The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton is a witty Victorian fiction meets fantastical historical romance.
Cecilia Bassingwaite is a proper Victorian Lady. She takes great care to appear prim and put together; manners are of the utmost importance and her knives are always at the ready. Like the other ladies of the Wisteria Society, Cecilia flies her house around England, drinking tea, stealing from the wealthy and blackmailing her colleagues.
Though her aunt may be over protective and the darker moments of her childhood haunt her, Cecilia is ultimately content. That is, until an impertinent pirate by the name of Ned Lightbourne shows up on her doorstep to assassinate her.
Ned has his own plans for Cecilia, but so does the dreaded Morvath. And when Morvath kidnaps the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to seek help with her would-be assassin. Will all be well again in time for tea?!
OMG, I loved this book so, so much. And it is SO worth the audio if audio books are your thing. This book was charming and witty and I would very much like to be a Victorian pirate, please.
There was the right amount of humor, fantasy and romance. It felt very... seriously-sarcastic, which I loved. There's some feminisms for those who want a strong lady who comes out thinking for herself. There's romance for the romantic. Action in the form of espionage and swordplay. And witty banter, for everyone else.
I really don't have a whole ton to say about this book, except that I liked it, it was fun, I'd read/listen to it again.
Ultimately, this book was entertaining as hell. It gets 5 stars from me!
That's all for now!
-M-