Title: Nicola and the Viscount
Author: Meg Cabot
First published July 23, 2002
254 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060753207 (ISBN10: 006075320X)
Rating: 3.53
Overview
Meet Nicola, a headstrong sixteen-year-old orphan who’s determined to conquer London society. She’s got her sights set on the charming Lord Sebastian Bartholomew, and nothing can stand in her way…except for Nathaniel Sheridan.
His constant criticism of Sebastian’s character is starting to get on Nicola’s nerves. However, when she starts digging deeper, Nicola realizes that Nathaniel might be onto something.
Suddenly, Nicola’s dream of marrying a viscount is shattered, and she’s left wondering if she’s too late to make things right. Will Nicola be able to fix her mistake and find true love?
Find out in Meg Cabot’s enchanting novel, Nicola and the Viscount.
About the Author
Meg Cabot, also known as Jenny Carroll and Patricia Cabot, was born on February 1, 1967, which happened to be the year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese astrological calendar. Despite the superstition surrounding this sign, she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where it wasn’t a big deal until she reached her teenage years.
During that time, she flunked freshman Algebra twice and even tried cutting her own bangs.
After spending six years as an undergraduate at Indiana University, Meg moved to New York City during a sanitation worker strike to pursue a career as an illustrator. However, things didn’t go as planned, and she turned to writing novels for comfort.
She held various jobs to make ends meet, including a ten-year stint as the assistant manager of a 700-bed dormitory at NYU, a job she occasionally misses.
Meg has written nearly fifty books for adults and teens, selling over fifteen million copies globally. Many of her books have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, notably The Princess Diaries series, which has been published in over 38 countries and adapted into two hit movies by Disney.
Additionally, she wrote the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You? series, which inspired the TV series Missing.
She has also written other books such as Teen Idol, Avalon High, How to Be Popular, Pants on Fire, Jinx, a series of novels written in email format, a mystery series, and a chick-lit series called Queen of Babble.
Currently, Meg is working on a new children’s series called Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls, and her new paranormal series, Abandon, will debut in the summer of 2011. She divides her time between Key West, Indiana, and New York City, where she lives with her husband, a primary cat named Henrietta (who has one eye), and several backup cats.
Her husband is unaware that he married a Fire Horse, so please keep that information to yourself.
Editoral Review
Meg Cabots historical romance novel Nicola and the Viscount, first published on July 23, 2002, tells the story of a young girl caught in a whirlwind of adventure and romantic encounters in 1814 England. Known for her penchant for young adult and romance novels, Cabot delivers an entertaining and captivating tale of young love against a backdrop of social norms and expectations.
Set in Regency-era England, Nicola and the Viscount centers around the sixteen-year-old protagonist Nicola Sparks, who is sent away to London by her father to be trained as a proper lady. Nicola, however, has other plans in mind; she desires to be a writer but is constantly at odds with the constraints of her social status.
It is during her stay in London that she meets the charming and debonair Lord Sebastian Bartholomew at a ball, who she initially mistakes for a housebreaker. As they begin an unlikely friendship, Nicola finds herself drawn to Sebastian, but the path to their happiness is rife with obstacles, including a jealous suitor and societal expectations.
Cabot captures the essence of the Regency period perfectly, from the formal language and clothing to the class distinctions and political events occurring at the time. The plot moves at a brisk pace, maintaining the readers interest and providing ample opportunity for the characters to develop.
The protagonist, Nicola, is a well-rounded character who slowly comes into her own throughout the book, with Cabot skillfully portraying her struggles to fit in with society while also pursuing her passion for writing. One of the books strengths is Cabots portrayal of the other characters, each of whom adds something unique to the story.
Lord Sebastian, for example, is an interesting character with hidden depths, and his interactions with Nicola are a highlight of the novel. Similarly, Nicolas various companions, ranging from her quirky dorm mate to her family members, contribute to making the story feel authentic and well-rounded.
Despite its strengths, the novel is not without its flaws. The pacing occasionally feels rushed, and some of the minor characters could have been fleshed out more.
Additionally, the novels reliance on familiar romance tropes could be seen as a limitation, making it predictable in some areas. Overall, Nicola and the Viscount is a well-crafted historical romance novel that successfully captures the spirit of the Regency era with an engaging plot and well-rounded characters.
While it may not break the mold of the genre, it is nevertheless an enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of Meg Cabots work, as well as anyone looking for a light and entertaining bit of escapism. Rating: 7/10
