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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i was very excited to pick up this book because it sounded right up my alley: historical with mystery and magical elements, what is not to love? Parts in the middle were slow and I wasn’t sure the book would live up to my expectation, but all the tediousness (as another reviewer has called it) was completely necessary in order for Shepherd-Robinson to craft the plot with the complexity that she did so everything fell into place at the end. The last fourth of the book was thrilling and I couldn’t put it down.
This book was unnecessarily long. It started strong and then became boring. I couldn't wait for the end. The ending wasn't what I expected.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was so thoroughly hooked by the beginning of this book and the writing throughout was just lovely. The plot twist were fun. I love some where I can figure it out with the book and I am not so much a fan of twists that just happen.
And this is were we enter the 4-star rating for this book. Its good. About halfway through I just didn't want to read anymore, and then it picks up, and the last three (ish?) chapters just make the whole thing feel like a waste to me. Maybe I just didn't get it. maybe it's because its suppose to be the memoir Red wrote? But overall I just found the ending frustrating and not that interesting or surprising. This is made extra disappointing because the book is just felt so long and was hard to get through at times.
Overall, great writing style when things were happening. I loved the addition of cartomancy (though I did pick up this book thinking it would be more magic driven, but that's my bad) and the story presented to me was very interesting, just that last twist made me go "eh ok." But a lot of people loved this book and I definitely see why!
And this is were we enter the 4-star rating for this book. Its good. About halfway through I just didn't want to read anymore, and then it picks up, and the last three (ish?) chapters just make the whole thing feel like a waste to me. Maybe I just didn't get it. maybe it's because its suppose to be the memoir Red wrote? But overall I just found the ending frustrating and not that interesting or surprising. This is made extra disappointing because the book is just felt so long and was hard to get through at times.
Overall, great writing style when things were happening. I loved the addition of cartomancy (though I did pick up this book thinking it would be more magic driven, but that's my bad) and the story presented to me was very interesting, just that last twist made me go "eh ok." But a lot of people loved this book and I definitely see why!
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
The first book I have read and completed in 2025 and it was a bit of an epic at just over 550 pages. The book is split into four sections and at the beginning of each section there is a tarot spread - the 'square' of sevens - 21 cards in total. In her notes at the end of the book Laura Shepherd Robinson says she has worked her plot around the tarot cards and I think that she has carried this out successfully. She writes that she wanted to write a 'Dickensian' novel and with the number of characters and the complexity of the plot I think that she has succeeded in her aim.
The main theme is the parentage of a child called Red, illegitimacy, inheritance and a court case in Georgian England. There is so much information about 18th century society based on facts that the author has used that it can feel over-whelming as well as the plot and the numerous characters, many of them with the de Lacy surname. Part way through the book there is a family tree which helps. It is not necessary to understand tarot readings or each of the chapter titles which reference a specific card, although the author does say that each title will give a hint of the chapter's content.
The writing is excellent, the characters are believable and despite the third section being slightly slow moving the ending was satisfactory and unexpected.
This is the third novel that Shepherd Robinson has written and I shall make every effort to read the previous two. Recommended if you like historical fiction.
The main theme is the parentage of a child called Red, illegitimacy, inheritance and a court case in Georgian England. There is so much information about 18th century society based on facts that the author has used that it can feel over-whelming as well as the plot and the numerous characters, many of them with the de Lacy surname. Part way through the book there is a family tree which helps. It is not necessary to understand tarot readings or each of the chapter titles which reference a specific card, although the author does say that each title will give a hint of the chapter's content.
The writing is excellent, the characters are believable and despite the third section being slightly slow moving the ending was satisfactory and unexpected.
This is the third novel that Shepherd Robinson has written and I shall make every effort to read the previous two. Recommended if you like historical fiction.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Audio, for book club
Admittedly raced thru this as it’s a loooooong book and I was short on time. Likely could have been edited down a bit, and some twists at the end. Somewhat interesting construct, tho reads a bit soap opera-ish/tame Bridgerton
Admittedly raced thru this as it’s a loooooong book and I was short on time. Likely could have been edited down a bit, and some twists at the end. Somewhat interesting construct, tho reads a bit soap opera-ish/tame Bridgerton
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Classism
I don't really know where to start with this! A complex, twisty story that has so many strands to it that it's hard to know what is truth and what is intrigue. Revealing new secrets right up to the final pages, this is a thoroughly good read.
A sprawling epic that felt tedious at times, but I think the payoff was worth it. If you’re looking for the proper glamour of Bridgerton (60ish years earlier) with the family politics of game of thrones, you’ll like this.
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes