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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A vast, slow-burning drama that follows a handful of women in Ireland and America in the late 1920s. This novel moves at a glacial pace, allowing you to marinate with some very empty, sad, unsatisfied characters. It's an uncomfortable, epic read.
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
sad
medium-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
This was definitely a letdown from the first book. I feel like this sequel lacked the strong plot and characters from the first book…It seemed like all the character development from that previously occurred was non existent and this was just a series of bad decisions the characters made. I will say I was still undeniably hooked to the storyline just to see how things play out but it was definitely lacking the overall atmosphere and allure from the first book.
I did not realize this was the second book of a trilogy...either way, I was able to follow along pretty well. However, the ending was extremely disappointing...I guess the author plans to tie up loose ends in the final novel?
Anyway, this book centers around a castle, and follows the lives of about 5-6 women, although the 3 main characters are Kitty, Celia, and Birdie (Bridget). Castle Deverill is Ireland, and is apparently located in the country far away from Dublin and other more well known Irish towns.
The book primarily takes place in the 1920s - 30s (1938 is the last date mentioned) but there are flashbacks to the castle's origins, right after the trouble with Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II of England. Apparently Barton is the first Lord Deverill (circa mid 17th century) and is given the land in Ireland as a reward for his loyalty during the English Civil War. Because of something he did (of which we're not 100% sure, but this bit of "loose end" is mentioned at the end of the novel), the Deverills are cursed in a sort of limbo...yes there are ghosts in this book, and the ghost of Adelaide has a big role (maybe she had a big role in previous books?).
Anyway, I want to read the other books in the trilogy, as my curiosity is piqued. 3/5 stars, but maybe it would have scored higher had I read the first book of the trilogy.
Anyway, this book centers around a castle, and follows the lives of about 5-6 women, although the 3 main characters are Kitty, Celia, and Birdie (Bridget). Castle Deverill is Ireland, and is apparently located in the country far away from Dublin and other more well known Irish towns.
The book primarily takes place in the 1920s - 30s (1938 is the last date mentioned) but there are flashbacks to the castle's origins, right after the trouble with Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II of England. Apparently Barton is the first Lord Deverill (circa mid 17th century) and is given the land in Ireland as a reward for his loyalty during the English Civil War. Because of something he did (of which we're not 100% sure, but this bit of "loose end" is mentioned at the end of the novel), the Deverills are cursed in a sort of limbo...yes there are ghosts in this book, and the ghost of Adelaide has a big role (maybe she had a big role in previous books?).
Anyway, I want to read the other books in the trilogy, as my curiosity is piqued. 3/5 stars, but maybe it would have scored higher had I read the first book of the trilogy.
Wow! This is one of my favourite reads this year. This is the first novel I've read by Santa Montefiore and The Daughters of Ireland is the second book in her Deverill Chronicles series. Although I've known about this writer for a long while, I wonder why it has taken so long to pick up one of her novels?
As you'd expect from a family saga, there's plenty of intrigue and history as we observe the life events and dramas following the three young women between 1925-1938. The narrative is richly descriptive and interwoven with fascinating highly developed characters. Each thread is informative as we delve into the differing worlds where love, secrets, deception and tragedy envelope the protagonists and notable secondary characters.
The journeys' the characters embark on take you around the world from Dublin and London to Manhattan, South Africa and Argentina. Ms. Montefiore's writing brought to life the locations I've never visited as well as igniting memories of those I've had an opportunity to explore myself. The visual impact her writing brought made me think this trilogy would be perfect for small screen adaptation.
On finishing this novel, my first impressions were; I can't wait to read the third part of this trilogy and I must read part one too. There are many threads with loose ends which leave a yearning to follow the lives of Celia, Kitty and Bridie to their conclusions. Despite diving in right in the middle of the saga, the author does a wonderful job of explaining who everyone is and their role within the narrative. It wasn't difficult to follow the proceedings and I didn't feel I needed to read book one before I embarked on this one so, I'm grateful this inclusion helped to enhance my overall reading experience.
On a final note, I fully intend to read this trilogy in its entirety. If you're looking for something to submerge yourself in with a fascinating setting in twentieth century Ireland, I highly recommend The Daughters of Ireland.
5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher William Morrow via Edelweiss+***
As you'd expect from a family saga, there's plenty of intrigue and history as we observe the life events and dramas following the three young women between 1925-1938. The narrative is richly descriptive and interwoven with fascinating highly developed characters. Each thread is informative as we delve into the differing worlds where love, secrets, deception and tragedy envelope the protagonists and notable secondary characters.
The journeys' the characters embark on take you around the world from Dublin and London to Manhattan, South Africa and Argentina. Ms. Montefiore's writing brought to life the locations I've never visited as well as igniting memories of those I've had an opportunity to explore myself. The visual impact her writing brought made me think this trilogy would be perfect for small screen adaptation.
On finishing this novel, my first impressions were; I can't wait to read the third part of this trilogy and I must read part one too. There are many threads with loose ends which leave a yearning to follow the lives of Celia, Kitty and Bridie to their conclusions. Despite diving in right in the middle of the saga, the author does a wonderful job of explaining who everyone is and their role within the narrative. It wasn't difficult to follow the proceedings and I didn't feel I needed to read book one before I embarked on this one so, I'm grateful this inclusion helped to enhance my overall reading experience.
On a final note, I fully intend to read this trilogy in its entirety. If you're looking for something to submerge yourself in with a fascinating setting in twentieth century Ireland, I highly recommend The Daughters of Ireland.
5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher William Morrow via Edelweiss+***
I liked this book, although I have to admit it seemed a little slow at times. We meet all the characters (and even the ghosts of some dead ones) again. The slight touch of magic is what's making this trilogy unusual. It's comforting to imagine a world where the loved ones who passed away are never really far and still take an interest in our lives.
The second installment of the trilogy kept me turning the pages late into the night and had some twists that I didn't see coming, which is always a bonus.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with an ARC copy free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
The second installment of the trilogy kept me turning the pages late into the night and had some twists that I didn't see coming, which is always a bonus.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with an ARC copy free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No