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Englefield #1
No Proper Lady
•Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
•Library Journal Best Book of the Year
•RT Book Reviews Seal of Excellence and Finalist for Best Book of the Year
When a half-naked woman suddenly appears on his country estate, Simon Grenville doesn't have time to be shocked. Demonic beasts are hot on his heels until the beautiful stranger unsheathes several knives strapped to her skin-tight trousers and kills them. As he stares at her fierce, heart-stopping face, Simon knows he's in a hell of a lot of trouble…
Joan is from a time where demons run rampant and humanity is fighting for its existence. To prevent this terrible future, she is sent back to Victorian England to kill the magician responsible for unleashing the dark forces. But Joan is a soldier more used to sparring than dancing. To get close to her target, she'll need Simon to teach her how to fit into polite society. Joan doesn't mind practicing proper flirtation on Simon, but she can't allow herself to be distracted by his gentle hands or devilish smile—the very future depends on it.
•Library Journal Best Book of the Year
•RT Book Reviews Seal of Excellence and Finalist for Best Book of the Year
When a half-naked woman suddenly appears on his country estate, Simon Grenville doesn't have time to be shocked. Demonic beasts are hot on his heels until the beautiful stranger unsheathes several knives strapped to her skin-tight trousers and kills them. As he stares at her fierce, heart-stopping face, Simon knows he's in a hell of a lot of trouble…
Joan is from a time where demons run rampant and humanity is fighting for its existence. To prevent this terrible future, she is sent back to Victorian England to kill the magician responsible for unleashing the dark forces. But Joan is a soldier more used to sparring than dancing. To get close to her target, she'll need Simon to teach her how to fit into polite society. Joan doesn't mind practicing proper flirtation on Simon, but she can't allow herself to be distracted by his gentle hands or devilish smile—the very future depends on it.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
118 people are currently reading
1327 people want to read
About the author
Isabel Cooper
24 books163 followersIsabel Cooper lives in Boston, Massachusetts with her boyfriend and a houseplant she's managed to keep alive for over a year now—a personal best. By day, she's a mild-mannered editor at a legal publishing company. By night, she's really quite a geek: polyhedral dice, video games, and everything. She only travels through time the normal direction, and has never fought any kind of demon, unless you count younger sisters. She can waltz, though.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
March 26, 2021
DNF
Hiç okuyamiycm bu ne 🤦♀️
Hiç okuyamiycm bu ne 🤦♀️
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October 10, 2017I really enjoyed this. Which is odd because it's got a number of aspects that usually send me running screaming. (Historical romance with English setting but the characters talk like modern Americans; a nominally late Victorian setting but the social interaction appears to be Jane Austen via Avon romance; also a misunderstanding trope.)
However, what we *also* have is magic, demon-summoning, and a kickass heroine sent back from the future to kill an evil wizard, but who has to learn to pose as a proper lady (did you say "proper for 1815 or 1885?" Sssh.). Terminator meets My Fair Lady with magic, basically, with blood powered guns hidden under floofy dresses. It's enormous fun, exuberant, with some tremendously good ideas and tons of heart, and also a great relationship between the MCs themselves and with the hero's younger sister. Very silly, but sometimes silly is exactly what you need, and frankly if the future would like to send back more kickass assassins to murder world-destroying idiots, I think we'd all be grateful.
However, what we *also* have is magic, demon-summoning, and a kickass heroine sent back from the future to kill an evil wizard, but who has to learn to pose as a proper lady (did you say "proper for 1815 or 1885?" Sssh.). Terminator meets My Fair Lady with magic, basically, with blood powered guns hidden under floofy dresses. It's enormous fun, exuberant, with some tremendously good ideas and tons of heart, and also a great relationship between the MCs themselves and with the hero's younger sister. Very silly, but sometimes silly is exactly what you need, and frankly if the future would like to send back more kickass assassins to murder world-destroying idiots, I think we'd all be grateful.
March 20, 2015
No Proper Lady is the hands down, weirdest historical romance I have read. If you take all perceived notions of historical romance and mix in a weird helping of Victorian occult, tentacle-wielding rulers of the universe, a manuscript that houses the mysteries of the “Dark Ones” bent on destroying life as we know it, and an unusual but kickass heroine whom literally wears weapons as body parts… well, I think you get the idea. No Proper Lady is not your average Victorian era smut. I can’t believe how entertained I was by it all - it is not a novel I could take very seriously, but I enjoyed it regardless of the few plot and character driven problems the novel revealed.
Joan was a phenomenal heroine, probably my favorite of every historical romance I've ever read. She’s a soldier with a take-no-shit attitude that is pretty impressive considering what she had to give up to travel back in time on a mission to save the her people – and more importantly, the world. I enjoyed that Joan is the obviously dominant personality in the relationship forming with Simon. I also liked how much Ellie (Simon’s broken sister recovering from Alex’s demonic attack) grew into a more confident young woman as she and Joan grew closer. Women were considered equals in Joan’s time and she doesn't hesitate to point out the obvious flaws in how much society values a “genteel” and air-headed woman. I had moments I wanted to break out in applause, but I refrained myself.
While Simon and Joan were very sexually compatible (they practically burn up the sheets!), I found Simon to agree with society’s views on women too much for my liking. For one, he is quick to become suspicious of Joan for agreeing with his pretty dangerous plan to try to reform his ex-bestie while also saving the world from said man at the same time. He becomes irrationally jealous when she is given the task to get close to Alex in search for his Manuscript of Doom (not the real name – as we weren’t actually given the name of the book... might have helped in the search,, don't you think??) when her idea was much easier and FAR LESS DANGEROUS FOR HER IN THE FIRST PLACE. He acts as an idiot for a good while, but he does eventually learn the error of his ways… after Joan has to knock him on the head with them, of course. *rolls eyes*
While Simon’s character flaws did annoy me to some extent, they weren’t nearly so distracting as the obvious plot holes in Cooper’s world building. Don’t get me wrong, she comes up with a crazy entertaining plot, but I was left with a few questions yet answered. How did Simon and Alex truly discover magic was real? Can all humans practice or are people born with supernatural ability? The author isn't clear on much of anything and I became frustrated with all the mysterious, evasive answers that left a lot desired. I am a curious reader and need to know everything I possibly can about the world the characters live in, but by the time I finished I I barely had any answers to my initial questions.
At the end of the day, I did enjoy reading this book. This was a new-to-me author and I will probably find myself reading the second book soon enough. I am keeping my fingers crossed that book two has more in-depth world building and less evasive answers. I recommend No Proper Lady to fantasy fans and those who enjoy a unique Victorian-era historical romance.
You made it to the end! If you enjoyed my review, please consider giving it a thumbs up on Amazon *here* Thank you for all that you do! ❤
[about-author]
This review was originally posted on One Curvy Blogger
April 26, 2015
RATING: almost 2.5 stars?
No Proper Lady was an impulse buy (I know I have a lot of those, gah). I wanted to read an historical romance, but somehow I also wanted a bit of paranormal. So when I read the synopsis for this book, I thought it was exactly what I was looking for.
And it was, in a way. The idea is still pretty good. The execution (yes, you read right, it's one of those... sigh), however...
I was okay with time travel and Joan being a though female. Very good. I did not like the way her first encounter with Simon (the hero) went down. It appears Simon is a wizard and doesn't frown on bright lights and women from the future... which means he pretty much took it in stride and didn't doubt her. There was no fights, no disbelief, no period of adjustment. It was like: "Oh right I'll help a strange woman, give her dresses and all". I just... didn't feel like it was realistic behaviour.
Also it bugged me that the focus of the book was Joan learning to fit Victorian society. Half the book is about that (and the instantaneous attraction between her and Simon) and I was kind of bored, because, well it was boring and the interactions were not very interesting. Or conductive to attraction. Basically, the protagonists had no chemistry.
