My Review:
"Rules for Ruin" by Mimi Matthews is the thrilling first
installment in “The Crinoline Academy” series. Ms. Matthews pens a Victorian
Gothic romance that will leave readers wanting more! It is touted as “Great
Expectations” meets “Peaky Blinders” meets “Kaz Brekker.” It has the darkness of Alex Archer from “Parish
Orphans of Devon” and “Gentleman Jim.” I
loved the nods to “Great Expectations,” especially with the headmistress of the
school being like Miss Havisham, as she wants to mold her pupils to be agents
of change in society. Miss Corvus, the proprietress, takes orphans and raises
them to combat patriarchy and forward the rights of women, giving a feminist
slant to the story. I love that there’s a girl’s boarding school/orphanage
where the girls learn normal subjects, but also things like picking locks, espionage,
and how to defend themselves.
Ms. Matthews’ writing is delicious! The banter and chemistry
between the characters sizzles off the page and that first kiss was perfection.
The atmosphere drew me in and had me glued to the page. Euphemia Flite, our heroine
who is also a bluestocking, is trying to earn her freedom by striking a deal
with Miss Corvus. She needs to use her training to bring down a certain
viscount. What she does not barter for is to meet Gabriel Royce and possibly
lose her heart in the process. I love the cat and mouse trope that goes on
between these two. There is a daring hot air balloon chase and several dashing
rescues that the characters find themselves involved in. Amid the romance and
danger, there are also themes of family loyalty and sisterhood. I am so excited
to see what the next installment of this amazing series brings!
Content: I give this a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content:
the words “da*n,” “bloody,” “devil,” “hell” and “a*se” are used; mention of
prostitutes, a mistress, whores, gambling, alcohol, drugs and morphine; mention
of bastards and illicit love affairs; the Lord’s name is taken in vain;
violence and blood.
TW: orphans, abandonment, and past child abuse.
Spice level: closed door; brief vague reference in epilogue of
what it is like when they are “intimate together,” brief fade to black scene.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I
received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Great review as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! It was a wonderful book <3
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