The Duke of Shadows
Everything about this book is first to meFirst read written by Meredith Duran
First read of historical fiction half of it outside England
First read with British-India setting
First read historical romance that is moved, emotional and heart-wrenching
Finally, first read with Hindi in it
Yeah, it's all about it.
At first, I wasn't really fond with this book but as I kept moving on, flipped each page, I found that I started to love it. I must say that this book is vastly different from any other historical romance books I've read. It's a love story but yet it's not entirely about love story. It's also about death, fear, war, conquer, grief, discrimination, and trauma. Gore and horror, you name it.
Plus, it has got something to do with East India Company. It's one of the parts in history subject I took in high school that I loved to read the most. Don't bother to ask me because I have no answer for my interest reading about East India Company.
The romance was great, true love and full of passion. The characters were great too! Julian, our hero, he's English-Indian and he's a likable character I guarantee you'll instantly fall in love with him. Emma, our heroine, she's one tortured-soul heroine. Got annoyed with her at some little part but she's pitiful. I felt sympathy and really bad for her. And her ex-fiance Marcus, he's a jerk. I love his character because he's so hateful. You wish to put a bullet straight into his head the moment you read about him.
The Duke of Shadows is one hell of intense. Very intense. For me, reading this book was never easy. It got with all sorts of emotion rise about and mixed together. It was a mess! I really hate this book. Hate in a good way, anyway. Hate it because it made me shed tears. Even tiny little bit. I have never had cry whilst reading emotional book before and this is a first! Again, another first. Call me melodramatic but it was the truth, that was how I feel.
Now I finally get it why people like it. It's brilliant, you know. Brilliant, indeed. This book is oh-so-damn-well. Truth to tell, this book worth your energy and time. You won't regret it. I highly recommend this.