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castlelass's review against another edition
4.0
Historical fiction centered around an artist, who, while blindfolded, can draw pictures of the closely-guarded secrets of her subjects. These renderings, called shadow portraits, have resulted in tragedy, leading her to disavow her abilities. Attempting to revive her artistic career, her brother-manager convinces her use her talents to help unravel a mystery.
I enjoy reading books about the arts, which occasionally leads me to read outside my normal preferences, and in this case, it resulted in a pleasant surprise. Starting in New York and continuing to Paris, a variety of real-life artists, authors, and composers of the time make an appearance. The author was adept at creating a picture in the mind’s eye of what it was like to live in France in the 1920’s, beautifully describing gardens, architecture, and social interactions. It also included elements related to WWI, lost arts such as book-binding, and seances, which were popular during this era.
I found this book very creative. I’d call it a magical mystery-romance. I enjoyed symbolism of light and shadow. While this book is the third in a series, I had not read the first two, and found it could easily stand alone. The only drawback for me was the ending, which was not as powerful as I was expecting. I like to draw conclusions from my reading, and in this case, I’d say: Be careful what you think you “know” – you may be mistaken.
Recommended to readers of magical realism, romance, and those who enjoy stories about art or artists. Be aware that it contains a bit of graphic sexual content.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance reader’s copy in return for feedback and review. It was released on July 18, 2017.
I enjoy reading books about the arts, which occasionally leads me to read outside my normal preferences, and in this case, it resulted in a pleasant surprise. Starting in New York and continuing to Paris, a variety of real-life artists, authors, and composers of the time make an appearance. The author was adept at creating a picture in the mind’s eye of what it was like to live in France in the 1920’s, beautifully describing gardens, architecture, and social interactions. It also included elements related to WWI, lost arts such as book-binding, and seances, which were popular during this era.
I found this book very creative. I’d call it a magical mystery-romance. I enjoyed symbolism of light and shadow. While this book is the third in a series, I had not read the first two, and found it could easily stand alone. The only drawback for me was the ending, which was not as powerful as I was expecting. I like to draw conclusions from my reading, and in this case, I’d say: Be careful what you think you “know” – you may be mistaken.
Recommended to readers of magical realism, romance, and those who enjoy stories about art or artists. Be aware that it contains a bit of graphic sexual content.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance reader’s copy in return for feedback and review. It was released on July 18, 2017.
jodyhadlock's review against another edition
5.0
This book follows The Secret Language of Stones, but each can stand alone. In The Library of Light and Shadow, MJ Rose introduces us to Delphine Duplessi, the younger sister of Opaline, the main character in The Secret Language of Stones. Delphine has her own powers: her paintings reveal the secrets of the sitter, sometimes causing pain and embarrassment. The story begins in New York City and quickly shifts to Paris (I won't spoil the plot with the reason why) where Delphine must confront a past she had run from. The author expertly weaves in luminaries of the 1920s such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse (two of my favorite painters), so much that it seemed as if the scenes with them and Delphine really happened. The Library of Light and Shadow combines a love story, magic, and a suspenseful plot that will keep you turning the pages. I couldn't put it down.
endlessmidnight's review against another edition
3.0
I was more confused than anything else. This book was good at completely baffling me that by the end I had no idea what was going on.
I wasn’t kidding. I really had no idea what was going on. The plot threads in my opinion had been really weak with no follow through. And no clear idea just where it was heading.
And the ending was almost just as baffling. Just what had been the clear follow through from the series. It had been nice to learn about his family. But it was confusing. I didn’t understand just what was the point of all that. And how the story seemed to be a lot on introspection. I liked the way it worked but felt underwhelmed at how little happened.
Overall this did have the potential to be interesting, amazing and mystical. But it just never made it.
I wasn’t kidding. I really had no idea what was going on. The plot threads in my opinion had been really weak with no follow through. And no clear idea just where it was heading.
And the ending was almost just as baffling. Just what had been the clear follow through from the series. It had been nice to learn about his family. But it was confusing. I didn’t understand just what was the point of all that. And how the story seemed to be a lot on introspection. I liked the way it worked but felt underwhelmed at how little happened.
Overall this did have the potential to be interesting, amazing and mystical. But it just never made it.
spottedang11's review against another edition
2.0
Received as a blind date with a book. It was well written, however, I never really became engaged or vested in what happened to the characters. Delphine seemed like a sketch of a character, who needed more fleshing out and details. Her love affair with Mathieu plays throughout the entire book, but it never sparked a light in me. The idea of shadow drawings was quite unique, and really interesting, but I felt even that after awhile lost its luster. The one part I truly enjoyed - Gaspard and his son, and what the cottage held.
Also, to my chagrin, I realized halfway through this is actually part of a series. Maybe it would have flowed better had I actually started with the first in the series? Perhaps, but I wasn't drawn in enough to find out.
Also, to my chagrin, I realized halfway through this is actually part of a series. Maybe it would have flowed better had I actually started with the first in the series? Perhaps, but I wasn't drawn in enough to find out.
brancrisp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thoughtsfromapage's review against another edition
4.0
MJ Rose’s new Daughters of La Lune book is a great addition to the series, and the cover is spectacular. I enjoyed Delphine Duplessi’s story and was fascinated by her ability to draw her subject’s portrait while blindfolded. But Delphine’s portraits are special because each portrait exposes a secret the subject has kept hidden. While some revealed secrets are minor and cause no harm, others lead to dissolved relationships and further tragedy causing Delphine to abandon her talent and return home to France. While I enjoyed the entire story line, my favorite portions were those involving Picasso, Nicholas Flamel, and Emma Calvé. The Library of Light and Shadow is a quick read with an intriguing premise. I look forward to her next Daughters of La Lune book already!
calabrag's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't dislike this enough to not finish it, but there's a lot to pick on here. My chief complaint is that the plot shows its structure very obviously, and our first-person narrator drops an absurd number of hints for things that she can't figure out herself. It's sometimes fun to be able to figure out a mystery on your own, but when the story is solely driven by the characters' obliviousness, it's just frustrating.
jmiglus's review against another edition
3.0
This book was fun to read and had a little bit of everything- period drama, magic, art, history, mystery...although the plot felt a little contrived and predictable, it created fantastic mental scenery. Who wouldn't want to have a book escape to southern France in the middle of winter?
taybele's review against another edition
1.0
This book was stupid. There was very little plot, and what plot did exist was stupid. The heroine was especially stupid, and the book is driven by her noble idiocy, which . The writing was incredibly repetitive, to fill in all the space that wasn't being devoted to plot or anything else of interest.
Spoiler
was totally unnecessary! OF COURSEestellabelle92's review against another edition
4.0
This third installment started out slowly but I came to enjoy it the further I went along, especially in the second part of the book when the story moves to a castle in France.
If you haven't read this magical series yet, be sure to start with the first installment but the #2 is still my favorite.
If you haven't read this magical series yet, be sure to start with the first installment but the #2 is still my favorite.