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jennrocca's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure what I would think going in. Neither historical fiction nor fantasy are my favorite genres. In the end, the book developed robust characters in a complex world. It turned into a page turner. A "just one more chapter before bed" kind of story. This book presented a fun premise and developed it into a story of intrigues, plots, double-crossing, and Shakespearean style disguises. It was not simply the "kids go on a magical adventure" story you might expect from the book's description or early chapters.
100pagesaday's review against another edition
4.0
As a young woman returning from school, 16 year old Charlotte Bronte can't wait to jump back into the make believe world of Glass Town and her favorite activity to share with her siblings, storytelling. Together, the remaining Bronte siblings- Charlotte, Branwell, Anne and Emily have created the alternate world of Glass Town and keep meticulous written records of the events there. However, when a strange sleepwalking occurrence happens, a memory of Charlotte's meeting with her fairy grandfather and the strange gift he gave her resurfaces. The siblings begin to learn about their fairy bloodlines from their Aunt and attempt to learn the magic that has been brewing in their bones. Meanwhile, things are not going well in the city of Angria in the sibling's alternate world. Thanks to Branwell's imagination, there is a new King and a civil war is on the brink. When the former King crosses worlds to ask for Charlotte's aid in retaking the throne, she is more than ready to cross realms and step into the world of their creation.
I have always wanted the chance to step into the worlds from certain books, and I would definitely take the opportunity to visit a world of my own creation and talk to the people there! Aimed at young adults, but an absolute pleasure to read as an adult, The Mourning Ring is a magical and whimsical story that serves as a wonderful introduction into the world of the highly imaginative and revered storytellers themselves, the Bronte's. I was pleased to find out that the four siblings really did create these worlds in their youth and served as a start to the three sister's writing careers. With the addition of the fairy blood, the story was able to be brought into the fantasy world. The adventures in Glass Town were the highlight of the story, rich descriptions of the land, the dress and the characters that the Brontes loved made Glass Town just as real to me. I was excited when each sibling had the chance to interact with the character of their making and had to come to terms with that character's features and flaws. The trouble in Glass Town also parallels Branwell's future true-life troubles, however, in the story the siblings must work together to reinstate their former King Zamora and not become too entangled within the land of their own creation. Overall, a unique look into the early lives of four extraordinary siblings and the creative process that fueled their imaginations.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
I have always wanted the chance to step into the worlds from certain books, and I would definitely take the opportunity to visit a world of my own creation and talk to the people there! Aimed at young adults, but an absolute pleasure to read as an adult, The Mourning Ring is a magical and whimsical story that serves as a wonderful introduction into the world of the highly imaginative and revered storytellers themselves, the Bronte's. I was pleased to find out that the four siblings really did create these worlds in their youth and served as a start to the three sister's writing careers. With the addition of the fairy blood, the story was able to be brought into the fantasy world. The adventures in Glass Town were the highlight of the story, rich descriptions of the land, the dress and the characters that the Brontes loved made Glass Town just as real to me. I was excited when each sibling had the chance to interact with the character of their making and had to come to terms with that character's features and flaws. The trouble in Glass Town also parallels Branwell's future true-life troubles, however, in the story the siblings must work together to reinstate their former King Zamora and not become too entangled within the land of their own creation. Overall, a unique look into the early lives of four extraordinary siblings and the creative process that fueled their imaginations.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
abeth_parker's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up to 3. I didn't dislike this book, but I didn't love it either. I think the story could have done with a bit more polishing and editing. The fact that the four siblings in the book were the Bronte children was nothing more than a side note. The potential was there, but it fell a little flat.
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