
My Review:⭐️⭐⭐/ 5 stars
I read the first book last week and then this new 3rd installment by Charlaine Harris. I know I know I know- I missed the 2nd book, A Longer Fall. However, Harris writes in a way that it was pretty easy to pick up from where it left off. I have always loved the Sookie Stackhouse books – so I wanted to love this new series. It starts off with Gunnie Rose (Lisbeth) receiving a mysterious, cryptic letter from her sister Felicia from the Holy Russian Empire (based in San Diego). This is an alternative history novel where the US is taken over by Russians in the west coast, Mexico in the southwest, Canada in the north, and Britannia in the east with Dixie in the former American South. Her love, Prince Eli, is imprisoned without any cause and no one is allowed to visit. Lisbeth immediately rushes to San Diego to save him and finds herself teaming up with Felix and Peter, using royal politics and deception (instead of just guns) to rescue Eli.
As much as I wanted to love this, I thought it was just ok. I enjoyed the first book a bit more – this one fell flat for me only because the plot to save Eli was a bit lackluster. I was never into their chemistry and felt it was a bit forced. Also Lisbeth’s development in this story is also lacking – she seemed one dimensional, we get it, she is a tomboy, doesn’t wear dresses ever, loves her guns, total badass at shooting and protecting herself, awkward in social settings/relationships…I found some parts of the book that were just mundane and went too long. If you enjoyed the previous book in the series, then you will probably like this, but this one is definitely not for me.
Thank you to Gallery Books / Saga Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review !
US Pub Date: February 23, 2021