User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
jenn bennett is a queen of contemporary, so i was very eager to see what she could do with some historical fantasy, and she does not disappoint.
i am so relieved that her signature witty and carefree writing is just as present in this as her other books. it also translates really well into the main characters, which have always been bennetts strong point. the well-developed and entertaining leads, paired with quick and devourable writing, makes for a successful combination. i also adore that this is set in eastern europe, specifically romania. thats not a very popular setting, so the novelty of it is quite intriguing.
but what i wanted more was the actual storyline itself. it just feels a little weak. maybe if it had been developed more (someone suggested as a series), it may have increased the stakes and made the plot feel more adventurous. im not sure. but it just fell a little short for me, personally.
regardless, i am quite pleased with this. i know it can be stressful when a favourite author deviates from their known genre, but sometimes the risk pays off. and in this case, it does!
↠ 4 stars
Rating: really liked it
**4.5-stars rounded up**The Lady Rogue is pure entertainment start to finish!
Stalking Jack the Ripper meets
A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue in this fast-paced, historical YA-romp.
Our protagonists, Theo and Huck, make a great team and following them on their mystery-filled, rescue mission through the rustic Carpathian Mountains was hella fun!
Theodora's father is a treasure hunter, hired by a mysterious aristocrat to track down the legendary war ring of Vlad the Impaler.
Yes, that Vlad. To my knowledge, everyone's favorite Vlad!
Along with his assistant, Huck Gallagher, also Theo's former beau, he begins his search discovering clues and following leads.
Poor Theo gets left behind in a hotel, as she usually does, and is more than frustrated with that turn of events. She wants adventure too and is extremely good at solving puzzles. She just cannot understand why her father wouldn't want to utilize her talents.
When Huck arrives back at the hotel, without her father, Theo is shocked. According to Huck, he has no idea where her father went, but he does have his cryptic travel journal. Theo's mind is put to the test as she tries to decode her father's writings and figure out his location.
Did he go willingly, or was there foul play involved?
I loved so much about this. The mystery, the intrigue, the dark historical connections, the partnership between Theo and Huck, the setting, it was all very up my alley.
I have never read a Jenn Bennett book before, but I believe this is a bit of a genre shift for her. I thought she did a fantastic job.
Although some of the paranormal aspects were a little wonky, I was having so much fun with the story, it really didn't phase me.
Further, I am not sure if this is slated to be a standalone, or a series, but I really hope this is not the last we see of this courageous duo!!!
The characters mention at the end of this book a location they may be traveling to next...(view spoiler)
[SCOTLAND (hide spoiler)]...and I really NEED that to happen.
Who do I contact about that?
Let's do this, Bennett!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Simon Pulse, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review.
I always appreciate the opportunity!
Rating: really liked it
I requested this book for one reason, really, and one reason only : the name next to "author". I'm a big fan of Bennett's contemporaries and I've dabbled in her adult PNR series (which I still have to finish!) so seeing her switch from YA contemporary to YA historical/fantasy didn't concern me. I was excited. I might not have loved SERIOUS MOONLIGHT but I love her writing, her previous books, and had every reason to expect the same of this one.
But nope.
This book was a chore to read. I pushed through it quickly because the last thing I needed was another slump, and it wasn't too long, and I just kept waiting for the spark. Or any spark, really. I felt nothing for the characters who were, respectfully, spoiled and or sulky as well as overdoing the charm to the point of not being charming. I felt nothing for the angst over the romance which we were beat over the head with to a ridiculous degree. And honestly the Vlad the Impaler plot/mystery that sent these two gallivanting all over Eastern Europe just.. didn't really hook me and, like, did it ultimately even matter? I'm so confused.
I also want to say the pitch comparison to THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE definitely had me thinking this was queer. And it is not.
I didn't love the characters, the angst, the romance, the plot. Even Bennett's writing, which I normally love, felt different and failed to entice. If this hadn't been an ARC, I would've DNF’d. If this was any other author, I would probably one star. But I just can't bear to. And I do think maybe this is a me problem? Despite everything?
