YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Felicity Montague is through with pretending she prefers society parties to books about bone setting—or that she’s not smarter than most people she knows, or that she cares about anything more than her dream of becoming a doctor.

A year after an accidentally whirlwind tour of Europe, which she spent evading highwaymen and pirates with her brother Monty, Felicity has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of Callum Doyle, a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh; and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.

But then a small window of hope opens. Doctor Alexander Platt, an eccentric physician that Felicity idolizes, is looking for research assistants, and Felicity is sure that someone as forward thinking as her hero would be willing to take her on. However, Platt is in Germany, preparing to wed Felicity’s estranged childhood friend Johanna. Not only is Felicity reluctant to opening old wounds, she also has no money to make the trip.

Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid. In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that will lead her from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.

(view spoiler)[ There are way less pirates than I hoped for. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Also Felicity is an absolute pill in this book. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I really did like seeing Monty and Percy again, and I'm happy that the ending gives them a better place to live. I had my heart breaking for the two of them. (hide spoiler)]

The audiobook narration was unquestionably top notch. (view spoiler)[I'm just not sure about whether I like Felicity in this book. Her arc of seeing that people can wear dresses and be good at science seemed just so overdone. But I'm not sure how much of that is my personal dislike for the author from what she's said on twitter. I'm having a lot of trouble staying unbiased for this one. (hide spoiler)]

Edinburgh
(view spoiler)[ aww Callum seems like a nice man. But I understand why she don't want to marry him she's all about becoming a doctor not a wife. (hide spoiler)]

London
(view spoiler)[ gotta love Monty omg. I'm loving how close him and Felicity are. At the beginning of book 1 they couldn't stand each other I guess after what they been through things has changed. Aww Percy too cute. (hide spoiler)]

Stuttgart
(view spoiler)[ Sim is up to something. I can feel it but Felicity is determined to get that job until her friend ends up missing. But there's something about that doctor. (hide spoiler)]

Zurich
(view spoiler)[ yeah I knew there was something about that doctor....omg he wants something and go use Felicity friend to get it. (hide spoiler)]

Algiers
(view spoiler)[ dragons oh my this all about dragon scales....I should had figured this out by the map drawing lol. (hide spoiler)]

Gibraltar to ending
(view spoiler)[ ending was nice loved Monty came back in the picture. Aww poor Percy but of course Felicity was going to save him. I can see a second book with Felicity and Sim in it plus her friend. (hide spoiler)]

Lesa wrote: "Edinburgh
[spoilers removed]"

Yes! (view spoiler)[Callum does seem like a nice guy who genuinely cares for her but Felicity's dream has never been to become someone's wife. I love my aro/ace girl! I hope she can become a doctor. Also, I want to know how Monty and Percy are doing!! (hide spoiler)]

Ch1. I adore Felicity and her spirit-such an anomaly in this time. Can’t wait to see what happens now.

Up to ch9. Laughed out loud at Felicity’s meeting with Dr Platt. Wonder what he’s involved in.

65% through.I don't think this is a spoiler really (view spoiler)[ I'll just say that I love how other characters call Felicity out on being judgmental. I love that she isn't perfect and she really takes in what others say and try to do better. (hide spoiler)]

Up to ch12. Looks as if certain people are meant to be together. As suspected, Felicity is getting into something bigger than suspected.

Ari wrote: "Lesa wrote: "Edinburgh
[spoilers removed]"

Yes! [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ omg I loved me some Percy and Monty lol.... (hide spoiler)]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch12. Looks as if certain people are meant to be together. As suspected, Felicity is getting into something bigger than suspected."

(view spoiler)[ haha lol you seen that too omg I was like ohh lol. (hide spoiler)]

Finished. Review on home page and a huge thank you to Mackenzi Lee for brightening up my last couple of days. Loved it...and desperately hoping there’s more to come.

Chapters 1-4

(view spoiler)[Ahh so happy to be back in this world. I didn't particularly like Felicity in the first book but I'm hoping this one will change my opinion on her.

Already I'm softening towards her. I like how she's determined to study medicine and become a doctor, and won't let anything get in her way.

(hide spoiler)]

Edinburgh (view spoiler)[ Callum seems nice and all, but I also don't really imagine Felicity giving off signals that she was interested in him like that. (hide spoiler)]
London (view spoiler)[ I'm so glad that we got to see Percy and Monty again! They are wonderful! Monty going to support Felicity was really sweet to see. (hide spoiler)]
Stuttgart (view spoiler)[ Felicity wants to be a doctor so bad and is really diving in headfirst to anything that she things might get her ahead. I think it's going to come back to get her. (hide spoiler)]
Zurich (view spoiler)[ Oh gosh. I shouldn't have been surprised by the doctor, but poor Felicity finding that out. He was her idol. (hide spoiler)]
Algeirs (view spoiler)[ Wow. The dragons definitely caught me off guard. (hide spoiler)]
Ending (view spoiler)[ The ending was nice! I do feel like there could end up being another book though. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 5-12

(view spoiler)[A lot has happened in this chapters!

I can't believe Felicity lied to Monty and ran away with Sim, who she barely knows!

Also, Dr Pratt is a bit of a.. well, pratt. He's very patronising and he's using Johanna to get to her mother's things? And he was planning on using Felicity to get money from Lord Montague? The man is despicable. There's a saying about never meeting your heroes and this is a prime example.

(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 13-15

(view spoiler)[I love a good feminist girl group determined to succeed and control their own destiny.

Although I do have to say, I kinda of hate the way Felicity judges other women and tries to hold them up to her standard. I like the way Johanna called her out and said just because I like certain things, it doesn't mean I'm less of a woman, or that you can look down your nose at me. I understand that Felicity judges other women before they can do it to her but she's a hypocrite and I'm pleased Johanna called her on her bullshit.

(hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[I'm so disappointed in this book. I absolutely adored The Gentleman's Guide.. when I read it earlier this year so yeah, I had high hopes for the sequel. Felicity wasn't my favourite character in the first book, but I thought I might grow to love her.

I was wrong.

While I don't hate her anymore than I did, I certainly don't love her anywhere near as much as I love Monty and Percy. She's a very judgemental character and I found myself just not caring at the end of the book.

Overall, a big disappointment but I really enjoy Mackenzi Lee's writing so I'll definitely read more from her.

(hide spoiler)]

7%: (view spoiler)[I'm laughing because of how realistic this part is! The guys saying she can't be in certain situations while working at the hospital because she's a girl and it will distract the men working. OH LORD, men are idiots. (hide spoiler)]
55%: (view spoiler)[ooo things are becoming more interesting. I hate the alexander guy. God I hate him. I'm also starting to ship Felicity with Sim <3 (hide spoiler)]
73%: (view spoiler)[OH SHIT ARE THEY GONNA KISS?? (hide spoiler)]
100%: (view spoiler)[Oh my lanta! I agree with you Lexi, it definitely picked up around the half way mark. I'm so happy everyone is safe and happy (that I like) and I'm so happy my little ship sort of sailed! I liked Joanna but thought the whole dog thing was a bit stretched.. I mean I love my dogs and all but I wouldn't marry someone because of them being threatened. I would probably murder the guy threatening me. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 7 (view spoiler)[ Okay I definitely like Felicity more than Monty now that she isn't completely disgusted by gay people. Also, I really love seeing Monty and Percy together from someone else's perspective. They are so completely adorable and obnoxious, I LOVE IT. Definitely was internally shrieking when they were together and being all flirtatious. I also wholeheartedly agreed with her passionate rant she gave to those stuffy old white dudes. Stupid men ugh. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 13 (view spoiler)[ Well things have become a lot more tangled than I initially thought they would. I wish Felicity had listened to Sim instead of just calling her a thief and leaving it at that. I'm quite conflicted because Johanna is labeling Sim as a thief when I'm pretty sure they're after the same damn thing for the same damn reason. I don't get why they have to compete for it, when clearly the enemy is the patriarchy. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 19 (view spoiler)[ Man I really thought things were over when Felicity and Johanna were captured by Platt. I hate him ugh. He doesn't even understand how society works. For a woman to even be considered good she must be better than a man, but then when she is, she's called a bitch or mean or whatever. UGH MY BLOOD IS BOILING! Not to mention that it's even more worse for women of color. Ugh what am I even ranting about now, I am ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Okay so as for the story: seems like Felicity is definitely ace and probably even aro-ace. I wasn't really a fan of Sim saying she can't know what she wants without trying. But I do like the two of them, maybe they could work out some kind of relationship, idk tho. Felicity does not seem interested in intimacy of any kind really. ALSO I HATE PLATT FOR THREATENING JOHANNAS DOG HOW DARE HE (hide spoiler)]

Finished! Umm I don't really remember what happened in the end but it sounded happy. (view spoiler)[ I liked the deal that Sim brought up. Idk what completely happened tho so whoops. I liked that Platt wasn't able to extort the dragons or their scales. I liked that it seemed like there was some hope of something between Felicity and Sim, I hope whatever they develop works for both of them. (hide spoiler)]

Hey y'all I'll be joining in tonight! Anybody else joining in?

