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fran_mcbookface's review
4.0
Based around the failure of Dale Dyke dam near Sheffield and the resulting flood which swept away large parts of the local area and took 240 lives, I was very quickly pulled into this dramatic story.
I found the characters well drawn and it was easy to become invested in their lives and fates. Of the three main characters, I particularly liked Silas. A bit cheeky, charming and ambitious but also very lovely and genuine with a heart of gold. The romance between him and Harriet who works as a maid for her uncle was well paced and you are definitely rooting for things to work out for them. Enjoyed the alternative viewpoint of John Gunson, the architect of the devastated dam and his feelings of guilt around its failure.
Incredible to think that this is based on a true story and even more incredible that it now earns just a footnote in history. The author writes very well weaving the facts of the flood into the imagined lives of her characters and definitely puts you there alongside them.
Would certainly recommend this book which I read over the course of a day. Perfect for fans of historical fiction or just for those who like a good story. It’s evidently been well researched and I like a book where I can learn something new too.
Did think at the end it could have continued a bit but then noted that it has been marketed as Book One of the Sheffield sagas which is great. I would certainly like to read more.
Oh and huge brownie points too for having Shandy the dog survive the flood :-)
I found the characters well drawn and it was easy to become invested in their lives and fates. Of the three main characters, I particularly liked Silas. A bit cheeky, charming and ambitious but also very lovely and genuine with a heart of gold. The romance between him and Harriet who works as a maid for her uncle was well paced and you are definitely rooting for things to work out for them. Enjoyed the alternative viewpoint of John Gunson, the architect of the devastated dam and his feelings of guilt around its failure.
Incredible to think that this is based on a true story and even more incredible that it now earns just a footnote in history. The author writes very well weaving the facts of the flood into the imagined lives of her characters and definitely puts you there alongside them.
Would certainly recommend this book which I read over the course of a day. Perfect for fans of historical fiction or just for those who like a good story. It’s evidently been well researched and I like a book where I can learn something new too.
Did think at the end it could have continued a bit but then noted that it has been marketed as Book One of the Sheffield sagas which is great. I would certainly like to read more.
Oh and huge brownie points too for having Shandy the dog survive the flood :-)
kelizakreads's review
4.0
From the wreckage, they must piece together new lives for themselves...
Determined not to waste his life toiling for his cruel brother, Silas, the second son of a farmer, arrives in town to seek his fortune. Harriet has reconciled herself to a life no better than domestic service for her austere uncle. And John Gunson, Chief Engineer at the Sheffield Waterworks Company, has just completed his crowning glory – the Dale Dyke dam.
But one stormy night, the unthinkable happens. The dam bursts. A wall of water is unleashed, destroying everything in its path.
The aftershocks of the flood reach far beyond that night, with consequences that could never have been foreseen. Fatefully brought together, Silas and Harriet must now contend with their families as new love blooms. Meanwhile, Gunson faces not only an angry community but also a court of inquest looking for a scapegoat.
Can any good come from the disaster, and will justice be served for those who lost everything?
•••
A thrilling saga inspired by the real events of the Great Sheffield Flood of 1864, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Emma Hornby and Elisabeth McNeill.
•••
The story is told from 3 points of view, Silas, Harriet, and John Gunson. This books brings forward the heartbreaking truth of the people who survived the flood and the aftermath they endured from different class levels. At times, it was difficult to read due to the harsh reality of how women were seen and spoken to and the challenges some people were faced with. The old English style writing at times was difficult to follow, as well. As the story progressed, I really warmed up to the characters and enjoyed the romance between Silas and Harriet-it left me wanting to know what happened next.
•••
Thank you @lovebookstours @jo.clague @canelo_co for the #gifted copy of Ragged Valley.
Determined not to waste his life toiling for his cruel brother, Silas, the second son of a farmer, arrives in town to seek his fortune. Harriet has reconciled herself to a life no better than domestic service for her austere uncle. And John Gunson, Chief Engineer at the Sheffield Waterworks Company, has just completed his crowning glory – the Dale Dyke dam.
But one stormy night, the unthinkable happens. The dam bursts. A wall of water is unleashed, destroying everything in its path.
The aftershocks of the flood reach far beyond that night, with consequences that could never have been foreseen. Fatefully brought together, Silas and Harriet must now contend with their families as new love blooms. Meanwhile, Gunson faces not only an angry community but also a court of inquest looking for a scapegoat.
Can any good come from the disaster, and will justice be served for those who lost everything?