After this first half, Joan and company move to London to meet their foe (Simon's former friend), who could have been a layered, complex character but ended up being the villain of the jour. As mean as they come and strangely with a tendency for self-pity (Woe, no-one understands my evilness) that made me roll my eyes. The part where the heroes deal with this very dangerous villain is short and anti-climatic after all the talk of him being so powerful and so dangerous. It was like Cooper was tired of the story and decided to end it abruptly after spending much of the book focusing on Joan and how she couldn't dance or eat properly.
I think the major problem with this book is that it tries to be too much: time-travel story, mystery and thriller, paranormal fiction, historical romance... and consequently none of these are very well developed. Same for the characters.
I did like the descriptions of Joan's world (great setting for gritty urban fantasy) and her flashgun. I did not, however, like Joan that much. I didn't connect with any of the characters, really.
Overall: No Proper Lady could have been an interesting book (it certainly had an interesting idea behind it) but the author seemed to want to cram so much into the story it ended up being underdeveloped. And generally boring, except for a few select parts. Not a "time-travel romance" I would recommend.
No Proper Lady was an impulse buy (I know I have a lot of those, gah). I wanted to read an historical romance, but somehow I also wanted a bit of paranormal. So when I read the synopsis for this book, I thought it was exactly what I was looking for.
And it was, in a way. The idea is still pretty good. The execution (yes, you read right, it's one of those... sigh), however...
I was okay with time travel and Joan being a though female. Very good. I did not like the way her first encounter with Simon (the hero) went down. It appears Simon is a wizard and doesn't frown on bright lights and women from the future... which means he pretty much took it in stride and didn't doubt her. There was no fights, no disbelief, no period of adjustment. It was like: "Oh right I'll help a strange woman, give her dresses and all". I just... didn't feel like it was realistic behaviour.
Also it bugged me that the focus of the book was Joan learning to fit Victorian society. Half the book is about that (and the instantaneous attraction between her and Simon) and I was kind of bored, because, well it was boring and the interactions were not very interesting. Or conductive to attraction. Basically, the protagonists had no chemistry.
After this first half, Joan and company move to London to meet their foe (Simon's former friend), who could have been a layered, complex character but ended up being the villain of the jour. As mean as they come and strangely with a tendency for self-pity (Woe, no-one understands my evilness) that made me roll my eyes. The part where the heroes deal with this very dangerous villain is short and anti-climatic after all the talk of him being so powerful and so dangerous. It was like Cooper was tired of the story and decided to end it abruptly after spending much of the book focusing on Joan and how she couldn't dance or eat properly.
I think the major problem with this book is that it tries to be too much: time-travel story, mystery and thriller, paranormal fiction, historical romance... and consequently none of these are very well developed. Same for the characters.
I did like the descriptions of Joan's world (great setting for gritty urban fantasy) and her flashgun. I did not, however, like Joan that much. I didn't connect with any of the characters, really.
Overall: No Proper Lady could have been an interesting book (it certainly had an interesting idea behind it) but the author seemed to want to cram so much into the story it ended up being underdeveloped. And generally boring, except for a few select parts. Not a "time-travel romance" I would recommend.
December 27, 2012
I forgot this book on my Kindle and the cover certainly just seems like it's a traditional "oh woe is me please marry me I'm a spinster at 21" Historical romance so I didn't pick it up until vacation. HOWEVER it is NOT that at all, much to my surprise/appreciation. A post-apocalyptic woman goes back in time to the 1880's to stop her society from becoming the horrible place it becomes because of a magic user from the time. Yeah, nutty but kind of amazing in the beginning especially.
My favorite part of this book was the main character. She had some amazing and funny perspectives on how women were dressed and treated back then, how she would be able to run and knife people with the corset and petticoats on particularly was great for me. The Love interest was ok too. I guess this book (being a first one) suffers the most with plotting/pacing, because there is simply not enough interaction and stakes with the bad guy, the resolution of the book is WAY too easy and yeah. BUT I will seek this author out, because she really does characters well, and is clearly really imaginative. I enjoyed this much more than your average Historical for its sheer inventiveness alone.
My favorite part of this book was the main character. She had some amazing and funny perspectives on how women were dressed and treated back then, how she would be able to run and knife people with the corset and petticoats on particularly was great for me. The Love interest was ok too. I guess this book (being a first one) suffers the most with plotting/pacing, because there is simply not enough interaction and stakes with the bad guy, the resolution of the book is WAY too easy and yeah. BUT I will seek this author out, because she really does characters well, and is clearly really imaginative. I enjoyed this much more than your average Historical for its sheer inventiveness alone.
March 26, 2012
I picked this book up on a whim. That night I jumped into the prologue. and thought, "ah hell". not my kinda story. Closed it right back up.
A couple of days later I received a notice that another book I requested was in, so I took this book and headed back to the library. Since I was too early, I sat outside and read the 1st chapter till the doors opened.
This book came right back home with me.
4.5*
This is a time travel (which I liked) - futuristic urban fantasy (which I've read once or twice and found I didn't like) - female warrior assassin (please save me from super uber ass kickin warrior women @*&^#*$%) - which this heroine WAS NOT - super uber ass kicker that is)...Lots of hocus pocus goes on too.
I really enjoyed this story. Although the plot begins during a futuristic apocalypse of the human race, the book was scary in a few parts but not dark and heavy.
Beginning:
Some time in the future
I don't know where
Time travel to 1888 England
Sorcerers/Witchcraft/Demons
The plot jumps right to it -
After years of preparation, the holy ones and Priests are now setting their plan into motion to change the course of the world's present destruction of humanity and the world itself, at the hands of the dark lords and demons (rather reminds me of present day 'leaders' sitting in D.C.) They are sending one assassin back in time. They have one hope, one shot and it all rests on Joan.
This entire scene put me in the mind of ancient druid rituals.
Joan has been prepared with very minimal information for this primitive time in the past and realizes she will not ever return to her dangerous, deadly world when/if her mission is accomplished. She accepts the reality that she has little chance of surviving either way.
Isabel Cooper did a very good job creating likeable characters. The comparisons she creates from a dying apocalyptic world to a prominent estate in Victorian England was wonderful. In one scene Joan is horseback riding with Simon (H) and she stops and asks...
"What are those?"
"Flowers," Simon tells her..."I'm afraid I couldn't tell you the names of them"..."There are roses...larkspur and such..."
Joan asks.."Do they do anything? I mean, do you eat them or build with them, or do they protect against...things?"
Startled, Simon tells her..."They're just flowers. Pretty, you know."
The plot is easy reading, enjoyable and entertaining. It didn't take me long to read all 329 pages and I'm looking forward to her next book.
A couple of days later I received a notice that another book I requested was in, so I took this book and headed back to the library. Since I was too early, I sat outside and read the 1st chapter till the doors opened.
This book came right back home with me.
4.5*
This is a time travel (which I liked) - futuristic urban fantasy (which I've read once or twice and found I didn't like) - female warrior assassin (please save me from super uber ass kickin warrior women @*&^#*$%) - which this heroine WAS NOT - super uber ass kicker that is)...Lots of hocus pocus goes on too.
I really enjoyed this story. Although the plot begins during a futuristic apocalypse of the human race, the book was scary in a few parts but not dark and heavy.
Beginning:
Some time in the future
I don't know where
Time travel to 1888 England
Sorcerers/Witchcraft/Demons
The plot jumps right to it -
After years of preparation, the holy ones and Priests are now setting their plan into motion to change the course of the world's present destruction of humanity and the world itself, at the hands of the dark lords and demons (rather reminds me of present day 'leaders' sitting in D.C.) They are sending one assassin back in time. They have one hope, one shot and it all rests on Joan.
This entire scene put me in the mind of ancient druid rituals.
Joan has been prepared with very minimal information for this primitive time in the past and realizes she will not ever return to her dangerous, deadly world when/if her mission is accomplished. She accepts the reality that she has little chance of surviving either way.
