I’ve read a couple of short stories by Courtney Milan, and I’ve read her comments online, but this is the first full length book I’ve read by her. I’m not quite sure what I think.
The Duchess War by Courtney Milan
(2012, Victorian) 1/20/12
Grade: 3.5
Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, wants nothing more than to be different from his father. He has been secretly writing incendiary handbills to organize workers that his father exploited. But the handbills are attributed to Minnie Pursling, who is trying to escape her own secret past by vanishing into the background. Robert is deeply attracted to Minnie, and must find a way to protect her while also protecting his family.
I had mixed feelings about this book. For the first third of the book, it seemed like the author was deliberately trying to make her characters hard to understand – as if she was taunting the reader with characters that were obscure and confusing and difficult to read. This gradually improved during the book, but still, the characters often did things that didn’t make much sense (and weren’t explained very well). Still, the story was intriguing, and the character of Minnie in particular was very interesting and sympathetic. There were some truly excellent scenes along the way, which helped. By the end of the book I was caught up in the romance and the relationship, but I still felt like I was trying to read a story that didn’t quite come into focus.
I’m not sure what to think about Courtney Milan’s writing – there’s definitely potential there but I’m not sure whether she’s an author for me. Call me shallow, but I like a story that’s easier to understand. But I will try her again.
Karen Wheless
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