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Pink Carnation #9
The Garden Intrigue
In the ninth installment of Lauren Willig's bestselling Pink Carnation series, an atrocious poet teams up with an American widow to prevent Napoleon's invasion of England. Secret agent Augustus Whittlesby has spent a decade undercover in France, posing as an insufferably bad poet. The French surveillance officers can't bear to read his work closely enough to recognize the information drowned in a sea of verbiage.New York-born Emma Morris Delagardie is a thorn in Augustus's side. An old school friend of Napoleon's stepdaughter, she came to France with her uncle, the American envoy; eloped with a Frenchman; and has been rattling around the salons of Paris ever since. Widowed for four years, she entertains herself by drinking too much champagne, holding a weekly salon, and loudly critiquing Augustus's poetry.As Napoleon pursues his plans for the invasion of England, Whittlesby hears of a top-secret device to be demonstrated at a house party at Malmaison
390 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2012
75 people are currently reading
2760 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Willig
41 books4,694 followersLauren Willig is the New York Times bestselling author of nineteen works of historical fiction. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages, awarded the RITA, Booksellers Best and Golden Leaf awards, and chosen for the American Library Association's annual list of the best genre fiction. After graduating from Yale University, she embarked on a PhD in History at Harvard before leaving academia to acquire a JD at Harvard Law while authoring her "Pink Carnation" series of Napoleonic-set novels. She lives in New York City, where she now writes full time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 426 reviews
April 17, 2012
It is all about bad poetry isn’t it? Thus, shamelessly pressing on……
Augustus Whittlesby
has nothing on me.
When it comes to verse
I’m considerably worse.
Dear readers and fans I bring good news
Lauren Willig has shown her muse
in Pink Carnation number nine:
The Garden Intrigue, most divine.
A poet-spy takes a risky chance
deep inside of Bonaparte’s France
to love a girl from a distant shore
not knowing who she’s working for.
They do a Masque with a nautical theme
but a secret weapon is part of the scheme.
What’s his mission’s foremost intention?
He must uncover that dreadful invention!
Around this “masque” are other “masks”
that all are wearing for secret tasks.
Both in the past or present day
subterfuge is what holds sway.
Can the fate of England be at hand
when romance hangs by a slender strand?
Will passion doom the mission to fail
Or will love and duty both prevail?
Are you finally in the proper mood?
I wrote the verses best I could.
I promise no more rhyming dread,
My muse has now been put to bed
I've read ALL NINE in the Pink Carnation series and everything else Lauren Willig puts to print. She's on top of her game with The Garden Intrigue.
Augustus Whittlesby
has nothing on me.
When it comes to verse
I’m considerably worse.
Dear readers and fans I bring good news
Lauren Willig has shown her muse
in Pink Carnation number nine:
The Garden Intrigue, most divine.
A poet-spy takes a risky chance
deep inside of Bonaparte’s France
to love a girl from a distant shore
not knowing who she’s working for.
They do a Masque with a nautical theme
but a secret weapon is part of the scheme.
What’s his mission’s foremost intention?
He must uncover that dreadful invention!
Around this “masque” are other “masks”
that all are wearing for secret tasks.
Both in the past or present day
subterfuge is what holds sway.
Can the fate of England be at hand
when romance hangs by a slender strand?
Will passion doom the mission to fail
Or will love and duty both prevail?
Are you finally in the proper mood?
I wrote the verses best I could.
I promise no more rhyming dread,
My muse has now been put to bed
I've read ALL NINE in the Pink Carnation series and everything else Lauren Willig puts to print. She's on top of her game with The Garden Intrigue.
March 4, 2012
Well. I can say with absolute certainty that I didn't enjoy this book as much as others in the Carnation series. I was looking forward to Augustus Whittleby's moment of Epic Glory, and instead I feel like I got handed half a book and some plot devices.
My first major issue (documented in my status updates) was the prose: it was sloppy, repetitious and (sometimes) flat. I found several instances of almost word for word reiterations of explanations throughout the book, which seemed lazy.
In addition: the romance plot. As several other (wiser, more articulate) individuals have mentioned--it felt rushed. They go from hating one another, to forming a tenuous partnership, to bffs, to being in love--all in the course of 3 weeks? Riiight. Also, the transitioning of ~deep feelings from one woman to another is always going to be gross. Even if the ~deep feelings aren't "real" for the first individual: it's cheapening, and it mars the realization of actual feelings for the second individual.
I'm not sure how I feel on the Jane front. She is definitely ice cold and hard to esteem, but I can't help but think (a) She knows Augustus didn't truly love her, and how in goodness's name do you divert a man's passions sweetly? (b) She wants to protect Emma from the truth of Augustus's profession as best she can--replace "poet" with "spy" and see her entire conversation with Emma in the theater. (c) She's frustrated and (somewhat) disgusted with Augustus near the end because he is no longer behaving in a rational or intelligent matter, putting a lot of lives at risk.
Which brings me to Augustus's crisis of faith. God, how much did I want this to be explored properly? Instead, his decision to stop spying is crammed into one chapter and without any proper exploration of the thought-process.
Basically: IF THE PROSE WAS BETTER THIS WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. A solid editing could have addressed so many of these issues and created a much more solid book exploring the dynamics of a spy / spy-master relationship, the realization of a falsely assumed love, and the coming to terms with a career that is no longer fulfilling.
Overall: an uneven read. Enjoyable enough, and I'll be reading the next book, but no where near what I've come to expect from this series. Now, I'm going to write all the angsty Jane war-centric POV and get lambasted for poor historical accuracy.
My first major issue (documented in my status updates) was the prose: it was sloppy, repetitious and (sometimes) flat. I found several instances of almost word for word reiterations of explanations throughout the book, which seemed lazy.
In addition: the romance plot. As several other (wiser, more articulate) individuals have mentioned--it felt rushed. They go from hating one another, to forming a tenuous partnership, to bffs, to being in love--all in the course of 3 weeks? Riiight. Also, the transitioning of ~deep feelings from one woman to another is always going to be gross. Even if the ~deep feelings aren't "real" for the first individual: it's cheapening, and it mars the realization of actual feelings for the second individual.
I'm not sure how I feel on the Jane front. She is definitely ice cold and hard to esteem, but I can't help but think (a) She knows Augustus didn't truly love her, and how in goodness's name do you divert a man's passions sweetly? (b) She wants to protect Emma from the truth of Augustus's profession as best she can--replace "poet" with "spy" and see her entire conversation with Emma in the theater. (c) She's frustrated and (somewhat) disgusted with Augustus near the end because he is no longer behaving in a rational or intelligent matter, putting a lot of lives at risk.
