Belinda Reviews: Michelle Cooper—"The FitzOsbornes in Exile" (The Montmaray Journals)

Published September 11, 2010
Category: Belinda's Reviews

Sophia continues her accounts of life in the FitzOsborne family. Her writing has matured somewhat and no longer is she the meek little mouse she was in book One, A brief History of Montmaray. She’s not so much jaded, as having become wise to the ways of successful manipulation. She is learning to read people for who they are, and is becoming a calculating young lady indeed.
The family made it safely to England, and are met with a culture shock like they’d never expected. Victoria and Sophia debut their first ‘season’ in high society. Henry hates her governess, and Toby makes some important life choices. The running story line is the struggle to have the English forces free Montmaray from the Germans.
I was thrilled to see a little progression with equality between the sexes. Though it wasn’t up to modern standards, at times I found myself cheering and laughing for Victoria. I thought the reactions to her refusal to accept the inequality quite amusing. Her sharp as a blade intelligence cut those foolish enough to go against her quite deeply.
With a big finish, book Two certainly stands up to the whimsical nature of Book One.
I look forward to devouring Book Three.