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svw89's review against another edition
2.0
While reading this I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd read something very similar before, something similar but much, much better. Mansion, dead wife who died under suspicious circumstances and who still has an effect over the house, young girl/woman marrying an older man... at times it felt like a poor, modern time copy of [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386605169s/17899948.jpg|46663].
I found certain things really hard to believe. Rachel, a young woman from a council estate in London, met and married an older man, David, after two months and moving to his mansion in Cornwall to live with him (on weekends) and his son. I really struggled with how quickly that relationship progressed, it might have worked in different times but in a modern day setting? It just feels weird. It also felt weird that Rachel was constantly described as so young. She's 30! While I don't class 30 as old, the way she was described made it sound like she was 18 with no life experience. Definitely not the case with Rachel, especially when you find out her backstory - some of which is utterly ridiculous.
The chapters hop around a lot, there can be weeks or months between chapters and I don't think it worked. While I liked the countdowns as the chapter titles - 120 days until Christmas etc. - it jumped around too much for my liking, it disrupted some of the tension and it made whatever character development there was come out of nowhere. For example, the breakdown of the relationship between Rachel and David seemed to escalate really quickly, it was really unbelievable. One minute he's all nice, the next he wants a divorce because she's mentioned something about his son, and the next... well, what an arsehole. The escalation of Rachel's mental health issues suffered too because of the time jumps.
I did like the photos included in the book, that added to the creepy atmosphere of the abandoned mines and the loneliness of rural Cornwall.
There were quite a few twists, none of them too exciting or unexpected, and I thought the ending was completely ridiculous.
I found certain things really hard to believe. Rachel, a young woman from a council estate in London, met and married an older man, David, after two months and moving to his mansion in Cornwall to live with him (on weekends) and his son. I really struggled with how quickly that relationship progressed, it might have worked in different times but in a modern day setting? It just feels weird. It also felt weird that Rachel was constantly described as so young. She's 30! While I don't class 30 as old, the way she was described made it sound like she was 18 with no life experience. Definitely not the case with Rachel, especially when you find out her backstory - some of which is utterly ridiculous.
The chapters hop around a lot, there can be weeks or months between chapters and I don't think it worked. While I liked the countdowns as the chapter titles - 120 days until Christmas etc. - it jumped around too much for my liking, it disrupted some of the tension and it made whatever character development there was come out of nowhere. For example, the breakdown of the relationship between Rachel and David seemed to escalate really quickly, it was really unbelievable. One minute he's all nice, the next he wants a divorce because she's mentioned something about his son, and the next... well, what an arsehole. The escalation of Rachel's mental health issues suffered too because of the time jumps.
I did like the photos included in the book, that added to the creepy atmosphere of the abandoned mines and the loneliness of rural Cornwall.
There were quite a few twists, none of them too exciting or unexpected, and I thought the ending was completely ridiculous.
snazzybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed on www.snazzybooks.com
I'll start by saying that I've heard a lot about S. K. Tremayne's first book, The Ice Twins, but haven't yet read it, so I can't compare them, like other reviews may do. Anyway, when I had the chance to review The Fire Child, I (of course!) jumped at it! From what I gather, they're not really comparable anyway - equally great but very different.
I have to say that this is one of the most atmospheric novels I've read in a long time. The author manages to create such an eerie, spooky feel without being too 'obvious'; the house itself is full of history and the whole inclusion of the Cornish miners' awful time down the mines is both enthralling and horrifying (I didn't really know anything about this before reading it but it has made me want to find out more). You don't actually hear from the miners in this novel, just hear some of their accounts second-hand, so it keeps what they must have experienced very abstract but chilling, too, as it's hard to even imagine how it must have been to work in those conditions - especially with all those accidents. This was really powerful by it wasn't even the main storyline - more of a sideline that adds extra tension to the narrative.
The novel leaves you unsure at times of who is really telling the truth, and who is telling some fibs - or complete, outright lies - and I love novels that do this. I questioned my own judgement plenty of times! The characters are brilliantly crafted, the story is a little slower at times but that's all the better to gradually build up and ramp up the tension - and there's plenty of confusion for the main character Rachel, young Jamie... and me as the reader - but in a good way!
I won't say much more as I don't want to give much away but I'd definitely recommend this as an atmospheric, chilling read that leaves you questioning everything and everyone in its pages - the kind of novel I love!
* Many thanks to Harper Collins UK for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review *
I'll start by saying that I've heard a lot about S. K. Tremayne's first book, The Ice Twins, but haven't yet read it, so I can't compare them, like other reviews may do. Anyway, when I had the chance to review The Fire Child, I (of course!) jumped at it! From what I gather, they're not really comparable anyway - equally great but very different.
I have to say that this is one of the most atmospheric novels I've read in a long time. The author manages to create such an eerie, spooky feel without being too 'obvious'; the house itself is full of history and the whole inclusion of the Cornish miners' awful time down the mines is both enthralling and horrifying (I didn't really know anything about this before reading it but it has made me want to find out more). You don't actually hear from the miners in this novel, just hear some of their accounts second-hand, so it keeps what they must have experienced very abstract but chilling, too, as it's hard to even imagine how it must have been to work in those conditions - especially with all those accidents. This was really powerful by it wasn't even the main storyline - more of a sideline that adds extra tension to the narrative.
