VIII’s personal illuminator inside the royal palace. But her new homeland greets her with an attempt on her life, and the King’s most lethal courtier, John Parker, is charged with keeping her safe. As further attacks are made, Susanna and Parker realize that she unknowingly carries the key to a bloody plot against the throne. For while Richard de la Pole amasses troops in France for a Yorkist invasion, a traitor prepares to trample the kingdom from within.
Who is the mastermind? Why are men vying to kill the woman Parker protects with his life? With a motley gang of urchins, Susanna’s wits, and Parker’s fierce instincts, honed on the streets and in palace chambers, the two slash through deadly layers of deceit in a race against time. For in the court of Henry VIII, secrets are the last to die…
Brilliantly revealing a little-known historical figure who lived among the Tudors, Michelle Diener makes a smashing historical fiction debut.
[Full disclosure: I requested a review copy from Michelle Diener and was sent a free physical copy in exchange for an honest review.]
As much as I’ve read about the Tudors I never actually heard of Susanna Horenbout or John Parker. It’s strange because you’d have thought that a female illuminator would be mentioned frequently (if only because it was such a rarity) but Susanna really hasn’t been recognized by history. Michelle Diener meant to remedy that in this book.
Susanna is an amazing character. I like how she’s constantly trying to prove herself in a world where men don’t really believe she is a talented artist. It’s not a typical girl empowerment story so much as a very realistic portrayal of the attitudes of the time. At the same time, Susanna loves her art. She loves to draw and paint and she’s good at it. Inspiration strikes her at odd times but she’s not your typical day-dreaming artist either.
She has a good head on her shoulders and she’s more than a match for the cunning, somewhat ruthless John Parker. John Parker is also a fascinating character. His horrible childhood combined with his ruthless determination to serve King Henry VIII would make him interesting enough, but it’s his change in personality caused by Susanna that really makes him memorable. Both characters change as they spend more and more time in each others’ company.
The plot was very fast-paced, but obviously not at the expense of character development. There’s assassins lurking behind every corner, romantic intrigue aplenty as well as plots that strike at the heart of England’s court. Michelle Diener did fabricate some of the details but in her note at the end I liked how she justified her decisions to change history just a little bit. She blended history and speculation together perfectly and it all came together in a great novel.
From the moment you read the first sentence, you’re sucked back in time. From its filthy streets to the hostile/merry court of Henry VIII you feel like you’re right there with Susanna and John. You feel their emotions as their own, especially their pain, love and determination. I can’t honestly speak to the total historical accuracy of In a Treacherous Court but I can tell you that the major details are accurate and Michelle Diener certainly created a very authentic feeling with the details of daily life in Tudor England. That’s what’s really important in historical fiction.
Basically, this was a great debut novel and I can’t wait to read about the rest of Susanna and John’s adventures.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
The Golden Apple by Michelle Diener
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(Cover picture courtesy of Goodreads.)
Kayla’s world has been turned upside-down . . .
Her father has made her the prize in a deadly, impossible tournament, and Kayla has retaliated in the only way she knows how; by choosing her champion beforehand. But taking control of the outcome changes the game completely, and when the real reason behind the strange test becomes apparent, Kayla realizes not just her life, but her entire kingdom is at stake.
Rane’s honor is torn in two…
In order to save his brother, Rane will do whatever he has to–including deceive and betray a princess. He knew nothing about this tournament would be easy, but when it turns into a deeper, far more sinister game, Rane is forced to see it through to the end, or leave his brother at the mercy of their enemy.
Now their fates are entwined, and they must venture into the deep, dark forest together . . .
Kayla and Rane are bound to one another by an enchantment and Kayla’s actions. But the sorcerer forcing them to do his will may have miscalculated, because no-one comes out of the Great Forest unchanged. No-one.
The Golden Apple is loosely based on the fairy tale The Princess on the Glass Hill.
[Full disclosure: I asked for and received a free ebook copy from Michelle Diener in exchange for an honest review.]
As you guys probably know by now, I’m not the biggest fan of fairytale retellings. Usually they’re simplistic, boring and utterly predictable. Usually.
The Golden Apple is anything but usual, however.
The thing I found most striking about this book is the complexity of the plot. This isn’t your typical straightforward quest where the heroes venture together, defeat the villain and come home to live their happily ever after. No, in this one Rane and Kayla are forced to confront their deepest fears, do things they never thought they would and work together to try to save their entire way of life as well as their lives. Just when you think Michelle Diener is going to wind things down for the conclusion she throws another wrench in the works. It’s definitely the kind of book that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I found the complexity of the plot surprising, but my favourite element of this book was the characters. Kayla isn’t your typical pampered princess but neither is she a kick-butt action hero. She is not always able to defend herself but she does try and eventually succeeds as her abilities grow. It’s nice to see a female character who learns she has an ability and seeks to control and manage it rather than deny its existence and whine about it. Rane is also interesting. He loves his brother Soren and he’s willing to manipulate Kayla to free him but then he begins to fall in love with her. It’s not an easy journey for both him and Kayla but I like how the viewpoints alternated to show their different perceptions of the world around them.
Finally, the world-building was some of the best I’ve ever seen in a fairytale retelling. I loved learning about the history of the kingdom of Gaynor in small chunks as well as learning about the powerful sorcerers that live in Michelle Diener’s world. How wild magic is actually created was fascinating, but it makes sense. How the sorcerers deal with wild magic is just so in line with human nature that I had to laugh when I learned how they contained it. I don’t want to give too much away, but I guarantee that once you learn who created wild magic and why it seems confined to the Great Forest you’ll laugh too.
Basically, this is a great book. It’s one of the best fairytale retellings I’ve ever read and although it doesn’t come out until March 24 I can’t wait for the sequel The Silver Pear already.
I give this book 5/5 stars.