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Reading from the 20th of January 2019

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Up to Ch 2 (view spoiler)[ Felicity is a strong female protagonist (which I love) and the way she stands up Callum when he's like your dreams aren't practical and you should be my wife instead/I'll make you super happy :/ Yeah okay dude... Can't wait for Felicity to make a voyage to London and pursue her passion cuz why do what everyone else does? (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch 6 (view spoiler)[ I like having Felicity as a narrator because she's hilarious and knows what she wants. I mean that's usually how all female protagonists are, but her sophisticated wit especially when she was calling out all the St. Barts doctors on their BS was the best thing ever. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-4 (view spoiler)[i just love Felicity. Dont let the men tell you you cant become a doctor! You will tell them at the meeting and they just have to take her in.... i hope, but that seems way to easy... ohhh! And monty and percy are just so sweet <3 (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch 9 (view spoiler)[ I like how Johanna already knows Felicity's antics because then it won't be a huge scene where she blows up. I mean it's probably gonna happen, but like they both already know it's bound to pop up. I don't hate Felicity, but she's kind of confused to me. On one hand she's this strong female protagonist and doesn't let men tell her what to do, doesn't need help from anyone (the bold gal we know and love) and then on the other hand, she's nervous and doesn't know how to handle herself in social situations. Fake it till you make it is something she doesn't know how to do which becomes evident during Johanna's party when she destroys everything and is like, I don't want to talk to anyone. Don't give up your beliefs and personality, but be a little flexible with how you act based on your surroundings. (hide spoiler)]

14% Felicity shouting: I am talking about MENSTRUATION, SIR! *me crying because of my laughter* 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Lisa wrote: "14% Felicity shouting: I am talking about MENSTRUATION, SIR! *me crying because of my laughter* 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"

That was the best thing ever and I have laughed out loud on multiple occasions while reading this.

I was reading it on the train and tried to hide my smile because the other passangers were looking... :D

Ch 1 - 5 (view spoiler)[ The start was a bit puzzling, but it absolutely enlightens me to see Percy and Monty again. Like, I adore them so much, and their relationship was so sweet. And Felicity shouting about menstruation had me grinning madly (it's sad that there are still men in the 21st century is uncomfortable about menstruation). I'm curious where the story will be heading to, and what Sim's motives are. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 6 - 10 (view spoiler)[ I'm not sure where the plot is exactly heading from here. I mean, I love what's happening, Felicity being uncomfortable around women and struggling to act like a rich woman, Johanna who is clearly more than what she seems to be (and 100% my girl because I would also take my big dog along when I'm running away from my wedding). I hope that Sim will turn up again. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11 - 17 (view spoiler)[ Finally, the plot pops up. I love the eb and flow between Felicity's and Johanna's friendship because Johanna just enjoys feeling pretty and skirts and petticoats, but she is still crazy. Like, committing theft, crossing the entirety of Europe just to see what her mother had been working on. Felicity slowly realises that there is more to her friend, and she is getting closer to Sim who also joined the girl-gang. Also, Felicity's possible asexuality is absolutely my yam. Also, I know Platt was an absolute arse, I just knew that he was just too good to be true (hide spoiler)]

Ch 18 - end (view spoiler)[ I feel like this, 25/30% of the book lasted more than half the book. So much happened! Between finding the sea dragons, being captured, being rescued by Scipio and his crew (it's adorable to see Johanna having a crush on Percy. I feel like many people have a low-key crush on Percy). And Sim not actually abandoning them and them fighting against the English people (and being saved by the sea dragons) and they grew close as girls and worked hard and tried to make a place for themselves. The letter Felicity writes at the end is so nice, because she acknowledges that she has grown as a person, and that there is nothing wrong with normal girls, who just wants to be a baker's wife. (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch 16 (view spoiler)[ I was not expecting Sim to kiss Felicity at all and now I want to know if it will change anything about their relationship. Also SEA DRAGONS? There's so much happening and I'm not sure it all goes together. I feel like there are a lot of ideas and elements that the author wanted to add that didn't totally come together. A few slow parts, but I'm still enjoying this tho (hide spoiler)]

