by Jenn Bennett
September 3, 2019
384 pages
Goodreads Summary:
The Last Magician meets A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue in this thrilling tale filled with magic and set in the mysterious Carpathian Mountains where a girl must hunt down Vlad the Impaler’s cursed ring in order to save her father.
Some legends never die…
Traveling with her treasure-hunting father has always been a dream for Theodora. She’s read every book in his library, has an impressive knowledge of the world’s most sought-after relics, and has all the ambition in the world. What she doesn’t have is her father’s permission. That honor goes to her father’s nineteen-year-old protégé—and once-upon-a-time love of Theodora’s life—Huck Gallagher, while Theodora is left to sit alone in her hotel in Istanbul.
Until Huck arrives from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him. Armed with her father’s travel journal, the reluctant duo learns that her father had been digging up information on a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to Vlad the Impaler—more widely known as Dracula—and that it just might be the key to finding him.
Journeying into Romania, Theodora and Huck embark on a captivating adventure through Gothic villages and dark castles in the misty Carpathian Mountains to recover the notorious ring. But they aren’t the only ones who are searching for it. A secretive and dangerous occult society with a powerful link to Vlad the Impaler himself is hunting for it, too. And they will go to any lengths—including murder—to possess it.
The Last Magician meets A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue in this thrilling tale filled with magic and set in the mysterious Carpathian Mountains where a girl must hunt down Vlad the Impaler’s cursed ring in order to save her father.
Some legends never die…
Traveling with her treasure-hunting father has always been a dream for Theodora. She’s read every book in his library, has an impressive knowledge of the world’s most sought-after relics, and has all the ambition in the world. What she doesn’t have is her father’s permission. That honor goes to her father’s nineteen-year-old protégé—and once-upon-a-time love of Theodora’s life—Huck Gallagher, while Theodora is left to sit alone in her hotel in Istanbul.
Until Huck arrives from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him. Armed with her father’s travel journal, the reluctant duo learns that her father had been digging up information on a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to Vlad the Impaler—more widely known as Dracula—and that it just might be the key to finding him.
Journeying into Romania, Theodora and Huck embark on a captivating adventure through Gothic villages and dark castles in the misty Carpathian Mountains to recover the notorious ring. But they aren’t the only ones who are searching for it. A secretive and dangerous occult society with a powerful link to Vlad the Impaler himself is hunting for it, too. And they will go to any lengths—including murder—to possess it.
Review
I've always been a fan of Jenn Bennett's contemporary YA romances so when I learned she was coming out with a historical fiction, a favourite genre of mine, there was no way I'd pass on it. The Lady Rogue was a most entertaining and informative read.
The Lady Rogue was jam-packed with history and adventure. I hadn't known I'd be interested in Vlad the Impaler but I was hooked. Every piece of truth uncovered had me more intrigued than before. While I thought the pacing could've been faster, it was thrilling to solve the mystery alongside Theodora and Huck. Oh and there's a map in the book~
I also really enjoyed meeting some of the more eccentric side characters. Their oddness combined with the supernatural aspect of the story made The Lady Rogue very fun to read. I just never knew what I'd get next. Some twists, like Theo's lineage, surprised me while others were fairly easy to deduce.
Theodora is a girl after my own heart. Societal expectations be damned! She was wild but also self-contained, a total free spirit that could hold her own. I loved her liveliness and girliness. I'd totally be game if this were to turn into a series ;)
The romance in The Lady Rogue was sprinkled throughout the story. From the tension leaping off of Theo and Huck in their more intimate scenes, it was obvious they have a complicated and probably not the most pleasant past. I liked watching them work things out. Since they were together for most of the story they had time to figure out their relationship without being rushed. It was a slow-burn that worked out realistically and deliciously.
The Lady Rogue was a hit for me with Jenn Bennett proving she can write anything. Contemporary, historical or maybe even sci-fi, if it's written by Jenn Bennett, give it here!
*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the ARC I received.
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