The Duke of Shadows - review

The Duke of Shadows
Author: Meredith Duran
ISBN-10: 1416567038
384 pages

This was the First Chapters Romance winner, and it's easy to see why, though I have to admit I was not unbiased when I opened the book.  I had fallen in love with Meredith's story and characters when I came across her entry in the second round of the contest, cheered when she won, and could not wait to get my hands on this book.

My copy arrived in the mail today, and I was able to start reading immediately.  Absorbed from the first words to last, I was unable to put it down until I finished it.

It begins with the heroine fighting to survive the sinking of the ship she and her parents are taking to India, and what follows is a wonderfully told adventurous romance with a touch of mystery.  The primary settings are India, as rebellion against the British smolders and then ignites, and London, afterward.  The issues of the day are handled with a sensitivity to the parties involved without excusing or idealizing the actions of either side.  The war is presented with enough of its gory horror we're left with no doubt of the very real danger our hero and heroine are in.

The lead characters are well done, intelligent, authentic, very human; we get to see them dealing with the psychological impact we'd expect from their history and backgrounds.  Emmaline is intuitive, artistic, struggling between the person she is, is growing into, and what she's pressured by society to be.  She is modern enough we relate to her without grating as untrue to her setting.  Julian is likewise conflicted: part Indian, with earliest childhood in India, then, later, heir to an English title and trained in England for that life.  Neither fit quite perfectly in any of the roles offered them by their societies.

From Delhi to a Maharajah's palace to fleeing the rebellion through villages and desert, we're shown a broad view of India, and Ms. Duran incorporates language and introductions to the culture without taking us away from the adventure.

If you missed the entry in FCR and would like a preview of what you can expect from this book, you can find the two chapters submitted for FCR here, and here.

Also of potential interest: an interview with Meredith.