Night of a Thousand Stars

I've been a devotee of Ms. Raybourn's work for a long time now. It was great to see so many characters from her other works mentioned in this novel. Unfortunately, this book also contains many spoilers for her other novels. While I HIGHLY recommend this author, new readers should probably start with the Lady Julia Grey series. I know this book is supposed to be a stand alone, but I think reading her earlier works will definitely help you understand most of the action in this book. I believe the author has switched publishers and I don't think there are to currently be any more novels or novellas about the eccentric March family. This book may have been an attempt to wrap up the stories of some of her beloved characters, though I couldn't say that with certainty.It is unfortunate that we won't get to see more of Poppy and Sebastian if that proves to be true. By the end of this novel Poppy has finally come into her own. This book laid the groundwork for what could potentially be a great partnership. I ended this book wishing I could see more of these two. I think their best tales were yet to come.While I did not love Poppy and Sebastian as much as Gabriel and Evie or Brisbane and Julia, they were quite funny and well suited. I was so happy to see Plum again. He did not disappoint, nor did Portia, though they were only briefly on the page. While Julia and Brisbane are mentioned often, it was clear there is still much of their story we don't know. I also have a soft spot for Gabriel and when he came tumbling onto the page again I couldn't contain my excitement. He too was only briefly present, but it was enough to leave an impression on Poppy.Ms. Raybourn's style of writing has always been one I truly enjoy. I knew there was something up with Poppy's maid but was unable to guess her true identity correctly. When it was revealed I nearly banged my head off the table. I reread all her scenes and there it was. All the little breadcrumbs I needed to guess who she was but just missed. Very Agatha Christie-esq.While this wasn't my favorite novel by the author, I did enjoy it. I wish we could see more of where life takes Poppy and Sebastian.

On the verge of a stilted life as an aristocrat's wife, Poppy Hammond does the only sensible thing—she flees the chapel in her wedding gown. Assisted by the handsome curate who calls himself Sebastian Cantrip, she spirits away to her estranged father's quiet country village, pursued by the family she left in uproar. But when the dust of her broken engagement settles and Sebastian disappears under mysterious circumstances, Poppy discovers there is more to her hero than it seems.With only her feisty lady's maid for company, Poppy secures employment and travels incognita—east across the seas, chasing a hunch and the whisper of clues. Danger abounds beneath the canopies of the silken city, and Poppy finds herself in the perilous sights of those who will stop at nothing to recover a fabled ancient treasure. Torn between allegiance to her kindly employer and a dashing, shadowy figure, Poppy will risk it all as she attempts to unravel a much larger plan—one that stretches to the very heart of the British government, and one that could endanger everything, and everyone, that she holds dear.It shouldn't be hidden from anyone. I love the way Deanna Raybourn writes. I love the world she built in the Lady Julia Grey novels and I am delighted that next generation of the mad March family is getting stories.Exceptionally well-developed characters, complex plot, brilliant mastery of the English language. Read it.

I have realized that I am a Deanna Raybourn Fan (with the capital F).I am sorry that, due to a change in publishers, there will be no further Lady Julia Grey stories.I am delighted, however, that her style is continuing with other story lines.This is a fun story with a plucky, if sometimes naive, main character.She is most certainly of the March family (see the other stories for their special style).Realizing at the last possible moment that she cannot marry he staid, monied, boring fiance, she bolts. Adding to the fun is the unexpected assistance of a young curate who shows up at just the right moment.Then things get really complicated and interesting with her ending up in the middle East.Her intelligence and bravery are tested mightily.It's all a great (albeit with serious overtones of political intrigue, international finagling, and deaths) romp. My only complaint is that my copy of the book is poorly made. On one reading pages are falling out and I am not a rough reader.

I liked the humor of the heroine and the hero..It was a great and adventure from a favorite author

Well written with a quirky heroine . I will definitely read this author again. Author is skilled at making the characters seem real and the story has a happy ending (who wants to read anything with a depressing ending these days)

This was a fun, light read. Poppy March is a feisty, funny heroine, brimming with March chutzpah. Sebastian Fox is a likable, clever protagonist who can be very funny at times. A mysterious handmaiden, an exotic locale, a dangerous enemy....it should all add up to a Julia Grey mystery. But somehow it doesn't achieve the same level of romantic adventure as Julia's tales. That series is one of my favorites. This feels a like one of the novellas Deanna Raybourn is using to bring the series to a close. I for one, am mourning.

I have enjoyed this series and excited to find I was again reading about the March family. But I wasn't ready for the first generation to ahead so quickly.. While I am happy that the Arthur decided to have much the same story line with the niece and I did enjoy the book, I wish more time could have been spent with the family generations interacting. And I hope you time travel between subjects in future books in this series

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of the irrepressible Penelope who decides not to go through with her wedding and bolts in her wedding dress; she is ably assisted by a passing, affable clergyman who takes her to her estranged father and from there she rushes headlong into thrilling and dangerous treasure-seeking adventures. Damascus and the desert figure hugely, worlds that are conjured wonderfully by DR and there are fleeting appearances from some well known characters from the other DR novels set in this time and place. I loved it and I hope there will be more stories to come - especially since some tantalising teasers are included; I for one would like to know just exactly what did happen to Stephen!

I hate this loosely connected "series". It's racist and sexist and snobbish - somehow even more so than the Lady Julia Grey series! And there were just too many damn Marches in this book. I hate that family.

Loved how the author introduced us to the hero and heroine, one of whom is a March. Hopefully this will be the start of a new series of books

I enjoyed the author's Lady Julia historic mysteries, and this one too was delightful until about a third in. But then the story became (for me) less enjoyable. The hiking around the area was much less interesting than the social interactions that the author does so well. Also, I did not much care for the male love interest, or find his backstory, motivations and actions entirely credible.BTW, the cover is hideous. The curved columns of the balcony railings and flared skirt make the model looked bow-legged.

I honestly didn't like this book, its probably a good read if its your type of book, I just couldn't get into the characters or the plot