Synopsis
Lady Madeline Raine is determined to not allow James Purnell, her sister-in-law’s older brother, to seduce her again. She was once ready to give herself to him completely. Now, she attempts to appear aloof whenever they meet, but after four years apart, her desire for him reignites. He hates everyone, including Madeline and himself, but somehow Madeline still loves him. After he rapes her following the death of his father, she is faced with a decision: marry him or face ruin in the eyes of polite society. Ugh, The Devil’s Web is full of terrible men…
My Reaction
Unfortunately, I did not like The Devil’s Web, at all. The Web series is difficult to read in general, but of the three books, this is the worst. The intense hatred James Purnell has in this book and in The Gilded Web is quite ridiculous. He wants to make everyone around him miserable and can’t just tell Madeline how he feels. And then his hatred is explained by some tryst with a young lady when he was younger? It seemed like a whole lot of build-up for nothing. Each and every character is completely overblown and out of the ordinary. And why do we get into the heads of every character we meet? I felt like I was trying to keep 10 different stories going on at once.
I also have to say that I expected a lot more of Balogh than to use rape as a story arc in her books. And then she allows James to be forgiven because his victim somehow loves him. It’s just ridiculous. Poor, silly Madeline gives up on life and agrees to James’ marriage proposal because he *kinda* rapes her after his father’s death and she fears she might be pregnant as a result. This doesn’t really make sense to me. I mean, I can understand the fear given the time period this is taking place. But then, in an effort to explain her reasoning to…herself, Madeline exclaims that she is punishing herself too by accepting the proposal.
So, which is it? The fear of pregnancy, a desire to punish herself, or somehow, that she loves James despite not being kind to her at all and being a general ass the entire time she has known him? And later, when James, her now-husband, does actually rape her, how does she find it within herself to forgive him in the end because she really is pregnant this time? Given her actions immediately following the rape, this makes no sense.
By the end, it felt like Balogh was just trying to wrap things up in a neat little bow. But she felt no need to go back and make her story make any sense whatsoever. I just don’t understand what was trying to be achieved here. I’m glad The Devil’s Web is the last book in the series. There is no way I would be able to finish anymore, even to find out what became of the many side characters.
I definitely would not recommend this book to a friend, but you should give Balogh’s many other series a chance. Start with The Proposal, the first book in her Survivor’s Club series, and continue the series from there. Or maybe you’re looking for another Historical Fiction or Romance? Check out our other reviews to pick your next read.
Rating
Now it’s your turn. Have you read The Devil’s Web? Did you enjoy/hate it as much as I did? If you want to chat about it please make sure to comment below or tag me on Instagram (@bookishkitchen #thebookishkitchen)! I love to hear from our followers.