•••
A thrilling saga inspired by the real events of the Great Sheffield Flood of 1864, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Emma Hornby and Elisabeth McNeill.
•••
The story is told from 3 points of view, Silas, Harriet, and John Gunson. This books brings forward the heartbreaking truth of the people who survived the flood and the aftermath they endured from different class levels. At times, it was difficult to read due to the harsh reality of how women were seen and spoken to and the challenges some people were faced with. The old English style writing at times was difficult to follow, as well. As the story progressed, I really warmed up to the characters and enjoyed the romance between Silas and Harriet-it left me wanting to know what happened next.
•••
Thank you @lovebookstours @jo.clague @canelo_co for the #gifted copy of Ragged Valley.
popthebutterfly's review
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author for tour. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Ragged Valley
Author: Joanne Clague
Book Series: The Sheffield Saga Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, romance, “clean romance”
Publication Date: June 2, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction Romance
Age Relevance: 13+ (romance, flood, death, grief, religion)
Explanation of Above: There is romance in this book, but nothing beyond small moments together. This would be described as a “clean romance”. There is a flood that happens and there is some death and grief mentioned in the book. There is also some religion mentioned in the book.
Publisher: Canelo Saga
Pages: 300
Synopsis: Determined not to waste his life toiling for his cruel brother, Silas, the second son of a farmer, arrives in town to seek his fortune. Harriet has reconciled herself to a life no better than domestic service for her austere uncle. And John Gunson, Chief Engineer at the Sheffield Waterworks Company, has just completed his crowning glory – the Dale Dyke dam.
But one stormy night, the unthinkable happens. The dam bursts. A wall of water is unleashed, destroying everything in its path.
The aftershocks of the flood reach far beyond that night, with consequences that could never have been foreseen. Fatefully brought together, Silas and Harriet must now contend with their families as new love blooms. Meanwhile, Gunson faces not only an angry community but also a court of inquest looking for a scapegoat.
Can any good come from the disaster, and will justice be served for those who lost everything?
Review: For the most part the book was pretty good. I thought that the book, while starting off confusingly, was fairly good. The character development was ok and the world building was great. I liked that the book was an inspired tale from the 1864 Dale Dyke Dam flood and I thought it did good to keep a good pacing. The book also did well with the romance in my opinion.
However, I thought that the book was a bit confusing. I didn’t understand that it was a historical fiction romance tale until after I read the synopsis and it took a bit for me to get into the book. I thought there were some pretty cheesy and weird moments in it, especially with the characters developments. The book was also multi POV and I didn’t think that the characters voices were distinct enough in my opinion.
Verdict: It was ok!
Book: The Ragged Valley
Author: Joanne Clague
Book Series: The Sheffield Saga Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, romance, “clean romance”
Publication Date: June 2, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction Romance
Age Relevance: 13+ (romance, flood, death, grief, religion)
Explanation of Above: There is romance in this book, but nothing beyond small moments together. This would be described as a “clean romance”. There is a flood that happens and there is some death and grief mentioned in the book. There is also some religion mentioned in the book.
Publisher: Canelo Saga
Pages: 300
Synopsis: Determined not to waste his life toiling for his cruel brother, Silas, the second son of a farmer, arrives in town to seek his fortune. Harriet has reconciled herself to a life no better than domestic service for her austere uncle. And John Gunson, Chief Engineer at the Sheffield Waterworks Company, has just completed his crowning glory – the Dale Dyke dam.
But one stormy night, the unthinkable happens. The dam bursts. A wall of water is unleashed, destroying everything in its path.
The aftershocks of the flood reach far beyond that night, with consequences that could never have been foreseen. Fatefully brought together, Silas and Harriet must now contend with their families as new love blooms. Meanwhile, Gunson faces not only an angry community but also a court of inquest looking for a scapegoat.
Can any good come from the disaster, and will justice be served for those who lost everything?
Review: For the most part the book was pretty good. I thought that the book, while starting off confusingly, was fairly good. The character development was ok and the world building was great. I liked that the book was an inspired tale from the 1864 Dale Dyke Dam flood and I thought it did good to keep a good pacing. The book also did well with the romance in my opinion.
However, I thought that the book was a bit confusing. I didn’t understand that it was a historical fiction romance tale until after I read the synopsis and it took a bit for me to get into the book. I thought there were some pretty cheesy and weird moments in it, especially with the characters developments. The book was also multi POV and I didn’t think that the characters voices were distinct enough in my opinion.
Verdict: It was ok!
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