The Blades of the Rose are sworn to protect the sources of magic in the world. But the work is dangerous—and they can't always protect thei... read full description
reviews
Oct 05, 2010
Shawna
rated it: 
5+ stars – Paranormal Romance
This is another kick-ass read in the awesome, wildly entertaining The Blades of the Rose series that’s an intriguing, unique blend of Victorian-era historical and paranormal. Scoundrel is an exciting combination of action, adventure, magic, mystery, treasure hunting, seafaring, dangerous intrigue, humor, and steamy romance with an exotic Greek setting and fabulous characters.
It reads like a thrilling action-adventure movie that grabbed my at More...
This is another kick-ass read in the awesome, wildly entertaining The Blades of the Rose series that’s an intriguing, unique blend of Victorian-era historical and paranormal. Scoundrel is an exciting combination of action, adventure, magic, mystery, treasure hunting, seafaring, dangerous intrigue, humor, and steamy romance with an exotic Greek setting and fabulous characters.
It reads like a thrilling action-adventure movie that grabbed my at More...
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Jan 29, 2011
May
rated it:
Great characters, a vivid setting (sailing waters around Greece), thrilling adventure, and sizzling romance... another home run by Zoe Archer.
This series is about the Blades of the Rose, a secret group who's mission is to protect the ancient sources of magic. I really appreciate that such care is given to the details, and the magical elements aren't over the top. It's a top notch series so far!
(year: 1875) The daughter of an evil leader (but she doesn't know it), London More...
This series is about the Blades of the Rose, a secret group who's mission is to protect the ancient sources of magic. I really appreciate that such care is given to the details, and the magical elements aren't over the top. It's a top notch series so far!
(year: 1875) The daughter of an evil leader (but she doesn't know it), London More...
6 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Feb 06, 2012
Okay, I turned the page and saw two pages that contained a total of four paragraphs (two paragraphs on each page). Seriously? I can only take so much description, author.
This book gets the inaugural spot on my brand spankin' new "not-now-maybe-never" shelf. So...as I enter "don't finish a book you don't think you'll like" rehab, I am *deep breath* setting this one aside. *sobs* It's so hard to break my typical MO of always always finishing a book, but as so many p More...
This book gets the inaugural spot on my brand spankin' new "not-now-maybe-never" shelf. So...as I enter "don't finish a book you don't think you'll like" rehab, I am *deep breath* setting this one aside. *sobs* It's so hard to break my typical MO of always always finishing a book, but as so many p More...
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Jan 26, 2012
Ren
rated it:
Re-read in February 2011
More than 5 stars
Just wanna said :
Bennett Day (his name was from Elizabeth Bennett, from the famous Pride and Prejudice, blame his mother because of that, but he lucky than his brother that have name Fitzwilliam Darcy Day *lol*) really a rake, rogue, charmer, cheat, bastard, libertine, a SCOUNDREL , but he finally meet his downfall in Victoria Regina Gloriana London Edgeworth Harcourt (fyuuuh, really long name, eh?) or London Harcourt f More...
More than 5 stars
Just wanna said :
Bennett Day (his name was from Elizabeth Bennett, from the famous Pride and Prejudice, blame his mother because of that, but he lucky than his brother that have name Fitzwilliam Darcy Day *lol*) really a rake, rogue, charmer, cheat, bastard, libertine, a SCOUNDREL , but he finally meet his downfall in Victoria Regina Gloriana London Edgeworth Harcourt (fyuuuh, really long name, eh?) or London Harcourt f More...
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Dec 27, 2010
Keri
rated it:
This book was even better than the first one and I didn't think that would be possible. What I love about these stories is that we don't have silly fighting between our h/h. Instead we get them forming a strong and loving team in which to fight against evil.
These books are kind of like the Indiana Jones series except with a lot more romance and sex. Again Ms. Archer has given us two strong personalities that really work well together. I really liked Bennett and London as a couple. I a More...
These books are kind of like the Indiana Jones series except with a lot more romance and sex. Again Ms. Archer has given us two strong personalities that really work well together. I really liked Bennett and London as a couple. I a More...
4 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Dec 28, 2011
Chelsea
rated it:
The Blades of the Rose are the type of thing you read when you want historical romance that's more along the lines of Pirates of the Caribbean than Pride and Prejudice. After finishing the first book, Warrior, I looked forward to reading Bennet Days story. I was not disappointed.
Bennet is in Greece looking for a Source in order to prevent in from falling into the hands of the Heirs. He meets London and discovers that she is the daughter of an Heir, as well as the wife of a man Bennet w More...
Bennet is in Greece looking for a Source in order to prevent in from falling into the hands of the Heirs. He meets London and discovers that she is the daughter of an Heir, as well as the wife of a man Bennet w More...
