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dreamer4ever's review against another edition
5.0
If it were possible I would give this 100 more stars. A. G. Howard has a gift with words and story telling. This is a hauntingly beautiful story. It is unique and masterfully written. It is so hard to write a decent review to put into words how much I loved this, but if you've never read this author I would encourage you to read this and everything else she's written and if your familiar with her, then you will not be disappointed. This is magic, pure and simple
briarrosebookss's review against another edition
4.0
This was a 2nd chance read and I actually enjoyed the story. Listened via audible and thought it to be really romantic. It had all thr elements I look for in a gothic romance for sure.
booksnpenguins's review against another edition
DNFing this at 13%
I absolutely appreciate the disability rep and the premise seems super original, but I'm really not feeling this book right now and the writing isn't my cup of tea.
Maybe I'll get back to it when and if I'm in the proper mood, but for now I'm moving on to something hopefully more entertaining.
#PenguinOnATBRMission: book #16
◾this hashtag is something I self-indulgently created for fun when I decided to thin out my immense tbr list as a new years resolution starting from books I added on GR back in 2017/2018/2019, and since I can't seem to do anything quietly and I'm well known for being an overachiever, I had to go and turn it into an official thing. Feel free to check out the shelf with the same name if you don't mind keeping up with this insanely over-hyped adventure I got myself into. Take it as a chance to rediscover some books from a few years ago that might have accidentally flown under your radar, or to simply share with another fellow reader your very own reading experience. Happy reading and stay penguin-y!◾
To Be Continued...
I absolutely appreciate the disability rep and the premise seems super original, but I'm really not feeling this book right now and the writing isn't my cup of tea.
Maybe I'll get back to it when and if I'm in the proper mood, but for now I'm moving on to something hopefully more entertaining.
#PenguinOnATBRMission: book #16
◾this hashtag is something I self-indulgently created for fun when I decided to thin out my immense tbr list as a new years resolution starting from books I added on GR back in 2017/2018/2019, and since I can't seem to do anything quietly and I'm well known for being an overachiever, I had to go and turn it into an official thing. Feel free to check out the shelf with the same name if you don't mind keeping up with this insanely over-hyped adventure I got myself into. Take it as a chance to rediscover some books from a few years ago that might have accidentally flown under your radar, or to simply share with another fellow reader your very own reading experience. Happy reading and stay penguin-y!◾
To Be Continued...
brittaniethekid's review against another edition
4.0
Solid four stars. Great for people who love Victorian romance with a bit of pulp - add a ghost story and a murder mystery and you've got a fun, exciting read.
grace_77's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sarahatheart's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Very readable and twisty/turny, but rather silly and not what I was expecting. I really enjoyed A. G. Howard's Splintered series due to the fantastical descriptions of Wonderland. It was creepy and atmospheric and so clever--definitely inspired by Tim Burton, but still unique and original. Since this was a ghost story, I really expected some of the same otherworldliness as the Splintered books, but it definitely is a romance containing a ghost story, and not the other way around. It was not creepy or unsettling at all (other than some of the very uncomfortable scenes with Juliet and the ghost). This book also had very little world-building and the writing was too flowery for me. So I won't be finishing this series.
Very readable and twisty/turny, but rather silly and not what I was expecting. I really enjoyed A. G. Howard's Splintered series due to the fantastical descriptions of Wonderland. It was creepy and atmospheric and so clever--definitely inspired by Tim Burton, but still unique and original. Since this was a ghost story, I really expected some of the same otherworldliness as the Splintered books, but it definitely is a romance containing a ghost story, and not the other way around. It was not creepy or unsettling at all (other than some of the very uncomfortable scenes with Juliet and the ghost). This book also had very little world-building and the writing was too flowery for me. So I won't be finishing this series.
the_cover_contessa's review against another edition
3.0
I was really excited to jump into this book when I got it. I love Howard's writing (and am a huge fan of her Splintered series) so I was certainly expecting to love this. And while it was totally different than what I experienced in her young adult series, I was pleasantly surprises at the tone and overall plot of this story.
I will be honest and say I didn't read the blurb to this book. I didn't really care what it was about, just that Howard wrote it! So I kind of jumped in blind. And when it started I was happy to find it had a historical theme to it. I don't often read historical books so I was interested to see where it went. And then all of a sudden there was a paranormal element and I was hooked! Just the premise of a friendship/relationship with a ghost was super intriguing to me!
Juliet is a great heroine. I really adored that her disability, her deafness, did not hold her back. She is relatable and even a bit ahead of her time in her ways of thinking. I like that she did not allow herself to be pushed around despite being a woman in the time during which this book took place.
Hawk is our ghost. Though he doesn't know this information at first. And he cannot remember anything about his life. He and Juliet are determined to find out exactly what happened to him and how he died. Along the way, they uncover many truths, including those about Lord Thornton, the gentleman who is attempting to buy her childhood home and court her at the same time!
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Hawk and Juliet bloom. I was really curious as to how Howard would make things work between them but she did find a way. However, Lord Thornton complicates things with a bit of a love triangle. And then when the relationship between Thornton and Hawk is revealed, BAM, that's really a kicker!
Howard's descriptive ability is really wonderful. It was easy for me to see each scene she painted on the page and each character she revealed with her words. Her characters developed and grew allowing me to bond with them and gain their trust. And the supporting characters really did lend so much to the story.
My only issues with this book was the pacing. I did find it slow at times. I really thought there were areas that were drawn out more than they needed to be, scenes that could have been eliminated to tighten the flow and make the story move. It made it a bit hard to see where the story was going.
Told in first person point of view, Howard paints a true picture of what it was like to be a woman in a age when men really ruled the world. A woman trying to find her place and make sure she has a place for herself when she is all she has left.
I will be honest and say I didn't read the blurb to this book. I didn't really care what it was about, just that Howard wrote it! So I kind of jumped in blind. And when it started I was happy to find it had a historical theme to it. I don't often read historical books so I was interested to see where it went. And then all of a sudden there was a paranormal element and I was hooked! Just the premise of a friendship/relationship with a ghost was super intriguing to me!
Juliet is a great heroine. I really adored that her disability, her deafness, did not hold her back. She is relatable and even a bit ahead of her time in her ways of thinking. I like that she did not allow herself to be pushed around despite being a woman in the time during which this book took place.
Hawk is our ghost. Though he doesn't know this information at first. And he cannot remember anything about his life. He and Juliet are determined to find out exactly what happened to him and how he died. Along the way, they uncover many truths, including those about Lord Thornton, the gentleman who is attempting to buy her childhood home and court her at the same time!
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Hawk and Juliet bloom. I was really curious as to how Howard would make things work between them but she did find a way. However, Lord Thornton complicates things with a bit of a love triangle. And then when the relationship between Thornton and Hawk is revealed, BAM, that's really a kicker!
Howard's descriptive ability is really wonderful. It was easy for me to see each scene she painted on the page and each character she revealed with her words. Her characters developed and grew allowing me to bond with them and gain their trust. And the supporting characters really did lend so much to the story.
My only issues with this book was the pacing. I did find it slow at times. I really thought there were areas that were drawn out more than they needed to be, scenes that could have been eliminated to tighten the flow and make the story move. It made it a bit hard to see where the story was going.
Told in first person point of view, Howard paints a true picture of what it was like to be a woman in a age when men really ruled the world. A woman trying to find her place and make sure she has a place for herself when she is all she has left.
nataliesboooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was good, but I guessed the twist almost immediately. It was kind of obvious.
Juliet was a good heroine though, and I thought the author did a good job capturing her deafness.
I thought the ghost was creepy and voyeuristic, and overall perverted. I mean, watching her in the bath? Come on. I couldn’t understand why she liked him and wanted to learn his story. I got that he could hear her thoughts so it was easier for her to communicate with him than anyone else, but I still didn’t like him much.
Juliet was a good heroine though, and I thought the author did a good job capturing her deafness.
I thought the ghost was creepy and voyeuristic, and overall perverted. I mean, watching her in the bath? Come on. I couldn’t understand why she liked him and wanted to learn his story. I got that he could hear her thoughts so it was easier for her to communicate with him than anyone else, but I still didn’t like him much.
marque's review against another edition
3.0
Не могу поверить, что читала эту книгу так долго. Вероятно, у Аниты Грэйс Говард фишка такая: лишь после десяти скучных глав(или около того), чтобы началось хоть какое-то подобие движения сюжета. В целом, получилось неплохо, и историей вполне можно насладится, если пробраться через скучное начало.
Книга написана в жанре New Adult, и, честно признаюсь, издатели и сама автор переоценили свои силы, раз решили издать эту историю под этим жанром. Ничего такого тут нет, так что сразу можно поставить истории минус за жанровое несоответствие.
Вторым досадным недостатком, на мой взгляд, стала главная героиня Джульетта Эмарлин.Точнее, нет, сама она является клишированной героиней этого жанра, что неудивительно. Дело в другом. По сюжету Джульетта глухая, и она читает по губам. Причем безошибочно, что невозможно. Ее глухота вообще никак не сказывалась на ней, как на герое. Не будь у нее этого недостатка, ничего бы не изменилось. Я не имею ничего против физически неполноценных людей в литературе, но раз уж вы взялись писать о таких людях, то сделайте это нормально. Навык чтения по губам Джульетта довела до такого совершенства, что она без проблем может "подслушивать" чужие разговоры.
Мне понравился сеттинг. Что поделать, Англия девятнадцатого века является одним из тех литературных факторов, которые подкупают меня. У автора неплохо получилось описать моду и нравы того времени. Иногда, ты вроде читаешь книгу о другом временном периоде, а потом персонажи начинают разговаривать на современном подростковом сленге.
Книга начинается с похорон матери Джульетты. В расстроенных чувствах, она бродит по кладбищу и решает сорвать с земли цветок, но цветок-то непростой. Стоит Джульетте прикоснутся к лепесткам несчастной флоры, как перед ней появляется призрак двадцатилетнего джентльмена. Вопросы "Как? Зачем? Почему?" остаются без ответа. Бедный фантом не помнит ничего из своего прошлого, даже свое имя.
Окрестив призрака "Сокол", они начинают собственное расследование. На горизонте в это время замаячил Лорд Николас Торнтон, который подозрительно похож на Сокола, да и пытается выкупить поместье родителей Джульетты и женится на ней. Джульетте эта ситуация крайне не нравится, но она соглошается поехать к Торнтону дабы узнать о прошлом своего призрачного компаньона.
Как я ни старалась зациклится на детективной составляющей, любовный треугольник взял главенствующею роль в этой истории. Дело не в том, что для того, чтобы влюбится в Сокола, Джульетте потребовалась неделя, а для влюбленности в Торнтона и того меньше. Однако, соплежуйства стало раздражать меня только ближе к концу.
Сюжет порадовал некоторыми неожиданными поворотами. Автор дает достаточно подсказок, чтобы догадаться самому, но многое было неожиданным даже для меня. Именно детективная составляющая смогла удержать мое внимание.
Так как это еще и готическая проза, в книге встречается много отсылок к классическим произведением жанра. Например, тайная комната, куда никто не заходит, а так же психованный родственник, о котором никто не знает, явно отдает романом [book:Джейн Эйр|19545856] Шарлотты Бронте.
Как итог: получилось неплохо. Несмотря на то, что я сильно скинула оценку в итоге, это было приятное чтиво, хоть и с очень затянутым вступлением.
Книга написана в жанре New Adult, и, честно признаюсь, издатели и сама автор переоценили свои силы, раз решили издать эту историю под этим жанром. Ничего такого тут нет, так что сразу можно поставить истории минус за жанровое несоответствие.
Вторым досадным недостатком, на мой взгляд, стала главная героиня Джульетта Эмарлин.Точнее, нет, сама она является клишированной героиней этого жанра, что неудивительно. Дело в другом. По сюжету Джульетта глухая, и она читает по губам. Причем безошибочно, что невозможно. Ее глухота вообще никак не сказывалась на ней, как на герое. Не будь у нее этого недостатка, ничего бы не изменилось. Я не имею ничего против физически неполноценных людей в литературе, но раз уж вы взялись писать о таких людях, то сделайте это нормально. Навык чтения по губам Джульетта довела до такого совершенства, что она без проблем может "подслушивать" чужие разговоры.
Мне понравился сеттинг. Что поделать, Англия девятнадцатого века является одним из тех литературных факторов, которые подкупают меня. У автора неплохо получилось описать моду и нравы того времени. Иногда, ты вроде читаешь книгу о другом временном периоде, а потом персонажи начинают разговаривать на современном подростковом сленге.
Книга начинается с похорон матери Джульетты. В расстроенных чувствах, она бродит по кладбищу и решает сорвать с земли цветок, но цветок-то непростой. Стоит Джульетте прикоснутся к лепесткам несчастной флоры, как перед ней появляется призрак двадцатилетнего джентльмена. Вопросы "Как? Зачем? Почему?" остаются без ответа. Бедный фантом не помнит ничего из своего прошлого, даже свое имя.
Окрестив призрака "Сокол", они начинают собственное расследование. На горизонте в это время замаячил Лорд Николас Торнтон, который подозрительно похож на Сокола, да и пытается выкупить поместье родителей Джульетты и женится на ней. Джульетте эта ситуация крайне не нравится, но она соглошается поехать к Торнтону дабы узнать о прошлом своего призрачного компаньона.
Как я ни старалась зациклится на детективной составляющей, любовный треугольник взял главенствующею роль в этой истории. Дело не в том, что для того, чтобы влюбится в Сокола, Джульетте потребовалась неделя, а для влюбленности в Торнтона и того меньше. Однако, соплежуйства стало раздражать меня только ближе к концу.
Сюжет порадовал некоторыми неожиданными поворотами. Автор дает достаточно подсказок, чтобы догадаться самому, но многое было неожиданным даже для меня. Именно детективная составляющая смогла удержать мое внимание.
Так как это еще и готическая проза, в книге встречается много отсылок к классическим произведением жанра. Например, тайная комната, куда никто не заходит, а так же психованный родственник, о котором никто не знает, явно отдает романом [book:Джейн Эйр|19545856] Шарлотты Бронте.
Как итог: получилось неплохо. Несмотря на то, что я сильно скинула оценку в итоге, это было приятное чтиво, хоть и с очень затянутым вступлением.
witchyficbindery's review against another edition
5.0
Read more of my reviews at Cornerfolds.com!
Initial reaction:
A.G. Howard is hands down one of my top 5 favorite authors and her books are on my auto buy list! I adored her Splintered series SO much that I would basically read her grocery list. When I saw that A.G. was going to be releasing the first book in a new adult series, I knew I had to have it!! I will admit... I had no idea what this book was even about when I requested a copy. I saw the cover, saw the author, and dived right in!
As it turns out, this is an incredible story about Juliet, a deaf girl whose mother has recently died. After stumbling into a friendship with a ghost who also happens to be the only person she can hear, Juliet finds herself embarking on a mission to help him find out more about his life and death. To gain information, she has to journey to a resort run by Lord Thornton, an unsavory fellow who has been after her estate for reasons unknown. Once there, she finds herself unsure of what to believe or who to trust, but remains determined to uncover the truth.
I loved Juliet! Despite the fact that she is forced to go to Lord Thornton's estate and essentially audition for the part of his wife, Juliet always maintains her independence and never becomes a weak character in any way. Not only does she play a huge part in the uncovering of the mystery surrounding Hawk, she actually fights against the system in several ways. The most entertaining of these is her refusal to wear the uncomfortable clothes forced upon her by the society of the time. I found it hilarious to see her repeatedly try to get away with not wearing the incredible uncomfortable dresses people kept trying to put her in, but I did like that she offered reasonable solutions to the issue. I also really liked that she was open to exploring relationships and her sexuality, albeit not in an overly risqué way. What I mean to say is I loved that A.G. Howard was able to give us a strong female protagonist while staying true to the time period.
Of course, there are two love interests, as implied by the synopsis. I ended up loving Hawk and Lord Thornton in different ways. There were times when I really didn't like either of them, but it all came together perfectly. I can't say much about either of these men without spoiling the book, but suffice it to say there were many swoons to be had. I was a little worried when I realized that there would be a love triangle in this story, but if anyone knows how to write a satisfying love triangle, it's A.G. Howard! Although this is a new adult romance and there is some sexual content, there are no sexually explicit scenes. Something to keep in mind if you're not a fan of the overly steamy!
