You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
A wonderful book reminiscent of I Capture The Castle. Lovely in every sense of the word. See my full review here: https://onlywordsandpages.wordpress.com/2018/07/21/review-a-sky-painted-gold-laura-wood/
SO GOOD! very visual I could imagine being right there and I loved the setting of 1920s Cornwall it was bliss. Only gave it 4 instead of 5 because it a bit of a slow moving book so that’s something to note if you don’t like that but other than that it’s amazing! :)
I almost didn't read this after feeling pretty meh about the author's [b:Under a Dancing Star|44073837|Under a Dancing Star|Laura Wood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561194535l/44073837._SY75_.jpg|68532535], but I'm glad I did. Fun and entertaining, if fairly light on historical realism when it comes to class and racial divides in the 1920s. I guess that's understandable, however, given that it's a YA romance and not intended to be that deep.
I read this ages ago, but just remembered it today. I thought the title was a spy painted gold, it was only when I left the library that I realised I’d gotten it wrong. Even though my original expectations for this book were different, I really enjoyed it - from what I can remember, I read it in one night
It wasn't bad, in fact,the writing was quite good, but the only likeable characters in the book were Lou's family, minus Lou. Robert was nice too. But I thought the ending was tied too neatly in a bow. Like the Caitlin thing was made fine in spite of itself.
Did I mention that I didn't like Lou? She was pretty pathetic throughout the book. The only thing she seemed to want was the glamour. Man was she greedy. Either she was her sister's shadow, or the Cardew's. All the way to the end. She had her moments, but for the most part, she was a fraud (her own word).
Did I mention that I didn't like Lou? She was pretty pathetic throughout the book. The only thing she seemed to want was the glamour. Man was she greedy. Either she was her sister's shadow, or the Cardew's. All the way to the end. She had her moments, but for the most part, she was a fraud (her own word).
initially, i struggled with the beginning. it didn’t really grab my attention until page 65ish, but having said that, i really enjoyed it from that point on.
i didn’t like really any of the characters except lou and robert, and the plot was so predictable, so only 3 stars.
but would recommend for a light summer read if you’re into romance/ slightly historical books.
i didn’t like really any of the characters except lou and robert, and the plot was so predictable, so only 3 stars.
but would recommend for a light summer read if you’re into romance/ slightly historical books.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4.5 This book was delightful, and I finished it faster than anything else I’ve read in a while. I enjoyed the historical fiction, coming of age, Art Deco tale, set in the summer of 1929, so much. Lou is a delightful heroine, and I enjoyed the lessons she learned about forging her own path in life - that not everyone‘s journey is the same and it’s okay to want something different out of life. The romance is also a slow-burn, sweet one that ends up being a lot less messy than I feared. I also adored the female friendships she has in this story. First with Alice and then with Caitlin and also Laurie. I thought there would be ‘mean girl’ behavior but there really wasn’t. I like that each character was fleshed out as an individual, though I do wish we could have gotten more of their own different stories. I found this book at ALA Midwinter and it was sold to me as ‘Great Gatsby bit if written by a 13 year old.’ Which is an odd comparison, but by the end, I could see it. The tale definitely has a Great Gatsby vibe but it is more indulgent and happy in its overall message and ending, which I think is where the latter part of the comparison comes.
A Sky Painted Gold is a beautiful coming of age story, Lou finds herself at a loose end when her sister, Alice, leaves the family home and gets married. Used to following in Alice's footsteps, Lou finds herself wondering what her life will be and how she can be her own person outside of Alice's shadow.
Lou breaks away from her small village life and makes friends with the Cardew siblings who live in a grand house on a neighbouring island, she becomes embroiled in their fancy lifestyle and enjoys a summer whirlwind of parties.
Lou has amazing character growth, she starts off as a young naive girl, unsure of herself and the world she lives in. By the end of the book, she has goals and knows what she wants to do with her life, she has friends and a love interest - although only after the usual YA miscommunications of course.
Honestly, I found it really easy to relate to Lou - particularly her relationships with her siblings and her unease at knowing what to do with her life.
I actually really liked the overall pace of the story, it was slow but it felt right for the setting. There wasn't really any plot other than Lou's personal journey which was fine, but my main issue is that the ending seemed rushed after taking so long on everything else. It felt a bit like the author was planning on Lou getting an ending without Robert, with her going off to London to be a writer and then at the last moment decided to resolve any issues in the way and have them be together.
Lou breaks away from her small village life and makes friends with the Cardew siblings who live in a grand house on a neighbouring island, she becomes embroiled in their fancy lifestyle and enjoys a summer whirlwind of parties.
Lou has amazing character growth, she starts off as a young naive girl, unsure of herself and the world she lives in. By the end of the book, she has goals and knows what she wants to do with her life, she has friends and a love interest - although only after the usual YA miscommunications of course.
Honestly, I found it really easy to relate to Lou - particularly her relationships with her siblings and her unease at knowing what to do with her life.
I actually really liked the overall pace of the story, it was slow but it felt right for the setting. There wasn't really any plot other than Lou's personal journey which was fine, but my main issue is that the ending seemed rushed after taking so long on everything else. It felt a bit like the author was planning on Lou getting an ending without Robert, with her going off to London to be a writer and then at the last moment decided to resolve any issues in the way and have them be together.
Wow. I devoured this book. This book was just incredible. I loved how each section had a Gatsby quote, and the author uses descriptive, beautiful language that is reminiscent of F Scott Fitzgerald.
I was obsessed from page one, and was drawn in to the whirlwind of the Cardews and their lavish lifestyle. I loved the setting of Penlyn, Cornwall, and how the wild parties at the Cardews juxtaposed a quiet fishing village.
Lou was such a likeable character and I loved her throughout the novel! I absolutely adored Robert from the first time he appeared, and my love for him just grew and grew.
I cannot wait to read another book by this author!
I was obsessed from page one, and was drawn in to the whirlwind of the Cardews and their lavish lifestyle. I loved the setting of Penlyn, Cornwall, and how the wild parties at the Cardews juxtaposed a quiet fishing village.
Lou was such a likeable character and I loved her throughout the novel! I absolutely adored Robert from the first time he appeared, and my love for him just grew and grew.
I cannot wait to read another book by this author!