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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
2.5 stars, rounded up. The first 2/3 of the book was super slow, and the archaic language made it hard to really dive into. The last bit picked up and was easier to get through; I’m convinced that if this book was half as long, it would be at least 4*!
A solid, steady read that kept me engaged and entertained.
Such a slow read. Initially I didn't think I could even finish it, then maybe a quarter of the way in it got interesting enough to try. Overall though, it was mostly frustrating. Mallory is such an annoying, self-pitying, complaining idiot. She takes turns puffing herself up about her talents and berating herself for being a woman and all the "weakness" that supposedly comes with it. She predictably makes every wrong decision and is shocked when it doesn't go her way. This wasn't a total waste of my time, but not anywhere near my favorite book.
slow-paced
Though a beast of a book for a non-fantasy/sci-fi novel, The Locksmith’s Daughter drew me in. The author wields cliffhangers and hooks so that you repeatedly say, “Okay, just one more chapter,” when it’s well past your bedtime. It is a long book, but you FLY through the pages. The narrative is that good. There's romance, action, and mystery to keep you guessing and reeled in at every turn.
📖
At its face, this book is about intrigue, spies, and secrets. But what it really underlines is the value of family, friends, and tolerance.
✒️📜🗝
I learned a lot about the sixteenth century the historical fiction novel is set in (never ever want to exist then 💩) and about its very real people and events that were woven in. A recommended read that will keep you hooked.
📖
At its face, this book is about intrigue, spies, and secrets. But what it really underlines is the value of family, friends, and tolerance.
✒️📜🗝
I learned a lot about the sixteenth century the historical fiction novel is set in (never ever want to exist then 💩) and about its very real people and events that were woven in. A recommended read that will keep you hooked.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Abortion
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture
The Locksmith’s Daughter by Karen Brooks is a 2018 William Morrow publication.
A skillfully crafted novel of historical fiction-
Mallory Bright’s unorthodox upbringing paves the way for her in unexpected ways when she makes a grave error in judgement and finds her reputation in ruins.
As the daughter of a locksmith, Mallory was taught the trade by her father, much to her mother’s intense dismay. But Mallory would never have guessed that her talents would lead her to the queen’s personal spymaster or that she’d become his protégé and most valued asset.
This Elizabethan historical drama is chock full of intrigue, vivid, authentic settings and details, heartbreak, and heart pounding suspense, with an unconventional love story capping it off.
This book was much more than I anticipated. The acute religious strife regarding Catholics and Protestants is at the center of the story. Sir Francis Walsingham – a true historical figure- is obsessed with maintaining protestant power over Catholicism. To that end, his training and directives to Mallory were to flush out Catholic spies. Mallory is a much better student than her master could have hoped for. But when she witnesses the results of her handiwork, her heart and mind are conflicted.
“I saw no traitors plotting to bring down a queen, only desperate people; people whose world was in disarray and who felt threatened. Who prayed to the same God, only differently. Did this make what they were doing illegal?”
To complicate matters, Mallory learns some shocking revelations about her own past and struggles to tolerate Nathaniel- an obnoxious friend of a friend, who knows entirely too much about her work with Sir Francis, but who may well be the only person who can help her.
This period in history is so interesting. I never tire of reading novels set during the Elizabethan era. This story highlights the fevered religious paranoia towards Catholics. It was not entirely justified, but there were very serious and real dangers to the throne posed by Catholic spies. The book also touched on the impact the “Bartholomew's Day massacre” had on Sir Francis, which is what helped to fuel his prejudice against Catholics. There was a lot of tension, misinformation, and confusion regarding religion. The fear increased as more assassination attempts on Queen Elizabeth rose. Public executions, such as those described in this novel did indeed occur.
The author did an amazing job of recreating that tension and highlighting the moral dilemmas and atrocities that occurred in the name of religion and politics. The Locksmithing craft and the clever spy codes of the day is very interesting and fascinating. But, the characterizations in this novel are what sets it on a higher pedestal. Mallory is an outstanding personality. Her loyalty, her strength, talent and courage captured my imagination. She is quite the heroine. Nathaniel is truly nasty, in the beginning, but I grew to love him, and loved him even more for loving Mallory. Their love story is not at the center of the novel, but in many ways, it is at the heart of it – maybe even the soul of it. With so many villainous acts, so many selfish and manipulative plots afoot, with the danger at a fever pitch, their relationship lit the way to honor, bravery and hope.
This is a not only a stunning historical novel, but, a compelling story of the true meaning of love and family.
Note: This book was originally published back in 2016 by Harlequin MIRA. Some may have been given the impression this is a traditional historical romance, but it is not. It is pure Historical fiction- with a love story written into it. HF lovers will not want to miss this book!!
5 stars
A skillfully crafted novel of historical fiction-
Mallory Bright’s unorthodox upbringing paves the way for her in unexpected ways when she makes a grave error in judgement and finds her reputation in ruins.
As the daughter of a locksmith, Mallory was taught the trade by her father, much to her mother’s intense dismay. But Mallory would never have guessed that her talents would lead her to the queen’s personal spymaster or that she’d become his protégé and most valued asset.
This Elizabethan historical drama is chock full of intrigue, vivid, authentic settings and details, heartbreak, and heart pounding suspense, with an unconventional love story capping it off.
This book was much more than I anticipated. The acute religious strife regarding Catholics and Protestants is at the center of the story. Sir Francis Walsingham – a true historical figure- is obsessed with maintaining protestant power over Catholicism. To that end, his training and directives to Mallory were to flush out Catholic spies. Mallory is a much better student than her master could have hoped for. But when she witnesses the results of her handiwork, her heart and mind are conflicted.
“I saw no traitors plotting to bring down a queen, only desperate people; people whose world was in disarray and who felt threatened. Who prayed to the same God, only differently. Did this make what they were doing illegal?”
To complicate matters, Mallory learns some shocking revelations about her own past and struggles to tolerate Nathaniel- an obnoxious friend of a friend, who knows entirely too much about her work with Sir Francis, but who may well be the only person who can help her.
This period in history is so interesting. I never tire of reading novels set during the Elizabethan era. This story highlights the fevered religious paranoia towards Catholics. It was not entirely justified, but there were very serious and real dangers to the throne posed by Catholic spies. The book also touched on the impact the “Bartholomew's Day massacre” had on Sir Francis, which is what helped to fuel his prejudice against Catholics. There was a lot of tension, misinformation, and confusion regarding religion. The fear increased as more assassination attempts on Queen Elizabeth rose. Public executions, such as those described in this novel did indeed occur.
The author did an amazing job of recreating that tension and highlighting the moral dilemmas and atrocities that occurred in the name of religion and politics. The Locksmithing craft and the clever spy codes of the day is very interesting and fascinating. But, the characterizations in this novel are what sets it on a higher pedestal. Mallory is an outstanding personality. Her loyalty, her strength, talent and courage captured my imagination. She is quite the heroine. Nathaniel is truly nasty, in the beginning, but I grew to love him, and loved him even more for loving Mallory. Their love story is not at the center of the novel, but in many ways, it is at the heart of it – maybe even the soul of it. With so many villainous acts, so many selfish and manipulative plots afoot, with the danger at a fever pitch, their relationship lit the way to honor, bravery and hope.
This is a not only a stunning historical novel, but, a compelling story of the true meaning of love and family.
Note: This book was originally published back in 2016 by Harlequin MIRA. Some may have been given the impression this is a traditional historical romance, but it is not. It is pure Historical fiction- with a love story written into it. HF lovers will not want to miss this book!!
5 stars
I loved, loved, LOVED this book!!! It has everything any reader could possibly want from a story. This is an un-putdownable read, and I highly recommend it!!
First off, I should note that 500+ page books are intimidating to me. I'm always afraid it will take me so long to finish them that I will lose interest. That did NOT happen with this book. The writing is so engaging, and the story so engrossing, and the pacing so perfect, that this book seemed to fly by!
Mallory is a superb main character! I love books with strong female characters as protagonists, and Mallory is one of the best characters I've met in quite some time! She is not perfect, she makes bad choices and mistakes and she ends up in very difficult situations more than once throughout this story. But she is strong and determined, resourceful and plucky, and I loved every minute I spent with her reading her story!
The supporting characters - good and bad - are also tremendously engaging. You can't wait to see who's going to do what to whom next, and the ebbs and flows of the story were just perfect. There were unexpected twists in the plot more than once, and the story continued to flow with those in a way that made every moment I spent reading this book - and two weeks is a long time for me to finish a book - an absolute delight!
If you like strong female characters, Elizabethan-era historical fiction [though Elizabeth herself is not the focus; she's mentioned and appears peripherally in one scene, but this is The Locksmith's Daughter's story 100%], plenty of action, drama and suspense, great characters and a few surprises, I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!
First off, I should note that 500+ page books are intimidating to me. I'm always afraid it will take me so long to finish them that I will lose interest. That did NOT happen with this book. The writing is so engaging, and the story so engrossing, and the pacing so perfect, that this book seemed to fly by!
Mallory is a superb main character! I love books with strong female characters as protagonists, and Mallory is one of the best characters I've met in quite some time! She is not perfect, she makes bad choices and mistakes and she ends up in very difficult situations more than once throughout this story. But she is strong and determined, resourceful and plucky, and I loved every minute I spent with her reading her story!
The supporting characters - good and bad - are also tremendously engaging. You can't wait to see who's going to do what to whom next, and the ebbs and flows of the story were just perfect. There were unexpected twists in the plot more than once, and the story continued to flow with those in a way that made every moment I spent reading this book - and two weeks is a long time for me to finish a book - an absolute delight!
If you like strong female characters, Elizabethan-era historical fiction [though Elizabeth herself is not the focus; she's mentioned and appears peripherally in one scene, but this is The Locksmith's Daughter's story 100%], plenty of action, drama and suspense, great characters and a few surprises, I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!
It was the time period that ultimately drew me to this book. To me, the Elizabethan era was a time period shrouded in mystery, so long ago that it was almost untouchable. I pretty much slept through most of my history classes, so what better way to catch up on lost knowledge than to read some good historical fiction?
I was half expecting to have to wade through tedious descriptions and unintelligible old English. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised to find the writing style smooth and engaging. The very first chapter had me completely absorbed in the 1580’s. It felt so authentic and enlightening, reminding me that the human experience is always the same, no matter the time period.
This wasn’t always an easy read, but I felt that even the darkest parts were necessary for the story.
And Mallory, god, she’s awesome. Can I be her? Can I be friends with her? Can I date her?
Also, the romance. It was surprisingly sweet, and I was rooting for them early on.
Five stars for taking me on an epic journey through a fascinating period in history.
I was half expecting to have to wade through tedious descriptions and unintelligible old English. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised to find the writing style smooth and engaging. The very first chapter had me completely absorbed in the 1580’s. It felt so authentic and enlightening, reminding me that the human experience is always the same, no matter the time period.
This wasn’t always an easy read, but I felt that even the darkest parts were necessary for the story.
And Mallory, god, she’s awesome. Can I be her? Can I be friends with her? Can I date her?
Also, the romance. It was surprisingly sweet, and I was rooting for them early on.
Five stars for taking me on an epic journey through a fascinating period in history.
Very, very good. Historically accurate, great use of dialogue, great premise and enthralling story.