Mackenzi Lee’s book The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is the young adult historical queer romance novel for the ages.
Monty’s a dashing young rake who spends his time squandering his father’s fortune by drinking at parties and tumbling in the sheets. No matter how often he tries to lose himself in a life of debauchery, he can’t get over the fact he’s in love.
Except The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue isn’t just any romance novel. Monty’s in love with his best friend, Percy, who just so happens to be a dude. Not only that, but Percy’s biracial. In 1700s England, that type of love doesn’t exist.
But the beauty of Mackenzi Lee’s novel is that she brings to the forefront identities of people who aren’t typically in history books. Most eighteenth century literature doesn’t feature people of color, let alone lesbian, gay, or bisexual people.
While Monty is the typical hero of romance novels in appearance, beneath the surface he’s anything but typical.
Monty’s bisexuality is a big part of his character. He doesn’t discover he’s attracted to men all of sudden because of Percy. He has a history of sleeping with both men and women, something his parents try to get him to stop doing at all costs.
The novel really shines when Monty and Percy share quiet moments together all alone. I don’t think I’ve ever really wanted book characters to kiss so much. And when they do, you feel all the feels.
“I’m desperate not to let all my stupid hope fill the silence between us but it’s filtering in anyway, like water running through the canyons that longing has spent years carving.”
–The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue
Here’s the thing, though. Just when you think you’ve got this book figured out, Lee adds more. While the boys prepare for their European grand tour, they learn Monty’s kid sister Felicity will accompany them.
Felicity isn’t your average eighteenth-century girl, either. She’d rather spend her time attending science lectures instead of attending balls. Felicity’s like the Hermione of the trio. At first she’s the bossy-pants that gets on the boys’ nerves. But then they figure out she’s pretty badass.
So we got feminists, bisexuals, and people of color. What more is there?
Magic! Says Mackenzi Lee.
Gentleman’s Guide isn’t just a romance novel, it’s an adventure novel. Monty, Percy, and Felicity battle highwaymen, pirates, and evil dukes while they traipse all over Europe. That’s nothing compared to the cause behind every mishap on their tour. It’s nothing short of alchemy. I mean that, literally. There’s alchemy in this book.
And illness. Each one of these characters hides a facet of their true selves, and one of them is ill with a pretty serious condition. Yet another aspect of life that’s usually glossed over in historical romance novels. Especially when it affects one of the lovers.
One would think all these aspects like romance, adventure, illness, and alchemy would seem like Lee’s trying to crowd too many things into one, but it actually makes the book more endearing. Like its characters, this novel gradually reveals different facets of its personality.
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue has something for everyone. I hear tell that Mackenzi is working on a Felicity novel called The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy.
If that’s not cute enough, she’s publishing a book based on her popular twitter series called Bygone Badass Broads, featuring fifty-two forgotten, remarkable, trailblazing women.
To which I’ll respond, using one of Monty’s favorite catchphrases. ABSO-BLOODY-LUTELY!