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_marian_'s review against another edition
4.0
4'5⭐
"Only the rocking chair moved, rocking forwards and backwards as if whoever had been sitting in it had, a moment earlier, got up and left the room."
Lovable, endearing characters with harsh, sad lives who, in spite of everthing they have endured, are capable of the most selfless acts. Emma, Lewis, Maria, Harriet, Isak, Sam, Thalia... Only thing is, I was expecting more spookyness but loved it the way it is -descriptions of places, people, feelings...
Loved Emma, cried for and with her. Such a lovely old lady. I was touched by Maria's pseudo-plot-twist at the end (I was slightly distressed by her 'previous' behaviour).
Lewis is just a sweetheart full of imagination and curiosity. Together Lewis and Isak have more common sense than all their teachers.
"Only the rocking chair moved, rocking forwards and backwards as if whoever had been sitting in it had, a moment earlier, got up and left the room."
Lovable, endearing characters with harsh, sad lives who, in spite of everthing they have endured, are capable of the most selfless acts. Emma, Lewis, Maria, Harriet, Isak, Sam, Thalia... Only thing is, I was expecting more spookyness but loved it the way it is -descriptions of places, people, feelings...
Loved Emma, cried for and with her. Such a lovely old lady. I was touched by Maria's pseudo-plot-twist at the end (I was slightly distressed by her 'previous' behaviour).
Lewis is just a sweetheart full of imagination and curiosity. Together Lewis and Isak have more common sense than all their teachers.
megs_booknook's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bcgg's review against another edition
3.0
I can see this one being made into a movie, perhaps geared for teens YA. It would make a good yarn by a campfire except for its length. I think I am trying to say it was entertaining but not a great novel. I would recommend it but not rave about it as a 'must read'.
pepsipages's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
2.5
lizziestewart's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Nonsense. Full of obvious plot devices and random storylines and characters that felt shoehorned in. Just not for me.
dietsmarrissjohnson's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
irish_bookfairy's review against another edition
5.0
This story is told throughout two different timelines, 90 years apart. In 1903 the location of the story is the All Hallows asylum in Dartmoor, where we follow nurse Emma Everdeen. In 1993 the asylum has been converted by an all-boys boarding school where we follow Lewis Tyler who's been sent there by his father and stepmother.
When a young child and her mother arrive at All Hallows, nurse Everdeen takes the young girl Harriet under her wings until her mother recovers. They reside in a locked room in the attic in order to keep Harriet save from the unfortunate souls currently being held in the asylum. As time goes by, Emma gets more and more attached to the little girl and grows more suspicious of Harriet's mother.
Meanwhile in '93 starts to handle life in boarding school and becomes interested in the school's history. Stumbling upon harrowing events happening there, he becomes more involved in the building's history than he ever thought possible.
The book is very well written, short chapters so you float from one timeline to the next without losing track of past events. The gothic setting with sinister vibes makes for an exciting read and by the time you reach the end you simply cannot put the book down.
Loved every minute of it!
When a young child and her mother arrive at All Hallows, nurse Everdeen takes the young girl Harriet under her wings until her mother recovers. They reside in a locked room in the attic in order to keep Harriet save from the unfortunate souls currently being held in the asylum. As time goes by, Emma gets more and more attached to the little girl and grows more suspicious of Harriet's mother.
Meanwhile in '93 starts to handle life in boarding school and becomes interested in the school's history. Stumbling upon harrowing events happening there, he becomes more involved in the building's history than he ever thought possible.
The book is very well written, short chapters so you float from one timeline to the next without losing track of past events. The gothic setting with sinister vibes makes for an exciting read and by the time you reach the end you simply cannot put the book down.
Loved every minute of it!
littlehat's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow. I picked this book at random and I'm so glad I did. It gave me goosebumps, it kept me enthralled and it made me cry.
There's so much depth and intrigue to this story that I really don't want to say anything other than read it if you haven't already.
It's thrilling in so many unexpected ways.
There's so much depth and intrigue to this story that I really don't want to say anything other than read it if you haven't already.
It's thrilling in so many unexpected ways.