Sunday, January 27, 2013

Book Review: The Knights of Derbyshire by Marsha Altman



The Knights of Derbyshire
by Marsha Altman

Genre: Historical Fiction /  Austenesque / Pride and Prejudice Sequel

Ages: 14 and up

This is the fifth novel in the Darcys and the Bingleys series, following The Darcys and the BingleysThe Plight of the Darcy Brothers, Mr. Darcy's Great Escape and The Ballad of Gregoire Darcy. You can also read my review of the short story collection she edited, The Road to Pemberley.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. At least, I assume it was from her because it just showed up on my doorstep signed and made my day much more delightful.

Description:

Twenty years have passed since Mr. Darcy married Elizabeth Bennet, and their family has grown. All of the Bennet sisters are married, and their children are on the threshold of adulthood and ready for entrance to proper society. War in Europe is over, and it seems that England, and our beloved families, are at peace.

But trouble lurks on the horizon. A popular revolt is brewing in Derbyshire, lead by a deluded radical. The very safety of Pemberley and Chatton House are threatened when a family member goes missing, and Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, with the help of relatives and friends, must attempt a dangerous rescue while the wolves close in around them.

In Altman's fifth installment of "The Darcys and The Bingleys," she continues Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice not just through romance and foibles but political intrigue, action, and the occasional brutality required of life in Georgian England.

My Thoughts:

Honestly, how much time can a girl spend gushing over one series? Apparently never enough, because I have nothing but good things to say about the fifth installment in the Darcys and the Bingleys series by Marsha Altman.

This one starts off a little slower than some, with hints and foreshadowing before bursting into action. And what action! Dastardly deeds, heroic rescues and a mysterious wolf roaming Derbyshire are just a few of the things that threaten to give Mr. Darcy more gray hairs.

This story is focused for the most part on the young George Wickham, Geoffrey Darcy and Georgiana Bingley. They're practically adults now, and each have grown into distinctly different and fascinating individuals. George is as serious as his parents were wild, Geoffrey is almost scarily like his father, except perhaps a little more wisdom when it comes to understanding people. Then again, he still has that Darcy problem when it comes to talking to girls...but he also write a great letter. Georgiana Bingley is...Georgie. There really isn't much else you can say about her, save that she is truly magnificent. I will leave it to you to discover how.

I fall in love every time I open one of these books, whether it is for the first time, or, with the early books in the series, for the tenth time. I can't recommend the Darcys and the Bingleys series highly enough.

Rating System: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence 
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
I rate it a 5.10 for some mid-level insults and a couple uses of an alternative spelling of the f-word.

Sexuality:
I give it a 2.10 for some mild hints.

Violence:
I rate it a 6.10 for fighting and death, as well as multiple bloody injuries.

                             Lieder Madchen

3 comments:

  1. So glad you're enjoying this series! I fell a bit behind in it but I really need to catch up.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I couldnt agree more, I love this series!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for introducing me to this series - it sounds great!

    ReplyDelete