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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
I so so so badly wanted to like this book. I love a good gothic fantasy with elements of paranormal and the Victorian age, and maybe it was that high expectation that had me struggling through this book. There is so much going on in the novel and I easily got lost as to if events happened within the same day or if a week had passed, due to too little explanation and the jumping from one event to another. I also really wanted to like the characters, but they all fell flat for me as I never really felt like I got to know them and their relationships were never built upon. I am not a fan of insta-love and this novel was a prime example of it. The writing was beautifully done, the premise fascinated me, and the cover drew me in, but overall, to hold my interest more development is needed on the plot and deeper, more dynamic characters that I can connect with and want to follow through their journey.
3.5 Stars
Hester Fox ([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], [b:The Widow of Pale Harbor|42867787|The Widow of Pale Harbor|Hester Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550213665l/42867787._SY75_.jpg|66652981]) continues her streak of writing evocative Gothic novels with The Orphan of Cemetary Hill. Set in the 1850's, largely in Boston, the story centers on a young woman, Tabby, who possesses the ability to commune with the dead. Her adoptive father Eli, works at a graveyard and it is here that Tabby (short for Tabitha) first encounters Caleb in the year 1844 then again twelve years later in 1856, shortly after his father has died. He remembers her because of her striking eyes. Caleb, from a nice family that lives in comfort, is something of a ne'er-do-well, and as his father's heir is struggling to maintain his father's business. He is recently engaged to Rose, a beautiful young woman who is the daughter of a local newspaper publisher. Only Caleb is drawn to the ethereal Tabby. She is drawn to him as well but is wary because of her long experience with abuse at the hands of her aunt and uncle. She mourns the loss of her sister Alice. Tabby has few friends and few safe connections and has worked hard to control her ability to speak with the recently departed. When Caleb's father's body is stolen (only the latest in a ghastly trend) from his grave, Tabby and Caleb are thrown together yet again. Their attraction to one another grows. However Caleb's fiancee Rose is murdered shortly after they quarreled and suspicion lands on Caleb. Tabby uses her abilities to try to unravel the truth about what happened to Rose. Caleb, falsely accused of her murder, must face up to his choices and in doing so may have a chance at a different life. Set against a backdrop of medical experimentation dark and foul by a Harvard group who might just be responsible for stealing corpses. Can Tabby find the answers to that mystery, as well?
This is a diverting gothic style novel that is a nice read for the Halloween/Samhain season. It is similar in tone to Fox's other gothic novels. I liked Tabitha's kindness and loyalty and I really wanted to like Caleb. While the novel evokes some aspects of the antebellum period in the US, I'm not sure that I got a good sense of London and Edinburgh in that period or how a young man with Caleb's lack of references could ensconce himself so quickly in a practice in the latter as to be offered a partnership. Still, though, a pleasant enough read.
Hester Fox ([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], [b:The Widow of Pale Harbor|42867787|The Widow of Pale Harbor|Hester Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550213665l/42867787._SY75_.jpg|66652981]) continues her streak of writing evocative Gothic novels with The Orphan of Cemetary Hill. Set in the 1850's, largely in Boston, the story centers on a young woman, Tabby, who possesses the ability to commune with the dead. Her adoptive father Eli, works at a graveyard and it is here that Tabby (short for Tabitha) first encounters Caleb in the year 1844 then again twelve years later in 1856, shortly after his father has died. He remembers her because of her striking eyes. Caleb, from a nice family that lives in comfort, is something of a ne'er-do-well, and as his father's heir is struggling to maintain his father's business. He is recently engaged to Rose, a beautiful young woman who is the daughter of a local newspaper publisher. Only Caleb is drawn to the ethereal Tabby. She is drawn to him as well but is wary because of her long experience with abuse at the hands of her aunt and uncle. She mourns the loss of her sister Alice. Tabby has few friends and few safe connections and has worked hard to control her ability to speak with the recently departed. When Caleb's father's body is stolen (only the latest in a ghastly trend) from his grave, Tabby and Caleb are thrown together yet again. Their attraction to one another grows. However Caleb's fiancee Rose is murdered shortly after they quarreled and suspicion lands on Caleb. Tabby uses her abilities to try to unravel the truth about what happened to Rose. Caleb, falsely accused of her murder, must face up to his choices and in doing so may have a chance at a different life. Set against a backdrop of medical experimentation dark and foul by a Harvard group who might just be responsible for stealing corpses. Can Tabby find the answers to that mystery, as well?
This is a diverting gothic style novel that is a nice read for the Halloween/Samhain season. It is similar in tone to Fox's other gothic novels. I liked Tabitha's kindness and loyalty and I really wanted to like Caleb. While the novel evokes some aspects of the antebellum period in the US, I'm not sure that I got a good sense of London and Edinburgh in that period or how a young man with Caleb's lack of references could ensconce himself so quickly in a practice in the latter as to be offered a partnership. Still, though, a pleasant enough read.
mysterious
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Orphan of Cemetery Hill is full of Gothic/paranormal goodness, making it a fabulous book to pick up this fall. It’s evocative and creepy, really transporting you to the setting of the graveyards and seances. And while the pacing is a bit off, suffering a bit in the middle, I do feel it’s one of those stories where it ultimately pays off in the end.
Tabby is a fabulous lead, who I truly felt for in what she’d had to deal with, in terms of the abuse and later being separated from her sister. I also really liked the relationship Tabby has with Eli, and how they are more or less father and daughter.
Caleb is an okay love interest…I did like how things were navigated with him already being engaged, yet there’s something between them, as that can be tricky to do without veering into “cheating” territory, which can be uncomfortable for some readers. I did feel like his “traditional” views, while appropriate for the period, were a bit much, particularly with his need to constantly be the one “rescuing” Tabby.
I really liked this one, and given it is Fox’s third such book, I will definitely be checking out her others. And if you’re looking for a lush Gothic story to get you in the mood for fall/autumn and Halloween, I think this would be a great one to try.
The Orphan of Cemetery Hill is full of Gothic/paranormal goodness, making it a fabulous book to pick up this fall. It’s evocative and creepy, really transporting you to the setting of the graveyards and seances. And while the pacing is a bit off, suffering a bit in the middle, I do feel it’s one of those stories where it ultimately pays off in the end.
Tabby is a fabulous lead, who I truly felt for in what she’d had to deal with, in terms of the abuse and later being separated from her sister. I also really liked the relationship Tabby has with Eli, and how they are more or less father and daughter.
Caleb is an okay love interest…I did like how things were navigated with him already being engaged, yet there’s something between them, as that can be tricky to do without veering into “cheating” territory, which can be uncomfortable for some readers. I did feel like his “traditional” views, while appropriate for the period, were a bit much, particularly with his need to constantly be the one “rescuing” Tabby.
I really liked this one, and given it is Fox’s third such book, I will definitely be checking out her others. And if you’re looking for a lush Gothic story to get you in the mood for fall/autumn and Halloween, I think this would be a great one to try.
thanks to the publisher for the ebook copy in exchange for my honest review
My third book by Hester Fox and THE ORPHAN OF CEMETERY HILL has cemented her status as an auto-buy author for me! You can always expect a rich historical fiction read, without it being too overwhelming in the detail, some paranormal elements, and an incredible Gothic vibe from start to finish. While for some, historical fiction might seem boring and slow moving, Fox is able to give us a quick pacing to her stories that read almost more like a thriller.
Rich scenery, well-developed characters that you become invested in, and an eerie atmosphere throughout. Grave robberies, speaking to the recently deceased, budding romance, and plenty of mystery to go around. Even if you aren’t the biggest fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend picking this one up if you’re looking for a haunting Gothic read for the fall season. Like I mentioned already, this one just solidified Hester Fox as an auto-buy author for me, and I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us!
My third book by Hester Fox and THE ORPHAN OF CEMETERY HILL has cemented her status as an auto-buy author for me! You can always expect a rich historical fiction read, without it being too overwhelming in the detail, some paranormal elements, and an incredible Gothic vibe from start to finish. While for some, historical fiction might seem boring and slow moving, Fox is able to give us a quick pacing to her stories that read almost more like a thriller.
Rich scenery, well-developed characters that you become invested in, and an eerie atmosphere throughout. Grave robberies, speaking to the recently deceased, budding romance, and plenty of mystery to go around. Even if you aren’t the biggest fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend picking this one up if you’re looking for a haunting Gothic read for the fall season. Like I mentioned already, this one just solidified Hester Fox as an auto-buy author for me, and I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us!
