Review – The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett

**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Title The Lady Rogue

Author Jenn Bennett

Description from Amazon

Some legends never die…

Traveling with her treasure-hunting father has always been a dream for Theodora. She’s read every book in his library, has an impressive knowledge of the world’s most sought-after relics, and has all the ambition in the world. What she doesn’t have is her father’s permission. That honor goes to her father’s nineteen-year-old protégé—and once-upon-a-time love of Theodora’s life—Huck Gallagher, while Theodora is left to sit alone in her hotel in Istanbul.

Until Huck arrives from an expedition without her father and enlists Theodora’s help in rescuing him. Armed with her father’s travel journal, the reluctant duo learns that her father had been digging up information on a legendary and magical ring that once belonged to Vlad the Impaler—more widely known as Dracula—and that it just might be the key to finding him.

Journeying into Romania, Theodora and Huck embark on a captivating adventure through Gothic villages and dark castles in the misty Carpathian Mountains to recover the notorious ring. But they aren’t the only ones who are searching for it. A secretive and dangerous occult society with a powerful link to Vlad the Impaler himself is hunting for it, too. And they will go to any lengths—including murder—to possess it.

Initial Thoughts

Please see my hype post for all of my pre-reading excitement.  This book has everything I could ever want in a historical fiction.  History, New York and Europe in the late 1930s, romance, treasure hunting.  I liken this book to a cross between Lara Croft and Downton Abbey.

Cover Art

I love the cover of this book.  I hope the ARC cover is the final cover.  It probably is since that’s what Amazon is advertising it with.  But, I think the designs and the color scheme is super cool.  It’s different from anything else I have.

Favorite Part

I loved all of the wit and humor this book utilizes.  I thought it was light and perfect.  The characters were all so engaging and I can’t wait to read more about them in what I hope will be future books about them.

Series Value

While there is no evidence to support that this is not going to be a series, there is also no evidence to suggest that it is.  The Lady Rogue could very easily be a perfect standalone novel, but, it also has so much potential to turn into an amazing series.  I would love to read more about Theo, Huck, and Fox’s adventures.

Final Thoughts

So, funny story about this book.  I came home after Book Con 2019 Day 1 and had not obtained an ARC of this book.  Slightly bummed, I decided to browse NetGalley.  I saw this book was available and immediately applied for it.  At least there was a glimmer of hope that I might get to read this beauty early.  As luck would have it, I actually got my hands on a physical ARC of The Lady Rogue on Day 2.  I was thrilled!  My luck actually hadn’t run out because of course, on Monday morning, I was also approved for this book on NetGalley.  I have to assume this was a sign that I was meant to read this book.

Sign or not, I absolutely loved it.  It is by far my favorite read of 2019 so far and it will take a lot to top it.  It had romance, history, humor, and just about everything I worship in good writing.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommendations for Further Reading

• Romanov by Nadine Brandes — if you like historical fiction with a bit of magic, you will love Romanov.  Nadine Brandes is truly a master of historical fiction and this book has a similar early 1900s eastern European setting.
• The Veronica Speedwell Series by Deanna Raybourn — I loved the relationship between Huck and Theo in The Lady Rogue because it reminds me so much of Veronica and Stoker.  Once again, set in a semi-similar setting, these books are filled with wit, adventure, and are not to be missed.
• Game of Secrets by Kim Foster — this is a less recognized title and I thought it merited some recognition.  If you liked the magical adventure aspects of The Lady Rogue along with the copious historical references, you will definitely enjoy Game of Secrets.