The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (Pink Carnation series Book 1)

"The Scarlet Pimpernel" is my all-time favorite book. I have read it more times than I can count and it never fails to excite, despite the fact that I know exactly what's going to happen. So, when my sister read "The Secret History of the Pink Carnation", she told me I absolutely had to read this book and as soon as it was available in the library, I checked it out.

And loved it. The only way I can describe it is that it's a fun read. Pure entertainment. The hilarious antics of Amy kept me giggling in my office building's cafeteria, and the brave exploits of the Purple Gentian had me gasping on my couch at home. I enjoyed the references to the Scarlet Pimpernel as though he had been a true historical figure, and was sad when I learned the fate of one of his loyal men. The story was adventurous, amorous, and amusing, all things that make a great novel.

It's nowhere near the classic that "The Scarlet Pimpernel" is, though. Don't read it expecting any illuminating themes or unique style. It leans a bit toward the romance novel genre and in that sense will never be included in the ranks of Jane Austen or the Brontes. It's light, fluffy reading and requires absolutely no deep thinking whatsoever.

American grad student Eloise Kelly travels to England to conduct research for her dissertation (and to get over a cheating boyfriend). She's fascinated by the spies (with flowery aliases) who saved England during the Napoleonic era and is trying to solve one of history's greatest mysteries: the identity of the Pink Carnation.

Most of the story takes place in the early 1800s. Amy Balcourt travels to France to join the League of the Purple Gentian. She wants to avenge her parents' deaths and dreams up schemes to defeat Napoleon. Lord Richard Selwick - aka the Purple Gentian - isn't quite prepared for Amy (nor does he reveal his secret identity). Several English citizens work to stop Napoleon's nefarious plot to invade England - the Pink Carnation among them - but you'll have to read the book to discover the spy's identity! The author's debut, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, is the first in a series.

I think Meg Cabot describes it best: "This genre-bending read--a dash of chick-lit with a historical twist--has it all: romance, mystery, and adventure."

The adventures of Amy Balcourt as she stumbles her way through the intrigue of Napoleon's court are meant to be great fun for the reader. I have no idea if Lauren Willig ever meant to start a series of novels, but as she is now in the process of writing book "IX", there is definitely something here for readers who enjoy humor mixed in with their romantic suspense. At first glance, Amy may seem to just another silly girl, especially in contrast to her still-waters-run-deep cousin Jane. But get to know her and there are many layers. The historical story in itself, with witty repartee, really bad bad guys, and all the other trimmings of the genre, is entertaining enough, but Willig frames it with the contemporary story of a grad student, Eloise, who is trying to find out the identity of the mysterious Pink Carnation. The elements of chick-lit, historical romance, suspense, and yes, just a bit of tongue-in-cheekiness, make this a delightful read for anyone looking for a fun escape from the mundane.

Like many others, this book grabbed my intention because it promised a rollicking good adventure in the vein of the Scarlet Pimpernel. What I got was a pretty good adventure, some romance, and several trashy romance novel scenes thrown in, seemingly for good measure.

The story is framed by the narrative of Eloise Kelly, an American grad student researching in England to try and unmask the Pink Carnation. She goes through the personal papers of the Selwick-Alderly family and uncovers the story of Amy Balcourt, a spirited 19th century Frenchwoman living in England who dreams of avenging her parents' deaths by attempting daring rescues a la her heroes, the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. She convinces her cousin, Jane, along with their chaperone Miss Gwen travel to France to visit her brother, but she secretly hopes to join the Gentian's league of rescuers. Along the way, Amy meets Lord Richard Selwick, the charming, booksmart aristocrat who is secretly the Purple Gentian. Their relationship basically reflects that of the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Neither one seems to like the other, but of course love is bubbling underneath. Adventures, mishaps, and romantic misunderstandings ensue, and the Purple Gentian finds himself with a rival: the aforementioned Pink Carnation (who isn't who you might guess right off the bat).

Overall, this book had a great premise. The mere mention of the Scarlet Pimpernel in the book jacket description was enough to get me to read it and there is a good amount of adventure and intrigue. Unfortunately, Miss Willig saddles the reader with possibly THE most annoying heroine ever conceived: Amy Balcourt. While well intentioned and yes, young, Amy nevertheless comes across as a little brat. Lord Richard Selwick, by contrast, is nearly as fantastic a character Sir Percy/the Pimpernel. He's intelligent, cunning, romantic, and all around dashing--you have to wonder why he falls head over heels in love with Amy. But, he does. And the ensuing scenes the author inserts are a touch graphic, but nothing shocking (though they are rather badly written).

Despite these criticisms, it is an enjoyable novel. I am definitely going to pick up the sequel when it comes out in December, and apparently the film rights have been optioned for this book. I hope Miss Willig will continue to write books like this, but with a few adjustments here and there.

I was bitterly disappointed in this book. Given the quality hard cover, the lovely cover art and the blurb, I was expecting something that strives to be Heyer or Austen. I would have been happy with something that fell along the lines of Tasha Alexander or Deanna Raybourne. Heck, I would counted myself lucky if the book had been vaguely reminiscent of Mary Balogh or Julia Quinn. Instead I got something that fell short of all of those.

Instead of sparkling wit of Heyer and the mannered prose of Austen, I got a by the numbers, derivative, cliche historical romance novel that (weirdly) also wanted to be modern chick lit and a spy adventure as well.

The heroine Amy is a firm and permanent resident of the too stupid to live club. Seriously. This girl did one dumb thing after the other. And had to be repeatedly rescued. And for a woman who was looking for a spy whose life depended on things like secrets and discretion, she was terribly indiscreet.