The novel leaves you unsure at times of who is really telling the truth, and who is telling some fibs - or complete, outright lies - and I love novels that do this. I questioned my own judgement plenty of times! The characters are brilliantly crafted, the story is a little slower at times but that's all the better to gradually build up and ramp up the tension - and there's plenty of confusion for the main character Rachel, young Jamie... and me as the reader - but in a good way!
I won't say much more as I don't want to give much away but I'd definitely recommend this as an atmospheric, chilling read that leaves you questioning everything and everyone in its pages - the kind of novel I love!
* Many thanks to Harper Collins UK for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review *
oxfordjrr's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
khushi_vankalapati's review against another edition
3.0
It really is a redefined version of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, except that it has some of its very own twists to it!
bookbuyingaddict's review against another edition
3.0
3.5stars. Thanks to Netgalley for my copy of The Fire Child. I picked up the ice twins last year whilst on holiday & read it in a day, it was that good. The ice twins was a stunning debut & what ever came next was going to be a hard act to follow. The Fire child is an easy read so it is perfect for an active holiday, a book you can put down and pick up again easily without having to back track on what you've read. The story starts with leading you down what could be the Jane Eyre route. It's not a "gripping" thriller but it isn't quite what you expect. I found the marriage & the relationship between David & Rachel extremely unbelievable & the predictions from the stepson not comments that any 8 year old I know would make. Saying that it's a decent read & il continue to read this author.
hbays's review against another edition
2.0
I absolutely loved the Ice Twins. This one not so much. I had very high hopes though. Reminded me of Rebecca then went downhill from there.
maegan_kk's review against another edition
4.0
The fire child was a consistent and pleasant read.
It’s full of suspense and kept me guessing right until the very end. There were times I had to put the book down because I was genuinely scared and didn’t want any nightmarish appearings in my dreams that night.
I didn’t give it 5 stars because I felt the ending was quite rushed. The author built this intricate and suspenseful story throughout the entire book and ended up solving every single question in the last 10 pages. Some of the questions had implausible and unrealistic answers.
David, the husband, has some strange behaviour too that seems to be building up to a tragic or action driven finale that never happens. I was left wondering why did he even go through all that work for nothing. It didn’t make any sense. Rachel, the main character, was likable and somewhat relatable at first but ended up being wish-washy, acting out of character even in her condition.
Overall, it was a really good read. I will definitely pick up more books from this author and give them a try.
It’s full of suspense and kept me guessing right until the very end. There were times I had to put the book down because I was genuinely scared and didn’t want any nightmarish appearings in my dreams that night.
I didn’t give it 5 stars because I felt the ending was quite rushed. The author built this intricate and suspenseful story throughout the entire book and ended up solving every single question in the last 10 pages. Some of the questions had implausible and unrealistic answers.
David, the husband, has some strange behaviour too that seems to be building up to a tragic or action driven finale that never happens. I was left wondering why did he even go through all that work for nothing. It didn’t make any sense. Rachel, the main character, was likable and somewhat relatable at first but ended up being wish-washy, acting out of character even in her condition.
Overall, it was a really good read. I will definitely pick up more books from this author and give them a try.
txkatlovesbooks's review against another edition
1.0
What a strange, disorganized book. Last few pages had me perplexed (who the hell is Oliver?), and I found the whole story line odd, unfolding almost as if determined by a toss of a pair of dice.
knunderb's review against another edition
5.0
Creepy, compulsively readable, and kept me guessing until the end.
itsallaboutthebooksuk's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book, I had such great expectations and jumped straight in after reading the blurb. Sadly it just wasn’t what I was expecting, although it did keep me turning the pages.
For me this book was a very slow burner, set in Cornwall I often wondered if I was reading the right book as it just felt too descriptive and I found myself skimming pages. Don’t get me wrong, I love a book that gives you the setting in detail and it makes you feel like you are there along with the characters but this just felt too much and just wasn’t for me. Great for anyone who may be interested in the mining industry in Cornwall though.
There aren’t many characters in The Fire Child and I didn’t feel like I really connected with any of them. I often felt like there was more to be told about them, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
The Fire Child does a have a good story in it though and I did find myself at maybe about 70% in wanting to find out what happens, it was just a shame it was a struggle to get there but this is just my opinion and I’m sure that lots of people will love this book.
For me this book was a very slow burner, set in Cornwall I often wondered if I was reading the right book as it just felt too descriptive and I found myself skimming pages. Don’t get me wrong, I love a book that gives you the setting in detail and it makes you feel like you are there along with the characters but this just felt too much and just wasn’t for me. Great for anyone who may be interested in the mining industry in Cornwall though.
There aren’t many characters in The Fire Child and I didn’t feel like I really connected with any of them. I often felt like there was more to be told about them, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
The Fire Child does a have a good story in it though and I did find myself at maybe about 70% in wanting to find out what happens, it was just a shame it was a struggle to get there but this is just my opinion and I’m sure that lots of people will love this book.