Reviews

The Architect of Song by A.G. Howard

annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review

5.0

Damn...wow...just...damn... When I saw the blurb for this book I was instantly intrigued and I ordered it before I had even thought about it. But I was not prepared for this story, I was not prepared for all those emotions, I was not prepared for this lovely, touching and brilliantly told tale of three humans trying to discover who they were, who they are and who they want to be.

Action-wise not much is happening in this book. It's not that kind of book and not that kind of story. This book is completely character driven. It's driven by Juliet and it's driven by the two men trying to win a part of her heart. It's driven by what they feel, by their learning curve, by their choices. It's driven by their wants and needs and longings. It's driven by love, by grief, by pain and by learning how to overcome those things that make us different.

I'm not sure if I've just grown used to the writing style of Howard or if this book did read easier than her Splintered series and Roseblood. But for some reason I flew through this book and it was almost impossible to stop. The way she phrases her sentences crafts a wonderful atmosphere and from page one that atmosphere started to consume me, until it became a part of me and refused to let me go, even long after I had already finished the story.

But it weren't just the characters. It wasn't just the atmosphere. It was also the plot. One by one we got the pieces of the puzzle forming the past. And every time we thought we knew how they fitted together, we got another piece that changed the entire game. It wasn't until the very last piece that the story clicked together beautifully.

I can't wait to read the next book!

clockworkbook's review against another edition

5.0

4.5

x_amy_reads's review

mysterious

2.75

little_redhead5's review

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

rusticreadingal's review against another edition

4.0

I absolutely loved A.G. Howard's Splintered series, so I was super excited when I heard she had a new book coming out... and after learning it was a gothic ghost story, I knew I just had to get it! It took me a little bit to get into The Architect of Song. It had a bit of a slow start for me, but I'd say, around 15% I really began to enjoy it and connected with the characters. There was a wonderful air of mystery all throughout and an absolutely masterful twist that I did not see coming. All in all, it was a hauntingly beautiful and romantic story that I completely loved! I can't wait to read what A.G. Howard comes up with next!

synergysel's review against another edition

5.0

A G Howard does not disappoint!!! Such a wonderful story, well written I loved this one!!!

bookfever's review against another edition

5.0

This book was gorgeous, simply gorgeous. I had high expectations and I'm so glad they were all met. I knew this was going to be a great read but it still took me by surprise in the best way possible.

The heroine of this book, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline was really interesting and I liked her so much. As the summary says, she is quite isolated by her deafness until she risks losing her home to Lord Thornton. A lot of mystery surround him as well as a ghost of an young English nobleman that appear when Juliet touches the petals of a unique flower she found on a headstone that has the name "Hawk" on. Together with the ghost she goes to investigate when she visits Lord Thornton's manor.

Juliet was really a great heroine. I also liked the ghost Hawk, and Lord Thornton also, even though I wasn't totally sure he was actually a good guy. This book really made me go back and forth between these two men. I don't want to reveal how they are connected or if both of them are indeed good guys or not but holy plot twist, this author knows how to shock me.

The romance was so amazing, so beautiful. And yes, there was a love triangle, sort of, in a complicated way but it's one written so well that I don't even care about that. Both men envoked a lot of feelings in Juliet that she always wanted to explore. Honestly, I loved them both to bits and pieces. They were just swoon-worthy. I have no other word for them.

The mystery about Hawk and Thornton was kind of driving me crazy. I wanted to know what was going on and who Juliet could actually trust. And I thought the end was a little sad but actually pretty perfect also.

Overall, The Architect of Song by A.G. Howard was the perfect gothic novel. Set in Victorian England, it had a dark atmosphere, a ghost surrounded by mystery, captivating romance and the writing was oh so beautiful. I can't wait for the next three books in the Haunted Hearts Legacy series!

queensaru's review

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

relixx's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

ailurophile_bibliophile89's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 Stars