What do you think?
Rate this book
Montague Siblings #3
The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks
Return to the enchanting world of the Montague siblings in the finale to the New York Times best-selling and Stonewall Honor-winning series, featuring a teenage Adrian Montague as he desperately seeks the now adult Monty and Felicity - the older siblings he never knew he had.
Adrian Montague has a bright future. The sole heir to his father’s estate, he is an up and coming political writer and engaged to an activist who challenges and inspires him. But most young Lords aren’t battling the debilitating anxiety Adrian secretly lives with, or the growing fear that it might consume him and all he hopes to accomplish. In the wake of his mother’s unexpected death, Adrian is also concerned people will find out that he has the mental illness she struggled with for years.
When a newly found keepsake of hers - a piece of a broken spyglass - comes into Adrian’s possession, he’s thrust into the past and finds himself face-to-face with an older brother he never knew he had. Henry “Monty” Montague has been living quietly in London for years, and his sudden appearance sends Adrian on a quest to unravel family secrets that only the spyglass can answer.
In pursuit of answers about the relic, the brothers chart a course to locate their sister Felicity. But as they travel between the pirate courts of Rabat, Portuguese islands, the canals of Amsterdam, and into unknown Artic waters, the Montague siblings are thrown into one final adventure as they face a ghostly legend that threatens their whole family.
©2020 Mackenzi Lee (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers
Adrian Montague has a bright future. The sole heir to his father’s estate, he is an up and coming political writer and engaged to an activist who challenges and inspires him. But most young Lords aren’t battling the debilitating anxiety Adrian secretly lives with, or the growing fear that it might consume him and all he hopes to accomplish. In the wake of his mother’s unexpected death, Adrian is also concerned people will find out that he has the mental illness she struggled with for years.
When a newly found keepsake of hers - a piece of a broken spyglass - comes into Adrian’s possession, he’s thrust into the past and finds himself face-to-face with an older brother he never knew he had. Henry “Monty” Montague has been living quietly in London for years, and his sudden appearance sends Adrian on a quest to unravel family secrets that only the spyglass can answer.
In pursuit of answers about the relic, the brothers chart a course to locate their sister Felicity. But as they travel between the pirate courts of Rabat, Portuguese islands, the canals of Amsterdam, and into unknown Artic waters, the Montague siblings are thrown into one final adventure as they face a ghostly legend that threatens their whole family.
©2020 Mackenzi Lee (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers
580 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2021
381 people are currently reading
32124 people want to read
About the author
Mackenzi Lee
20 books8,533 followersMackenzi Lee writes books you might have read. And she no longer uses Goodreads or accepts friend requests.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,193 reviews
February 28, 2022
THE GOBLINS GETTING A BOOK WHAT
Read
March 24, 2024I’m on BookTube now! =)
I almost forgot how much I loved the Montague siblings. XD
Adrian is such a great addition to the family and his anxiety rep felt so tangible and real. Poor boy, though. At first Monty didn’t make it easy for him, but I kinda lived and breathed for the developing family bonds. <33
Full RTC soon! Might take a little while since the Easter holidays are coming up. ;-)
_________________________________
Well, I already said it all in 2019 when I found out this book exists.
So I've nothing to add except of: I'll be reading this now and I'm so ready!
Let's see if it will live up to my expectations! *lol*
_________________________
THERE IS A THIRD SIBLING NAMED ADRIAN?!!!??
Oh, wait! Is this the little baby brother that was mentioned in the first book (the Gremlin?)?!
- Revived sibling relationships
- Monty & Felicity (not to mention Percy)
- The Caribbean (Barbados & New Orleans)
- grief and mental breakdown rep
Take.
All.
My.
Money!!!
You can bet your panties that I'm going to read this one! XD
Find me on:
My Blog
Instagram
I almost forgot how much I loved the Montague siblings. XD
Adrian is such a great addition to the family and his anxiety rep felt so tangible and real. Poor boy, though. At first Monty didn’t make it easy for him, but I kinda lived and breathed for the developing family bonds. <33
Full RTC soon! Might take a little while since the Easter holidays are coming up. ;-)
_________________________________
Well, I already said it all in 2019 when I found out this book exists.
So I've nothing to add except of: I'll be reading this now and I'm so ready!
Let's see if it will live up to my expectations! *lol*
_________________________
THERE IS A THIRD SIBLING NAMED ADRIAN?!!!??
Oh, wait! Is this the little baby brother that was mentioned in the first book (the Gremlin?)?!
- Revived sibling relationships
- Monty & Felicity (not to mention Percy)
- The Caribbean (Barbados & New Orleans)
- grief and mental breakdown rep
Take.
All.
My.
Money!!!
You can bet your panties that I'm going to read this one! XD
Find me on:
My Blog
November 20, 2021
a nice addition to the series and it was fun to be back in the world of the montague siblings, but this is probably the weakest book in the series.
i like how each of the books focus on the growth/development of the characters - ive always found their personal journeys of self-acceptance to be just as rewarding as the high-seas pirate adventures they go on, and this one is no exception. i think adrian is a great character and one i know many readers will be able to relate to when it comes to mental illness.
the thing is this installment takes place nearly 20 years after the first two books, and yet monty and felicity do not act like they are near 40 years old. honestly, all three siblings act like teenagers/similar ages and it was near impossible to imagine monty and felicity as adults. i just thought it was very odd characterisation that didnt match up with the correct ages/timeline. the narrative is also really drawn out and slow, with not much happening, which i found to be surprising for a 400+ page book. this honestly has major novella vibes, where the purpose is just to check-in with the characters, rather than plot-based story progression.
but if you love these characters, i dont think you will mind these things. i think i just had such high expectations from the first two books that this disappointed me a little bit. but again, it was fun to be back in this series and to see the little goblin all grown up. :')
↠ 3.5 stars
i like how each of the books focus on the growth/development of the characters - ive always found their personal journeys of self-acceptance to be just as rewarding as the high-seas pirate adventures they go on, and this one is no exception. i think adrian is a great character and one i know many readers will be able to relate to when it comes to mental illness.
the thing is this installment takes place nearly 20 years after the first two books, and yet monty and felicity do not act like they are near 40 years old. honestly, all three siblings act like teenagers/similar ages and it was near impossible to imagine monty and felicity as adults. i just thought it was very odd characterisation that didnt match up with the correct ages/timeline. the narrative is also really drawn out and slow, with not much happening, which i found to be surprising for a 400+ page book. this honestly has major novella vibes, where the purpose is just to check-in with the characters, rather than plot-based story progression.
but if you love these characters, i dont think you will mind these things. i think i just had such high expectations from the first two books that this disappointed me a little bit. but again, it was fun to be back in this series and to see the little goblin all grown up. :')
↠ 3.5 stars
November 24, 2019
It's official. None of Henri's children want anything to do with him.
