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annathepiperIn preparation to read the shiny new The Laughter of Dead Kings from Elizabeth Peters, I re-read the original Vicky Bliss this week, Borrower of the Night.
This is the book that introduces Vicky as well as Schmidt, her longstanding boss. However, it's also the odd duck out from the rest of the series, since there's no sign yet of Vicky's future love interest, the infamous John. It's the most dated of the books as well--though this isn't a surprise, given that this installment first came out way back in 1973.
Now, that said? There's quite a bit of win to be found in here. The overall lighthearted tone of the story is signature Vicky, and common to many Elizabeth Peters novels of the era. While the males in the plot interact with Vicky in stereotypical sorts of ways--which is of course one of the main laments of her life, due to her being tall, blonde, and gorgeous--they're never too overbearing about it. And, it's fun to see Vicky cheerfully skewer all of the stereotypical notions of what a "heroine" ought to be like, anyway.
Generally not as nifty as the books later in the series, but a nice opening volley nonetheless. Three stars.
This is the book that introduces Vicky as well as Schmidt, her longstanding boss. However, it's also the odd duck out from the rest of the series, since there's no sign yet of Vicky's future love interest, the infamous John. It's the most dated of the books as well--though this isn't a surprise, given that this installment first came out way back in 1973.
Now, that said? There's quite a bit of win to be found in here. The overall lighthearted tone of the story is signature Vicky, and common to many Elizabeth Peters novels of the era. While the males in the plot interact with Vicky in stereotypical sorts of ways--which is of course one of the main laments of her life, due to her being tall, blonde, and gorgeous--they're never too overbearing about it. And, it's fun to see Vicky cheerfully skewer all of the stereotypical notions of what a "heroine" ought to be like, anyway.
Generally not as nifty as the books later in the series, but a nice opening volley nonetheless. Three stars.