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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't love this as much as The Foundling, which I absolutely adores, but I do like Halls' writing and find her easy to read.
This book took a long time to get going, and when the action did start it was tied up very quickly. I also wanted more atmosphere. West Yorkshire is steeped in atmosphere (and I should know) but the prose wasn't quite thick enough for the slow place. I wanted more creep, more menace and more tension.
This book took a long time to get going, and when the action did start it was tied up very quickly. I also wanted more atmosphere. West Yorkshire is steeped in atmosphere (and I should know) but the prose wasn't quite thick enough for the slow place. I wanted more creep, more menace and more tension.
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I really enjoyed The Familiars by Stacey Halls however Mrs England left me underwhelmed. Nothing really happens and I wasn’t overly surprised like other people have said. Not a bad book. Easy to read just not my cup of tea
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC! I will admit that it took me a bit to get into this book. I struggled a little with the very beginning of the book, but once I was hooked it was hard to put down. This book has a very gothic feel to it, and everything is a bit dark and dreary. I expected a romance, but other than a hint of something that cannot be pursued, there isn't any romance in this story. There is, however, mental illness, childhood trauma, and a controlling relationship.
Ruby is a nursemaid, at the beginning of the book Ruby takes a new appointment, with a new family, in a small country "village". The village is essentially owned by the England's, her new employers. She is hired to care for the England's four children, but something doesn't feel right in the home. I thought I knew where this story was going and was thrown a bit when I realized that I was wrong in my assumption. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would be willing to read other books by Stacey Halls.
Ruby is a nursemaid, at the beginning of the book Ruby takes a new appointment, with a new family, in a small country "village". The village is essentially owned by the England's, her new employers. She is hired to care for the England's four children, but something doesn't feel right in the home. I thought I knew where this story was going and was thrown a bit when I realized that I was wrong in my assumption. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would be willing to read other books by Stacey Halls.
Solid 4/5. I love historical fiction from this era, so could forgive the slightly disappointing climax of the story.