traeumenvonbuechern's reviews
260 reviews

The Duke Heist by Erica Ridley

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

So Julia Quinn can't include marginalized characters in her books because of "historical accuracy", but she can include a corgi, a dog breed that wasn't officially recognized until a century later...

I think this quote from a (now deleted) Tiktok video sums it up pretty well:

"In fiction, there's no way you can be 100% historically accurate. You pick and choose what you want to be accurate about, and what you choose is a reflection of your values."

That being said, I enjoyed this book much more than the first one, and if it weren't for the author's horrible comments about the lack of diversity in her books (see my review of The Duke and I and the links below), I might have even given it four stars.

I think I will continue to read the other books in the series, but I will listen to them through my library and spend my money on more diverse historical romances instead.

Here are two Twitter threads you should check out if you want to learn more about why there are no marginalized characters in JQ's books:

https://twitter.com/StorySorcery/status/1508938254334283787?t=bGBU7gyUw6mwCfGZAWAfjg&s=19

https://twitter.com/StorySorcery/status/1508970472746229762?t=toJlcWOB1SjJXkvhZgTnhQ&s=19

Content Warnings

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore

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emotional inspiring

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

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dark emotional funny sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

The Deep by Rivers Solomon

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko

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adventurous emotional hopeful

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75