2020: This was historical fiction at its worst. When a reader is familiar with the historical events one encounters in the story, that should ADD to the experience. When a reader is unfamiliar with the events, it should not render the story unable to be followed.

I did not enjoy the style of writing, in which the main character knows more than the reader (not quite third-person limited, because I didn't even know what was going on in the Count's head). It made me feel like I was always a beat behind, like the Count was just stringing me along and making me feel stupid. The Count was the main character, but he was certainly not the narrator.

The pace is so unbalanced, and the lack of follow-through on characters that we met in the early parts of the novel is disorienting. I had a very hard time remembering characters' names. Are you kidding me with that one paragraph dismissal of Nina? Why on earth did she not get the ending she deserved? Also, I'm pretty sure this book doesn't pass the Bechdel test, so -1 star for that (there are conversations between named women, but they all happen offstage).

If you are having trouble with the book and you can stick with it until Sofia arrives on the scene, push on through to the end. The best line in this whole book was "Just because you witnessed the Comet of 1812, does not mean that Sofia must wear a petticoat and bustle." HAHAHAHAHAHA