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When I opened The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels for the first time and read the Table of Contents, I thought to myself ‘this is either going to be awesome or a hot mess.’ Fellow readers, it was awesome!
This book is packed with hilarity, romance, and adventure topped with flying houses, hot pirates in tight trousers, proper Victorian ladies, and delightful literary allusions. It’s created a whole new genre – Historical Victorian Fantasy Pirate Romance! If you are up for a rollicking adventure combined with a truly swoonworthy love story, then read on!
Cecilia Bassingthwaite just wants to be admitted as a full member to the Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. She has been a junior member forever and has completed all the tasks necessary for promotion – robbed several banks, blackmailed a marchioness, flown the Channel, and even gone dress shopping with Bloodhound Bess. But now Cecilia has been marked for assassination by another member of the society – which is surely the final accomplishment needed for promotion. But no promotion is forthcoming. It may have something to do with the fact that her father Patrick Morvath has been plotting to destroy the society for years. Is the society concerned that Cecilia will eventually align herself with Morvath? She will need to prove to them once and for all that her allegiance lies with the lady scoundrels and not with her father.
Ned Lightbourne (one of his many aliases) has been hired by Lady Armitage of the society to assassinate Cecilia. He has also been hired by Morvath to kidnap Cecilia and by the Queen to protect Cecilia. When Ned comes to the Darlington residence (where Cecilia lives with her aunt), he falls in love with Cecilia’s beauty, dry wit, and prim attitude. He is delighted with the conundrum that is Cecilia – a proper Victorian lady who is also a merciless pirate which, being a pirate himself, he appreciates about her. When all the lady scoundrels are kidnapped by Morvath, Ned and Cecilia must join forces to rescue the ladies and Ned makes the most of this opportunity to woo her.
The Wisteria Society for Lady Scoundrels is India Holton’s first novel and what a triumph it is. Her storytelling ability is top-notch and her masterful use of language is impressive. The witticisms flow off the pages with hardly a paragraph passing without something to laugh (or downright snort!) about. Cecilia is such a mixed bag of lady and pirate. She could steal the rings off your fingers without your noticing but she is also charmingly naïve about life and love. She’s been raised as a sort of sheltered pirate by her aunt Miss Darlington who worries endlessly about Cecilia contracting random illnesses – Miss Darlington would not even let her drink Communion wine, believing it the surest way to catch rabies.
It is a delight to watch Cecilia fall in love with Ned (against her better judgment). Ned is a perfect hero – kind, funny, supportive, smart, and determined to win his lady. He patiently stands by her while she slowly comes to the realization that she can’t live without him. Even the love scenes are well done – somehow sexy, tender, and funny!
Every lady scoundrel we meet is a delightful combination of prim matron, assassin, and thief. The society only has three rules: No killing civilians. Pour the tea before the milk. And no stealing each other’s houses. Anything else is fair game! Its motto is: It is violence that best overcomes hate, vengeance that most certainly heals injury, and a good cup of tea that soothes the most anguished soul. And these lady scoundrels exemplify their rules and motto.
Morvath is a villain-you-love-to-hate. He believes he is the son of Branwell Brontë and tries to follow in the Brontë footsteps by writing horrific poetry. He is driven to destroy the society (and the Queen) by his intense hatred of women:
“That I inherited his brilliance proves God is on my side and that my mission of restoring England to men’s superior rule is a divine one.”
Readers, you will want to keep on your toes while frolicking through this alternate Victorian universe. Literary allusions and funny historical references are sprinkled liberally throughout the story. My favorite was a remark made by Prince Wilhelm of Germany when Morvath crashed the Queen’s jubilee party:
“Who is this conceited fellow?” Prince Wilhelm demanded. “What does he think he’s doing, invading our banquet and spoiling the peace in this belligerent fashion? What kind of man does that?”
Oh the irony! I also enjoyed the feminist undertone of the novel, sometimes subtle and sometimes in your face:
“You are a scoundrel,” she whispered furiously.
“Yes,” he agreed. “I’m thinking of starting a Society of Gentlemen Scoundrels.”
“You’re millennia too late. It already exists and is called the patriarchy.”
You see what I mean – if I quoted all the funny scenes I would have to quote the whole book.
We are about halfway through the reading year and I have no doubt The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels will be on my best of 2021 list! This is the perfect book to brighten your summer. Just be warned – read it where snorts and guffaws are welcome!
Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent retailer
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Grade: A
Book Type: Historical Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 18/06/21
Publication Date: 06/2021
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
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So happy to see AAR also give this a great review! I started listening to it last week. That was a mistake. I was a bit confused about what was happening and I’m not crazy about the narration. I’ll read it first and then listen! It’s next on my TBR.
Have this on my TBR pile!
What a cheerful and delightful review to an entertaining read. I have put it on hold at my public library. There are already 19 holds for this book!!
This sounds so fun. It’s on the (take seriously) TBR list.
I know you will just love all the literary and historical allusions. And the innuendos!
Hooray!! What a delightful review, Evelyn. I cannot wait to get my hands on this one. It sounds perfect.
It is absolutely hilarious and packed with charm! I hope you enjoy it.