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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
I loved this author’s first two books... but this one missed the mark for me. The plot was a little all over the place and convoluted, and I never really cared about the characters. A bit of a struggle to finish and I don’t usually have that problem with this type of story. But I still love this author and look forward to her next book.
I loved Hester Fox's first two novels but this one fell short for me. The writing style felt different and I found myself putting the book down after I finished each chapter (which were quite short).
**I received a copy of this via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
*3.5
Young orphaned Tabby has a peculiar gift: she can commune with the dead. While fleeing from her oppressive aunt and uncle who exploited her for her gifts, Tabby and her sister are tragically separated. With no family left, Tabby seeks shelter in a crypt and is soon taken in by Eli, the kind caretaker of the local cemetery. For years, Tabby has lived a quiet life hiding her dangerous secret, but when a string of grave robberies start cropping up around Boston and her gift is uncovered, Tabby finds herself running for her life yet again. Soon, she's taken by a shady group called the "Resurrection Men" who have high hopes that her gift will help them on their quest for reanimating the recently deceased. Tabby must trust in her powers, as well as her small group of friends including the frustratingly handsome Caleb if she hopes to make it out alive.
I absolutely loved Fox's other novels, so I had high expectations for this, but it ended up falling a bit flat for me. While it had all the elements I've loved from her previous work--an interesting historical setting, a mystery that kept you on your toes, and writing so atmospheric it felt like a movie playing in your head--it just didn't capture me as fully as I was hoping. I think part of that reason was the characters themselves. I really liked Tabby and this strange power she had, and the little family she created with Eli and Mary-Ruth, but I just couldn't get behind Caleb. I didn't think he had many redeeming qualities and he treated Tabby so poorly time and time again. Yeah, he may have had a change of heart towards the end, but it was too little too late in my opinion. I also felt the plot was a bit slow, but it came to a satisfying end. Despite a few bumps in the road, I'd still recommend if you're looking for a Gothic mystery and think this would make a great read for Autumn.
*3.5
Young orphaned Tabby has a peculiar gift: she can commune with the dead. While fleeing from her oppressive aunt and uncle who exploited her for her gifts, Tabby and her sister are tragically separated. With no family left, Tabby seeks shelter in a crypt and is soon taken in by Eli, the kind caretaker of the local cemetery. For years, Tabby has lived a quiet life hiding her dangerous secret, but when a string of grave robberies start cropping up around Boston and her gift is uncovered, Tabby finds herself running for her life yet again. Soon, she's taken by a shady group called the "Resurrection Men" who have high hopes that her gift will help them on their quest for reanimating the recently deceased. Tabby must trust in her powers, as well as her small group of friends including the frustratingly handsome Caleb if she hopes to make it out alive.
I absolutely loved Fox's other novels, so I had high expectations for this, but it ended up falling a bit flat for me. While it had all the elements I've loved from her previous work--an interesting historical setting, a mystery that kept you on your toes, and writing so atmospheric it felt like a movie playing in your head--it just didn't capture me as fully as I was hoping. I think part of that reason was the characters themselves. I really liked Tabby and this strange power she had, and the little family she created with Eli and Mary-Ruth, but I just couldn't get behind Caleb. I didn't think he had many redeeming qualities and he treated Tabby so poorly time and time again. Yeah, he may have had a change of heart towards the end, but it was too little too late in my opinion. I also felt the plot was a bit slow, but it came to a satisfying end. Despite a few bumps in the road, I'd still recommend if you're looking for a Gothic mystery and think this would make a great read for Autumn.
I've loved Hester Fox's previous books. They are perfectly gothic with mystery and danger and romance. Unfortunately, I thought this one wasn't as good as the others. The premise with a girl who speaks to the dead is interesting, but the book ultimately felt incomplete. I thought the romance fell through, the plot wasn't mysterious or tense like it needed to be, and I couldn't connect to any of the characters, especially because I didn't understand some of their actions and motivations. I'm very sad this one didn't live up to my expectations, but I certainly won't turn down another Hester Fox novel in the future. She's still a magnificent writer and creates wonderfully gothic worlds. Hopefully I'll like her next book better.
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3
Thank you, Graydon House and NetGalley, for the review copy!
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3
Thank you, Graydon House and NetGalley, for the review copy!
A book that takes place in a cemetery? Ghosts? Seances? Another novel from Hester Fox to give you chills? Sign me up!!
I'm a big fan of Hester Fox. I love her Gothic, supernatural style, and how all of her books are standalones, and they're not chunky either -- you can read them in just a few days.
Your heart just goes out to poor Tabby, the heroine of Hester's newest book, and her older sister, Alice. I really liked the storyline of grave robbing and "reanimating" the deceased. I'm a bit familiar with Burke & Hare, and Hester did an admirable job of working "resurrection men" into her novel and giving Burke & Hare a mention.
