Eve Edwards (1) (1969–)

This isn't one of my absolute favourite books, but it's quite enjoyable, and soooooo funny. I probably wouldn't have reread it if it weren't for the fact that I found the next book and couldn't remember this one too well, but I'm sort of glad I did. There isn't a ton to this book maybe, but it just leaves me feeling really happy.
And I really needed something happy after Our Dark Duet.

PLOT

I can't really say this is a plot driven book. It's very much a romance, but there is quite a few threads to it, and I like the way they all tie together. This book switches between four different narrators... There's two main ones, but the other two add another layer to the story.
By which I really mean Jane adds another layer to the story, while Ness adds a completely unrelated subplot... As far as I can tell it had nothing to do with the other three narrators story. It was a bit odd.

SETTING

This was set in sixteenth century England, and I though it was very well done. The author obviously put quite a lot of research into it, and the setting felt really rich and real.
I love historical fiction set in England... I'm not quite sure why, I just really do. So I really liked the setting.
There was a lot of political stuff going on, which I know doesn't appeal to some people, but I found it fascinating. It really added to the story, and it made the setting feel even more real.

CHARACTERS

I really like the characters in this. They're super great!

- Ellie was awesome. I admit at times she needed saving and whatnot, which annoyed me a bit, but for the most part, she was actually great.
She wasn't strong in the typical YA heroine way. She wasn't really badass, or sassy and sarcastic, or anything like that. She never really fought against the way her life was going. But I thought she was actually a really strong character. She had this quiet strength, and maybe she didn't fight, but she endured. And the thing is, she didn't fight because of her love for her father. She could have ran away, and started her own life, and I don't doubt that she was capable of it, but instead she stuck with her father, because she loved him, and didn't want to abandon him. And I don't think that makes her weak.

-Will was... I really liked him the first time I read this, and I still quite liked him, but... at times I found myself questioning his actions. He had a strong sense of duty at times, and I think it led him to do some unreasonable things.

- Jane was my absolute favourite character. (The next book is about her, and I am SO excited!) When she first comes in, she seems sort of awful, but she's actually so completely amazing! This girl us strong. She doesn't let anything get in the way of what she wants. But she's also an amazing friend.
Her and Ellie have such an amazing friendship, and I love it! I'm so pleased with this book for having such an amazing female friendship. Jane would completely fit the stereotype of the bitchy mean girl. But she isn't. She is so completely there for Ellie, and it's amazing!

- Then there's Nell... I guess maybe she'll play some part in the next book, because I swear she had no point in this one. She was also absolutely awful. You can't root for her, and I sort of hate her. But she's a very well done character.
I just think she was completely pointless.

- James and Tobias were Will's brothers, and wow, I love the dynamic between them. Sure they argue all the time, and James teases Will for absolutely everything, but they are really close, and it was so nice to read about such a loving family. His mother and sister, although smaller characters, were great as well. They were always there for each other, and it made me so happy.
Also the banter. The banter was amazing.

OVER ALL

I really like The Other Countess. I don't think this book is for everyone, but personally, I really enjoyed it, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel, which I am now going to go read.… (meer)