Warleggan (Poldark, #4) in Poldark Saga

Feb 05, 2017 QNPoohBear rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: regency-romance, historical-fiction, clean-romance, georgian-romance

This so far is the lowest point for the Poldarks. The country is still deep in a depression and the Poldarks sunk with it. Try as they might, they can not get Wheal Grace to yield anything profitable. With France in chaos and war imminent, the price of copper should soon rise-if they can find anyway. Only Mark Daniel might know the secret, but he's far away and unable to return. Ross and Demelza still haven't reconnected after the loss of sweet Julia, despite little Jeremy crowing away in the co This so far is the lowest point for the Poldarks. The country is still deep in a depression and the Poldarks sunk with it. Try as they might, they can not get Wheal Grace to yield anything profitable. With France in chaos and war imminent, the price of copper should soon rise-if they can find anyway. Only Mark Daniel might know the secret, but he's far away and unable to return. Ross and Demelza still haven't reconnected after the loss of sweet Julia, despite little Jeremy crowing away in the cot. Dwight is increasingly drawn to the headstrong heiress Caroline Penvenen, but his villagers need him. He is starting to finally make some progress in helping them but still can not support a wife on 40 pounds a year, let alone an heiress. The Warleggans set out to make trouble for the Poldarks but help comes from an unlikely source. Ross enters into a risky venture that could have his neck in the noose once and for all. Tragedy strikes the Poldarks again and Ross feels compelled to do what he can to help and alleviate his guilt but it's not enough. As George moves closer to achieving everything he's always wanted, Ross fights back and risks destroying all he should hold dear.

Oh dear oh dear. I knew what was coming from the series so I was reluctant to pick this book up. This review will contain commentary on the plot, characters and the TV series so it's all going under the spoiler tag. Read at your own risk.

(view spoiler)[The plot starts off really sweet. I love Ross and Demelza's witty banter. Then a certain character I love to hate ruins everything. The plot goes downhill from there for Ross. This is the darkest story yet. Besides the horrible ruined relationship plot, I also didn't like the old-fashioned attitudes towards women and their bodies and minds, which shows the age of the book. If it was in dialogue or inside a character's head, it would be more permissible, given the time period but in narration, it feels a bit sexist. The absolute highlight of the novel comes in the middle of Book 2. There's a smoking hot romantic scene! It's all completely clean -not even a love scene, which it was on TV (fade to black). Here it is just romantic. All romance writers should take notes on how to write a totally sexy, romantic scene without resorting to smut. The ending was totally different! I couldn't believe how much they changed in the show. It lacks dramatic tension.

There are more subplots going on here that understandably got cut from the show. Charlie Kempthorne plays a larger role here. My heart goes out to his daughters, who only knew Daddy who loved them and took care of them. They experience much trauma in this story and it's relegated to the background. Charlie is not a nice man and serves as another villain to heighten the suspense in the plot.

George's character has a little more depth in the book. He's less stereotypically bad than in the show but still a Slytherin all the way. He reminds me so much of Draco Malfoy. Here we get more insight into George. He hates the gentry, especially the Poldarks, because they never let him forget where he comes from. Heaven forfend Francis was actually NICE to the young George and George repays Francis with betrayal. He's still a villain and I dislike him.

I found Trencorm too, somewhat of a villain. He pretty much blackmails Ross and forces Ross into helping him. "Tedn't right. Tedn't fair. Tedn't nice!" as Jud would say.

I pretty much lose esteem for Ross in this novel. In fact, there is at least one point in the story where I would have clocked him. I can NOT forgive Ross for what he did. He broke the law, acted terribly and violated the trust and respect Demelza and the reader have for him. He doesn't appreciate what he has and doesn't take Demelza's feelings into consideration. He acts rashly and stupidly and his actions have far reaching consequences. I will say for book Ross though, he actually talks to Demelza and tries to patch things up with her at the end, unlike TV Ross who just broods and tries to run away.

Dwight is a wonderful man and since he's grown up some, I love him more than Ross. The medical information is fascinating and cringe-worthy at the same time. He's very enlightened for his time, which is unusual, though from a modern medical standpoint, very ignorant. He works with what he has and what he knows and is eager and willing to learn more.

There's a dashing Captain in the Scots Greys, McNeil, who plays somewhat of a large secondary role in this book. At first I didn't like him. I found him slimy but by the end of the book, he seemed a little more gentlemanly. I actually found his actions more respectable and gentlemanly than those of Ross.

The female characters really shine in this series. I just love Caroline and Dwight. She's a pert minx but unlike Keren, she knows what she's doing and knows when to pull back. She goads Dwight and is getting to know him better that way. They're very cute together but she's still young and spoiled and doesn't really know what she wants. I really like how independent thinking she is but her rebellion will not come at the expense of her family. She loves her uncles who love her, in their own way, but don't understand her.

Demelza is long-suffering. Like a good Georgian woman, she puts up with her husband and doesn't often question his judgement. She keeps it all inside until she can't anymore. Then she loses her temper, which is when I like her best. I felt so bad for her throughout most of this novel.

Elizabeth is a complex character. I both hate her and feel sorry for her at the same time. She comes across as a vapid doll sometimes and then extremely selfish. She isn't entirely though. She, like Ross, doesn't appreciate what she has when she has it. She's a good mother and wants what's best for her child. She becomes overburdened with things she isn't equipped to deal with, more so than the TV Elizabeth. I feel no pity for TV Elizabeth because she didn't interest herself in estate affairs or anything except her child. Here Francis never really let her take an active role and she isn't quite so helpless. Some of that has to do with the differences between the TV plot and book plot. (hide spoiler)]

This book played with my emotions too much. I need something light and happy to read now. I'll be sure to tune in and watch the series when it comes back on TV, but as for reading the books, I'm done for now. I do recommend reading the books if you're a fan of the series. They clarify some things, explain more and because they're slower, spend more time getting to know the characters and explaining the historical background. ...more

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Mar 13, 2018 Terry ~ Huntress of Erudition rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Oh, this series keeps getting better and better - what a lovely ending!
The characters are so well drawn and the dialogue is so well thought out.

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May 23, 2021 Amanda Parker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I am thoroughly enjoying this series!

Some of my favorite quotes from this book.

“He (Dwight) said suddenly, “If what I feel for you is dislike-for coming between me and my work sometime every day in the last fifteen months-if that’s dislike...if being unable to forget your voice, or the way you turn your neck, or the lights in your hair-if that’s dislike...if wanting to hear that you’re married and dreading to hear that you’re married...if resenting the condescension that pretends you’re not out ...more

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May 02, 2017 Stephanie Shrubb rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: in-my-possession

Well, any book that compels me to read the last quarter in a single sitting, ending at 0115 in the early hours, should probably get 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. Oh Ross, you scoundrel! Demelza is The One. #sigh

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