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tlarsen's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
happycat14's review against another edition
2.0
Dnf at 50%. The characters felt flat and the plot was predictable. There was so much description about everything BUT the story. There wasn't anything suspenseful like the blurb suggests and the relationships didn't feel real.
Just didn't enjoy it at all...
Just didn't enjoy it at all...
kristi518's review against another edition
5.0
Exactly what I would expect from this author. Complex, well-developed characters and a story written in a way that I get to know the characters and their personalities. Wonderful descriptions that made me feel as if I were there.
This book was everything I was hoping it would be and I can't wait to read the next book in the series..
This book was everything I was hoping it would be and I can't wait to read the next book in the series..
cammmiam's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
These characters are so flat and the author insists on telling instead of showing. So many plot points that could have been interesting to explore were summarized in sentences instead of allowing the story to travel there so readers could see it unfold ourselves.
lporto's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting mix of historical fact and fiction. There's a dark thread of menace that's running the series. A good distraction - detail rich and mild characters. A soft voice reading interesting stories.
cherylbookcollins's review against another edition
4.0
Good first book in a series - a lot of character set-up. Looking forward to book 2.
bookapotamus's review against another edition
4.0
Adding another new, shiny check to my historical fiction column of books that I love! Master of His Fate is an expansive historical saga, the first of a series, that follows a rich cast of characters in the most vivid settings in Victorian England.
I adored both James Falconer and Alexis Malvern and although their stories are laced with common threads - they couldn’t come from more different backgrounds. And they just may be destined to meet. The story bounces back and forth as James and Alexis both find and make their ways in the world.
Coming from a much lower class family than Alexis, James starts off as an assistant to his father, selling goods and wares in a small stall located inside a merchant mall, but everyone knows he is destined to do greater things. His goal is to own his own merchant mall and use his knowledge to franchise and expand and become somewhat of a mogul. His family is so sweet - I loved getting to know every single one, including his devoted grandparents, servants to a wealthy family, but the wealth of love that envelops this family is so lovely, you can’t help but root for James’ success and happiness. His loyalty to his friends and family, his hunger for knowledge and impressive work ethic, and a curiosity of the finer things in life (along with dashing good looks) prime him for an incredible future.
Alexis is born more into privilege, her father owns a successful trading business, and working alongside him closely has also groomed her to be fiercely independent and exceptionally smart in business. She is charitable, running her own charity herself for battered wives, and extremely loyal to those around her. And, also an exceptionally beautiful women, who turns heads at every corner.
I loved getting a glimpse into what isn’t really seen much in these stories: Seeing the families at their most intimate gatherings, dinnertime, birthdays, and I relished the doting fathers. James is very close to his father, and you see he is brought up in a family where the women are very much respected. Alexis and her father are very close as well, as her mother passed when she was very young. (Mothers don’t have a lot of luck with health in this story!) The intricate details and historical facts interspersed throughout the book were so clever and interesting, and I enjoyed the writing very much.
James and Alexis are bound to meet - it seems to be fate that the Falconer and Malvern family’s come together. We follow them both, separately, through lives and loves and about 3/4 through I was SHOCKED at a major death in the book. I am SO looking forward to the next book in this series and to see how things progress. A stunning story that will draw you into a sweeping saga of ambition, tragedy, love and dreams that will captivate readers with is wonderful details and engrossing drama!
I adored both James Falconer and Alexis Malvern and although their stories are laced with common threads - they couldn’t come from more different backgrounds. And they just may be destined to meet. The story bounces back and forth as James and Alexis both find and make their ways in the world.
Coming from a much lower class family than Alexis, James starts off as an assistant to his father, selling goods and wares in a small stall located inside a merchant mall, but everyone knows he is destined to do greater things. His goal is to own his own merchant mall and use his knowledge to franchise and expand and become somewhat of a mogul. His family is so sweet - I loved getting to know every single one, including his devoted grandparents, servants to a wealthy family, but the wealth of love that envelops this family is so lovely, you can’t help but root for James’ success and happiness. His loyalty to his friends and family, his hunger for knowledge and impressive work ethic, and a curiosity of the finer things in life (along with dashing good looks) prime him for an incredible future.
Alexis is born more into privilege, her father owns a successful trading business, and working alongside him closely has also groomed her to be fiercely independent and exceptionally smart in business. She is charitable, running her own charity herself for battered wives, and extremely loyal to those around her. And, also an exceptionally beautiful women, who turns heads at every corner.
I loved getting a glimpse into what isn’t really seen much in these stories: Seeing the families at their most intimate gatherings, dinnertime, birthdays, and I relished the doting fathers. James is very close to his father, and you see he is brought up in a family where the women are very much respected. Alexis and her father are very close as well, as her mother passed when she was very young. (Mothers don’t have a lot of luck with health in this story!) The intricate details and historical facts interspersed throughout the book were so clever and interesting, and I enjoyed the writing very much.
James and Alexis are bound to meet - it seems to be fate that the Falconer and Malvern family’s come together. We follow them both, separately, through lives and loves and about 3/4 through I was SHOCKED at a major death in the book. I am SO looking forward to the next book in this series and to see how things progress. A stunning story that will draw you into a sweeping saga of ambition, tragedy, love and dreams that will captivate readers with is wonderful details and engrossing drama!
nutty_bookseller's review against another edition
5.0
I was lucky enough to read an ARC from #netgalley and absolutely loved it. When woman were becoming part of the work force and the changing of fashion. The plot revolves around James Falconer and his determination and drive to open a chain of stores on par with Fortnum and Mason even though he is a humble barrow boy working with his father in a London market owned by Henry Malvern.
Alexis , Henry's daughter, beautiful, compassionate and a respected member of her fathers workforce and will inherit the business one day.
Their backgrounds couldn't be more different but their worlds collide when James gets employed by Henry.
This novel took me back to the time when Jack the Ripper was terrifying London and when life seemed simpler. A true insight into how the class system worked and the people who moved to break the boundaries. Full of love, family and tragedy.
It's the first in a four book series and I'm left with wanting more. Roll on the next one.
Alexis , Henry's daughter, beautiful, compassionate and a respected member of her fathers workforce and will inherit the business one day.
Their backgrounds couldn't be more different but their worlds collide when James gets employed by Henry.
This novel took me back to the time when Jack the Ripper was terrifying London and when life seemed simpler. A true insight into how the class system worked and the people who moved to break the boundaries. Full of love, family and tragedy.
It's the first in a four book series and I'm left with wanting more. Roll on the next one.
illidia316's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite thing about this book is the beautiful, vivid descriptions. I could picture every single detail throughout the story. I also really enjoy the characters and the story itself - it’s so well written. I’m looking forward to more in the series!
smorrison4's review against another edition
4.0
I love James's character but I love his grandparents even more. They do everything for their family to ensure that they have food, access to doctors, a roof over their heads, and the ability to reach for their dreams. Looking forward to reading the second book in the series.