Nov 02, 2010
Barbara
rated it: 
A delightful romp of a book. I enjoyed this one so much more than I did the first in this series (Warrior). The writing was smoother, the pacing much better--all in all, a more polished effort.
Bennett Day, our Scoundrel of the title, loves the ladies and the ladies love him. So it is no wonder that he becomes tangled up with our heroine, a young woman who is both smart and beautiful. There's just one teeny, tiny problem--London Harcourt is the daughter of a ranking member of the Heirs of More...
Bennett Day, our Scoundrel of the title, loves the ladies and the ladies love him. So it is no wonder that he becomes tangled up with our heroine, a young woman who is both smart and beautiful. There's just one teeny, tiny problem--London Harcourt is the daughter of a ranking member of the Heirs of More...
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Feb 03, 2011
Beanbag
rated it:
Four and a half stars rounded up.
I liked this installment in the "Blades of the Rose" series better than the previous. "Warrior" was very good, but this one captured my attention earlier and kept it longer. I really enjoyed the action and the romance -- it was an excellent mix.
The leads are great. Bennet is an unrepentant ladies' man and London is just finding her way in a totally new world. Their chemistry was very apparent and they were an enga More...
I liked this installment in the "Blades of the Rose" series better than the previous. "Warrior" was very good, but this one captured my attention earlier and kept it longer. I really enjoyed the action and the romance -- it was an excellent mix.
The leads are great. Bennet is an unrepentant ladies' man and London is just finding her way in a totally new world. Their chemistry was very apparent and they were an enga More...
Dec 03, 2011
Tonileg
rated it: 
Archaeology and historical romance... why not? Can a unrepentant rake, Bennett Day fall in love with an innocent English lady linguist? I really go into the mystery and the voyage into Greece in this story because I know so much of the history plus I've traveled around Greece so my mind was filled with beautiful vistas and memories. I did have a problem with the development of innocent London. She was a smart brave heroine, bit I had a hard time believing that she would so quickly give up her en
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Feb 04, 2011
Vanessa
rated it: 
This is book number two in Zoe Archers Blades of the Rose series. A friend of mine told me that these books were written so they could be read in any order or as a stand-alone. After having read two of the books I feel that that is certainly true. I did like this book better than Warrior. I cannot however say that I liked the book or that I would recommend it. I think it is something with me and me alone. I do not care for the authors writing style. The books seem overly descriptive to me
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Mar 13, 2011
Lianne
rated it:
Scoundrel is the second book in a series, but the first one I read. Thankfully, while there are some references to the previous volume, this one stands alone.
Bennet Day is one of the Blades of the Rose, seeking to protect the sources of magic from the Heirs of Albion, who want to seize that magic to make sure that England controls the world. London is the daughter of one of those men, but ignorant of their plans (the Heirs only allow men in their ranks, while the Blades accept anyone More...
Bennet Day is one of the Blades of the Rose, seeking to protect the sources of magic from the Heirs of Albion, who want to seize that magic to make sure that England controls the world. London is the daughter of one of those men, but ignorant of their plans (the Heirs only allow men in their ranks, while the Blades accept anyone More...
Oct 23, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
I would have rated this one 5 stars had the storyline not been so much like the first book in this series, Warrior. Like the first book we have the Blades chasing down a Source, and the Heirs following them from destination to destination to give them trouble along the way. I thought the author should have changed it up a bit. Other than that I enjoyed the book, enjoyed the mythology, the setting on the Agean Sea, enjoyed the romance between Bennett and London. I even liked the secondary romance
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Oct 19, 2010
Julie
rated it:
With its action, adventure, danger, magic and romance mixed with exotic locales, wonderful characters and slimy bad guys all wrapped in the author’s talent for storytelling, this is a wonderful and fun series. And I am really enjoying it.
“Scoundrel” in the second book in Zoe Archer’s The Blades of the Rose series. This time around we follow Bennett Day, a Blade (a secret society charged with guarding the world’s magic), who has been deployed to Greece where the annoying and self serv More...
“Scoundrel” in the second book in Zoe Archer’s The Blades of the Rose series. This time around we follow Bennett Day, a Blade (a secret society charged with guarding the world’s magic), who has been deployed to Greece where the annoying and self serv More...
