The Grand Tour, or, The Purloined Coronation Regalia
by Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer
Cecelia and Kate (2)
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In 1817, two English cousins take a honeymoon "Grand Tour of the Continent" with their new husbands and become entangled in a mysterious plot to create a magical Emperor of Europe.Tags
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Although I really enjoyed Sorcery and Cecelia, I'd never gotten around to reading this sequel. At the end of the first novel, Kate and Cecy had thwarted the evil plan of a wicked sorcerer and married the men of their dreams. As The Grand Tour begins, they set off on a tour of Europe on their joint honeymoon. At first, the girls are simply excited to be seeing the world (and, of course, shopping), but soon they stumble on a sinister plot: someone has been collecting ancient magical artifacts from all the royal families of Europe with the intent to create a new Napoleon. The plot is very exciting and propels the book forward, as Cecy and James, Kate and Thomas travel breathlessly throughout Europe to try and catch the culprit. Cecy works show more on her wizarding skills, and Kate works on overcoming her social awkwardness as the wife of the Marquis of Schofield. I really enjoyed revisiting these characters, but I thought that the two halves of the story were a bit uneven: in the first book, both Kate and Cecy told their stories through letters. In this book, Kate's part is told through diary entries, while Cecy's is told through an official deposition to British authorities. For this reason, we learn next to nothing about Cecy and James's marriage or their private thoughts - Kate's story is much more developed. There are some sweet interludes between Kate and Thomas, and I hope that the next book will explore a bit more of Cecy and James's private life. In all, though, I'm really enjoying this series and look forward to reading The Mislaid Magician. show less
Kate and Cecy are back, in fine form, and every bit as wonderfully entertaining as in their first adventure. Wrede and Stevermer have dispensed with the epistolary form of the first book, instead reuniting the two formidable cousins for a tour of Europe and allowing each lady to testify directly to her observations and experiences. With a plot that includes magical mysteries, missing crown jewels, and highway robbery, this sequel has a little something for everyone, and is at least as good as, and possibly better than, its predecessor.
The second installment in the Cecelia and Kate series proved an ideal on-my-way-to-bed book for the first few weeks after having a baby: light, quick, and interesting. It's not terribly deep, but it's quite fun.
Sorcery and Cecelia is told through letters written between cousins Kate and Cecelia in a magic-endowed version of Regency England; The Grand Tour follows the same characters as they travel around Europe with their new husbands and a few servants (who are appealing new characters). Since they're together and therefore not corresponding, this time we hear the two main characters' voices through a journal and a deposition.
Throughout the first novel, and for the first big chunk of this one, I could hardly tell Kate and Cecy apart. show more (Kate was just sort of Cecy with occasional references to clumsiness tacked on.) But they did differentiate for me by the end. I was happy to realize I could finally tell which character was narrating, without having to check the section header.
I was particularly impressed with the sweetness of the sexuality expressed (or rather heavily hinted at) here. It was nice to see young women depicted as enthusiastic participants in sex, and also to see a representation of couples who are perfectly happy with each other (rather than providing obligatory conflict to move the plot forward and provide interest or whatever). show less
Sorcery and Cecelia is told through letters written between cousins Kate and Cecelia in a magic-endowed version of Regency England; The Grand Tour follows the same characters as they travel around Europe with their new husbands and a few servants (who are appealing new characters). Since they're together and therefore not corresponding, this time we hear the two main characters' voices through a journal and a deposition.
Throughout the first novel, and for the first big chunk of this one, I could hardly tell Kate and Cecy apart. show more (Kate was just sort of Cecy with occasional references to clumsiness tacked on.) But they did differentiate for me by the end. I was happy to realize I could finally tell which character was narrating, without having to check the section header.
I was particularly impressed with the sweetness of the sexuality expressed (or rather heavily hinted at) here. It was nice to see young women depicted as enthusiastic participants in sex, and also to see a representation of couples who are perfectly happy with each other (rather than providing obligatory conflict to move the plot forward and provide interest or whatever). show less
This is the second book of Wrede and Stevermer's Cecelia and Kate series. Both are now happily married after their adventures in book 1 and have traveled to the continent for their wedding tour. (As an historical aside, I never knew that was a thing. I guess that's were today's honeymoon evolved from.) Almost as soon as they set foot off the boat, however, they find themselves caught in the middle of another plot.
The book started out a bit convoluted, and it took a bit for me to really get into it. The language or writing style seemed a bit off. But once I got used to it, I was able to plot through it relatively quickly. For this book, more than the first, I had a really difficult time differentiating between Kate and Cecelia's show more accounts. The first book was written in letters, with the identifying "Dear Kate/Cecelia" at beginning of each so it was easy to figure out who was the narrator. This one is told through alternating accounts from Kate's diary and Cecelia's statement to the Society of Wizards. Each section was clearly labeled with heading text, but my eye naturally wants to skip over those.
