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libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't like The Tea Rose very much but, honestly, it was my fault for not doing more research before I read it. I was under the misunderstanding that this book was a historical mystery. It is not a mystery. You know the identity of the murderer after the very first chapter and there isn't the slightest bit of surprise for the next 600+ pages. Also, I had no idea it was another story about Jack the Ripper. Even though ultimately the author's motivation for Jack was actually interesting, I had no desire to read yet another book about Jack the Ripper. It's been done too many times before. Instead of a twisty mystery, I got a sort of rambling historical epic.
The historical setting was very rich and fascinating. The author obviously did a lot of research to make the time period feel as detailed as possible and I really appreciated that. The glimpses into historical tea-making, grocery selling, and advertising were very interesting to me. I also enjoyed the main character, Fiona, and her drive for sucess despite her humble background. But it was just really long with not a lot of purpose. In the first half of the book, Fiona has the worst sort of luck as 90% of her family dies and she loses her fiancee. In the second half of the book, Fiona has the best sort of luck as she magically meets a member of the peerage who basically rescues her, has a millionaire fall in love with her, and magically becomes a roaring financial sucess despite being only eighteen with no experience. Either section was a bit hard to believe. I did like Fiona's plan of revenge for her family's death. That part was interesting to watch unfold.
But again, it was so long and spanned so much time without any decent twists that my enjoyment was zapped as I kept wishing the author would just get to the point already. Yes, the plot required a lot of time, but there wasn't enough of a plot to keep me engaged. Also, there was a lot of graphic sex scenes that I didn't care for at all. The interesting history ultimately couldn't redeem the book for me. I wanted my historical mystery! :/
The historical setting was very rich and fascinating. The author obviously did a lot of research to make the time period feel as detailed as possible and I really appreciated that. The glimpses into historical tea-making, grocery selling, and advertising were very interesting to me. I also enjoyed the main character, Fiona, and her drive for sucess despite her humble background. But it was just really long with not a lot of purpose. In the first half of the book, Fiona has the worst sort of luck as 90% of her family dies and she loses her fiancee. In the second half of the book, Fiona has the best sort of luck as she magically meets a member of the peerage who basically rescues her, has a millionaire fall in love with her, and magically becomes a roaring financial sucess despite being only eighteen with no experience. Either section was a bit hard to believe. I did like Fiona's plan of revenge for her family's death. That part was interesting to watch unfold.
But again, it was so long and spanned so much time without any decent twists that my enjoyment was zapped as I kept wishing the author would just get to the point already. Yes, the plot required a lot of time, but there wasn't enough of a plot to keep me engaged. Also, there was a lot of graphic sex scenes that I didn't care for at all. The interesting history ultimately couldn't redeem the book for me. I wanted my historical mystery! :/
cwinslett7's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
abchu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jank's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant series. I believe this was Jennifer Donnelly's best work.
hankel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
catbrigand's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so melodramatic and black-and-white that it reads like a penny dreadful at times. But I loved the characters so much that I couldn't help but love the book, too, especially the Monte Cristo element.
mizz_performer's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay, very melodramatic at times but overall interesting. It was a little hard for me to read because of all the historical inaccuracies which were really bothersome and distracting at times.
pippimonster's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25