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2.95 AVERAGE
2.95 AVERAGE
I really liked some parts of this book, the victorian setting was very good and I enjoyed the stories within stories about Indian Gods. The female characters were not bad but I really disliked the male character and I dind't understand his relation with the protagonist. All in all it was an OK book.
I loved Fox's other two books but I couldn't get into this one... It feels like Fox is trying too hard to stick to her genre when she actually wants to branch out a bit. Maybe fans were pressuring her to continue to 'dark victorian novel about abused orphans' thing going, but still I felt this was too forced. :/ I really wanted to like it!
adventurous
******Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*****
I've had a couple of Essie Fox books on various to-read wishlists for a while, so I was very keen when this popped up on NetGalley. And whilst I quite enjoyed it, I didn't love it. I've been sitting here trying to work out what it was that I didn't love, and I can't put my finger on what it was except to say that possibly it was a little too mystical for me. But that doesn't really explain it - as I'm a fantasy and sci fi fan. Perhaps it was just that I didn't really click with the main character. The antagnoists are definitely suitably slimey and loathesome, but I don't think I cared enough about her plight.
Possibly just not my bag - I'm sure that lots of other people will love it.
I've had a couple of Essie Fox books on various to-read wishlists for a while, so I was very keen when this popped up on NetGalley. And whilst I quite enjoyed it, I didn't love it. I've been sitting here trying to work out what it was that I didn't love, and I can't put my finger on what it was except to say that possibly it was a little too mystical for me. But that doesn't really explain it - as I'm a fantasy and sci fi fan. Perhaps it was just that I didn't really click with the main character. The antagnoists are definitely suitably slimey and loathesome, but I don't think I cared enough about her plight.
Possibly just not my bag - I'm sure that lots of other people will love it.
Essie Fox uses words really well, the writing itself and language used was gorgeous, evocative and dreamlike, the author definitely knows how to set the perfect gothic mood (complete with ghosts and ). also the setting is rich and beautiful and vivid.
that said i didn't really enjoy reading this book for a few reasons.
•i found all the characters very horrible and unlikeable
•alice had no power or agency of her own
•alice and tilsbury's relationship was very disturbing to me
•the plot was incredibly slow-moving
these four points are are pretty typical of gothic novels, though, so perhaps that's what the author was going for? i didn't enjoy reading it, though. also i hate reading about pregnancy it makes me nauseous YUCK GOODBYE.
despite all that, im glad i picked it up, because Essie Fox's writing is beautiful, and the history and mythology is very intriguing. im torn lol
anyway yea its a good book just not for me
—
Updated rating after thinking about it some more. I actually really like this book I decided lmao
I think alices lack of agency made the book work on a suspense level... I was explaining this book to some friends, and as I was describing it I realised it’s a very well written story, actually. Just took me a while to see it. Might give it a reread someday.
Spoiler
housefiresthat said i didn't really enjoy reading this book for a few reasons.
•i found all the characters very horrible and unlikeable
•alice had no power or agency of her own
•alice and tilsbury's relationship was very disturbing to me
•the plot was incredibly slow-moving
these four points are are pretty typical of gothic novels, though, so perhaps that's what the author was going for? i didn't enjoy reading it, though. also i hate reading about pregnancy it makes me nauseous YUCK GOODBYE.
despite all that, im glad i picked it up, because Essie Fox's writing is beautiful, and the history and mythology is very intriguing. im torn lol
anyway yea its a good book just not for me
—
Updated rating after thinking about it some more. I actually really like this book I decided lmao
I think alices lack of agency made the book work on a suspense level... I was explaining this book to some friends, and as I was describing it I realised it’s a very well written story, actually. Just took me a while to see it. Might give it a reread someday.
DNF at 12%. Started out with a very engrossing epilogue and first chapter, but soon dwindled into no plot and no interest. A good idea badly developed. A shame.
Did not realise historical fiction. Probably wasn’t in the right mood. Did not enjoy the style - a lot of prose, little dialogue.
The Goddess and the Thief is a work of fiction based in Victorian England and briefly at the beginning in Lahore, India. It tells the story of Alice Willoughby, who after living all her life in India with Her father Charles, is moved to England to live in the care of her Aunt Mercy whilst her father returns to Lahore were is works for the English residency as a surgeon. Her Aunt Mercy works as a spiritual medium and after events including the death of Alice’s father and the introduction of the enigmatic Lucian Tillsbury, Alice’s aunt endeavours for her to join the clairvoyant profession. All events lead to dramatic and catastrophic events for Alice.
Considering all the elements such as; gothic Victorian era, Hindu mythology, intrigue, drama and the paranormal I feel I should have liked this book more than I did. There is nothing particular wrong with the book, it works well and is written fine with no obvious errors that I have observed in other books. I just wasn’t my style of book. I have read other reviews that have liken Essie Fox’s writing style as similar to Sarah Waters, who I have read previously and also not found to my taste. Perhaps if books written in the style of Sarah Waters is your cup of tea you may appreciate this tale more. Having said this the inclusion of the Hindu mythology was really interesting and differently added a lot to the story development. There are twists and turns along the way and this is by no means a ‘bad book’ as said just not to my taste.
Considering all the elements such as; gothic Victorian era, Hindu mythology, intrigue, drama and the paranormal I feel I should have liked this book more than I did. There is nothing particular wrong with the book, it works well and is written fine with no obvious errors that I have observed in other books. I just wasn’t my style of book. I have read other reviews that have liken Essie Fox’s writing style as similar to Sarah Waters, who I have read previously and also not found to my taste. Perhaps if books written in the style of Sarah Waters is your cup of tea you may appreciate this tale more. Having said this the inclusion of the Hindu mythology was really interesting and differently added a lot to the story development. There are twists and turns along the way and this is by no means a ‘bad book’ as said just not to my taste.
I was so prepared for this book to be amazing, but sadly I was disappointed. In fact I got until the half way point and then I basically skim read the rest of it. I feel as though it was an idea that had so much potential, but sadly I was just bored.
I'm still going to be checking out Essie Fox's other novels in the future, I just hoped I would enjoy this one because I love The Moonstone so much.
I'm still going to be checking out Essie Fox's other novels in the future, I just hoped I would enjoy this one because I love The Moonstone so much.