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illusie's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the book, but gave it only 3 stars because the pacing is very slow. I like that it is set both in the past and in the future.
dotreadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Kearsley's newest novel did not disappoint but sadly, it was not as good as her other novels. This is the first of her novels to be situated in the USA. I did not know much about the Seven Years War before I read this and as usual was excited to learn something new (to me) about history. The main characters from the past, Jean-Phillipe and Lydia, did NOT get enough screen time. I think their story may be one of the most romantic types and I wish I could have spent more time with them. The modern day characters, Charlie and Sam, got more attention but still just not quite enough for my curious appetite. My appreciation for Kearsley has not lessened one bit though. I'm always impressed by the depth of her characters and how truly inspirational they can be. You will not be wasting your time reading Bellewether.
bookqueen28's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good story but very slow going. The most excitement happened in the last few chapters.
I loved the past/present story line but definitely dragged out a bit too long. Have read other books by this author that were better.
I loved the past/present story line but definitely dragged out a bit too long. Have read other books by this author that were better.
youngbloodac's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story. I learned what life was like in this time period. There was a lot of hard work, but goodness was found in the simply things in life. Kearsley had many phrases that were poignant and I hope to remember. The only down side to this novel was the character, Tyler. For such a smart girl, the reader wondered what Charley saw in him. However, the duel story lines were well crafted and meaningful. I enjoyed this novel.
turtleofhades's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
foraging_pages's review against another edition
4.0
My first Kearsley! I know she’s a well loved author and I can see why.
Bellewether explores dual timelines - one takes place in 1759 on Long Island during the Seven Years’ War and the other during modern time centered around the house turned museum of the British colonists who used to live there.
This was a beautiful novel and it reminded me of Amy Harmon in the way that she also centers her books around real people and places.
Expect:
- Colonial America setting
- French Canadian and Indigenous representation
- Spanish, English, French, Caribbean shipping trade
- Occurring during the Seven Years’ War but focused on the toll on civilians
- Both romantic storylines feature acquaintance to friend to more (a beautiful and realistic take on relationships)
- I enjoyed seeing how one place changed over two hundred years
Bellewether explores dual timelines - one takes place in 1759 on Long Island during the Seven Years’ War and the other during modern time centered around the house turned museum of the British colonists who used to live there.
This was a beautiful novel and it reminded me of Amy Harmon in the way that she also centers her books around real people and places.
Expect:
- Colonial America setting
- French Canadian and Indigenous representation
- Spanish, English, French, Caribbean shipping trade
- Occurring during the Seven Years’ War but focused on the toll on civilians
- Both romantic storylines feature acquaintance to friend to more (a beautiful and realistic take on relationships)
- I enjoyed seeing how one place changed over two hundred years
rlstrayer1's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
I very much enjoyed this! It has everything I love about Ms. Kearsley’s books, and I can’t wait to add a copy to my bookshelf.
Full review to follow closer to publication
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I was beyond thrilled to see this ARC waiting in my inbox!
Susanna Kearsley is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to get started with this one =D
I very much enjoyed this! It has everything I love about Ms. Kearsley’s books, and I can’t wait to add a copy to my bookshelf.
Full review to follow closer to publication
————-
I was beyond thrilled to see this ARC waiting in my inbox!
Susanna Kearsley is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to get started with this one =D
flamingokrysten's review against another edition
4.0
I can see why some people said they found the book boring. There’s not a lot of drama and it goes pretty slow (after 100 pages only 3 days in modern time and 2 weeks in the 18th century had passed), however, it’s a book about people just living life and doing what they got to do to survive and I can appreciate that. The book contains a lot of great details/ imagery and is loaded with history. I disagree with some other reviews saying they found the characters hard to really get to know— I found that it was pretty easy to catch on what each person was all about.
Overall I enjoyed this book and finished it quickly as it held my interest/ had a good writing style, but I found Charley’s parts irrelevant at times and a little too slow. I found myself, even though I did read Charley’s sections thoroughly, counting the pages of her parts until I reached Lydia’s. This being said though, I liked the parallels between the stories and how by the end they sort of blended together. I think the ending could have had a little more to it, especially when dealing with the entity in the house, but in general it was a pretty good story.
Overall I enjoyed this book and finished it quickly as it held my interest/ had a good writing style, but I found Charley’s parts irrelevant at times and a little too slow. I found myself, even though I did read Charley’s sections thoroughly, counting the pages of her parts until I reached Lydia’s. This being said though, I liked the parallels between the stories and how by the end they sort of blended together. I think the ending could have had a little more to it, especially when dealing with the entity in the house, but in general it was a pretty good story.
maryeverettb's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0