Isabel Cooper did a very good job creating likeable characters. The comparisons she creates from a dying apocalyptic world to a prominent estate in Victorian England was wonderful. In one scene Joan is horseback riding with Simon (H) and she stops and asks...
"What are those?"
"Flowers," Simon tells her..."I'm afraid I couldn't tell you the names of them"..."There are roses...larkspur and such..."
Joan asks.."Do they do anything? I mean, do you eat them or build with them, or do they protect against...things?"
Startled, Simon tells her..."They're just flowers. Pretty, you know."
The plot is easy reading, enjoyable and entertaining. It didn't take me long to read all 329 pages and I'm looking forward to her next book.
May 14, 2019
A mix of historical and paranormal romance, with a heroine time travelling to the past to save humanity from near destruction.
Joan grew up in a world where demons are a reality and winning the war with the humans they have not yet enslaved. From what they understand, everything started by Alex Raynell and the notebook he left behind, so Joan is sent back during his time to destroy the notebook and kill him.
As soon as she arrives at her destination 200 years before, she meets Simon Grenville, a gentleman she saves from demonic beasts. Simon was Alex's best friend once, and they had both been studying magic, but their paths diverged some time back and they are now considered enemies.
While Simon is on board with Joan's mission, he is determined to give Alex a last chance to change course, .
Interesting story that ends with .
The series continues with Lessons After Dark.
Joan grew up in a world where demons are a reality and winning the war with the humans they have not yet enslaved. From what they understand, everything started by Alex Raynell and the notebook he left behind, so Joan is sent back during his time to destroy the notebook and kill him.
As soon as she arrives at her destination 200 years before, she meets Simon Grenville, a gentleman she saves from demonic beasts. Simon was Alex's best friend once, and they had both been studying magic, but their paths diverged some time back and they are now considered enemies.
While Simon is on board with Joan's mission, he is determined to give Alex a last chance to change course, .
Interesting story that ends with .
The series continues with Lessons After Dark.
February 2, 2018
Well, that was GOOD FUN. Also definitely my catnip. Competent heroine has a difficult job and does it well; supportive hero is supportive and learns a lot; lady friendships; TIME TRAVEL. Also I liked the villain-is-the-hero's-former-lover thing it had going on, that was some Xena-level "subtext."
apparently I no longer have a "recommended by a patron" tag, but this one was!
apparently I no longer have a "recommended by a patron" tag, but this one was!
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September 9, 2011You might have noticed that I did not give a rating for how I felt about this book. To be honest I have no clue, I didn't hate it and I didn't love it. There was nothing in it that made me think this is horrible and painful and yet it was a struggle to finish and I almost gave up a few times. Perhaps I just was not in the right mood for it because the synopsis was great. Talk about a Terminator sort of story mixed with romance. So please bear with me as I ramble through my feelings about this book.
I would probably have to say it was the characters that was lacking most. Joan is supposed to be this kick ass assassin from the future but other than shooting a couple other wordly beings and the fact that she swears and speaks like a modern day woman we don't see much else of her supposed fighting/killing abilities. I also felt indifferent towards her because although we know she came from a harsh world and has parents that were still alive when she left for this mission we don't learn much more about her. Same thing with Simon and the villain Reynell. We know both practice magic and were once best friends but now are at each other's throats. Hints are given about why they became enemies but nothing other than Reynell making some choices Simon disagreed with and Reynell being jealous of Simon for some reason that enmity wasn't really fully developed either.
As I write this I am realizing the main fault was there were so many bits and pieces that held potential but nothing was ever fully fleshed out. For instance, the world Joan comes from is obviously horrible but she makes references to traitors and the Dark Ones "pets" but this world isn't painted in much more detail besides those types of references. It would have felt so much more real if we could truly see what she has traveled back in time and abandoned all hope of returning to her family in order to change.
All in all not a book I would read again and probably one you will have to check out for yourself. I've seen a couple other people rave about it so perhaps I was just in the wrong frame of mind going into this one.
I would probably have to say it was the characters that was lacking most. Joan is supposed to be this kick ass assassin from the future but other than shooting a couple other wordly beings and the fact that she swears and speaks like a modern day woman we don't see much else of her supposed fighting/killing abilities. I also felt indifferent towards her because although we know she came from a harsh world and has parents that were still alive when she left for this mission we don't learn much more about her. Same thing with Simon and the villain Reynell. We know both practice magic and were once best friends but now are at each other's throats. Hints are given about why they became enemies but nothing other than Reynell making some choices Simon disagreed with and Reynell being jealous of Simon for some reason that enmity wasn't really fully developed either.
As I write this I am realizing the main fault was there were so many bits and pieces that held potential but nothing was ever fully fleshed out. For instance, the world Joan comes from is obviously horrible but she makes references to traitors and the Dark Ones "pets" but this world isn't painted in much more detail besides those types of references. It would have felt so much more real if we could truly see what she has traveled back in time and abandoned all hope of returning to her family in order to change.
All in all not a book I would read again and probably one you will have to check out for yourself. I've seen a couple other people rave about it so perhaps I was just in the wrong frame of mind going into this one.
October 24, 2015
This was my first time reading a book officially titled a "romance novel," (although let's be honest, the majority of the books I read probably should be), and I will say that it was hilarious and thoroughly enjoyable. 10/10 will read romance again.
September 11, 2017
Tarihi aşk romanlarına karşı ayrı bir zaafım var. Kurgu ilerleyişi merak uyandıran ve beni içine çekmeyi başaran her kitaba aşığımdır. Uyumsuz Leydi, basılmadan önce tanıtımı okuduğum zaman benim olmasını istemiştim çünkü beni ona çeken bir şeyler vardı. Hem tarihi hem aksiyon hem de fantastik (bakın buraya dikkat çekiyorum benim yine en sevdiğim) olgular içinde barındırırken benim merakımı cezbetmemesi imkansız olurdu.
Simon Grenville kısa bir gezinti yapmak istedi, yazın başlangıcında her yer yemyeşiken isteği biraz yalnız kalıp düşünmekti. Aniden atı ileri fırladı ve onu hayatını değiştirecek olayın olduğu yere götürdü. Taşlardan yapılmış bir çemberin ortasında ışık patlamasının sonrasında bir silüet belirdi ve bu, bir kadındı. Üstelik giydiği kıyafetler Simon'un dönemine göre onu iffetli göstermiyordu.
Joan’ın bir görevi var. İki yüz yıl öncesine gitmesinin bir nedeni var, dünyayı yok olmaktan kurtarması gerekir. Bunun için de kötü adamı yakalaması ve durdurması gerekir. Simon ile tesadüfi şekilde karşılaşmaları ve yakalaması gereken adamla bağlanması ise Joan için sürpriz olur. Artık şans mı dersiniz kader mi bilmem, dünyanın kaderi Joan ile Simon’un yapacakları plana bağlıdır. Aslında sorun bununla da sınırlı değildir, dönemin kurallarına da uyması gerekir.
Yazarın anlatım dilini beğendim. Merak uyandıran ve akıcı bir anlatımı vardı. Karakterleri de sevdim, Simon bir tık daha fazla sevilesi duruyorsa da diğer karakterleri bile sevdim. Bazı sahnelerin geçişleri hızlıydı fakat bu bütünü bozacak türde değildi. Simon'un sabırlı ilgisi, Joan'ın uyum sağlama çabası, birbirlerine olan çekimlerini, yavaş yavaş sevmelerini okuması keyifliydi. Farklı dünyalara ait iki farklı insanın bir arada olup da birbirlerine uyum sağlamaları hem değişikti hem de güzeldi.
Joan ne istediğini bilen, güçlü bir kadın, ve cesur. Yani kim geçmişe dönüp dünyayı kurtarmak için harekete geçer ki? Bu da okumaktan keyif aldığım bir nokta.
Kitabın çevirisi iyiydi. Okurken zorluk çekecek hatalara rastlamadım. Serinin ilk kitabı olmasıyla beklentimi karşıladı. Devamında nelerin beklediğini merak etmiyor değilim.
http://sonsayfasiask.blogspot.com.tr/...
