Sabrien Abdelrahman's Reviews > The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

"The truth is that Percy has always been important to me, long before I fell so hard for him there was an audible crash. It's only lately that his knee bumping mine under a narrow pub table leaves me fumbling for words. A small shift in the gravity between us and suddenly all my stars are out of alignment, planets knocked from their orbits, and I'm left stumbling, without map or heading, through the bewildering territory of being in love with your best friend."

Wow. I mean. This book was so beautiful: its writing, its plot, its characterization and development, just everything. It's so lovable.

What I found interesting was that Mackenzi Lee told this story from Monty's point of view, who in the beginning of the book, is a total and complete ass. I feel like usually authors would be more likely to tell the story from the point of view of a character like Percy, the more shy one, and Monty would just be the love interest who acts like a jerk but really loves the narrator. I don't know if that made any sense, but anyways.
I loved that this book was historical fiction. I loved that it had LGBTQ+ representation, the POC rep (with accurate rep for the time period and setting, everything felt authentic). I loved that it talked about epilepsy, which I myself was guilty of not knowing much about prior to reading this and now, thanks to Mackenzi Lee, know a little more. I loved that it was the female character, Felicity, who is such a badass and strong character in a time period where these things were considered to be too bold and more taboo for a woman. I also appreciate that she loves reading and gaining perspective: for example, her conversation with Monty. She tries to understand things that she doesn't rather than writing it off because society disapproves.

"Felicity goes on, 'it's hard not to see. You're the kind of pair that makes everyone around them feel as if they're missing out on a private joke. . . It's a relief, actually. I wasn't certain you had it in you to truly care for anyone.'"

Also, all of the relationships and character development is so great. Percy and Monty. Percy and Felicity. Felicity and Monty. Monty and Scipio. Everyone just has such strong relationships. And even though Monty starts of as a spoiled brat who lives in his own world, he begins to see the problem with that and tries to change. He genuinely wants to be a better person. And though his and Felicity's relationship was a bit rough, they grew closer throughout their journey, which I appreciated. I also loved that Percy and Felicity were friends. And Scipio and his crew are really great. I loved the overall adventure-y feel to this novel, even though it was historical fiction. I loved that Monty also discovers his self-worth, after being told for so long that his opinions and character didn't matter. It was really heartening to see him regain his self-respect and appreciation of life after all that happened and it was a great journey to have the pleasure of reading.

Anyways, the point of this entire review is that if you haven't read this book, read it. It's fluffy and heartwarming feelings but deep and soul-touching at the same time. It manages to be both romantic and comedic, (with Monty's much appreciated commentary,) and beautiful and wholesome and pure and amazing. I just really loved this book, and it's a pretty great read.

"We are not broken things, neither of us. We are cracked pottery mended with lacquer and flakes of gold, whole as we are, complete unto each other. Complete and worthy and so very loved."