Nature vs Nurture
Set in 1894 London before the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, “The Scorpion and the Seducer is the story of Thomas, the future of Earl of Claredon and Jasmine, an Egyptian girl formally adopted by an English Viscount.
A romantic thriller of sorts, Jasmine received death threats which she suspected was because of her knowledge about the death of Nigel, Thomas’ brother. With a death threat hanging over her head, Jasmine also had to face the “lily white” English aristocracy who found her a foreigner at best or a trollop and unacceptable at worst.
At 25, Thomas is the man about town. As an heir to a title, he can get any woman he wanted but he wanted Jasmine but there is a big social divide between them. Raised by an abusive father and a highly social concious mother, Thomas has scars of his own as he tries to protect himself, his sister Mandy and his family from the rigours of the English society.
During a trip to Egypt, Thomas and Jasmine finally connected and communicated. It was an uneasy truce at first, but as they became closer, they realized that they cannot live without the other. But, the death threats on Jasmine continues. Thomas and Jasmine have to work together to find the culprit and be able to go back to England safely.
***MY TAKE ON THIS STORY***
The writing is great and the author really fleshed out the characters very well… in fact too well because I did not like Jasmine at all. She is such a whiner and very vindictive. Because she could not be accepted to English society, she sought to destroy Thomas’ family when Thomas was the only one since childhood who accepted her for who and what she is. The things she did to Amanda was just despicable! And while she accuses the English aristocracy of prejudice, she is actually worst than them. There are times when I really want to wring Jasmine’s neck and tell her to grow up.
Thomas is a true product of his generation and his aristocratic upbringing. And that is a double-edged sword for him. Because of his upbringing, he can really give the quintessential stiff British upper lip. But because of it also, he cannot think of Jasmine as a future wife, only as a mistress when he truly loves her.
Still, Thomas was able to stop the cycle of violence from his father. His determination to protect his family, including Jasmine though she can a real pill at times is heroic. I give him two thumbs up for that.
Jasmine on the other hand can be mean-spirited though her mother and adoptive father raised her in a loving environment. But, Jasmine is so hardheaded that if Jasmine is a real person living in the 21st century world, she would be Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears rolled into one. She is trouble with a capital T.
The side plot about the biological fathers of both Thomas and Jasmine is the reason why I entitled this review “Nature vs Nurture.” If I say more, it will be a real spoiler.
There is also a big sideplot in sensational journalism and/or tabloid press which is was developed greatly by the author. This sideplot also fleshed out major and minor characters and thus adding to the beauty of the book.
It is a serious read and I had to stop at times because I need to enjoy the nuances in the plot. It took me three days to finish the book when I actually average a day and a half when I’m reading a romance novel.
If you want an easy read, this book will disappoint you. But if you want a serious look on turn of the 19th century England, a short treatise on prejudice based on national origin though on a fictional setting and a cameo plot on the discovery of King Tut’s tomb, this book is for you.
Rated M for Mature due to sexual content