April 25, 2023
Holy crap! This one really took me by surprise. I was absolutely hating the first 25% but somehow the last part of the book was phenomenal?? I wasn't really willing to suspend my disbelief for the coincidences that drew our characters together, at first. Once I got over myself (because seriously, I'm not reading any fiction for realism), this story was perfect.
It was the opposite of the problem I have with normal romance novels, where the set-up is fantastic but the follow-up is lackluster. I think that a lot of that comes from the interesting mashup of genres here. Romance drives the plot but isn't the entire theme of the story.
Regarding genre: I wouldn't exactly call this an isekai. Most of the (awful) isekai anime I've watched revolves around someone from the modern day getting thrown into a sci-fi/fantasy world they don't understand. This one revolves around an assassin from a dystopian future arriving in the Victorian era. While a lot of this story revolves around Joan, our protagonist, feeling like a fish out of water, she's on a specific mission. She intentionally travelled through time via fantasy methods to carry out a mission. I think that because I read so much romance, my brain isn't always ready for the infodump at the beginning of complex fantasy/sci-fi novels. I'm better equipped for a giant ensemble cast with complicated relations.
That said, I do want to read more non-romance genre fiction! I think I'll continue with this series if Overdrive has book two.
It was the opposite of the problem I have with normal romance novels, where the set-up is fantastic but the follow-up is lackluster. I think that a lot of that comes from the interesting mashup of genres here. Romance drives the plot but isn't the entire theme of the story.
Regarding genre: I wouldn't exactly call this an isekai. Most of the (awful) isekai anime I've watched revolves around someone from the modern day getting thrown into a sci-fi/fantasy world they don't understand. This one revolves around an assassin from a dystopian future arriving in the Victorian era. While a lot of this story revolves around Joan, our protagonist, feeling like a fish out of water, she's on a specific mission. She intentionally travelled through time via fantasy methods to carry out a mission. I think that because I read so much romance, my brain isn't always ready for the infodump at the beginning of complex fantasy/sci-fi novels. I'm better equipped for a giant ensemble cast with complicated relations.
That said, I do want to read more non-romance genre fiction! I think I'll continue with this series if Overdrive has book two.
April 5, 2019
Highly enjoyable read. Loved Joan, and Simon was exactly right for a Victorian magician -- a bit stuffy, a bit eccentric, and a great match for his heroine. Enjoyed the world and the action/adventure and the romance was sexy.
November 1, 2018
That was a quick read.
Fun characters and a not entirely predictable plot.
Fun characters and a not entirely predictable plot.
December 23, 2020
Fish-out-of-water time travel stories are incredibly overdone, but I still like them anyway. Joan was prepped for her mission, so she's not completely ignorant, but her future is so shattered that they didn't have much good information to give her. So her clothes are horrifying and her manners not much better. But because she's a soldier with a mission and enough sense not to let her pride get in the way, her no-nonsense approach to learning skills she thinks are silly is refreshing.
Also refreshing is the fact that the main characters have entirely sensible reasons for wanting to leap into bed together and still refusing to do so for most of the novel. Joan thinks Simon is needlessly prissy about sex, but she also thinks it's unprofessional to go to bed with a colleague. Simon realizes that Joan has something of a death wish, but very much wants her to survive her mission and knows that if she's going to build a life in this time when she's through, she'll need her reputation intact. Given that prolonging the will-they-won't-they is the factor that is frequently most silly in romances, the entire set up is delightfully straightforward and sensible.
I do have a few quibbles. I don't demand daintiness, but I think Simon's physical reactions to Joan are described too graphically too early--it's a bit of a shock with no lead-up. There's a bit of handwaving involved in explaining what happened to the demon guarding the book Joan is trying to destroy. And I still don't understand why Joan herself was chosen to be the person sent back. She thinks of herself as a simple soldier, and she's certainly not a mage. Why not send back a practicing magician? If the plan all along was seduction and she's the prettiest they've got left, why not state that more clearly?
All in all, a charming book with a sweet romance and some nasty demons to add some spice.
Also refreshing is the fact that the main characters have entirely sensible reasons for wanting to leap into bed together and still refusing to do so for most of the novel. Joan thinks Simon is needlessly prissy about sex, but she also thinks it's unprofessional to go to bed with a colleague. Simon realizes that Joan has something of a death wish, but very much wants her to survive her mission and knows that if she's going to build a life in this time when she's through, she'll need her reputation intact. Given that prolonging the will-they-won't-they is the factor that is frequently most silly in romances, the entire set up is delightfully straightforward and sensible.
I do have a few quibbles. I don't demand daintiness, but I think Simon's physical reactions to Joan are described too graphically too early--it's a bit of a shock with no lead-up. There's a bit of handwaving involved in explaining what happened to the demon guarding the book Joan is trying to destroy. And I still don't understand why Joan herself was chosen to be the person sent back. She thinks of herself as a simple soldier, and she's certainly not a mage. Why not send back a practicing magician? If the plan all along was seduction and she's the prettiest they've got left, why not state that more clearly?
All in all, a charming book with a sweet romance and some nasty demons to add some spice.
April 6, 2012
I wanted to like this book more than I did. The plot, the premise, everything about the set up works better in theory than in practice, unfortunately.
No Proper Lady tells the story of Joan, daughter of Arthur and Leia, a warrior from the future travelling two hundred years back in time to save the world and humanity from otherworldly beasts. She meets Simon Grenville and ends up in a slow paced historical romance instead.
So far, I like it. I like the fact that this woman has a real reason to act modern and talk filthy. I like the fact that the romance is slow burn and that we're shown how their feelings grow. And I do like frenzied final confrontation.
What I don't like is the pacing and the overexposed glimpse to the better future. First of all, if going back in time can change the future, how does anyone know for sure that the future will be like the one Joan imagines it'll be without the big bad. And secondly, the dichotomy between Simon's and Joan's worlds wrecks the plot progression.
The author stays true to both the future she imagined and to the slightly altered historical setting she created for the story. What she fails to do is to introduce a secondary plot elements that'll keep the reader distracted and entertained while Joan adjusts to the time period and her new place in it. I've finally figured out why Mr and Mrs Bennet had five daughters instead of three: Jane Austen needed some everyday crazy to keep Lizzy occupied while Darcy was away in Town.
I definitely want to read more from Isabel Cooper and I hope that whatever she comes up next will live up to the promise I saw in this book.
No Proper Lady tells the story of Joan, daughter of Arthur and Leia, a warrior from the future travelling two hundred years back in time to save the world and humanity from otherworldly beasts. She meets Simon Grenville and ends up in a slow paced historical romance instead.
So far, I like it. I like the fact that this woman has a real reason to act modern and talk filthy. I like the fact that the romance is slow burn and that we're shown how their feelings grow. And I do like frenzied final confrontation.
What I don't like is the pacing and the overexposed glimpse to the better future. First of all, if going back in time can change the future, how does anyone know for sure that the future will be like the one Joan imagines it'll be without the big bad. And secondly, the dichotomy between Simon's and Joan's worlds wrecks the plot progression.
The author stays true to both the future she imagined and to the slightly altered historical setting she created for the story. What she fails to do is to introduce a secondary plot elements that'll keep the reader distracted and entertained while Joan adjusts to the time period and her new place in it. I've finally figured out why Mr and Mrs Bennet had five daughters instead of three: Jane Austen needed some everyday crazy to keep Lizzy occupied while Darcy was away in Town.
I definitely want to read more from Isabel Cooper and I hope that whatever she comes up next will live up to the promise I saw in this book.
January 21, 2021
This was a terrible book. Not well-written, highly predictable, and incredibly boring.
April 1, 2012
I wanted to like this book. I really, really wanted to like this book. And Publishers Weekly put it on their top books of 2011 list!
But....
