Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Review: A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell #1) by Deanna Raybourn

 

 
Title: A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell #1)
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Published by: Berkley Books
Released: September 2015
Source: Library
 
Synopsis: London, 1887
After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime. 
But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth. (Synopsis from Goodreads)
 
My Thoughts: This book had a very high chaos energy. When I first started it, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but the more I read, the more hooked I got. Veronica Speedwell is no 19th century lady. She pretty much does what she wants. She's a leopedtrist, a butterfly hunter. She travels the world. Has dalliances with foreign men. She's very independent. When Veronica gets left with Stoker, sparks really do fly.
It jumps into the action very quickly. One minute she's in London, the next they've joined a traveling circus. It was hard to wrap my head around it all in the beginning. It did feel very chaotic, but in a fun way.
One reason I was slowed down in the beginning of the book was some of the language. It felt like using big words just to use big words.
Veronica and Stoker have great chemistry, they make a good team. I can see them becoming much more in future books. Their banter is really fun.
I had a lot of fun with A Curious Beginning and I can't wait to read more of Veronica and Stoker's adventures.
 
BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.8/5
High Chaos  

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