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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
I am not gonna lie this book got me at 'Titanic'. Plus a YA, Mystery, historical fiction? I just have to. The moment I started reading the first few pages I am truly filled with fondness because I love a good family-driven story. And this is somewhat a big part of this book and of course a bit of a romance and a lot of mystery and intrigue.
The story follows two timelines in which we meet Ava, a young photographer and heiress who's life was changed the moment she steps foot onto the Titanic, and Taylor who is set in studying at Oxford and in the mission of finding out the mystery around her father's photo that she found after his death. The moment she arrived she was chauffered by this charming boy Nathaniel who leads her to meet this mysterious lady that somewhat claims to have a story Taylor may want to hear. This then made her think that this story might be related to the photo and her questions spiraling around her father's past.
I have never read anything from Ashlee Cowles before and I did not expect that the writing will be this good. It's a bit poetic and is easy to get into. Taylor and Ava's story—that explores the past, the present, and the future is well blended. I am really into the story but not the kind of 'I can't stop reading it' into it. That didn't happen, not until at like 70% mark where it all started to get more interesting. The story is a bit dragging at first—especially Taylor's part—and a bit tiring to read but it gets better in the end.
"The sea had laid our souls bare, filling the cracks with salt water. We each stood naked before the world, our deepest weaknesses revealed. Most of us could not stop shivering at the sudden exposure,"
I did not expect this to be emotional but the titanic memories always get me. I like the romance between Ava and Caleb, tho this isn't the main focus of the book and we were just given a tad bit of it I am still here rooting for them.
"How could something so mundane suddenly feel so miraculous? Life circulated through him, through all of us, without any conscious effort on our part. And to think that all it took was a little ice water for this faithful rhythm to cease."
All in all, even if this did not tick all the boxes for me it was still a nice, enjoyable read!
**I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
The story follows two timelines in which we meet Ava, a young photographer and heiress who's life was changed the moment she steps foot onto the Titanic, and Taylor who is set in studying at Oxford and in the mission of finding out the mystery around her father's photo that she found after his death. The moment she arrived she was chauffered by this charming boy Nathaniel who leads her to meet this mysterious lady that somewhat claims to have a story Taylor may want to hear. This then made her think that this story might be related to the photo and her questions spiraling around her father's past.
I have never read anything from Ashlee Cowles before and I did not expect that the writing will be this good. It's a bit poetic and is easy to get into. Taylor and Ava's story—that explores the past, the present, and the future is well blended. I am really into the story but not the kind of 'I can't stop reading it' into it. That didn't happen, not until at like 70% mark where it all started to get more interesting. The story is a bit dragging at first—especially Taylor's part—and a bit tiring to read but it gets better in the end.
"The sea had laid our souls bare, filling the cracks with salt water. We each stood naked before the world, our deepest weaknesses revealed. Most of us could not stop shivering at the sudden exposure,"
I did not expect this to be emotional but the titanic memories always get me. I like the romance between Ava and Caleb, tho this isn't the main focus of the book and we were just given a tad bit of it I am still here rooting for them.
"How could something so mundane suddenly feel so miraculous? Life circulated through him, through all of us, without any conscious effort on our part. And to think that all it took was a little ice water for this faithful rhythm to cease."
All in all, even if this did not tick all the boxes for me it was still a nice, enjoyable read!
**I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was here for the Titanic and all my Titanic-needs were satisfied. A lot of that part of the POV seemed very based on the movie with little cameos from actual people who were on board, but it never felt cloying, and I really got the feel for the atmosphere and surroundings and grandiose living of the upper-class and the fright of the sinking and, just, the whole shebang. Quite enjoyed the plot surrounding that POV, too. That part was fun.
My low rating is mostly because for a dual POV-book, only one of them actually seemed to add to the plot, the other was just.. there. Sure there was an arc, but it just didn't seem.. relevant? The past POV, Ava on board the Titanic, carried the entire story, while Taylor, the present POV.. basically just read a book? There was some attempt at creating a murder mystery, but it never felt engaging and just.. meh. Sad face.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My low rating is mostly because for a dual POV-book, only one of them actually seemed to add to the plot, the other was just.. there. Sure there was an arc, but it just didn't seem.. relevant? The past POV, Ava on board the Titanic, carried the entire story, while Taylor, the present POV.. basically just read a book? There was some attempt at creating a murder mystery, but it never felt engaging and just.. meh. Sad face.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Miscarriage
mysterious
relaxing
Really liked the historical parts. Not sure how to explain why I liked it as much as I did.