Mini Reviews: Ruined by Amy Tintera, The Chapel Wars by Lindsey Leavitt, and Maid of Wonder by Jennifer McGowan

Title: Ruined
Author: Amy Tintera
Series: Ruined #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 3, 2016

Review

I had a lot of fun reading this book! I love plots that involve infiltrating enemy territory and Em was a total badass despite her perceived weakness among her people for having no power. I love how Tintera proved that there are more ways to be useful and powerful besides what is expected. I was also a total sucker for the romance. It might not have been THAT moving and sure, it was a trope that I had seen before but it just worked for me. I liked Em, I liked Cas, and I liked Em and Cas together. I also loved the ending to this book. Like LOVED. The last third was non-stop action and holy hell, Em’s sister is a force to be reckoned with. I can’t wait to see what mayhem she causes in the next book.

Title: The Chapel Wars
Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: May 6, 2014

Review

The Chapel Wars wasn’t quite the book I hoped it would be but since I had been meaning to read this book for over 2 years now my expectations probably got the best of me. I expected MORE from it – more laughs, more playfulness, more war, more romance – so what I got fell a teeny bit flat. Sure, it had it’s cute moments and I think it was interesting. I also think Leavitt handled some important topics well – like divorce and first love and all the fun growing up that comes with those teen years. But it didn’t leave that strong of an impression on me. And while I appreciated the honesty of the ending, it kind of let me down at the same time. Points for uniqueness though! The Vegas Wedding Chapel premise was a great idea!

Title: Maid of Wonder
Author: Jennifer McGowan
Series: Maids of Honor #3
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: August 25, 2015

Review

Unfortunately for Maid of Wonder, it is the 3rd book in a series and the previous two books are, what I consider, some of the best YA Historical Fiction has to offer. So while Maid of Wonder had its merits, it paled in comparison, impression-wise. I enjoyed learning more about Sophia and her Seer abilities. And I enjoyed being back in this world and diving even deeper into the bigger picture. But unlike the previous two books, the mystery wasn’t quite as captivating, the romance wasn’t quite as shippable, and the overall emotional response I had to the writing wasn’t quite as strong. Also, Sophia herself just wasn’t as dynamic of a character as Meg or Beatrice. So this is why I didn't love it, only liked it. But I do still hope that S&S publishes the final book about Jane or I am going to be PISSED.

Maid of Deception by Jennifer McGowan

Title: Maid of Deception
Author: Jennifer McGowan
Series: Maids of Honor #2
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
Beatrice Knowles is a Maid of Honor, one of Queen Elizabeth I’s secret protectors. Known for her uncanny ability to manipulate men’s hearts, Beatrice has proven herself to be a valuable asset in the Queen’s court—or so she thinks. It has been three weeks since the Maids thwarted a plot to overthrow the Queen, and Beatrice is preparing to wed her betrothed, Lord Cavanaugh. However, her plans come to a crashing halt as rumors of a brewing Scottish rebellion spread among the court.

Beatrice’s new assignment is to infiltrate the visiting Scottish delegation using her subtle arts in persuasion. The mission seems simple enough, until the Queen pairs Beatrice with the worst of the lot—Alasdair MacLeod. Beatrice cannot help but think that the Queen is purposefully setting her up for failure. But Alasdair could be the key to unlocking the truth about the rebellion….and her own heart. Caught in a web of ever-more-twisting lies, Beatrice must rise up among the Maids of Honor and prove what she’s known all along: In a court filled with deception and danger, love may be the deadliest weapon of all.

Review

I recently highlighted this series on a list of underrated books because it  really does deserve more love. Both Maid of Secrets and Maid of Deception have everything one could ask for in a Historical Fiction novel. There is never a dull moment in Queen Elizabeth I's court. From entertaining guests to  preventing a war and everything in between, there is always something going on to keep the Maids of Honor busy plotting and scheming to protect the court. And amid the espionage and betrayals, there is beautiful friendship and romance. These books are interesting, swoony, suspenseful, and surprising. Very well-written.

As much as I liked Meg as I got to know her in Maid of Secrets, I was excited to get Beatrice's POV this time around. She wasn't perceived as the warmest of characters in the first book and I wanted to know her story. Beatrice had a complicated life and I definitely understand her better now. And I loved seeing things through her eyes. Meg was new to court, and perhaps viewed things a little naively, especially the Queen. But Beatrice had a lot more history with the Queen and the court, so her perspective and position were much different. It was an interesting contrast.

My heart went out to Beatrice in this book. Try as this girl might she just couldn't catch a break. The Queen and the court were set on tearing her down and it was all she could do just to survive, burdened by this life of lies she created for herself. She was lonely and fearful most of the time but she never showed it. She was so incredibly strong and brave and perfectly clever. I never anticipated that I would grow to admire her so much, but admire her I did.

I never could have guessed that, in the end, my greatest enemy would be...
Myself. - pg 379

I love how Meg's story became Beatrice's story and will next become Sophia's story (and so on) but the court setting and overarching plot remains the same. These girls are all wonderfully diverse and each have a story to tell that I can't wait to have. And with each story we get a more in depth look at Queen Elizabeth's court and the political landscape in Europe. As for the men, I loved Raffe and now Alasdair and I can't wait to meet the man that wins Sophia's heart. I know I can count on him being swoon-worthy.

If you are a fan of Historical Fiction, you must read these books. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite Historical Fiction series, right up there among the likes of His Fair Assassin by Robin LaFevers. So yeah, pretty damn good.

Maid of Secrets (Maids of Honor #1) by Jennifer McGowan

Title: Maid of Secrets

Series: Maids of Honor #1
Author: Jennifer McGowan

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Pages: 416, Hardcover
Source: ARC obtained from trading

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Meg Fellowes is a wry, resourceful thief forced to join an elite group of female spies in Queen Elizabeth’s Court. There she must solve a murder, save the Crown, and resist the one thing that will become her greatest freedom–and her deadliest peril.

For Meg and her fellow spies are not alone in their pursuit of the murderer who stalks Windsor Castle.

A young, mysterious Spanish courtier, Count Rafe de Martine, appears at every turn in the dark and scandal-filled corridors of the Queen’s summer palace. And though secrets and danger are Meg’s stock-in-trade, she’s never bargained on falling in love…

Review

I really enjoyed Maid of Secrets. But rather than me tell you, in so many words, that the plot was engaging and the characters were likably unalike, I thought I’d take a different approach. Using my powers of table-making, I laid out what Maid of Secrets IS (nifty adjectives that I’d use to describe this book), and what Maid of Secrets HAS (plot elements that might appeal to you). The result….

 

Now if a line item appeals to you, indicate as such with a (mental) check mark. There is a total possible score of 20 (i.e. you like everything in the table). And here is how you may interpret your score.

I myself am on a big spy kick and I always love books that take place in the past, especially those with an opulent setting. Really this book was perfect for me and I’d easily recommend this to others.  

Final note: I can draw a parallel between Grave Mercy and Maid of Secrets, and I’d suggest if you liked one that you read the other.