But Amy is not the only dull knife in the drawer. For a super spy who has eluded capture for years, Richard is also remarkably inept. First he has pretty much told his entire family his secret identity. Isn't that like rule number 1 in the spy handbook? You don't tell anyone your identity especially not your mother and your younger sister. And then there are the scenes where he and Amy are so overcome with lust for each other that they can't resist making out. Only problem is, they are usually in public and in one case in a precarious situation where they could be discovered by the secret police any moment.

There was also a very modern feel to the language that struck me as out of place. While not overtly anachronistic in word usage, the tone was just off. I got the impression that author was doing this on purpose and trying to let us in on the joke. But imo, it failed miserably.

Also, I could pretty much predict how the H/h were going to act and react to each other. Not one character did anything surprising or unpredictable.

Actually, I retract that last statement a bit. This book was not a total waste. Jane, the heroine's cousin was actually an excellent character. She had all the brains, wit and composure the heroine should have had. Had Jane been the heroine of this novel and been allowed to retain her character this would have been a much different story.

And I do have to admit the book was funny in some places. The last scene where Richard's family shows up and wants to meet Amy was a entertaining.

But even with those one or two positive things, the book overall was still a huge disappointment for me.

I'm so rarely a fan of historical fiction/romance. Maybe I liked this book a bit more because it didn't feel like the stories I've read in the past. It felt more like a contemporary romance that was set in the 19th century. Plus, it had a lighthearted tone, surprising given the plot. I did not enjoy the present day parts as much. I think I would have given a higher rating if those parts were downplayed more and served as a structure instead of a separate story.

Eloise is an intrepid American who is trying to uncover the identity of the Pink Carnation, a notorious spy who operated throughout the Napoleonic Wars. She's planning her dissertation on the elusive Pink Carnation and the secrets lie within the Selwick family archives. Nothing is going to stand in her way, least of all the current guard dog of the family secrets. Standing bastion against nosy Americans who have a deadline to meet, Mr. Colin Selwick is not pleased when the matriarch of his family allows Eloise to read all their family's historical letters and journals but there's nothing he can do except glare and growl. Within those letters a fabulous world of dashing heroes and brave young heroines comes to life and Eloise comes one step closer to uncovering the identity of the Pink Carnation, as well as finding a hero of her own.

I'm reviewing this book well after I read it the first time. If I had reviewed it when I read it the first time, I probably would have gushed about it much more than I'm going to now. That's not to say that this book is bad, it just suffers after that first magical read.

This books suffers from an identity crisis. Is it trying to be an authentic historical romance or simple chick lite? Is it Young Adult or a romance novel with enough steam to unwrinkle your shirt when you finish reading? Who knows. I know I enjoyed the book but now that I've had time to step back I feel like this is just the first knot in a loooong string that has no discernible end in sight.

Lauren Willig has created some wonderful and quirky characters in Amy, Jane and Richard. Jane is the stalwart, unflinching maiden that I could easily imagine starring in a medieval romance, or off battling dragons and Richard is a devil-may-care, laughing fool of a spy. Amy is cute at times, crossing over into childish on several occasions, but her naivety and earnestness makes her somewhat bearable. By far my favorite character is Jane. She's rock solid and a fabulously intriguing young lady. She's as straightforward as Amy is flighty but they were a nice combination.

I didn't believe (or is it understand?) Amy and Richard's great romance. They were complete opposites yet at the same time, cut from the same cloth. They were the type I could see laughing their way into the poor house, never letting the good times end. There was also a ridiculously overblown character in Amy's brother, Edouard, who I thought charming despite his feminine flutters.

While this book was amusing, it at times delved into weird territory. One moment I'm thinking this is YA, especially with Amy's naivety and the next she and Richard are rolling around with enough foreplay going on to make me think perhaps this book had been written by two different authors. The ending was also extremely far fetched. So far fetched that it took far fetchedness to a whole new level. It became a silly, over the top adventure that again, didn't meet the historical accuracy that Lauren Willig seemed to be striving for.

Eloise's musing throughout the book chopped the book up too much. Even though this is her story, she intrudes upon the flow of the book and I wished Lauren Willig would have left anything she had to say until the end of the book. Eloise and Colin will start the beginnings of a romance later on, but here is where the sparks first fly. It's cute and certainly interesting but now that I've had time to step back a little, I can see that here's the hook that Lauren Willig is using and suddenly their relationship became tiring.

But before I became a jaded romance reader, I gotta admit, this was a fun, simply sweet romance with some wonderful quirky characters. Later books will only get better and the history and sweeping locations that Lauren Willig used was a delight to read and immerse myself in. I highly recommend The Secret History of the Pink Carnation as a fun, interesting read. Enjoy!

So since September, I haven't finished a novel. I've picked up a couple of books here and there but nothing has really kept me interested enough to finish one... until Secret History of The Pink Carnation.

I'd been eyeing the book in paperback, the covers looking absolutely awesome. When I saw the third book, The Deception of the Emerald Ring, in a bookstore last month, I couldn't help but pick it up. Reading the inside dust jacket, I was intrigued. But I'm anal about series so I went through the store to find the first book. It sounded a lot like a romance book (although that doesn't really turn me off having loved Diana Gabaldon's great books) but the spy-in-costume stuff sounded really good! It sounded like comic books. So I bought it.

And I loved it! Sure, it's not high drama. It's tongue in check sometimes and there's actually a lot of romance-book elements to it but it's still a lot of fun! The plight of Amy and Richard is an adventure of intrigue, action, and romance! The witty repartee is fun, the action is exciting, the narration is highly entertaining, and the pages fly effortlessly! This is a book that has fun with its subject, not bogged down by it! Sure liberties are taken with the time period but it's not supposed to be a dissertation on Napoleonic France! It's supposed to be a romp through a historical time with great characters and fun adventure! Suspend your disbelief every once in awhile! It's fiction for God's sake!

I really enjoyed this book. It was humorous and cute. This book follows Amy, a wannabe spy adventurer, who tries to join The Purple Gentian's spy network against France shortly after the French Revolution. Of course nothing goes smoothly for the slightly dizzy heroine. The author combines historical fiction with fun chick lit, mostly focusing on Amy's romance with the Purple Gentian. I like both types of work so I enjoyed the combination.

I read some reviews of this book on the store and found people either really liked it or absolutely hated it. Some comments I thought went way overboard included, "Jane Austen would scream, you'd have to be braindead to like this, when I think of this book I throw up a little in my mouth, and my favorite, "chick lit reflects poorly on women's literature, why isn't poorly written books written by men called dude's lit." Of course I had to reply back to some of these reviews with my own comments... like lighten up.

When I think about books, there are two main categories I divide them up in: deep, soulful books usually filled with symbolism and themes and then there's escapism books. Now I am not going to lie, when it comes to the first category I don't always "get" the message of the book. I am disappointed after I read 400 pages of fancy, convoluted sentences that I can't relate to. But a lot of that is a reflection on me as a reader, not necessaily a reflection on the author. I tend to like stories focused on great characters, interesting plots, and unusual places or time periods, like "The History of the Pink Carnation".

Pink Carnation is meant to be a light, fun book. If you don't expect Jane Austen or a historical book full of facts and dates, then I don't think you'll be disappointed. The book isn't perfect, even I noticed a few things that didn't make sense, i.e. when the true identity of the Purple Gentian is discovered and his family helps him escape, don't they all need to get the heck out of France. Also, I think it would have been funnier if the chaperone with the parasol could be the Pink Carnation

At the beginning of THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION, Eloise Kelly is in London for two reasons: to forget about the ex-boyfriend she left behind at Harvard, and to continue work on her dissertation, which centers on espionage in 18th-century Napoleonic France. Eloise has spent years researching the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian, two of the major players in the world of Regency spying, but in her research, she's come across another, lesser-known spy whose identity still hasn't been revealed after 200 years: the elusive Pink Carnation. In some kind of graduate student's dream come true, one of the Purple Gentian's descendants offers Eloise the opportunity to look through her private papers, assuring Eloise that therein lies the secret to the Pink Carnation's identity.

As Eloise pours over the 200-year-old documents, another story slowly comes to light: the story of Amy Balancourt, who was 20 years old in 1803. Forced to flee to England with her mother, Amy longs for the day she can return to France. She daydreams about joining the League of the Purple Gentian, becoming a dashing secret spy like the flower-monikered ones she so envies. Her opportunity arises when her brother, Edouard, writes to her, beseeching her to return to the family home in Paris. Amy eagerly sets off, anxious to find the Purple Gentian and begin her career in espionage, accompanied by her beautiful cousin Jane and a formidable chaperone named Miss Gwen. Once she arrives in France, however, Amy finds herself swept up in a love triangle rather than in secret rendezvous and clandestine dealings. When she locates the Purple Gentian, they are too busy lusting after one another to focus on espionage of any kind. And then there's that pesky Lord Richard Selwick, who both infuriates Amy and excites her in equal measure...

Lauren Willig's debut novel is a book that tries to be a lot of things: historical fiction, chick lit, a Regency romance. In this, the first in a new series of books, Willig--a grad student herself--has introduced an interesting, eclectic, and thoroughly engaging group of characters. Her prose, while not anything particularly special, is quite witty in places, and her story is effectively paced. I liked this novel, actually; aside from the fact that it was really REALLY predictable, I thought CARNATION was entertaining and light-hearted, and it didn't take itself too seriously, which was refreshing. However, there are some glaring flaws in the text that I feel obliged to address.

The first and most obvious problem with the text is Amy's complete disregard for modesty. She appears totally oblivious to the societal norms of the era in which she lives, galavanting off with masked men at midnight, engaging in activity unbecoming of a lady--and with a man she only knows as the Purple Gentian, whose face she thinks she has never seen. She is Lydia Bennet incarnate--only, admittedly, quite a bit more likable than Lydia. Amy is 20 years old in CARNATION--and for the time period, that was definitely old enough to understand the importance of a woman's reputation in making a beneficial marriage. Because of this, although she is an endearing character, she just doesn't ring true.

Another problem with CARNATION is that it lacks atmosphere. The dialogue is decidedly modern; Amy and her friends in the 19th century speak just the way Eloise does in the 21st century. Willig doesn't effectively contrast Amy's and Eloise's worlds; with the mindest of the 19th-century characters and their thoroughly modern dialogue, the whole story might as well have taken place in current day. But at the same time, Willig doesn't effectively integrate Amy's story with Eloise's, either. While I was reading, I almost felt like Eloise's chapters (which are interspersed throughout the novel) were serving no other purpose than to interrupt the flow of Amy's story.

And, lastly, who makes their characters actually say things like "Argh" and "Urgh" and "Umph" and "Oof"? Lauren Willig, that's who! Apparently, Willig found it entertaining to make her characters vocalize in this manner, and to include sound effects in her prose like "whump" and "whack" and "thwack"...but I just thought it showed her inexperience.

So I can understand why many people here disliked CARNATION. But I'm not one of them. Despite the glaring flaws in the text, I still found redeeming qualities: The novel is pleasantly paced and the prose is witty; the characters are likable (if unbelievable); and the story is engaging and unique. Call it historical chick lit, call it a Regency romance; I'm just going to call it a fun book to escape with for a while.

Okay, so the language is not appropriate for the Regency period. But I'm sorry, sometimes it's nice to find a historical novel that isn't language-accurate! Better than those historical novels that try to be and fail miserably, in my humble opinion.

Language inaccuracy aside, I was nearly as impressed with this novel as I was with the third novel in the Pink Carnation Series, The Deception of the Emerald Ring. Having read that one first (unbeknownst of it's 3rd-installment status when I picked it up), I knew who the Pink Carnation was from the start; however, that didn't stop me from being taken in by the thrilling Amy-Lord Richard-Purple Gentian romantic triangle and the question of how they were going to stop Napoleon from raiding England. I will admit, however, that it is obvious that this was Ms. Willig's first novel--her writing certainly improved between The Secret History of the Pink Carnation and The Deception of the Emerald Ring.

In a world of too much shallow New York City chick lit and too many "please-feel-bad-for-me" memoirs, Ms. Willig and her Eloise and spy characters are delightfully refreshing.

Anything that even hints at "chic-lit," romance novels, or time-travelers sets off my book-avoidance instincts. But Willig's novels can amuse and entertain the most die-hard die-hard types. Combine some scholarly detective work by an amusingly human female Harvard historian, some 18th Century Scarlet Pimpernel fashion royal British versus revolutionary French duels of espionage - counter-espionage, and a deft writer's talent for dialogue, setting, and drama. Willig's series provide a splendid read for guys and gals alike. Poke the fire and pass the port.

Perhaps my disappointment is my own fault. The jacket blurb is fabulous, the cover captivating, the premise intriguing. I waited weeks to have enough to time to curl up on the sofa and read this book. I made it to page 55 (at page 22 I decided to force myself to get to page 100-not going to happen though, I just can't do it.).

I thought I was getting a fabulous historical novel, but it reads like every other Regency era romance I avoid. Amy and Richard have the exact same modern voice as Eloise.(modern people in old-fashioned clothes) Over and over again I read how intelligent and educated Richard is, but when he speaks, acts, thinks, I don't see it. (For example -pg 43: "Richard, using his brilliant powers of deduction, was quickly able to conclude that this chaperone fell into the second type [of chaperone's]." How on earth did he spy on Bonapart when it took all his mental capacity to decided on the personality of a spinster? Amy is sterotypically impulsive and thoughtless. I don't see why these two would even look at each other twice.

Added to all of the above, I found some of the prose convoluted and messy. If I have to read a sentence three or four times to get the meaning, it's to long! However, the writer has great wit and several times I laughed out loud at her clever phrasing.

Don't buy this book unless you like Regency stories. This is not trully a 'historical' by any stretch of the imagination.

I read this book because a friend recommended it. I think I would have been a little less disappointed if it was marketed as a sort of sexy historical romance because that is what it is. I don't expect a READER GUIDE and trade paperback/hardcover release for a book of this quality.

The premise is that there are these flower-coded spies. I remember reading _The Scarlet Pimpernel_ and it being much better than this. Now the Scarlet Pimpernel has retired and the Purple Gentian (this made me think, by the way, of Gentian Violet which is an antifungal medication) is spying in Napoleonic France, to try to prevent Napoleon's planned invasion of England.

I really hate novels of espionage and intrigue where the villians are just marginally more stupid than the hero and heroine. Apparently it is flat easy to be a spy because you can just, you know, walk into Napoleon's study and see the bill for the invasion on his desk. And it's even easy to break someone out of the hq of the Police Ministry because their guards are stupid as rocks and will take a drink from someone they don't know. The heroine constantly set herself up to be raped and kidnapped, which WOULD happen were it not for the convenient stupidity of the aggressors. Argh. I could go on. Someone should have supplied Willig with the Evil Overlord list. And of course the Pink Carnation's spotlight activity is offstage, sparing Willig the difficult authorial task of figuring out and showing how it was done.

There was also a 21st-century "chick lit" angle which added really nothing to the story.

There are much better books out there. Read something by Baroness Orczy or Diana Gabaldon or Dumas or Sabatini if you want real swashbucking, or Diana Norman if you want some real historical fiction of better quality without the stupid, and file this with the historical bodice-rippers.

To write her dissertation on the great spies, the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian, Eloise Kelly goes to England. While there she meets Mrs. Selwick-Adderly, a relative of the Purple Gentian who allows her to go through a trunk of old letters and papers relevant to her search. Unfortunately, her nephew Colin doesn't approve but in the end, Eloise wins out.

And what a treasure trove it is. And the characters are absolutely wonderful! Amy who wants to become part of the Purple Gentian's league of spies, her sidekick cousin Jane and my personal favorite, Miss Gwen - their chaperone. These 3 travel to France in the hopes of finding the Purple Gentian and having great adventures.

This book has so much humor - I think you could read it more than once and pick up more nuances. It's absolute fabulous, not to mention suspenseful and surprising. The identity of the great spy, the Pink Carnation, comes completely out of the blue!

The Pink Carnation will have more adventures and I will be the first in line to get the next one. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

Halfway through Amy's fumbling, tripping and stumbling into delicate situations, I decided that this author must have initially meant for Jane to end up with the competent Lord Selwick. Unfortunately, however, Amy Balcourt does not end up guillotined, which would have been a mercy for the literary world to have been spared this "heroine." Even to the last part - the farcical rescue of her beloved Lord Selwick - I was praying for her martyrdom. Alack! It was not to be.

If you want a good historical romance, pick up Georgette Heyer. If you want to grimace at a female character wholly unfit for espionage of any sort (even in chick-lit), read this.

Lauren Willig is all about mixing the genres on mystery, historical fiction and romance. I actually read the second book (The Masque of the Black Tulip) first and only liked it so-so. However, this first one is much better. The author makes the mixing of genres work in this book, where she didn't in the other. The romance wasn't too ridiculous, the characters fun and likable, the historical context appropriate (though ONLY the context is non-fiction, the story is entirely made up) and the mystery remain an undercurrent in the book without the other pieces taking over. Willig remembers each piece of book (romance, mystery and history) and balances them well.

