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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Aiming for Sarah Waters Nightwatch but not quite there. Too much going on and some pretty bad copy editing (not least in confusing titles for wives and daughters of whatever kind of aristo the owner of the manor is meant to be.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was intrigued by the premise of this book, as I have found you can rarely go wrong with a spooky historical romance, though admittedly the pacing of this book is a bit off. The story starts out alright, but unfortunately it does drag throughout the main section of the book. This is mainly because, narratively at least, not much happens and when the twist is finally revealed at the end, there are only a few pages left to comprehend the fallout of said twist. I did however, enjoy the romance between the two main characters. Their relationship was sweet and it was the highlight of this book for me. Plus the entire novel is well written, which is certainly a bonus. 3/5
This book has a spooky gothic feel to it. There's an old family mansion with dozens of empty rooms full of old forgotten objects shrouded in dust sheets. Some rooms are inhabited by stuffed animals evacuated from a London museum with empty glass eyes. The animals seem to move of their own accord. There's madness in the family, mysterious deaths and stories of a curse and a ghost that prowls the corridors at night.
All the ingredients are here for a spooky gothic tale.
So why only three stars? Basically because of the long slow burn. To finish the book, I had to be prepared for the long haul.
Events are related in diary-like entries by the two main characters, which gives us differing points of view and a way of trying to discern madness and trauma from reality. On the other hand, this means that a lot is made of (sometimes) very little and the narrative is slowed right down.
There are the recurring thoughts and nightmares, related in some detail and small events that repeat in subtle variations of each other. For me, what should have been a slow and mounting build-up lacked momentum and stocked after a while, leaving me frustrated.
Having said this, I'm glad I stuck with the book to its climax. There are valuable things said along the way, I identified with the insecurities and development of the main characters and the ending was a poignant one. Having said this, the book's meanderings did leave me exhausted.
All the ingredients are here for a spooky gothic tale.
So why only three stars? Basically because of the long slow burn. To finish the book, I had to be prepared for the long haul.
Events are related in diary-like entries by the two main characters, which gives us differing points of view and a way of trying to discern madness and trauma from reality. On the other hand, this means that a lot is made of (sometimes) very little and the narrative is slowed right down.
There are the recurring thoughts and nightmares, related in some detail and small events that repeat in subtle variations of each other. For me, what should have been a slow and mounting build-up lacked momentum and stocked after a while, leaving me frustrated.
Having said this, I'm glad I stuck with the book to its climax. There are valuable things said along the way, I identified with the insecurities and development of the main characters and the ending was a poignant one. Having said this, the book's meanderings did leave me exhausted.
When looking at the cover, you expect vivid writing, fantastical, magical animals and a book that will enchant you.
However, it is far from the truth. The animals in the manor are all dead and stuffed museum exhibitions, the characters written at best only two-dimensionally, and the writing was not gripping, but slow and tedious.
After having read two thirds of the book and still nothing happening, I decided to skip to the climax, which was very late and very short.
However, it is far from the truth. The animals in the manor are all dead and stuffed museum exhibitions, the characters written at best only two-dimensionally, and the writing was not gripping, but slow and tedious.
After having read two thirds of the book and still nothing happening, I decided to skip to the climax, which was very late and very short.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐⭐
I've avoided writing a review on this book because honestly, I thought it was such a bore and not all that interesting. It's fairly predictable with how the plotline is going to pan out and some of the elements felt forced. As an LGBTQ ally, I was excited to read a book that featured a lesbian romance, especially a historical fiction since that's one of my favorite genres.
I don't think that gothic fiction is my style, as I felt this book was very slow and not a whole lot happens. Sure, there were some spooky and eerie moments, but the storytelling was very dragged out.
I really wanted to like this book but was sadly disappointed from beginning to end.
I've avoided writing a review on this book because honestly, I thought it was such a bore and not all that interesting. It's fairly predictable with how the plotline is going to pan out and some of the elements felt forced. As an LGBTQ ally, I was excited to read a book that featured a lesbian romance, especially a historical fiction since that's one of my favorite genres.
I don't think that gothic fiction is my style, as I felt this book was very slow and not a whole lot happens. Sure, there were some spooky and eerie moments, but the storytelling was very dragged out.
I really wanted to like this book but was sadly disappointed from beginning to end.
I wasn’t overly impressed with this book. It felt like there was no major peak to the story. The last 30 pages contained most of the action. The story felt drawn out and lacking depth.