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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really nice, quiet mystery/romance novel that takes place as much in the early 1900s as it does in present time, this book was riveting from the start. The only reason I would give this beautifully written book 3 stars (see below) is it had one of the most underwhelming closing lines of a book ever. That and two poorly developed and almost identical romances made this book seem very predictable and almost lazily written at times, but the imagery and scenery made up for it.
update: I added another star because 3 just seemed too low :P
update: I added another star because 3 just seemed too low :P
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The initial blurb I read framed this as a haunted house mystery - lesson: don't trust a random book site blurb. There is no ghost in this book, but the book is emotionally haunted.
Following the lineage of the Blake family, the novel blends the modern day heiress as she unravels the secretive past of the dilapidated mansion in the outer Hebrides. Twisting together the story of her return to the islands and the disappearance of her ancestor, the story moves fluidly between three points of view and two time periods. Moody and atmospheric the landscape of the Hebrides becomes the silent fourth character, reinforcing the isolation and disconnection that become the themes of the book. While some of the reveals of the novel are unsurprising, they are done well enough that you still get a sense of pleasant "got it!" when they are confirmed. Maine's mastery of the plot, her characters and the general writing is evident in every page - I look forward to seeing what she may release in the future - even if there isn't a ghost.
Following the lineage of the Blake family, the novel blends the modern day heiress as she unravels the secretive past of the dilapidated mansion in the outer Hebrides. Twisting together the story of her return to the islands and the disappearance of her ancestor, the story moves fluidly between three points of view and two time periods. Moody and atmospheric the landscape of the Hebrides becomes the silent fourth character, reinforcing the isolation and disconnection that become the themes of the book. While some of the reveals of the novel are unsurprising, they are done well enough that you still get a sense of pleasant "got it!" when they are confirmed. Maine's mastery of the plot, her characters and the general writing is evident in every page - I look forward to seeing what she may release in the future - even if there isn't a ghost.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
Told in several perspectives and eras, a mystery of old bones found beneath the floorboards of a decaying estate, solemn on its island. Recently inherited, with developing intents, a series of unfolding begins, slowly.. as some secrets to try to stay buried... but just as the storms that pelt the ever falling house expose it, so too do the history it holds become known.
Beautifully scenic, rich in character, heavy in love and loss. Tormented as the coastal denizens, the pains of the rich and the poor juxtapose with stark similarities. Tho the meek truly do inherit the earth.
Beautifully scenic, rich in character, heavy in love and loss. Tormented as the coastal denizens, the pains of the rich and the poor juxtapose with stark similarities. Tho the meek truly do inherit the earth.
I liked the mystery and the slow pace setting: atmospheric and with a sense of impending doom. It was also interesting to see how similar Beatrice and Hetty really are, there is a lot to think about with all the connections between the characters and their motivations. But... I hated the lack of backbone or really any form of character in Hetty. And there were more unlikeable characters. I mostly don't like books that make me angry. As for the writing, i feel there were many repetitions and several characters were not well developed, including some of the main characters. Conclusion: mixed feelings, I both really liked and disliked it.
🌿Review🌿
.
I was drawn to The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine because critics compared it with Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. I didn’t find it as strong as a du Maurier novel, but it was nonetheless enjoyable.
.
This tale is told in dual storylines, a century apart. In the present day, after the sudden loss of her parents, grief stricken Hetty returns to the family home of Muirlan House, on a remote island in the Hebrides. Human remains are accidentally uncovered beneath the floorboards when the house is surveyed for repairs. Hetty is torn between the conflict of the islanders’ wishes to preserve traditional island life, and her desire to restore the house to its former glory. In order to make her decision, she must learn more about her distant relative Beatrice, who married and lived with the famous painter and naturalist Theo Blake in the House. Hetty starts to investigate and retrace her ancestors’ steps, and in so doing comes closer to unlocking the mysteries of the house and island.
.
I found this a suspenseful read, and particularly appreciated the artistic details, the socialist theme and evocation of the remoteness and alluring natural beauty of the island. I also loved that the house was a character in its own right, such was the detail and atmosphere (as with Manderley in Rebecca). However I felt that there was a bit of a lull at times, and I didn’t enjoy reading Hetty’s storyline - it was predictable and for me served only as a plot device to unlock the mysteries. So for this reason, I give a rating of 🌟3.5. I have slight pangs about this because I loved Beatrice’s story, which I found deeply moving. I’d definitely recommend this as an enjoyable historical fiction 👍. 🌟3.5
.
I was drawn to The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine because critics compared it with Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. I didn’t find it as strong as a du Maurier novel, but it was nonetheless enjoyable.
.
This tale is told in dual storylines, a century apart. In the present day, after the sudden loss of her parents, grief stricken Hetty returns to the family home of Muirlan House, on a remote island in the Hebrides. Human remains are accidentally uncovered beneath the floorboards when the house is surveyed for repairs. Hetty is torn between the conflict of the islanders’ wishes to preserve traditional island life, and her desire to restore the house to its former glory. In order to make her decision, she must learn more about her distant relative Beatrice, who married and lived with the famous painter and naturalist Theo Blake in the House. Hetty starts to investigate and retrace her ancestors’ steps, and in so doing comes closer to unlocking the mysteries of the house and island.
.
I found this a suspenseful read, and particularly appreciated the artistic details, the socialist theme and evocation of the remoteness and alluring natural beauty of the island. I also loved that the house was a character in its own right, such was the detail and atmosphere (as with Manderley in Rebecca). However I felt that there was a bit of a lull at times, and I didn’t enjoy reading Hetty’s storyline - it was predictable and for me served only as a plot device to unlock the mysteries. So for this reason, I give a rating of 🌟3.5. I have slight pangs about this because I loved Beatrice’s story, which I found deeply moving. I’d definitely recommend this as an enjoyable historical fiction 👍. 🌟3.5
3.5* this book has a dual storyline, and I preferred the 1910 narrative and time period much more.
This story has two narratives - one on 1910/11 and one in 2010, and looks at a number of perspectives. That made it interesting, and it kept me guessing. I know the Western Isles well so I enjoyed the setting too.