Reviews

Nachtwake by Rebecca Stott

robert_vardill's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

booked42night's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

mrs_bonaventure's review against another edition

5.0

Labyrinthine, complex, illusive, fascinating. Smoky, deceptive and evocative. Other worlds. Other lives.

viko12's review against another edition

2.0

It had everything to be a great book but it definitely fell short.

sandin954's review against another edition

3.0

I ended up enjoying this book, about a woman who is summoned to finish the manuscript of an old friend who has met a mysterious death in Cambridge, though the ending was a bit vague for my tastes. Lots of info on Isaac Newton, alchemy, and Cambridge during the 17th century. Listened to the audio version which was read ably by Rosalyn Landor.

pattydsf's review against another edition

3.0

I am not sure what I expected from this book. The basic premise is that an author dies before she finishes her book about Sir Isaac Newton and another author is asked to finish the book. That sentence, although factually true, does not begin to describe Ghostwalk.

Stott takes some unknown periods of time in Newton's life and speculates about what might have happened. A number of items makes the book seem probable if not possible. Stott knows her science and knows how to make her theories plausible. She also knows Cambridge and the city is one of the characters that makes the book work.

Most importantly, the author's 21 century characters and actions seem as plausible as her 17th century characters. All in all, I found this to be a fascinating read. Well worth the suspension of disbelief that the story requires of the reader. I wish I was going to be around for the discussion at my book group.

rebelbelle13's review against another edition

1.0

I tried to give this book an honest effort. I really did. I made it to around page 100 when I had to put the book down and cut my losses. It moved way too slowly and felt like it wasn't even going anywhere. The topics the book covered sounded interesting enough, and I saw a few good reviews on it, so I figured I would give it a try. What a waste of time and money. The way the author writes the book (as a letter to her ex-lover) is way too hard to understand, and it really feels like Stott is attempting to be 'high-brow' when she is clearly not. I didn't feel any draw to the characters, and didn't care about what happened to anyone, or even how Elizabeth died (and I usually love murder mysteries, CSI and the like). This should have been called Ghostplod. I'm tossing this in the garage sale bin and not giving it another thought.

826conner's review against another edition

2.0

Could not get into this book. Read 90 pages and
the writing style could not engage my interest.
Good premise,but did not deliver.

the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! It is a mix of genre's from a gothic , mystery, supernatural, with a bit of a love story thrown in for good measure. The writing, is beautifully descriptive, almost poetic and the story interesting. I always admire an author that can weave facts with fiction and create both a compelling and entertaining read and Miz Stott has certainly achieved that with this novel. I look forward to reading more from this author!

txavocado's review against another edition

2.0

a promising premise, but not executed well. the book came across seeming like a retelling of the narrator/author's bad acid trip, rather than anything concrete or worthwhile. still, the Cambridge and 17th century trivia was interesting.