Actual Rating: 2.5 stars
Having absolutely loved the first two gothic romances from this author, I unfortunately found The Orphan of Cemetery Hill to be a bit of a disappointment. The plot was much more predictable and I was never rooting for the hero who is lazy, selfish, and rather a cad. I think you're supposed to like him despite that, but I wasn't a fan. I did enjoy the heroine Tabby (other than her poor taste in men...). She is an orphaned clairvoyant with traumatic childhood who is consistently brave and selfless.
There is a mystery element to this book, much like the other two, but I did not find it to be as compelling and there are definite moments of deus ex machina where highly unlikely events are used to push the plot along. I think a stronger romance could still have carried this for me, but alas that really flopped and the mediocre mystery didn't do a whole lot for me. That said, I will definitely continue to try whatever this author puts out. She generally writes wonderfully atmospheric books and I've loved the other two. This one was more of a dud. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Having absolutely loved the first two gothic romances from this author, I unfortunately found The Orphan of Cemetery Hill to be a bit of a disappointment. The plot was much more predictable and I was never rooting for the hero who is lazy, selfish, and rather a cad. I think you're supposed to like him despite that, but I wasn't a fan. I did enjoy the heroine Tabby (other than her poor taste in men...). She is an orphaned clairvoyant with traumatic childhood who is consistently brave and selfless.
There is a mystery element to this book, much like the other two, but I did not find it to be as compelling and there are definite moments of deus ex machina where highly unlikely events are used to push the plot along. I think a stronger romance could still have carried this for me, but alas that really flopped and the mediocre mystery didn't do a whole lot for me. That said, I will definitely continue to try whatever this author puts out. She generally writes wonderfully atmospheric books and I've loved the other two. This one was more of a dud. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Realistically: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
At age twelve, Tabby finds herself completely alone, a recent runaway from her abusive aunt and uncle, her sister has abandoned her and she can't trust anyone. She has a terrible, heavy secret--she can talk to the dead. Fast forward ten years, and Tabby's living with the cemetery caretaker that's unofficially adopted her, she's content in her life--more or less--and the boy she met so long ago comes crashing back into her life just as a new wave of grave robberies start happening and Tabby's life is thrown into a tailspin.
Overall, I liked this book. It has a great mixture of everything--romance, a little mystery, a little suspense, a girl who can talk to the dead. There weren't any loose ends by the time the story was over and I liked the overall diversity of the characters' backgrounds; even the secondary characters were very well fleshed out and could very well have stories of their own. There are people born with silver spoons in their mouths to contrast Tabby being an orphan. There's a very heavily implied sapphic romance. Tabby's adoptive father is a former slave. These stories aren't deeply touched on, but it was nice to have the inclusion without the author overstepping any boundaries (ie, as a white author, the story of a former slave isn't hers to tell, and I respect that. However, I still really liked the inclusion. There is a line between whitewashing and overstepping and the author found that line and walked it very well).
I felt that the romance was, overall, fairly well done given the fact that it was largely based on one random meeting between the heroine and the love interest as kids. Neither the heroine nor the love interest were perfect people--in fact, Caleb was more flawed than he was a "good guy," I think, but I appreciated the author's willingness to address what he knew he'd have to change in order to become a better person all around.
I felt that the novel suffered overall because it seemed a little shallow. I didn't feel a deep connection to the characters--but I liked them. I didn't have any strong emotional reaction to the storyline--but it was well done and it was fine. I didn't feel any sense of danger. I feel like this book can't decide if it's YA or Adult Fiction. The storyline itself seems like it's an adult book: Tabby is in her early twenties and Caleb is (I think) around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but the writing style is much more suited to YA than toward the audience it seems to be directed to. This wasn't a problem for me personally as I read both YA and adult fiction, but it might be more of a sticking point for readers who have a dislike for either of those age groups.
Thank you to Harlequin & NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
At age twelve, Tabby finds herself completely alone, a recent runaway from her abusive aunt and uncle, her sister has abandoned her and she can't trust anyone. She has a terrible, heavy secret--she can talk to the dead. Fast forward ten years, and Tabby's living with the cemetery caretaker that's unofficially adopted her, she's content in her life--more or less--and the boy she met so long ago comes crashing back into her life just as a new wave of grave robberies start happening and Tabby's life is thrown into a tailspin.
