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mulleinandmoonstone's review against another edition
2.0
The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd has an interesting premise and all of the elements required for a suspenseful, supernatural tale, but it, unfortunately, misses the mark. I attempted to read and re-read this book several times, in different places, and at different times of day; I thought perhaps my mood or my environment was preventing the me from fully appreciating the novel. I gave it the benefit of the doubt, the ol' college try. Maybe it was a slow build? Maybe there was a twist or another element to propel the plot forward? Yet, even half-way through, I found it predictable and lacking in emotion. With so many books on my to-be-read list, I'm afraid I can't afford to give this title any more of my time or efforts.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
The seventh Life of Aline Lloyd is a standalone novel from Robert Davies, who has penned several award-winning fantasy and Sci-Fi books. It takes place in the present day, but several different centuries span the entirety of the book.
Evan (our main character) has been contacted by his sister because their brother, Damon has died unexpectedly. He dies from natural causes, but his age makes you question the circumstances around his death. Damon’s solicitor is in contact with the sister and it is arranged that they both will attend the Will and Testament reading. During the reading they discover that Evan leaves an unexpected amount of wealth to Evan and his sister, one of which is an estate in North Wales to Evan. This is where the tale takes a twisted turn.
I was pleased to discover that the author included a map of the area at the beginning of the book. Personally, it is an absolute must in any fantasy tale to have a map in which to imagine the area the story is based upon. There were several Welsh place names included in the story and it helped greatly to picture where in the country they were as, well, I’m not native to Wales.
Anyway, back on course. The estate agent Evan deals with in Wales warns him about his neighbour, Aline. He must stay away, she apparently likes to keep herself to herself. He is informed about apparent troubles during her time in Scotland. She had an emotional breakdown and was committed to a mental institution until she was deemed fit enough for discharge.
Taking on board the estate agent’s advice he leaves his neighbour well along, but he meets her in the adjoining field. For all intents and purposes the estate agent seems wrong about her but she seems mysterious and seems to know a lot more than she’s letting on. “I am History.” She also seems to know Evan’s decisions before he is aware he has made them. Odd.
Aline is forced into admitting some things to Evan after a detective turns up in Wales from Belgium asking some very confusing questions. Evan understandably has questions of his own. Aline has done things that science can’t explain. Can she shed any light on the accusations? What does the future hold for Aline and Evan now that he knows some very uncomfortable secrets.
The world building was decent enough and was fit for purpose, but I would have liked the author to give us more in the way of history of Aline. I felt for such an apparently powerful character such as Aline we needed more strength portrayed in her character arc. I felt at different points she came across as quite wooden. Aspects of the story also seemed to be skimmed over but at the same time there just wasn’t enough action in the book. It was slow and just didn’t feel connected in the story.
Although it was an OK read it wasn’t a book I felt connected to and there wasn’t really a point where I thought “yes I need to keep reading”. I’ve actually struggled to rate this book, but I am going to stick with three stars. Although I didn’t dislike it, it really was just OK. I really enjoy the Fantasy Genre, but this just failed to hit the mark for me.
The seventh Life of Aline Lloyd is a standalone novel from Robert Davies, who has penned several award-winning fantasy and Sci-Fi books. It takes place in the present day, but several different centuries span the entirety of the book.
Evan (our main character) has been contacted by his sister because their brother, Damon has died unexpectedly. He dies from natural causes, but his age makes you question the circumstances around his death. Damon’s solicitor is in contact with the sister and it is arranged that they both will attend the Will and Testament reading. During the reading they discover that Evan leaves an unexpected amount of wealth to Evan and his sister, one of which is an estate in North Wales to Evan. This is where the tale takes a twisted turn.
I was pleased to discover that the author included a map of the area at the beginning of the book. Personally, it is an absolute must in any fantasy tale to have a map in which to imagine the area the story is based upon. There were several Welsh place names included in the story and it helped greatly to picture where in the country they were as, well, I’m not native to Wales.
Anyway, back on course. The estate agent Evan deals with in Wales warns him about his neighbour, Aline. He must stay away, she apparently likes to keep herself to herself. He is informed about apparent troubles during her time in Scotland. She had an emotional breakdown and was committed to a mental institution until she was deemed fit enough for discharge.
Taking on board the estate agent’s advice he leaves his neighbour well along, but he meets her in the adjoining field. For all intents and purposes the estate agent seems wrong about her but she seems mysterious and seems to know a lot more than she’s letting on. “I am History.” She also seems to know Evan’s decisions before he is aware he has made them. Odd.