June 23, 2022
The Montague siblings and their perilous conquests can always be counted upon as my unfaltering source of entertainment. The banter in this trilogy is top tier, and the addition of a finally grown-up Adrian ensured that this finale was no exception, featuring a near-perfect balance of humour and heart.
Despite my enduring love for Monty and Felicity, The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks sent Adrian crashing into my heart …to the extent that he can very nearly be called my favourite Montague. The mental health representation expressed through his narrative was some of the best executed I’ve ever read in a YA novel. Mackenzi Lee’s portrayal of Adrian’s anxiety felt painfully real; his racing thoughts and crippling fears were articulated in a way that made me feel like I was drowning alongside him. My heart warmed at Monty and Felicity helping Adrian realize his mental illness isn’t something to be ‘fixed’ about him, but rather accepted and coped with. Sibling love for the win!! (the amount of hugs doled out was everything <3)
“... the feeling that you’re not so much living your life as just trying to push through it won’t last forever. Someday you’ll be able to breathe.”
While I thoroughly enjoyed most of this book, the plot didn’t interest me nearly as much as the characters and their relationships did. The myth of the Flying Dutchman is cool enough on its own, though having it retold surrounding Adrian’s mother was largely uninteresting to me (since she was hardly mentioned in the previous books, so I didn’t necessarily care about her fate). Still, Adrian discovering that he was not in fact an only child along the way was super fun. I was so glad to see more of the original cast back for additional shenanigans. Plus, the ending was perfect!!! I think I manifested it: This was a really satisfying end to the adventures of the Montague siblings (and our beloved Percy)!
────── {⋆★⋆} ──────
Before reading 16/12/19
Now that the little gremlin has become a big boy™ we know a few years have passed since book two.
That being said, I expect Monty and Percy were secretly married by Felicity and remain happily together.
Despite my enduring love for Monty and Felicity, The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks sent Adrian crashing into my heart …to the extent that he can very nearly be called my favourite Montague. The mental health representation expressed through his narrative was some of the best executed I’ve ever read in a YA novel. Mackenzi Lee’s portrayal of Adrian’s anxiety felt painfully real; his racing thoughts and crippling fears were articulated in a way that made me feel like I was drowning alongside him. My heart warmed at Monty and Felicity helping Adrian realize his mental illness isn’t something to be ‘fixed’ about him, but rather accepted and coped with. Sibling love for the win!! (the amount of hugs doled out was everything <3)
“... the feeling that you’re not so much living your life as just trying to push through it won’t last forever. Someday you’ll be able to breathe.”
While I thoroughly enjoyed most of this book, the plot didn’t interest me nearly as much as the characters and their relationships did. The myth of the Flying Dutchman is cool enough on its own, though having it retold surrounding Adrian’s mother was largely uninteresting to me (since she was hardly mentioned in the previous books, so I didn’t necessarily care about her fate). Still, Adrian discovering that he was not in fact an only child along the way was super fun. I was so glad to see more of the original cast back for additional shenanigans. Plus, the ending was perfect!!! I think I manifested it: This was a really satisfying end to the adventures of the Montague siblings (and our beloved Percy)!
────── {⋆★⋆} ──────
Before reading 16/12/19
Now that the little gremlin has become a big boy™ we know a few years have passed since book two.
That being said, I expect Monty and Percy were secretly married by Felicity and remain happily together.
July 28, 2022
”... the feeling that you’re not so much living your life as just trying to push through it won’t last forever. Someday you’ll be able to breathe”.
Si me conocen, saben que batallé muchísimo con el segundo libro de los hermanos Montague porque Felicity me cayó fatal y eso hizo que retrasara muchísimo la lectura de The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks. ¡Y me arrepiento de haberlo pospuesto tanto! Vaya, esta historia de Adrian, el pequeño de los Montague, me encantó a niveles que no lo esperaba.
En este libro nos centramos en Adrian, quien ha crecido, tiene una prometida, ha superado poco a poco la muerte de su padre y, en sus momentos libres, escribe panfletos que luchan contra el canon bajo un pseudónimo. A punto de heredar la propiedad de su padre, Adrian camina en la cuerda floja por su “doble vida” y, sobre todo, porque sufre de un tipo de ansiedad social bastante incapacitante. Sin embargo, cuando su padre le entrega un artefacto que su madre le envió justo antes de morir en un naufragio, la vida de Adrian cambia y él decide que tiene que investigar sobre ese accidente, pues algo no le cuadra mucho. La cosa es que no se esperaba que, en medio de su búsqueda, se toparía con Monty y Felicity, personas que él ni siquiera sabía que eran sus hermanos, pues después de todo lo que sucedió en sus libros, su padre los borró de la herencia y pretendió que no existían.
La verdad es que, además de que amé con todo mi ser volver a encontrarme con Percy y Monty, verlos hacer el tondo juntos y quererse muchísimo, este libro de Adrian me sorprendió infinitamente porque nunca me había encontrado con un personaje que retratara de una forma tan fiel lo que es vivir con ansiedad, las espirales de pensamientos en las que se cae, los escenarios catastróficos que te imaginas ante la menor dificultad, etc. Leer todo el libro desde la cabeza de Adrian fue, a pesar de la diferencia de épocas, como estar leyendo cómo funciona mi cerebro el 80% del tiempo y… joder. A veces me daban muchas ganas de llorar porque, por idiota que suene, sentí que no estaba sola. En fin, que el trabajo que hizo Mackenzi Lee retratando lo que es un desorden de ansiedad generalizado fue impresionante. Creo que, por eso, podría decir que Adrian es uno de los personajes que más me ha gustado leer en toda mi vida lectora.
Pero, bueno, dejando eso de lado, en esta tercera entrega de la saga volvimos a las aventuras emocionantes, a los viajes a diferentes países, al descifrar pistas y misterios del pasado, a hacer tratos con personas de dudosa reputación y a poner a los pobres personajes en mucho peligro. ¡Y me encantó! Una vez que Adrian conoce a Monty y este último baja las defensas, los dos hacen un equipo divertidísimo de leer.
No puedo decirles mucho más sin spoilers, pero el final de este libro vale todo lo aburrida que es la historia de Felicity (sorry not sorry). Este final me dejó tan feliz y son una sonrisa tan idiota en la cara que podría releerlo mil veces. ¿Fue fan service? Definitivamente. Pero ¿es hermoso? Es hermoso y nos da todo lo que los que amamos a Percy y a Monty queríamos leer desde el primer libro.
Si me conocen, saben que batallé muchísimo con el segundo libro de los hermanos Montague porque Felicity me cayó fatal y eso hizo que retrasara muchísimo la lectura de The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks. ¡Y me arrepiento de haberlo pospuesto tanto! Vaya, esta historia de Adrian, el pequeño de los Montague, me encantó a niveles que no lo esperaba.
En este libro nos centramos en Adrian, quien ha crecido, tiene una prometida, ha superado poco a poco la muerte de su padre y, en sus momentos libres, escribe panfletos que luchan contra el canon bajo un pseudónimo. A punto de heredar la propiedad de su padre, Adrian camina en la cuerda floja por su “doble vida” y, sobre todo, porque sufre de un tipo de ansiedad social bastante incapacitante. Sin embargo, cuando su padre le entrega un artefacto que su madre le envió justo antes de morir en un naufragio, la vida de Adrian cambia y él decide que tiene que investigar sobre ese accidente, pues algo no le cuadra mucho. La cosa es que no se esperaba que, en medio de su búsqueda, se toparía con Monty y Felicity, personas que él ni siquiera sabía que eran sus hermanos, pues después de todo lo que sucedió en sus libros, su padre los borró de la herencia y pretendió que no existían.
La verdad es que, además de que amé con todo mi ser volver a encontrarme con Percy y Monty, verlos hacer el tondo juntos y quererse muchísimo, este libro de Adrian me sorprendió infinitamente porque nunca me había encontrado con un personaje que retratara de una forma tan fiel lo que es vivir con ansiedad, las espirales de pensamientos en las que se cae, los escenarios catastróficos que te imaginas ante la menor dificultad, etc. Leer todo el libro desde la cabeza de Adrian fue, a pesar de la diferencia de épocas, como estar leyendo cómo funciona mi cerebro el 80% del tiempo y… joder. A veces me daban muchas ganas de llorar porque, por idiota que suene, sentí que no estaba sola. En fin, que el trabajo que hizo Mackenzi Lee retratando lo que es un desorden de ansiedad generalizado fue impresionante. Creo que, por eso, podría decir que Adrian es uno de los personajes que más me ha gustado leer en toda mi vida lectora.
Pero, bueno, dejando eso de lado, en esta tercera entrega de la saga volvimos a las aventuras emocionantes, a los viajes a diferentes países, al descifrar pistas y misterios del pasado, a hacer tratos con personas de dudosa reputación y a poner a los pobres personajes en mucho peligro. ¡Y me encantó! Una vez que Adrian conoce a Monty y este último baja las defensas, los dos hacen un equipo divertidísimo de leer.
No puedo decirles mucho más sin spoilers, pero el final de este libro vale todo lo aburrida que es la historia de Felicity (sorry not sorry). Este final me dejó tan feliz y son una sonrisa tan idiota en la cara que podría releerlo mil veces. ¿Fue fan service? Definitivamente. Pero ¿es hermoso? Es hermoso y nos da todo lo que los que amamos a Percy y a Monty queríamos leer desde el primer libro.
Want to read
October 28, 2019I suddenly have the urge to protect Adrian with my life and I don't know why.
May 21, 2022
"I know that no feeling is final, and that fear only wins when I stop fighting."
°•*⁀➷
This was such a journey with mental health, it was sort of difficult for me to get through. Every time Adrian had an anxiety attack, I felt like I did, too. It was heavy and hard to read and because of that, not as fun and entertaining as the last few books were.
That said, I still sat down and made sure to get through it this morning.
And that said, Percy and Monty are my favorites. I'm so glad they got a happier end to their story than I ever really hoped for. What a good siblings trilogy. I'm a huge Monty fan. I always always will be.
- Paige
°•*⁀➷
This was such a journey with mental health, it was sort of difficult for me to get through. Every time Adrian had an anxiety attack, I felt like I did, too. It was heavy and hard to read and because of that, not as fun and entertaining as the last few books were.
That said, I still sat down and made sure to get through it this morning.
And that said, Percy and Monty are my favorites. I'm so glad they got a happier end to their story than I ever really hoped for. What a good siblings trilogy. I'm a huge Monty fan. I always always will be.
- Paige
December 15, 2024
I feel extremely blessed to have read a digital advanced readers copy. I received it around 10 in the evening and did not go to bed until 3.
This book was raw and real and hurt more than its predecessors. Maybe because it’s the final one?
It did not really have the lighthearted adventure novel feeling of the previous two. The way it written put so much more emphasis on the emotional aspect than the trip. (This book has a map with several cities in several countries) Part of it had to do with Adrian’s voice. Each novel has a unique narrator and ms Lee has given all of them their own way of thinking and speaking. Monty is the satirical comedian who cares too much and not at all at the same time, Felicity is the soured realist learning to see the bright side of things, Adrian is the poet.
His thoughts and way of narrating are wordy and full of metaphors sometimes, but undoubtably the most beautiful to read. Both Monty and Felicity built walls around their minds that we as reader have to get through, but Adrian’s mind is a waterfall. All his anxieties and struggles are there for us to see and to experience. He is the most lovable out of the three, in my opinion.
Adrian’s anxiety was everywhere, in how he over described things and how he interacted with the cast we know. In book 1, the side plot about how Percy’s epilepsy does not need to be cured in order for him to live a happy life was told to Monty (and the reader). Here, we follow Adrian every painful step of the way before he comes to the same conclusion.
Because of this, the book was an Experience. The way Adrian’s anxiety was everywhere because he was narrating the story made it haunting and intimate, as if the reader is there with him to feel all his worries.
The gentleman’s guide to getting lucky showed that there are struggles and fights after the love confession and fresh start. Problems stay, especially the kind induced by a father like Henri Senior. This book was very heavy on it. We get to see how Monty and Felicity are doing a decade later and they are still insufferable, mean and selfish in the best way. They make mistakes, big ones, on and off page. It was amazing to see how this book deconstructed the idea that there is a happily ever after. Anxiety does not need to be cured to be happy. Personal struggles do not disappear with the love of your life or a pirate tattoo. You have to keep doing your best and you will make mistakes. (this is what I meant with raw and real and more painful)
5 starts for this part.
Reading about my beloved characters again was a treat. It was truly delightful to find out what happened to them during the long timeskip, and the book did not disappoint. We get some lovely appearances from ‘guest stars’, some references that made me gasp and little bits that made me cheer as loudly as possible at 1 AM without waking anyone up.
This was definitely a Montague siblings book. Monty and Felicity were very caught up in their own adventure. Adrian’s adventure IS them. Both siblings, but especially Monty, felt like the most important characters after Adrian. They slowly started to get to know each other in what felt like a very natural way.
The similarities and differences between them were very interesting. Monty copes with escapism and recklessness, numbing himself from everything that hurts and trying his best not to care. Felicity copes with anger and shutting herself off emotionally, se sees painful feelings as an inconvenience she should ignore and push through. Adrian copes by limiting his life, running and avoiding things that might hurt.
This was also my main disappointment. We already know them, but Adrian accidentally falls into all of it and seeing it through his eyes, he (and because these books are so closely tied to the narrator, we as reader) is mostly a spectator. He watches the events unfurl and the characters reveal their stories. The plot was slower as well. Adrian was mostly reacting to things instead of inciting them. (Monty incited every troublesome event in his book and it got somewhat annoying). I did not mind this because it suited him and seeing him become more pro-active was a great way to show his character development. However, it felt as if Adrian’s personal growth, the emotional turmoil in his head, and the reconstruction of what the other characters did in the past 10 years were out of sync.
Over all, this was a rewarding conclusion to the series. I do feel like some loose ends have not been wrapped up and I could find the traces and empty patches of the previous versions between the lines. The story was not as exciting as the current goodreads summary made me think, but Adrian's emotional ard made up for it. I loved this book and it was definitely worth the wait. Adrian Montague has wormed his way into my heart and soon onto my bookshelf.
“I didn’t fix anything. I didn’t fix myself.”
“Who says you needed fixing?”
“I don’t want it to be the same,” I say. “But I don’t know how it won’t be.”
“It won’t be the same because you’re not the same,” he says. “That’s the most important thing. You know yourself better now—accepting that person comes later. But you’ve come so goddamn far. Believe me.
(This does not mean I would not kill to read the previous versions and all that got cut)
This book was raw and real and hurt more than its predecessors. Maybe because it’s the final one?
It did not really have the lighthearted adventure novel feeling of the previous two. The way it written put so much more emphasis on the emotional aspect than the trip. (This book has a map with several cities in several countries) Part of it had to do with Adrian’s voice. Each novel has a unique narrator and ms Lee has given all of them their own way of thinking and speaking. Monty is the satirical comedian who cares too much and not at all at the same time, Felicity is the soured realist learning to see the bright side of things, Adrian is the poet.
His thoughts and way of narrating are wordy and full of metaphors sometimes, but undoubtably the most beautiful to read. Both Monty and Felicity built walls around their minds that we as reader have to get through, but Adrian’s mind is a waterfall. All his anxieties and struggles are there for us to see and to experience. He is the most lovable out of the three, in my opinion.
Adrian’s anxiety was everywhere, in how he over described things and how he interacted with the cast we know. In book 1, the side plot about how Percy’s epilepsy does not need to be cured in order for him to live a happy life was told to Monty (and the reader). Here, we follow Adrian every painful step of the way before he comes to the same conclusion.
Because of this, the book was an Experience. The way Adrian’s anxiety was everywhere because he was narrating the story made it haunting and intimate, as if the reader is there with him to feel all his worries.
The gentleman’s guide to getting lucky showed that there are struggles and fights after the love confession and fresh start. Problems stay, especially the kind induced by a father like Henri Senior. This book was very heavy on it. We get to see how Monty and Felicity are doing a decade later and they are still insufferable, mean and selfish in the best way. They make mistakes, big ones, on and off page. It was amazing to see how this book deconstructed the idea that there is a happily ever after. Anxiety does not need to be cured to be happy. Personal struggles do not disappear with the love of your life or a pirate tattoo. You have to keep doing your best and you will make mistakes. (this is what I meant with raw and real and more painful)
5 starts for this part.
Reading about my beloved characters again was a treat. It was truly delightful to find out what happened to them during the long timeskip, and the book did not disappoint. We get some lovely appearances from ‘guest stars’, some references that made me gasp and little bits that made me cheer as loudly as possible at 1 AM without waking anyone up.
This was definitely a Montague siblings book. Monty and Felicity were very caught up in their own adventure. Adrian’s adventure IS them. Both siblings, but especially Monty, felt like the most important characters after Adrian. They slowly started to get to know each other in what felt like a very natural way.
The similarities and differences between them were very interesting. Monty copes with escapism and recklessness, numbing himself from everything that hurts and trying his best not to care. Felicity copes with anger and shutting herself off emotionally, se sees painful feelings as an inconvenience she should ignore and push through. Adrian copes by limiting his life, running and avoiding things that might hurt.
This was also my main disappointment. We already know them, but Adrian accidentally falls into all of it and seeing it through his eyes, he (and because these books are so closely tied to the narrator, we as reader) is mostly a spectator. He watches the events unfurl and the characters reveal their stories. The plot was slower as well. Adrian was mostly reacting to things instead of inciting them. (Monty incited every troublesome event in his book and it got somewhat annoying). I did not mind this because it suited him and seeing him become more pro-active was a great way to show his character development. However, it felt as if Adrian’s personal growth, the emotional turmoil in his head, and the reconstruction of what the other characters did in the past 10 years were out of sync.
Over all, this was a rewarding conclusion to the series. I do feel like some loose ends have not been wrapped up and I could find the traces and empty patches of the previous versions between the lines. The story was not as exciting as the current goodreads summary made me think, but Adrian's emotional ard made up for it. I loved this book and it was definitely worth the wait. Adrian Montague has wormed his way into my heart and soon onto my bookshelf.
“I didn’t fix anything. I didn’t fix myself.”
“Who says you needed fixing?”
“I don’t want it to be the same,” I say. “But I don’t know how it won’t be.”
“It won’t be the same because you’re not the same,” he says. “That’s the most important thing. You know yourself better now—accepting that person comes later. But you’ve come so goddamn far. Believe me.
(This does not mean I would not kill to read the previous versions and all that got cut)
November 17, 2021
Star Rating: —> 5 Stars
BAHHH— THIS WAS SO FANTASTIC!
The LGBTQIA+ rep! The mental health rep (TRULY EXCEPTIONAL—it was so absolutely close, if not exactly what I experience with GAD, panic disorder, & OCD; I am SO grateful for it!), & OH GODDD the family dynamics!
Can't stop crying rn. MAYBE RTC
_________________
W.T.F.
How did i not know about this?!?!?!?
I am FLIPPING MY SHIT!
YESYESYESYESYESYESYESSSSS
BAHHH— THIS WAS SO FANTASTIC!
The LGBTQIA+ rep! The mental health rep (TRULY EXCEPTIONAL—it was so absolutely close, if not exactly what I experience with GAD, panic disorder, & OCD; I am SO grateful for it!), & OH GODDD the family dynamics!
Can't stop crying rn. MAYBE RTC
_________________
W.T.F.
How did i not know about this?!?!?!?
I am FLIPPING MY SHIT!
YESYESYESYESYESYESYESSSSS
Want to read
October 28, 2019IM SCREAMING I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS HAPPENING IM SO EXCITED
January 2, 2022
i am an open wound. RTC
i foresee this one living on my bedside table for quite a while.
that being said, this book warranted a full content warning page and i highly recommend looking it up for yourself
x
WAIT, THAT'S THE GOBLIN ON THE COVER OMG
(I hadn't read the synopsis just in case there was a spoiler lol)
i foresee this one living on my bedside table for quite a while.
that being said, this book warranted a full content warning page and i highly recommend looking it up for yourself
x
WAIT, THAT'S THE GOBLIN ON THE COVER OMG
(I hadn't read the synopsis just in case there was a spoiler lol)
April 7, 2022
Things that are getting me through this semester:
1) coffee
2) more coffee
3) the thought of this book
4) occasional flirting with sleep
1) coffee
2) more coffee
3) the thought of this book
4) occasional flirting with sleep
November 9, 2022
This 3rd and final book in the Montague Siblings series just wasn't fun. It lacks the joy and carefree feeling of the previous two books. Character development feels forced, and the adventure makes little to no sense. I finished the book, but just barely.
October 9, 2022
third book third book third book THIRD BOOK OMG SOMEONE HELP
Want to read
October 29, 2019This series got a sequel! But the synopsis almost told half of the story huh?!
November 24, 2021
I JUST LOVE THIS SIBLINGS SO MUCH. PLUS PERCY.
~4.5 stars~
The final book in the Montague siblings series maintains the same high level of whip-smart humor and sensitive social commentary as the earlier titles
I loved The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, where we follow teenager nobility Monty (Henry Montague) in his 17th century Grand Tour of Europe. Monty loves gambling, drinking and sleeping around, and can't stand his abusive father. He is accompanied by his sister Felicity, his best friend (and crush) Percy Newton. The trip is derailed when they stumble upon a supernatural alchemical artifact, and turns to a frantic rush across Europe.
In The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, Felicity Montague is struggling to follow her dreams of becoming a doctor, in a world in which this is unthinkable for women. Her dream drives her from Scotland to Switzerland and from Germany and to the infamous Berbery coast. She finds out there are more than one paths to the top, and that people aren't always what they seem to be.
In this 3rd installment, the focus is on Adrian Montague, the youngest sibling. It takes place ~16 years (I think) after the second book. Adrian doesn't know he has siblings. Until his mother dies under mysterious circumstances, and leaves a trail of clues that lead Adrian to his brother, living in London all these years with his boyfriend Percy.
━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦━━━━
If I have to describe it with one word, this word is Bittersweet. and these are the list i loved form this book:
▪ Seeing Monty, Percy and Felicity through the lense of someone else. Adrian didn't know them in his childhood, he didn't know they existed. I was craving for more content of them.
▪ George has grown up, is a pirate captain and still adorable!
▪ the whole Percy's existence even though short made me so happy.
▪ All the cameos from the characters we knew from the first two books.
▪ don't get me start on the sibling relationships because aaahHhhhhh
▪ Sweet and emotional epilogue interactions!
with this series , even though there is plot obviously ,The plot does not matter for me.
I don’t need a lot of crazy events to enjoy a story—I just need good characters. This book is much more concerned with the three siblings and their relationship, along with Adrian growing to accept his mental state. They do travel from location to location, searching for clues about the spyglass, and several thrilling run-ins with pirates that add excitement. So there are certainly lots of colorful characters and changes in scenery to add interest. However, if you are a reader who likes fast-paced adventures full of chases and swordfights, this book isn’t for you. But if you love these characters, you will love this ride.
Mackenzi Lee has established a reputation for adventures both swashbuckling and socially sharp. And very funny. She demonstrates her extensive historical research in surprising details about the vibrant LGBTQ+ community (though they didn't have such a fine acronym back then), as well as the taverns, chamber pots, piracy and politics that made up life in 18th-century cities and ports around the globe.
━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦━━━━
overall , I'm in love with these siblings and Percy(yeah never for get about him my baby boy) and even though i love to get content about them , I'm happy they found their ending.
~4.5 stars~
The final book in the Montague siblings series maintains the same high level of whip-smart humor and sensitive social commentary as the earlier titles
I loved The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, where we follow teenager nobility Monty (Henry Montague) in his 17th century Grand Tour of Europe. Monty loves gambling, drinking and sleeping around, and can't stand his abusive father. He is accompanied by his sister Felicity, his best friend (and crush) Percy Newton. The trip is derailed when they stumble upon a supernatural alchemical artifact, and turns to a frantic rush across Europe.
In The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, Felicity Montague is struggling to follow her dreams of becoming a doctor, in a world in which this is unthinkable for women. Her dream drives her from Scotland to Switzerland and from Germany and to the infamous Berbery coast. She finds out there are more than one paths to the top, and that people aren't always what they seem to be.
In this 3rd installment, the focus is on Adrian Montague, the youngest sibling. It takes place ~16 years (I think) after the second book. Adrian doesn't know he has siblings. Until his mother dies under mysterious circumstances, and leaves a trail of clues that lead Adrian to his brother, living in London all these years with his boyfriend Percy.
━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦━━━━
If I have to describe it with one word, this word is Bittersweet. and these are the list i loved form this book:
▪ Seeing Monty, Percy and Felicity through the lense of someone else. Adrian didn't know them in his childhood, he didn't know they existed. I was craving for more content of them.
▪ George has grown up, is a pirate captain and still adorable!
▪ the whole Percy's existence even though short made me so happy.
▪ All the cameos from the characters we knew from the first two books.
▪ don't get me start on the sibling relationships because aaahHhhhhh
▪ Sweet and emotional epilogue interactions!
with this series , even though there is plot obviously ,The plot does not matter for me.
I don’t need a lot of crazy events to enjoy a story—I just need good characters. This book is much more concerned with the three siblings and their relationship, along with Adrian growing to accept his mental state. They do travel from location to location, searching for clues about the spyglass, and several thrilling run-ins with pirates that add excitement. So there are certainly lots of colorful characters and changes in scenery to add interest. However, if you are a reader who likes fast-paced adventures full of chases and swordfights, this book isn’t for you. But if you love these characters, you will love this ride.
Mackenzi Lee has established a reputation for adventures both swashbuckling and socially sharp. And very funny. She demonstrates her extensive historical research in surprising details about the vibrant LGBTQ+ community (though they didn't have such a fine acronym back then), as well as the taverns, chamber pots, piracy and politics that made up life in 18th-century cities and ports around the globe.
━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦━━━━
overall , I'm in love with these siblings and Percy(yeah never for get about him my baby boy) and even though i love to get content about them , I'm happy they found their ending.
December 8, 2021
“Walking into hell is always the easiest part. It’s coming back that takes work.”
We read books to escape. We read to go on adventures and to find new realities and to witness truths that seem more real when they are captured within pages. We read to live a thousand lives and experience a thousand wonders. We read to be seen and understood. We read to see and understand ourselves in new ways. That is why it is crucial to see realistic depictions of mental health in fiction: reading these depictions allows us to face ourselves.
"There is life after you survive."
The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzi Lee is a prime example of a story that handles mental health in a way that reflects the truth of chronic anxiety and compulsive disorders. Each passage that dealt with anxiety was written respectfully and truthfully, and though these descriptions were often so close to reality to be triggering, they were balanced with enough light not to make the overall story feel overly dark.
“I want to stop picking at life like it's a meal I don't want to eat, because I want to. I want to taste it all. I want life to be a feast, even if I have to eat it raw and bloody and burned some days. I will pick bones from my teeth. I will let the juice drip down my chin.”
Following Adrian Montague, a lordling who discovers he has two older siblings after the tragic death of his mother, The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks features poignant mental health discoveries, family relationships, pirates, politics, and enough humor to fill a stand-up comedy routine. The novel centers around a hunt for a mysterious spyglass owned by Adrian's dead mother, which eventually leads him to his long-lost brother Monty. Though this is technically the third and final novel in the Montague Siblings Trilogy, the books can be read out of order, though it is easier to start with A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue.
“The feeling that you’re not so much living your life as just trying to push through it won’t last forever. Someday you’ll be able to breathe.”
In the suto-historical 18th century, the political climate of London was paired well with slices of the rest of the world, from Amsterdam to Rabat. Though this novel is technically not historical fiction (it deviates strongly from actual historical occurrences), the setting and the story still read like an early adventure book. The witty dialogue and easy writing allowed The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks to sail by, with hundreds of pages disappearing in a matter of hours.
“It is so much easier to give into them than to try and fight them off. It’s a relief, like letting go the lead of a dog that’s been wrenching your shoulder with the force of its pulling. But now I have a dog to chase, and I’m running in circles after every catastrophic scenario, struggling to breathe.”
Beyond the excellent writing, the portrayal of family relationships and anxiety really set this book apart. Adrian suffers from a severe form of chronic anxiety paired with obsessive compulsive disorder, though the modern terms for these challenges are not used until the author’s note at the end of the book. The author did a fantastic job of creating a character with traits other than mental health disorders while building relationships around Adrian that supported him. While other books unsuccessfully deal with this issue by ignoring it, there was never a moment where Adrian mysteriously overcame his anxiety, nor did it ever stop being important because the plot dictated that it was trivial.
“But she found a way. We always do, don’t we?”
The sibling relationships between Monty, Felicity, and Adrian were a delight to read about. Each sibling had more than their fair share of issues, but they found ways to understand and support one another despite it. Monty and Adrian had an exceptional bond that jumped off the page, and though they had almost two decades between them, their relationship was vibrant and alive. All the characters in The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks had defined personalities, each with complex backstories and relationships. Overall, I could not have asked for a better end to this trilogy or a better book to deal with chronic anxiety. The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks is not a novel that is easy to forget, nor one that dissolves into blurred letters once the final chapter is done.
6/29/21
AHHHH! THE RELEASE DATE KEEPS GETTING PUSHED BACK!
We read books to escape. We read to go on adventures and to find new realities and to witness truths that seem more real when they are captured within pages. We read to live a thousand lives and experience a thousand wonders. We read to be seen and understood. We read to see and understand ourselves in new ways. That is why it is crucial to see realistic depictions of mental health in fiction: reading these depictions allows us to face ourselves.
"There is life after you survive."
The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzi Lee is a prime example of a story that handles mental health in a way that reflects the truth of chronic anxiety and compulsive disorders. Each passage that dealt with anxiety was written respectfully and truthfully, and though these descriptions were often so close to reality to be triggering, they were balanced with enough light not to make the overall story feel overly dark.
“I want to stop picking at life like it's a meal I don't want to eat, because I want to. I want to taste it all. I want life to be a feast, even if I have to eat it raw and bloody and burned some days. I will pick bones from my teeth. I will let the juice drip down my chin.”
Following Adrian Montague, a lordling who discovers he has two older siblings after the tragic death of his mother, The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks features poignant mental health discoveries, family relationships, pirates, politics, and enough humor to fill a stand-up comedy routine. The novel centers around a hunt for a mysterious spyglass owned by Adrian's dead mother, which eventually leads him to his long-lost brother Monty. Though this is technically the third and final novel in the Montague Siblings Trilogy, the books can be read out of order, though it is easier to start with A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue.
“The feeling that you’re not so much living your life as just trying to push through it won’t last forever. Someday you’ll be able to breathe.”
In the suto-historical 18th century, the political climate of London was paired well with slices of the rest of the world, from Amsterdam to Rabat. Though this novel is technically not historical fiction (it deviates strongly from actual historical occurrences), the setting and the story still read like an early adventure book. The witty dialogue and easy writing allowed The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks to sail by, with hundreds of pages disappearing in a matter of hours.
“It is so much easier to give into them than to try and fight them off. It’s a relief, like letting go the lead of a dog that’s been wrenching your shoulder with the force of its pulling. But now I have a dog to chase, and I’m running in circles after every catastrophic scenario, struggling to breathe.”
Beyond the excellent writing, the portrayal of family relationships and anxiety really set this book apart. Adrian suffers from a severe form of chronic anxiety paired with obsessive compulsive disorder, though the modern terms for these challenges are not used until the author’s note at the end of the book. The author did a fantastic job of creating a character with traits other than mental health disorders while building relationships around Adrian that supported him. While other books unsuccessfully deal with this issue by ignoring it, there was never a moment where Adrian mysteriously overcame his anxiety, nor did it ever stop being important because the plot dictated that it was trivial.
“But she found a way. We always do, don’t we?”
The sibling relationships between Monty, Felicity, and Adrian were a delight to read about. Each sibling had more than their fair share of issues, but they found ways to understand and support one another despite it. Monty and Adrian had an exceptional bond that jumped off the page, and though they had almost two decades between them, their relationship was vibrant and alive. All the characters in The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks had defined personalities, each with complex backstories and relationships. Overall, I could not have asked for a better end to this trilogy or a better book to deal with chronic anxiety. The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks is not a novel that is easy to forget, nor one that dissolves into blurred letters once the final chapter is done.
6/29/21
AHHHH! THE RELEASE DATE KEEPS GETTING PUSHED BACK!
Want to read
May 15, 2020
Rating a book before its publication... Goodreads shouldn't allow it.
A few words for those who do it: I can understand it when you give 5 stars to a book that's not released yet, you want to show some support to your beloved author and I can only agree with you (even though I won't do such a thing myself), but to slam a book that's not out yet, just so you know, doesn't do any harm to the book or to the author who writes it, it does only show what a mean dork you are, and what kind of a sorry life you lead!