Eloise Kelly is doing research in London for her dissertation on the impact spies had on events during the turbulent reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. Eloise has gotten nowhere with her research and is increasingly frustrated. She tries a different tact by contacting anyone who is remotely related to Richard Selwick, known as the "Purple Gentian". After numerous, unproductive phone calls, she finds Arabella Selwick-Alderly, the current resident of Selwick Hall. The elderly woman gives her unfettered access to the family's papers. Immediately as a reader, you are taken back to the end to 1798, at the cusp of a new century in England, where tensions are high between France and England. Amy Balcourt had been sent to England as a young girl to live with her aunt and uncle for her safety. Her father however is killed by uprisings in France. As a young woman, Amy is determined to go back and join the infamous Purple Gentian league and fight the injustice. Along the way, Amy, however falls in love with Lord Richard Selwick, also known as the Purple Gentian. Sometimes, the story loses its luster with Amy not figuring out right away that Richard was the Purple Gentian, and his mother's involvement in rescuing him from the police at the end. Though she was interesting, I was at times disappointed to come back to Eloise in the 21st century having gotten caught up in the thrill of this historical romance.

Stating the honest truth: I did not finish this book.

I couldn't! The premise is there (it had previously been written) but the story and execution fall short. The whole thing was entirely too slow and I was overwhelmingly bored with the story. I just HAD to stop.

The characters were simply ludicrous. Why would some random senseless girl suddenly have the bright idea to go and ask the surviving ancestors about the Pink Carnation when hundreds of scholars just failed to even comprehend that idea? The whole idea just is unfathomable to me. Every fiber of my being screamed that Lord Richard should not have survived, to invade the French Secret service with how incompetent he was was a miracle in itself. He was like a bull in a China shop, how did he manage NOT to get caught?!?!

Maybe one day I'll manage to pick this up again and get through it . . . maybe.

I write this in the odd situation of having enjoyed the novel but being able to understand why other people gave it one star. I'll just try to be helpful enough to allow the potential reader to decide if they would enjoy it. I am willing to forgive a lot in a book that made me laugh out loud.

The negatives first: The weakest part of the novel are the Regency-era male and female leads. What the Stolidiaries website calls "Random Acts of Heavy Petting and Smuttage" (I will have to remember that phrase!) demolishes the credibility of this pair. If Richard Selwick was the best British spy, the United States would be the last bastion of the English language. Even given the somewhat farcical nature of the story, he is truly incompetent, unable to keep his mind on his very dangerous and delicate job in the presence of a female. Any self-respecting femme fatale would reject Selwick as offering no challenge. As R. McCoy commented in the review of February 18, 2006, the story can be a farce either because the main character is a bumbler or because he/she is an unlucky adept, but not both.

If the average romance writer (or is it the editors?) was redoing Pride & Prejudice, Lydia Bennet Wickham would be the heroine. But of course, one doesn't want the heroine to come off as a reckless, selfish fool. So Amy Balcourt takes her place in the lengthening line of Regency heroines who are not so much impulsive as clueless. They don't ignore their era's norms of propriety, morality and modesty as much as grow up in complete and unlikely ignorance of them. Woman usually were Out in Society around the age of 17; at 20, Amy is implausibly childish.

O.K., so what made me enjoy the book anyway, in addition to finding it funny? Well, other than Richard and Amy, I enjoyed most of the characters, and that is very important to me in a novel. Further, I enjoyed their interactions: Richard's family and the relationship between Amy and Jane. It is unusual for an author to be able to do justice to two such different characters. There is a satisfying amount of swashbuckling and adventure.

Some people did not like the frame of a modern day researcher. The book could have been done successfully with or without it, but I enjoyed it. It was sometimes jarring since one leapt from one time frame to another without notice. "Colin?", I would be thinking, "Who is Colin?", before realizing that the book had returned to the modern era. I thought the potential modern romance was handled much more credibly than its Regency counterpart. I hate it when authors substitute bickering for plot, but there was a nice balance here of conflicting purposes and attraction.

Lauren Willig is a good story-teller who caught my attention and kept it throughout this book. This is an easy read and since I haven't read a great number of books with the same plot devices, I though it was clever and refreshing. The mixture of genres (historical romance and chick-lit) works well in this book. It may not be the great historical novel, but it certainly was entertaining. The contemporary part of the story that has the beginning relationship between Eloise and Colin is not very well developed, but then, this is part of a series; so I'll keep reading.

Having enjoyed "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and loved it for years, I read about this book with interest. I saw much praise and looked forward to reading it. Unfortunately I was badly disappointed. If you liked Baroness Orczy's classic, be warned. This is a pale, irritating copy. I though Guy C. Clayton's attempt to use the book downright annoying, but at least it held together as a story.

It's a story within a story. Eloise Kelly travels in England to pursue research regarding secret agents of the Revolutionary era, specifically the Scarlet Pimpernel and his successors, the Purple Gentian and the Pink Carnation. She is given papers relating to the latter two, by a descendent of Sir Richard Selwick, the Purple Gentian.

The inset tale then unfolds. Amy Balcourt has burned to pursue a life of adventure for years, having, with her mother, escaped the French Revolution. So when her brother invites her home during the peace she jumps at the chance, accompanied by cousin Jane and chaperone Miss Gwen. They soon meet Selwick on the boat to France. There follows much burbling between Amy and Selwick from their instant attraction. The nature of Selwick's masquerade also dictates an instant antipathy, when Amy discovers he associates with Bonoparte. The tale continues through much chit chat between the pair of an allegedly witty nature. It also lurches along in great leaps of adventure that are absurd.

