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beyondevak's review
4.0
Quick Summary: A time slip romance
My Review: Hidden in the Mists by Christina Courtenay is a dual-time novel. It goes back and forth from the past to the present connecting two couples by means of a valuable stash.
About the Book: Skye Logan and Rafe Carlisle, a modern-day couple, share a link with Óttarr and Ásta a couple from ancient Viking times. Through a series of mysterious visions and dreams, the two would be lovers uncover a historical case of intrigue.
My Final Say: There was a lot going on in this book. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a sweeping temporal view of a contemporary romance will like this.
Other: This may be a bit of a niche read.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level:
Cover: +
Pacing: +/-
Thank you to the author and to the publisher for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review.
My Review: Hidden in the Mists by Christina Courtenay is a dual-time novel. It goes back and forth from the past to the present connecting two couples by means of a valuable stash.
About the Book: Skye Logan and Rafe Carlisle, a modern-day couple, share a link with Óttarr and Ásta a couple from ancient Viking times. Through a series of mysterious visions and dreams, the two would be lovers uncover a historical case of intrigue.
My Final Say: There was a lot going on in this book. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a sweeping temporal view of a contemporary romance will like this.
Other: This may be a bit of a niche read.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level:
Cover: +
Pacing: +/-
Thank you to the author and to the publisher for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review.
breanne_barente's review
1.0
Do you ever come across the premise for a story and find it really intriguing - but wish a different author had tackled it?
This was the first book I've read from this author, and it was a SLOG to read. I love time-slip novels and was in the mood for Vikings, so I forced myself through it. But I think I'll stick with Susanna Kearsley for my time-slip romances.
It reads like the author heard the old "show, don't tell" adage of writing and decided to throw herself with abandon into doing just the opposite. Every single interaction between the main characters reads like: "He watched her lithe body move and realized how sexy she was. He wanted her. But he couldn't, because [insert vague reason here we'll explain way later in lengthy exposition because we lack the skills to write one character telling their backstory to another]". I got so tired of it, and it's condescending to the reader to keep slapping them over the head with "she thought he was sexy."
There *were* action scenes in this book, but the author also seems to lack the ability to write those with skill either. Ótarr has a few good fights in this and they're quickly glossed over.
I'm glad I finally made it through, but oof do I wish someone who knew how to write romance with some more lead-up and tension had tackled this premise.
This was the first book I've read from this author, and it was a SLOG to read. I love time-slip novels and was in the mood for Vikings, so I forced myself through it. But I think I'll stick with Susanna Kearsley for my time-slip romances.
It reads like the author heard the old "show, don't tell" adage of writing and decided to throw herself with abandon into doing just the opposite. Every single interaction between the main characters reads like: "He watched her lithe body move and realized how sexy she was. He wanted her. But he couldn't, because [insert vague reason here we'll explain way later in lengthy exposition because we lack the skills to write one character telling their backstory to another]". I got so tired of it, and it's condescending to the reader to keep slapping them over the head with "she thought he was sexy."
There *were* action scenes in this book, but the author also seems to lack the ability to write those with skill either. Ótarr has a few good fights in this and they're quickly glossed over.
I'm glad I finally made it through, but oof do I wish someone who knew how to write romance with some more lead-up and tension had tackled this premise.
salatanita's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.25
This was my first novel from Christina Courtenay, and now I know why her Viking-books are so popular. This is an entertaining timeslip historical fiction, with the right amount of excitement, romance and history to keep you glued to the pages. Both timelines were equally intriguing and created a nice balance between the old and the new.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for an ARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for an ARC.
annarella's review
5.0
One of my favorite novel is Green Darkness by Anya Seton and something in this book reminded of that dual timeline story. There's ghostly vision and there's a link between contemporary and past times.
Christina Courtenay did an excellent job in developing the two timelines and the characters: they're likeable and fleshed out. They are realistic and I loved their relationship and their story.
The Viking part is as fascinating as usual, Christina Courtenay is well known for the accuracy of the description of Viking life and the parts in this book are as well done as usual.
Skye alternative lifestyle was also very interesting: there's a lot of details and research and it made me wish I could live on a island and try the techniques.
