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vyhurz's review against another edition
3.0
Full Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnqzuPvMQA8
dilchh's review
5.0
Oh man, I should have done this from days ago, but then not only was I lazy (classic excuse) but I was also a bit caught up at work (another classic and lame excuse). But, oh well, I’m here now and I’m doing it, so bear with me, kay? Here’s one thing you need to know first, I have been going on a long and arduous trip to get this book. For some reason, I just couldn’t find one, but then I did and I read it anyway. Honestly the premise was a bit of a snoozefest for me. I’m not a big fan of stories that started off with someone recovering from the loss of someone important in their life and move to a new place and yadda yadda turns out this person had a connection to someone from the past at the the exact location that she’s living now. Yeah, yeah what else is new? But the cover of this book is so beautiful, right? I knew I had to at least gave this book a chance before condemning it entirely.
Hahahahaha…..ha. Jokes on me, though. Because this book is DAZZLING! I love this book so much, well what I meant is I love the story so much. It took a while for me to get the hang of how the story works and to distinguished which storyline belongs to Tilda and which one is Seren’s (even though there clearly is a huge capitalised letters of each name on top before the story starts, I can be my own worst enemy at times), but once I did get the hang of the story I see myself not being able to put the book down.
Indeed, there were times where I’m beginning to question the genre of this book; is it fantasy slash historical fiction or is it just downright supposed to be something that scared the life out of me? But hey, no complaint there, I’m just saying that this book did a great job in covering the whole historical fiction part while maintaining the element of surprise that is a good reminiscent of HORROR MOVIES (which to be perfectly honest about it, I am not a big fan) but I don’t mind, I just enjoy the story so much.
Looking back, I can’t seem to pin point what is it about the book and the story that I love so much. Honestly, magic-wise, it was quite okay, nothing grand there. History-wise, eh it was alright, nothing specific about it anyway. But, here’s one thing that I think is the highlight of the story; the author’s ability to build the scenery through words. 80% of the scenery in the books are literally something that range between fog, snow, rain, gloom, sad, dark, cry (you get what I mean), but the author manages to make it more than just a cold and gloomy place; she had made the place filled with a hint of romance and calm and solitude and just generally a place I would want to spend my time at.
Okay, where am I going with this? I guess, you just have to read the book to understand why I would recommend this to those with interest on historical fiction and/or anything related to witches. Okay, I’m out. I am so not nailing this book review thing, aren’t I? Oh, another suggestion if ever you decided to read this book, do accompany yourself with nature sounds. If you’re one of those lucky souls who can just open their windows and be surrounded by the chirping of birds or the sound of rain falls, then you have that covered already. But, if you’re not so lucky (looks at self), you can just go and find those perfect nature sounds playlist on Spotify; that being said, might I suggest sounds like thunderstorm mixed with crackling fireplace?
Hahahahaha…..ha. Jokes on me, though. Because this book is DAZZLING! I love this book so much, well what I meant is I love the story so much. It took a while for me to get the hang of how the story works and to distinguished which storyline belongs to Tilda and which one is Seren’s (even though there clearly is a huge capitalised letters of each name on top before the story starts, I can be my own worst enemy at times), but once I did get the hang of the story I see myself not being able to put the book down.
Indeed, there were times where I’m beginning to question the genre of this book; is it fantasy slash historical fiction or is it just downright supposed to be something that scared the life out of me? But hey, no complaint there, I’m just saying that this book did a great job in covering the whole historical fiction part while maintaining the element of surprise that is a good reminiscent of HORROR MOVIES (which to be perfectly honest about it, I am not a big fan) but I don’t mind, I just enjoy the story so much.
Looking back, I can’t seem to pin point what is it about the book and the story that I love so much. Honestly, magic-wise, it was quite okay, nothing grand there. History-wise, eh it was alright, nothing specific about it anyway. But, here’s one thing that I think is the highlight of the story; the author’s ability to build the scenery through words. 80% of the scenery in the books are literally something that range between fog, snow, rain, gloom, sad, dark, cry (you get what I mean), but the author manages to make it more than just a cold and gloomy place; she had made the place filled with a hint of romance and calm and solitude and just generally a place I would want to spend my time at.
Okay, where am I going with this? I guess, you just have to read the book to understand why I would recommend this to those with interest on historical fiction and/or anything related to witches. Okay, I’m out. I am so not nailing this book review thing, aren’t I? Oh, another suggestion if ever you decided to read this book, do accompany yourself with nature sounds. If you’re one of those lucky souls who can just open their windows and be surrounded by the chirping of birds or the sound of rain falls, then you have that covered already. But, if you’re not so lucky (looks at self), you can just go and find those perfect nature sounds playlist on Spotify; that being said, might I suggest sounds like thunderstorm mixed with crackling fireplace?
carolyn0613's review against another edition
2.0
I was quite bored by this book. I enjoyed the parts written in modern times but found the writing style of the events in the past terrible and couldn't bring myself to waste time reading them. the story didn't grab me much so I disengaged with the whole book. I didn't finish it.
brianne_k's review against another edition
4.0
*4/5*
I loved this book. I am usually torn on books that go back and forth in time, but this one really worked for me. I loved Tilda and Seren. I loved the mythology.
I loved this book. I am usually torn on books that go back and forth in time, but this one really worked for me. I loved Tilda and Seren. I loved the mythology.
escapist's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
twicomb's review against another edition
2.0
The description of this book checked a lot of boxes for what I enjoy reading. I was let down. It’s a somewhat average book that felt as if it was written with the hopes it would be adapted into a Netflix “atmospheric horror with romance elements” movie. The story was plotted out so mechanically that reading it felt like watching someone go through a checklist of how to plot a book. Is that necessarily a bad thing? No, but made reading it feel like a bit of a chore. It also meant that I struggled to get swept up in the story, or care much about the characters.
The descriptions of nature are beautiful, and the parallel story set in 910 AD (or so) was clearly well-researched and interested me much more than the main story. The author is clearly talented. Unfortunately it felt as if she cranked out this book. (I was reminded of how some of Stephen King’s books in the Misery years started to feel mechanical and cranked out.I would be interested to revisit her work if someone could recommend another title of hers that feels more filled with passion for the craft of writing, and less like a book from a plot assembly line.
How I rate books:
1: awful, terribly written, and/or inexcusable story issues
2: dull, unenjoyable, and/or poorly written
3: decent, possibly a good “airplane read” but I won’t be recommending it, an average book experience
4: quite good, engaging, and/or well-written
5: top-notch, fascinating story/content, wonderful writing
The descriptions of nature are beautiful, and the parallel story set in 910 AD (or so) was clearly well-researched and interested me much more than the main story. The author is clearly talented. Unfortunately it felt as if she cranked out this book. (I was reminded of how some of Stephen King’s books in the Misery years started to feel mechanical and cranked out.I would be interested to revisit her work if someone could recommend another title of hers that feels more filled with passion for the craft of writing, and less like a book from a plot assembly line.
How I rate books:
1: awful, terribly written, and/or inexcusable story issues
2: dull, unenjoyable, and/or poorly written
3: decent, possibly a good “airplane read” but I won’t be recommending it, an average book experience
4: quite good, engaging, and/or well-written
5: top-notch, fascinating story/content, wonderful writing
danika004's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
thepeacefulmuser's review against another edition
5.0
Strong writing, strong women, you'll never see the ending coming
thestoryowl's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the setting and rich history of the story but just couldn't fall in love with the characters.