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read_write_sleep's review against another edition
3.0
Madam Burova is a tarot card fortune teller of Romany blood, who has a stall on Brighton sea-front. She spends her time reading people's cards, and chatting to friends.
But her life had an exciting past. As part of a group of staff at a holiday camp, there was love, intrigue and hate.
In the present day, a woman named Billie finds out her deceased mum and dad aren't her birth parents, so she makes her way to Brighton to find the truth. There, she meets Madam Burova.
It's a little bit difficult to review this book. I found myself checking how many pages I had left to read, hoping something would happen. I was waiting for the big action. But it's not that kind of book. There aren't ample amounts of action. In fact, the few dramatic things that do happen occur "offscreen".
Having said that, Ruth Hogan is an absolutely incredible writer. She writes some beautifully poetic sentences, with the most delicious phrases.
For me, this novel isn't my usual genre to read. I think that's why I don't love it. It doesn't intrigue me very much, because I'm more into horror or thrillers.
However, I will happily continue reading Ruth Hogan's work simply because her mastery of the English language is something to behold.
Thanks to Ruth Hogan, NetGalley, and John Murray Press for this advanced copy.
But her life had an exciting past. As part of a group of staff at a holiday camp, there was love, intrigue and hate.
In the present day, a woman named Billie finds out her deceased mum and dad aren't her birth parents, so she makes her way to Brighton to find the truth. There, she meets Madam Burova.
It's a little bit difficult to review this book. I found myself checking how many pages I had left to read, hoping something would happen. I was waiting for the big action. But it's not that kind of book. There aren't ample amounts of action. In fact, the few dramatic things that do happen occur "offscreen".
Having said that, Ruth Hogan is an absolutely incredible writer. She writes some beautifully poetic sentences, with the most delicious phrases.
For me, this novel isn't my usual genre to read. I think that's why I don't love it. It doesn't intrigue me very much, because I'm more into horror or thrillers.
However, I will happily continue reading Ruth Hogan's work simply because her mastery of the English language is something to behold.
Thanks to Ruth Hogan, NetGalley, and John Murray Press for this advanced copy.
eyackel's review against another edition
4.0
This story had dual timelines and bounces between 2 main characters. It was an interesting read but not one I fell in love with.
lisagray68's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
My only complaint is that there were a lot of characters, so it was sometimes hard to keep track. But this is the best kind of sweet book, the kind where you really wish these people could be your friends & you could be in a community like this! Loved it!
sue_loves_to_read's review against another edition
3.0
Madame Burova - Tarot Reader, Palmist and Clairvoyant is retiring and leaving her booth on the Brighton seafront after fifty years.
Imelda Burova has spent a lifetime keeping other people's secrets and her silence has come at a price. She has seen the lovers and the liars, the angels and the devils, the dreamers and the fools. Her cards had unmasked them all and her cards never lied. But Madame Burova is weary of other people's lives and other people's secrets, she needs rest and a little piece of life for herself. Before that, however, she has to fulfill a promise made a long time ago. She holds two brown envelopes in her hand, and she has to deliver them.
In London, it is time for another woman to make a fresh start. Billie has lost her university job, her marriage, and her place in the world when she discovers something that leaves her very identity in question. Determined to find answers, she must follow a trail which might just lead right to Madame Burova's door.
If a say this is a pleasant, easy read it sounds as if I'm damning with faint praise and I suppose I am. I enjoyed the characters but felt that there was a lack of depth to most of them, as soon as I felt myself getting absorbed the story would shift to either another character or another time period. I enjoyed the book but felt it could have been so much more.
I received a proof copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Imelda Burova has spent a lifetime keeping other people's secrets and her silence has come at a price. She has seen the lovers and the liars, the angels and the devils, the dreamers and the fools. Her cards had unmasked them all and her cards never lied. But Madame Burova is weary of other people's lives and other people's secrets, she needs rest and a little piece of life for herself. Before that, however, she has to fulfill a promise made a long time ago. She holds two brown envelopes in her hand, and she has to deliver them.
In London, it is time for another woman to make a fresh start. Billie has lost her university job, her marriage, and her place in the world when she discovers something that leaves her very identity in question. Determined to find answers, she must follow a trail which might just lead right to Madame Burova's door.
If a say this is a pleasant, easy read it sounds as if I'm damning with faint praise and I suppose I am. I enjoyed the characters but felt that there was a lack of depth to most of them, as soon as I felt myself getting absorbed the story would shift to either another character or another time period. I enjoyed the book but felt it could have been so much more.
I received a proof copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
krissims's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
oscarpimlett's review against another edition
3.0
Sadly not as good as the last Hogan I read (TKLT). Felt it took a really long time to get going (175ish pages long) and when it finally did lots of plot points were sort of rushed. As with the last Hogan though the plot was exceptional and entirely engaging, but I felt it lacked the same bravado as The Keeper of Lost Things.
silhouettenkind's review against another edition
1.0
1.5
Very subjective but I really didn't care about anything that happened, that's why the rating is so low
Very subjective but I really didn't care about anything that happened, that's why the rating is so low