We meet the brother involved in something nefarious with a shady Englishman who is suspected of being the Gentian. We then meet Bonoparte and Josephine at her salon and are subjected to a nonsensical scene involving him and Miss Gwen berating him. My patience, already being tried, became stretched.

The further adventures of Amy defy logic and belief. She listens at doors, is let loose in the Tuilleries, finds secret papers, jumps from second storey windows nary a scratch, meets men at midnight without thought and nearly is seduced in a boat. She's a first class pain. More hair than wit. Jane was far more interesting.

Danger abounds but is far too easily overcome to be taken seriously.

Richard is marginally better than Amy, but as soon as he kisses her, whilst on his mission, his brains leak out and he never recovers them.

This is not romantic adventure, it's a risible romp.

Read the original, it's got more true adventure, suspense and romance for all its age.

Where's the Secret History? Where's the plot?
The prose and dialogue is adequate, but where is the story? I find myself asking WHAT I'm reading. Then I ask myself WHY I am reading. The plot in this book can be condensed to short story.
Eloise can be dropped. Since there's no story with this character either, why have her? Is this supposed to copy the movie "Possession" where the researches get romantically involved? It's been done. If `Eloise' is just a love story or the big surprise is that we find out she's related to Amy, that's too weak.
Amy has the start of a vibrant character with her dialogue style, but again, it's just conversation. No action. No desire to read on is instilled in the reader.
I see this is a series and will read on, but I suspect the series could have been condensed into one book. But this reflects the state of our publishers and editors who often want to put product out, quickly, continuously, rather than allowing the author the time needed to develop a plot. Sometime I wonder if they ever read a book.

Having enjoyed "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and loved it for years, I read about this book with interest. I saw much praise and looked forward to reading it. Unfortunately I was badly disappointed. If you liked Baroness Orczy's classic, be warned. This is a pale, irritating copy. I though Guy C. Clayton's attempt to use the book downright annoying, but at least it held together as a story.

It's a story within a story. Eloise Kelly travels in England to pursue research regarding secret agents of the Revolutionary era, specifically the Scarlet Pimpernel and his successors, the Purple Gentian and the Pink Carnation. She is given papers relating to the latter two, by a descendent of Sir Richard Selwick, the Purple Gentian.

The inset tale then unfolds. Amy Balcourt has burned to pursue a life of adventure for years, having, with her mother, escaped the French Revolution. So when her brother invites her home during the peace she jumps at the chance, accompanied by cousin Jane and chaperone Miss Gwen. They soon meet Selwick on the boat to France. There follows much burbling between Amy and Selwick from their instant attraction. The nature of Selwick's masquerade also dictates an instant antipathy, when Amy discovers he associates with Bonoparte. The tale continues through much chit chat between the pair of an allegedly witty nature. It also lurches along in great leaps of adventure that are absurd.

We meet the brother involved in something nefarious with a shady Englishman who is suspected of being the Gentian. We then meet Bonoparte and Josephine at her salon and are subjected to a nonsensical scene involving him and Miss Gwen berating him. My patience, already being tried, became stretched.

The further adventures of Amy defy logic and belief. She listens at doors, is let loose in the Tuilleries, finds secret papers, jumps from second storey windows nary a scratch, meets men at midnight without thought and nearly is seduced in a boat. She's a first class pain. More hair than wit. Jane was far more interesting.

Danger abounds but is far too easily overcome to be taken seriously.

Richard is marginally better than Amy, but as soon as he kisses her, whilst on his mission, his brains leak out and he never recovers them.

This is not romantic adventure, it's a risible romp.

Read the original, it's got more true adventure, suspense and romance for all its age.

Where's the Secret History? Where's the plot?
The prose and dialogue is adequate, but where is the story? I find myself asking WHAT I'm reading. Then I ask myself WHY I am reading. The plot in this book can be condensed to short story.
Eloise can be dropped. Since there's no story with this character either, why have her? Is this supposed to copy the movie "Possession" where the researches get romantically involved? It's been done. If `Eloise' is just a love story or the big surprise is that we find out she's related to Amy, that's too weak.
Amy has the start of a vibrant character with her dialogue style, but again, it's just conversation. No action. No desire to read on is instilled in the reader.
I see this is a series and will read on, but I suspect the series could have been condensed into one book. But this reflects the state of our publishers and editors who often want to put product out, quickly, continuously, rather than allowing the author the time needed to develop a plot. Sometime I wonder if they ever read a book.

Well I guess someone must be reading this author's series for her editor to publish two more.

Actually I found it rather silly. This was the kind of thing that MAY have appealed to me when I was a young teen but now-nope. I read it because I wanted to read something light-it is that-very light weight.

It is most definitely a romance novel with all the usual cliches. I wouldn't read it necessarily for the humor-I know I didn't find it all that amusing. On the level of lightweight romantic novel,I guess, it is alright.

Alas, what begins as a light fun read deteriorates to farce.

The author tried to weave a modern search for a historical swashbuckler in with the period action. The current day tale is quite unnecessary and gets lost. As for the swashbuckling portion of the story, the French officials are the only ones who seem unable to determine who the cloaked figure is. He's busy saving England from the French, while groping Our Heroine. The author spends far too much time (and written detail) on the groping and panting, swollen this and that, bulging other. As for Our Heroine, the author cannot decide whether she is cunning enough to overthrow the French plot against England, or cunny enough to lure half the men in the story.

An ok summertime beach read, but Scarlet Pimpernel is a much better read.

I wouldn't call this a historical novel. True, a few of the characters actually existed, but that doesn't make this a historical novel when so little of it is of significance to the story.

As a chick lit, I would say it is entertaining. I agree with other reviewers' sentiment that our heroine's (Amy) immaturity is a bit irritating (so is Purple Gentian), but as a light entertainment, it serves its purpose. I was disappointed that though the title of the book suggests it is about Pink Carnation, it is more of a story of Purple Gentian and his love story (though the author didn't do much to develop their love, but focused on physical attraction).

