2012 book 26

Leila Rasheed's Cinders and Sapphires
The first book in the Somerton series is yet another series designed to appeal to Downton Abbey fans, and has quite a bit in common with another recent series starter, Summerset Abbey. But because Cinders is a YA book, it is super DRAMA-RIFFIC. Ladies Ada and Georgiana are returning from India with their father in 1910 under what seems to be a cloud of scandal, plus Ada immediately meets a cute Indian guy on the boat, which will obviously be trouble. Then their father remarries and they have a slew of unpleasant stepsiblings who will obviously be trouble. Then there's a maid with questionable parentage (the book addresses the obviousness of this quickly, which was a relief), which will obviously be trouble. Trouble is a-brewing. Plus there's all sorts of romantic intrigue and pretty dresses. I can't decide if this is more drama-riffic than season one of Downton Abbey, but it's definitely better than seasons 2 and 3. GREAT guilty pleasure reading. I can't wait for the sequel, which I'm sure will be deliciously devious. A-.


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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released tomorrow.