Aline is forced into admitting some things to Evan after a detective turns up in Wales from Belgium asking some very confusing questions. Evan understandably has questions of his own. Aline has done things that science can’t explain. Can she shed any light on the accusations? What does the future hold for Aline and Evan now that he knows some very uncomfortable secrets.
The world building was decent enough and was fit for purpose, but I would have liked the author to give us more in the way of history of Aline. I felt for such an apparently powerful character such as Aline we needed more strength portrayed in her character arc. I felt at different points she came across as quite wooden. Aspects of the story also seemed to be skimmed over but at the same time there just wasn’t enough action in the book. It was slow and just didn’t feel connected in the story.
Although it was an OK read it wasn’t a book I felt connected to and there wasn’t really a point where I thought “yes I need to keep reading”. I’ve actually struggled to rate this book, but I am going to stick with three stars. Although I didn’t dislike it, it really was just OK. I really enjoy the Fantasy Genre, but this just failed to hit the mark for me.
taisie22's review against another edition
3.0
When Evan Morgan's brother dies unexpectedly, he finds that not only was his brother fabulously wealthy but Evan has inherited a small farm in northern Wales. When he visits his new property, he meets the 'strange' Aline Lloyd, his neighbor. As he learns more about Aline, he also becomes more intrigued with her.
I know the area fairly well, and it is lovely to read about Denbighshire. The author does a nice job of describing the countryside and the lovely people in that area. I found the story itself is a bit odd. Aline is somewhat emotionless with the occasional flash of temper; it was hard for me to see why Evan was so attracted to her unless he was being manipulated. I couldn't relate to her paranormal side. She didn't seem to have much control and yet Evan accepted it fairly easily. I did like her history better and I wished the author had spent more time on her reincarnations, explaining how her powers developed over time. The short bits we got didn't really explain how she was so powerful in her current incarnation.
I found the ending a disappointment. The book just seemed to end without much real resolution. U want to thank Netgalley and BHC Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I know the area fairly well, and it is lovely to read about Denbighshire. The author does a nice job of describing the countryside and the lovely people in that area. I found the story itself is a bit odd. Aline is somewhat emotionless with the occasional flash of temper; it was hard for me to see why Evan was so attracted to her unless he was being manipulated. I couldn't relate to her paranormal side. She didn't seem to have much control and yet Evan accepted it fairly easily. I did like her history better and I wished the author had spent more time on her reincarnations, explaining how her powers developed over time. The short bits we got didn't really explain how she was so powerful in her current incarnation.
I found the ending a disappointment. The book just seemed to end without much real resolution. U want to thank Netgalley and BHC Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
gothicvamperstein's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd, especially as I've visited both Colwyn Bay and North Wales in general, so I know how the charm of North Wales and the landscape. It was perhaps a lighter fantasy, both in the sense that it's a modern day fantasy and that it doesn't have too many dark elements as one might guess by the cover and the blurb, but that's totally fine. I also really liked Aline and Evan as characters.
bookishgurl's review against another edition
I received a complimentary copy of The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd
by Robert Davies from NetGalley and BHC Press in order to read and give an honest review.
... In my opinion, it's a well-written character-driven mystery which slowly unravels...
Publisher's Description
From two-time IPPY-award-winning author Robert Davies comes a genre-defying tale of mind control and reincarnation.
When Evan Morgan’s brother Damon dies suddenly, Evan is shocked to learn he left him an inheritance, leaving him instantly wealthy and the owner of his country farm. Traveling to North Wales seems to be a formality: attend the reading of the will, pick up and dispose of any valuables, and head back home.
But everything changes when he arrives in Denbighshire and meets his new neighbor, the alluring and mysterious Aline Lloyd. Suddenly, staying doesn’t seem like such a bad idea, especially since the ancient grounds surrounding his new home feel as if they are calling to him to stay.
As the details of Damon’s death become even more bizarre, Evan is slowly drawn deeper into the growing mystery surrounding Aline. Who is she? Where is she from? What is she hiding?
Consumed, Evan is determined to learn her secret.
But some mysteries are better left undiscovered…because something is coming to his quiet valley. And it’s looking for Aline.
Although not really what I expected I still enjoyed The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd. Slow-paced, this is more of a memoir told from Evan's point of view, as we follow his life after the death of his brother and inheriting his estate in Wales. In my opinion, it's a well-written character-driven mystery which slowly unravels, first with Evan trying to get to the bottom of his brother Damon's unusual and concerning behaviour before his death. Then Evan's obsession of uncovering the truth of who Aline Lloyd really is and what secrets lie behind her intense personality seems to take centre stage. Although it has a touch of the paranormal, basically a reincarnation story, to me it reads more like a romantic mystery. It does pick up when an elite agency chases after Aline but sadly the action is short lived.
All in all, not a bad book but I think the cover although well done, is the most misleading thing for readers. It's dark and lends an impression of a darker more paranormal infused story. I guess this is a good example of when a cover can be misleading and garner a negative impression on an otherwise decent story.
by Robert Davies from NetGalley and BHC Press in order to read and give an honest review.
... In my opinion, it's a well-written character-driven mystery which slowly unravels...
Publisher's Description
From two-time IPPY-award-winning author Robert Davies comes a genre-defying tale of mind control and reincarnation.
When Evan Morgan’s brother Damon dies suddenly, Evan is shocked to learn he left him an inheritance, leaving him instantly wealthy and the owner of his country farm. Traveling to North Wales seems to be a formality: attend the reading of the will, pick up and dispose of any valuables, and head back home.
But everything changes when he arrives in Denbighshire and meets his new neighbor, the alluring and mysterious Aline Lloyd. Suddenly, staying doesn’t seem like such a bad idea, especially since the ancient grounds surrounding his new home feel as if they are calling to him to stay.
As the details of Damon’s death become even more bizarre, Evan is slowly drawn deeper into the growing mystery surrounding Aline. Who is she? Where is she from? What is she hiding?
Consumed, Evan is determined to learn her secret.
But some mysteries are better left undiscovered…because something is coming to his quiet valley. And it’s looking for Aline.
Although not really what I expected I still enjoyed The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd. Slow-paced, this is more of a memoir told from Evan's point of view, as we follow his life after the death of his brother and inheriting his estate in Wales. In my opinion, it's a well-written character-driven mystery which slowly unravels, first with Evan trying to get to the bottom of his brother Damon's unusual and concerning behaviour before his death. Then Evan's obsession of uncovering the truth of who Aline Lloyd really is and what secrets lie behind her intense personality seems to take centre stage. Although it has a touch of the paranormal, basically a reincarnation story, to me it reads more like a romantic mystery. It does pick up when an elite agency chases after Aline but sadly the action is short lived.
All in all, not a bad book but I think the cover although well done, is the most misleading thing for readers. It's dark and lends an impression of a darker more paranormal infused story. I guess this is a good example of when a cover can be misleading and garner a negative impression on an otherwise decent story.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
An engrossing and entertaining book with fleshed out characters and an interesting storyline.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
decafjess's review against another edition
2.0
I was under the impression that this was going to be an exciting horror story, but it was a relaxed, slow-paced fictional memoir of a man who falls in love with a nice lady who has a bit of magical woo-woo going on.
The writing is deliciously suspenseful and the prose is lovely, but the story never quite matched the tone, leaving me incredibly disappointed and dissatisfied as it slowly dawned on me that it wasn't what I'd hoped it would be.
I would have rated this a 3 or a 4 instead of a 2 if the cover and blurb hadn't so strongly misled me. A more accurate cover would feature a good looking couple holding hands in front of a pastoral Welsh cottage, with a blurb about whether or not their love can withstand Aline's secrets.
arc received from the publisher
The writing is deliciously suspenseful and the prose is lovely, but the story never quite matched the tone, leaving me incredibly disappointed and dissatisfied as it slowly dawned on me that it wasn't what I'd hoped it would be.
I would have rated this a 3 or a 4 instead of a 2 if the cover and blurb hadn't so strongly misled me. A more accurate cover would feature a good looking couple holding hands in front of a pastoral Welsh cottage, with a blurb about whether or not their love can withstand Aline's secrets.
arc received from the publisher
tactical_peanut's review against another edition
2.0
When I read the summary I thought this book had all the elements needed for a suspenseful, supernatural tale with possible hints of romance, but I was so dissatisfied in this book.
At first I thought it might be a slow build, but I was just bored the entire time.
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At first I thought it might be a slow build, but I was just bored the entire time.
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
annarella's review
4.0
An engrossing and entertaining book with fleshed out characters and an interesting storyline.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
3.0
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
The seventh Life of Aline Lloyd is a standalone novel from Robert Davies, who has penned several award-winning fantasy and Sci-Fi books. It takes place in the present day, but several different centuries span the entirety of the book.