Anyway, I don't think this is a series, so I'm relieved about that, but even if it was.. I wouldn't be reading on.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Rating: really liked it
I went into this not knowing what it was about. I will absolutely read anything Jenn Bennett puts out.
I loved Theo and Huck. She’s smart and tired of being left behind. He’s charming and maybe a little uncertain. Together they have a lifetime of history and a bit of a rocky future. I loved reading them figure things out. There are a few side characters who are delightful, but I won’t get into detail on that.
Plot wise, it was a bit of a slow start for me. Even though I was intrigued, I didn’t get captivated until they were really on the run. I was loving all of the history and city descriptions and I don’t know how much of the Vlad stuff was true, but it was interesting.
I will say that I wanted a bit more from the ending. The entire story was a build up to this one event and in a couple of pages, it was resolved and the story was over. It felt rushed and that was sort of disappointing.
Overall, it was a unique to me story with characters who were easy to root for. I can’t wait to see what Jenn comes up with next.
**Huge thanks to Simon Pulse for providing the arc free of charge**
Rating: really liked it
Oh my goodness I really hope this becomes a series! So darn good. Full review to come.
*EDITED TO ADD REVIEW*
Is there anything better than a Jenn Bennett book? Why yes there is. A book by Jenn Bennett that is unlike anything that she has every written before. A touch of the magical and mysterious. Romance and even better still, set all in a beautiful mysterious historical setting and time that appeals to my ever love of the genre itself.
I never knew what I was missing until this book came into my life. Jenn Bennett writing a historical mystery with a touch of romance, danger, and the paranormal. Goodness, yes please!
And all I can say is WOW! This meet my expectations and then thoroughly blew them away. I loved every single things about it. To the legends, lore, witchcraft. Curses. Black magic, love, family dynamics, mystery...goodness, just all of it. I want more. I am hoping, wishing and keeping my fingers crossed that this becomes a series but heck yeah does this girl want more.
Theodora was everything I love in a stubborn, smart, and strong willed heroine. Huck in a fun loving, support, and swoon worthy hero and her father, even he was hard to like, but not to love. ;)
So well done, so much fun, and so addictive. I need more!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Rating: really liked it
This was okay. Nothing overly special here. Felt a lot like Indiana Jones, but with a leading gal and an attractive boy sidekick her age. The Dracula pieces of the story are not vampire-like at all; but instead focus on the actual Vlad Dracul, human, who did exist. Good enough but nothing spectacular.
If you want to go on a treasure hunt you might find The Lady Rogue has something for you. If you're hoping for blood, gothic overtones, and vampires this is NOT the book for you. Those looking for an intriguing mystery are also likely to be let down. While there is a mystery here, and it should be the focus of the story, it's not that entrancing. This is more of a girl coming into her own teen book than anything. The love story is meh as the chemistry between the characters is missing.
Overall this was a very disappointing read for me. I would perhaps try another book by Jenn Bennett in the future. There was enough here that with some good editing, focus on mystery writing, and a less snowflake-like heroine; I could see Bennett telling us some interesting stories. Sadly The Lady Rogue isn't up to par; especially in the high saturated teen fantasy genre.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Rating: really liked it
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the publisher, Simon & Schuster – Simon Pulse, for an honest review.
A historical adventure fantasy about treasure hunters searching for a lost ring, that belonged to Vlad the Impaler
a.k.a.
Count Dracula
a.k.a.
Mass murderer of THOUSANDS
a.k.a.
Romania's crowned jewel and the worlds nightmare.
Oh, you KNOW it's going to be good.
Theodora Fox is used to her father abandoning her in five star hotels around the world, while he slinks off to uncover hidden treasures and unearth rich history. So when he disappears again, leaving her in yet another ritzy establishment in Istanbul, she is forced to stay behind with only her crossword puzzles and obsession for history to keep her company. That is until Huxley Gallagher turns up in her hotel room, handing over her father's journal and claiming that he is missing. What Theodora assumed was a typical expedition, turns swiftly into a hunt for her father and the truth behind his current hunt – to find the long lost ring of Vlad the Impaler for a wealthy client. Nobody said this adventure would be easy, especially when traveling with the boy who broke her heart and never spoke to her again. But what Theodora is about to uncover will change her and her family's life forever.
