At Somerton, Book TwoBy Leila Rasheed
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At Somerton is a series clearly designed to capture the Downton Abbey crowd. And it does a good job of it -- Leila Rasheed both has a wonderful writing style and combines the soap opera-type plot with issues relevant to the time and today like women's suffrage, Indian independence, interracial relationships, and gay relationships. While DIAMONDS & DECEIT was as fun as CINDERS & SAPPHIRES, it had a tendency to focus on the least interesting on-going plots.
Most of the attention is on Rose and Ada. Rose has her true parentage revealed, leading to a difficult Cinderella story. Ada is still in love with Ravi, who she's had approximately three five-minute meetings in private with, but intends to marry Lord Fintan. Meanwhile, less attention is given to Sebastian trying to prevent Oliver from hanging for murder, Priya trying to avoid the attentions of her employer and falling in love with Michael, and there's much less focus on the servants than there was in the first book. That perspective still exists, but it could use more focus.
I do, however, love the changing points of view. Even the least likeable characters, such as Stella Ward, get some sympathetic development. I do think that Sebastian felt a little off. Obviously, something huge happened at the end of the last novel, but he goes from one extreme to the other in his personal life. He doesn't just change, he changes. The other characters felt more steady between the two novels.
I must admit, the ending had me thinking Rasheed was going to wrap everything up in just two books! (Which might not be a terrible thing, because ugh neverending series and the Downton Abbey craze is fading.) But there are plenty of hooks from the next book, in addition to a baffling one-year later epilogue that only says anything about the most settled character. However, the epilogue also brings the story to WWI!
I enjoy this series. DIAMONDS & DECEIT and its predecessor are extremely fun to read, plus they explore a period of history that's under-served by both young adult and romance novels. I felt like the plot of DIAMONDS & DECEIT lacked a little, especially since so many interesting stories were right there, but it still went by so nicely that I'm sure to read the third At Somerton book.
I'm still to read the first but as long as the bigger threads are returned to in book three I think I'd go for it. Middle books are so often hit or miss :/
ReplyDeleteWell, these are the main threads. But I'm definitely curious about how the story will interact with WWI!
DeleteI loved the first in the series and I am a huge DA fan. :) Can't wait to read this one - thanks for the reminder of the earlier plot threads!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI'm a bit off Downton Abbey right now due to certain plot developments, but that doesn't mean I'm over the world. I have the first book in this series, and started it but had to set it aside for other obligations. Your review is reminding me that this series is totally in my reading sweet spot and I need to pull it out of the depths of my TBR and catch up! This totally made me giggle --> "Ada is still in love with Ravi, who she's had approximately three five-minute meetings in private with" I guess forbidden courtship and love are on an accelerated timeline when you're a Lady from upstairs. Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed accelerated! And I believe the love when they're together, but there's so little!
DeleteI was so disappointed there wasn't more of Ada's romance or Sebastian-the snippets we got of his story were so interesting and yet we kept being forced with Season drama (which can be good but was less of interest to me comparatively.) I hope there will be a third book showing how WWI shakes everyone up!
ReplyDeleteI know, how can you have a murder trial and show that little?
DeleteI hope you enjoy the next book! I've never seen Downton Abbey, but I can see why that world would make interesting stories.
ReplyDeletePeople should definitely write more WWI historicals.
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