... though I'm not the biggest fan of historicals I loved the book
581645
Even though I'm not the biggest fan of historicals I loved the book, the characters.  And especially the emotional buildup and edge of your seat danger with harrowing twists and turns, I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
3145411
I read a lot and I am not a sci-fi fan but I have to say I loved this book and this series.
840017
Loved the book - not generally a fan of civil war books/history, but this one gripped my interest from beginning to end.
1249459
I usually worry reading historical IR because of the few choices and rights that AA females had up until recent years.  While the book touched on it slightly, it didn't dwell on the lack of rights AA females had at the time.  There were definite times where is was noted, but the book didn't dwell on it.  I loved Olivia and Khalid.  Even though Khalid started as a arrogant piece of work.  I thought the author remained true to the time with her storytelling.  I loved the introduction to a culture that I don't normally read about.  I loved that Olivia was and uncommon woman in her time and her 'uncommonness' was completely supported by her remaining family.  I loved Khalid and Olivia's chemistry and the struggle to make it to their HEA.  I recommend this book.
3031631
I'm not a big fan of historical romances. With that said, I'm glad I gave Reckless Wager a chance.  It is a perfect blend of historical places and events with problems found in modern times.  Add a dash of Jack the Ripper and the story becomes more than the average read.  Kate and Ben are strong, honorable,  lead characters that have pasts they must each overcome so they may get to where they both belong... with each other.  The secondary characters add to the story in such a way as to build the story to showcase the main characters. Christy Carlyle did what I wasn't sure could be done.  She wrote a historical romance that I enjoyed enough to read in one sitting.
4387562
I loved this book. But it may be one of those books you love or you hate with not much in the middle.
3601814
This is actually a beautiful story, a mixed of historical romance with a touch of fantasy written in the excellent style of Christina Dodd.
I just cannot say I loved it because during the first half of the book I HATED Ian ( one step too close to be an abusive character, that makes no good hero for me ) and also found silly how Alana allows his behavior and falls in love with him despite ( or because of, not sure ) of it...
Still, I really enjoyed the fantasy elements related to the selkies and the ending is very touching so if you don't mind the hero/heroine's "peculiar" relationship, then it is worth reading it.
3588571
I know most people are probably aware of the fact that I'm not a romance fan, so it might seem like a strange choice to pick up a novel like Alex And Eliza. But while I'm not a fan of the romance genre, I do love my historical fiction and my interest was peaked when I read the blurb. No, I am not familiar with the details of Alex Hamilton's life nor did I see the Hamilton musical. Call me ignorant, but that part of American history was never talked about in the country I grew up in. I was looking forward to find out more about Hamilton's life and importance in history and historical timeframe in general, since it's been a while since I've read a story set in the 18th century... And to be honest, I found myself being mostly disappointed with the historical aspect of Alex And Eliza. Instead of a detailed historical setting and information about Hamilton's life, this is mainly a love story that could have been about any random high society girl and boy without important family name or money. I don't have the feeling at all that I know more about Hamilton's life after finishing it and I wasn't a fan of the character development either. The romance... I know it isn't my thing in general, but between the love triangle and the way the lovebirds acted, it was quite a turn off for me. I guess romance fans who don't mind the lack of historical details will be able to enjoy the story a lot better than me though.
3317523
I loved the characters of Amelia and Zora.  I was swept up in their 19th century world with gowns, and manners, and reputations that seem more like they should be 1000 years removed from the world in which we now live.  Aside from the historical aspect, this was not your typical paranormal in that there is no great danger or characters running for their lives.  This book is all about the slow boil, bringing the reader to the final tipping point quite by surprise.  I thought the writing was brilliant and the plot incredibly unique.  It's really more of a 4.5 stars --the only thing keeping it from being 5 stars is that I would've liked even more romance between Amelia and Nathaniel, but I supposed that's a constraint of the time period.
1005392
It's a good YA book, but not really my cup of tea. The time travel aspects were interesting, I think its a great book overall, just not to my taste.
2003094
Well worth purchase IF you love this period of history - otherwise, probably not a book you would like reading
2512282
Firstly, I want to say that I absolutely loved Ms. Bray's descriptions of colonial India, Victorian England and The Realms - such very different places but so vividly detailed. Oh and Spence... {sighs} I love Victorian finishing schools. I liked Gemma - I thought Ms. Bray did a great job depicting her as a normal teen with all the emotional turmoil, teen angst, pettiness, selfishness, etc., that you would see in any teen. I liked that she wasn't perfect - that she had her flaws and in the end that was what won me over. My only complaint was that (on certain occasions) the way she talked and expressed herself was not very true to that of a Victorian young lady - I found it somewhat modern.

I liked the friendship that the girls sparked - I thought they were all so different (some likeable, some not so much) but in the end, they made it work. I also enjoyed how Kartik was woven into the story - especially in those dream sequences (wink wink). I wasn't sure if to like him or not (somewhat the way Gemma feels about him) but I think there's still hope for him yet. I really had to appreciate that Ms. Bray managed to tell an entertaining story, while trying to instill ideas of feminine power.

My only issue with this book is that they paint suicide in such an easy light. I really don't want to spoil or give anything away, so I won't be able to discuss this in as much detail as I'd like, but there is more than one suicide and the characters just seem "okay" with this.

All in all, I still thought that the story flowed really well and had plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. There were plenty of loose ends - but alas, there are two more books in this trilogy which I'm sure will remedy that. In the end, I found A Great and Terrible Beauty entertaining and definitely a page-turner. I would definitely recommend to lovers of historical fiction with a (slightly creepy) magical twist.
3076800
I'm not usually into romance, but this book made me happy.
35991
Loved this book even though it wasn't what I usually like to read but I did and enjoyed it very much!
449872
I am not a reader of romance or historical fiction yet found this novel a most enjoyable read.  O
 OT
3470133
I loved this book!  It combined two of my favorite things, historical fiction and well developed characters.  This was not a book I wanted to rush through, but rather savor.  Enjoy.
1769943
I'm not used to reading historical fiction, but after reading a small excerpt of this book I thought it sounded like an interesting story so I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed. The book has a good amount of historical facts without reading like a history book, making the story more real. The author made the main character, Max, a very likable guy, which made it hard for me not to care and root for him. I would have liked to know more of what happened to him at the end of the story. I really like that the book has action as well as its dramatic points, but it can also be funny at times. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.