Which brings me to Augustus's crisis of faith. God, how much did I want this to be explored properly? Instead, his decision to stop spying is crammed into one chapter and without any proper exploration of the thought-process.
Basically: IF THE PROSE WAS BETTER THIS WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. A solid editing could have addressed so many of these issues and created a much more solid book exploring the dynamics of a spy / spy-master relationship, the realization of a falsely assumed love, and the coming to terms with a career that is no longer fulfilling.
Overall: an uneven read. Enjoyable enough, and I'll be reading the next book, but no where near what I've come to expect from this series. Now, I'm going to write all the angsty Jane war-centric POV and get lambasted for poor historical accuracy.
March 5, 2013
This series is my favorite guilty pleasure read.
Willig's writing is getting considerably better as the series goes on, in my opinion. Or, perhaps, it is just that her goofy characters turn out better than the classic dashing heroes. Turnip's story in The Mischief of the Mistletoe and Augustus' story in this book were entertaining - much more so for Turnip's bumbling and Augustus' intentionally awful poetry. Emma has a much better backstory than any previous characters except perhaps Lord Vaughn in The Seduction of the Crimson Rose. The characters are also more nuanced, which I appreciated. Bonus: the story takes is back to France as Augustus works with the Pink Carnation who is notably (and unfortunately) absent from many books in the series.
Willig's writing is getting considerably better as the series goes on, in my opinion. Or, perhaps, it is just that her goofy characters turn out better than the classic dashing heroes. Turnip's story in The Mischief of the Mistletoe and Augustus' story in this book were entertaining - much more so for Turnip's bumbling and Augustus' intentionally awful poetry. Emma has a much better backstory than any previous characters except perhaps Lord Vaughn in The Seduction of the Crimson Rose. The characters are also more nuanced, which I appreciated. Bonus: the story takes is back to France as Augustus works with the Pink Carnation who is notably (and unfortunately) absent from many books in the series.
March 19, 2022
Reread, March 2022:
Well, it's been 10 years since I touched this book and it reread a lot worse than I even remembered! Other than the Colin/Eloise stuff, I don't think the book has a lot to recommend it, to be perfectly frank. Augustus and Emma are fine characters, but I don't see them as particularly well suited, we don't get enough relationship development, particularly when one of the characters spends most of the book thinking they are in love with someone else, and just... no one feels like real people. The good news is that if my recollections of the rest of the series are correct, this is the very clear low point and everything else will get better from here.
1. The Masque of the Black Tulip
2. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
3. The Deception of the Emerald Ring
4. The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
5. The Orchid Affair
6. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
7. The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
8. The Mischief of the Mistletoe
9. The Garden Intrigue
Original review, February 2012
It's been almost twelve hours now since I finished this and I'm still not entirely sure what I thought. I guess, in the end, it was a mixed bag of stuff that I liked and didn't like and it'll probably take awhile longer to decide how that all shakes out.
Things I liked:
- That we're tying things back into India, which gives me a great deal of hope that my fondest desire is concerned.
- Colin and Eloise. I really liked their conflict in this one, and the way it was resolved. And I liked that Micah Stone wasn't actually an ass, that was unexpected but awesome.
- Augustus. I LOOOOOOOOVE HIM.
- The first half of Emma and Augustus's story. I was chugging along, really them, and then the thing happened that I didn't like.
Things I was not so fond of:
- Jane. It pains me to say this, but I just did not like Jane in this book. Part of it was, of course, that I loved Augustus so much and that I disliked her causing him pain. I know it was unintentional and that she endeavored not to do so, but she did and then she wasn't especially kind about it. I also didn't like the way she talked about Augustus to Emma. I know she was in character, but she sort of went beyond that and it made me wonder if there's actually a likable heroine left under the master spy.
- The progression of Emma and Augustus's relationship after Augustus's confession. It was just way the fuck too fast. Whether or not Augustus actually loved Jane, he thought he did, and to have him transfer his affections so suddenly and so totally, was weird. And off putting. I didn't end up liking the pairing as much as I might have otherwise if it had been handled differently.
We'll see how it rereads.
Well, it's been 10 years since I touched this book and it reread a lot worse than I even remembered! Other than the Colin/Eloise stuff, I don't think the book has a lot to recommend it, to be perfectly frank. Augustus and Emma are fine characters, but I don't see them as particularly well suited, we don't get enough relationship development, particularly when one of the characters spends most of the book thinking they are in love with someone else, and just... no one feels like real people. The good news is that if my recollections of the rest of the series are correct, this is the very clear low point and everything else will get better from here.
1. The Masque of the Black Tulip
2. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
3. The Deception of the Emerald Ring
4. The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
5. The Orchid Affair
6. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
7. The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
8. The Mischief of the Mistletoe
9. The Garden Intrigue
Original review, February 2012
It's been almost twelve hours now since I finished this and I'm still not entirely sure what I thought. I guess, in the end, it was a mixed bag of stuff that I liked and didn't like and it'll probably take awhile longer to decide how that all shakes out.
Things I liked:
- That we're tying things back into India, which gives me a great deal of hope that my fondest desire is concerned.
- Colin and Eloise. I really liked their conflict in this one, and the way it was resolved. And I liked that Micah Stone wasn't actually an ass, that was unexpected but awesome.
- Augustus. I LOOOOOOOOVE HIM.
- The first half of Emma and Augustus's story. I was chugging along, really them, and then the thing happened that I didn't like.
Things I was not so fond of:
- Jane. It pains me to say this, but I just did not like Jane in this book. Part of it was, of course, that I loved Augustus so much and that I disliked her causing him pain. I know it was unintentional and that she endeavored not to do so, but she did and then she wasn't especially kind about it. I also didn't like the way she talked about Augustus to Emma. I know she was in character, but she sort of went beyond that and it made me wonder if there's actually a likable heroine left under the master spy.
- The progression of Emma and Augustus's relationship after Augustus's confession. It was just way the fuck too fast. Whether or not Augustus actually loved Jane, he thought he did, and to have him transfer his affections so suddenly and so totally, was weird. And off putting. I didn't end up liking the pairing as much as I might have otherwise if it had been handled differently.
We'll see how it rereads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2016
2.5 stars
February 20, 2012
4.5 Stars
As soon as I saw that this book had a poet as the lead male character, I knew I had to read it. And Augustus Whittlesby doesn't disappoint. I love that he battles with his 'real' self and his invented persona of poet. It's even more interesting that the two have actually become one more than he even wants to admit.
