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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Probably more of a 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed getting a different perspective on the events during this time in history. I enjoyed most of the characters and found the story entertaining if a little hard to believe at times. Would be interested to see where the story goes from here.
This book was about twice as long as it needed to be. I normally don't mind long books but this was sloooow as well. Every time someone stepped out into the darkness or set off for work I thought something bad or dramatic would finally happen and it usually didn't.
This was a slow burner, the beginning was a lot of character building and time spent in the marshlands. It felt very bleak and I nearly stopped listening a few times. But by 50-60% of the way through the plots to help King Charles escape and the relationship between Alinor and James heated up and I was hooked. So much so that I bought the kindle book to keep reading once I was out of the car.
I received this book as a giveaway. An intriguing story of a poor family during Cromwellian England, a land without a king. An interesting time, spies, hidden papists, and women can still be accused of witchcraft. Can't wait to hear about where life takes the Reekies next.
A Must Read for Historical Fiction Fans
Gregory's narrative captivated me as much as Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" did a decade ago. This story, unlike many of Gregory's other titles, traces the path of a commoner and her family as they struggle to rise above their assigned stations and the prejudices that attempt to keep them there. I cannot wait to read what becomes of the family in the next story.
Gregory's narrative captivated me as much as Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" did a decade ago. This story, unlike many of Gregory's other titles, traces the path of a commoner and her family as they struggle to rise above their assigned stations and the prejudices that attempt to keep them there. I cannot wait to read what becomes of the family in the next story.
While I found the story interesting, I didn’t love the author’s writing style. This could have been told in far fewer pages, and I skimmed quite a bit. The build up was very slow, and then the whole book was over quickly.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I always enjoy Philippa Gregory’s well-researched and finely detailed work, however looking through a contemporary lens at 1648 requires the reader to suspend a lot of disbelief. The climate of fear and secrecy made it more difficult to swallow the issues raised about justice, poverty, domestic abuse, equality, social mobility, monarchy, religion, witchcraft, class and gender would just pale into insignificance with the task the reader is asked to undertake. There are a few examples of poor women being raised up in devoted relationships but these are few and far between. That said, the book has its merits, namely its sound historical setting and sense of place.
this book literally had me gasping out loud in the last chapter
i was so angry at so many of the characters but it was such a rich world she created
i was so angry at so many of the characters but it was such a rich world she created
I love Philippa Gregory and this book intrigued me because it is about a regular person instead of royalty likes she normally writes about. This book takes place in 1648-1649 so Charles I is in the background. This book is about Alinor and her children. Her husband has disappeared which is not good for a woman in this time period. Many people think she is a witch so we can kind of figure out how the story will end but my heart was still pounding at the end of how it would all turn out. I am excited to see where this series goes from here.