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The Kirov Trilogy #2
Fleur
The year is 1851, and Victorian England is at the height of its self-confidence: the greatest industrial nation in the world, vigorous, inquisitive, self-reliant, generous.
Young Fleur Hamilton is truly a product of the era.Intelligent and independent, she is also utterly innocent in matters of love and the ways of men. So she is unprepared, while visiting St. Petersburg, for the feelings provoked by Count Sergei Kirov, the vibrant, enigmatic Russian with a tragic secret. In the gilded splendor of his city, Fleur falls in love with Kirov and with the mystical, barbaric beauty of Russia. But their two countries are on the brink of war, and Kirov is on the verge of a marriage of convenience with the daughter of Fleur's host.
From the sophistication of Imperial Petersburg to the rustic simplicity of the Crimea: from elegant country house parties to the agona and squalor of besieged Sebastopol, Fleur follows her heart and tries to unravel the mystery of Kirov, to learn what binds the threads of her life so closely to his.
Rich with historical and romantic drama, Fleur is a worth sequel to the acclaimed Anna.
Young Fleur Hamilton is truly a product of the era.Intelligent and independent, she is also utterly innocent in matters of love and the ways of men. So she is unprepared, while visiting St. Petersburg, for the feelings provoked by Count Sergei Kirov, the vibrant, enigmatic Russian with a tragic secret. In the gilded splendor of his city, Fleur falls in love with Kirov and with the mystical, barbaric beauty of Russia. But their two countries are on the brink of war, and Kirov is on the verge of a marriage of convenience with the daughter of Fleur's host.
From the sophistication of Imperial Petersburg to the rustic simplicity of the Crimea: from elegant country house parties to the agona and squalor of besieged Sebastopol, Fleur follows her heart and tries to unravel the mystery of Kirov, to learn what binds the threads of her life so closely to his.
Rich with historical and romantic drama, Fleur is a worth sequel to the acclaimed Anna.
406 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
9 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
168 books491 followersCynthia Harrod-Eagles (aka Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennett)
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 12, 2010
"There'll be some kind of treaty between the sovereigns, and everyone will go home. It won't make any difference in the end. That's the sad thing about it all - that when it comes right down to it, it's all for nothing."
This is the second book in Cynthia Harrod-Eagle's Kirov trilogy and begins in 1851 as the Great Exhibition opens in London. Fleur Hamilton is the daughter of an eccentric botanist who prefers to wander the world looking for the rarest plants and letting his children be raised by others. Fleur is accosted by ruffians while out riding and is rescued by a mysterious stranger who disappears before leaving his name, although she does eventually find him - Count Sergei Kirov, a diplomat like his father Nikolai (from Anna).
Like a moth to a flame, Fleur can't stay away from the elusive Count who seems to return her affections in kind - or is he just amusing himself at her expense? Eventually Sergei cuts her cold and Fleur returns to her country estate to nurse her broken heart. Fast forward two years and the Hamiltons journey to St. Petersburg and her father leaves Fleur in the care of a wealthy Russian merchant as he tramps off to Siberia in search of a rare orchid. Fleur soon finds herself in a social whirl that includes the Kirovs - will Sergei break her heart once again? What is the emotional baggage that he carries from his previous marriage that keeps him from declaring his feelings for Fleur? Or does Sergei love another?
The story eventually switches to the south, as the British and French invade Crimea and Fleur finds herself torn between two countries, two men and the horrors and injustice of war as she's trapped in the Seige of Sebastopol.
"There had never been vultures in the Crimea before, as everyone knew; now, since the Alma, they were appearing, mysteriously, in large numbers, circling the army and hopping and flapping on its flanks like shabby undertakers haunting an almshouse."
I really never knew much about the Crimean War outside of the stories of Florence Nightingale and I have to say this was an eye-opener. The British soldiers were packed like sardines on ships with inadequate food and water and were dropping like flies from disease before they even landed in the Crimea, let alone being ill prepared for a Russian Winter. All that loss of life for one more useless war.
Like Anna, the first half of the book is rather slow-paced, and there's a lot of day-to-day detail that some readers might not care for - if you need a heroine in constant need of rescue from her latest pickle this might not be the book for you. I enjoyed it, especially the *inside look* at the daily lives of the Russians, along with Fleur's debates with Sergei over the serfs and slavery, I suspect that will carry over into the third book Emily which leads into the Russian Revolution. As for Sergei's big secret and Fleur's eventual happiness? You'll never guess, that was one finish that I never ever saw coming. 4/5 stars.
