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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.
kat_kin's review
4.0
Not as good as the first one.
Clear parallels between this one and the original.
Intense story and intricate look at the darker side of medieval and modern day.
Clear parallels between this one and the original.
Intense story and intricate look at the darker side of medieval and modern day.
katieb94's review
4.0
Nell/Eleanor is a young woman living life and finding love in sixteenth century Elizabethan York. Tess/Theresa is a thirty something mother, who has moved back to York to escape her controlling husband.
Their lives become oddly intertwined when Tess moves into an old flat- and starts to see flashes of the past. Of Nell's life.
Is she just hallucinating? Is it stress? After all, she has a son to think about. Why does Nell's life seem like a memory?
Out of the two, I found Nell far more interesting because her historical scenery was much more exciting that Tess's- I'm used to modern day, but Nell's was also much more tragic.
Finding out what really happened to her (She's fictional, but in terms of modern day vs history) was sad, but reflects on how thought marriage was back then.
Women suffered.
It was a great story and I was quite surprised how gripped I was. I had a bit of historical fiction, which I love, and a bit of supernatural.
4/5 stars.
Really enjoyed!
Their lives become oddly intertwined when Tess moves into an old flat- and starts to see flashes of the past. Of Nell's life.
Is she just hallucinating? Is it stress? After all, she has a son to think about. Why does Nell's life seem like a memory?
Out of the two, I found Nell far more interesting because her historical scenery was much more exciting that Tess's- I'm used to modern day, but Nell's was also much more tragic.
Finding out what really happened to her (She's fictional, but in terms of modern day vs history) was sad, but reflects on how thought marriage was back then.
Women suffered.
It was a great story and I was quite surprised how gripped I was. I had a bit of historical fiction, which I love, and a bit of supernatural.
4/5 stars.
Really enjoyed!
cheri_maci's review
4.0
Highly recommended. The author's knowledge of the area and customs of Elizabethan York are clear but never overwhelming, just enough so that you can understand the characters and the difference between then and now. I loved Tess and Nell, and loved learning their stories although it was heartbreaking at times.
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