* I am only starting TGGTVV today, I have never read this author before and have no idea about her style, and if I'll like her books or not... the words above are selfless and objective, and they are meant for all, not only for those who rated this book.
A few words for those who do it: I can understand it when you give 5 stars to a book that's not released yet, you want to show some support to your beloved author and I can only agree with you (even though I won't do such a thing myself), but to slam a book that's not out yet, just so you know, doesn't do any harm to the book or to the author who writes it, it does only show what a mean dork you are, and what kind of a sorry life you lead!
* I am only starting TGGTVV today, I have never read this author before and have no idea about her style, and if I'll like her books or not... the words above are selfless and objective, and they are meant for all, not only for those who rated this book.
February 22, 2022
Ok. I’m certain that as the books went on, they got less and less interesting - or wait, that’s not true.
They got more and more flat.
I think they were amazing, don’t get me wrong. I loved this one, it just didn’t have the awesomeness of the first one and I was a little disappointed.
But no matter. This was still a great conclusion. For the record, the titles are so awesome and I can’t get over them. I also loved how we got to see Adrian’s perspective of both his siblings after he quite literally met them for the first time in QUITE some time.
The continuation of Monty and Felicity as siblings and best friends were perfect and I love love loved how they were traveling all over. Was simply delightful to read.
They got more and more flat.
I think they were amazing, don’t get me wrong. I loved this one, it just didn’t have the awesomeness of the first one and I was a little disappointed.
But no matter. This was still a great conclusion. For the record, the titles are so awesome and I can’t get over them. I also loved how we got to see Adrian’s perspective of both his siblings after he quite literally met them for the first time in QUITE some time.
The continuation of Monty and Felicity as siblings and best friends were perfect and I love love loved how they were traveling all over. Was simply delightful to read.
Want to read
October 29, 2019The PAIN of how much I NEED this RIGHT NOW is EXCRUCIATING 😖😖😖
IT’S THE BABY BROTHER FROM BOOK ONE
THE GOBLIN
HE GETS HIS VERY OWN BOOK
AND A NAME 😭😭😭
It’s hard to describe but all I feel is this overwhelming sense of PRIDE. This baby needs to be PROTECTED 😤
IT’S THE BABY BROTHER FROM BOOK ONE
THE GOBLIN
HE GETS HIS VERY OWN BOOK
AND A NAME 😭😭😭
It’s hard to describe but all I feel is this overwhelming sense of PRIDE. This baby needs to be PROTECTED 😤
Want to read
October 28, 2019The Goblin!
April 4, 2024
➳ 4.5 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
╰┈➤ ”i want to stop picking at life like it's a meal i don't want to eat, because i want to. i want to taste it all”
this was so good!! i loved adrian so much and found myself relating to him more than i have related to any other protagonist of a book before. his character is just so important and i love him so much 🥹
also loved hanging out with all the og characters again and the monty + percy crumbs we got were so 🤭 like the wedding scene!!!
overall i loved this and i’m so sad this series is over it is seriously one of my favorite trilogies out there. i love all of these characters with all my heart!! 🫶
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
╰┈➤ ”i want to stop picking at life like it's a meal i don't want to eat, because i want to. i want to taste it all”
this was so good!! i loved adrian so much and found myself relating to him more than i have related to any other protagonist of a book before. his character is just so important and i love him so much 🥹
also loved hanging out with all the og characters again and the monty + percy crumbs we got were so 🤭 like the wedding scene!!!
overall i loved this and i’m so sad this series is over it is seriously one of my favorite trilogies out there. i love all of these characters with all my heart!! 🫶
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
January 29, 2023
Overall Rating : B+
"Just keep breathing."
Just as funny, heartbreaking, heartfelt, and inspirational as the first two books. But I do so love family bonding! (If only Monty could stop being such a drama queen!😆)
"Just keep breathing."
Just as funny, heartbreaking, heartfelt, and inspirational as the first two books. But I do so love family bonding! (If only Monty could stop being such a drama queen!😆)
May 31, 2025
This third installment was a genre chosen for me by someone else (thank you to the reader I most admire 💖) to fulfill a book challenge prompt. I loved the first two books in this series, and this was a great finish, although I’m sad it’s over! It was fun to see so many of the characters from all the books make an appearance in this one. Some I wanted to see more though! Monty is my favorite for sure because he is hilarious. Felicity is one to admire for her strong personality. Adrian is definitely relatable. All the side characters are equally interesting and fun.
I will read the physical books at some point, especially since I may have missed something by listening rather than reading. I did love the narrator though!
I will read the physical books at some point, especially since I may have missed something by listening rather than reading. I did love the narrator though!
December 20, 2021
"Someone told me once," Monty continues, "there is life after you survive." "What does that mean?" I ask. "It means the feeling that you're not so much living your life as just trying to push through it won't last forever. Someday you'll be able to breathe."
As far as the book as a sequel goes, I would give this maybe 3 stars? The adventure itself was pretty short. And while enjoyed seeing Monty and Percy again (I mean, who wouldn't), they're supposed to be in their 40s by now, and Monty and Felicity pretty much acted like they always have. Which got old after a while for me.
thementally unfit hysterical melancholic. God, I hate every word there is for it. Can we not simply be people, each of us with cogs in our brains that turn slightly differently, and some that need oiling and alignment and upkeep more than others?
But as Adrian's story of coming to terms with his anxiety, learning to live with it, and fighting his way through it? ALL THE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE!
I know it will not always be like this. There will be days it is loud, and others it is heavy. For every summer solstice, there is darkness on the other side of the world. There will be days were staying alive will be an all-consuming challenge, and accepting love an act of tremendous courage. Asking for help even more so. Days of loneliness and doubt will compound and maybe there will be whole months when I cannot see the sky ... But I will do my best to keep walking out of the darkness.
As far as the book as a sequel goes, I would give this maybe 3 stars? The adventure itself was pretty short. And while enjoyed seeing Monty and Percy again (I mean, who wouldn't), they're supposed to be in their 40s by now, and Monty and Felicity pretty much acted like they always have. Which got old after a while for me.
the
But as Adrian's story of coming to terms with his anxiety, learning to live with it, and fighting his way through it? ALL THE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE!
I know it will not always be like this. There will be days it is loud, and others it is heavy. For every summer solstice, there is darkness on the other side of the world. There will be days were staying alive will be an all-consuming challenge, and accepting love an act of tremendous courage. Asking for help even more so. Days of loneliness and doubt will compound and maybe there will be whole months when I cannot see the sky ... But I will do my best to keep walking out of the darkness.