This is the second book in Cynthia Harrod-Eagle's Kirov trilogy and begins in 1851 as the Great Exhibition opens in London. Fleur Hamilton is the daughter of an eccentric botanist who prefers to wander the world looking for the rarest plants and letting his children be raised by others. Fleur is accosted by ruffians while out riding and is rescued by a mysterious stranger who disappears before leaving his name, although she does eventually find him - Count Sergei Kirov, a diplomat like his father Nikolai (from Anna).
Like a moth to a flame, Fleur can't stay away from the elusive Count who seems to return her affections in kind - or is he just amusing himself at her expense? Eventually Sergei cuts her cold and Fleur returns to her country estate to nurse her broken heart. Fast forward two years and the Hamiltons journey to St. Petersburg and her father leaves Fleur in the care of a wealthy Russian merchant as he tramps off to Siberia in search of a rare orchid. Fleur soon finds herself in a social whirl that includes the Kirovs - will Sergei break her heart once again? What is the emotional baggage that he carries from his previous marriage that keeps him from declaring his feelings for Fleur? Or does Sergei love another?
The story eventually switches to the south, as the British and French invade Crimea and Fleur finds herself torn between two countries, two men and the horrors and injustice of war as she's trapped in the Seige of Sebastopol.
"There had never been vultures in the Crimea before, as everyone knew; now, since the Alma, they were appearing, mysteriously, in large numbers, circling the army and hopping and flapping on its flanks like shabby undertakers haunting an almshouse."
I really never knew much about the Crimean War outside of the stories of Florence Nightingale and I have to say this was an eye-opener. The British soldiers were packed like sardines on ships with inadequate food and water and were dropping like flies from disease before they even landed in the Crimea, let alone being ill prepared for a Russian Winter. All that loss of life for one more useless war.
Like Anna, the first half of the book is rather slow-paced, and there's a lot of day-to-day detail that some readers might not care for - if you need a heroine in constant need of rescue from her latest pickle this might not be the book for you. I enjoyed it, especially the *inside look* at the daily lives of the Russians, along with Fleur's debates with Sergei over the serfs and slavery, I suspect that will carry over into the third book Emily which leads into the Russian Revolution. As for Sergei's big secret and Fleur's eventual happiness? You'll never guess, that was one finish that I never ever saw coming. 4/5 stars.
August 10, 2014
Having recently read and very much enjoyed Anna, I had high hopes for its sequel Fleur, but ended up disappointed.
The first half of the book is very slow-paced. Set in England in 1851, we follow Fleur and a whole array of characters, most of which are superfluous to the eventual story. I wish this part had been shorter, far too much of it was irrelevant and felt like padding. It’s here though that we also meet the enigmatic Russian Count, Sergei, with whom Fleur is instantly smitten.
The second half is where the story finally gets going as we arrive in Russia. Fleur meets the affable Peter, Sergei’s brother. He warns her off Sergei, but is this through concern or jealousy? And just what secret is Sergei hiding? Then the Crimean War hits, and how hellish it sounds. Death and disease stalk the soldiers, and Fleur finds herself caught up in the siege of Sebastopol.
For me, Fleur didn’t live up to its premise or prequel. I didn’t connect with the characters like I did in Anna, nor did the story have the same emotional pull; it all lacked the intimacy and drama of Anna. Whilst the over-long first half was my initial let-down, I wonder also if Fleur suffered for being read so soon after Anna? Quite possibly, which is why I’ll leave a far bigger gap before reading the final book in this trilogy, Emily
The first half of the book is very slow-paced. Set in England in 1851, we follow Fleur and a whole array of characters, most of which are superfluous to the eventual story. I wish this part had been shorter, far too much of it was irrelevant and felt like padding. It’s here though that we also meet the enigmatic Russian Count, Sergei, with whom Fleur is instantly smitten.
The second half is where the story finally gets going as we arrive in Russia. Fleur meets the affable Peter, Sergei’s brother. He warns her off Sergei, but is this through concern or jealousy? And just what secret is Sergei hiding? Then the Crimean War hits, and how hellish it sounds. Death and disease stalk the soldiers, and Fleur finds herself caught up in the siege of Sebastopol.