This book kicks ass!
The lady Rogue is dripping in adventure, mystery, intrigue, wit and a TON of history! The author has artistically woven historical events with fantastical elements to bring a legendary story fit for any thrill seeker. Perfect for fans of Tomb Raider, National Treasure, Count Dracula, the Occult, dragons, fantasy...and, really everything.
This book is PHENOMENAL.
Set in the late 1930's, this historical fantasy takes main characters Theodora and Huck to Romania in search of Theo's missing father who is chasing after a much sought-after ring. The only clues of his whereabouts come from Huck, her father's protege and a young man that her father took in at a young age. At an excavation in Hungary, Huck and Theo's father, Fox, uncover a metal box with strange symbols encasing it that warned of the dangers kept inside. What they hoped was the resting place of Vlad's long lost ring, turned out to be an empty box. Dismayed, they travel back to their hotel, where Fox suddenly disappears, leaving behind strict instructions for Huck to find Theo in Istanbul, where he is to give her Fox's travel journal, and escape to Hudson Valley.
And so begins the WILD adventure that Theo and Huck embark on in search of Fox and Vlad's infamous ring. While the two travel to Romania, Fox's last known whereabouts, they are chased by dangerous men hellbent on taking them out.
And I don't mean for dinner and a movie.
I'm talking murder, ladies and gents.
Because this book is PACKED with action! These characters are CONSTANTLY tiptoeing the lines of death and swing-dancing with fate. Both Theo and Huck are talented treasure hunters with extensive experience and passion for what they were raised around, and it shows. Theo is obsessed with history and any ancient topic that might involve a haunting or some form of magical element. She is proficient in multiple languages, has an uncanny ability to decipher codes, and above all else...this girl is witty as hell! Her sharp comments and sarcastic remarks had me nodding my approval during my entire read. She's a saucy little minx who curses, throws obscene gestures in the air and has an epic drunken outburst where she dubs herself Lady Rogue – a lady of independent and royal standing!
Huck is also quite sarcastic and playful, but has a different set of skills and hates anything to do with spirits and magic. He is a pilot, a great lock-picker, and oh yeah...Theo's ex. Once inseparable best friends as children and teens who began to have feelings for each other, now we meet them at a time when they haven't spoken in over a year – due to events that later become revealed. This is the obvious romance of the story, but DON'T WORRY. This isn't one of those books that has a killer premise and then becomes overshadowed by mushy teen love.
This book focuses SOLELY on the premise, and you will be so incredibly thankful for it. Because it is spectacular, exciting and downright addicting. The author did an outstanding job implementing actual historical events and facts into the story, which in turn lead me to researching different historical figures so I could learn more about them. There are countless elements that make up this gripping tale, and there is a little something in there for every type of reader. But I think what really struck me while reading, was Jenn Bennet's uncanny ability to create a flawless book. It is detailed, well-constructed, comical, suspenseful and a TON of fun!
The book ends with everything wrapped up nice and tight, no cliffhangers in sight. BUT I am curious if Jenn plans on writing a sequel, because how everything is left, she definitely set it up to be a possibility. If so, you know I am going to be at the front of that line demanding a copy!
And I'll just leave on this note:
Rating: really liked it
I might not like
the cover but I am LOVING the
title!!
Jenn Bennett + historical fiction + fantasty??
HELL YEAH
Rating: really liked it
I am so disappointed with this book. I wanted a fun historical adventure but instead so much of it was taken up by this poorly written bickering relationship between the 2 main characters, who'd been together before the book but had been separated from each other. I didn't feel the tension between them. More of the adventure developed later on, but it never was what it could have been. The historical stuff was also so poorly written that it might as well have been a contemporary novel rather than one that takes place in the 1930s. It just made the whole book feel so weird.
Rating: really liked it
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love Jenn Bennett: she has such a huge imagination, and I love her quirky writing style. (She tends to have a little gimmick for each story: in this one, her use of word clues in various crossword puzzles was such fun!) This is young adult - borderline new adult - novel delves into the Occult and is set in 1938. I tend not to do paranormal, but for a chance to read a new Jenn Bennett, fresh off the presses, I will definitely go there!
