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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
I don't think I've ever been more appreciative to a book tour exposing me to a novel before. I love historical fiction but I'll admit I gravitate towards a handful of time/locations when choosing: WWII, English monarchy, colonial America. Beneath The Veil Of Smoke & Ash was a bullet out of nowhere for me, set in the early 1900's in steel and coal country. The story follows an immigrant family trying to capture the American dream but never quite grasping it.
The characters drew me in right away, I haven't read many stories that I was so invested in or so conflicted by. There are some unusual circumstances that you can totally believe could have played out in real life. Abuse and neglect and xenophobia that certainly defined the growth of America and yet we are only just beginning to unfold and understand these stories. People faced with impossible decisions to try to survive and yet no one lost the hope of the potential to thrive. I was so intrigued by the harshness of the era and understanding how people coped with the constant tragedy and hardship their lives entailed. I appreciated the storyline of mental illness and how it impacted everyone around that character.
I absolutely devoured this novel. I would love a sequel to understand where each of the characters went after the story ended. If you enjoy historical fiction by authors like Kristin Hannah, Phillippa Gregory or Gill Paul then you should definitely check this one out.
Thanks to Booksparks for a copy of this novel. All opinions above are my own.
The characters drew me in right away, I haven't read many stories that I was so invested in or so conflicted by. There are some unusual circumstances that you can totally believe could have played out in real life. Abuse and neglect and xenophobia that certainly defined the growth of America and yet we are only just beginning to unfold and understand these stories. People faced with impossible decisions to try to survive and yet no one lost the hope of the potential to thrive. I was so intrigued by the harshness of the era and understanding how people coped with the constant tragedy and hardship their lives entailed. I appreciated the storyline of mental illness and how it impacted everyone around that character.
I absolutely devoured this novel. I would love a sequel to understand where each of the characters went after the story ended. If you enjoy historical fiction by authors like Kristin Hannah, Phillippa Gregory or Gill Paul then you should definitely check this one out.
Thanks to Booksparks for a copy of this novel. All opinions above are my own.
I stayed up sooooo late finishing this book. It took me a little while to get into it and then I was hooked.
There was a lot happening and so many characters to track, but the story all came together in the end nicely.
I loved the glimpse into the lives of steel workers and miners, as well as the unglamorous side of that Era with its smog, the treatment of immigrants, and the difficulties that class had in moving up in the world.
I didn't love that the story was kind of predictable. There were so a few loose ends that were never tied up. The writing style also felt more juvenile in the beginning but improved as the book went on.
Overall, I do recommend reading it. There were a few swear words but it was within the context, mostly closed door scenes, and violence was minimal.
I received a Netgalley ARCin exchange for my review.
There was a lot happening and so many characters to track, but the story all came together in the end nicely.
I loved the glimpse into the lives of steel workers and miners, as well as the unglamorous side of that Era with its smog, the treatment of immigrants, and the difficulties that class had in moving up in the world.
I didn't love that the story was kind of predictable. There were so a few loose ends that were never tied up. The writing style also felt more juvenile in the beginning but improved as the book went on.
Overall, I do recommend reading it. There were a few swear words but it was within the context, mostly closed door scenes, and violence was minimal.
I received a Netgalley ARCin exchange for my review.
This book starts off in 1910 and transfers across to 1917. With each chapter being from the viewpoint of a character, the story just rolls on. The effects of the world back then is shown through the book with each character taking on a different role and finding their way through a hard life. What I liked about this book was that I couldn't put it down. I was always wanting to know what was happening next. The authors words and the story told had me swept up in the lives of the Kovacs and the emotions involved throughout the book. A great historical fiction which I am glad that I found and chose to read.
Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash tells the story of immigrants, privilege, and mental health in the turn of the 20th century. It's told from the pov of several characters but mainly focused on Janos and Karina Kovac along with their two children Sofie and Lukas. Karina suffers from what sounds to me like bipolar disorder along with a touch of post partum depression in a time when mental health issues were something to hide away in shame. Another character, Edith Covington Girard is an heiress dealing with an unknown medical issue showing that the rich have their own problems that money can't always solve.
Overall, it's a good story though it did take me a while longer than I like to actually get into the story because of various formatting issues — though I believe those are due to my having a NetGalley copy for review.
Overall, it's a good story though it did take me a while longer than I like to actually get into the story because of various formatting issues — though I believe those are due to my having a NetGalley copy for review.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
✨ I just started this one yesterday and couldn’t put it down. Historical fiction is not normally my jam. I surprised myself by even requesting a copy of this book. The blurb really drew me in. It’s set in Pittsburgh in 1910 and centers around an Eastern European Immigrant family. Being from a small steel mill town about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh I was immediately intrigued. Although parts of the story were a little predictable, I still really enjoyed it.
I am astonished that this book is a debut. The characters were so well fleshed out, the extreme research done on the time and area is evident. The author does an amazing job putting you right there in the story with her imagery. I felt like I was a little kid again, smelling the sulphuric steel mills on the clothes of grown ups around me or stealing treats from the cookie tables of Fire Hall weddings that are still held in the same fashion today in Western PA.
This novel tackles the struggles immigrants faced coming to America in search of better opportunities. Things like poor working conditions, language barriers, social class issues, and limited housing options, all while trying to preserve their own heritage. It also deals with mental and physical health issues that were simply not understood at the time. If you’re a fan of family drama that will break your heart and then put it back together I can not recommend this book enough
I am astonished that this book is a debut. The characters were so well fleshed out, the extreme research done on the time and area is evident. The author does an amazing job putting you right there in the story with her imagery. I felt like I was a little kid again, smelling the sulphuric steel mills on the clothes of grown ups around me or stealing treats from the cookie tables of Fire Hall weddings that are still held in the same fashion today in Western PA.
This novel tackles the struggles immigrants faced coming to America in search of better opportunities. Things like poor working conditions, language barriers, social class issues, and limited housing options, all while trying to preserve their own heritage. It also deals with mental and physical health issues that were simply not understood at the time. If you’re a fan of family drama that will break your heart and then put it back together I can not recommend this book enough
I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Where do I start? This book was amazing! I was sucked in from the first page. This book was well written, and it just drew me in. I had to know what happened next. It’s told in several POV’s, which I normally don’t care for- however it was easy for me to keep track and I loved it! I fell in love with almost every character.
I think this book is a real eye opener to immigrants, even though it’s written about 1910-1917, I still think it’s important now. I felt the characters struggles. I don’t want to give anything away. This is a beautiful story, and the ending wrapped up nicely.
Where do I start? This book was amazing! I was sucked in from the first page. This book was well written, and it just drew me in. I had to know what happened next. It’s told in several POV’s, which I normally don’t care for- however it was easy for me to keep track and I loved it! I fell in love with almost every character.
I think this book is a real eye opener to immigrants, even though it’s written about 1910-1917, I still think it’s important now. I felt the characters struggles. I don’t want to give anything away. This is a beautiful story, and the ending wrapped up nicely.