Evan (our main character) has been contacted by his sister because their brother, Damon has died unexpectedly. He dies from natural causes, but his age makes you question the circumstances around his death. Damon’s solicitor is in contact with the sister and it is arranged that they both will attend the Will and Testament reading. During the reading they discover that Evan leaves an unexpected amount of wealth to Evan and his sister, one of which is an estate in North Wales to Evan. This is where the tale takes a twisted turn.
I was pleased to discover that the author included a map of the area at the beginning of the book. Personally, it is an absolute must in any fantasy tale to have a map in which to imagine the area the story is based upon. There were several Welsh place names included in the story and it helped greatly to picture where in the country they were as, well, I’m not native to Wales.
Anyway, back on course. The estate agent Evan deals with in Wales warns him about his neighbour, Aline. He must stay away, she apparently likes to keep herself to herself. He is informed about apparent troubles during her time in Scotland. She had an emotional breakdown and was committed to a mental institution until she was deemed fit enough for discharge.
Taking on board the estate agent’s advice he leaves his neighbour well along, but he meets her in the adjoining field. For all intents and purposes the estate agent seems wrong about her but she seems mysterious and seems to know a lot more than she’s letting on. “I am History.” She also seems to know Evan’s decisions before he is aware he has made them. Odd.
Aline is forced into admitting some things to Evan after a detective turns up in Wales from Belgium asking some very confusing questions. Evan understandably has questions of his own. Aline has done things that science can’t explain. Can she shed any light on the accusations? What does the future hold for Aline and Evan now that he knows some very uncomfortable secrets.
The world building was decent enough and was fit for purpose, but I would have liked the author to give us more in the way of history of Aline. I felt for such an apparently powerful character such as Aline we needed more strength portrayed in her character arc. I felt at different points she came across as quite wooden. Aspects of the story also seemed to be skimmed over but at the same time there just wasn’t enough action in the book. It was slow and just didn’t feel connected in the story.
Although it was an OK read it wasn’t a book I felt connected to and there wasn’t really a point where I thought “yes I need to keep reading”. I’ve actually struggled to rate this book, but I am going to stick with three stars. Although I didn’t dislike it, it really was just OK. I really enjoy the Fantasy Genre, but this just failed to hit the mark for me.
The seventh Life of Aline Lloyd is a standalone novel from Robert Davies, who has penned several award-winning fantasy and Sci-Fi books. It takes place in the present day, but several different centuries span the entirety of the book.
Evan (our main character) has been contacted by his sister because their brother, Damon has died unexpectedly. He dies from natural causes, but his age makes you question the circumstances around his death. Damon’s solicitor is in contact with the sister and it is arranged that they both will attend the Will and Testament reading. During the reading they discover that Evan leaves an unexpected amount of wealth to Evan and his sister, one of which is an estate in North Wales to Evan. This is where the tale takes a twisted turn.
I was pleased to discover that the author included a map of the area at the beginning of the book. Personally, it is an absolute must in any fantasy tale to have a map in which to imagine the area the story is based upon. There were several Welsh place names included in the story and it helped greatly to picture where in the country they were as, well, I’m not native to Wales.
Anyway, back on course. The estate agent Evan deals with in Wales warns him about his neighbour, Aline. He must stay away, she apparently likes to keep herself to herself. He is informed about apparent troubles during her time in Scotland. She had an emotional breakdown and was committed to a mental institution until she was deemed fit enough for discharge.
Taking on board the estate agent’s advice he leaves his neighbour well along, but he meets her in the adjoining field. For all intents and purposes the estate agent seems wrong about her but she seems mysterious and seems to know a lot more than she’s letting on. “I am History.” She also seems to know Evan’s decisions before he is aware he has made them. Odd.
Aline is forced into admitting some things to Evan after a detective turns up in Wales from Belgium asking some very confusing questions. Evan understandably has questions of his own. Aline has done things that science can’t explain. Can she shed any light on the accusations? What does the future hold for Aline and Evan now that he knows some very uncomfortable secrets.
The world building was decent enough and was fit for purpose, but I would have liked the author to give us more in the way of history of Aline. I felt for such an apparently powerful character such as Aline we needed more strength portrayed in her character arc. I felt at different points she came across as quite wooden. Aspects of the story also seemed to be skimmed over but at the same time there just wasn’t enough action in the book. It was slow and just didn’t feel connected in the story.
Although it was an OK read it wasn’t a book I felt connected to and there wasn’t really a point where I thought “yes I need to keep reading”. I’ve actually struggled to rate this book, but I am going to stick with three stars. Although I didn’t dislike it, it really was just OK. I really enjoy the Fantasy Genre, but this just failed to hit the mark for me.
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