If you want a spooky story that gives you all the thrills and chills, Hester Fox definitely delivers. "Orphan" is a perfect Halloween read!
I'm a big fan of Hester Fox. I love her Gothic, supernatural style, and how all of her books are standalones, and they're not chunky either -- you can read them in just a few days.
Your heart just goes out to poor Tabby, the heroine of Hester's newest book, and her older sister, Alice. I really liked the storyline of grave robbing and "reanimating" the deceased. I'm a bit familiar with Burke & Hare, and Hester did an admirable job of working "resurrection men" into her novel and giving Burke & Hare a mention.
If you want a spooky story that gives you all the thrills and chills, Hester Fox definitely delivers. "Orphan" is a perfect Halloween read!
I received this from Netgalley.com.
"The dead won’t bother you if you don’t give them permission.
Tabby has a peculiar gift: she can communicate with the recently departed. It makes her special, but it also makes her dangerous."
I kind of struggled to get through this book. I enjoyed her debut book [b:The Witch of Willow Hall|37007910|The Witch of Willow Hall|Hester Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521682980l/37007910._SX50_.jpg|58859334] but was rather disappointed with this one.
2.75☆
"The dead won’t bother you if you don’t give them permission.
Tabby has a peculiar gift: she can communicate with the recently departed. It makes her special, but it also makes her dangerous."
I kind of struggled to get through this book. I enjoyed her debut book [b:The Witch of Willow Hall|37007910|The Witch of Willow Hall|Hester Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521682980l/37007910._SX50_.jpg|58859334] but was rather disappointed with this one.
2.75☆
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Orphan of Cemetery Hill
Author: Hester Fox
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: ghosts, Victorian books, gothic feels
Publication Date: September 15, 2020
Genre: Historical Paranormal
Recommended Age: 16+ (slight violence and gore, dead people)
Publisher: Graydon House
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Boston, 1844.
Tabby has a peculiar gift: she can communicate with the recently departed. It makes her special, but it also makes her dangerous.
As an orphaned child, she fled with her sister, Alice, from their charlatan aunt Bellefonte, who wanted only to exploit Tabby’s gift so she could profit from the recent craze for seances.
Now a young woman and tragically separated from Alice, Tabby works with her adopted father, Eli, the kind caretaker of a large Boston cemetery. When a series of macabre grave robberies begins to plague the city, Tabby is ensnared in a deadly plot by the perpetrators, known only as the “Resurrection Men.”
In the end, Tabby’s gift will either save both her and the cemetery—or bring about her own destruction.
Review: For the most part this book was pretty good. The book had some great storytelling and I really enjoyed the plot. The characters were also well developed.
However, the book didn't have a lot of world building and I was left wondering what the world looked like. The book also had very slow pacing in some spots.
Verdict: It was good! Recommend!
Book: The Orphan of Cemetery Hill
Author: Hester Fox
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: ghosts, Victorian books, gothic feels
Publication Date: September 15, 2020
Genre: Historical Paranormal
Recommended Age: 16+ (slight violence and gore, dead people)
Publisher: Graydon House
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Boston, 1844.
Tabby has a peculiar gift: she can communicate with the recently departed. It makes her special, but it also makes her dangerous.
As an orphaned child, she fled with her sister, Alice, from their charlatan aunt Bellefonte, who wanted only to exploit Tabby’s gift so she could profit from the recent craze for seances.
Now a young woman and tragically separated from Alice, Tabby works with her adopted father, Eli, the kind caretaker of a large Boston cemetery. When a series of macabre grave robberies begins to plague the city, Tabby is ensnared in a deadly plot by the perpetrators, known only as the “Resurrection Men.”
In the end, Tabby’s gift will either save both her and the cemetery—or bring about her own destruction.
Review: For the most part this book was pretty good. The book had some great storytelling and I really enjoyed the plot. The characters were also well developed.
However, the book didn't have a lot of world building and I was left wondering what the world looked like. The book also had very slow pacing in some spots.
Verdict: It was good! Recommend!
Honestly, the history and setting were good enough to make this 3.5, but the insta romance and slightly cardboard cutout type characters ruined it for me. RTC
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Find my full review at: https://theliteratigeek.wordpress.com/2021/03/20/mini-review-the-orphan-of-cemetery-hill/
Every October I pick up the new Fox novel after being so excited about the plot and every year I finish thinking it was just okay.
If you like Gothic mysteries this might be up your alley!
Thanks to Harper for my free review copy.
If you like Gothic mysteries this might be up your alley!
Thanks to Harper for my free review copy.