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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I didn't love the direction this novel took, but the epilogue left promise for a great third book in the series.
When I read the first book in this trilogy - I became obsessed. It was everything I love about historical fiction - a sweeping, epic story that brought a War and a people to life; love, loss, and strong female characters that made you want to cheer them on. In my review I compared the feeling I got reading it, to how I felt when I read [b:Gone with the Wind|18405|Gone with the Wind|Margaret Mitchell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328025229s/18405.jpg|3358283]. It just had me hook, line and sinker.
So I was absolutely thrilled when I got an advanced copy of book two from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster. I couldn't wait to dive right in where I had left off; Kitty and Jack having a torrid affair, Celia having just bought Deverill Castle, thereby keeping it in the family, and Bridie back in Ireland and ready to reclaim her lost son and her honour among her people.
I can't say that I disliked this second book, only that it fell a little short for me. You see ... Kitty and Bridie weren't the strong women of the previous book. Rather, they were both hard-hearted, cynical and their story lines felt like they were more "filler" than necessity.
On the other hand - Celia's story line was BRILLIANT. In the first book, she was a cousin on the sidelines - only in Ireland for the summer, otherwise entertaining herself in London. But in this book, she moved to Ireland to reclaim the Castle for the family and set-upon restoring it to a grandeur it likely had never seen before. What occurs, is an evolution of a silly, self-centered young lady, into one of courage, strength and determination. And honestly, if the book had been more about her, and her father (his past, etc) - I think I would have felt as passionately about this book as about the previous one. I sincerely hope that book three takes us to South Africa, and really focuses on Celia's new life there.
Another positive character and plot, which could have been further developed, was Martha's character. Bridie's daughter (although whisked away from her mother at birth by the nuns in the convent), you know that book three will focus on her, and her relationship with her twin brother Jack.
I assume that Kitty and Bridie will both still be important characters in the third book, hence the continued story line in this book. My hope is that the strong, passionate, smart women who graced the first book return; and that their self-centered alter-egos take a hike.
As part of a trilogy, Santa Montefiore does an excellent job of reminding the reader of what transpired in the first book, without bogging us down with it. However, that said, this isn't a stand alone book. You really need to read the first one before reading this one.
3.5 stars. Solid, and had it been edited to favour Kitty and Martha's stories more, it would have been a 5 star read.
So I was absolutely thrilled when I got an advanced copy of book two from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster. I couldn't wait to dive right in where I had left off; Kitty and Jack having a torrid affair, Celia having just bought Deverill Castle, thereby keeping it in the family, and Bridie back in Ireland and ready to reclaim her lost son and her honour among her people.
I can't say that I disliked this second book, only that it fell a little short for me. You see ... Kitty and Bridie weren't the strong women of the previous book. Rather, they were both hard-hearted, cynical and their story lines felt like they were more "filler" than necessity.
On the other hand - Celia's story line was BRILLIANT. In the first book, she was a cousin on the sidelines - only in Ireland for the summer, otherwise entertaining herself in London. But in this book, she moved to Ireland to reclaim the Castle for the family and set-upon restoring it to a grandeur it likely had never seen before. What occurs, is an evolution of a silly, self-centered young lady, into one of courage, strength and determination. And honestly, if the book had been more about her, and her father (his past, etc) - I think I would have felt as passionately about this book as about the previous one. I sincerely hope that book three takes us to South Africa, and really focuses on Celia's new life there.
Another positive character and plot, which could have been further developed, was Martha's character. Bridie's daughter (although whisked away from her mother at birth by the nuns in the convent), you know that book three will focus on her, and her relationship with her twin brother Jack.
I assume that Kitty and Bridie will both still be important characters in the third book, hence the continued story line in this book. My hope is that the strong, passionate, smart women who graced the first book return; and that their self-centered alter-egos take a hike.
As part of a trilogy, Santa Montefiore does an excellent job of reminding the reader of what transpired in the first book, without bogging us down with it. However, that said, this isn't a stand alone book. You really need to read the first one before reading this one.
3.5 stars. Solid, and had it been edited to favour Kitty and Martha's stories more, it would have been a 5 star read.
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
No
Antroji trilogijos dalis taip pat nenuvylė. Kadangi knygoje labai daug veikėjų, patiko tai, kad šioje dalyje buvo kreipiama daugiau dėmesio į veikėjus, kurie buvo mažiau svarbūs pirmojoje dalyje. Plačiau pasakojamas buvusios Deverilų tarnaitės Bridės gyvenimas Niujorke, Kitės pusseserės Selijos kelionė į Afriką ir dar daug kitų. Daugybė dramų ir nuotykių neleido atsitraukti. O pabaigoje paliktas “cliffhanger’is” labai traukia prie trečiosios dalies!
I struggled a bit with the first book but ended up enjoying it by the end. I had hoped that the second would be better...but I don’t know. I found myself struggling to connect with the characters and I think I probably skimmed more than I should have. I don’t know if I’ll read the third book or not.
I don’t see how some of the reviews say you could read this without the first. I would be completely lost as to who these characters are and how/why they are connected.
I don’t see how some of the reviews say you could read this without the first. I would be completely lost as to who these characters are and how/why they are connected.
Apparently the second novel in a series. Perhaps I could have connected better with characters if I had read the first. The ending definitely sets up another book and resolved nothing.
Recently I read Santa Montefiore's The Daughters of Ireland, the sequel to The Girl in the Castle. You can read my glowing review of The Girl in the Castle on my blog. For some reason these books have been repackaged and retitled in the UK and here in the States: The Girl in the Castle is now Songs of Love and War in the UK and The Irish Girl in the US. Also, Book 2 in the series is entitled Daughters of Castle Deverill in the UK, and here in the US it's The Daughters of Ireland. Book 3 is already out in the UK, The Last Secret of the Deverils (I have no idea what the title will be once it's released here). I'm concerned about the publisher's shenanigans because I really don't want all the title changes to discourage readers; this is an excellent series. The story is so much better than Downton Abbey. I don't know if the series has been optioned yet, but it would make an incredible miniseries.
First of all I want to emphasize that this is not a standalone novel. If you are looking for a series, then you've come to the right place: I highly recommend it! This family drama is entertaining, and I love the County Cork setting. Plus, this book is set just after the Irish War of Independence during the Roaring Twenties and ensuing Great Depression. There are some very surprising plot twists: This is not a formulaic historical romance or chick lit book at all. It's gritty, and Montefiore doesn't shy away from violence in this novel just like she didn't in the first.
This installment is a little slow to develop, but once I reached page 75, I couldn't put it down until I finished. Kitty takes a backseat to Celia and Bridie in Book 2. Bridie spends most of her time in The Hamptons (so reminiscent of The Great Gatsby's setting) partying and trying to forget her many losses. Celia travels around the world to restore her family's name. Both Celia and Bridie develop into much more likable women, especially Celia who morphs from silly and vapid to conscientious and courageous. She is my new literary hero; Celia has a strength of will and determination I admire. Unfortunately the same can't be said for Jack O'Leary; he's lost his moral compass and his mind, apparently.
If you enjoy family dramas, novels set in Ireland, strong female characters, and a little bit of the paranormal thrown into the mix (there are ghosts), then you will love this series. I can't wait for Book 3!
First of all I want to emphasize that this is not a standalone novel. If you are looking for a series, then you've come to the right place: I highly recommend it! This family drama is entertaining, and I love the County Cork setting. Plus, this book is set just after the Irish War of Independence during the Roaring Twenties and ensuing Great Depression. There are some very surprising plot twists: This is not a formulaic historical romance or chick lit book at all. It's gritty, and Montefiore doesn't shy away from violence in this novel just like she didn't in the first.
This installment is a little slow to develop, but once I reached page 75, I couldn't put it down until I finished. Kitty takes a backseat to Celia and Bridie in Book 2. Bridie spends most of her time in The Hamptons (so reminiscent of The Great Gatsby's setting) partying and trying to forget her many losses. Celia travels around the world to restore her family's name. Both Celia and Bridie develop into much more likable women, especially Celia who morphs from silly and vapid to conscientious and courageous. She is my new literary hero; Celia has a strength of will and determination I admire. Unfortunately the same can't be said for Jack O'Leary; he's lost his moral compass and his mind, apparently.
If you enjoy family dramas, novels set in Ireland, strong female characters, and a little bit of the paranormal thrown into the mix (there are ghosts), then you will love this series. I can't wait for Book 3!
I didn't enjoy this second novel in the trilogy as much as I enjoyed the first novel. The first half of the book dragged too much for me. However, the last half of the book held my attention more.
Currently I am thinking of nothing but these books. That says a lot. I love books that utterly consume you and draw you in so that you can think of nothing else. The Deverill family feel as close to me at the moment as some of my dearest friends. I find that I am silently routing for them to succeed and praying the outcome is a happy one!
My review of the first book really says it all and I this one reflects that also. I did knock it down a star though as I felt there was not as much going on in this one. It focused more on the characters developing into adulthood rather than the drama surrounding them. It was slightly more morose than the first one.
I am so excited to see what happens to these adoring characters and I am hoping the series finishes on a bang but a nice bang if that is possible.
My review of the first book really says it all and I this one reflects that also. I did knock it down a star though as I felt there was not as much going on in this one. It focused more on the characters developing into adulthood rather than the drama surrounding them. It was slightly more morose than the first one.
I am so excited to see what happens to these adoring characters and I am hoping the series finishes on a bang but a nice bang if that is possible.
I was pulled in by a pretty cover and few positive reviews on IG/GR. I slugged through this one and even finished. Then realized I'd lost some hours of my life over a book that reads like an Irish telenovela. So much angst over love, unrequited love, adulterous love, jealousy over misunderstandings that could easily be cleared up with a conversation, shady business dealings involving South African diamonds, and half hearted revenge plots x 2. I just found it to be lacking in substance. The characters were so shallow I honestly didn't care what happened to them in the end. Which is good; because she sets up for an equally soap opera-esque follow up book involving twins. I won't say more.
One positive note. This can be read as a stand alone. This was a second book in a trilogy and I had no idea. So if how I described it may be something you'd like to try or do like; read without worrying you had to start with book one.
One positive note. This can be read as a stand alone. This was a second book in a trilogy and I had no idea. So if how I described it may be something you'd like to try or do like; read without worrying you had to start with book one.