This is a spoiler free review.
The Hummingbird Dagger
Written by Cindy Anstey
Written by Cindy Anstey
Genre: Young Adult/Historical Fiction
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Release Date: April 16, 2019
Pages: 352
Source: Library
Source: Library
Places to Get this Book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository
Recommended Age: 13 and up!
Summary:
1833. After young Lord James Ellerby witnesses a near-fatal carriage accident on the outskirts of his estate, he doesn't think twice about bringing the young woman injured in the wreck to his family's manor to recuperate. But then she finally regains consciousness only to find that she has no memory of who she is or where she belongs.
Beth, as she takes to calling herself, is an enigma even to herself. She has the rough hands of a servant, but the bearing and apparent education of a lady. Her only clue to her identity is a gruesome recurring nightmare about a hummingbird dripping blood from its steel beak.
With the help of James and his sister, Caroline, Beth slowly begins to unravel the mystery behind her identity and the sinister circumstances that brought her to their door. But the dangerous secrets they discover in doing so could have deadly ramifications reaching the highest tiers of London society.
(Summary from Goodreads)
Review:
Cindy Anstey writes some of my favorite young adult historical fiction novels. The Hummingbird Dagger is a lot different from her previous books as it is a lot slower and filled with more mystery and intrigue.
1833. After young Lord James Ellerby witnesses a near-fatal carriage accident on the outskirts of his estate, he doesn't think twice about bringing the young woman injured in the wreck to his family's manor to recuperate. But then she finally regains consciousness only to find that she has no memory of who she is or where she belongs.
Beth, as she takes to calling herself, is an enigma even to herself. She has the rough hands of a servant, but the bearing and apparent education of a lady. Her only clue to her identity is a gruesome recurring nightmare about a hummingbird dripping blood from its steel beak.
With the help of James and his sister, Caroline, Beth slowly begins to unravel the mystery behind her identity and the sinister circumstances that brought her to their door. But the dangerous secrets they discover in doing so could have deadly ramifications reaching the highest tiers of London society.
(Summary from Goodreads)
Review:
Cindy Anstey writes some of my favorite young adult historical fiction novels. The Hummingbird Dagger is a lot different from her previous books as it is a lot slower and filled with more mystery and intrigue.
COVER
I like how the cover portrays the darker tones of the book and the mystery aspect. The use of red and black on the cover really contribute to the mystery and darker parts of the plot.
I like how the cover portrays the darker tones of the book and the mystery aspect. The use of red and black on the cover really contribute to the mystery and darker parts of the plot.
WORLD-BUILDING
The Hummingbird Dagger is historical fiction so it is of course set in our world however specifically, it is set in 1833, Regency London.
Then there are the characters.
BETH
Beth loses her memory in a carriage accident at the beginning of the book and the first name she thinks of is the name Beth so that is what everyone calls her for the majority of the book. She is an alluring character who is mysterious simply due to the fact that she doesn't have any memory of her life. She is also a very sweet and kind character who never lets herself be seen as a damsel in distress or weak in any way. She's a very strong female character who displays that strength multiple times throughout the book.
CAROLINE
Caroline is James' sister who is another strong and likable female character. She takes Beth under her wing as her companion and they quickly become close friends. Caroline is very supportive and accepting towards Beth who is someone she had never met before but she doesn't hesitate to help Beth.
JAMES
James is the love interest for Beth as well as Caroline's sister. James was very kind and protective towards Beth and Caroline throughout the story. He was also a very smart and sensitive hero that really makes you like his character.
The Hummingbird Dagger is historical fiction so it is of course set in our world however specifically, it is set in 1833, Regency London.
Then there are the characters.
BETH
Beth loses her memory in a carriage accident at the beginning of the book and the first name she thinks of is the name Beth so that is what everyone calls her for the majority of the book. She is an alluring character who is mysterious simply due to the fact that she doesn't have any memory of her life. She is also a very sweet and kind character who never lets herself be seen as a damsel in distress or weak in any way. She's a very strong female character who displays that strength multiple times throughout the book.
CAROLINE
Caroline is James' sister who is another strong and likable female character. She takes Beth under her wing as her companion and they quickly become close friends. Caroline is very supportive and accepting towards Beth who is someone she had never met before but she doesn't hesitate to help Beth.
JAMES
James is the love interest for Beth as well as Caroline's sister. James was very kind and protective towards Beth and Caroline throughout the story. He was also a very smart and sensitive hero that really makes you like his character.
FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY
James and Caroline's sibling relationship was very realistic. They really cared about each other and were an accurate relationship of a sibling relationship. They also have a younger sibling, Walter, who was a little bit of a troublemaker. I really liked their whole family dynamic.
James and Caroline's sibling relationship was very realistic. They really cared about each other and were an accurate relationship of a sibling relationship. They also have a younger sibling, Walter, who was a little bit of a troublemaker. I really liked their whole family dynamic.
PLOT
The Hummingbird Dagger is about Lord James Ellerby who witnesses a carriage accident right near his estate. Beth, who was injured in the accident, is taken to his family's manor in order to recuperate. However, when she regains consciousness, she has no memory of who she is. She calls herself Beth as it's the first name that comes to her mind and she is apparently a lady, however, the only clue to her identity is a nightmare involving a hummingbird dagger. She gains help from James and his sister in order to begin to unravel the mystery behind her identity. This book is full of mystery and intrigue and though the plot isn't super fast-paced, it still kept my interest throughout the whole thing. I was so wrapped up in trying to solve the mystery before they solved it, that I couldn't possibly be bored.
The Hummingbird Dagger is about Lord James Ellerby who witnesses a carriage accident right near his estate. Beth, who was injured in the accident, is taken to his family's manor in order to recuperate. However, when she regains consciousness, she has no memory of who she is. She calls herself Beth as it's the first name that comes to her mind and she is apparently a lady, however, the only clue to her identity is a nightmare involving a hummingbird dagger. She gains help from James and his sister in order to begin to unravel the mystery behind her identity. This book is full of mystery and intrigue and though the plot isn't super fast-paced, it still kept my interest throughout the whole thing. I was so wrapped up in trying to solve the mystery before they solved it, that I couldn't possibly be bored.
ROMANCE
The romance between James and Beth is very slow-burn which I liked. Beth doesn't know who she really is and doesn't want to fool James or Caroline. The same goes for James who doesn't want to enter into a relationship with Beth in case she's already engaged. I thought their relationship was sweet and I liked how it took a backseat to the darker tones of the plot.
WRITING
Cindy Anstey's writing is always so lyrical and sophisticated. I love how she is able to make it fit perfectly well with the time period of the piece. Some of her British words and terms are unfamiliar and yet they are easy to understand from the context. Her hard work and effort that undoubtably went into the writing of this book really shows.
The romance between James and Beth is very slow-burn which I liked. Beth doesn't know who she really is and doesn't want to fool James or Caroline. The same goes for James who doesn't want to enter into a relationship with Beth in case she's already engaged. I thought their relationship was sweet and I liked how it took a backseat to the darker tones of the plot.
WRITING
Cindy Anstey's writing is always so lyrical and sophisticated. I love how she is able to make it fit perfectly well with the time period of the piece. Some of her British words and terms are unfamiliar and yet they are easy to understand from the context. Her hard work and effort that undoubtably went into the writing of this book really shows.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Hummingbird Dagger is a regency mystery filled with intrigue, interesting characters and a slowburn romance. I really enjoyed the mystery and the characters and I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction and fans of Cindy Anstey's other books.
Quotes from the Book:
The Hummingbird Dagger is a regency mystery filled with intrigue, interesting characters and a slowburn romance. I really enjoyed the mystery and the characters and I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction and fans of Cindy Anstey's other books.
Quotes from the Book:
None Yet
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns
