THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELS BY INDIA HOLTON // spoiler-free book review: the most delightful historical fantasy romance genre-bending chaos book you need in your life right this second <3<3

Look at me staying semi-up-to-date with reviews AND reading books from my physical TBR. I’m a changed woman? Yeah no, that’s wishful thinking but I am proud of myself just a smidge.

Enough chit-chat, into the review we go my fine friends!!!

 

Title: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
Series: Dangerous Damsels book #1
Author: India Holton
Page count: 324
Date published: 15 June 2021
Genre: Adult historical fantasy romance

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Synopsis:

A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.

Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She’s also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means. Sure, she has a dark and traumatic past and an overbearing aunt, but all things considered, it’s a pleasant existence. Until the men show up.

Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately, that happens to be while he’s under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, who possesses a gothic abbey bristling with cannons and an unbridled hate for the world, intends to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman.

When Morvath imperils the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to team up with her handsome would-be assassin to save the women who raised her–hopefully proving, once and for all, that she’s as much of a scoundrel as the rest of them.

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Big thanks to Penguin Random House SA for the physical review copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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STAR RATING: (4.5 out of 5 stars)

Scoundrels like me take far too long to read good books like this one and I shall now bury myself in a hole. After I yell about this magnificent book. Then I shall cheerio all the way into the next book *sighs*

When I tell you that this book is Stardust meets My Lady Jane meets Bridgerton meets Ella Enchanted, I truly do not exaggerate. And yes I do know those are all adaptations of books but my point still stands. This book is pure historical fantasy romance chaos AND I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!!

India Holton the woman that you are,,, what do you mean I’m jealous? No, I’m not *exits dramatically*

Okay, I’ll stop now and get serious. THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING OKAY THAT IS ALL. Jk. But I am obsessed and please explain why it took me so long to get into it? Not me thinking the writing was too clever for me, avoiding the book and then finding out I just needed to keep reading. Yes, maybe that does make me a dumbass? Anyway, when I finally got into this book BOY WAS I IN!

Speaking of the writing, milk did come out of my nose as expected. India Holton’s writing style was rich with humour and wit balanced with crazy descriptions of flying houses and gun fights and it was amazing. Bizarre comedy is so very much my thing and no I am not jealous of India Holton, stop accusing me of such things sir! *insert stern expression*

I would talk about the plot but did I understand anything that was happening? Hell nah. But I’m here for the flying house ships and the pirates and the whack villains. Everything else… head empty, vibes only. The only thing I did catch were the literary references for obvious reasons and I think I deserve a pat on the back for that if I do say so myself.

And now for a brief intermission. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Ms Cecilia Bassingthaiwte, ruler of all tea-drinking butt-kicking ladies and also queen of my heart. Step on me, please. Just please don’t shoot me with that weapon of yours ma’am.

Lol thanks, I tried to be as funny as the author as you can tell but I don’t think I succeeded.

Cecilia was the best actually and she is my new role model. I want to BE her. She is an icon, she is a legend, she IS the moment. Whilst the book mostly showcases the world and its crazy lore, it’s also about dealing with grief and leaving the comfort of your family’s house which phew I related to. Oops, my sweaty palm slipped for a moment. Sorry, there’s just a lot of dust right now and my eyes are watering. Geez idk why Cecilia struggled so hard with those? Like c’mon. Who cares about leaving your aunt’s home forever? Or wanting to belong in the adult world? Or like mourning a family member? Beats me folks.

And I absolutely loved watching her fall face-first in love with the blonde rake we know as Ned. Didn’t know I had a thing for boys named Ned until now but you learn something every day. Mans had what the kids call rizz AND I ATE IT UP. Their chemistry was absolutely impeccable and I loved watching these two kick butts left, right and centre in this book *insert heart eyes*

Alright dearest gentle readers, I shall now be retiring to my cave of lonesomeness without a husband but a cup of tea in hand. Please do not disturb me, gentle reader, even if you hear screaming and crying. I bid thee good night.

“We are exactly that, Signor. Corsairs, robbers, pirates. I, however, am also a bibliophile, and you are impeding my visit to the library. So either assassinate me now and get it over with, or kindly step aside.”

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“We have only three laws in our Society, Cecilia. No killing civilians. Pour the tea before the milk. And no stealing each other’s houses.”

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“Nothing is easier than to admit the truth of the universal struggle to find a good parking space.”

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“Don’t ever trust a man who flies a ridiculously large building. He’s obviously compensating.”

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“But that’s enough history for today. Come and learn how to kill someone with a teaspoon.”

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“Even reading Wuthering Heights had proven a trial—she’d kept wanting to edit it.”

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“I’m afraid I’ve done nothing at all to advance the plot.”
“You chose to come away with me,” Ned reminded her.
“So this is merely romance,” she frowned disapprovingly. “I was hoping for an epic adventure, or a gothic mystery at the very least.”
Ned laughed. “Darling, don’t worry, the story has just begun.”

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“You’re fully ruined now,” he murmureed, smiling wryly.
“No,” she breathed. “I was rurined the moment I laid eyes on you. Uttterly ruined for everything else, evermore.”
“Told you so.”
“Fiend.” She frowned with mock severity.
“Rake?” he suggested.
“Oh yes, please.”

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“He had kissed her twice now. Outrageous! Indefensible! Would he kiss her in the sunlight next time? My goodness, she hoped not! Would he hold her close, his hand stroking her back as if she was something to be handled with care, cherished? Heaven forbid!”

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HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT DID YOU THINK? WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART? HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THE AUTHOR’S BOOKS? LET ME KNOW!