Oct 18, 2010
Malin Engdahl
rated it:
Bennett (yes, his mother is a huge fan of Jane Austen - guess what his brother is called?) Day is a cryptographer and solver of codes and riddles for the Blades of the Rose. He merrily travels the globe, working to protect the world's magic sources from abuse and exploitation from the Heirs of Albion and other similar organizations who would use magic for their own gain and to preserve the international dominance of England and the English. They want to use the magical sources around the world t
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Sep 18, 2010
Jody
rated it:
Bennett Day has put his life on the line numerous times in his work for The Blades of the Roses. As a member of the Blades, his job is to get information about their enemy's plans using whatever means necessary. Those means have led to him being thought of as a lothario, a man who loves them and leaves them. But his job is more important than anyone knows. The Blades are an ancient group of individuals, some of whom have magical powers, whose job it is to stop a group called The Heirs of Alb
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Feb 03, 2011
Alice
rated it:
After reading Warrior I wasn't sure if Zoe Archer could keep up the great momentum she got going. I am happy to say she did. I loved Bennett & London as much as I did Thalia & Gabriel. Another great location, Greek Isles, and more great action, adventure, magic and romance.
Bennett & London's connection was both steamy and so sweet. After reading so many books where the rake/womanizing/scoundrel leading man has never felt love and is resistant to it it's nice to get a book about one wh More...
Bennett & London's connection was both steamy and so sweet. After reading so many books where the rake/womanizing/scoundrel leading man has never felt love and is resistant to it it's nice to get a book about one wh More...
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Mar 29, 2011
Bry
rated it:
What I adore about these books is that there is a fucking plot!! Seriously! A romance novel with an honest to god good plot! I was amazed when I realized this in the first book and so happy to discover it wasn't just an accident, but that this book has one too! And it was awesome!
I loved the characters of Bennett and London. He was a total unrepentant rouge and she was so intelligent and eager for life! It was refreshing to have characters who didn't apologize for their personali More...
I loved the characters of Bennett and London. He was a total unrepentant rouge and she was so intelligent and eager for life! It was refreshing to have characters who didn't apologize for their personali More...
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(2 people liked it)
Oct 17, 2010
Catherine
rated it:
4.5 Stars
This was an excellent follow up to the fabulous first book, Warrior. I was pretty stoked about that, because it gives me confidence about how the rest of the series will turn out! Sometimes an author just cannot live up to how excellent the first book in a series is, and it is such a disappointment to the reader. That's not the case here!
I think the author made an exceedingly smart choice by moving the location of this book. We aren't in Mongolia with this one, w More...
This was an excellent follow up to the fabulous first book, Warrior. I was pretty stoked about that, because it gives me confidence about how the rest of the series will turn out! Sometimes an author just cannot live up to how excellent the first book in a series is, and it is such a disappointment to the reader. That's not the case here!
I think the author made an exceedingly smart choice by moving the location of this book. We aren't in Mongolia with this one, w More...
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(10 people liked it)
Apr 26, 2011
Jessi
rated it:
First Line: "The bloody problem with magic was that he wasn't allowed to use it."
This was a great second novel in Archer's Blades of the Rose series. It is fun because it is set in the Greek islands, rather than the standard British Victorian setting. The story very much has a swashbuckling feel to it, as the hero and heroine search for a lost magical relic while simultaneously fleeing from some rather dastardly villans. I enjoyed both the hero and the heroine very much. I More...
This was a great second novel in Archer's Blades of the Rose series. It is fun because it is set in the Greek islands, rather than the standard British Victorian setting. The story very much has a swashbuckling feel to it, as the hero and heroine search for a lost magical relic while simultaneously fleeing from some rather dastardly villans. I enjoyed both the hero and the heroine very much. I More...
Jan 18, 2011
Catrina
rated it:
London Harcourt is an intelligent young widow brimming with anticipation to start a new life. When, she discovers and translates some tracings of an ancient language in her father's office, she is finally getting her chance as her father's translator. Bennett Day is sworn to protect magic from the Heirs, those who would like to use it to conquer the world. When London and Bennett cross paths in Athens, Greece, the attraction to each other is immediate and the adventure begins.
I picke More...
I picke More...
Dec 27, 2011
Maggie
rated it:
These books are so hard to label! They take place in the 1800s, but they've got action, adventure, and history in addition to the romance. What more could a girl want?
After the culmination of Archer's Warrior, I was really excited to read Bennett's story, Scoundrel. He's such an unrepentant libertine, but in the most lovable way.Then add in the fact that his lady love is the daughter of his archenemies, the Heirs, and also the widow of a man he killed. Obstacles, much? As much as I l More...
After the culmination of Archer's Warrior, I was really excited to read Bennett's story, Scoundrel. He's such an unrepentant libertine, but in the most lovable way.Then add in the fact that his lady love is the daughter of his archenemies, the Heirs, and also the widow of a man he killed. Obstacles, much? As much as I l More...