The premise is original. Joan, daughter of Arthur and Leia (and I loved the author's explanation that in the dystopian future, people named themselves after legendary heroes, even though every time I saw "Leia" it completely threw me out of the story) is a warrior from a time when dark demons and black magic have enslaved most of the planet. Joan is the Free Humans' best chance of survival - by going back in time some two hundred years to 1888 and destroying the author of the book that allows the demons to invade. But of course, a tattooed female assassin from the future can't just waltz into Victorian London and start shooting at aristocrats. No, she must earn how to behave in this most alien of societies.
Cool story set up, right? Hits all the notes: dystopian fantasy, social comedy of manners, the role of women - I think I was most excited about the story promise of a female warrior from a horrible, deadly world, yet it is a world that treats women far more equitably than the, by comparison, safe and luxurious Victorian era. How would she react? What would be her dilemmas?
However, the novel starts to fall apart almost from Chapter One. By great good luck or simply stunning coincidence, Joan manages to land smack dab in the arms of practically the only man in all of 19th century England who can help her: Simon Grenville, an aspiring master of the occult who just happens to be frenemies (albeit more enemy than friend at the moment) of the very man Joan is seeking to assassinate.
Simon is portrayed later in the book as someone who is fairly proficient at magic, especially at protection and warding speeds. Yet when the book begins, he seems shocked that magical things might be happening at the standing stones on his country property. (C'mon, if you were studying magic and the occult from an early age, and you had actual standing stones on your ancestral land, wouldn't that be the FIRST thing you would investigate? I know I would. But maybe that's just me.)
Also, Simon should be very well aware that villain Alex Reynell has a mad-on for him. Simon is at his country home in the first place because Reynell made a demon possess Simon's sweet younger sister Eleanor, a possession Simon stopped just in time and from which Eleanor is now recovering. Reynell retaliated by killing Eleanor's suitor. So you'd think Simon would be somewhat on guard. Yet he doesn't put a protection spell on his land, and leaves himself open for an attack by hellhounds.
Simon is a bit of a numbskull from the get-go.
Simon is also remarkably liberal in his views on women. This is Victorian England, y'all. Women were possessions. Married women had zero legal stature. It was far more socially restrictive for females than the more popular historical romance era, the Regency. And the clothing especially was restrictive. But this was also the start of the suffrage movement, and social awareness. Barriers between classes were beginning to break down. There are reams of books on the Victorians, their dichotomies and their hypocrisies. It's a fascinating time period, and I love the idea of dropping a woman who is used to leading soldiers in a society that, as the author describes it, is pretty gender blind, into Victorian mores.
But for all of the attitudes shown Joan in the book, she might as well as have come back to the 20th or even 21st century. Sure, there are a few passing references to constricting skirts and corsets, but Joan seems to adapt pretty fast. People, corsets aren't something to sneeze at. I wish historical authors would try on at least a modern day version, much less an authentic 19th century corset, before they let their heroines breeze through the equivalent of a spinning class mixed with a two hour cardio sculpt class. And look at a few fashion plates of the day! 1888 fashions still had a small bustle, and tight bodices and sleeves, and skirts draped over multiple layers. But Joan is able to tear a mere slit in her skirt and off she goes to the races.
And Simon, of course, doesn't blink an eye at this liberated woman living in his house, spending most of her time with his sheltered sister. He's remarkably evolved even for 2012.
But hey, these are mere quibbles and more about the book I wish it was, instead of what is actually on the page.
Unfortunately, No Proper Lady isn't much of a romance, either. Of course Simon thinks Joan is hot, especially once her hair is washed and some good old Victorian cooking puts flesh on her dystopian thin body. As for Joan, she's used to sex as an adrenaline escape valve, and Simon is one good looking valve. But the romance is oddly clinical. You never feel that the characters yearn for each other, or see each other as anything but an attractive means to relieve lust. In fact, the first time they fully give in to their desire, Joan is under the influence of an aphrodisiac administered by the villain! It doesn't exactly scream One True Love.
The book as a whole suffers from a lack of believable motivations. While the biggie, Joan wanting to save her world, is very well fleshed out and relatable, the other characters and their motivations are less so. When Joan tells Simon she needs to kill Reynell, Simon demurs and thinks Reynell can repent of his evil ways. Dude, this is the guy who betrayed your friendship, mentally and emotionally raped your sister via demon possession, and sent a pack of hellhounds after you with no provocation. Wake up and smell the tea. And Joan literally wakes up and declares herself to be in love with Simon, even though we saw very little of their relationship building (I'd believe it more if Joan said she was in love with Eleanor, but it's not that type of book.)
The biggest problem is the villain: Reynell is wicked...why, precisely? He seems to hate Simon simply because Simon didn't want to study the same magic Reynell did. But Simon wasn't seeking to limit or take down Reynell so why the personal attacks? In fact, if you were going to be the Evil Grand PooBah of the world, wouldn't you want to keep the one man who has the skills to bring you down a bit closer, or try to play him a bit more? And why is Reynell even consorting with dark forces in the first place? He already comes from a wealthy and titled family. There are a few references to Reynell winning inordinately at gaming tables, but less people want to play with him because of it, so that seems a non-starter. And towards the end, Reynell even seems to relent on his goal of destroying Simon. Which again beg the question - what the ^}<*# does Reynell want, aside from just being a pompous, vacillating and self-centered git?
If your story is only as strong as your villain, then this story has the strength of a wet paper towel.
But I don't want it to sound all bad. There are some wonderful aspects to the book. I love the world of Victorian magic Cooper starts to build, and I really wish she had done more with it. Joan's world is appropriately chilling. I liked how Cooper tied the story to the burgeoning Spiritualist movement of the time (the only instance where I felt like I was reading a historical) and again, wish she had done more. The writing itself is decent, not overly lyrical or beautiful, but it keeps you anchored in the story. There are only a few anachronisms that threw me out (eg. Simon uses the word "platoon" to mean a military company, but while platoon was in use in the US since 1779, it wasn't used by the British Army until 1913. I know, I know, the nits, I pick them.)
So, a generous three stars, mostly for the awesome premise.
But Publishers Weekly, you're now on notice and have lost a gazillion credibility points with me.
But....
The premise is original. Joan, daughter of Arthur and Leia (and I loved the author's explanation that in the dystopian future, people named themselves after legendary heroes, even though every time I saw "Leia" it completely threw me out of the story) is a warrior from a time when dark demons and black magic have enslaved most of the planet. Joan is the Free Humans' best chance of survival - by going back in time some two hundred years to 1888 and destroying the author of the book that allows the demons to invade. But of course, a tattooed female assassin from the future can't just waltz into Victorian London and start shooting at aristocrats. No, she must earn how to behave in this most alien of societies.
Cool story set up, right? Hits all the notes: dystopian fantasy, social comedy of manners, the role of women - I think I was most excited about the story promise of a female warrior from a horrible, deadly world, yet it is a world that treats women far more equitably than the, by comparison, safe and luxurious Victorian era. How would she react? What would be her dilemmas?
However, the novel starts to fall apart almost from Chapter One. By great good luck or simply stunning coincidence, Joan manages to land smack dab in the arms of practically the only man in all of 19th century England who can help her: Simon Grenville, an aspiring master of the occult who just happens to be frenemies (albeit more enemy than friend at the moment) of the very man Joan is seeking to assassinate.
Simon is portrayed later in the book as someone who is fairly proficient at magic, especially at protection and warding speeds. Yet when the book begins, he seems shocked that magical things might be happening at the standing stones on his country property. (C'mon, if you were studying magic and the occult from an early age, and you had actual standing stones on your ancestral land, wouldn't that be the FIRST thing you would investigate? I know I would. But maybe that's just me.)
Also, Simon should be very well aware that villain Alex Reynell has a mad-on for him. Simon is at his country home in the first place because Reynell made a demon possess Simon's sweet younger sister Eleanor, a possession Simon stopped just in time and from which Eleanor is now recovering. Reynell retaliated by killing Eleanor's suitor. So you'd think Simon would be somewhat on guard. Yet he doesn't put a protection spell on his land, and leaves himself open for an attack by hellhounds.
