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3.88 AVERAGE

funny mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

fudge's review

4.0
adventurous mysterious medium-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: Yes
witchypen's profile picture

witchypen's review


Once again, Paula transported me to a dangerous time in the past that I couldn't get enough of. I would read a 10-book series about Xanthe and her travels! Lovely, enthralling, heartbreaking... all the necessary ingredients, blended well, and simmered properly. Well done!

katejeminhizer's review

5.0

This is a fabulous time-travelling series! It isn't too heavy and the character development is spot on! The author shows her skill in being able to write about multiple eras with such aplomb. Quick, easy read that will keep you enchanted all the way through.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

I enjoyed this installment of found things but hate a cliff hanger! A great mix of historical fiction & fantasy. Love the time travel aspect as Xanthe learns more about her gift as a spinner & helping lost souls.
amandamartinelli's profile picture

amandamartinelli's review

4.0

We’re back with Xanthe in another jaunt to the 17th century.
I enjoy these wholesome, time travel novels. The author has written the characters with authenticity- not just in the period piece woven throughout but as part of their personalities.
Often book two in a series tends to lack - character development runs astray and themes get jumbled. This isn’t the case here. Book two was just as enjoyable as the first and the storyline remains strong throughout.
It took longer than I expected to wrap up at the end. I was surprised to find that when the main story ended, I still had over an hour’s worth more to go.
The ends were tied up nicely and i look forward to the next installment.
The British countryside is as much a character in these stories as Xanthe herself. I love the details of a place so foreign to me. It provides a sense of comfort and simplicity that I have found I’m longing for.
The simple High Street and markets boast of a community uncomplicated by the turmoil I see in my own. Paula Brackston provides a deserving respite we’ve all more than earned.

For lovers of cozies, this will add layers to the decent and innocent genre you’ve come to enjoy. Adding in the excitement of time travel and the genuineness of historical fiction. All round great read.
shelfquest's profile picture

shelfquest's review

1.0

Despite not really liking the first book in this series, I wanted to give the second one a try because I like the base story so much. It really has a fresh feel to it and makes you want to learn more about spinners and having an antique store in a small English town. However, I cannot make any sense at all of any of Xanthe’s decisions. Why does she hide spinning from her mom? Why does she give in even a little bit to the man whose cowardice caused her to go to jail? Why does she try to please everyone? I didn’t enjoy reading this and I won’t be reading any more in this series.
bibliovino's profile picture

bibliovino's review

4.0

Xanthe is discovering more and more about her talents as a Spinner and this installment of the series puts in in a place and time she thought she’d never again visit. But it’s still the mystery of her newfound gift, and others with this privileged knowledge, that pull her into a journey she’d rather not take.

Discovering more about the talents of Spinners and the gift she’s been given was a real treat. We also see people who have similar abilities and learn that no two are the same. As ever, it’s the objects she encounters that guide her travels, but she’s learning more about how to affect her travel and do so in a way that helps her feel more in control.

I can’t wait to see how Flora and Liam learn of her abilities, if only so she doesn’t have to keep things from them. Looking forward to book 3!
wicked_stardust's profile picture

wicked_stardust's review

5.0

Xanthe + Liam
Fairfax returns
adventurous medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes