"The Dancing Master" by Julie Klassen introduces the reader to Alec Valcourt, a London dancing and fencing master who was forced to relocate with his mother and sister to the village of Beaworthy after a scandal forces them to leave London. Shortly upon relocating, the family learns that dancing has been forbidden, an unwritten law for the last twenty years. As Alec attempts to find his way in a new profession while his heart lies with dancing and fencing, he encounters the Midwinter family, the leading family in the village. Lady Amelia Midwinter appears stoic and aloof, but harbors family secrets. Her daughter, Julia, is an unabashed flirt, reckless, and headstrong, yet longing to find the affection and love that she's been missing from her own family.
While much of the story is told from Alec's point of view, there is a good deal told from Julia's, as well as a small amount from Lady Midwinter's. At times it was a little hard to follow because Lady Midwinter's memories and Julia's daydreams were interjected without any real transition.
Normally, I really like Klassen's work. Her stories are typically very solid and engaging. But this one was missing that spark, that something special that really drew me in to the story. Maybe it was because this was her first story that was told primarily from the man's point of view. Maybe it was because Julia was simply not a very likeable character. There were many other secondary characters that were more likeable and deserved greater development.
The first half of the book was pretty slow to start and I often found it dragging. The plot picked up in the second half as the story developed further. It still wasn't enough to salvage the book for me. Overall, it was just an okay read. As much as I enjoy Julie Klassen's work, I just can't recommend this particular book. If you are new to her work, start with her earlier ones before diving into this one.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers through the Book Blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
While much of the story is told from Alec's point of view, there is a good deal told from Julia's, as well as a small amount from Lady Midwinter's. At times it was a little hard to follow because Lady Midwinter's memories and Julia's daydreams were interjected without any real transition.
Normally, I really like Klassen's work. Her stories are typically very solid and engaging. But this one was missing that spark, that something special that really drew me in to the story. Maybe it was because this was her first story that was told primarily from the man's point of view. Maybe it was because Julia was simply not a very likeable character. There were many other secondary characters that were more likeable and deserved greater development.
The first half of the book was pretty slow to start and I often found it dragging. The plot picked up in the second half as the story developed further. It still wasn't enough to salvage the book for me. Overall, it was just an okay read. As much as I enjoy Julie Klassen's work, I just can't recommend this particular book. If you are new to her work, start with her earlier ones before diving into this one.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers through the Book Blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
Nobody gave me a copy of The Dancing Master - I had to buy mine :) In general, I like Julie Klassen's books; they seem to me to be true to the era in that (some) people in that time actually listened to what they heard in church (which most people attended fairly regularly, especially in the country, if only because it was a once a week break from routine and hard work) and tried to live up to it by being kind and honest with each other. The lead couple in this book are that sort of people and it's a pleasure to spend time with them. Klassen is not a fast paced author so there's plenty of time to get to know characters and their milieu. Although marketed as inspirationals, her books seem to me to be more akin to standard traditional regencies of the last century than to inspirationals as they are marketed today. Her characters think about religion a bit and look to their religious training for guidance, but they're not at all over the top about it. I would recommend her books to people who like a good old fashioned trad regency romance.
What a delightful book! I always enjoy picking up a novel by Julie Klassen because I know I will get my money's worth, and it will keep me turning pages into the middle of the night:) And this one definitely fit the bill for both of those reasons. This is over 400 pages but it is not one of those that drags on and you feel like it could have been done in half the amount of time. You will be drawn into it without any delay and believe me, it is worth the read.
This book has two stories in it and I have to tell you, I almost like the subplot better:) The main characters would be Alec Valcourt and Julia Midwinter. Julia is quite the flirt and seems to not care for anyone but herself. Alec is hardworking and loyal to a fault, even when it means taking the blame for someone else. He was my favorite of the two. Quite dashing as well;)
If you enjoy a novel with plenty of depth and people that make you like them, this is the book for you. I wanted to find out the mysteries between the characters and why dancing was outlawed in this city. Wonderful book that I would urge you to pick up. Loved it!!
I received a copy of this book for my review purposes. All thoughts are 100% mine.
This book has two stories in it and I have to tell you, I almost like the subplot better:) The main characters would be Alec Valcourt and Julia Midwinter. Julia is quite the flirt and seems to not care for anyone but herself. Alec is hardworking and loyal to a fault, even when it means taking the blame for someone else. He was my favorite of the two. Quite dashing as well;)
If you enjoy a novel with plenty of depth and people that make you like them, this is the book for you. I wanted to find out the mysteries between the characters and why dancing was outlawed in this city. Wonderful book that I would urge you to pick up. Loved it!!
I received a copy of this book for my review purposes. All thoughts are 100% mine.
Fans of Regency fiction will enjoy this tale set in 1815 England. Like wading into a river, it's a bit muddy and slow at first, but it picks up in the middle and carries you through to the end with a bit of mystery and romance swirling around. Not my favorite book by this author--the characters grow on you slowly--but worth the effort, as the end does not disappoint. Recommend reading her earlier works, especially The Tutor's Daughter, to fully appreciate this wonderful author. 3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book very much. Julie Klassen writes books that are hard to put down, and The Dancing Master is no exception! Highly recommended!
Regency England seems to be the place to travel in todays Christian fiction circles and there certainly seems to be plenty happening within the characters and their circumstances especially when it comes to living within their expected-and respectable-boundaries.
I will admit that Alec has not been my favorite hero to read, but-yes, Im including a but-he grew and changed as the story progressed and I liked him a bit better. He has a bit of a pretentious air about him when the book starts, though he is reinventing himself in humble beginnings.
Julia is a challenging character as well. Strong willed, she does manipulate her way around her mothers affections and their strained relationship make for some strained scenes.
Its not a smooth ride for sure, though the thought of regency fiction does lend itself to seeming that way. You get a peek into a time period that really, had all the same problems we do, just dressed a bit differently.
The ending was satisfying and the characters changed from their beginning counterparts. While not my favorite of titles that Ive finished so far this year, I have absolutely no doubt that avid fans of Regency England will fall in love with Alec and Julias story and the stands they learn to take.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Litfuse for my copy to review.
I will admit that Alec has not been my favorite hero to read, but-yes, Im including a but-he grew and changed as the story progressed and I liked him a bit better. He has a bit of a pretentious air about him when the book starts, though he is reinventing himself in humble beginnings.
Julia is a challenging character as well. Strong willed, she does manipulate her way around her mothers affections and their strained relationship make for some strained scenes.
Its not a smooth ride for sure, though the thought of regency fiction does lend itself to seeming that way. You get a peek into a time period that really, had all the same problems we do, just dressed a bit differently.
The ending was satisfying and the characters changed from their beginning counterparts. While not my favorite of titles that Ive finished so far this year, I have absolutely no doubt that avid fans of Regency England will fall in love with Alec and Julias story and the stands they learn to take.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Litfuse for my copy to review.
I really don't understand why I even finished it, I knew part way through I was way too bored with it. Other books from this author I read in a day, this took nearly three weeks. It could not hold my interest, the premise of a dancing master moving to a town who doesn't dance and having the entire book essentially in that town was beyond boring. I did not like Julia-way too self centered and reckless. She never learned as far as I could tell and hurt people throughout the story. I wish I hadn't finished the book and should have skipped this one to begin with.