Emma also battles with an invented persona of her own. She wears a mask in public of glittering jewels and socially acceptable flirting, when really she isn't that social butterfly at all. It's lovely to see both characters being able to show each other their true selves.
Emma and Augustus' romance may have gotten off to a slow start, but once it starts cooking, it's so very romantic. He is a poet, after all. It's also very interesting and quite realistic that both characters have been in love before. We see Emma struggle with memories of her husband, and we see first hand Augustus' unrequited romance with the Pink Carnation herself, Jane. These past romances don't dilute the love between Emma and Augustus, instead I think their romance becomes more real for it.
The parts of this book that deal with the present day aren't really my cup of tea. This format rarely ever works for me, so it's not just this series. I feel like it takes me out of the story when I want to completely escape into the past. I would read a cliffhanger ending to a chapter, only to turn the page and be stuck in 2004 again. I know the present day characters are a lot of readers favorite part of the series, though.
Overall, a lovely new addition to this series, with memorable and very unique lead characters.
book sent by publisher and publicist in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
January 16, 2016
The interactions between the non-standard hero and heroine made this a 3.5 star read for me, as well as the interesting setting and era, and the fact that I read it in one setting.
A few drawbacks:
Very modern phrasing between historical couple threw me out of the story several times.
Quick settling of issues between the historical couple was very abrupt.
TSTL issues with stopping to make love while fleeing for their lives!?! =Stupid.
Ugly modern photo-shopped cover (not author's fault).
But last and biggest issue for me was Eloise' non-stop wittering over 'rich girl issues'. Or maybe her first world problem is a better term??? As someone who HAS to work for a living, it's hard for me to feel much sympathy for someone who has spent endless books now with her problems that are 'problems' that only the top 5% can dream of having to deal with.
Frankly, I'm tired of Eloise and Colin. They have great lives. They'll work it out. Or not. I just don't care any more. They're pleasant enough, but WOW! their entitlement is getting to me.
Funny how it's okay in a historical setting, but modern day? I just want her to have to GET A JOB. And him too, a real one anyway. ...Yes, I realize I'm weird.
A few drawbacks:
Very modern phrasing between historical couple threw me out of the story several times.
Quick settling of issues between the historical couple was very abrupt.
TSTL issues with stopping to make love while fleeing for their lives!?! =Stupid.
Ugly modern photo-shopped cover (not author's fault).
But last and biggest issue for me was Eloise' non-stop wittering over 'rich girl issues'. Or maybe her first world problem is a better term??? As someone who HAS to work for a living, it's hard for me to feel much sympathy for someone who has spent endless books now with her problems that are 'problems' that only the top 5% can dream of having to deal with.
Frankly, I'm tired of Eloise and Colin. They have great lives. They'll work it out. Or not. I just don't care any more. They're pleasant enough, but WOW! their entitlement is getting to me.
Funny how it's okay in a historical setting, but modern day? I just want her to have to GET A JOB. And him too, a real one anyway. ...Yes, I realize I'm weird.
February 20, 2012
I can't wait for this to come out. This is one of the rare series that seems to get better the further along it gets. :)
October 31, 2017
This year I decided to officially participate in Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon for the first time ever. I had some time on my hands and some good books to start reading so I was eager for an excuse to sit and read undisturbed while my husband watched out little one.
I started The Garden of Intrigue almost immediately after completing The Orchid Affair and I’ll be honest, I was supposed to read it for Readathon but I almost finished it before Readathon even started!
Again, I’ll be honest and say that I was not looking forward to reading this one. Augustus Whittlesby was the singularly most annoying character in The Orchid Affair. His poetry was so over the top and I just couldn’t stomach him for more than a page or two.
I had serious reservations about this book but it’s the next in the series so I didn’t feel like I could avoid it.
I read this book in a matter of hours. It was fast paced, interesting, and much to my surprise, I loved the romance. Thank the lord that Augustus didn’t speak in rhyme throughout the novel otherwise I might have abandoned it. I had no idea what his background was but when I read his parts I found my self feeling so sorry for him. He had been in the field undercover for ten long years. That’s ten years of not knowing who you can trust and not having any true friends, not to mention losing yourself within your cover character. This sounded so lonely and tragic to me. I immediately wanted to comfort him.
Emma was frivolous and inmate at times however that was all a facade, similar to Augustus. But what I think I loved the most was the unrequited love angle. I thought the best line in the book was ‘Cytherea is only Cytherea because she doesn’t leave the tower’. Augustus fancied himself in love with his ‘muse’ Jane, and put her up on this pedestal all the while ignoring Emma. But little did he know that he and Jane would not make a fitting couple in the long term and what he needed was right in front of his face in Emma.
It is Emma is sets him straight about his infatuation with Jane and when Augustus eventually becomes interested in Emma, as a reader I questioned his intentions the same as Emma. It would take a lot of winning over in order for me to believe that Augustus wasn’t really in love with Jane but rather in love with Emma, and Willig delivered that in this romance.
I enjoyed watching the drama unfold between the odd love triangle. It was heartbreaking but at the same time so tender and real that I couldn’t help but completely fall in love with the two characters. Who hasn’t been in Augustus’s spot before? Longing for a crush that you think will be the perfect match for you, only to have your rose colored glasses taken off and seen them for what they really are? Unsuited for you. This was a very relatable story for many readers.
The poetry I could have done without all together…..sorry I am just not a poetry person, but everything else was on point. I loved that other long time favorite characters got more page time in this book (Jane and Miss Gwen) especially since we are coming to an end of this series.
I am looking forward to seeing how this series wraps up with only a couple more books left.
See my full review here
I started The Garden of Intrigue almost immediately after completing The Orchid Affair and I’ll be honest, I was supposed to read it for Readathon but I almost finished it before Readathon even started!
Again, I’ll be honest and say that I was not looking forward to reading this one. Augustus Whittlesby was the singularly most annoying character in The Orchid Affair. His poetry was so over the top and I just couldn’t stomach him for more than a page or two.
I had serious reservations about this book but it’s the next in the series so I didn’t feel like I could avoid it.
I read this book in a matter of hours. It was fast paced, interesting, and much to my surprise, I loved the romance. Thank the lord that Augustus didn’t speak in rhyme throughout the novel otherwise I might have abandoned it. I had no idea what his background was but when I read his parts I found my self feeling so sorry for him. He had been in the field undercover for ten long years. That’s ten years of not knowing who you can trust and not having any true friends, not to mention losing yourself within your cover character. This sounded so lonely and tragic to me. I immediately wanted to comfort him.
