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cimorene1558's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this quite a lot. It is slightly desceptive, in that the description and tag line on the jacket seem to hint at the supernatural (which it definitely is not), but it's a good solid Gothic novel with a properly unpleasant secret at its heart, probably best for older YA, adults and "New Adults".
bookishblond's review against another edition
1.0
UGH. This book is TERRIBLE. I could hardly bring myself to finish it. It's so boring! And the font hurt my eyes, which shouldn't matter but this this book is just so monstrously ridiculously awful that the font drove me over the edge. I should have just returned the damn book to the library but I have this thing where if I start a book I just have to finish it. DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID! DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! It would be more fun to grate a cheese grater against your forehead.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
a great summer light read. A bit of a mystery, you wind through the tale of a dark family secret, an mysterious illness - a dead mother/wife. A gruff but loving father - and one missing wind element.
I enjoyed the story told from both the painter and the governess point of view. Such an adventure - although the ending was predictable, I still enjoyed the ride.
I enjoyed the story told from both the painter and the governess point of view. Such an adventure - although the ending was predictable, I still enjoyed the ride.
bexwat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
roshk99's review against another edition
1.0
Not an appealing book at all. The topic is boring, ending predictable, and characters annoying. Really not worth a read
tinilith's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
bookhoarder_alissa's review against another edition
4.0
I was a bit sceptical at first, expecting it to be a bit boring and predictable but it did surprise me. First I was annoyed because I couldn't understand Charlotte and one hardly knew why she acted that way although half of the story is narrated by her. It held more surprises than I imagined and I did like most of the ending, too. A lot of the loose threads were connected in the end which is nice. And also showing in the end that people (especially women) can be happy in pursuing their own dreams and not only when married. I thought the moment after the funeral when they all came together as friends was just such a powerful moment.
silverselkie's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I went in unsure what to expect, especially with the confusion caused because this is apparently a childrens' book. In my mind it most decidedly is not, unless the publisher means YA.
The plot seems fairly simple but soon descends into darkness. There are a number of twists, the ones closer to the end were the most unexpected. I felt the characters are well rounded, and the conclusion to each of their stories is satisfying.
A quick, enjoyable read.
The plot seems fairly simple but soon descends into darkness. There are a number of twists, the ones closer to the end were the most unexpected. I felt the characters are well rounded, and the conclusion to each of their stories is satisfying.
A quick, enjoyable read.
iilex's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved Set in Stone, though I'm somewhat astounded that both the author and publisher decided to publish this as a children's novel. In fact, partway through the novel I had to wonder if I had been mistaken before when reading that this was a kid's book. Apparently not. Newberry has since clarified that she meant it to be more of a YA novel, but when it came out, Set in Stone was nominated for all of these middle grade-level awards. Let me say right now: this book is (probably) not appropriate for a middle grade audience and I'm not sure they'd even enjoy it very much. To tell the truth, Set in Stone didn't even really read like a young adult novel to me - I wouldn't have batted an eye were it shelved in the 'adult' section. The tone and style are similar to other neo-Victorian gothics I've read recently, such as [a:John Boyne|7195|John Boyne|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1227116914p2/7195.jpg]'s [b:This House is Haunted|17307162|This House is Haunted|John Boyne|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1366068693s/17307162.jpg|23594735] and [a:John Harding|5051433|John Harding|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1311100027p2/5051433.jpg]'s [b:Florence and Giles|7343071|Florence and Giles|John Harding|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344676085s/7343071.jpg|9066643], but those two are ostensibly 'adult' novels. Anyone who loves neo-Victorian gothic novels but hesitates before reading a 'children's' novel should go ahead and pick up Set in Stone anyway - I don't think you'll regret it!
Set in Stone is about a young twenty-something artist, Samuel Godwin, who comes to work at an English country estate. His employer, Ernest Farrow, has employed Samuel to tutor Farrow's two teenage daughters, Julianna and Marianne, and also paint Farrow's lovely home, Fourwinds. Once Samuel arrives at Fourwinds, he realizes almost immediately that something is amiss. The rest of the novel is spent slowly unraveling the horrible mystery behind Fourwinds and its inhabitants.
I'm not sure where, but before reading Set in Stone I somehow read a major spoiler in a synopsis(!). The fact in question is only revealed about three-quarters of the way into the book, so I have to say that any 'mystery' element was completely spoiled for me. That being said, I still really loved this book. There were several things I didn't like about it, but those are more personal preference than actual criticism. I wasn't a fan of the prologue or epilogue - in fact, their inclusion really made this not seem like a book for youth. I also didn't love the back-and-forth narration between Samuel and Charlotte - I thought Samuel as sole narrator would have been better. But again, like I said, those are just personal preferences. I also didn't love the ending, especially the conclusion of the "romance" and it assuredly is not an ending that your average teen reader would want to accept (though it'd be fine for an 'adult' work)
So, like I said, it wasn't a perfect read for me, but it was close! 5 out of 5 stars.
Set in Stone is about a young twenty-something artist, Samuel Godwin, who comes to work at an English country estate. His employer, Ernest Farrow, has employed Samuel to tutor Farrow's two teenage daughters, Julianna and Marianne, and also paint Farrow's lovely home, Fourwinds. Once Samuel arrives at Fourwinds, he realizes almost immediately that something is amiss. The rest of the novel is spent slowly unraveling the horrible mystery behind Fourwinds and its inhabitants.
I'm not sure where, but before reading Set in Stone I somehow read a major spoiler in a synopsis(!). The fact in question is only revealed about three-quarters of the way into the book, so I have to say that any 'mystery' element was completely spoiled for me. That being said, I still really loved this book. There were several things I didn't like about it, but those are more personal preference than actual criticism. I wasn't a fan of the prologue or epilogue - in fact, their inclusion really made this not seem like a book for youth. I also didn't love the back-and-forth narration between Samuel and Charlotte - I thought Samuel as sole narrator would have been better. But again, like I said, those are just personal preferences. I also didn't love the ending, especially the conclusion of the "romance" and it assuredly is not an ending that your average teen reader would want to accept (though it'd be fine for an 'adult' work)
So, like I said, it wasn't a perfect read for me, but it was close! 5 out of 5 stars.