I'm in love with this series. Every single one of these is a worthy 5 star read, and so far this is the first one with dark tones and first to prove problematic. These stories never get boring because characters never get boring. They grow and develop according to their circumstances. Situations out of their control happen and they simply have to adjust to whatever life throws at them.

Events take place in the wake of a family disaster, but instead of bringing the family closer, they drift further apart. New tensions and enemies are make and allegiances shift. Love is found and love is lost, and in some cases found again.
This particular book is a tidal wave of emotion. It ripped out my heart and then apologetically tried to put it back. Things won't be the same from here on and I can only hope Ross doesn't make any more mistakes.

*May contain spoilers

In this one we see our beloved Romelza suffer greatly. These two are one of my favourite fictional couples and during the course of this book my love for Demelza grows while my love for Ross shrinks rapidly. I've lost respect for him and though he slightly redeems himself at the end of the book, his initial regard for women is frustrating, insulting. Both Elizabeth and Demelza are the victims of Ross's violent and unforgivable mistake, and the scorn he receives from them both is something he'll have to live with.

I found, having also watched the BBC series, a few differences in their characters. Ross was more remorseful in the book, and regretted from the very start his betrayal to Demelza. He knew immediately his mistake, forsaking his feelings for Elizabeth in a desperate attempt to win back Demelza. This doesn't make him any less an arsehole, by the way, he betrayed her in the worse possible way and feeling bad about it afterwards doesn't change the fact. On TV it was portrayed like he was trying to justify his actions to Demelza as reasonable, making him look more like an arsehole. Perhaps this was purposely done so we didn't feel sorry for him.

Demelza however, has grown so much. She is such a strong woman, and really proves it. In such a time when one would expect her to crumble, she pulls her courage together and faces the problem head on. She was furious with Ross, heartbroken, utterly destroyed by his actions, but she held it together. I don't find her choice to stay with Ross a weakness at all; she had the strength and fortitude to not leave him and try to work through it for the sake of their son, even though she had every right to walk away and believed Ross to have fallen out of love with her (which in fact his betrayal had the opposite effect and only reaffirmed to him how much he does love her)

She still doubts herself, doesn't believe herself worthy of Ross or the lifestyle he has given her, but the truth is, he isn't worthy of her.
I think in the end they will be alright and work through their problems. Demelza is the backbone of this marriage and the reason I believe it'll work.

Being the book's namesake, George Warleggen in very prominent in this one. In my opinion, he's the ultimate realistic villain. He's not the clichéd bad guy laughing evilly while twisting his moustache, but he's just a normal guy trying to do what he feels is right by his family. He's new money, and resents the fact that he doesn't have an ancient family name and a blood line dating back generations. This is the one thing Ross has that George will never have; heritage. He can't buy it, bribe it, or take it by force and it's a chip that will forever remain on his shoulder. Knowing this almost makes me pity him; no matter how hard he tries, society will never fully accept him as one of their own. It's a personal issue he needs to work through, but it makes his insulting, harmful, and shocking behaviour almost understandable. I hate him, but I understand him and his motives and that's why I find him one of the greatest villains I've read. He's only human; he's a total dick, but still only human driven by human desires and fuelled by human pain.

It's quite interesting to see the dynamic shift a little. Here we see a slightly more human and vulnerable side of George, actually expressing emotion to Elizabeth; and at the same time we witness a more inhuman side to Ross. George may be the overall villain of the series, but Ross is the real bad guy in this one. His treatment and actions towards both Elizabeth and Demelza are inexcusable and a matter entirely for the ladies to decide if they can bring themselves to forgive him.

I think perhaps Demelza would feel differently towards Elizabeth if she knew the whole truth; that Elizabeth was forced and didn't consent. I don't think that's something that Demelza could ever forgive or overlook and it's only the fact that she believes it was a mutual thing that she's even giving Ross the time of day.

A very interesting end to a very interesting book. Can't wait to read the next.
Ross needs to work bloody hard to win back the affections of not only his wife, but the readers too.