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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Have a tissue box near when reading this! So, my grandma and I have so much in common, especially how we fixate on the same eras/events throughout history, one of them being the Titanic! She got this book for Christmas and let me borrow it, thank you, Grandma! But my heart broke last night upon finishing it!
While anything on the titanic is gripping, I was pretty disappointed with the last half of this book. Per the description, I expected more from the protagonist’s post-titanic life. I wanted to see her “carve out her own remarkable path”. Instead, we end with no knowledge of her life without her husband. That being said, I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I feel like the two halves are completely different novels, the second being the lesser of the two.
I have to admit that I'm biased by being in an age gap relationship myself, so the main character and love story was more relatable in that way. But I do think readers would find that the protagonist is someone who's easy to identify with and understand.
I took a bit longer to finish this book because I knew what would happen, and I knew I'd be sad about it, so I procrastinated a little bit and got to make the sweet parts of this last. I just finished it, and while my heart is heavy, I plan on rereading this in the future.
I had to look up some of the vocabulary throughout, and I love the author's descriptive writing. It inspired me to research the characters to see their real photographs and watch a Titanic documentary. I have to give it 5 stars for the way it has made an imprint in my life. ♡
I took a bit longer to finish this book because I knew what would happen, and I knew I'd be sad about it, so I procrastinated a little bit and got to make the sweet parts of this last. I just finished it, and while my heart is heavy, I plan on rereading this in the future.
I had to look up some of the vocabulary throughout, and I love the author's descriptive writing. It inspired me to research the characters to see their real photographs and watch a Titanic documentary. I have to give it 5 stars for the way it has made an imprint in my life. ♡
Flat, dull, and lifeless. Should be thrilling given the subject matter and characters, but nobody ever comes alive and even an event as colossal as the sinking of the Titanic is just.. blah.
I received this book in a giveaway from Kensinton publishing. My review of this book is my honest and true thoughts on the book.
The Second Mrs. Astor was good historical fiction book based on the lives of real people. I found this book interesting to read, I almost wish it were longer to get more detail and development of the relationship between Jack and Madeleine. I think there was enough, but as a lover of non-fiction, I always wish for more details.
My one real quarrel with the book (not a big one) was I found some of the passages not in Madeleine's perspective to be awkward. I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be narration or newspaper reviews or what exactly. Besides that, I though the book was well researched and written. I would read more historical fiction by this author for sure. In fact, I did some of my own (brief) internet research on the Astor's and it seems like a lot checked out.
The Second Mrs. Astor was good historical fiction book based on the lives of real people. I found this book interesting to read, I almost wish it were longer to get more detail and development of the relationship between Jack and Madeleine. I think there was enough, but as a lover of non-fiction, I always wish for more details.
My one real quarrel with the book (not a big one) was I found some of the passages not in Madeleine's perspective to be awkward. I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be narration or newspaper reviews or what exactly. Besides that, I though the book was well researched and written. I would read more historical fiction by this author for sure. In fact, I did some of my own (brief) internet research on the Astor's and it seems like a lot checked out.
I didn't know much about the Astors, but this book was extremely interesting as I started learning about them. The story overall is just heartbreaking but the author did a fantastic job of weaving details of love and adventure in. Read this if you're fascinated by the Titanic and life in the early 1900's.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Language too descriptive/third person pov feels like distant past tense narration
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 3
Plot development: 4
Characters: 4
Enjoyability: 4
Ease of Reading: 4
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 3
Plot development: 4
Characters: 4
Enjoyability: 4
Ease of Reading: 4
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No