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sarahp85's review against another edition
5.0
Dark but hauntingly beautiful (if that's a word).
Hardinges writingstyle is so amazing, I love it
Why I left this book on my tbr shelf for years I do not know. I will make it a priority to read more of her work next year!
Hardinges writingstyle is so amazing, I love it
Why I left this book on my tbr shelf for years I do not know. I will make it a priority to read more of her work next year!
thisisdoc's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
bellaso's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
smudgedpage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
annlouise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Absorbing and mature YA supernatural history.
I thought The Lie Tree would be impossible to better, but halfway through I realised that I was thoroughly caught up in Makepeace's world. It started with supernatural elements I don't usually like, but grew into a family story, a historical novel, a chilling thriller of sorts that I respected.
Makepeace is growing up in a religious community with her mother. She knows there is more to her history than she is allowed to know, and she also knows that she is unusual - ghosts try to possess her.
Forced by terrible circumstances to return to the family home she has never before seen, she drops her guard, against her mother's strict training, and allows a spirit to hide inside her, becoming entwined with the soul of the dead, keeping it a secret from those she discovers are relations. For if they found out, she might fin worse would be to come.
While this intriguing set-up begins to tantalise, the context of Makepeace's world, a world in which civil war threatens to tear the country in half, also breaks into the plot, and she finds herself a wanted young woman.
The book got better and better, with layers of story overlapping. I don't think it became too complicated for younger readers though the darkness of the plot might make it a little to frightening or mature for some.
Makepeace made an outstanding protagonist, one who grows up by a few years through the story, but is as resourceful and shrewd a girl as ever I've seen. Other characters around her are given depth and some time to make an impression.
The plot itself is fascinating, and very well done. Without giving anything away, there are some very unusual conversations that occur, and interactions, that make perfect sense in a strange situation. Makepeace's 'guest', shall we say, I didn't like to start with, but his presence built into the later story nicely and I felt he justified his own space as a character.
It's a long read, especially for the intended age group, but very much worth the effort, it pays off many times. Loved the time period, the vivid setting, the unique plot. I want this to be made into a film.
For ages 11-16.
I thought The Lie Tree would be impossible to better, but halfway through I realised that I was thoroughly caught up in Makepeace's world. It started with supernatural elements I don't usually like, but grew into a family story, a historical novel, a chilling thriller of sorts that I respected.
Makepeace is growing up in a religious community with her mother. She knows there is more to her history than she is allowed to know, and she also knows that she is unusual - ghosts try to possess her.
Forced by terrible circumstances to return to the family home she has never before seen, she drops her guard, against her mother's strict training, and allows a spirit to hide inside her, becoming entwined with the soul of the dead, keeping it a secret from those she discovers are relations. For if they found out, she might fin worse would be to come.
While this intriguing set-up begins to tantalise, the context of Makepeace's world, a world in which civil war threatens to tear the country in half, also breaks into the plot, and she finds herself a wanted young woman.
The book got better and better, with layers of story overlapping. I don't think it became too complicated for younger readers though the darkness of the plot might make it a little to frightening or mature for some.
Makepeace made an outstanding protagonist, one who grows up by a few years through the story, but is as resourceful and shrewd a girl as ever I've seen. Other characters around her are given depth and some time to make an impression.
The plot itself is fascinating, and very well done. Without giving anything away, there are some very unusual conversations that occur, and interactions, that make perfect sense in a strange situation. Makepeace's 'guest', shall we say, I didn't like to start with, but his presence built into the later story nicely and I felt he justified his own space as a character.
It's a long read, especially for the intended age group, but very much worth the effort, it pays off many times. Loved the time period, the vivid setting, the unique plot. I want this to be made into a film.
For ages 11-16.
anniquevvugt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
4.5✨
I enjoyed the book. It is historical fiction magical realism and I loved that I saw how much effort the writer took for learning history and adding a story to that.
I really enjoyed the book and I felt for the characters.. the ending fell a bit short for me and it didn’t quite have that 5 star feeling I normally have with 5 stars so it’s a 4.5
I enjoyed the book. It is historical fiction magical realism and I loved that I saw how much effort the writer took for learning history and adding a story to that.
I really enjoyed the book and I felt for the characters.. the ending fell a bit short for me and it didn’t quite have that 5 star feeling I normally have with 5 stars so it’s a 4.5
meanbeanreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this one, but I might have liked it more had I been more familiar with the historical context. I'm finding that I prefer Hardinge's imaginary worlds over her historically-based fantasy. That said, it's a Frances Hardinge novel and therefore it's worth reading.
The beginning starts out strong, with poignant emotional notes. Some might find it a bit slow, but I enjoyed the pacing. I felt like I was really getting to know Makepeace(and Bear) .
The pace soon picks up, but for me the story got a little muddled in the second half, whenMakepeace is on the run. The political stuff was a bit hard to keep straight as an American who had no idea the English Civil War was a thing. But that's on me, not the author. I can see myself enjoying this more upon a re-read, when I'm not in such a hurry to find out what's next.
Also, I purchased the UK edition of the book in hardcover--look at how gorgeous that cover is! I needed to have it on my shelf. The US edition is so meh compared to the UK one I just have to gush about it.
The beginning starts out strong, with poignant emotional notes. Some might find it a bit slow, but I enjoyed the pacing. I felt like I was really getting to know Makepeace
The pace soon picks up, but for me the story got a little muddled in the second half, when
Also, I purchased the UK edition of the book in hardcover--look at how gorgeous that cover is! I needed to have it on my shelf. The US edition is so meh compared to the UK one I just have to gush about it.
guardianghost's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
whosevita's review against another edition
4.0
Im not gonna lie I only picked this book is because of the gorgeous cover art. (The new one not the one you see on goodreads).
This book was hauntingly good. I don't know for which audience it is written. At first (because of the age of the protagonist) I thought it was a little below my level. I was very wrong. It had the most interesting world building I've read in a long long while. On par with the likes of Naomi Novik and Margeret Rogerson.
It was sometimes hard to get through but all the more fulfilling. I wouldn't categorise it as young adult as well since it lacks the tropes associated with the genre. Maybe I'm underestimating children and this may as well be a pre-teen fantasy. Anyway it was super good. There wasn't any romance like I hoped (young adult stuff) but I don't think it lacked at all.
I think I have a new favourite trope. Ghost possession.
This book was hauntingly good. I don't know for which audience it is written. At first (because of the age of the protagonist) I thought it was a little below my level. I was very wrong. It had the most interesting world building I've read in a long long while. On par with the likes of Naomi Novik and Margeret Rogerson.
It was sometimes hard to get through but all the more fulfilling. I wouldn't categorise it as young adult as well since it lacks the tropes associated with the genre. Maybe I'm underestimating children and this may as well be a pre-teen fantasy. Anyway it was super good. There wasn't any romance like I hoped (young adult stuff) but I don't think it lacked at all.
I think I have a new favourite trope. Ghost possession.