Title: The Other CountessAuthor: Eve Edwards
Series: 1st
Pages: 352
Published: July 12th 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780385740890
Source: Personal Copy
Description: England, 1582 Ellie—Lady Eleanor Rodriguez, Countess of San Jaime—possesses a worthless title, but her feisty spirit captivates the elite of the Queen's court—especially the dashing new Earl of Dorset. William Lacey, Earl of Dorset, has inherited his father's title—and his financial ruin. Now Will must seek a wealthy bride and restore his family's fortune. If only he hadn't fallen for the beautiful but penniless Ellie . . .Sparks fly whenever Ellie and Will are together, but circumstances—and the conniving interference of others—threaten to keep them apart.
I Give This ...
I've been eying this series forever. At first it seemed to be published only in the UK and I was debating an order from Book Depository. But, then I found out that it would eventually be a US release as well. I was happy to say the lease. This type of historical fiction in one of my weaknesses.
I liked both main characters immensely. I thought the lifestyle that Ellie lives was interesting. She's got the title, but nothing to back it up. In the eyes of those powerful at court, she not much better than a peasant. Especially when you factor that her father is seen as some what of a "leach". I was really intrigued by the fact that he studied alchemy. It's a subject that I'm not readily familiar with. It was interesting to read how he was viewed by others in society. I loved that Ellie sometimes despised what her father did and the position it often put her in. I also loved that in spite of all that, she would do anything for him.
I loved William! I love it when a character does exactly what I think he should. He may be an ass at times to Ellie, but I know he's thinking of what's happened to him in the past. I also love that he realizes his mistakes and is man enough to admit them AND apologize to her for it. And as much as I hate it, it fits with this time period that he denies his feeling and goes with what is expected of him. He knows his family and his lands are at stake.
I loved the secondary characters in this as well. Lady Jane turned out to be far more of an asset to the story than I thought. And her brother was down right wicked. I was saddened by turn of events at the end, but thought the story ended just the way it should. It makes me excited that I already have a review copy of book two in this series on my kindle!
I LOVED this book but sadly I did not enjoy the other two in the series as much. I liked them, I just didn't LOVE them. I wonder if my expectations were unreasonably high because of how much I *LOVED* book one? But I do hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
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