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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
The main character is very likeable and the story is interesting, although I think it drags in places and is stretched out to make it last for all 3 books in the trilogy. Thanks to the publisher for my free review copy; my full review is at The Christian Manifesto.com.
This is... Fine. Very religious. The narrator is not my favorite.
As a teenager, I can vouch that this book is safe for young adult readers, too--it just has a more mature protagonist. I don't know how the rest of the books in this series are, though.
Also, having just returned from Paris, Versailles, and Provence, I can confirm that the setting is very true to reality. This book was a joy for me to read, since I was able to envision the setting with ease. I found several minor mistakes throughout the novel, but nothing that drew away from the text.
Although I enjoyed the plot of this novel, it seemed rather slow-paced until the climax. Cora's wandering mind became repetitive and a little aggravating after a while; I wanted her to stop thinking everything through and start acting on her emotions. Maybe I'm just used to YA fiction, though. ;)
Also, having just returned from Paris, Versailles, and Provence, I can confirm that the setting is very true to reality. This book was a joy for me to read, since I was able to envision the setting with ease. I found several minor mistakes throughout the novel, but nothing that drew away from the text.
Although I enjoyed the plot of this novel, it seemed rather slow-paced until the climax. Cora's wandering mind became repetitive and a little aggravating after a while; I wanted her to stop thinking everything through and start acting on her emotions. Maybe I'm just used to YA fiction, though. ;)
Glamorous Illusions is a journey based on young Cora Diehl. The setting reminded me of the beautiful writing of Jeannette Oak, in the Love Comes Softly series. This story began in 1913, Montana. Cora came home from “teacher college” to find her father had suffered a stroke. The times were difficult, and being farmers during a drought surely weighed heavily on the families. Cora drew strength from her faith as she set out to conquer these difficult times, without the help of her father's ailing self. Upon these hard times, a stranger comes to aide Cora and her family. He was no stranger though, he was a secret tucked deep beneath the shell of her mother. A secret that will change the course of Cora's future, but deep down, not the person she grew up to be. Cora now has the weight of an elephant on her shoulders. I couldn't imagine how she feels with all the new information and decisions she was facing. Truly ones a mature young woman who believes in her faith must think heavily on.
Cora was invited to take the “Grand Tour” of Europe. This trip was intended to finish the client's education and an understanding of refinement, history and culture. Cora will travel with kin she has never known, nor knew existed until the stranger came. She was thrown into a new world so unlike anything she had ever known or experienced with companions that were shallow and unruly. It wasn't because of who she was as a person, but when you read this, I assure you all your questions will be answered.
Mrs. Bergren wrote the descriptions of these magical locations with clarity and created a beautiful vision for the reader. I could easily picture the chateau's, the lovely gardens and the beautiful dresses adorned by the women of this era.
Not only along the route does Cora ask for guidance from the big guy above, but she personally needed to figure out who she will be, where she fits into it all. There are many characters that play a vital role in such a fantastic story, but in Glamorous Illusions, there are a few male counterparts that really stand out and will make you melt. The french accent of (Pierre) Lord de Richelieu, which the name just the icing on the cake compared to how alluring and swoonworthy he is. There also is Will. Will (sigh) is as swoonworthy, but beneath his layers of awesomenss, he too is seeking for answers.
Throughout this journey, I had been captivated from the very beginning to the very end. There's just something so magical about the way Mrs. Bergren writes. I fell hard for her River Of Time series. If you have not read Waterfall, Cascade and Torrent, I highly suggest you do so, like, yesterday. Once you get a feel for her writing, you just melt into the story with ease and read at a leisurely pace so you can soak in the beautiful descriptions and settings as well as the story itself.
I have to say, she threw a twist in there that really surprised me, but in a very good way. She aims to please, and that she does.
*Book provided in exchange for honest review
Cora was invited to take the “Grand Tour” of Europe. This trip was intended to finish the client's education and an understanding of refinement, history and culture. Cora will travel with kin she has never known, nor knew existed until the stranger came. She was thrown into a new world so unlike anything she had ever known or experienced with companions that were shallow and unruly. It wasn't because of who she was as a person, but when you read this, I assure you all your questions will be answered.
Mrs. Bergren wrote the descriptions of these magical locations with clarity and created a beautiful vision for the reader. I could easily picture the chateau's, the lovely gardens and the beautiful dresses adorned by the women of this era.
Not only along the route does Cora ask for guidance from the big guy above, but she personally needed to figure out who she will be, where she fits into it all. There are many characters that play a vital role in such a fantastic story, but in Glamorous Illusions, there are a few male counterparts that really stand out and will make you melt. The french accent of (Pierre) Lord de Richelieu, which the name just the icing on the cake compared to how alluring and swoonworthy he is. There also is Will. Will (sigh) is as swoonworthy, but beneath his layers of awesomenss, he too is seeking for answers.
Throughout this journey, I had been captivated from the very beginning to the very end. There's just something so magical about the way Mrs. Bergren writes. I fell hard for her River Of Time series. If you have not read Waterfall, Cascade and Torrent, I highly suggest you do so, like, yesterday. Once you get a feel for her writing, you just melt into the story with ease and read at a leisurely pace so you can soak in the beautiful descriptions and settings as well as the story itself.
I have to say, she threw a twist in there that really surprised me, but in a very good way. She aims to please, and that she does.
*Book provided in exchange for honest review
I eagerly went into this book thinking I would love it as much as the River of Time series, but unfortunately, it didn't really meet my expectations. I'm not really sure why I'm not fangirling over this novel, but I think it has to do with the pacing of the book and the romance. After all, the real action didn't really begin until the last few chapters, so the majority of this novel was just exposition.
But the biggest problem was the romance, hands down. I mean the writing is good. The characters are actually really well developed. I loved Cora's new family members and traveling companions. I loved Cora. I loved Will. I hated the love triangle. It felt not only unnecessary, but I found myself rolling my eyes quite a few times. Plus we all know that Will is really who Cora is gonna end up with, so the whole "sophisticated Frenchman chasing after Cora" thing gets me annoyed. The ending though was very suspenseful, but I don't think I can muster up any energy to read the second book. Especially if it's gonna contain more angst from Cora about having to make the right decision and choose between kindhearted sweet Will or sophisticated rich French dude that I'm not bothered to remember the name of. Ugh le barf
But the biggest problem was the romance, hands down. I mean the writing is good. The characters are actually really well developed. I loved Cora's new family members and traveling companions. I loved Cora. I loved Will. I hated the love triangle. It felt not only unnecessary, but I found myself rolling my eyes quite a few times. Plus we all know that Will is really who Cora is gonna end up with, so the whole "sophisticated Frenchman chasing after Cora" thing gets me annoyed. The ending though was very suspenseful, but I don't think I can muster up any energy to read the second book. Especially if it's gonna contain more angst from Cora about having to make the right decision and choose between kindhearted sweet Will or sophisticated rich French dude that I'm not bothered to remember the name of. Ugh le barf
I have not read many reviews of this book and I had not heard of the author before, but I was totally missing out. I was not such a great fan of historical fiction, but this book made me want to read every single historical book that is out there!
Cora's life was normal up until she discovered that she is the daughter of a copper king. And now, she has to go on the Grand Tour with his three arrogant. children. The Grand Tour is a tour of self-discovery and knowledge and Cora will learn much more about herself than she had ever dreamed. She will make new friends, possible love interests and might even fall in love.
I absolutely adored the idea of the Grand Tour in this novel. I had not heard of it before, although it might not be called original, it was still a great introduction into that time frame of history. Ms. Bergren's cast of characters were versatile, unique and equally adorable. Cora is a girl you will root for, and eventually love. A girl you wish you were. Pierre and Will are genuine love interests and I fell for them both. Specially Pierre and his charm. I still can't decide which one I lean on to.
Ms. Lisa has added elements of romance and history into a novel that is as memorable as an actual true story. I am looking most forward to reading the second book in this series, which will surely be even better...
Cora's life was normal up until she discovered that she is the daughter of a copper king. And now, she has to go on the Grand Tour with his three arrogant. children. The Grand Tour is a tour of self-discovery and knowledge and Cora will learn much more about herself than she had ever dreamed. She will make new friends, possible love interests and might even fall in love.
I absolutely adored the idea of the Grand Tour in this novel. I had not heard of it before, although it might not be called original, it was still a great introduction into that time frame of history. Ms. Bergren's cast of characters were versatile, unique and equally adorable. Cora is a girl you will root for, and eventually love. A girl you wish you were. Pierre and Will are genuine love interests and I fell for them both. Specially Pierre and his charm. I still can't decide which one I lean on to.
Ms. Lisa has added elements of romance and history into a novel that is as memorable as an actual true story. I am looking most forward to reading the second book in this series, which will surely be even better...
adventurous
mysterious
I really liked this book! Lisa is an amazing author!
I like that Cora is remembering who she is and where she comes from. I just hope she remembers that through the next books.
I like that Cora is remembering who she is and where she comes from. I just hope she remembers that through the next books.
Gah. I love Bergren as an author, and I've read a historical series of hers previously that I loved. But this was cheese. It wasn't horrible, but there was nothing to it. I did not enjoy it much at all.
Definitely appears to be religious fiction. Didn't read past 2nd chapter.