It was a riveting and compelling read that kept me hooked and I read it in one afternoon. A fascinating story that made me learn something new and met all my expectations.
The gorgeous cover is full of promises that are satisfied by the story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Headline Review, Rachel's Random Resources, and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Christina Courtenay did an excellent job in developing the two timelines and the characters: they're likeable and fleshed out. They are realistic and I loved their relationship and their story.
The Viking part is as fascinating as usual, Christina Courtenay is well known for the accuracy of the description of Viking life and the parts in this book are as well done as usual.
Skye alternative lifestyle was also very interesting: there's a lot of details and research and it made me wish I could live on a island and try the techniques.
It was a riveting and compelling read that kept me hooked and I read it in one afternoon. A fascinating story that made me learn something new and met all my expectations.
The gorgeous cover is full of promises that are satisfied by the story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Headline Review, Rachel's Random Resources, and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Looking for a beautiful time slip historical sweet romance story with well developed characters ? I suggest checking this one out!
This is the first time I'm reading a book from this author and I really like the writing style!
The author did a lot of research before writing this book, it really helps me enjoy the story even more.
The story is well paced and has dual timelines - Viking times and modern times with different couple in each timeline with their own POVs.
Despite being thousands years apart, both couples seems to interconnect, both female and male characters feels similar in a unique way.
I'm loving the character developments in this story. Both couples have an interesting and sweet love story together. I love the progress of their growing feelings toward each other.
Usually I don't like the go back and forth time jumps that changes very often but I didn't really mind this one since I really love the characters and the plot.
Overall, this is a simple enjoyable, magical and heart warming story!
I read it so fast in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.
I'm really looking forward to read more books from this author!
Actual rating: 4.5⭐
Thank you to Netgalley, Christina Courtenay and Headline for sending me this e-arc. I'm leaving this honest review voluntarily!
This is the first time I'm reading a book from this author and I really like the writing style!
The author did a lot of research before writing this book, it really helps me enjoy the story even more.
The story is well paced and has dual timelines - Viking times and modern times with different couple in each timeline with their own POVs.
Despite being thousands years apart, both couples seems to interconnect, both female and male characters feels similar in a unique way.
I'm loving the character developments in this story. Both couples have an interesting and sweet love story together. I love the progress of their growing feelings toward each other.
Usually I don't like the go back and forth time jumps that changes very often but I didn't really mind this one since I really love the characters and the plot.
Overall, this is a simple enjoyable, magical and heart warming story!
I read it so fast in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.
I'm really looking forward to read more books from this author!
Actual rating: 4.5⭐
Thank you to Netgalley, Christina Courtenay and Headline for sending me this e-arc. I'm leaving this honest review voluntarily!
openmypages's review against another edition
3.0
{3.5 stars}
I really enjoy time slip stories, the mix of historical fiction with fantasy, when done right can just be enchanting. I really enjoyed Courtenay's Tempted by the Runes where we see a character slip back to Viking times a la Outlander style. This story gives us a different kind of historical romance, one of a love that spans the ages. Skye and Rafe live in modern day Scotland and Ottar and Asta in the ancient lands of the Vikings. Each are living in uncertain times and find one another to lean on... and find they quite fancy one another.
We get a good bit of Viking culture and from several unusual points of view, that of a usurper, the daughter of a fallen jarl and a thrall. I enjoyed that half quite a bit more than the modern one but I did like the aspect of history echoing throughout the ages.
Thanks to Headline via Netgalley for advanced access to this novel. All opinions above are my own.
I really enjoy time slip stories, the mix of historical fiction with fantasy, when done right can just be enchanting. I really enjoyed Courtenay's Tempted by the Runes where we see a character slip back to Viking times a la Outlander style. This story gives us a different kind of historical romance, one of a love that spans the ages. Skye and Rafe live in modern day Scotland and Ottar and Asta in the ancient lands of the Vikings. Each are living in uncertain times and find one another to lean on... and find they quite fancy one another.