January 2, 2022
4.5 stars
Ms. Lee has only gotten better over the course of this series, and while there are still the occasional historical inaccuracy that squeaks in now and then, she's definitely gotten better with balancing the historical and fantastical aspects of this world. The Montagues come together here to hunt down the answers to a mystery close to their family.
Adrian is a relatable MC in some painful ways. His anxiety disorder felt very familiar at several points, and I liked how it was handled. I especially like that . Adrian's not the only one struggling with his self-image though. It's an ongoing theme throughout the book with many of the characters, and they all have their own reasons. I especially liked how
This is probably the most grounded and less fantastical of the series, and family takes a big part of it. That does mean that we don't get much of Adrian's fiance, Louisa, but from what we do get is nice. There are appearances from favorite characters from the previous two books, without feeling overstuffed. All in all, this was a great way to end out 2021, which was lackluster reading wise and everything else wise.
Ms. Lee has only gotten better over the course of this series, and while there are still the occasional historical inaccuracy that squeaks in now and then, she's definitely gotten better with balancing the historical and fantastical aspects of this world. The Montagues come together here to hunt down the answers to a mystery close to their family.
Adrian is a relatable MC in some painful ways. His anxiety disorder felt very familiar at several points, and I liked how it was handled. I especially like that . Adrian's not the only one struggling with his self-image though. It's an ongoing theme throughout the book with many of the characters, and they all have their own reasons. I especially liked how
This is probably the most grounded and less fantastical of the series, and family takes a big part of it. That does mean that we don't get much of Adrian's fiance, Louisa, but from what we do get is nice. There are appearances from favorite characters from the previous two books, without feeling overstuffed. All in all, this was a great way to end out 2021, which was lackluster reading wise and everything else wise.
Want to read
October 28, 2021Goblin's book !!! Coming out soon. I can't say how excited I am for this. We are also getting anxiety rep. What more can I wish for??
I am yet to read the second book tho. No offense Felicity but can I skip your book?
I am yet to read the second book tho. No offense Felicity but can I skip your book?
January 5, 2022
TW: generalized anxiety/OCD symptoms/thought patterns, mentions of alcoholism, suicide, mental illness, survivor's guilt.
I'm way too upset by the fact that this series is over. Lady's Guide was by far my favorite installment, but I really enjoyed this one simply for all the clarity it brings with it.
I found the majority of this story to be a bit boring. I'm still relatively confused about what all went and was all going down the entire time, and we really all must go on extravagant adventures in every book, but this one time we couldn't just stay in bloody England, goddamn. There were so many characters we missed out on! And now it's over and we don't get them again! I know most everybody was a fan of Louisa, and I am joining many of you as well in missing the hell out of Percy in this one.
The start of the story placed a lot of emphasis on Adrian's up and coming life in England, and then they just up and left for a few months. I mean, as is with the theme, but I truly do wish that we could've had a bit of a cozier/homier storyline, and I'm sure loads of you will disagree with me about this, which is the great thing about interpretation. I really wanted to see him face his problems a bit more head-on, rather we got a journey of self-discovery and things are still difficult upon returning home, but just a bit more in perspective. In some ways the latter is a better story-teller, however I found this convoluted plotline about his inner demons and the ghost ship a bit... weird. It was interesting to see a character care so much for another character that the first two siblings barely gave much thought to. All of Adrian's perspective was so familiar yet so new all at once. Very reminiscent of his siblings.
BUT LOUISAAAA. The best badass independent lady this series has offered us, honestly I love her more than Felicity, so I'm so sad we didn't get very much of her at all. I don't know, I guess it's just something about the last installment that I feel like we needed that parting time with our favorite characters, and we only got that with the characters from Felicity's story. I think that if I had not read this via audiobook, I would have found it very difficult to get through, just because of all the things constantly happening, while the reason behind the spyglass remains a mystery all the way through. Roadblock after roadblock, in true Montague fashion.
(WARNING; the next portion of this review contains spoilers. Please click away or read with caution).
Monty and Percy FINALLY getting married after so many years is pretty much the only saving grace of the ending. I really loved how much the siblings interacted with each other, how their relationships grew throughout the story, how close they were by the end despite them being strangers.
Adrian being in denial of his mothers' death is really what seems to be holding him back emotionally, having to accept she committed suicide was earth-shattering but also opened up some perspective for him. Adrian, a glorified mama's boy.
I'm way too upset by the fact that this series is over. Lady's Guide was by far my favorite installment, but I really enjoyed this one simply for all the clarity it brings with it.
I found the majority of this story to be a bit boring. I'm still relatively confused about what all went and was all going down the entire time, and we really all must go on extravagant adventures in every book, but this one time we couldn't just stay in bloody England, goddamn. There were so many characters we missed out on! And now it's over and we don't get them again! I know most everybody was a fan of Louisa, and I am joining many of you as well in missing the hell out of Percy in this one.
The start of the story placed a lot of emphasis on Adrian's up and coming life in England, and then they just up and left for a few months. I mean, as is with the theme, but I truly do wish that we could've had a bit of a cozier/homier storyline, and I'm sure loads of you will disagree with me about this, which is the great thing about interpretation. I really wanted to see him face his problems a bit more head-on, rather we got a journey of self-discovery and things are still difficult upon returning home, but just a bit more in perspective. In some ways the latter is a better story-teller, however I found this convoluted plotline about his inner demons and the ghost ship a bit... weird. It was interesting to see a character care so much for another character that the first two siblings barely gave much thought to. All of Adrian's perspective was so familiar yet so new all at once. Very reminiscent of his siblings.
BUT LOUISAAAA. The best badass independent lady this series has offered us, honestly I love her more than Felicity, so I'm so sad we didn't get very much of her at all. I don't know, I guess it's just something about the last installment that I feel like we needed that parting time with our favorite characters, and we only got that with the characters from Felicity's story. I think that if I had not read this via audiobook, I would have found it very difficult to get through, just because of all the things constantly happening, while the reason behind the spyglass remains a mystery all the way through. Roadblock after roadblock, in true Montague fashion.
(WARNING; the next portion of this review contains spoilers. Please click away or read with caution).
Monty and Percy FINALLY getting married after so many years is pretty much the only saving grace of the ending. I really loved how much the siblings interacted with each other, how their relationships grew throughout the story, how close they were by the end despite them being strangers.
Adrian being in denial of his mothers' death is really what seems to be holding him back emotionally, having to accept she committed suicide was earth-shattering but also opened up some perspective for him. Adrian, a glorified mama's boy.
January 2, 2022
~ 3.5 stars
a bit slow-paced but the cutesy sibling relationships make up for it
---------------------------------------
can felicity be in this book too
a bit slow-paced but the cutesy sibling relationships make up for it
---------------------------------------
can felicity be in this book too
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,193 reviews