Reviews

The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

kfrey's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

marieweitzel77's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Aaaah! Amazing! I got angry several times about all the heartache Donnelly was putting these characters (or rather me) through. It was a satisfying conclusion and a happy ending though after all. I think I liked the Tea Rose a little more. I loved India and Fiona equally as heroines, however I think the plot was put together a little neater in the Tea Rose and it surprised me more.
I better wait a while for finishing the trilogy with the third book (the wild rose). Haven't been getting a whole lot else done these last couple of days! :) Always a tell-tale sign of a good novel.

mazza57's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This series is so good - set in the early 1900's Doneely has it all women in medicine, suffrage, poverty crime and love all bound in a fabulous tale that takes you from London to Africa and back.

kimberlymcmillanauthor's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

4.5 stars. I truly loved this book and the journey. It was long and the 6 year old daughter felt/communicated like she was much older. But, it was a beautiful story…highly recommend it!!!

desiree_boom's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

elles's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Ms. Donnelly certainly does not believe in happily ever after coming easily. While I loved the book, at some points I wondered to myself, "really? putting the hero(ine) through more?" After I got past 40% of the way through the book I kept thinking it was almost the end, but Ms. Donnelly kept throwing curveballs that prevented the HEA that was expected. I'm not saying that I want the books I read to just be a happy ending, but I felt like this one was unnecessarily strung out.

That being said, I really really loved this book. I definitely am excited to get my hands on the third book.

shahrun's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Pretty fab, epic saga following the fortunes of the families from The Tea Rose. Kept me interested. The ending of the book was quite an exciting, nail biting rush to the finish line. I knew before I started the book where it would all end - just not how. I have a few little niggles that stop me awarding top marks though. She manipulates time to fit her story, but it offends my logical sensibilities (because I’m sure what she fits in is just not really possible in said time available). Also had a rather irritating way of constantly repeating herself with unnecessary recaps - that’s poor editing. And disrupts an otherwise great story.

aovenus's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I love that the Tea Rose series read like watching a movie, where you get to see the point of view of different characters. I also liked that the characters from the first book continued to take a huge part in this book. However some parts dragged on too much and some plot points served no purpose other than to create a cliffhanger at the end of a chapter or being dramatic for the sake of being dramatic. But overall I enjoyed reading this book!

traceypurslow's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

These books are quite ridiculous really, like reading a soap opera! And the coincidences are outrageous. But they are page turners!

I think I enjoyed the first one a bit more because most of the bad stuff happened at the start and then Fiona was able to rebuild her life. Whereas in this one the bad times just kept on coming!

I liked India but her decision later in the book did not seem like the right one to me! Different times though I guess. I liked Sid too, I don’t know why he didn’t go to Fiona for help though. She could have helped set him up in America if he really wanted to leave that life.

I really enjoyed Joe’s storyline though. It was cool to see him give back to his community.

I didn’t like Seamie and Willa’s storyline much though which doesn’t bode well as I know they’re the main characters in the next one!

popmahea's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

LOVED it!! Can't wait to read the third book!!