Emma was frivolous and inmate at times however that was all a facade, similar to Augustus. But what I think I loved the most was the unrequited love angle. I thought the best line in the book was ‘Cytherea is only Cytherea because she doesn’t leave the tower’. Augustus fancied himself in love with his ‘muse’ Jane, and put her up on this pedestal all the while ignoring Emma. But little did he know that he and Jane would not make a fitting couple in the long term and what he needed was right in front of his face in Emma.
It is Emma is sets him straight about his infatuation with Jane and when Augustus eventually becomes interested in Emma, as a reader I questioned his intentions the same as Emma. It would take a lot of winning over in order for me to believe that Augustus wasn’t really in love with Jane but rather in love with Emma, and Willig delivered that in this romance.
I enjoyed watching the drama unfold between the odd love triangle. It was heartbreaking but at the same time so tender and real that I couldn’t help but completely fall in love with the two characters. Who hasn’t been in Augustus’s spot before? Longing for a crush that you think will be the perfect match for you, only to have your rose colored glasses taken off and seen them for what they really are? Unsuited for you. This was a very relatable story for many readers.
The poetry I could have done without all together…..sorry I am just not a poetry person, but everything else was on point. I loved that other long time favorite characters got more page time in this book (Jane and Miss Gwen) especially since we are coming to an end of this series.
I am looking forward to seeing how this series wraps up with only a couple more books left.
See my full review here
February 4, 2017
A ce jour, le plus faible de la collection.
Lauren Willig a jusqu'ici toujours réussi à me surprendre, à me happer d'une façon ou une autre par son intrigue. Sauf qu'ici, ce ne fut pas le cas.
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'aspect historique, le fait d'être si proche de Bonaparte, de donne une voix à Joséphine de Beauharnais et surtout son entourage.
Par contre, le côté espionnage était brouillon, tardif ... Et la romance ne m'a pas émue. Dans le tome précédent, si entre André et Laura, la romance était secondaire, je m'étais attachée aux personnages. Pas ici. Qui plus est, j'ai pris en grippe, un certain personnage.
Et que dire de la partie contemporaine ... plus on avance moins, elle m'intéresse .. encore que le dernier chapitre semble prometteur (et est très intelligent de la part de l'auteur pour lancer l'intrigue du 10ème tome).
Bref, on va dire que cela était une petite baisse de régime dans une série que j'adore! Et puis le prochain!!!! Miss Gwen !!!
Lauren Willig a jusqu'ici toujours réussi à me surprendre, à me happer d'une façon ou une autre par son intrigue. Sauf qu'ici, ce ne fut pas le cas.
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'aspect historique, le fait d'être si proche de Bonaparte, de donne une voix à Joséphine de Beauharnais et surtout son entourage.
Par contre, le côté espionnage était brouillon, tardif ... Et la romance ne m'a pas émue. Dans le tome précédent, si entre André et Laura, la romance était secondaire, je m'étais attachée aux personnages. Pas ici. Qui plus est, j'ai pris en grippe, un certain personnage.
Et que dire de la partie contemporaine ... plus on avance moins, elle m'intéresse .. encore que le dernier chapitre semble prometteur (et est très intelligent de la part de l'auteur pour lancer l'intrigue du 10ème tome).
Bref, on va dire que cela était une petite baisse de régime dans une série que j'adore! Et puis le prochain!!!! Miss Gwen !!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2012
The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig
ISBN: 978-0-525-95254-1
Dutton
Published: February 16, 2012
Hardcover, 388 pages
This is not typically the kind of historical fiction that I read, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Garden Intrigue and learned some historical facts along the way!
The years surrounding 1804 were critical ones for Napoleon Bonaparte, who, after having invaded countries in Europe sets his sights on England. He commissions the building of a top-secret prototype of a submarine to blow up the English ships in the Channel. Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamship has designed and named it Nautilus (the name of the submarine from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea fame!) So that’s the historical setting.
Fast-forward to 2004. Post-graduate student, Eloise, is researching the “Pink Carnation” (aka Jane Wooliston) a British spy living in France in the early 1800’s, when she discovers silly poetry written by Augustus Whittlesby for his muse, Jane, whom he imagines himself in love with. Augustus calls her “the Princess of the Pulchritudinous Toes.” Who could write such drivel? And why? The answers to these two questions are at the heart of the story.
Enter Emma Delagardie, a young American widow living in France, seemingly intent on nothing more than drinking champagne, dressing up, partying and generally having a good time. Her friendship with Bonaparte’s family attracts Augustus and he wrangles an invitation to Malmaison, Josephine Bonaparte’s favorite country home in order to discover the plans for the submarine. Augustus realizes that there is much more to Emma than he imagines and gradually falls in love with her.
This book is funny and fun to read. At one point Augustus says “….what makes you think Madame Delagardie would accept the help of a man guilty of perpetrating unspeakable crimes against unsuspecting adverbs?” Or quoting Miss Gwen, “one flirts with poets…., one doesn’t fall in love with them. And one certainly doesn’t marry them.” The narrator says, “She made it sound like an inalterable law. Somewhere in the Napoleonic Code was buried a provision banning matrimony for all purveyors of verse, to be defined under subsection 62(a)(iii), not to be confused with subsection 62()a)(iv) – minstrels, traveling.”
Lauren Willig’s descriptive powers are amazing! “She could smell ulterior motives on me like cheap cologne.” “Against the fronds of the willows, the woman drifting towards the bridge seemed almost a specter herself, her long gown a whisper of white in the shadow of the trees. She stepped up onto the blue-painted bridge, and the last rays of the setting sun lit upon her, embracing her with the ardor of a lover.” These are but two of her many descriptions.
The Garden Intrigue has all the elements of an interesting story - love, romance, espionage, mystery, history, intrigue, and real people. And a beautiful cover!
There are a couple of sexual scenes as well as religious epithets in the book that the reader should be aware of.
ISBN: 978-0-525-95254-1
Dutton
Published: February 16, 2012
Hardcover, 388 pages
This is not typically the kind of historical fiction that I read, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Garden Intrigue and learned some historical facts along the way!
The years surrounding 1804 were critical ones for Napoleon Bonaparte, who, after having invaded countries in Europe sets his sights on England. He commissions the building of a top-secret prototype of a submarine to blow up the English ships in the Channel. Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamship has designed and named it Nautilus (the name of the submarine from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea fame!) So that’s the historical setting.
