To Steal A Heart

This is an example of one of the creepiest forms of fan fiction in which a grown man takes advantage of a teenage girl. Just the first sixteen pages raises a ton of basic questions that never get answered, while somehow over-explaining most other things. How did Marianne secure a wire from one building to the next? How did she plan on removing it if it’s also her exit? Why didn’t she wear a mask? Why does she need to walk over when it’s safer and faster to use both arms and legs? This last one is a major plot hole since her involvement in the story revolves around her tightrope walking abilities, which is actually completely unnecessary. The parasol as a pole substitute demonstrates a lack of understanding of the physics of tightrope walking and therefore a lack of research. It’s quickly established that the author relies heavily on stereotypical Hollywood representations of period dress rather than research, breaking the immersion. Stays, not corsets, were worn at the time, even by common women, and bloomers weren’t invented yet. Lace cuffs weren’t fashionable, and clothing has always been a status indicator so it doesn’t make sense for Nicolas to wear them, same goes for slicked back hair, especially when it runs counter to his occupation since it makes him stand out. Gloves were also in back then but for some reason Marianne doesn’t wear them even to prevent rope burn. While Marianne is assigned the age of 19, this was done so her relationship with Nicolas, 35, wouldn’t technically be pedophilia by modern standards. She is very much a perpetually angry teenager traumatized by the loss of her parents a few years prior, and by the child exploitation and sexual assault and harassment she’s endured since. Nicolas, who started spying on her when she was 18, sexually harasses and manipulates her even after he suspects she’s a victim of assault and at one point pretty much puts on a porno with her for French troops. A few pages of tragic backstory in no way redeems him despite the author presenting otherwise. PSA: victims of assault don’t owe anyone their story and silence is not consent. Marianne as a main character is exhausting. We’re constantly told she has agency but doesn’t demonstrate any, being lots of bark and no bite, until a third of the way through the book. While her victimhood garners empathy, it can only take her so far as a protagonist, and it’s really the only thing she has going for her for almost the entirety of the story. Despite claiming she transformed from a girl to a woman in the span of a week, nothing profound about her character changed. Sure, she fell for a predator, lost her virginity, and killed three people, but her internal dialogue is still the same, and the idea that doing any of these things somehow makes her an adult is problematic. She started as an angry naive teenager and she’s still one at the end. I also encountered several typos, but if there’s a silver lining it would probably the bit of political intrigue and that this can be read as a standalone.

The main and supporting characters were great in this story. You root for the main characters as they work together as spies against the return of Napoleon and a corrupt Uncle. Great read.

Loved this historical story. It’s full of intrigue, danger, and romance.