The setting was also fantastic and really goes hand in hand with the cover. Most of this story takes place between a graveyard, a really unique luxury resort, and an old mine. All of it fit right into a story of a ghost stuck between worlds and a shady nobleman with a questionable past. I definitely felt like I could picture my surroundings the whole way through and it really added to the reading experience!
Speaking of reading experience... Sometimes new adult romance has a tendency to focus too much on the romance, while the plot slides to the back burner, but that is not the case here! I wasn't sure what the story would be going in and much of it stays shrouded in mystery until late in the book. I love big twists and The Architect of Song has them! I was totally shocked more than once reading this. There is also a very satisfying conclusion at the end of this book. Although it is the first in a series, they are loosely connected enough that there's no cliffhanger to leave you in agony for the next year!
I honestly don't think A.G. Howard can write a book I won't like. I went into The Architect of Song not knowing what it was all about, but with very high expectations. Sometimes high expectations are a recipe for disaster, but in this case I was not disappointed! I blew through this in a couple days and, even though there wasn't a cliffhanger ending, I already can't wait to get the next one!
Initial reaction:
A.G. Howard is hands down one of my top 5 favorite authors and her books are on my auto buy list! I adored her Splintered series SO much that I would basically read her grocery list. When I saw that A.G. was going to be releasing the first book in a new adult series, I knew I had to have it!! I will admit... I had no idea what this book was even about when I requested a copy. I saw the cover, saw the author, and dived right in!
As it turns out, this is an incredible story about Juliet, a deaf girl whose mother has recently died. After stumbling into a friendship with a ghost who also happens to be the only person she can hear, Juliet finds herself embarking on a mission to help him find out more about his life and death. To gain information, she has to journey to a resort run by Lord Thornton, an unsavory fellow who has been after her estate for reasons unknown. Once there, she finds herself unsure of what to believe or who to trust, but remains determined to uncover the truth.
I loved Juliet! Despite the fact that she is forced to go to Lord Thornton's estate and essentially audition for the part of his wife, Juliet always maintains her independence and never becomes a weak character in any way. Not only does she play a huge part in the uncovering of the mystery surrounding Hawk, she actually fights against the system in several ways. The most entertaining of these is her refusal to wear the uncomfortable clothes forced upon her by the society of the time. I found it hilarious to see her repeatedly try to get away with not wearing the incredible uncomfortable dresses people kept trying to put her in, but I did like that she offered reasonable solutions to the issue. I also really liked that she was open to exploring relationships and her sexuality, albeit not in an overly risqué way. What I mean to say is I loved that A.G. Howard was able to give us a strong female protagonist while staying true to the time period.
Of course, there are two love interests, as implied by the synopsis. I ended up loving Hawk and Lord Thornton in different ways. There were times when I really didn't like either of them, but it all came together perfectly. I can't say much about either of these men without spoiling the book, but suffice it to say there were many swoons to be had. I was a little worried when I realized that there would be a love triangle in this story, but if anyone knows how to write a satisfying love triangle, it's A.G. Howard! Although this is a new adult romance and there is some sexual content, there are no sexually explicit scenes. Something to keep in mind if you're not a fan of the overly steamy!
The setting was also fantastic and really goes hand in hand with the cover. Most of this story takes place between a graveyard, a really unique luxury resort, and an old mine. All of it fit right into a story of a ghost stuck between worlds and a shady nobleman with a questionable past. I definitely felt like I could picture my surroundings the whole way through and it really added to the reading experience!
Speaking of reading experience... Sometimes new adult romance has a tendency to focus too much on the romance, while the plot slides to the back burner, but that is not the case here! I wasn't sure what the story would be going in and much of it stays shrouded in mystery until late in the book. I love big twists and The Architect of Song has them! I was totally shocked more than once reading this. There is also a very satisfying conclusion at the end of this book. Although it is the first in a series, they are loosely connected enough that there's no cliffhanger to leave you in agony for the next year!
I honestly don't think A.G. Howard can write a book I won't like. I went into The Architect of Song not knowing what it was all about, but with very high expectations. Sometimes high expectations are a recipe for disaster, but in this case I was not disappointed! I blew through this in a couple days and, even though there wasn't a cliffhanger ending, I already can't wait to get the next one!