The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

Tally ho! The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels is a rollicking good time and is pragmatic in all the right ways. It’s both inventive and meta and is like no other book I’ve read before. TWSOLS is a combination of The Princess Bride and Game of Thrones with all of the Brontë’s, some Austin and Julia Quinn thrown in, but funnier and a little more bonkers. And just like TPB, it’s also a tender love story and therefore it’s one big dichotomy.TWSOLS is filled with wry humor that actually had me LOLing throughout, which, in my opinion is the sign of extremely excellent dialogue. Not only is TWSOLS filled with excellent dialouge, it’s filled with excellent words. There are a lot of archaic British words and terminology (thank you Google) that as a word nerd made my brain smile. And let’s be honest, we need to bring some of them back into our lexicon ... fingersmith, corsair, cudgel, rapscallion, dolorous, popinjay, trollop, etc. The best of the best being popinjay, IMO.Cecilia Bassingthwaite, bibliophile, is impatiently waiting to be a full-fledged member of the Wisteria Society, but is hampered by her parents: a wannabe evil mastermind-poet father, who’s just evilly bad at poetry and a mother (deceased) who married said wannabe. Cecilia is taken under the wing and tutelage of her doting, hypochondriac by proxy, pirate matron great-aunt, Miss Darlington, to learn the ways of being a proper genteel marauder.Ned Lightbourne is a jaunty scoundrel who has a “smile as crooked as his manners” and just might be the original renaissance man and therefore earns a place in the book boyfriend HOF. He’s a rouge with a conscience, but more importantly a heart of gold.TWSOLS is filled with hired assassins, flying edifices, second-to-none dialogue, top-notch innuendo, actual innuendo, fun characters (some imagined, some real-ish) and so much more. It’s also a book that celebrates women, none of whom are seen as shrinking violets. In fact, the gender roles are reversed. If you’re looking for a unique read, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels should jump to the top of your TBR list.

I don't remember the last time I highlighted so many passages in a book. Truly fun and quirky writing with a penchant for catching me off guard.The perspectives and themes were so interesting, but the main character and the romance were so boring. I feel like it was a creative choice by the author to have such a passive main character, but she was my least favorite character. Also, a handful of innuendos and mutual attraction does not a riveting romance make. Some development was missing between the characters.

I enjoyed this story, it’s fun, silly and full of pirate heroines! How delightful!Cecilia is a young up and coming pirate who longs to be a fully fledged member of the Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, England’s uppermost society for ladies who steal, maraud and fight the patriarchy. She lives with her older aunt in Victorian society, the crotchety, honor bound Miss Darlington, also a pirate and member of the Society. The conundrums abound and the polite tea drinking world of the ladies is enlivened by the appearance of an assassin who maybe wants more from Cecilia than just her death!I love the characters from the imperious Miss Darlington, the knave and rogue Ned whose last name changes with his job title, to even Queen Victoria! This book is a lot of fun. It’s not necessarily the most riveting though there is a decent plot and enough to keep you moving through the story. It’s a series and I probably won’t go on to read the rest because I like to read books that challenge me and take some work. But it’s a fun read so if you want a book that is entertaining and delightful, this won’t disappoint.

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (Dangerous Damsels Book 1) by India Holton is a lot of fun. With flying houses used as vehicles, pirates, witches, and plot twists galore, this novel is unique by combining it all. The one-liners had me laughing out loud. Literally.The main characters are complicated and likeable. Cecilia Bassingthwaite, a proper lady, thief, and excellent in weaponry is seeking a promotion in the Wisteria Society and is plotting to kill her father who killed her mother. Then there’s Ned, the pirate. Or is it Captain Lighbourne? Or possibly Signor De Luca? He goes by many names, but he’s suave and cunning. He’s contracted to kill Cecilia—or protect her—it depends on who is asked.Ned is hired by many people to counteract everybody’s plots. He quips to Cecilia, “Obviously, Morvath doesn’t trust me at all.” Cecilia’s quick reply is “Does anyone?”One of Ned’s employers confronts him when he brings Cecilia along to her house. “You told me to bring you her (Cecilia’s) finger,” Ned reminds the woman. She replies to him, “Yes, but not attached to the rest of her person.” The scene where Ned searches for Cecilia’s aunt’s key is priceless.It’s a fun story with well-written and not overly done romance. I would (and have) recommended the book, and I will get the second one in the series.

This book was really fun to read. Prim and proper piratical ladies, a matriarchal society/world, and a little bit of magic. The only difficulty is that you are thrown into the deep end of this world and for the first few chapters I was so confused as to what was going on. The author's writing is very whimsical and witty, and it took me too long to notice the sarcasm at first! But once I got my bearings this book was really really fun. I laughed out loud and really came to love the tough Pirate ladies of the Wisteria Society. I feel like the comment on the front of the book is 100% accurate. This book absolutely was delightfully bonkers! I definitely am going to read the rest in the series!

Every sentence was masterfully written. I laughed out loud throughout the whole book. The characters were amazing and hold a special place on my heart. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!!!

Grab a cup of tea and a small snack, If you enjoy Gail Carriger's series finishing school or Parasol Protectorate this is possibly the book for you. Follow the well educated (both in etiquette and crime) young lady Bassingwaite as her changes when she meets Ned Lightbourne a charming pirate in league with the enemy.

I absolutely adored this book. It was unique, fresh, funny, romantic, magical and completely and utterly bonkers. A must read

Este é o primeiro livro da série e é um rom-com a que não falta nem o romance nem a comédia! Extremamente bom

Bridgerton-like characters with the addition of pirates and spies and hired assassins and flying houses. And not to forget, Queen Victoria, who can fly the whole Windsor Castle in her first attempt at magic. The humour is top notch.Book arrived on time and in good condition.