The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, by Lauren Willig

This is one of those stories with two plots going on at once. One is happening right now, and one 200 years ago. Both are incredibly stupid but extremely fun to read. Honestly, the people in each story are really stupid. And I don't use italics often. Seriously-all those plots are so juvenile that such hard core professionals would never have thought of them. And no spy who takes his job seriously would stop in the middle of a mission to kiss a pretty girl. And not only did he do it once-he did it 3 times. 3 times!!!

Now you're confused, so I should probably tell you what I'm talking about. The story that is happening in the 21st century is about Eloise who is writing her thesis on British heroes during the French Revolution and the times of Napoleon (auto correct also offered Beanpole), specifically (now it wants me to say pacifically) the Scarlet Pimpernel, the Purple Gentian, and the spy of the title, the Pink Carnation. Now that you know that this isn't some historical horticulture book, I shall tell you exactly what Eloise had in mind. Lots of stuff was known about the first two guys, or at least, their identities were revealed, but almost nothing was known about the Pink Carnation, so Eloise plans on finding out who he was. She goes to England (or maybe always lived there-I'm not sure) and asks the descendents of the first two guys if they have any stuff from their great great great great grandpas. One guy sends her back a nasty letter but that same guy's aunt invites her over to look at some private family papers. Who invites a stranger who is probably planning on revealing family secrets over to read the private family papers? Who does that? This guy's crazy auntie does it. Luckily, Eloise is a good sort but she could have been in major trouble. Anyway, there are around 4 chapters about Eloise drinking coffee and continuing to read the papers and going to a party and then reading the papers and then having a crush on the rude guy and about 40 chapters on Amy and Richard. Richard is the Purple Gentian, Amy is a young girl who wants to be a spy. The two meet and both love and hate each other la la la la la. You can figure the rest out. Let me just tell you-all of Richard's and Amy's super special spy stuff is on a second grade level. I know 8 year olds who could come up with better plans. But it was still fun to read. This is a very long paragraph so I'm going to stop here. Good night.

I just found out that this is the first in a series of around 10 books. Oh boy did I get myself into something.

3 stars. If it falls into your lap and you have nothing else to read, go for it. If not, don't.

 

Disclaimer: You will lose brain cells.