Pages: 501
Intended Audience: Mature teens
and up
Genre: Historical
romance/adventure
Notes for Parents: Contains mature
scenes.
The Back Cover
This is the unforgettable escapade of Lord Henry “Monty”
Montague, a charming young scoundrel who fully expects to carouse his way
through his Grand Tour. However, Monty’s plan for one last hedonistic hurrah
with his best friend and secret crush, Percy, quickly turns into a harrowing
manhunt across eighteenth-century Europe.
What the cover doesn’t tell you:
This novel is a Kirkus Prize nominee, one of NPR’s
Best Books of the Year, a New York Public Library Best Book for Teens, and the
winner of a NEIBA New England Young Adult Book Award. The sequel is called The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Pirates and
in it, Felicity Montague must use all
her womanly wits and wiles to achieve her dreams of becoming a doctor—even if
she has to scheme her way across Europe to do it.
What’s good?
It’s 18th century Britain and Monty is
embarking on a year’s Grand Tour of Europe before settling down to be a proper
gentleman (or so his father demands). With his friend Percy, his sister
Felicity, and their chaperone, Mr. Lockwood, adventure abounds as they encounter
such scoundrels as pirates, highwaymen, evil dukes, and alchemists. There’s
romance and mystery along with daring escapes and dangerous liaisons. The main
characters are likeable and interesting, the plot is strong, and the pace is
quick. Topics like racism, sexism, homosexuality, slavery, and the treatment of
people with disabilities are explored.
Best Part: Felicity.
She was a wonderfully kick-butt 18th century woman.
What isn’t good?
I can’t quite put my finger on anything really bad,
but the characters, especially Monty, weren’t always likeable, the pace wasn’t
always quick, the romance wasn’t always romantic, and the adventure wasn’t
always believable.
Worst part: “Abso-bloody-lutely”
was used way too much!
Recommendation ☺☺☺ (3.5/5)
This is basically a
swashbuckling, 18th century road trip! It’s full of diverse
characters and touches on a variety of issues that are important today. But
most of all, it’s light and fun. Recommended.
Lee, Mackenzi. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.
New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2017
