REVIEW: "A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure" by Angela Bell

 

About the Book:

✦ Title: A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure

✦ Author: Angela Bell

✦ Genre: Christian Historical Romance (with steampunk elements and nods to Around the World in 80 Days and the Nutcracker)

✦ Series: Currently a standalone novel

✦ Recommend for: Ages 14/15+

My Personal Rating

5 ⭐️

📖 Synopsis

Miss Clara Marie Stanton's family may be eccentric, but they certainly aren't insane.

London, England, 1860

When Clara's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society's prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara's Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.

Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond haunted by the war, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara's dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt across Europe. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer's trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself--at any cost.

💭 My Thoughts 

Whimsical, quirky, humorous, adventurous, sweet, touching…this was everything I had hoped it would be 🥹 

It was very unique— definitely not like the typical Christian historical romance. I enjoyed the steampunk elements, the jolly misadventure though Europe, the banter and wit between Clara and Theodore, the lovely faith moments, Theodore’s character arc, Clara’s hilarious mother and everything she gets them into, and just so many aspects of this book! 

One of my favorite things about this book was definitely the cast of characters. Although I feel that Clara was rude to Theodore for a bit longer than was necessary, she had been hurt and betrayed in the past so I understood it to a degree and that didn't ruin her character for me. Speaking of Theodore...I can confidently say that he is now one of my favorite characters that I've read. He was a true gentleman, so sweet and caring and just a lovely male lead overall. His character arc was beautiful and in my opinion he and Clara were adorable and the perfect couple🥹 They weren't instantly attracted to each other obviously, rather they went from enemies (on Clara's part at least) to rivals to friends to lovers, and I just really liked that. This was one of the rare occasions where I actually found myself excited for the romance to progress! 

And then there's Mrs. Stanton. She was a hilarious addition to their adventures, contributing with both disastrous situations and nuggets of wisdom. Because of her and several other elements, I found myself laughing numerous times throughout the story. I would actually love a sequel to this. I grew so attached to all the characters (except a certain scoundrel in a yellow jacket) and would love to see them when they're older.  One thing that I wasn't really sure about was how that certain scoundrel in a yellow jacket was dealt with at the end. Although, I'm very rarely satisfied with how the "bad guys" in stories are dealt with, so I'm used to that and it didn't ruin the book by any means. 

There were many, many beautiful and humorous quotes throughout, but I will include just a few below, and I highly recommend reading this charming story for yourself. I greatly enjoyed it overall and will certainly be looking out for whatever this author writes next! 

💖 A few of my favorite quotes

"Lord, please help me to heed your peace more than my fear."

"'You do realize my earlier remark was made in jest? I’d hate to think my refined sarcasm has dulled.' 'If your sarcasm ever dulls, it shan’t be from lack of use.'"

"'What of your surname? Is that to remain a mystery?' 'I think it had better. If I told you my surname, I should want you to keep it too.'"

"My dear Miss Stanton, I’d much rather be absurd with you than normal with anyone else."

"She raised a dark brow. 'You stand upon a crumbling cliff ledge, son. I’m not a good Christian woman until after my tea and toast.'"

"Elizabeth Bennet's happily-ever-after might be a work of fiction, but love is real enough. Sometimes it takes idealistic scribblings to remind us of that truth when the whole of our very real, very dark world makes it feel like a lie."

"Heaven knows you're precious and worth protecting even when men don't, and heaven will defend you even when men fail."

"Love is much like a flower, child. You can’t guarantee it’ll grow or endure a bitter winter to bloom again. All you can do is plant what you’re given, tend it faithfully, and rely on the God who cares for the lilies of the field as much as He cares for our hearts."

⚠️ Some broad content notes

Lots of British slang but no "language" stronger than "confounded", "what the devil", "what the dickens", "what in the blazes", "what the deuce", and "blast"; Being kidnapped, tied up, drugged, held at gun & knife point, almost drowning, injuries, pain, blood (up to semi-descriptive), injuring someone in self-defense, and witnessing someone being shot and others fighting; Theodore seems to have PTSD, experiences nightmares on page multiple times (with details), and is deeply affected by the hurtful words and actions of his abusive father; Grief over loss of a loved one; A mention of an animal that had been drowned by a human; Lots of talk about insanity and asylums (including mentions of someone who died a gruesome death in one); Not-detailed kisses and a little noticing and touching; Mentions of doing something scandalous while unchaperoned.

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Bookishly yours, 

Lottie M