End (view spoiler)[ The end was satisfying and a lot of things happened in the matter of like two chapters. I liked how Felicity came full circle and grew a lot throughout her journey without losing herself and her humor was amazing. This was an okay read, but there were a lot of slow parts and I didn't like this as much as Gentleman's Guide (hide spoiler)]

Getting ready to start this one. I just finished the first one and it was really so good, and I laughed out loud more than once, so I'm looking forward to this.

Ch 1 - 6

I was a little confused at first because I could have sworn in the last book Felicity was leaving to (view spoiler)[ set sail with the privateers, but apparently not. Of course this book seems to be set quite a bit later, like a year or so. It must have been so frustrating to be a woman back then. I was a little stretched at how open Monty and Percy are now, although it may cause more problems than we're seeing, but it wasn't acceptable back in those times. Still, it's a good opening, I do like Felicity, and it was good to see Monty and Percy again. (hide spoiler)]

Oh and I also loved the "So is body snatching but you aren't suggesting I become a grave robber" line ;)

Ch 7 - 10

Honestly, this book feels a lot slower than the first one. It's not bad, but I'm not convinced the pacing is quite as good.

I should probably like (view spoiler)[ Max more than I do, but I don't particularly and I don't get why no one else seems to mind him. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs, even big dogs that may have some drooling issues, but I don't like obnoxious ones and he is both severely drooly and very obnoxious.

Felicity and Johanna have such a push-pull relationship, it's almost giving me whiplash. I rather hope they end up friends; they seem different in a lot of ways but the same in some that matter. Johanna seems able to balance her love of intellectual pursuit with an ability to fit into and even enjoy more proper societal notions of womanhood, while Felicity seems to think you must be one or the other.

I wonder what it is that Sim's chasing. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11 - 18

Awww, I love the (view spoiler)[ baby dragon! So sad! Johanna needs to just move to the island of the dragons and keep it as a pet :D.

Seriously though I think I'm quite glad I was not living in those days. Women had no rights at all. They went from being dad's to being hubby's with no say in anything, ugh. I do wish Felicity could find someplace to study. It reminds me of that book by Mercedes Lackey, The Serpent's Shadow. Maya was a doctor trained in India but she had a hard time getting permission to practice in England. (hide spoiler)]

I'm enjoying the book all right but I don't have as much to say about it as the last one.

Ch 18 - fin

Sorry, but I can't honestly believe I'm the only who who found Johanna (view spoiler)[ giving up her entire life, freedom, you name it to marry someone that's proven to be about half a step up from pond scum, that she knows is only in it so he can seize her mother's effects, etc etc etc, FOR THE DOG is just slightly ridiculous. I have a dog. I love my dog. But if I had to make a choice between the rest of my life being married to an abusive, drug-addicted slug who would steal and fritter away every cent we had and make my life hell in the (very long) process, I'd say, "I can get another dog." I already had some issues with the dog because her insane attachment to the dog is never really explained. Some stories unfold and you know why the dog is so important. This one... nope, he's just a big rambunctious lovable obnoxious drooly mess.

I also loved that Monty and Percy did actually manage to bumble in and save the day. (hide spoiler)]

So a pretty well-written book overall, but didn't quite manage to reach the bar its predecessor set.

I read it this weekend sorry. Just now have the time to post updates

Lisa wrote: "14% Felicity shouting: I am talking about MENSTRUATION, SIR! *me crying because of my laughter* 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"


(view spoiler)[It was their reaction that cracked me up further. And her thoughts about using it again in the future. LOL. (hide spoiler)]

Ryn wrote: "Ch 1 - 6

I was a little confused at first because I could have sworn in the last book Felicity was leaving to [spoilers removed]

Oh and I also loved the "So is body snatching but you aren't sugge..."

I thought the same the same thing from the end of the first book.

Ch 16 (view spoiler)[That kiss coming was obvious. Took longer than I thought honestly in a way. (hide spoiler)]

Done (view spoiler)[Hmm I can use a sequel of these 3 ladies. Great team! Now Monty and Percy need to join them and leave the city. (hide spoiler)]