Simon is a bit of a numbskull from the get-go.
Simon is also remarkably liberal in his views on women. This is Victorian England, y'all. Women were possessions. Married women had zero legal stature. It was far more socially restrictive for females than the more popular historical romance era, the Regency. And the clothing especially was restrictive. But this was also the start of the suffrage movement, and social awareness. Barriers between classes were beginning to break down. There are reams of books on the Victorians, their dichotomies and their hypocrisies. It's a fascinating time period, and I love the idea of dropping a woman who is used to leading soldiers in a society that, as the author describes it, is pretty gender blind, into Victorian mores.
But for all of the attitudes shown Joan in the book, she might as well as have come back to the 20th or even 21st century. Sure, there are a few passing references to constricting skirts and corsets, but Joan seems to adapt pretty fast. People, corsets aren't something to sneeze at. I wish historical authors would try on at least a modern day version, much less an authentic 19th century corset, before they let their heroines breeze through the equivalent of a spinning class mixed with a two hour cardio sculpt class. And look at a few fashion plates of the day! 1888 fashions still had a small bustle, and tight bodices and sleeves, and skirts draped over multiple layers. But Joan is able to tear a mere slit in her skirt and off she goes to the races.
And Simon, of course, doesn't blink an eye at this liberated woman living in his house, spending most of her time with his sheltered sister. He's remarkably evolved even for 2012.
But hey, these are mere quibbles and more about the book I wish it was, instead of what is actually on the page.
Unfortunately, No Proper Lady isn't much of a romance, either. Of course Simon thinks Joan is hot, especially once her hair is washed and some good old Victorian cooking puts flesh on her dystopian thin body. As for Joan, she's used to sex as an adrenaline escape valve, and Simon is one good looking valve. But the romance is oddly clinical. You never feel that the characters yearn for each other, or see each other as anything but an attractive means to relieve lust. In fact, the first time they fully give in to their desire, Joan is under the influence of an aphrodisiac administered by the villain! It doesn't exactly scream One True Love.
The book as a whole suffers from a lack of believable motivations. While the biggie, Joan wanting to save her world, is very well fleshed out and relatable, the other characters and their motivations are less so. When Joan tells Simon she needs to kill Reynell, Simon demurs and thinks Reynell can repent of his evil ways. Dude, this is the guy who betrayed your friendship, mentally and emotionally raped your sister via demon possession, and sent a pack of hellhounds after you with no provocation. Wake up and smell the tea. And Joan literally wakes up and declares herself to be in love with Simon, even though we saw very little of their relationship building (I'd believe it more if Joan said she was in love with Eleanor, but it's not that type of book.)
The biggest problem is the villain: Reynell is wicked...why, precisely? He seems to hate Simon simply because Simon didn't want to study the same magic Reynell did. But Simon wasn't seeking to limit or take down Reynell so why the personal attacks? In fact, if you were going to be the Evil Grand PooBah of the world, wouldn't you want to keep the one man who has the skills to bring you down a bit closer, or try to play him a bit more? And why is Reynell even consorting with dark forces in the first place? He already comes from a wealthy and titled family. There are a few references to Reynell winning inordinately at gaming tables, but less people want to play with him because of it, so that seems a non-starter. And towards the end, Reynell even seems to relent on his goal of destroying Simon. Which again beg the question - what the ^}<*# does Reynell want, aside from just being a pompous, vacillating and self-centered git?
If your story is only as strong as your villain, then this story has the strength of a wet paper towel.
But I don't want it to sound all bad. There are some wonderful aspects to the book. I love the world of Victorian magic Cooper starts to build, and I really wish she had done more with it. Joan's world is appropriately chilling. I liked how Cooper tied the story to the burgeoning Spiritualist movement of the time (the only instance where I felt like I was reading a historical) and again, wish she had done more. The writing itself is decent, not overly lyrical or beautiful, but it keeps you anchored in the story. There are only a few anachronisms that threw me out (eg. Simon uses the word "platoon" to mean a military company, but while platoon was in use in the US since 1779, it wasn't used by the British Army until 1913. I know, I know, the nits, I pick them.)
So, a generous three stars, mostly for the awesome premise.
But Publishers Weekly, you're now on notice and have lost a gazillion credibility points with me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
December 7, 2017eBook was auto-returned to the library at 82% and I found myself...unbothered. I loved the idea behind the plot, but couldn't work out why I was feeling so ridiculously frustrated for the majority of it.
I think it may have something to do with the usually fast-passed action of a kickass paranormal romance that did not quite gel with the slow building yet repressed sexual tension of a good old Victorian romance. Each work brilliantly on their own, but together sadly not so much.
The main characters are well realised, the sexual tension between them is amazing, and the world building is interesting and a very cool backdrop. I didn't mind reading this story as I went, but each time I put it down I had difficulty wanting to pick it back up again. Even though weeks at a time were flying by, I found myself huffing with impatience as yet another whatever had to take place before the final confrontation. And while I recognise the necessity of each hurdle, I think my brain has been too ingrained with the beat-'em-up-now-sex-later equation from paranormal romances, and I couldn't get my mind to stick to the will-they-won't-they-its-so-improper-but-so-RIGHT courtship of a Victorian romance while all the magic and demons were flying around in the background.
Dunno. Probs not going to chase this one - especially since I noticed that it was part of a series and thus likely to drag on for longer.
DNF at 82%.
I think it may have something to do with the usually fast-passed action of a kickass paranormal romance that did not quite gel with the slow building yet repressed sexual tension of a good old Victorian romance. Each work brilliantly on their own, but together sadly not so much.
The main characters are well realised, the sexual tension between them is amazing, and the world building is interesting and a very cool backdrop. I didn't mind reading this story as I went, but each time I put it down I had difficulty wanting to pick it back up again. Even though weeks at a time were flying by, I found myself huffing with impatience as yet another whatever had to take place before the final confrontation. And while I recognise the necessity of each hurdle, I think my brain has been too ingrained with the beat-'em-up-now-sex-later equation from paranormal romances, and I couldn't get my mind to stick to the will-they-won't-they-its-so-improper-but-so-RIGHT courtship of a Victorian romance while all the magic and demons were flying around in the background.
Dunno. Probs not going to chase this one - especially since I noticed that it was part of a series and thus likely to drag on for longer.
DNF at 82%.
June 30, 2019
This is a little like The Terminator, but with roll reversal. Joan is the assassin. Overall, I liked this, but it was slow in places. I liked how accepting Simon was, but the whole "I can't compromise you" got old. And now that I think about it, Joan told Simon how she felt, but I don't remember Simon confessing his feelings. (And I'm too lazy to go back and look). The 2nd in this series features new people and sounds good, so I most likely will read it.
For Ripped Bodice Bingo- Assassins square
For Ripped Bodice Bingo- Assassins square
October 14, 2017
2,5 içinde yok yok olan bir hikaye tasarlamış yazar ,, fantastik öğeler , ütopik bir dünya sonra hopp 1800 lü yılların İngilteresi ..çok da sevemedim , en azından merakımı öldürdüm :)
May 12, 2020
A silly enjoyable read. Nothing made too much sense but it was unique and a fun read!
September 15, 2011
I've heard NO PROPER LADY described as "Eliza Dolittle meets the Terminator;" I'd agree with the second half, certainly (although she's more a fantasy Terminator (on oh-so-many levels) rather than a sci fi one), but the "Eliza Dolittle" half, which I'd rather been looking forward to, was rather skimpy. I'd call this more "The Terminator and the Golden Dawn vs. Aleister Crowley."
I went back and forth between two and three stars for this one. The plot was an intriguing enough concept: sometime in the future, a very evil book written by the sorceror Alex Reynell is read, and opens our world to the destruction and domination of the Dark Lords. This is the world that Joan grew up in, and that bleak future, where humanity fights for its very survival in underground warrens, is all she has ever known. In a desperate attempt to save themselves from extinction, her people unstitch Joan from time itself and send her back before any of this has happened-- to England of 1888-- to destroy the book and its maker.
Simon Grenville was once Alex Reynell's friend, and studied the sorts of things with him that most people believe to be superstition and myth. But Alex chose a darker path, and involved Simon's sister in something that almost destroyed her. Simon still believes that the good man he once knew is still in there somewhere, so when the half-naked stranger appears within the standing stones on his property and saves his life, he agrees to help her complete her mission-- if she will allow him to attempt a non-lethal method of stopping his friend, first.
But as he helps the stranger fit in to his time and get close to his former friend, he comes to know and admire her, and to desire her in ways he should not desire any proper lady. But Joan, of course, is no proper lady....
As I said, the plot and the concept were pretty intriguing. The problem, I think, is that it tried too hard to be too many things at once, and didn't do any of them particularly well because of it. Part of what I looked forward to the most was seeing how Joan would shoehorn herself into the role of a proper Victorian lady and relate to the people of that time. That aspect, unfortunately, is what the author spent the LEAST amount of time on. Simon pretty much accepts Joan without blinking. He's intrigued to watch her reactions to his world and watch her progress (which is, naturally, brilliant-- really, she could have stood to struggle with things a bit more), but the progress itself has sort of an A-Team montage feel to it... I never really felt the tension of her attempting to conform to what, to her, should have been an entirely alien and nonsensical culture. And yes, Simon is a magician and all, but he's *awfully* modern in his thinking, for a Victorian gentleman.
The description of the magic was pretty intriguing (although a bit of a hodge-podge). The sexual aspect was a little surprising to me at first, but it made the continued sexual tension between Simon and Joan a little confusing (why WAS Simon resisting? What would it have mattered?).
A satisfying enough read, but a bit by-the-numbers and not without its logical flaws. 2 1/2 stars, if GoodReads allowed halves.
I went back and forth between two and three stars for this one. The plot was an intriguing enough concept: sometime in the future, a very evil book written by the sorceror Alex Reynell is read, and opens our world to the destruction and domination of the Dark Lords. This is the world that Joan grew up in, and that bleak future, where humanity fights for its very survival in underground warrens, is all she has ever known. In a desperate attempt to save themselves from extinction, her people unstitch Joan from time itself and send her back before any of this has happened-- to England of 1888-- to destroy the book and its maker.
Simon Grenville was once Alex Reynell's friend, and studied the sorts of things with him that most people believe to be superstition and myth. But Alex chose a darker path, and involved Simon's sister in something that almost destroyed her. Simon still believes that the good man he once knew is still in there somewhere, so when the half-naked stranger appears within the standing stones on his property and saves his life, he agrees to help her complete her mission-- if she will allow him to attempt a non-lethal method of stopping his friend, first.
But as he helps the stranger fit in to his time and get close to his former friend, he comes to know and admire her, and to desire her in ways he should not desire any proper lady. But Joan, of course, is no proper lady....
As I said, the plot and the concept were pretty intriguing. The problem, I think, is that it tried too hard to be too many things at once, and didn't do any of them particularly well because of it. Part of what I looked forward to the most was seeing how Joan would shoehorn herself into the role of a proper Victorian lady and relate to the people of that time. That aspect, unfortunately, is what the author spent the LEAST amount of time on. Simon pretty much accepts Joan without blinking. He's intrigued to watch her reactions to his world and watch her progress (which is, naturally, brilliant-- really, she could have stood to struggle with things a bit more), but the progress itself has sort of an A-Team montage feel to it... I never really felt the tension of her attempting to conform to what, to her, should have been an entirely alien and nonsensical culture. And yes, Simon is a magician and all, but he's *awfully* modern in his thinking, for a Victorian gentleman.
The description of the magic was pretty intriguing (although a bit of a hodge-podge). The sexual aspect was a little surprising to me at first, but it made the continued sexual tension between Simon and Joan a little confusing (why WAS Simon resisting? What would it have mattered?).
A satisfying enough read, but a bit by-the-numbers and not without its logical flaws. 2 1/2 stars, if GoodReads allowed halves.
December 24, 2011
You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2011/12/...
When Joan travels back 200 years and lands in 1888 England, a la Terminator, she’s immediately greeted by snarling cerberi and an English Gentleman by the name of Simon Grenville. Joan is in search of the man that’s at fault for causing the fall of civilization, and the horrid world she lives in, and plans to destroy him, in hopes of saving mankind. Turns out that Simon has his own agenda involving the evil Alex Raynell, and he agrees to help Joan in her mission.
The opening scene, when Joan arrives in a dark, rain swept field and must fight numerous beasts to save herself and Simon, really got me excited for this book. Honestly, I expected lots of action, fighting, etc., but the reality was somewhat different than I expected. That wasn’t a bad thing though! In fact, I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed reading about the lengths Joan goes to in order to fit in to proper society and get close to the man that’s she’s after. On the back of the book, it says “It’s Terminator meets My Fair Lady”. Well, the beginning certainly was Terminatoresque, but we really don’t see any real action until the last quarter of the book, but like I said, that’s ok, because I really liked the characterizations, especially how Simon is drawn to Joan in spite of her rough exterior and less than delicate sensibilities. Joan is hard not to like, and Simon enlists his younger sister, Ellie, in helping Joan fit in, with hopes that it will bring her out of her shell, for it’s Ellie that Reynell had brutalized, bringing about Simon’s wrath and the end of what was a close relationship between Simon and Alex. Simon is a skilled magician, which is part of why he has no problem believing Joan’s story as to where and when she came. There are definitely some sexy bits, so No Proper Lady will definitely appeal to romance fans, but I believe it should appeal to anyone that enjoys a well written story, and the juxtaposition between Regency England and the not so distant future might appeal to fantasy/light sci-fi fans as well (if you don’t mind some serious sexy with your sci-fi.) I’ll definitely look forward to Ms. Cooper’s next novel, No Honest Woman, in April 2012!
When Joan travels back 200 years and lands in 1888 England, a la Terminator, she’s immediately greeted by snarling cerberi and an English Gentleman by the name of Simon Grenville. Joan is in search of the man that’s at fault for causing the fall of civilization, and the horrid world she lives in, and plans to destroy him, in hopes of saving mankind. Turns out that Simon has his own agenda involving the evil Alex Raynell, and he agrees to help Joan in her mission.
The opening scene, when Joan arrives in a dark, rain swept field and must fight numerous beasts to save herself and Simon, really got me excited for this book. Honestly, I expected lots of action, fighting, etc., but the reality was somewhat different than I expected. That wasn’t a bad thing though! In fact, I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed reading about the lengths Joan goes to in order to fit in to proper society and get close to the man that’s she’s after. On the back of the book, it says “It’s Terminator meets My Fair Lady”. Well, the beginning certainly was Terminatoresque, but we really don’t see any real action until the last quarter of the book, but like I said, that’s ok, because I really liked the characterizations, especially how Simon is drawn to Joan in spite of her rough exterior and less than delicate sensibilities. Joan is hard not to like, and Simon enlists his younger sister, Ellie, in helping Joan fit in, with hopes that it will bring her out of her shell, for it’s Ellie that Reynell had brutalized, bringing about Simon’s wrath and the end of what was a close relationship between Simon and Alex. Simon is a skilled magician, which is part of why he has no problem believing Joan’s story as to where and when she came. There are definitely some sexy bits, so No Proper Lady will definitely appeal to romance fans, but I believe it should appeal to anyone that enjoys a well written story, and the juxtaposition between Regency England and the not so distant future might appeal to fantasy/light sci-fi fans as well (if you don’t mind some serious sexy with your sci-fi.) I’ll definitely look forward to Ms. Cooper’s next novel, No Honest Woman, in April 2012!