Oct 21, 2010
Tarra
rated it:
Fast, fun read. Love the dynamics of the characters. Witty banter, fantastic one liners. Action, adventure, danger on the high seas, beautiful Greek setting, and much more magic! The romance also took center stage. I love Bennett and London together. Some of the author's word choices in some scenes distracted me from the moment, and I started to wonder if I was reading smutty fanfic. Some words seemed out of place and didn't add to the charm of the book. That's my only complaint! Loved
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Sep 26, 2010
Ashelynn
rated it:
Posted on A Gypsy Writer
Magic! Action! Romance! This book has it all. I absolutely love how Archer has incorporated magic into the world, and it doesn't feel fake at all -- it's very much realistic. "Magic truly exists. It's still so difficult to believe. I'd never seen it before I came to Greece." -- London Harcourt, 138*
This book is set in Athens, Greece 1875. Archer does an excellent job of portraying that time period. And Bennett Day, the hero? Oh so yummy. More...
Magic! Action! Romance! This book has it all. I absolutely love how Archer has incorporated magic into the world, and it doesn't feel fake at all -- it's very much realistic. "Magic truly exists. It's still so difficult to believe. I'd never seen it before I came to Greece." -- London Harcourt, 138*
This book is set in Athens, Greece 1875. Archer does an excellent job of portraying that time period. And Bennett Day, the hero? Oh so yummy. More...
Sep 15, 2010
Dina
rated it:
This is the 2nd book of a 4 book series where they are sworn to protect the sources of magic in the world.
Bennett Day loves the ladies even when danger is near, until he meets London Harcourt who is both beautiful and very smart and he wants to focus his attention on getting to know her.
London does not want to believe that her father could be trying to overpower the world's magic and she is the only person who can read the ancient Greek dialect and will tell him what h More...
Bennett Day loves the ladies even when danger is near, until he meets London Harcourt who is both beautiful and very smart and he wants to focus his attention on getting to know her.
London does not want to believe that her father could be trying to overpower the world's magic and she is the only person who can read the ancient Greek dialect and will tell him what h More...
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Nov 06, 2010
Angela
rated it:
Bennett Day has never denied being a scoundrel. He loves women. Every single one he's ever been with. He has no expectations of them, and they none of him - except that he's sure to leave. He's spent a good portion of his life traveling the world to protect ancient sources of magic for the Blades. His quick mind solves puzzles, breaks codes and unravels riddles with ease. But in Greece he meets the woman that may take more time than he usually commits to learn...
London Harcourt h More...
London Harcourt h More...
Nov 04, 2010
chanceofbooks
rated it:
It's fitting that the book opens with a hilarious parody of a decathlon, because the book itself is a bit like watching one: the first few events are mildly interesting, then the action heats up and you pay a bit more attention, then by the end, you are totally gripped and rooting for your favorites and feel as if you too have earned their medal. Unlike "Warrior" where I fell in love with Huntley by the end of the first paragraph, it took me longer to totally warm up to Bennett. Howeve
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Oct 25, 2010
Felicia
rated it:
Wellllll I dunno, this one didn't thrill me like the first (Warrior) did. I guess I didn't love the protagonist girl as much and the bad guys were SO BAD, like "muhahahah"-ville.
There was a lot that COULD have been more interesting, but the reality checks didn't work for me (like SPOILER: she was so easy to leave her family, but how was she actually gonna pay the bills if the Blades didn't take care of her? In that age, there weren't a lot of lady options, you know? See More...
There was a lot that COULD have been more interesting, but the reality checks didn't work for me (like SPOILER: she was so easy to leave her family, but how was she actually gonna pay the bills if the Blades didn't take care of her? In that age, there weren't a lot of lady options, you know? See More...
Dec 13, 2010
Kayla
rated it:
I hadn't realized this book was part of a series until I was over half-way through with it. It is number two in the series, but I think it speaks well for the author that I didn't know it was a series book and did not find myself confused one little bit throughout the story. It was full of wonderful imagery, likable characters, and the pacing was amazing. I couldn't put the book down. I'm happy to say the rest of this series is now being added to the to-be-read pile simply because of this book a
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Nov 11, 2010
Cid
rated it:
As I explained in my review of Warrior, the world that the Blades strive to protect and defend is made up of all those bits and pieces of mythology and magic we’ve heard stories about. They’re real. The god Thor, ancient Oriental powers, all of them exist, and because of that fact – people are out to abuse them; in this story it’s the Heirs. The Heirs are predominantly English gentry who want to use the magic Sources to create a global English empire. Sources are powerful magical objects. T
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Nov 08, 2010
Rane
rated it:
I didn’t think it would be possible for this series to get any better, but Zoe Archer proved me wrong with Scoundrel. Everything that made Warrior great only made Scoundrel better. The more ZA builds this world of The Blades of the Rose; the need to want to know more just keeps growing.
This time around the setting is Greece and their islands, while it didn’t go as in depth as Warrior did in the culture, it turned out to be done very well, with most of the story revolving around More...
This time around the setting is Greece and their islands, while it didn’t go as in depth as Warrior did in the culture, it turned out to be done very well, with most of the story revolving around More...
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