In the end though, I was entertained. Don't expect a serious, well-written book. Rather, expect to be lightly entertained.

Having had an affection for all things Scarlet Pimpernel and other swashbuckling adventures from the 18th century and early 19th century, I was looking foward to this book. The author's style of writing is light and enjoyable to read. I am currently coveting her skill with witty dialogue. However, I was disappointed that it was basically a 'bodice ripper' in disguise. The 'hero' pawed the 'herione' like a piece of cattle on the auction block. It really disgusted me that she had no more shame except to lounge back, convienently revealing more of her chest and saying "Oh!" in an insipid tone. Not only disgusting, but I found her lack of protest historically inaccurate. No self-respecting, average, well-bred girl of that era was going to flutter her eyelashes as Muscle Man drooled over her cleavage and various other parts of her anatomy. Ahem. Sorry if that was vulgar, but as you can tell I thought those scenes were rather tasteless. Other than that, it was a delightful read. Because of aforementioned parts, however, I'm not sure that I'll be seeking out the sequel the author is supposedly working on.

I give the author props for an original premise. We are shown the English country side, the streets of Paris, abandoned manor passages, and the late Napolean's court as a backdrop in the story. The idea of overthrowing empires via espianoge and intrigue always makes for an enticing read.

However...

It seems like this novel was written as a guilty pleasure for Ms. Willig while pursuing her double degrees at Harvard. Although at times fun and intriguing, the reader is left short handed. The hero and heroine in the story do not really fall in love as their mutual attraction is more based on witty expressions and sexual urges. The heros and villains in the story are not very bright and the whole concept of how the Pink Carnation came about is highly unoriginal. For example, the characters who come up with the idea of making the Pink Carnation talk about the concept as if it were a game and then become giddy like little children. There's nothing more a reader can do but roll their eyes.

This book does succeed, however, as a side distraction. Engaging settings and comical moments. But for Napolean fans and historical puritans out there, don't get your hopes up.

The debut novel in the Pink Carnation series is a light and enjoyable read. Eloise Kelly is a modern day doctoral student searching for information on Napoleonic spies. The story travels between Eloise's modern day quest and the Napoleonic Wars.

I'm a big fan of both Elizabeth Peters and Bridget Jones, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Pink Carnation and the rest of the series. Willig delivers romance and a bit of adventure, mixed with some sly humor. I've read Pink Carnation multiple times, and I always find it enjoyable. I highly recommend.

This is basically a romance novel. I agree with many of the other reviewers who said the mystery is transparent and that the writing is full of anachronisms . . . and yet I thought this book was great fun. Richard is pretty sexy, and while there were lots of heaving bosoms the characters did manage to get some action in among all that swooning. The modern subplot is unrealized - I was a little let down by the way she ended the modern part of the story with a thud, to be continued in the next book, presumably. I would really like to read more about Jane, whom I agree was the most interesting and mysterious character (and I wouldn't be surprised if Miss Gwen has a few surprises up her sleeve, as well).

I read this over a couple of hours while stuck in bed with a cold, so perhaps I was primed to be amused. I didn't have high expectations, either, but I still enjoyed the book and was sorry when it ended. (I'm planning to borrow the next in the series from the library rather than spend money on it, however).

I nearly stopped reading this novel after the first 50 or so pages--too much minutia and characters that were seemingly not worth knowing or caring about. However, I'm very glad that I persisted because I found the most appealing man in Sir Richard with his galant charm and quick wit, not to mention his heroic pursuits in defense of his beloved Mother-England. But he is so addictively charming and Willig is masterful at creating a sensual romance between he and Amy that is a MUST READ EXPERIENCE. I wish he were in more novels so I could enjoy him again and again!

Since other reviewers here have already dished on the storyline, I'll just say that this book is truly fun. Willig has down pat the nuances of the petulant English youth of the time, and I chuckled several times through-out.

I was impressed by Willig's writing - she is only twenty-six after all - and I got into the adventure, eagerly soaking up the tale. Pink Carnation reads like a "larger in scope" romance novel, with adventure, laughter, and plenty of neat surrounding characters - all of which make this story come to life.

And who could resist anything resembling the tale of the Scarlet Pimpernel?

I just finished this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The prose is witty, smart, and clever, the plot is fun and the romance is sublime.

In essence, this is a romance novel, so anyone out there who is looking for something more dense or cerebral than a regency romance should bypass this book. But for those of us who enjoy a great romance but don't want to read the same old, same old, this is the perfect novel to savor. It's certainly superior to most historical romances currently on the market, especially in terms of Lauren Willig's writing talent and pitch-perfect her ear for dialogue. This book is what romance novels should be-- truly funny, obviously well-researched, and a pleasure to read-- but so rarely are.

The price, printing format and elegant oil painting on the cover of this book gave me the idea it might be more intellectual than my usual historical romance fare. To my surprise, it is exactly the same as every other romance novel I've ever read.

Nothing happens in the story that I haven't read dozens of times before in other regency romances. I had to laugh out loud when I read this in the discussion guide (yes, there's a discussion guide): "The book contains elements of chick lit, mystery, comedy, adventure stories, and historical romance. Discuss how the story uses and subverts these various traditions. How would you classify the book, and why?" Willig doesn't "subvert" anything, unless by subvert you mean copying out of other books.

The majority of the story takes place in the years following the French revolution. However, its claim to distinction is the modern frame story - a budding romance between an American grad student of history, and the young English lord holding the letters and diaries that tell the main story. However, this romance remains unresolved... TO BE CONTINUED in the next book.