Theodora Fox and Huxley Gallagher (aka Theo and Huck) are star-crossed lovers, who meet again - quite unexpectedly - in Istanbul. Theo's father, Richard, Fox was an amateur "Gentleman Adventurer" and he and young Huxley would go off on wild, hair-raising adventures, always leaving Theodora safely behind in one hotel or another - much to her aggrieved chagrin. This time Theodora was left kicking her heels with her hired female companion in Istanbul while Fox went off chasing an "enchanted" ring that may have belonged to the Dracula family, and which may possess supernatural powers.
The sudden arrival of Huck at her hotel bodes ill: just the previous year, Huck had been sent back to Ireland when Theo and Huck were caught in flagrante delicto in her bedroom, doing what teenagers often will do! (No spoiler alerts here!) Richard Fox had taken Huxley in and raised him along with Theo when Huxley's Irish immigrant parents were killed in a streetcar accident. But when friendship blossomed into attraction between the young teens, Theo's father accused Huxley of betraying his trust and packed him off to Huxley's aunt in Ireland, separating the young lovers.
Huxley and Theo are still secretly pining for one another.. Theo is upset with Huck because he never responded to any of her letters (unsolved mystery there!) and Huxley was told by Richard that Theo has moved on and is dating other eligible young men. Well, the story heats up with non-stop action: the young lovers hardly have time to sort out their personal affairs, they are so busy running away from the deadly band of men who are also looking for the enchanted ring.
I loved the descriptions of all the countries Theo and Huck traveled through: Istanbul, Bulgaria, Romania, and finally, Transylvania! And yes, we do get to go inside an ancient haunted castle and experience magic at its deadliest!
I sensed a sequel in the making: there are a few unresolved matters, and Jenn Bennett does tend to serialize her paranormal adventure novels. I really enjoyed this fast-paced read: the story is action-packed and the rekindled romance between Theo and Huck was too sweet for words! I look forward to more stories involving Theo, Huxley and Richard! Highly recommended!
Rating: really liked it
3.5✨
Jenn Bennett is one of my favorite contemporary authors. I’ve read all of her books and I sure wasn’t going to miss this one.
Here are some of my thoughts:
- This was highly entertaining and adventurous. It was also quick and easy to read. I’ve always loved that about Jenn’s writing. Theo and Huck go in a trek across Romania in search of Vlad the Impaler’s cursed ring. and let me say that I need more books with Romanian setting and history! I’ve read books involving the history of the infamous Vlad the Impaler before but this is the first time that I felt truly engrossed and enraptured by the tale of Vlad.
-Jenn’s books always feel aesthetic to me and especially this one. I don’t know they seem to have an atmosphere of their own. am i making sense? probably not😂
- Theo and Huck were well formed characters if not a little annoying at times😅though i loved their banter (i laughed a few times) and their sweet relationship. They were both witty. Theo was a smart character and Huck was so sweet❤️
- Although this is labeled “fantasy” it’s not much of a fantasy because there was little mention of fantastical elements other than the ring. I wished that we would’ve seen more of the supposed witches and spellworks that were briefly mentioned. So my main issue was that I hoped the storyline was more developed and that the ending wasn’t rushed and a
little weak.
Nonetheless, I though this was a good story. Entertaining, witty, fast and historical. Jenn’s first try at fantasy is strong. I’m excited to see what she writes next.
Rating: really liked it
I have always wanted to read Jenn Bennett’s contemporaries because many of my fellow bloggers seem to love them but it just never happened. So, when I realized that she is writing a historical fantasy, I found it way more interesting and immediately requested for this advance copy. And that turned out to be a great decision because this was a very fun reading experience.