For me, Fleur didn’t live up to its premise or prequel. I didn’t connect with the characters like I did in Anna, nor did the story have the same emotional pull; it all lacked the intimacy and drama of Anna. Whilst the over-long first half was my initial let-down, I wonder also if Fleur suffered for being read so soon after Anna? Quite possibly, which is why I’ll leave a far bigger gap before reading the final book in this trilogy, Emily
April 11, 2012
Thank God for the last 50 or so pages. Before that I thought I'd go out of my mind, thinking I knew where the story was headed and not liking it one bit. So, yay for the unpredictability and character growth. A good read all in all, but I liked Anna more.
October 19, 2024
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Second book of this brilliantly written trilogy
💋💋
Second book of this brilliantly written trilogy
February 12, 2024
I liked the second book in the Kirov saga.It tells the story of Fleur Hamilton,an english woman,the daughter of a famous botanist who travels frequently to study rare plants.
He is mostly absent from the life of his daughter and his son Richard,who both learn to be independent and manage life on their own,as best they can,with the help of their aunts and uncle.
It is the year of the Great Exhibition of 1951 and Fleur travels to London to see it.Being an internatinal event,there she meets a misterious man,a russian diplomat named Sergei Kirow. He saves her from an attack while horseriding and Fleur becomes intrigued and fascinated by him.They develop a friendship and Fleur falls in love for the first time,but all does not end well, because Sergej returns abruptly to Russia,leaving her to mend her broken heart.
Two years later Fleur's father travels to Russia in the search of a rare siberian orchid and his children accompany him.
Fleur will meet again the misterious and ellusive Sergej,whom she cannot forget.
Things get even more complicated with the start of the Crimean War in 1853,as Fleur is thorn between two countries and two men.
I recommend this novel,though I liked the first one "Anna" better.
Will go on to "Emily",to see what happens in the last book of this saga.
He is mostly absent from the life of his daughter and his son Richard,who both learn to be independent and manage life on their own,as best they can,with the help of their aunts and uncle.
It is the year of the Great Exhibition of 1951 and Fleur travels to London to see it.Being an internatinal event,there she meets a misterious man,a russian diplomat named Sergei Kirow. He saves her from an attack while horseriding and Fleur becomes intrigued and fascinated by him.They develop a friendship and Fleur falls in love for the first time,but all does not end well, because Sergej returns abruptly to Russia,leaving her to mend her broken heart.
Two years later Fleur's father travels to Russia in the search of a rare siberian orchid and his children accompany him.
Fleur will meet again the misterious and ellusive Sergej,whom she cannot forget.
Things get even more complicated with the start of the Crimean War in 1853,as Fleur is thorn between two countries and two men.
I recommend this novel,though I liked the first one "Anna" better.
Will go on to "Emily",to see what happens in the last book of this saga.
July 17, 2022
3.5 stars. From the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace to the Crimean War the reader follows the adventures of Fleur Hamilton, who is half-French and half-English. From the time of her rescue by the Russian Count Kirov, Fleur is mesmerized by him. After meeting his younger brother as she travels to Russia with her father and brother, she is once more drawn into his orbit — finding it hard to leave. While the historical background is fascinating, the story itself is often rather slowly-paced.
May 4, 2021
Not much action, long war descriptions, not much character development. Not as good as Anna.
November 6, 2012
After quite a few years I finally purchased "Fleur" since I was a huge fan of the first book "Anna", but the second book in the Kirov Saga was a huge letdown. Fleur's character was a bit on the dull side while Sergei was odd and almost bipolar with his moods and behavior. Learning more about the history of the Kirov family you can understand why the Kirov men act as they do. It felt that I was at times reading a history book rather than a book of historical fiction so I found myself skipping some parts of the book.
August 4, 2015
Well, i didn't expect this ending, and i'm sad for all those poor men losing their lives in the Crimean war. Very moving book, the writer did not go for the easy solution and i respected her for that.
June 7, 2015
Mind numbingly boring. I can't believe this book exists. How did the author not continually fall asleep over her incredibly dull work? How did the editors and publishers not lapse into comas having to give this thoroughly uninspired manuscript multiple close reads?
Want to read
May 4, 2009#2 in series.
req from other library
req from other library
January 29, 2014
Preferred Anna. It was very slow to get going and could have been half the size without missing anything important
May 5, 2011
I love this author....trying to read all of her books.....love them
Read
December 24, 2015Enjoyable read from C.H-E
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews