Review: Palace of Spies

When Peggy rejects a suitor, her uncle throws her out of his house with only the clothes on her back. Peggy isn't sure where to go, but a mysterious man who recently mentioned her dead mother might be a place to start.

Without options, she's forced into a plot posing as a lady-in-waiting for the Princess of Wales as Francesa. Peggy's asked to write detailed letters back to her "friends". While life at the palace is fun, it's also dangerous.

Another made has it in for Peggy. In looking into her predecessor's live, it's possible Francesca was murdered instead of dying from an illness as she was told. With England uneasy about the throne in the Jacobite/Hanoverian conflicts, each step Peggy takes could be her last.

My Thoughts: It took me a bit to get into this one - until the days at the Palace. I loved learning more about this time period. I like the tension in the castle and the spies behind everyone turn. I enjoyed Peggy for outspokeness, her curiousness, and her determination. I liked watching her observe court and find her place while trying to pretend to be someone else. I'm eager to learn what happens next.

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but I liked the original cover better
Source: My Library

Review: Venom

The night of her friend's funeral, Cassandra goes into the graveyard next to her house. There, she meets a boy, an artist whom she bumped into previously on the streets. He's handsome, but cocky.

She also discovers her friend's body is missing and a corpse of a young courtesan rests in her place. The courtesan has been murdered. Cass wants to uncover the truth about the murder.

Falco manipulates her into investigating with him. Together, they travel to places she, as a lady, shouldn't be going into. As the investigation continues, she lies more and more to her aunt and takes more and more risks. Her life would be ruined if she were caught. Still, she can't help the trill of it all. It's the first time she's felt alive in ages, especially when she's with Falco.

My Thoughts: I wanted to Love this book, instead I'm torn between really liking and just liking it. I had a hard time connecting with Cass. She made so many poor choices that I found myself not respecting her at times. However, I did like that she took her choices into her own hands and refused to let people chose for her. I found her daring, determined, stubborn, and brave. I like how she kept a journal and brought it everywhere with her. I LOVED the descriptions of Venice. I wanted to be there; it was such a magical yet dark setting! As first in the series, it ends with a choice.

Cover Thoughts: Love It!
Source: From Penguin @ BEA
Challenges: YA Historical Fiction 2013 and TRB Pile