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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I LOVED the Plantagenet and Tudor series so I was really excited to see another series from Philippa Gregory! This one seemed like it ticked all of my boxes, a historical setting, a romance and a little witch craft thrown in. I'm somewhat familiar with the witch hunts in Europe and so I was eagerly anticipating seeing this play out. Unfortunately, this one leaned too far into the "slice of life" for my tastes and the witch hunts played a very little role in this book. It was interesting to see how fast a town filled with people that had known you your entire life can turn on you and I felt like that was done very well.
Like a lot of Philippa's books, at times this one dragged and I was just skimming to get to the next exciting part. The romance was a heartbreaker, though that was actually one thing I appreciated about it. It didn't wrap up in a nice little bow.
I LOVED the Plantagenet and Tudor series so I was really excited to see another series from Philippa Gregory! This one seemed like it ticked all of my boxes, a historical setting, a romance and a little witch craft thrown in. I'm somewhat familiar with the witch hunts in Europe and so I was eagerly anticipating seeing this play out. Unfortunately, this one leaned too far into the "slice of life" for my tastes and the witch hunts played a very little role in this book. It was interesting to see how fast a town filled with people that had known you your entire life can turn on you and I felt like that was done very well.
Like a lot of Philippa's books, at times this one dragged and I was just skimming to get to the next exciting part. The romance was a heartbreaker, though that was actually one thing I appreciated about it. It didn't wrap up in a nice little bow.
reflective
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
Interesting time described
well, reflecting the different views and conflicts of the period.
well, reflecting the different views and conflicts of the period.
I was initially drawn in & a rapt audience, but as the book went on, my enthusiasm cooled a bit.
It did seem very repetitive - I believe some of this was intentional - the constant insinuation by all who sought Alinor’s help that she was using magic/had some other magical/fairie power. However, whenever characters were speaking in a dialogue or monologue, they seemed to repeat the same thing over and over and over. I get it, move on.
Secondly, I am not sure if the female characters were drawn through the lens of modern-day feminism a bit too much. I felt the book was heavy-handed in serving up the ‘life was sh*t for women and always will be’ message.
I only realised it was the first in a series when about half way through, thus realising there probably would not be much, if any, resolution at the conclusion of this first book. There was a well-done cloud of dread over the book; I knew something bad was coming, but the ending felt sort of rushed and strange, and I didn’t expect that reaction from the character that had been drawn of James, up to that point. Though, I do think the group-think/fear of the town of something ‘other’ was well done.
It did seem very repetitive - I believe some of this was intentional - the constant insinuation by all who sought Alinor’s help that she was using magic/had some other magical/fairie power. However, whenever characters were speaking in a dialogue or monologue, they seemed to repeat the same thing over and over and over. I get it, move on.
Secondly, I am not sure if the female characters were drawn through the lens of modern-day feminism a bit too much. I felt the book was heavy-handed in serving up the ‘life was sh*t for women and always will be’ message.
I only realised it was the first in a series when about half way through, thus realising there probably would not be much, if any, resolution at the conclusion of this first book. There was a well-done cloud of dread over the book; I knew something bad was coming, but the ending felt sort of rushed and strange, and I didn’t expect that reaction from the character that had been drawn of James, up to that point. Though, I do think the group-think/fear of the town of something ‘other’ was well done.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Trigger Warning: mentions of abortion, mentions of childbirth
England, 1648. It is a dangerous time to be a woman. It is an even more dangerous time to be an intelligent woman.
Alinor is one such woman. A skilled midwife and herbalist, she is determined to make a life for herself and her two children. Not knowing if her husband is alive or dead, she lives in a kind of limbo as neither a widow or a wife. Meeting the mysterious James in a graveyard at midnight only complicates matters. He has taken a liking to the lovely young mother and worse still, she has taken a liking to him.
Author Philippa Gregory is well known for her historical novels. Sweeping stories with a variety of characters from all walks of society. Tidelands is her latest novel, the first in a new series. Different in that the main focus is on the “common” man as opposed to royalty with her other books yet alike in showing that while the way of thinking might change and become more modern, the old ways never truly leave.
The romance between Alinor and James is best described as a slow burn. And it is a very slow burn. Any real action between the two characters doesn’t happen until the second half of the book. With the first half being dedicated to mostly describing Alinor’s life and routine in the tidelands it is easy to understand how some readers were unable to finish the book.
While it is obvious Gregory has once again done a great deal of research in to the time period and lays it out for us the reader, it comes at the expense of character development. Especially in regards to the main character, Alinor. The term “one note character” is often used in reviews and this term can also be used here. It is quite understandable that for a woman in Alinor’s circumstances a smart move would be to keep one’s head down and be unobtrusive. But how many times can a person be expected to turn the other cheek and not show some kind of reaction?
I can understand wanting to keep the peace but surely some kind of emotional reaction would have been felt? A grimace, grit teeth, clenched hands hidden in an apron, something? Sadly, on more than one occasion Alinor simply takes what is dished out to her and says nothing.
The ending of the novel felt very rushed and had an abrupt stop. It is obviously meant as a lead in to the next novel in the series but a little more to the story would have been nice. A better explanation of what happened to the characters between one scene and the next would have been most welcome.
As someone who has read and enjoyed other novels by Philippa Gregory, I felt rather let down by Tidelands. It is one of those books that while I cannot readily recommend it, neither can I tell anyone to firmly stay away. All I can say is try it and make your own decision.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Whew! I wasn't quite ready for the last few chapters of this book. Let's just say things turned ugly quick, and because I listened on audio book, shout out to the narrator/production for such a lively experience! I feel like I kinda knew that the main character, Alinor, was possibly going to be accused, but the scene as it came out took me by surprise.
Other elements I enjoyed in this book: the setting (never quite dry and mysterious), the fact that a (spoiler) religious man loses his faith and carries out acts of 'sin', the main character doesn't take the easy way out in any number of circumstances that she could have and has her own sense of integrity. Thus, much less predictable for me as the reader.
Other elements I enjoyed in this book: the setting (never quite dry and mysterious), the fact that a (spoiler) religious man loses his faith and carries out acts of 'sin', the main character doesn't take the easy way out in any number of circumstances that she could have and has her own sense of integrity. Thus, much less predictable for me as the reader.
Hate to say it but I was happy to be done with this book. I barely managed to finish it before it was due back to my library and that is rarely the case for me. I get that this is the beginning of a series and there needs to be a fair amount of character and background building.....but it feels like it never ends with this book.
The ending is surprising and at least causes a little interest to rise as to what happens to Alinor & Alys but the rest of the book is dull. Not going to rush to read the next installation when it comes out and may actually forget about this story (unless Goodreads or the Library reminds me about it)!
The ending is surprising and at least causes a little interest to rise as to what happens to Alinor & Alys but the rest of the book is dull. Not going to rush to read the next installation when it comes out and may actually forget about this story (unless Goodreads or the Library reminds me about it)!
emotional
slow-paced
Loved the storyline - I was gripped from the first minute.