I’m a huge fan of adventure novels, especially where the protagonists are searching for historical relics or artifacts while being chased by unsavory villains. That’s one reason I religiously read every new Steve Berry release each year and I was so glad that the author gave me a similar experience with this book, albeit with a younger heroine and a good amount of focus on the romance. The story is very fast paced and we are thrown smack dab in the middle of it all right on the first page and I loved that. The author also does a wonderful job making us clearly picture every single scenery and location that the characters travel, making us feel like we ourselves are on a journey through the Romania of the 1930s. Amidst all the mayhem, we get some very interesting history (both real and fictional) about Vlad the Impaler and also general history about Wallachia and Transylvania and the Ottoman Empire, alongwith a good dose of supernatural folklore of the Romani people. All of this made for a very fascinating and riveting read. There are also secret societies and cursed rings which are some of my favorite tropes and I had so much fun getting to read about it all. Events also keep happening in very quick succession and we as a reader are kept our toes, worrying about what would happen next. I thought the overall writing was very good and it’s surprising that this is the author’s first fantasy novel.
We only get to read Theo’s POV in the book but she is a fun protagonist to follow. Born to two historian/adventurer parents, she has the same curious heart but is frustrated because her father is very protective. But she is strong, determined, resourceful, has a great knowledge of all things occult and mysterious, and will never stop once she makes up her mind. But she is also a privileged teenager and we get to see her petulant, sulky side. The author lets us see all the quirks of her personality which felt nice. Huck on the other hand didn’t feel very developed, because we only see him through her heartbroken eyes. He makes for a good companion, each of them trying to control the other’s impulsive decisions and trying to decide a more reasonable course for their adventure. They also meet some delightful characters on their journey, who mostly turn up just when they need them and provide them some relevant information, but I still loved all the tales they told.
This is almost like a second chance romance, so there is a lot of angst. Theo especially struggles a lot to come to terms with her feelings and what she sees as a betrayal, but she also can’t forget that she fell in love. There is a lot of banter too, the familiarity between the two of them really reflecting off the page, making for some very entertaining conversations. While their relationship is one of the main focus of the book, it’s almost a given right from the beginning that they love each other and we just wait till they are finally able to tell each other the same. That’s what I found a bit ironical about the story here - it focuses on the relationship but it’s not exactly a romance that develops on page - but it was still very enjoyable to read.
To conclude, this was a romp of a novel which I felt thoroughly entertained while reading, and felt that I was on an adventure myself traveling through Romania. If you enjoy reading books by Dan Brown or Steve Berry and wouldn’t mind a similar themed book but with younger characters, you should definitely check this out. Just keep in mind that you will also be getting a romance alongside the adventure.
Rating: really liked it
You can also read my review here: https://devouringbooks2017.wordpress....
Review: 3 Stars I was pretty excited for this book, but it wasn’t as incredible as I had anticipated it to be. I picked this up because I really loved one of Jenn Bennett’s previous novels, Starry Eyes (read my review here), even though I’m not a big fan of contemporary romance novels. When I heard that she was writing a fantasy novel I was absolutely thrilled. But I feel like this book was more of a historical romance with some fantasy elements. I found it to be pretty similar to Starry Eyes actually, but I didn’t enjoy it as much. In both books a girl and her ex lover/boyfriend go on an adventure where absolutely everything goes wrong and they wind up reconnecting. While it was full of banter and an enjoyable read, I had just expected it to have more fantasy elements to it.
The plot felt kind of slow paced and drawn out for me. There were a lot of filler chapters that focused more on the romance than the adventure. I also didn’t even realize that this wasn’t set in modern day until about a quarter way through the book. It just felt like a modern read to me, the only thing that felt historical was the research about the original Dracula. At about 45% in the fantasy elements finally showed up and I found myself getting more invested in the story. Even though the book was under 400 pages it just felt really long and drawn out to me. I think the slow paced romance just wasn’t for me.
I found Theodora and Huck to be fun characters to read about. There was lots of banter between them and they felt like real people. Jenn Bennett has a talent bringing her characters to life by sharing their interests and hobbies with the reader. I also really enjoyed how Huck always messed up proverbs, it added a humorous element to the book during heavier scenes. All of these little things that Jenn Bennett includes in her books makes her characters stronger and feel like real people. While I didn’t really love the romance between Theo and Huck I loved both of them individually.