Don't get me wrong; I love the comforting conventions of historical romance. I enjoyed this book and even plan to by the next one, but be aware: you'll get the same quality in hundreds of less expensive novels in the romance section of the bookstore.

Along the lines of the Scarlet Pimpernel comes a novel about a female espionage, the Pink Carnation. Eloise Kelly, a `history' major heads to England in her quest to learn more about her `dashing' hero, the Pink Carnation. She ended up in the home of the descents of the Purple Gentian, a fellow espionage and a former spy of Sir Percy Blankley's league of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Eloise fell into the world of Amy Balcourt, Sir Richard Selwick or the Purple Gentian, Jane Wooliston and a couple of memorable characters, who were tangled up in the world of spying and trying to find clues of Napoleon's British invasion. Romance-a lot of romance-, a poor attempt of suspension and vivid adjectives composed the book. I admired the author's attempt in writing this book. I thought it was a great book, but it was written with a childish appeal. To my utmost disappointment, the plot was loose and shaky. Even the point of the Pink Carnation was loose and confusing! The title of the book stressed heavily on the Pink Carnation. But it was not until near the end of the book that the words, pink and carnation, appeared in the same sentence! Lauren Willig, threw in a lot of unnecessary remarks, which I thought was just a waste of time, ink and paper.

Nonetheless, it's an enjoyable book to read. It's pleasant and light for the mind. I'm looking forward to reading her next book, in hoping, possibly, it'll be much better than her first book.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation is a historical "what if" novel dealing with the Scarlet Pimpernel. The book assumes Sir Percy to be a real man and constructs a world of spies around him, all with names as floral and outlandish as his own. If you love history and buckling swashes, you'll enjoy this book. It interchanges with a modern story as well of researcher Eloise Kelly and her own struggles as a scholar and a single woman.

I started reading with the idea that this might be spirited good fun, and I have to admit that I did chuckle for a bit. By mid-way through, however, it was clear this was going no further than the first dim-witted silliness. My chuckles grew few and far between, and were replaced by far more prolonged groans. By the end, I had to force myself to finish. (Why finish? I have no clue.) If you can imagine reading a "romantic spy" comic book placed in the aftermath of the French Revolution, without the benefit of a comic book's colorful cartoon drawings but nevertheless complete with little bubbles above the characters' heads generously supplied with "AARGHH" and "YIIKKES" and "GRRRR", you've pretty much set the scene. (Despite their reputations as master spies, this is a physically challenged lot, including our tall "dashing" hero and curly-haired voluptuous maid, as they constantly take pratfalls, stub their toes and agonize as their noggins collide while trying to steal a kiss.) Recognizing that the author wrote this tongue-in-check (at least I sure HOPE she did), I could have done with far less Three Stooges and far more crafty cleverness and witty dialogue. And the characters are as one-dimensional (that is complete idiots) as Popeye and Olive Oyl. But then, I never have been a fan of the Sunday comics, so if you are - ignore me. For anyone who's looking for an entertaining romantic suspense novel or a clever take-off of the romance genre, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Anyone who enjoys a good historical mystery, or just a historical story, will enjoy this book. Obviously this isn't straight history, and the characters presented were not necessarily ever real people. Nonetheless, this book is a very fun read.

Beginning in present day England, we meet Eloise, and follow her on her quest for the true identity of the Pink Carnation, the commrade of the Scarlet Pimpernel and Purple Gentian. During the French Revolution, the Pimpernel and Gentian fearlessly infiltrate the city of Paris and masterfully pluck threatened aristocrats from the deadly grasp of the guillotine. But unlike the Pimpernel and the Gentian, the Pink Carnation's true identity was never revealed, not then, nor through the passing years. Through Eloise's investigation, we are taken back to 18th century England and France, and introduced to the key players in the Carnation's rise. What follows is an engaging, light, mystery with an exciting climax.

Anyone who enjoyed Baroness Orczy's Scarlet Pimpernel, will enjoy this novel. If you've never read The Scarlet Pimpernel, do so at once! It is an excellent book.

I can usually force myself to read a romance novel, not so, however with this. The constant use of simile, including the ridiculous love scenes, "She cried out her pleasure as a thousand diamond sparkles exploded across the back of her eyes..." (please) was annoying in the extreme. The author tried to be funny, but ended up being obnoxious instead. I did give this one star, and even if I could have given it no stars I would have given it at least one due to the author's effort to entertain her readers. Next time I would suggest she do a little more research, and give her readers a little more to chew on other than her one dimensional characters, and predictable, silly story.

I thought based on the author's credentials I would at least be somewhat impressed with her books. I guess after reading Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte etc...I had my standards WAY too high, but I was so blindsided by the pure lack of depth, again, based on the author's credentials Yale, Harvard...a stint in England researching this book I was expecting to be at least mildly impressed. If you are familiar with the character "Patty Simcox" from "Grease", if she wrote a book, I would imagine it would be comparable. The only thing missing here are the hearts above the "i's" and smiley faces for periods....middle school dialogue combined with the intrigue of a fifty year old Nancy Drew book....gah!!! Save yourself!

I do not often write reviews, but after finished reading the Secret History of the Pink Carnation, I was compellet to say that it was a joy from start to finish. The plot was fresh, the writing witty, and the humor light. The author does a great job weaving the past the present together. I could not put this book down! Can't wait to read the next instalment. Cheers!

I am an avid reader of historical romance novels. I began getting bored with reading them which is just awful since they are my escape from reality. I picked up the crimson rose from a bargain bin in a bookstore to give it a try. i had never heard of the author and was looking for something new anyway. what a surprise! i enjoyed that book so much i decided to go back and start from the beginning with the pink carnation. i do not usually read contemporary romance but the little snipetts in these books keep me wanting to learn more of colin and eloise while enjoying the historical part as well.

A wonderful read for any fan of historical romance!