The thing that I really loved and want to know more about were the hints of Lady Sylvia's past adventures, as a member of the "League of the Pimpernel" (also, I had a geek-filled squee of delight when that first came up and made me love her even more). Please, can we get Lady Sylvia's story sometime in the future? show less
The book started out a bit convoluted, and it took a bit for me to really get into it. The language or writing style seemed a bit off. But once I got used to it, I was able to plot through it relatively quickly. For this book, more than the first, I had a really difficult time differentiating between Kate and Cecelia's show more accounts. The first book was written in letters, with the identifying "Dear Kate/Cecelia" at beginning of each so it was easy to figure out who was the narrator. This one is told through alternating accounts from Kate's diary and Cecelia's statement to the Society of Wizards. Each section was clearly labeled with heading text, but my eye naturally wants to skip over those.
The thing that I really loved and want to know more about were the hints of Lady Sylvia's past adventures, as a member of the "League of the Pimpernel" (also, I had a geek-filled squee of delight when that first came up and made me love her even more). Please, can we get Lady Sylvia's story sometime in the future? show less
Cecy and James, Kate and Thomas, and Lady Sylvia set out for France, the first stop on the newlywed couples' grand tour of Europe. But their leisurely travels turn into a quest after stolen ancient royal objects and an apparent plot to bring Napoleon - or someone - back to power as the Emperor of Europe.
Throughout, Kate writes in her commonplace book and Cecy writes an account of their journey, from the people they meet to uncomfortable travel to magic spells (and, in one case, a recipe). Cecy works to create her own focus in an Italian paperweight, and Kate realizes she has some magical aptitude as well. In an exciting final scene, kidnapped Cecy and James nearly become human sacrifice, but help arrives just in time.
Very good fun, in show more the vein of the first (Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot).
"Neglected talent can cause strange things to happen." (Thomas to Kate, 327)
...symbolism is extremely important in working complex and ambitious enchantments. (356) show less
Throughout, Kate writes in her commonplace book and Cecy writes an account of their journey, from the people they meet to uncomfortable travel to magic spells (and, in one case, a recipe). Cecy works to create her own focus in an Italian paperweight, and Kate realizes she has some magical aptitude as well. In an exciting final scene, kidnapped Cecy and James nearly become human sacrifice, but help arrives just in time.
Very good fun, in show more the vein of the first (Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot).
"Neglected talent can cause strange things to happen." (Thomas to Kate, 327)
...symbolism is extremely important in working complex and ambitious enchantments. (356) show less
In the first book, Sorcery and Cecelia, the feisty cousins Kate and Cecelia were drawn into a magical intrigue when Kate, in London for her first Season, attended their neighbor’s induction into the Royal College of Wizards and there stumbled upon a dangerous plot. In the course of their letters (for Cecy was home at Rushton Manor in the country), the girls had uncovered an evil magical scheme with the help of the Mysterious Marquis (Thomas) and his stealth-impaired friend James Tarleton. At the end, Thomas and Kate decided their sham engagement should be real, and James proposed to Cecy. The two couples were married in one ceremony, and The Grand Tour is the story of their wedding tour in Europe.
Of course with Kate and Cecy, trouble show more seems to follow with disturbing regularity, and very shortly after they set off, a mysterious vial — the Saint Ampoule — is left for them at their hotel, and other odd things begin happening. Why would someone give them this ancient kingmaking oil? What is the odious Strangle doing at all the antiquaries that the couples are visiting? How should one handle footpads? And how does one go about hiring a French maid without making a goose of oneself?
The characters become more fleshed-out in this tale (told again as excerpts from Kate’s “commonplace book” and from a deposition by Cecy). It’s delightful to watch the four interact with one another, and to see how they adjust to matrimony. I was a little surprised at the references to physical intimacy (there seemed to be quite a few of them at the beginning), but we were never “on the spot,” and overall I would say it was tastefully handled.
One thing I found very striking was a scene between Kate and Thomas. Thomas reminds Kate that she promised to obey him, and instead of lashing back with a stereotyped, spunky-gal answer, Kate replies that she will obey, out of love. This of course melts Thomas (who was only mentioning obedience in a lighthearted way in the first place). What an unusual little exchange to find in a modern YA book! And it carries credibility too, because Kate and Cecy are anything but docile little wives who do nothing but echo their husbands.
The writing style matches the quality of the first book, and I could tell Wrede and Stevermer had a fun time writing these excerpts back and forth to one another. The one complaint I would make about the plot was that it seemed to move very, very slowly for the first 200 pages or so. It was still quite diverting and fun with the well-written characters and witty dialogue, but I kept waiting for things to really start happening. I enjoyed the second part of the book much more than the first because the mystery picked up.
I think most people prefer the first book to the sequels, and I have to agree. Sorcery and Cecelia was just better. But this one was quite a fun trip too, and I would recommend it. show less
Of course with Kate and Cecy, trouble show more seems to follow with disturbing regularity, and very shortly after they set off, a mysterious vial — the Saint Ampoule — is left for them at their hotel, and other odd things begin happening. Why would someone give them this ancient kingmaking oil? What is the odious Strangle doing at all the antiquaries that the couples are visiting? How should one handle footpads? And how does one go about hiring a French maid without making a goose of oneself?
The characters become more fleshed-out in this tale (told again as excerpts from Kate’s “commonplace book” and from a deposition by Cecy). It’s delightful to watch the four interact with one another, and to see how they adjust to matrimony. I was a little surprised at the references to physical intimacy (there seemed to be quite a few of them at the beginning), but we were never “on the spot,” and overall I would say it was tastefully handled.
One thing I found very striking was a scene between Kate and Thomas. Thomas reminds Kate that she promised to obey him, and instead of lashing back with a stereotyped, spunky-gal answer, Kate replies that she will obey, out of love. This of course melts Thomas (who was only mentioning obedience in a lighthearted way in the first place). What an unusual little exchange to find in a modern YA book! And it carries credibility too, because Kate and Cecy are anything but docile little wives who do nothing but echo their husbands.
The writing style matches the quality of the first book, and I could tell Wrede and Stevermer had a fun time writing these excerpts back and forth to one another. The one complaint I would make about the plot was that it seemed to move very, very slowly for the first 200 pages or so. It was still quite diverting and fun with the well-written characters and witty dialogue, but I kept waiting for things to really start happening. I enjoyed the second part of the book much more than the first because the mystery picked up.
I think most people prefer the first book to the sequels, and I have to agree. Sorcery and Cecelia was just better. But this one was quite a fun trip too, and I would recommend it. show less
Kate, Thomas, Cecelia, and James go on their honeymoon together - the "Grand Tour" of Europe. However, trouble of a magical nature seems to follow them wherever they go, and none of them is the type to sit back and not fight against bad guys, whether they be power-hungry magicians or Bonapartists.
The same things that made Sorcery & Cecelia so great are the ones that make this sequel fall a bit flat (comparatively). Kate and Cecelia have complementary personalities, which is great! And they fell in love with and married men who have complementary personalities to themselves, which is also great! However, it results in Cecelia being a lot like Thomas and Kate being a lot like James, and they end up having a lot of conversations with and show more spending time alone with each other's husbands. It is both a) confusing and b) a little weird. Also, the epistolary format that was so spectacular and original in the first book is just awkward when the girls are physically together for the majority of the novel.
However, the writing was good, the plot was good, and the ending was excellent, so I'm eager to read the next installment. show less
The same things that made Sorcery & Cecelia so great are the ones that make this sequel fall a bit flat (comparatively). Kate and Cecelia have complementary personalities, which is great! And they fell in love with and married men who have complementary personalities to themselves, which is also great! However, it results in Cecelia being a lot like Thomas and Kate being a lot like James, and they end up having a lot of conversations with and show more spending time alone with each other's husbands. It is both a) confusing and b) a little weird. Also, the epistolary format that was so spectacular and original in the first book is just awkward when the girls are physically together for the majority of the novel.
However, the writing was good, the plot was good, and the ending was excellent, so I'm eager to read the next installment. show less
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Author Information
42+ Works 41,666 Members
Patricia Collins Wrede is an American fantasy writer, born 1953 in Chicago, Illinois; she is the eldest of five children. She graduated from Carleton College in 1974 with a BA in Biology. She earned an MBA from University of Minnesota in 1977. She finished her first book in 1978. She is a full-time writer. She is a vegetarian and lives in show more Minneapolis, Minnesota with her three cats. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
19+ Works 10,079 Members
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- Canonical title
- The Grand Tour, or, The Purloined Coronation Regalia
- Original publication date
- 2004
- People/Characters
- Beau Brummell; Katherine Talgarth "Kate" Schofield; Sylvia Schofield (Lady Schofield); Thomas Schofield; Cecelia Rushton Tarleton; James Tarleton (show all 7); Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
- Important places
- Calais, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France, France; Paris, Île-de-France, France; Milan, Lombardy, Italy; Venice, Veneto, Italy; Rome, Italy
- Dedication
- Deepest gratitude to Chris Bell, Charlotte Boynton, Anna Feruglio Dal Dan, Diana Wynne Jones, Anna Mazzoldi, Delia Sherman, Sherwood Smith, and Eve Sweetser, who helped to catch the mistakes we made in this book. Any fresh ... (show all)errors are, of course, our own.
- First words
- I suppose that if I were going to blame our involvement on anyone (which I see no reason to do), I would be compelled to say it was all Aunt Charlotte's fault.
- Quotations
- I suppose somewhere, down deep inside, everyone has her own goat. We know it when we see it.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Not quite. We'll just have to wait ten years and see."
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