Overall I am a little disappointed because after I loved Starry Eyes so much I thought that I would love Jenn Bennett writing fantasy even more. If you are looking for a fantasy adventure novel I might look elsewhere, but if you enjoy romance or are a big fan of Jenn Bennett I would totally give this one a shot.
Rating: really liked it
“When life gives you ghosts, make ghost lemonade?”
And this quote is a perfect description of this book.
It turned upside down my expectations of a dark gothic historical and turned it into a funny and light adventure, which is not a bad thing and actually made me giggle a lot during the book.
The Lady Rogue follows the story of a young
Theodora Decker - Theo - the daughter of a famous treasure-hunter. Her father goes missing, and finding herself alone and destitute in a foreign country, Theo will have to follow her father's journal and unwind the secret of a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to infamous
Vlad the Impaler. But she is not alone in that quest: her first love and childhood friend
Huck Gallagher will assist Theo in this journey as well as a very powerful and dangerous secret society will hunt star-crossed lovers to get their hands on the ring first.
Well, as I said before the annotation leads the reader a little bit away from the light and fluffy mood, but once you open the book you'll see that the mood is exactly fluffy and light. Probably if you read other
Jenn Bennett's books before you'll get a hint as to what expect from the story. As for me, I would compare this book to These Vicious Masks or my childhood favourite adventure movie Romancing the stone.
I had a lot of fun and giggled like a little girl during Theo's and Huck's adventures, and
this is one of those cases when cheesy rant between the characters was full of chemistry and made me ship these two a lot. And as the story is from Theo's POV we don't get inside Huck's head, which didn't prevent him from showing his personality in full - literally and figuratively:
“Listen,” I said forcefully. “If you don’t start explaining everything that’s going on here in the next five seconds, I will hurt the softest parts of you.”
“Ah, see there. You have missed me,” he said, one corner of his mouth twisting up. I pointed the journal at his towel.
“Something’s going to be missing, all right.”
“You know what they say. Violence makes the heart grow fonder.”
or
“When you come back, we’ll make a plan,” he told me, eyes shining in the firelight. “It’s not the end of the world. I was wrong. Happens on occasion.”
“What’s the proverb for that? Never point out the mistakes of others with a dirty finger?”
“Just for the record, you can put your dirty fingers on me any ol’ day, banshee.”
And trust me when I say I can quote every dialogue of Theo and Huck's and it will be as funny as these quotes.
Overall, surprisingly nice, relaxing read full of adventures and romantic angst that will make you smile and giggle and root for the characters until the end. I wish I were in the mood (damn reading slump!) to enjoy it properly.
Rating: really liked it
I really enjoyed Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennet. Is it because I don’t normally read this genre and don’t have much to compare it to? Or because it was just that good? Or because I’m a sucker for the supernatural?
I had no idea what to expect but in the end I feel like I’ve just watched an extremely entertaining mystery blanketed in dark magic, witches, folklore and more. The writing was so rich and realistic I was completely consumed and under a spell while reading this scary tale.
Theo was the hero. There’s no doubt about it. Huck was definitely the side-kick, who was useful at times but really there for his Irish lilt, humour and accompaniment for Theo. Their dynamic was needed to keep the transitions flowing and to have something to look forward to when the shit stopped hitting the fan. In the end, they’re back to being what they initially lost in one another and that was comforting. But I will be honest, I never felt like these two had scorching chemistry at all. Which was a bit lacking in my opinion. Anything would have been nice. Their few chaste kisses didn’t do much for me, unfortunately.
Theo’s dad: Fox. Total fool. He’s underestimated his daughter for years and his inability to bring her into his confidence caused this catastrophe in the first place. Stupid, naive man without a woman’s helpful touch. Losing his wife threw him off course, literally. Also, did anyone get a vibe for the relation between Jean and the Fox??!!
The chase. The scare. The race to solve the horror of those magically destructive rings was effective in keeping me turning the page. I loved the characters we met along the way, the help that was given by strangers, and the notion that there was going to be a light at the end of the very dark tunnel, had me yearning for more.
Such a great read. Perfect for this time of year and entirely on the Spooky brand.
Give me more, Jenn 👊🏼
