Reviews

Sentence of Marriage by Shayne Parkinson

katrina_emerald's review

4.0

Interesting historical fiction, funny at times, but sad

sarahlreadseverything's review

1.0

To be honest I don't really understand why this book has so many good reviews. On the one hand, it is extremely well written, very easy to read and Shayne Parkinson paints an engaging (and historically accurate) portrait of colonial New Zealand. The characters are for the most part complex and interesting. BUT it is possibly one of the most predictable books I have ever read. I mean really.

Spoiler

The not-so-subtle references to Lizzie and Amy's lack of sexual knowledge . . . as soon as Jimmy appeared on the scene it was obvious he was going to start a relationship with Amy, get her pregnant and then run off. The constant inclusion of a seemingly pointless outsider character in the grumpy and disgusting neighbour. . . of course he was going to step in and marry Amy.

It's a testament to Shayne Parkinsons writing that such a long book remained engaging considering that those two points were really the entire plot. Sure Susannah provided another antagnoist, but considering the fullness of the other characters she is surprisingly flat,

Spoiler

her constant complaints, irrational moods and vaugue abuse of Amy only broken perhaps 3 times by flashes of the naieve, depressed and unprepared woman hiding underneath.

The book was free and I don't regret reading it, but I won't be rushing off to buy the next in the series

Spoiler

especially because no doubt it contains a vivid portrayl of the abuse Amy is OBVIOUSLY going to suffer at the hands of her new husband.

nderiley's review

3.0

A sad but predictable story. I felt like the the turning point in Amy's story was unnecessarily drug out

cemoses's review

5.0

If you like books about how tough life can be on a farm, I recommend this book.

It is a family saga/coming of age story. It was like watching a movie or seing a TV show because everything was so vivid. The setting in New Zealand was an added attraction.

I already bought the next two books in the series.

czargasm's review

4.0

Very nicely done coming of age and having your dreams crushed story set in nineteenth century New Zealand. At times it's easy to get frustrated with the naivete of the main character, but then you remember being a young girl yourself, and imagine what being a young girl in that time must have been like, and then are just filled with sadness and pity.

nicmacc's review

4.0

Really enjoyed this historical novel set in harsh 1800's New Zealand. Amy is a very likeable character who has a kind heart but is so naive! What harsh conditions they had to put up with and the way women were treated was shocking. I was captivated though and the story went along at a really good pace. The way the story ended I couldn't wait to read the next installment!I didn't expect so much from a free download - it was great.

mrslaww612's review

3.0

Fairly Long for the Scant Plot

This book really dragged for the first 3/4 of the book. The last quarter was interesting enough, but really left the reader hanging. I really only recommend if you intend on reading the whole series.

anastasiaadamov's review

3.0

Dramatic story that will set your all readers alarms for questions of fairness, coming of age, innocence, and what it meant to grow up as a woman in times not so long ago.
Reading it, will provoke some unrestrained feelings in the reader.
I wanted to strangle a character or two, cried quite a bit and was generally moved by most of the story.

dmagboul's review

5.0

Intriguing

At first I really liked this book. The further I got into the more it grew on me. There are some parts that may be triggers or hard for others to read but overall a wonderful storyline.

ericadanielle1's review

It was an okay book.The beginning started out a little boring and i had to force my self to continue reading but it started getting better towards the middle