July 23, 2016
drey’s thoughts:
Every time I look at this cover, I wonder why the girl has a tattoo–it’s so not in keeping with historical romances… Then I realize “duh!” she’s not from the times, she’s just in the times. Or there wouldn’t be a story!
Joan comes from “our” world, but a version of our world that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemies… Or yours. Demonic hordes are systematically wiping out humanity, and the last survivors are flagging and running out of options. Their last-ditch effort? Sending Joan back in time. Her mission: eliminate the magician who set loose the hordes, before he gets strong enough to do so.
And so this warrior from a bleak world drops onto a pretty pastoral England, and winds up saving the life of Simon Grenville. Coincidence or dumb luck? Who knows. And Joan doesn’t care, as Simon is a fortuitous ally–he’s got a score to settle with Alex Reynell as well.
The two bring to mind scenes from Pygmalion as Simon and his sister attempt to tutor Joan in the manners and behavior expected of a proper Victorian lady–which she’ll need if she’s to catch Reynell’s eye while out in society. Never mind that she’s not a lady, never mind that she cusses like a sailor, and never mind that she’s there to kill. What she is is focused on her objective, and she deals with the bewildering array of differences between their worlds with humor and sometimes awestruck joy.
The plot is plausible, the characters endearing, and there’s a happy ending (it is a romance novel after all). A nice twist on historical romance with a touch of magic.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
Every time I look at this cover, I wonder why the girl has a tattoo–it’s so not in keeping with historical romances… Then I realize “duh!” she’s not from the times, she’s just in the times. Or there wouldn’t be a story!
Joan comes from “our” world, but a version of our world that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemies… Or yours. Demonic hordes are systematically wiping out humanity, and the last survivors are flagging and running out of options. Their last-ditch effort? Sending Joan back in time. Her mission: eliminate the magician who set loose the hordes, before he gets strong enough to do so.
And so this warrior from a bleak world drops onto a pretty pastoral England, and winds up saving the life of Simon Grenville. Coincidence or dumb luck? Who knows. And Joan doesn’t care, as Simon is a fortuitous ally–he’s got a score to settle with Alex Reynell as well.
The two bring to mind scenes from Pygmalion as Simon and his sister attempt to tutor Joan in the manners and behavior expected of a proper Victorian lady–which she’ll need if she’s to catch Reynell’s eye while out in society. Never mind that she’s not a lady, never mind that she cusses like a sailor, and never mind that she’s there to kill. What she is is focused on her objective, and she deals with the bewildering array of differences between their worlds with humor and sometimes awestruck joy.
The plot is plausible, the characters endearing, and there’s a happy ending (it is a romance novel after all). A nice twist on historical romance with a touch of magic.
drey’s rating: Pick it up!
April 27, 2013
I'm quite happy I read Lessons After Dark, the second book in this series, first. I wouldn't have bought it otherwise.
No Proper Lady is as boring as the proper lady she isn't. The idea behind the story was an intriguing one, but I would have liked it a lot better if it had more action and less training on how to be a lady. Both book and characters are dull. Only Joan has some moments of vitality in an otherwise dead world. But she should be a kick ass assassin from the future, clearly "some vitality" doesn't even cut what her role should be.
I admit that none of the characters felt in any way rounded to me nor did I found any depth in them.
The vast majority of the book deals with absolutely nothing outside Joan merging with the "Victorian" world. Of course with barely an itch. There is NO conflict, nothing goes ever wrong, the ending is smooth as a baby's bottom.
The romance is as weak as the rest of the story. You get why the fall for each other (at least that). But you can't say you feel this interest. I was very near to DNF the book more than once.
I would suggest, if I might, that you jump to book 2. Yes, it's slow too. But I didn't feel bored reading it.
No Proper Lady is as boring as the proper lady she isn't. The idea behind the story was an intriguing one, but I would have liked it a lot better if it had more action and less training on how to be a lady. Both book and characters are dull. Only Joan has some moments of vitality in an otherwise dead world. But she should be a kick ass assassin from the future, clearly "some vitality" doesn't even cut what her role should be.
I admit that none of the characters felt in any way rounded to me nor did I found any depth in them.
The vast majority of the book deals with absolutely nothing outside Joan merging with the "Victorian" world. Of course with barely an itch. There is NO conflict, nothing goes ever wrong, the ending is smooth as a baby's bottom.
The romance is as weak as the rest of the story. You get why the fall for each other (at least that). But you can't say you feel this interest. I was very near to DNF the book more than once.
I would suggest, if I might, that you jump to book 2. Yes, it's slow too. But I didn't feel bored reading it.
September 3, 2016
My reaction before reading the book:
My reaction after reading the book:
This book was OK.
Sadly it wasn't what I had in mind and what I had expected especially when the book has all my favorite genre in it with a kick-ass heroine, time-travelling back to the past to change the future and save humanity. It is a paranormal romance book with magic, fantasy and historical romance but I find the lack of explanations of somethings quite disturbing.
Most of ALL the supposed to be antagonist that was supposed to be evil wasn't all quite that evil for me and more like was being used and we don't even get to know his motives. The magic they are using was also confusing but I just take it for what it is and how in the end Joan had able to manage to created a different future and how she gets to choose being in the future or stay in the past which needless to say she stays in the past with the hero.
BUT I just didn't click with any characters and find them all plain somehow. The ending and the ultimate fighting scene were all abrupt and the story was all just boring for me. It's a shame when the story and idea seems promising.
My reaction after reading the book:
This book was OK.
Sadly it wasn't what I had in mind and what I had expected especially when the book has all my favorite genre in it with a kick-ass heroine, time-travelling back to the past to change the future and save humanity. It is a paranormal romance book with magic, fantasy and historical romance but I find the lack of explanations of somethings quite disturbing.
Most of ALL the supposed to be antagonist that was supposed to be evil wasn't all quite that evil for me and more like was being used and we don't even get to know his motives. The magic they are using was also confusing but I just take it for what it is and how in the end Joan had able to manage to created a different future and how she gets to choose being in the future or stay in the past which needless to say she stays in the past with the hero.
BUT I just didn't click with any characters and find them all plain somehow. The ending and the ultimate fighting scene were all abrupt and the story was all just boring for me. It's a shame when the story and idea seems promising.
March 25, 2012
Fascinating book combining a dystopia future Earth (only at the beginning though and in the thoughts of Joan) and Victorian England and magic. Joan has come back in time to save the Earth from Alex Reynell, the man who will end up destroying it with his Dark Magic and demons. Simon stumbles upon her when she arrives and befriends her. He used to be best friends with Alex, until Alex took the turn towards more power and darkness. This review is not doing the book any justice, sorry. There is definitely Romance, mixed with magic, and the Victorian Society's love of spirituality and seances. A very good read if you like Historical Romance mixed with Paranormal.
February 24, 2012
I somehow missed from the reviews that there would be a lot of sex in this book. I don't like to read that, but the story somewhat interested me. I tried to just skip those parts to find out what happened. I still wasn't impressed as the action at the end seemed really drawn out and too easily overcome.
Also, love scenes can be skipped. However, random and unnecessary MBtion and the guy's obsession with his arousal slapped me in the face in a disgusting way and totally frustrated me.
I don't even want some of my friends on here to know I semi-skimmed through this thing, but I wanted to warn anybody else who might not want to read that junk.
Also, love scenes can be skipped. However, random and unnecessary MBtion and the guy's obsession with his arousal slapped me in the face in a disgusting way and totally frustrated me.
I don't even want some of my friends on here to know I semi-skimmed through this thing, but I wanted to warn anybody else who might not want to read that junk.
February 4, 2012
This book was AMAZING. All I want to talk about right now was how great this book was. The characters are amazing, especially Joan, who is so strong and tough and liberated and when she cried and said she wanted her mother I got all choked up. The worldbuilding is wonderful. The way she sets up the time-travel elements and shows someone from the future reacting to the Victorian Era was fantastic. I've always loved time travel stories but this might be the best one I've read. And the writing was just brilliant and heartbreaking and charming and funny.
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