The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue cover

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

Author: Lee, Mackenzi

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level 5.8
Points 17.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 109157
Points per Word 0.000156
Page Count 528
Points per Page 0.032197

Description

Two friends on their Grand Tour of 18th-century Europe stumble upon a mystery that leads them on a dangerous manhunt as they reassess their feelings for each other along the way. The plot contains profanity, sexual situations and violence.

Quick Summary

If you're looking for a historical adventure that actually feels fresh and fun, this one's a blast. The story follows Monty (a half-British, half-Spanish nobleman) and his best friend Percy (who happens to be Black and has a chronic illness) as they stumble into a wild mystery during their Grand Tour of 18th-century Europe, and their bond shifts into something deeper along the way. Mackenzi Lee writes with this sharp, irreverent humor that makes the historical setting feel lively rather than stuffy, and the relationship between the two leads has this wonderful slow-burn warmth that'll make your heart ache in the best way. It's one of those rare YA books that tackles big themes like identity, friendship, and figuring out who you are while also being a rip-roaring adventure with swordfights, thieves, and a killer on their trail. Kids who love humor and heart in equal measure, or anyone who enjoys stories about underdogs and found family, will eat this up. Parents should know it does have profanity, some romantic content, and moments of real danger, but it's balanced with so much wit and genuine emotion that it never feels gratuitous. Think of it as a more sophisticated, historically-set cousin to books like "Carry On" or heisty adventure novels, with a protagonist whose voice is impossible not to love.