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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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Showing 2 of 9 topics — 106 comments total

Group Reads

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

last updated Dec 19, 2012 08:46AM

* Group Reads to Date
By Danielle The… , Loves 'Em Lethal · 3 posts · 80 views

last updated Jan 06, 2012 03:40PM

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What Members Thought

Jul 30, 2011 Crista rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hot, tear-jerkers, adventure, tortured-heroines, historical, 5-star, favorites, tortured-heroes

Sometimes in life you read a book that is so great, you wish you would've been more discriminate with 5 star ratings. This is definitely a 5 star read, and it makes me wish I had more stars to give it the credit it's due. This one was remarkable.

Told in 2 parts, the first half of the book is set in Delhi, India. This begins the story of Emma Martin and Julian Sinclair.

Although Emma is engaged to Julian's cousin, it is with Julian that chemistry sparks. Emma's fiance is a true villain. Selfish, u Sometimes in life you read a book that is so great, you wish you would've been more discriminate with 5 star ratings. This is definitely a 5 star read, and it makes me wish I had more stars to give it the credit it's due. This one was remarkable.

Told in 2 parts, the first half of the book is set in Delhi, India. This begins the story of Emma Martin and Julian Sinclair.

Although Emma is engaged to Julian's cousin, it is with Julian that chemistry sparks. Emma's fiance is a true villain. Selfish, unfeeling, and only interested in Emma's money. It doesn't take long for Emma to tire of her finance's antics and break off the engagement. If only that were the end of the story.....

A rebellion breaks out between the English and the Natives. Emma and Julian are forced to flee Delhi for their lives. The suspense in this book is tangible. You feel like you are right in the middle of the chaos and horror as the brutalities of war are shed to light. On their journey out of the country, Julian and Emma fall in love. If only that were the end of the story.........

Part 2 is set in London, England. This is an epic tale that spans many years and even different continents. Emma and Julian are separated during the war. Julian believes Emma is dead and Emma believes Julian didn't care for her and broke a promise. Whereas part 1 contains action and suspense, it is part 2 that will break even the hardest of hearts. There are so many scenes that will stay with me. The scene where Julian and Emma are reunited, the love scene in the locked room, the scene where Julian wants to recount the events of the past with the globe, and especially the final scenes of the book.

Basically, this is a superb story about a man and his astounding love for one woman. Julian's love for Emma knows no end. He pursues her relentlessly. No matter how many stop lights she gives him, he pursues her. His devotion, love, and commitment to her is simply stunning. One of the main themes I will take from this book is the power of true love.

Duran's writing ability is superb. The poignancy, emotion, and rawness of this novel astounds me. Save this one for when you need something special.....something "other". It is awesome. ...more

22 likes · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2010 AH rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, own, historical, zzread-june-2011

Thoroughly enjoyed this one...

This book came to me highly rated by my Goodreads friends. I’m not usually a historical romance reader. Occasionally I do like a break from the paranormal world. What better place than 19th century India and England?

It’s hard for me to imagine life in the late 19th century. The formality, the need for chaperones, the sequestered life of women, not to mention the restrictive layers upon layers of clothing – just don’t do it for me. Corsets? No thanks. Yet there is so ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

May 11, 2010 Ruth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance, regency-victorian, all-time-favorites, set-in-india

This is a very different historical romance - expansive, horrific, violent, and very profound. It is not a wallpaper HR, and if you're looking for a piece of entertaining fluff, this isn't for you. It chooses some of the worst moments in British history as it's backdrop - the repressive British Raj - and the romance is almost secondary to the sights, sounds and smells of India. The hero and heroine are at the mercy of Fate, and appear to survive despite their experiences, and a long separation. ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Jun 15, 2010 Shera (Book Whispers) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2008, romance-experiment, romance-historical

Thoughts:

The majority of this book takes place in India and then the rest in London. After reading the authors site apparently regency romances usually don't take place in beautiful India. British influence in India is not a part in history I've really pondered, so it was absolute fun that this book takes place in such an occasion in history. Though the events may not have been much fun for our characters.

The lovely Emmaline Martin survives her voyage to India after her ship sinks and she is th ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 15, 2011 Kim rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: heroine-traumatic-past, tragic-accident, heroine-rich, historical-romance, heroine-virgin, intense, duke-or-heir-to-duke

Read this a couple of years ago and gave it four stars. After re-reading I lowered it to 3 stars. The writing was good but, I found it to be more focused on war than romance. I also really disliked the dialog and it was rather gory.

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2013 Tina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, india, romance, booklist, dhg-boy-s

All I can say is WOW!!!! I loved this book! This has to be one of my Favorites! I am off to Amazon to get all of Meredith's books. I can not wait to read them all. ...more

Like · see review