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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*Beware potential spoilers*
One could argue I didn't know what I was getting into with this book, so it's not the books fault that I was so confused at times. But oof.
There was so much to love and hate and be annoyed by and root for in these characters (although I will admit I started to get a bit lost. Not sure so many different characters were needed to move the story along, and it left some characters underdeveloped that I would have liked to have seen more of).
One of my biggest pet peeves about a book is when it spends all its time building up to the conclusion and then just kind of jams everything into the end. There was more of a resolution than I feared I'd come away with, but again, it just seemed rushed.
I don't think this is a spoiler if you've already decided you want to read the book, but I will say I appreciate a book that I picked up because there was body behind a wall, and it somehow became a background story to the novel as a whole. Well played by the author.
One could argue I didn't know what I was getting into with this book, so it's not the books fault that I was so confused at times. But oof.
There was so much to love and hate and be annoyed by and root for in these characters (although I will admit I started to get a bit lost. Not sure so many different characters were needed to move the story along, and it left some characters underdeveloped that I would have liked to have seen more of).
One of my biggest pet peeves about a book is when it spends all its time building up to the conclusion and then just kind of jams everything into the end. There was more of a resolution than I feared I'd come away with, but again, it just seemed rushed.
I don't think this is a spoiler if you've already decided you want to read the book, but I will say I appreciate a book that I picked up because there was body behind a wall, and it somehow became a background story to the novel as a whole. Well played by the author.
Where to even start? I’ve enjoyed other books by this author but this was so bad. Homophobia, a shitty husband, plus horrible takes on parenting and neurodiverse kids. And no actual action in the plot. Took on too much and it didn’t work.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it a quick read. Comparing the roles and expectations of women from the past, and those from modern times, was a unique perspective. I also found myself as Interested in the investigation as the characters in the book.
This ended up being surprisingly interesting. I was most fascinated with 1500's Isabella's skeleton found in a hidden room in an ancient English manor. I had never heard of anchorites - predominately medieval era (but also still around today) people who hid themselves away for religious devotion reasons. Obviously makes a lot of sense during times of religious persecution, like Catholics during Elizabethan 1500s England. Besides the history lesson, Ashton Hall jumps between 1500s England and modern times with an American tourist in England charm, marital infidelity, childhood behavioral issues/mental illness and LGTBQ+ themes. Actually - crammed a lot of plot into one book. Outside of some cheesy filler dialogue from main character Hannah, there are several interesting discussion points I came away with. Thanks for the reco Nana - this was better than expected :)
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the concept of this book, but I feel like the author went in so many different directions with this book that I was bored and hoping for it to end in the middle. I did like the last about 60 pages, when we started to get some real answers.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed the double plot, including because I’m interested in architecture and the historical era of the second plot. Had that not been a part of the book, I would have found it…ok-ish.
This book was absolutely incredible! From the first page, you are transported into the world of Ashton Hall. It is filled with mystery in a historical location. The book was moderately paced and keeps you wondering what will happen next.
This book wasn't quite what I was expecting but I have to say it did exceed my expectations. Like so much of my reading experiences, this one makes me want to learn more about British history.