Mark of Distinction Book Review

Price of Privilege Trilogy

Book Two

SUMMARY:  In Victorian society, where even a whisper of scandal can ruin a life, Julia Elliston must watch her step.

     London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself, but to Julia Elliston, it is a city of shadows.  Now under the protection of Lord Pierson, she is caught up in his desperate plan and thrust into the public eye as his rightful heir.

     She's the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity, but with the entire city clamoring for more ews of the Emerald Heiress, Julia quickly finds it difficult to maintain the illusion.  Each step forward pushes her closer to the precipice.  And she must not forget that Chance Macy's power is far-reaching as well.  One false move, and he could bring her - and the future she's fighting for - tumbling down.

     Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must find a way to regain control of her own fate.  But outwitting one's foe rarely goes according to plan.

REVIEW:  Before you read this book, you MUST read the first one.  This trilogy relies heavily on the information and history given in the other books and does not stand well on its own.  Since I did not read the first book, I had a ton of unanswered questions and could not fully understand some of Julia's actions, especially when it came to Chance Macy.  

     That said, the author did keep me reading, trying to figure out what the main character was going to do next, especially as she is being presented as the Emerald Heiress to London society and her desire to marry a vicar, someone in a MUCH lower class.  But trying to figure out why her father acted like he did - one minute wanting her presented to everyone as his legitimate daughter, the next shunning her for even the minutest of infractions - and how everyone involved, especially the newspaper editor Forrester, had a say in what Julia did except Julia drove me batty at times.

     Some of the reviews listed in the front of this book compare the author with Victoria Holt, a famous author of novels set in the Victorian era.   Having read all of Mrs. Holt's books and being one of my favorite authors, I can see some resemblance this story has to hers but it doesn't go very far.  This novel was interesting but definitely not one to be read by itself.

This book was provided by Tyndale House for review without compensation.

 

Jessica Dotta has always been fascinated by England during the Regency and Victorian eras.  Her passion for British literature fueled her desire to write in a style that blends the humor of Jane Austen and her dark drama of the Bronte sisters.  She lives in the Nashville area with her family and works as a freelance media consultant and publicist.  Visit her online at www.jessicadotta.com.