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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
One of the best, well written historical fiction books I have read in a long time. The prose flows smoothly. The vocabulary takes the reader back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, yet leaves us wondering if we learned anything at all. Highly recommended.
An entertaining historical drama about a spymaster and spy-in-training set in Queen Elizabeth's England. I loved the female protagonist (although at times I did want to shake her a bit for her negative feelings towards herself) and I thought Brooks was a master at setting you in scene and in the time period. I could picture London clearly, and was always entertained by the dialogues between characters. While I didn't find this book life-changing or emotional and I did find that it was a bit longer than it needed to be, it was still a delightful and amusing book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a light read.
3.5/5
3.5/5
3.5 STARS
And if dreams were locks, we'd all possess keys.
I came across this book in the new release section at the library and found the premise interesting. The author conducted in-depth research, and it shines throughout the book. I found the historical aspect fascinating, especially the weaving of historical characters, both real and make believe. Mallory is an intelligent and likable heroine, and I really enjoyed the main plot. The book is slower paced and almost contained too much information. The overall flow of the book got a little lost in the details.
I would definitely read this author again, as she has a CS Harris/Deb Harkness vibe to her writing. She just needs to be less wordy.
And if dreams were locks, we'd all possess keys.
I came across this book in the new release section at the library and found the premise interesting. The author conducted in-depth research, and it shines throughout the book. I found the historical aspect fascinating, especially the weaving of historical characters, both real and make believe. Mallory is an intelligent and likable heroine, and I really enjoyed the main plot. The book is slower paced and almost contained too much information. The overall flow of the book got a little lost in the details.
I would definitely read this author again, as she has a CS Harris/Deb Harkness vibe to her writing. She just needs to be less wordy.
I almost never keep a book to trade again. THIS BOOK I'm keeping yo tead again. Pure perfection!!
2.5 to 3 stars. Great historical detail, but sometimes too much. This was a big book, that would perhaps have been better if shorter. Mallory our main character was confusing, I don't actually think I liked her all that much.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Graphic description and imagery of hanging, drawing, and quartering
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-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
My first review of the new decade, and it's a five star. This was read as an audio book and omg, it was a book that once I was about 1/3 of the way though I did not actually want to put it down and with it being audio I was able to go about my chores and get on with my reading at the same time.
This was my first historical fiction based in truth and I was riveted by it the intrigue and mystery of the story itself kept me glued to this book for hours at a time.
The descriptions that Karen Brooks used in the writing were all encompassing of the experience you were seeing exactly what the lead characters were seeing.
This was my first historical fiction based in truth and I was riveted by it the intrigue and mystery of the story itself kept me glued to this book for hours at a time.
The descriptions that Karen Brooks used in the writing were all encompassing of the experience you were seeing exactly what the lead characters were seeing.