The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig is two stories in one. The books goes back and forth between modern times and the time when Napoleon ruled France. Eloise Kelly is doing her Master dissertation on English spies during the French was between 1789-1815. she focuses her research on the Pink Carnation a elusive spy who has never been caught. Eloise's goal is to find the identity of the Pink Carnation. She sends off many letters and gets a response back from a Mrs. Selwick-Alderly. Eloise goes to her house and starts reading letters and diaries written by Lord Richard Selwick and Amy Balcourt. As Eloise begins to read we go back into the lives of Lord Richard and Amy. We follow their lives in the hopes of discovering the identity of the Pink Carnation. But every so often, we jump back into Eloise's reality. Especially when she meets Mrs. Selwick-Alderly's nephew, Colin Selwick. He wrote a colorful refusal letter to Eloise. Sparks begin to fly between Eloise and Colin. Does Eloise find out the Identity of the Pink Carnation? What happens between Eloise and Colin?I found this book to be predictable and annoying. I found the Amy character to be irritating. She wants to help the Purple Gentian but she is unable to see what is in front of her.
The character I want to know more about is Jane. I will have to read the next book The Masque of the Black Tulip in the hopes of learning more about Jane and developing relationship between Eloise and Colin. I enjoyed the interactions between those two and want to read more about them.
The predictable part was that I was able to figure out who the Pink Carnation was before Eloise.
I did finish the book and there were times when I liked it and times when I did not. The Pink Carnation is part of a series of books by Lauren Willig. I will read the next book; in the hopes that she will make her main character's less irritating and the book less predictable. After I read The Masque of the Black Tulip I will decide if I will read the rest of the series.
As an afterthought, I do love the covers. It was the cover that caught my eye and influenced me to read the book.
Happy Reading
4 comments:
I just saw your comment on my blog on the book - The Host - I'd say stick with the Twilight series for an 11 year old. It was very clean, but yes, aimed more toward adults.
I have read all four "Pink" books and though Jane is in them, she has yet to have one just about her. I am waiting. The cover caught my eye too!
I have this book and the next one. I'm sad that this one is predictable, but since you're willing to read the next one anyway, I'll keep this one on my TBR. Thanks for the review!
I want to give the series a chance. I love the idea of women spies. I also want to see how the relatiolnship between Eloise and Colin develops.
Lissa
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