Fast-forward to 2004. Post-graduate student, Eloise, is researching the “Pink Carnation” (aka Jane Wooliston) a British spy living in France in the early 1800’s, when she discovers silly poetry written by Augustus Whittlesby for his muse, Jane, whom he imagines himself in love with. Augustus calls her “the Princess of the Pulchritudinous Toes.” Who could write such drivel? And why? The answers to these two questions are at the heart of the story.
Enter Emma Delagardie, a young American widow living in France, seemingly intent on nothing more than drinking champagne, dressing up, partying and generally having a good time. Her friendship with Bonaparte’s family attracts Augustus and he wrangles an invitation to Malmaison, Josephine Bonaparte’s favorite country home in order to discover the plans for the submarine. Augustus realizes that there is much more to Emma than he imagines and gradually falls in love with her.
This book is funny and fun to read. At one point Augustus says “….what makes you think Madame Delagardie would accept the help of a man guilty of perpetrating unspeakable crimes against unsuspecting adverbs?” Or quoting Miss Gwen, “one flirts with poets…., one doesn’t fall in love with them. And one certainly doesn’t marry them.” The narrator says, “She made it sound like an inalterable law. Somewhere in the Napoleonic Code was buried a provision banning matrimony for all purveyors of verse, to be defined under subsection 62(a)(iii), not to be confused with subsection 62()a)(iv) – minstrels, traveling.”
Lauren Willig’s descriptive powers are amazing! “She could smell ulterior motives on me like cheap cologne.” “Against the fronds of the willows, the woman drifting towards the bridge seemed almost a specter herself, her long gown a whisper of white in the shadow of the trees. She stepped up onto the blue-painted bridge, and the last rays of the setting sun lit upon her, embracing her with the ardor of a lover.” These are but two of her many descriptions.
The Garden Intrigue has all the elements of an interesting story - love, romance, espionage, mystery, history, intrigue, and real people. And a beautiful cover!
There are a couple of sexual scenes as well as religious epithets in the book that the reader should be aware of.
February 7, 2022
While I'm a huge fan of the Pink Carnation series, this is my least favorite book. Hero, Augustus Whittlesby has appeared before as an atrocious poet, his cover to get close to Napoleon's court. However, I found his appearance in this book to be more annoying than enjoyable. In addition, I didn't care for American Emma Delgardie, who took a leading part. That being said, I look forward to the next book and a move forward.
February 4, 2017
peut-être plus un 3,5. un tome sympathique, mais un peu plus bancal que les autres. j'ai beaucoup aimé Augustus et Emma, mais la romance entre eux progresse de manière un peu trop abrupte. et puis la partie contemporaine arrive toujours un peu comme un cheveu sur la soupe :p et viré un peu trop au soap, même si le dernier chapitre relance l'intérêt pour la suite. ça reste toujours très fun et agréable à lire, mais c'est vrai que ce tome est un peu en dessous des autres.
March 26, 2024
This chapter in the Pink Carnation saga is relatively predictable, with unrequited infatuation, manipulative lovers, and passable poetry. The Eloise storyline sets up the next book nicely.
July 28, 2019
Am I still fucked up about Emma saying she teases Augustus's terrible poetry to get his attention? Yes. This was fun! I liked how much I cared for them considering this is really Emma's first introduction to the series vs Augustus' who's been a background character and we have an idea of what he does/how he's been working with the War Office but Emma's also been in France for a while masking her pain after her whole early elopement and then sudden widowhood is a lot; I wish we got a little more insight into that from Emma because we got it in the line where she stays out all night to hopefully get to be exhausted where she can sleep without dreaming. Them working on the masque together and sending notes to each other was incredibly sweet, and I love that they were antagonistic towards each other that melted into easy friendship -Emma trying to cushion the fall of his ill advised crush on Jane while suffering her own crush whereas Augustus realizing the Jane he thought he was in love with as a mirage is extremely angst-ridden. I just wish we had more of their friendship shown rather than told through the notes, even if I did have a great time reading it because the shift of his unrequited love from Jane to Emma was cut real short for the plot. Which brings me to the whole it seems Willig is cutting the relationship time faster in order to push the plot forward rather than letting them work in tandem (which you see very clearly in books 1,2,3 but has a spotty track record later on). It was all good stuff. Also Eloise/Colin as the united front against Jeremy is fantastic and I do love how much they're in this together and trying to make it work.
April 28, 2017
It was such a treat to get back to this series after quite a few years since picking up the last one. I have this habit of wanting to "save" books by my favorite authors. I find Lauren Willig's writing style fun and her novels to have a unique blend of history and adventure with a love story. This one centers on Augustus Whittlesby, a long-time secret agent for England in France during the time of Napoleon. Emma Delagardie is an American expatriate, having remained in France after the untimely death of her French husband and is also good friends with Napoleon's step-daughter. Circumstance brings the two together, Augustus must use Emma's connections to serve England and Emma is determined to stay in France. Each have misconceptions about the other, hence the adventurous tale ensues as motives are revealed and events dictate actions. Book 8 in the series was a little bit dull for me, so I am glad that my enjoyment has been restored with this one!
May 29, 2018
Another great book in the series!! I really enjoyed that the historical and contemporary lines are coming together a bit more and how Ms. Willig tied in more of the American history. Can't wait for #10!
February 1, 2012
Similar Books: India Black by Carol K. Carr, And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander
I don't think I've ever hung on to a series this long, but Lauren Willig's books never fail to impress. This woman is an amazing storyteller, and she's probably the only author of adult books whose releases I always anxiously await.
As per usual, the latest Pink Carnation book is chalked full of historical realism that I nearly feel like I've fallen into the 1700s. Unlike some of the other books, this one takes place in France, following everyone's favorite ridiculous poet, Augustus Whittlesby. I was really excited to see that he was getting his own book. Like Turnip, Whittlesby has a bit of the idiot in him. Or so we thought. We come to find in The Garden Intrigue that Whittlesby isn't the buffoon everybody makes him out to be. Instead, he is a clever spy.
With Whittlesby being such a major character, his poetry was highlighted quite a bit. It's hilarious in its absurdity, and I was really impressed with Willig that she could come up with such great stuff! Also, the banter between Whittlesby and Emma was great, especially at the beginning, where she says that he murders "unsuspecting adverbs."
I've got to say this is probably one of the funniest Willig books I've read because of the poetry and the banter. It was also a lot better than the last one, The Orchid Affair, which I didn't much care for.
But while this was a really good read, I've got to admit that it still didn't quite capture that magic that's in the first three Pink Carnation books. There was just something charming, smart, and delicious about The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, The Masque of the Black Tulip (my personal favorite), and The Deception of the Emerald Ring, although I thought perhaps the wonderful The Mischief of the Mistletoe had brought back her former glory. I'm not sure if the plotline is becoming a little tired, since they're all relatively similar, or if Willig has run out of a lot of good ideas. The characters just don't feel quite as fleshed out, and the danger doesn't seem quite as imminent.
I'm still awaiting the book dedicated to Jane, our Pink Carnation. I think it's time for the series to come to a close, as great as it was. And I hope to see a lot of old friends in the finale, like Henrietta, Miles, Richard, Amy, Turnip, and Charlotte...but mostly Turnip.
I don't think I've ever hung on to a series this long, but Lauren Willig's books never fail to impress. This woman is an amazing storyteller, and she's probably the only author of adult books whose releases I always anxiously await.
As per usual, the latest Pink Carnation book is chalked full of historical realism that I nearly feel like I've fallen into the 1700s. Unlike some of the other books, this one takes place in France, following everyone's favorite ridiculous poet, Augustus Whittlesby. I was really excited to see that he was getting his own book. Like Turnip, Whittlesby has a bit of the idiot in him. Or so we thought. We come to find in The Garden Intrigue that Whittlesby isn't the buffoon everybody makes him out to be. Instead, he is a clever spy.
With Whittlesby being such a major character, his poetry was highlighted quite a bit. It's hilarious in its absurdity, and I was really impressed with Willig that she could come up with such great stuff! Also, the banter between Whittlesby and Emma was great, especially at the beginning, where she says that he murders "unsuspecting adverbs."
I've got to say this is probably one of the funniest Willig books I've read because of the poetry and the banter. It was also a lot better than the last one, The Orchid Affair, which I didn't much care for.
But while this was a really good read, I've got to admit that it still didn't quite capture that magic that's in the first three Pink Carnation books. There was just something charming, smart, and delicious about The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, The Masque of the Black Tulip (my personal favorite), and The Deception of the Emerald Ring, although I thought perhaps the wonderful The Mischief of the Mistletoe had brought back her former glory. I'm not sure if the plotline is becoming a little tired, since they're all relatively similar, or if Willig has run out of a lot of good ideas. The characters just don't feel quite as fleshed out, and the danger doesn't seem quite as imminent.
I'm still awaiting the book dedicated to Jane, our Pink Carnation. I think it's time for the series to come to a close, as great as it was. And I hope to see a lot of old friends in the finale, like Henrietta, Miles, Richard, Amy, Turnip, and Charlotte...but mostly Turnip.
February 4, 2016
I have been reading Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series for quite awhile. I feel like the last few books have all been rather disappointing, but I found this one to be especially awful. Usually I can dive right into Lauren Willig's novels, but with this, I found myself really having to work to stay interested. Neither the frame story nor the one inside could capture my attention.
Like the 8 preceding books in the series, The Garden Intrigue consisted of the Eloise/Colin frame story (a Cambridge academic writing her dissertation in England and living with her beau, Colin, a rich British hunk) and the continuation of the Pink Carnation's daring espionage in Napoleonic France. This book focused on the love story between Augustus Whittlesby, the poet-posing-spy, and Emma Delagardie, an American socialite living in Paris. Augustus has been a pretty consistent figure in past books, and finally, in the 9th book in the series, he gets his own story. While I was glad he was finally recognized, I was disappointed that his book wasn't more interesting.
Emma and Augustus are corralled into writing a play together, and over the course of their work, they end up becoming very close friends. Augustus has the hots for another girl, and widowed Emma is, well, not really looking for anyone. Eventually, though, they realize that they love each other in the most convincing of ways.
The characters were very dull and uncaptivating. There is nothing in Emma to arouse any interest; she's just a society girl who is completely content with her frivolous life. Augustus, meanwhile, has the most tiresome dialogue, continually speaking in enough rhymes and alliterations to drive a reader mad. This book also featured a close-up look at the Bonapartes, and even they seemed to be lacking. Eloise and Colin, meanwhile, are in an uncomfortable situation, and their resolution at the end of the book was really unbelievable. Altogether, this book was awkward and boring. There wasn't even a good action scene! Or any pulse-quickening romantic ones!
Altogether, this was the worst book in the series. Lauren Willig, pull yourself together!
Like the 8 preceding books in the series, The Garden Intrigue consisted of the Eloise/Colin frame story (a Cambridge academic writing her dissertation in England and living with her beau, Colin, a rich British hunk) and the continuation of the Pink Carnation's daring espionage in Napoleonic France. This book focused on the love story between Augustus Whittlesby, the poet-posing-spy, and Emma Delagardie, an American socialite living in Paris. Augustus has been a pretty consistent figure in past books, and finally, in the 9th book in the series, he gets his own story. While I was glad he was finally recognized, I was disappointed that his book wasn't more interesting.
Emma and Augustus are corralled into writing a play together, and over the course of their work, they end up becoming very close friends. Augustus has the hots for another girl, and widowed Emma is, well, not really looking for anyone. Eventually, though, they realize that they love each other in the most convincing of ways.
The characters were very dull and uncaptivating. There is nothing in Emma to arouse any interest; she's just a society girl who is completely content with her frivolous life. Augustus, meanwhile, has the most tiresome dialogue, continually speaking in enough rhymes and alliterations to drive a reader mad. This book also featured a close-up look at the Bonapartes, and even they seemed to be lacking. Eloise and Colin, meanwhile, are in an uncomfortable situation, and their resolution at the end of the book was really unbelievable. Altogether, this book was awkward and boring. There wasn't even a good action scene! Or any pulse-quickening romantic ones!
Altogether, this was the worst book in the series. Lauren Willig, pull yourself together!
February 12, 2012
Emma Delagardie is an American living in France during the Napoleonic era. She is a longtime friend of the emperor’s stepdaughter, Hortense and has entrée to the court. Augustus Whittlesby is an excruciatingly bad poet who is also an agent in the Pink Carnation’s network. He and the Pink Carnation have a mission to discover what the newest plot of Napoleon’s is to attack Britain. It apparently involves some sort of new mechanical weaponry and it is essential that they find out. Whittlesby must ingratiate himself into Emma’s circle so he can have access to the right people. Emma is not happy about having to work with Augustus when she becomes responsible for a masque to celebrate Napoleon’s rumored ascension from First Consul to Emperor. Gradually the two discover that they have more than the masque in common and feelings change. There is added stress to the relationship from Emma’s American relatives trying to pressure her to come back home and a French rogue who is pressuring her to marry him. Augustus has his work cut out for him both in the spy game and in his budding romance.
