I have been reading a lot of historicals lately, and this book was a nice departure from the typical historical romance. Although this is technically a Victorian romance, We get out of the ton and the ballrooms and the marriage mart, and have an exciting adventure through Mesopotamia! I have not read the first book of the series - but I did not feel like I was lost at all, so no worries if you are starting out of order like me.

The family dynamic among the Penworth family was very close-knit and loving. Lord and Lady Penworth were very much in love, and they were equal partners in the marriage. This set a wonderful example for their children. In this story, Lady Penworth has convinced her husband to allow herself, Lady Emily and Lady Julia to accompany him on the trip to investigate whether a railroad should be built along the Tigris River. The ladies are all very self-sufficient and mature - they were not dishwater misses acting totally helpless in the face of harsh travel conditions. They even donned the traditional dress of the Turks, Kurds and Arabs so as not to offend or stand out in the foreign society.

It was somewhat kismet that two eligible men ended up traveling with the English party, and the gentlemen both clicked with Emily and Julia. So we got two romances for the price of one! I really enjoyed the romance that slowly and silently built between Julia and Oliphant. They were both such serious creatures, worried about their family and gossip, so it was nice to see them connect with one another. Emily is drawn to Lucien for just the opposite reason, he is playful and full of life and nothing like the boring boys of the ton that Emily is used to courting her. My favorite part of the book was when Julia employed some Arabic curses that Lucien had taught the girls during the journey.

The world building and costume description in this book were very well done. I loved the descriptions of the colors, houses and environments. It was such a nice diversion from flouncy dresses and ballrooms and society scandals. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars / 2 flames.
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...Victorian romance with a difference

Lady Emily Tremaine is a bit of a hoyden, with loads of charm and an enquiring mind. Attractive and assured she has accompanied her parents, along with her friend and extended family member, Lady Julia de Vaux, to Constantinople and then onto Mesopotamia. Her father, the Marquess of Penworth, is assessing the possibility of railway links along the Tigris. Her mother is interested in the archeological excavations of Nineveh.
Craving adventure, Emily certainly has her full share. Emily's parents are wonderful characters. The family is close and caring. Lady Penworth anticipates her daughter's boredom and needs in a wonderful way. I love that she ensures their tracking costumes are wearable, comfortable and chic. I adore her passion for Worth's couture. Emily's and Julia's inclusion on this more than a memorable journey is all part of her doing.
Added to this is Emily's meeting with the Frenchman, Lucien Chambertin, an adventurer. They cannot deny the attraction they feel, although Lucien drives himself crazy trying to convince himself that what he feels is merely friendship. That is, until Emily is in danger and Lucien realizes that he might have lost her. Of course Lucien is slightly more than an adventurer having turned his back on his noble French antecedents.
A quite enchanting novel with its exotic setting, I was fascinated by the descriptions of the various women's quarters The female members of the party were housed in. Marek's descriptions give such scenes a vibrancy of jewelled, brilliant colours, sounds and patterns.
Then again, the contrast between the times of day that are painted is poetic.
I admit to being struck by Julia's reflection that she 'loved the early morning, full of possibilities.' Just as this journey has opened Julia herself and Emily up to new and unthought of possibilities.
Lady Julia is attracted to David Oliphant who accompanies the group as a Foreign Office aide. He of course has secrets, but then so does Julia, Their story is as charged with adventure as that of Emily's and Lucien's.
New archeological discoveries at the ruins of Nineveh add further adventure to the story as do the unfortunate antics of the archeologist M. Carnac and his daughter, Mélisande.
A delightful read, so much so, that I have already raced through the first in the series, the story of Emily's sister in, 'Lady Elinor's Wicked Adventures.'

A NetGalley ARC ( )