Overall, I liked this book. It has a great mixture of everything--romance, a little mystery, a little suspense, a girl who can talk to the dead. There weren't any loose ends by the time the story was over and I liked the overall diversity of the characters' backgrounds; even the secondary characters were very well fleshed out and could very well have stories of their own. There are people born with silver spoons in their mouths to contrast Tabby being an orphan. There's a very heavily implied sapphic romance. Tabby's adoptive father is a former slave. These stories aren't deeply touched on, but it was nice to have the inclusion without the author overstepping any boundaries (ie, as a white author, the story of a former slave isn't hers to tell, and I respect that. However, I still really liked the inclusion. There is a line between whitewashing and overstepping and the author found that line and walked it very well).
I felt that the romance was, overall, fairly well done given the fact that it was largely based on one random meeting between the heroine and the love interest as kids. Neither the heroine nor the love interest were perfect people--in fact, Caleb was more flawed than he was a "good guy," I think, but I appreciated the author's willingness to address what he knew he'd have to change in order to become a better person all around.
I felt that the novel suffered overall because it seemed a little shallow. I didn't feel a deep connection to the characters--but I liked them. I didn't have any strong emotional reaction to the storyline--but it was well done and it was fine. I didn't feel any sense of danger. I feel like this book can't decide if it's YA or Adult Fiction. The storyline itself seems like it's an adult book: Tabby is in her early twenties and Caleb is (I think) around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but the writing style is much more suited to YA than toward the audience it seems to be directed to. This wasn't a problem for me personally as I read both YA and adult fiction, but it might be more of a sticking point for readers who have a dislike for either of those age groups.
Thank you to Harlequin & NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I am a big fan of Hester Fox's as her novels tend to put me in a perfect mood for Fall and her newest keeps with that trend. I actually enjoyed the premise of The Orphan of Cemetery Hill more than her previous novel as it wasn't as heavy handed when it came to the romance portion, making the focus more on the intriguing plot surrounding the clairvoyant main character Tabby as well as the grave robbing mystery she becomes involved in.
This is a book that is hard to pigeon hole into one genre; it could easily fit into mystery, historical fiction, and even women's fiction. I appreciated how intriguing Tabby's background was, especially regarding her absent sister. I also enjoyed the relationship between Tabby and the male protagonist, Caleb, with their mutual respect and adoration for each other but natural progression of their relationship making it more believable all around as a possible romance. My favorite relationship though was the one between Tabby and her "father", Eli, who takes her in as a child and helps provide her structure and safety in a life where those aspects were nonexistent prior. His own history, being a black man in the mid 1800's in Boston, is intriguing enough on its own and I actually wished that I as a reader was able to spend more time with his character.
One of the odd things that stood out to me with this book is the large lapses in time, only explained in quick sentences by the characters. They happen more than once and tended to throw me off when they occurred as it seemed like the world the characters resided in was just put on pause during these periods without enough reason given.
This is a perfect book to launch any Fall reading list as its is just enough spookiness without having much of the "scare" aspect. The fact that grave robbing is a major plot point and was a real historical occurrence made me like this book even more. Add to that the fact the author makes the clarvoyant trend of the 1800s come to life and this book becomes a true gem.
This is a book that is hard to pigeon hole into one genre; it could easily fit into mystery, historical fiction, and even women's fiction. I appreciated how intriguing Tabby's background was, especially regarding her absent sister. I also enjoyed the relationship between Tabby and the male protagonist, Caleb, with their mutual respect and adoration for each other but natural progression of their relationship making it more believable all around as a possible romance. My favorite relationship though was the one between Tabby and her "father", Eli, who takes her in as a child and helps provide her structure and safety in a life where those aspects were nonexistent prior. His own history, being a black man in the mid 1800's in Boston, is intriguing enough on its own and I actually wished that I as a reader was able to spend more time with his character.
One of the odd things that stood out to me with this book is the large lapses in time, only explained in quick sentences by the characters. They happen more than once and tended to throw me off when they occurred as it seemed like the world the characters resided in was just put on pause during these periods without enough reason given.
This is a perfect book to launch any Fall reading list as its is just enough spookiness without having much of the "scare" aspect. The fact that grave robbing is a major plot point and was a real historical occurrence made me like this book even more. Add to that the fact the author makes the clarvoyant trend of the 1800s come to life and this book becomes a true gem.
Another great read from Fox! This is a supernatural story of love, grave robberies, and murder. Tabby is a strong willed and brave character to follow. Fox's descriptions are atmospheric and haunting. I will always be looking forward to what she writes next!