Penny Vincenzi's historical novel Something Dangerous is the story of the poor and privileged living in 20th-century London as the clouds of war start gathering over Europe. The dazzling Lytton twins, Adele and Venetia, are born into the great Lytton publishing empire. In 1928, on their 18th birthday, they are rich and admired, with a confidence verging on arrogance. But the specter of Nazi Germany is growing . . . Gradually their privileged world darkens in unimaginable ways--but it is not just the twins whose lives have been irrevocably changed. Barty Miller, rescued from the London slums in babyhood by Celia Lytton, is clever, ambitious, and a complete contrast to the twins--and she faces temptation of the most unexpected kind . . .
SOMETHING DANGEROUS by Penny Vincenzi
This is the second book in The Spoils of Time series. I read the first one, No Angel, last year and loved it so I was looking forward to reacquainting myself with the Lytton family. At a lengthy 700+ pages, this was a *commitment*!
If you’re in the mood to fully immerse yourself in the relationships, scandals, gossip and the goings-on within a successful publishing empire, this book is for you. There are multiple characters to keep track of (luckily there’s a list in the beginning), but once you figure out who’s who and what’s what you’re in for a full on drama.
Historical events (pre and post WWII) move the timeline along as the characters grow up and come into their own. I loved and empathized with these flawed, morally grey, sometimes annoying, self centered yet somehow relatable characters. Each member of the Lytton family had an interesting story arc that held my attention and kept me reading into the night.
I appreciate engrossing stories like this one. It allows me to set everything aside, clear my mind and just get lost in the soap opera world of the characters. Highly recommend if you’re seeking the same.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Excellent Book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Something Dangerous by Penny Vincenzi is the second book in the Lytton family trilogy. This book follows No Angel and in some ways I thought Something Dangerous was a better read than No Angel. This book begins in 1928 when the Lytton children begin to make their way both socially and in workplace. Some go to work for the families publishing empire while others find themselves as mothers or working elsewhere. When war breaks out they find themselves serving in the military or living behind enemy lines. I enjoyed this book which described events leading up to and during World War II through the eyes of members of this prestigious family. This is the second book I read by this new to me author but certainly not the last. I have always been a sucker for family sagas and in thetradition of Barbara Taylor Bradford and others, Penny Vincenzi is one of the best writers of this genre. Now I am looking forward to reading the third title in this series, Into Temptation, as I slowly collect all of her older books.
Bring on Into Temptation
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Something Dangerous is the second book in the Spoils Of Time Trilogy by Penny Vincenzi. The first book is No Angel and the third book is Into Temptation. In No Angel, the novel mainly centered around Lady Celia and Oliver Lytton and how their story began but in Something Dangerous the saga continued with the younger generation in the midst of war with Germany. Many of the characters you will see are Giles, Venetia, Adele, and Kit who are the children of Oliver and Celia. Barty, the woman that Celia took in as a child, Jay their nephew, and Izzy, the daughter of their prized author. Through these people you will see affairs, love, marriage, children, and death. What more could you ask for? I am sure many of you have never heard of Penny Vencenzi before but if you are a fan of the big family sagas then I would highly suggest you give her a try.
A Wonderful Read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
I happened to pick up a copy of "No Angel" -- just because it looked interesting. I had never heard of Penny Vincenzi and this was strictly a case of judging a book by it's cover. It didn't take long to get totally engrossed in the story, and I hated to see it end. At that time I didn't know it was part of a trilogy. "Something Dangerous", the second book, is just as good-- the characters are all interesting and easy to relate to-- the Lytton family and their friends live a lifestyle unknown to most people, very rich, but they have the same problems as everyone else. Without reading "No Angel" first, however, some things in "Something Dangerous" are left unexplained, and it makes one wonder why Lady Celia is the way she is. Oh, well. It's a wonderful book, and I can hardly wait for the next one
Complete reading satisfaction
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
This is my favorite of the "Spoils of Time" trilogy, covering the Lytton family's story from the 1930s through World War II. Watching characters you've become familiar with in "No Angel" respond to the Depression and war is really intriguing, especially since Penny Vincenzi is so good at putting them into interesting tight spots. Vincenzi writes the Rolls Royces of the big, juicy, substantial family saga, packed with believable characters, excellent historical detail, and complex plotting. After "Something Dangerous," you'll be so thoroughly hooked on the Lyttons that the release date of the third book will seem unbearably far away.
At Last!!!!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
Something Dangerous is a follow up to No Angel and is the second in the trilogy of The Spoils Of Time, which is full of surprises, wonderful expectations and anxious moments.This is a long story so if you are like me and like fat books, this one is yours.Centered around the Lytton Publising House in the UK, we are introduced to the owners of the business; husband and wife Celia and Oliver Lytton. Celia is the perfectionist and fault- finder while Oliver who is more approachable and less difficult, is in fragile health now after the first war but still has the last word in the firm.Something Dangerous focuses on the offspring of the Lyttons as the Second World War and the rise of Nazi Germany come into play. You will meet Giles, Celia's eldest son who having never done well in the family business goes off to war much to his family's delight for at least he will make something positive of his life. Also the twins Venetia and Adele who were born with silver spoons in their mouths come into adulthood just in time to experience first hand the ravishes of war, as food is being rationed and the lovely things which were taken for granted are now not within their grasps. Venetia falls into an iffy marriage while Adele moves to France where she struggles to bring up two kids as a single parent; and Barty Miller who is in a category of her own as Celia and Oliver's adoptive daughter.Circumstances change however when Barty longing for a bit of independence, requests a transfer to the USA Lyttons in New York , and it is in that city that she is truly transformed as she links up with one of Oliver's nephews, and this link as simple as it looks leaves the English company to either sink or swim when it falls into financial trouble and almost goes for broke. Something Dangerous will be followed by Into Temptation the last in the trilogy.
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