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skenebean's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Cotswolds, I’ll admit it. I remember beautiful walking holidays there as a child, and as I grew up I fell more and more in love with the wonderful area. I then studied at the University of Gloucestershire and made more and more friends who lived locally, making me feel a sense of pride and ownership towards Gloucestershire. But, I have to admit, Kate Riordan’s writing make that feeling turn from a soft spot into an outright, boastful pride. I’ve raved about her descriptions before. She has a wonderful skill for building up whole worlds in one’s imagination, but her talent truly lies in old, slightly spooky houses. When I was little I used to visit National Trust houses with my grandparents or with my mum, often being left behind as I stood in a daze, imagining all the people who had lived there, the stories that had taken place and mysteries that had existed. It was no wonder that I became such a lover of historical fiction, where my imaginings could be brought to life. And Kate Riordan doesn’t just create characters or locations, she makes them real, creating something completely believable that makes you laugh and jump and cry. Historical, romantic suspenseful and supernatural, The Shadow Hour is an excellent book that I couldn’t help but get completely stuck into.
The book follows two characters, Harriet and her granddaughter Grace, but the narrative splits to explore what happens to each of the women as, decades apart, they leave home to become governesses for the Pembridge family at Fenix House. Like Grace, we think we know the facts of what has gone before, due to the stories told by Harriet. However, we quickly realise that these were not entirely truthful, and I spent the entire novel longing to know everything: what happened to Harriet… what would happen to Grace (and other characters but I am avoiding even a hint of spoilers because you seriously have to read this yourselves) and how the two narratives intertwine and link together.
When I reviewed The Girl in the Photograph, I marvelled at Kate Riordan’s subtlety of writing. Both novels, although this is fresher in my mind, walk the fine line between an overwhelming contextual portrait and a ‘story’, with both tales showing realistic people living their real-feeling lives; both novels walk the line between a captivating love story without this being the only theme (or even the main theme) and both novels balance hints (and ‘glimmers’…) of the supernatural without every going anywhere near unbelievable…
The book follows two characters, Harriet and her granddaughter Grace, but the narrative splits to explore what happens to each of the women as, decades apart, they leave home to become governesses for the Pembridge family at Fenix House. Like Grace, we think we know the facts of what has gone before, due to the stories told by Harriet. However, we quickly realise that these were not entirely truthful, and I spent the entire novel longing to know everything: what happened to Harriet… what would happen to Grace (and other characters but I am avoiding even a hint of spoilers because you seriously have to read this yourselves) and how the two narratives intertwine and link together.
When I reviewed The Girl in the Photograph, I marvelled at Kate Riordan’s subtlety of writing. Both novels, although this is fresher in my mind, walk the fine line between an overwhelming contextual portrait and a ‘story’, with both tales showing realistic people living their real-feeling lives; both novels walk the line between a captivating love story without this being the only theme (or even the main theme) and both novels balance hints (and ‘glimmers’…) of the supernatural without every going anywhere near unbelievable…
livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
3.0
Fiercombe Manor was one of my favourite reads of 2018. Sadly, this book was enough of a departure from the style and suspense that made Fiercombe Manor wonderful to render it average at best.
Firstly, this story was far too long. I had most of it figured out earlier on and it was a bit tedious following the slow and meandering path to get to the conclusion.
Secondly, this book lacked the gothic element. There was no suspense, no spooky overtures, and no dread.
Thirdly, this was a family drama and romance. Not exactly what I was expecting and disappointingly so!
Lastly, I feel like I’ve read this story so many times over. It’s very similar to Kate Morton, Tracy Rees, and Hazel Gaynor. Coupled with the length, the tired plot made this a bit of a slog at times. The interconnectivity of the characters and the coincidences were quite far fetched at times. The ending of the book was just patently absurd.
This isn’t a bad book. It’s just that I’ve read so much like it and I was in the mood for something gothic and mildly creepy and thusly found myself disappointed.
Firstly, this story was far too long. I had most of it figured out earlier on and it was a bit tedious following the slow and meandering path to get to the conclusion.
Secondly, this book lacked the gothic element. There was no suspense, no spooky overtures, and no dread.
Thirdly, this was a family drama and romance. Not exactly what I was expecting and disappointingly so!
Lastly, I feel like I’ve read this story so many times over. It’s very similar to Kate Morton, Tracy Rees, and Hazel Gaynor. Coupled with the length, the tired plot made this a bit of a slog at times. The interconnectivity of the characters and the coincidences were quite far fetched at times. The ending of the book was just patently absurd.
This isn’t a bad book. It’s just that I’ve read so much like it and I was in the mood for something gothic and mildly creepy and thusly found myself disappointed.
jeremynelson0899's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It was a loose re-writing of Jane Austen, with a mysterious twist.
reading_is_life08's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.75
jacki_f's review against another edition
2.0
I thought I'd like this. It should have been right up my street. But it's too long for what it is and then the author seemed to struggle with structural issues and had to do all these workarounds towards the end to bring it together. I stopped caring.
milly_in_the_library's review against another edition
3.0
A simple, enjoyable gothic style story. I liked the way the story tied up at the end, although there was a slightly unnecessary twist...!
literationforthenation's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free as part of Goodreads giveaways. It was a great read. Although it was around 500 pages long it didn't drag, and I found I couldn't put it down. It was not overly descriptive (which I find tends to detract from the story rather than add to it), there was a lot to the story. Very well written, and very enjoyable. Would definitely read another book by Kate Riordan.
kiwikazz's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Good book, good story, kept my interest .... I do like the two story lines going on, set fifty years apart.
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
5.0
"The Shadow Hour" is the first novel I read by Kate Riordan and I must say I'm very impressed with it.
Grace's parents died when she was very young. She was raised by her grandmother, Harriet Jenner, who worked as a governess at the Fenix House in 1878 (half a century earlier). She had great stories to tell from that time, which for some reason were fascinating to the child.
For many years, it was just the two of them living together. They had no one else. Grace loved to hear about the big family her grandma was once considered part of. Her life was so empty that she preferred Harriet’s past to her own present. She just wanted to know more about the Pembridges. She wanted to know as many details as possible, just so she could imagine it exactly like it was. After a few years, she felt as if she knew those people and places.
She thought they were just stories, but actually she needed to know that stuff, because she was being prepared. Harriet had always been very mysterious about her visions of the future, and she never explained her reasons, but she knew her granddaughter needed to follow her footsteps and apply to work for that family as well. There were still many secrets and unsolved issues between those two different generations.
When Grace arrives at the Fenix House, she realizes that many things weren't exactly like Harriet had told her and she couldn't understand why she had been lied to. It made her feel like the ground was shifting under her feet, as if she didn't know anyone anymore -- not even her own grandma.
What I love the most about this novel is the fact that we keep getting surprised until the very last pages. Just when you think you know who they are, something else comes in between and you wonder what else could happen next. The story is full of tension and mystery, but there's also a bit of romance and some drama. A few parts made me laugh as well, because the characters are very sarcastic.
I honestly didn't think I would enjoy it this much. I can almost imagine what it would be like to see it getting a movie adaptation.
*Many thanks to Penguin UK for providing an ARC via NetGalley!*
Grace's parents died when she was very young. She was raised by her grandmother, Harriet Jenner, who worked as a governess at the Fenix House in 1878 (half a century earlier). She had great stories to tell from that time, which for some reason were fascinating to the child.
For many years, it was just the two of them living together. They had no one else. Grace loved to hear about the big family her grandma was once considered part of. Her life was so empty that she preferred Harriet’s past to her own present. She just wanted to know more about the Pembridges. She wanted to know as many details as possible, just so she could imagine it exactly like it was. After a few years, she felt as if she knew those people and places.
She thought they were just stories, but actually she needed to know that stuff, because she was being prepared. Harriet had always been very mysterious about her visions of the future, and she never explained her reasons, but she knew her granddaughter needed to follow her footsteps and apply to work for that family as well. There were still many secrets and unsolved issues between those two different generations.
When Grace arrives at the Fenix House, she realizes that many things weren't exactly like Harriet had told her and she couldn't understand why she had been lied to. It made her feel like the ground was shifting under her feet, as if she didn't know anyone anymore -- not even her own grandma.
What I love the most about this novel is the fact that we keep getting surprised until the very last pages. Just when you think you know who they are, something else comes in between and you wonder what else could happen next. The story is full of tension and mystery, but there's also a bit of romance and some drama. A few parts made me laugh as well, because the characters are very sarcastic.
I honestly didn't think I would enjoy it this much. I can almost imagine what it would be like to see it getting a movie adaptation.
*Many thanks to Penguin UK for providing an ARC via NetGalley!*
chellski's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
2.25