One of the interesting plot devices that Ms. Willig uses in this series is the going back and forth from the time of the Pink Carnation to modern day England. By having American researcher Eloise Kelly doing research on the fabled Pink Carnation and having access to the historical papers of the Selwick family, you get to see another perspective on the main couple of the story. I enjoy the story between Eloise and Colin Selwick which has worked its way through all nine books. While the main story has a resolution, the relationship between Eloise and Colin remains in flux.
I enjoyed the introduction of some American history in this book with Fulton’s steam engine making an appearance. Emma and Augustus have a view of the turmoil that was going on during this particular time in French history and as always Ms. Willig weaves accurate historical facts into a wonderful romance with a hint of mystery. When I finish each book in the series I can’t wait for the next one to come out!
One of the interesting plot devices that Ms. Willig uses in this series is the going back and forth from the time of the Pink Carnation to modern day England. By having American researcher Eloise Kelly doing research on the fabled Pink Carnation and having access to the historical papers of the Selwick family, you get to see another perspective on the main couple of the story. I enjoy the story between Eloise and Colin Selwick which has worked its way through all nine books. While the main story has a resolution, the relationship between Eloise and Colin remains in flux.
I enjoyed the introduction of some American history in this book with Fulton’s steam engine making an appearance. Emma and Augustus have a view of the turmoil that was going on during this particular time in French history and as always Ms. Willig weaves accurate historical facts into a wonderful romance with a hint of mystery. When I finish each book in the series I can’t wait for the next one to come out!
February 20, 2012
Lauren Willig has done it again! Her latest novel, “The Garden Intrigue” is a continuation of the popular Pink Carnation series. And, it's one of her best!
This adventurous spy tale is set in 1804. Our heroine is New York born Emma Delgardie and she is living in Paris, France. As a young widow, Emma enjoys the Paris salons and an intimacy with Napoleon Bonaparte’s inner circle. Her two best friends include Hortense,(Napoleon’s step daughter) and Jane (who is the Pink Carnation). Emma is commissioned by Napoleon to write a masque for his next party at Malmaison.
Our hero is poet Augustus Whittlesby. His verse is intentionally awful. So awful that it makes his audience and censors cringe. The puky poetry provides the cover he needs to succeed as England’s undercover agent. Augustus’ current assignment is to steal blueprints for a top secret naval invention. He must smuggle them out of France and get them to London Headquarters. Fast. However, he can’t get an invitation to Malmaison and the plans without Emma’s assistance. Augustus can’t tell Emma what he needs or how he really feels about her, or can he?
Ms. Willig does a superb job telling this charming story. She doesn’t take the easy way out and use misunderstandings or clichés to further the plot. She does use humor, romance, and well developed characters to make “The Garden Intrigue” a delightful read. This book can be read as a stand alone.
This adventurous spy tale is set in 1804. Our heroine is New York born Emma Delgardie and she is living in Paris, France. As a young widow, Emma enjoys the Paris salons and an intimacy with Napoleon Bonaparte’s inner circle. Her two best friends include Hortense,(Napoleon’s step daughter) and Jane (who is the Pink Carnation). Emma is commissioned by Napoleon to write a masque for his next party at Malmaison.
Our hero is poet Augustus Whittlesby. His verse is intentionally awful. So awful that it makes his audience and censors cringe. The puky poetry provides the cover he needs to succeed as England’s undercover agent. Augustus’ current assignment is to steal blueprints for a top secret naval invention. He must smuggle them out of France and get them to London Headquarters. Fast. However, he can’t get an invitation to Malmaison and the plans without Emma’s assistance. Augustus can’t tell Emma what he needs or how he really feels about her, or can he?
Ms. Willig does a superb job telling this charming story. She doesn’t take the easy way out and use misunderstandings or clichés to further the plot. She does use humor, romance, and well developed characters to make “The Garden Intrigue” a delightful read. This book can be read as a stand alone.
June 10, 2012
Having read all* of the other Pink Carnation books, I was super-excited when I saw this one at the library. However, I think Willig may be losing her mojo. I always preferred the historical plotlines to the contemporary ones, but I thought this latest installment got off to a particularly clunky start. There was an overabundance of backstory for the sake of newcomers to the series, which mostly served to remind me how little of the books are devoted to the contemporary plotlines, as not very much had happened. Surely I can't be the only one who thinks the contemporary protagonist can be annoying. The historical plotline for this book was comparatively weak on spies and intrigue, perhaps because it focuses on fewer characters than some of the other books. It was a fun but not particularly engaging read.
"One flirts with poets," barked Miss Gwen. "One doesn't fall in love with them. And one certainly doesn't marry them."
She made it sound like an inalterable law. Somewhere in the Napoleonic Code was buried a provision banning matrimony for all purveyors of verse, to be defined under subsection 62(a)(iii), not to be confused with subsection 62(a)(iv)--minstrels, traveling.
* I know I haven't read the Christmas book, but I'm pretty sure I've read all of the other Pink Carnation books - and I'd argue it doesn't bode well for the quality of the series if I'm not quite sure.
"One flirts with poets," barked Miss Gwen. "One doesn't fall in love with them. And one certainly doesn't marry them."
She made it sound like an inalterable law. Somewhere in the Napoleonic Code was buried a provision banning matrimony for all purveyors of verse, to be defined under subsection 62(a)(iii), not to be confused with subsection 62(a)(iv)--minstrels, traveling.
* I know I haven't read the Christmas book, but I'm pretty sure I've read all of the other Pink Carnation books - and I'd argue it doesn't bode well for the quality of the series if I'm not quite sure.
February 25, 2012
Lately, I've been reading lots of historical fiction and romances and as I've sampled a bit more of the field, I find that Ms. Willig's stories have improved in my opinion. And while that may be a bit of a backhanded compliment, it does mean that I liked the latest installment of Pink better than many of the previous books.
The dual story used throughout the series keeps things moving at a nice clip. While the Regency spies Emma and Augustus are risking their lives to foil Bonaparte's latest plan (whilst falling in love...of course), the modern couple, Eloise and Colin, grapples with relationship issues (after all, they've been dating for 6...whole...months). While this device has been used many times before (one of the first I recall reading was in A.S. Byatt's "Possession") I think that the author uses it to good effect, balancing the narrative between the two worlds, and sneaking in fun little references from one story to the other.
