Scan barcode
kayleem93's review against another edition
I DNF'edat over 25% if i still dont care about anything after a quater off all the story then I refuse to waste my time with the next 75% i still won't care about. Cliche ridden, basically reading the same two women set in different time periods with no discernable characteristics, life doesn't revolve aroung describing how hot men are, the mother of the modern woman (whose name I still can't remember after over 100 pages that should tell you how interesting this book is) is everything wrong with the world and I don't feel like hating humans for the rest of the night so I give up.
This is one of only two books i have ever DNF'ed.
These are just my opinions. I respect your opinions please respect mine.
This is one of only two books i have ever DNF'ed.
These are just my opinions. I respect your opinions please respect mine.
susannavs's review against another edition
3.0
Quick, easy read. The chapter divisions seemed a bit random to me, and Martin's character at the end was a bit...well, the whole way through we kept hearing he had shady contacts, but it was never explained why or how...
diannenah's review
5.0
WOW. Love, sadness, joy, torture, loyal, abuse, peace, domestic violence, compassion, fear, passionate, and disturbing events all in one novel.
It may be by far an interesting book for me. I love how it goes back through time smoothly which made me goosebumps especially on Nell’s story.
It may be by far an interesting book for me. I love how it goes back through time smoothly which made me goosebumps especially on Nell’s story.
georgemay's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
vale_fabio's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
cjexoxo's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sazzzberry's review
1.0
I stopped reading this just over half way through. I really didn’t care about any of it. The characters were boring and one dimensional, the story (which should have been interesting) managed to be flat and dull, and for me, it was written too much like a clichéd piece of “chick-lit” to have any sort of credibility. It’s not even quick and easy to read as it flits between characters but the author deliberately blurs the line between them so you’re not sure which one you’re reading about. Which is great if you’re a good writer and can it work well as a literary technique. But not if you’re lacking in talent and ability. (Ouch, sorry.)
On a personal note, I really hated the “newly single mum escaping an abusive husband” part. The character was so weak, weedy and self-pitying. There was no fight in her and no courage. Instead of inspiring me to go out there and be a strong, independent woman, it made me want to burrow my head in the covers, despairing that such a dreadful book got published. (And on top of that has had so many good ratings! WHY?!) I know people react to difficult situations differently, but this woman was not someone I wanted to read about. And the way she desperately latched onto the closest man in proximity (which happened to be her ex and her first love) was just far too formulaic. She was truly terrible character.
And don’t even get me started on the other one…
For me, if I’m dreading going to bed and reading my current book, then I’m definitely reading the wrong one. Which is a shame as I really wanted to like this.
On a personal note, I really hated the “newly single mum escaping an abusive husband” part. The character was so weak, weedy and self-pitying. There was no fight in her and no courage. Instead of inspiring me to go out there and be a strong, independent woman, it made me want to burrow my head in the covers, despairing that such a dreadful book got published. (And on top of that has had so many good ratings! WHY?!) I know people react to difficult situations differently, but this woman was not someone I wanted to read about. And the way she desperately latched onto the closest man in proximity (which happened to be her ex and her first love) was just far too formulaic. She was truly terrible character.
And don’t even get me started on the other one…
For me, if I’m dreading going to bed and reading my current book, then I’m definitely reading the wrong one. Which is a shame as I really wanted to like this.
lauraajoanne's review
dark
emotional
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
sarah1984's review
4.0
This is one of a number of books I read over the holiday period, but didn't have the time (or more honestly the inclination) to write a review as I was reading it, so this review will not be as long or as detailed as my usual reviews are. Christmas was crazy busy with cooking and last minute shopping and I just wanted to read another great book without having to use my brain to write an intelligent and cohesive review, so I apologise for my dreadful laziness and promise to do better through the rest of the year (except maybe during my two 3 week long holidays where I might be too tired to read as well as review).
This was an intriguing time travel/ghostly possession book that immediately reminded me of Kate Mosses' books (Citadel, Sepulchre etc), so if you've enjoyed Kate Mosses' work, then try this book and vice versa.The main characters Nell and Tess have a connection through the house they both live in - 450 years apart. Nell saw similarities in Tess's life and, in order to stop her from making the same mistakes she did, possessed Tess and showed her snippets from her own life 450 years earlier that coincided with what was happening in the current time. Nell's end was pretty depressing and disturbing, but very well written and probably necessary for the story. If Nell's ending had been happy she wouldn't have stayed with the house she lived in, waiting for someone to release her from her prison and at the same time save them from a similar fate. I will be on the lookout for other books by Hartshorne.
This was an intriguing time travel/ghostly possession book that immediately reminded me of Kate Mosses' books (Citadel, Sepulchre etc), so if you've enjoyed Kate Mosses' work, then try this book and vice versa.The main characters Nell and Tess have a connection through the house they both live in - 450 years apart. Nell saw similarities in Tess's life and, in order to stop her from making the same mistakes she did, possessed Tess and showed her snippets from her own life 450 years earlier that coincided with what was happening in the current time. Nell's end was pretty depressing and disturbing, but very well written and probably necessary for the story. If Nell's ending had been happy she wouldn't have stayed with the house she lived in, waiting for someone to release her from her prison and at the same time save them from a similar fate. I will be on the lookout for other books by Hartshorne.