We get a good bit of Viking culture and from several unusual points of view, that of a usurper, the daughter of a fallen jarl and a thrall. I enjoyed that half quite a bit more than the modern one but I did like the aspect of history echoing throughout the ages.
Thanks to Headline via Netgalley for advanced access to this novel. All opinions above are my own.
thewoollygeek's review
5.0
This is my first book by Christina Courtenay but it definitely won’t be my last, think I’ve definitely found a new favourite (can’t wait to rush off after I’ve written this and purchase her back catalogue). I was drawn by the premise, it just sounded so interesting and mysterious and this moves between both the past and the present and focuses on love that spans the centuries with the Viking jewellery being the conduit across time (but no more details because no spoilers here)
This book was so addictive, especially the romance, the characters are so well written and constructed, it’s no wonder you grow so attached through the book to them. I loved Rafe’s story so much, so moving and it was done perfectly, keeping the tension and mystery til just the right point, then boom -emotion! Not that I didn’t love Skye too, but I think there was something about Rafe, or I have to just accept I’m biased !
Christina is so skilled in bringing to life the Viking world, the clothes, food, rituals, just daily life was really interesting and it gave so much more to the story that she’s clearly very knowledgeable about this era, it makes this book even more compelling and so thoroughly immersive.
A completely gorgeous , compelling, sometimes dark but so beautiful historical romance with so much mystery and drama threaded throughout the story, I can’t recommend this highly enough.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Christina Courtenay for the opportunity to read and take part in the blog tour for this wonderful book.
For full disclosure I was gifted a free ebook in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own and freely given
This book was so addictive, especially the romance, the characters are so well written and constructed, it’s no wonder you grow so attached through the book to them. I loved Rafe’s story so much, so moving and it was done perfectly, keeping the tension and mystery til just the right point, then boom -emotion! Not that I didn’t love Skye too, but I think there was something about Rafe, or I have to just accept I’m biased !
Christina is so skilled in bringing to life the Viking world, the clothes, food, rituals, just daily life was really interesting and it gave so much more to the story that she’s clearly very knowledgeable about this era, it makes this book even more compelling and so thoroughly immersive.
A completely gorgeous , compelling, sometimes dark but so beautiful historical romance with so much mystery and drama threaded throughout the story, I can’t recommend this highly enough.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Christina Courtenay for the opportunity to read and take part in the blog tour for this wonderful book.
For full disclosure I was gifted a free ebook in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own and freely given
coffeebooksandescape's review
5.0
“There was something timeless and comforting about the forest. When you were in there, sheltered by the trees, it was as though you were cut off from the rest of the world and it could be any year in any era.”
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
I love Christina Courtenay’s novels, they will always be a firm favourite. I can’t wait until this one officially releases next week so I can get my hands on a paperback copy! This book alternates between past and present, past being the Viking era that Christina is so well known for writing about. The tale covers two love stories happening centuries apart, with the souls from the past conveying messages through their Viking jewellery.
This book was a race to the end. I got gripped in the quicksand of whirlwind historical romance. It helps that Christina writes truly original novels with completely action-packed pages! She is a completely underrated author, and I urge any historical romance fans to go and check her books out! The characters were well-built and seemed so real. In particular I loved Rafe’s back story, which was built in suspense until approximately 3/4 of the way through until revealed, and it was so moving. Both romantic characters tales were well told, and linked together too. Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy from Christina Courtenay for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮
I love Christina Courtenay’s novels, they will always be a firm favourite. I can’t wait until this one officially releases next week so I can get my hands on a paperback copy! This book alternates between past and present, past being the Viking era that Christina is so well known for writing about. The tale covers two love stories happening centuries apart, with the souls from the past conveying messages through their Viking jewellery.
This book was a race to the end. I got gripped in the quicksand of whirlwind historical romance. It helps that Christina writes truly original novels with completely action-packed pages! She is a completely underrated author, and I urge any historical romance fans to go and check her books out! The characters were well-built and seemed so real. In particular I loved Rafe’s back story, which was built in suspense until approximately 3/4 of the way through until revealed, and it was so moving. Both romantic characters tales were well told, and linked together too. Highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy from Christina Courtenay for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.