I probably shouldn't have requested this book from LibraryThing's early reviewers program. I've read a lot of books set in the 19th century but this one turned out not to be my cup of tea. Maybe this book was just trying be too many things; a historical novel, a romance, and a discussion of social issues. Who doesn't like Lord Byron? But he didn't save the book for me.

One of my pet peeves: Publicists should stop advertising new books as being a combination of two older popular books. To compare a book from a novice author to Bernard Cornwell and Victor Hugo is just silly. ( )

I hoped for more of a political novel, while this was largely a historical romance (perhaps that needs to be made plain in the book description). I'm not much of a one for romance. Still, the political content wasn't negligable... It reminded me of social melodramas such as Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones -- and I can safely say, I found this one much better written than the latter, which has 'international bestseller' splurged on the cover. So, if you like a strong dose of steamy with your novels of the oppressed, go ahead and try this. It's disconcertingly short. I didn't mind the author's note at the end about the Occupy movement. It made me think she might have written a more serious political novel than this one... next? ( )

Framed: A Historical Novel About The Revolt Of The Luddites written by Christy Fearn was an unexpected disappointment. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my review and found the title to be quite misleading. Instead of a historical novel, it was a short romance story. The characters never fully developed nor was the promised tale of the Luddites. Instead, the writer wasted my time with free love sexual encounters and descriptions of rape. The telling of the tale is fragmented as the chapters did not flow evenly but were more like snapshots as the author jumped from one point in time to another. This technique is meant for use in a full-length novel where the characters and plot were more developed and a scene shift was relevant to the story.

Furthermore, it is not clear why or what political statement was declared at the end of the book. Both the writer and the reader would be better served if it had it been cut during the editing process. Framed is likely a first attempt by an undisciplined novice who has not taken the time to develop their craft along with a clear viewpoint. ( )

This book was terribly written. I thought it was supposed to be a historical novel, but it was really some weird 'love' story with a lot of totally unnecessary rape thrown in. ( )

I received a copy of this novel through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers programme in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the period that this piece was set in was interesting. Normally books set in the Regency period are either romantic comedies a la Georgette Heyer or war and political historical novels. This novel shows a different side of the period, focusing on characters at the lower rungs of the social structure. However, I thought this should have been fleshed out further as it felt relegated in the background.

The novel was pretty easy to get through, the language accessible though the story felt a little too modern at times. I also found myself wondering midway through the novel where the plot was heading; when Lizzie met Lord Byron (the Lord Byron), it started reading more as a romance novel than anything else.

Framed overall was an okay read with plenty of promise but at the end I found myself wondering what exactly was I supposed to get out of the novel.

My complete review of the title was originally posted at caffeinatedlife.net: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2013/07/13/review-framed/ ( )