The wannabe research librarian in me also appreciates the HIstorical Note at the end of the book where Willig shares a few historical sources. While some historical fiction feels like a contemporary story with historical detail slapped on after the fact, "The Garden Intrigue" creates a sense of time and place that feels authentic.
The dual story used throughout the series keeps things moving at a nice clip. While the Regency spies Emma and Augustus are risking their lives to foil Bonaparte's latest plan (whilst falling in love...of course), the modern couple, Eloise and Colin, grapples with relationship issues (after all, they've been dating for 6...whole...months). While this device has been used many times before (one of the first I recall reading was in A.S. Byatt's "Possession") I think that the author uses it to good effect, balancing the narrative between the two worlds, and sneaking in fun little references from one story to the other.
The wannabe research librarian in me also appreciates the HIstorical Note at the end of the book where Willig shares a few historical sources. While some historical fiction feels like a contemporary story with historical detail slapped on after the fact, "The Garden Intrigue" creates a sense of time and place that feels authentic.
April 17, 2012
The Garden Intrigue is the ninth installment in Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation Series. In this story we meet an American, Emma Delagardie, and follow her as she gets to know Jane Wooliston and Augustus Whittlesby. Emma’s childhood friendship with Hortense Bonaparte, Napolean’s stepdaughter, has put her in place to be present for the testing of a new French weapon. Whittlesby must maneuver his way into Emma’s life, so that he can be invited to the demonstration, and in turn warn the British.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with these characters, as I have in every Pink Carnation novel! The setting is just as intriguing, if not more so, due to the close friendship between Emma and Hortense Bonaparte. Taking a trip to Malmaison added suspense and brought the heroine closer to Napolean than any other character has been from past novels. I really enjoyed the twist that Emma’s American roots brought, as well as the presence of the Pink Carnation herself, Jane Wooliston.
I give The Garden Intrigue 4 books on the bookshelf! You can see my video review at http://bookshelfbanter.com/2012/02/29...
I couldn’t help but fall in love with these characters, as I have in every Pink Carnation novel! The setting is just as intriguing, if not more so, due to the close friendship between Emma and Hortense Bonaparte. Taking a trip to Malmaison added suspense and brought the heroine closer to Napolean than any other character has been from past novels. I really enjoyed the twist that Emma’s American roots brought, as well as the presence of the Pink Carnation herself, Jane Wooliston.
I give The Garden Intrigue 4 books on the bookshelf! You can see my video review at http://bookshelfbanter.com/2012/02/29...
September 10, 2015
As a big fan of this series, I'm afraid this installment was sorely lacking on audio. Emma's voice and tone was flat and much too modern sounding to my ears for a proper young lady during Regency times. I could barely stand it every time she opened her mouth and that's a deal breaker for me. If the heroine doesn't win me over, the book is lost. Augustus' switch from Jane to Emma screamed "rebound" and I just could not take him seriously. Pity, since I've really enjoyed Kate Reading's narration in the last few books, but her Regency American accent did Emma no favors. Speaking of modern, Eloise and Colin's storyline seemed to go nowhere until the very end. After much dithering I'm glad Eloise made up her mind about what to do, but I'm afraid this couple needs something to "happen!" I did like the parallel story lines between Eloise and Emma and the character of Kort (or however you spell it) was intriguing, to the point where I really wished Emma wound up with him, but I'm afraid he just wasn't her type in the end. Oh well. 3/5
March 9, 2013
My overall reaction to this one is "meh" and only partly because it took me forever to actually get through it, since I was bored with most of it. Although I was happy to see Jane (but for hell's sake, give her something to do!), I really didn't care for any of the characters. The whole Augustus Whittlesby character was too on-the-"Scarlet Pimpernel" nose for me; an annoying effeminate, superficial character who is actually manly and brave is too trite for words. And, don't get me started on Emma (whose character was all over the place).
The issue of trying to find the secret machine that Napoleon was trying to surprise the British with didn't really seem to have any conflict or tension - until the end, when good things just sort of fell into our protagonists' laps. I won't even give the modern story a mention - it's that unnecessary.
I think it's time Willig stuck a fork in this series. I hope she puts all her energies into creating a grand slam ending for Jane, rather than continue to milk it for another so-so story. A bit harsh, but I spent way too much time on this one...
The issue of trying to find the secret machine that Napoleon was trying to surprise the British with didn't really seem to have any conflict or tension - until the end, when good things just sort of fell into our protagonists' laps. I won't even give the modern story a mention - it's that unnecessary.
I think it's time Willig stuck a fork in this series. I hope she puts all her energies into creating a grand slam ending for Jane, rather than continue to milk it for another so-so story. A bit harsh, but I spent way too much time on this one...
March 5, 2012
Out of all the leading men in this series, I think Augustus Whittlesby had the most potential. He seemed likeable, witty, attractive and smart. I was rooting for him. Emma was ok. I thought her "issues" and backstory were weak, at best. The most interesting character in The Garden Intrigue was the Pink Carnation herself. That girl's gonna break soon. Or get married. It's a toss up. I thought Emma was pretty naive for someone who's had so much life experience. I liked Emma and Augustus's interactions, but the rest of the plot was just dumb. And don't get me started on Eloise and Colin. WHO CARES?!?!!? I kept waiting/hoping for this book to get good/better. It didn't happen for me, but I'll end up reading the next one too, probably. :-(
September 30, 2014
I really enjoy the Pink Carnation series. Some I like more than others but I'm never really disappointed in them. This one was good, even though a lot of the poetry got a little annoying. Once Whittlesby started talking to Emma w/o all the flowery words, it was really quite sweet. I also didn't like Eloise and Colin's story so much in this book. I usually do but it seemed kind of bland this time. What I like though, is that after reading I have this thirst for further knowledge about what I read. After this book, I had to look up Napoleon Bonaparte to find out more about him, besides the little I already knew. Which I think is always a good thing.
February 20, 2012
Lauren Willig is one of my absolute favorite authors. She never fails to make me laugh out loud. I'd say garden is maybe my second favorite book in the series. I just loved it. I like the fact that it focuses back on the events in Paris, although I did find India fascinating as well in Blood Lilly. I'll admit I had originally wanted Jane and Augustus to pair off. But Emma ends up being just perfect for him and Jane and Miss Gwen are free to spy another day. I cannot say how much I loved it.
July 31, 2012
Another enjoyable romp in the world of the Pink Carnation. We've been working through pairing off all of her associates, looking forward to seeing what is in store for Miss Wooliston. :)
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