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The Duke of Shadows

Meredith Duran

Start date: June 1, 2012

Finish date: June 30, 2012

Discussion: Group Reads

Discussion leader: Katya

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Group Reads

* Group Read Selection/Nomination Guidelines
By Danielle The… , Loves 'Em Lethal · 6 posts · 136 views

last updated Dec 19, 2012 08:46AM

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By Danielle The… , Loves 'Em Lethal · 3 posts · 80 views

last updated Jan 06, 2012 03:40PM

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What Members Thought

Dec 13, 2010 KatLynne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: keeper, smokin-hot-steamy, favorite-treasures, g-historical-romance, east-india-co-1857, 2011-reads

5+ Stars

“I am half sick of Shadows…said the Lady of Shalott”…Tennyson

Another amazing story that held me prisoner until the last page!

This is my second book by this author. Ms. Duran’s writing is like a form of poetry; it's lyrical and smooth, full of dialog and emotion. And this is an emotional story; no fluff here.

The story begins in Delhi at the beginning of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Ms. Duran has done an amazing job reminding us of the horrors, the prejudice, and the tragedy of this up ...more

18 likes · Like · see review

Sep 26, 2010 Quinn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-own, library-book, historical-romance, 5-stars, aar-top-100-2010

Firstly, I must thank Lady Jayne for recommending this wonderful book, and Catherine for endorsing Jayne’s rec. For some reason, this excellent read is not one that I have seen come up in discussion very much, or if it has, I have missed it. Given the buzz that surrounds other books, I’m surprised this worthy title has not generated more chat and am grateful that it was brought to my attention.

The Duke of Shadows is not your average historical romance. It has elements that I adore in romance - h Firstly, I must thank Lady Jayne for recommending this wonderful book, and Catherine for endorsing Jayne’s rec. For some reason, this excellent read is not one that I have seen come up in discussion very much, or if it has, I have missed it. Given the buzz that surrounds other books, I’m surprised this worthy title has not generated more chat and am grateful that it was brought to my attention.

The Duke of Shadows is not your average historical romance. It has elements that I adore in romance - heart-thumping action with the hero and heroine’s lives at stake, a couple that are perfect for each other and realize this early in the piece, a hero that is to die for and a worthy heroine, both of whom have seen more than their share of tragedy – all written in beautiful prose that is at times almost breathtaking.

The book is set in two parts – the first being 1857 India during the time of the sepoy uprising. Ahhh, what can I say but that this part was perfection. India made for a wonderful setting, expertly and at times gruesomely brought alive by a talented author.

The attraction between our couple during the initial period of peace is beautiful and, more importantly, believable. To then find themselves alone with each other and fighting for their lives makes their experience both more poignant and tragic. The author provides some exquisite moments of tenderness amidst the cruelest of brutality. Through it all, there can be no doubt that this couple were meant for each other.

The second part, although set in 1861 London during peaceful times, I found more difficult to read. Having seen how utterly right the love between these two could be, I had a hard time with seeing them apart. I love me some angst in my romance, no question, but at times I felt some of the magic was lost.

There were moments of brilliance in the writing, and I realise the trauma they suffered, but some of the actions and behaviour of the characters was still not convincing or understandable to me. I think we also would have benefited from seeing more from Julian’s POV. At times this left me feeling that this was just another good historical romance, instead of the outstanding read that it was initially.

Of course, the author would then craft a scene that again left me in awe of her writing talent, and I was reminded again that this really was something special.

I am wavering between 4.5 and 5 stars for this one. Either way, I highly recommend it. ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Dec 09, 2010 Keri rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance-historical, 2010s-read, aar-top-100-poll-for-2010, aar-top-100-for-2013, aar-top-100-for-2018

A really good read. Just sorry that it sat on my TBR for such a long time. Very emotional book and not your typical British historical. Wish we could have had a bit more time with them being a happy couple. It seemed like they were always having to love one another under some gun or another.

10 likes · Like · see review

Aug 03, 2010 Cheryl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: recommended-to-me, historical-romance, books-i-own, all-time-favorites

Wow! What can I say about this book that has not been said already? I think I'll skip describing the plot, for it has been done in other magnificent reviews, instead I'll describe my feelings for it the best I can. In one word, this book is sublime!

This book put me through a broad range emotions -laughter, anger, sadness and anxiousness. I loved the conversations between Julian and Emma, some of them were so funny -especially when Julian was taunting Emma!

The scenes in India were so vivid to m ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Feb 17, 2010 Zeek rated it really liked it

Shelves: hist-rom, romance, hist-rom-exotic-locale, hist-rom-quirky-h-h

Really enjoyed the different hist/rom setting for most of the book! Good chemistry, despite the old "I-thought-you-were-dead" plot device. If your a hist/rom reader, I recommend it! ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2010 Caroline The HEA Lover rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-i-own

(This was originally posted on Book Lovers,Inc)

The Duke of Shadows is the second book I read from this author and I wasn’t disappointed. Meredith Duran gives us a beautiful romance filled with action and mystery and laced with historical events all of this set in an exotic country.

The book is divided in two parts, the 1st part is set in India in 1857 and the 2nd part in London 4 years later. Most of the Historical romances I read takes place in England, but this was a welcomed change. I’m not su ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 28, 2011 Stevie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, regency

Every so often I stumble upon a book that raises the bar and has me reassessing my previous higher ratings. This is one such book. In my opinion, it was superb. Excellence in style, story, character development, dialogue and creativity. Did I mention that it was also about a historic event that never held any interest to me and yet I was spell bound within a few chapters. I was angry to the point of putting it aside, (not for long of course), more than several times. It was an emotional roller c ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 01, 2011 Teri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Wonderful! Sometimes a writer just really knows how to write down a character's feelings that has a way of roping you right into the page!

Great book. Nice change of scenery for a historical romance too!

I finished the last page my heart melted a little, perfect couple :) ...more

1 like · Like · see review