Earlier this year I decided to hop aboard the hype train and pick up a copy of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue from the library, fully expecting NOT to like it. However, I was hooked before I even got to page 2. I really enjoy Lee's writing style. It's fun and smart all at once. This definitely carried over to book 2.
I really enjoyed this book. It fully lived up to my expectations. I didn't really expect to like book 2 as much as book 1 (most sequels just never live up to the original IMO) and that was true for me. This wasn't AS amazing as book 1, but it was pretty damn close and I'm 100% satisfied with what we got here.
First of all, major kudos on actually having an asexual main character. Halle-damn-lujah! I thought I'd never see the day. Felicity is more than just ACE though. She's sarcastic and a know-it-all and kind of a stick in the mud. But you know what? I couldn't help but love her as a character. Maybe it's because I see so much of myself in her.
The main message of this book is a very positive one. It's feminist and diverse and tells the reader that it's A-OK to be unapologetically true to you - whoever you may be. It's okay to love wearing makeup and pretty dresses. It's also okay to not like those things. It's okay if you like girls, boys or nobody at all. I really loved that message and wholeheartedly believe in it myself.
If you're worried about missing Percy and Monty, no worries. You'll get to see them again in the sequel. They aren't a major part of the story, but they are frickin adorable and should adequately melt your heart.
You don't see a lot of historical fiction in YA. And you definitely don't usually see it so well done. There were several times that this book had me either grinning from ear to ear or bursting out with laughter. I hope to see more from this author in the near future. I'd be pretty much down to read anything she wants to put out. Consider me hooked.