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lisahopevierra's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
marinaemoore's review
4.0
I came close to DNF-ing this book around the 25 page mark, but am glad I didn’t. I really enjoyed the story. It was very creative and kept me guessing throughout.
atrautmann217's review
5.0
Absolutely loved this one! I would recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction about women’s life back in the day. A lot of this book discusses women’s role and daily life during this time period. The main character finds her power through her embroidery work, while having a love affair with Nathaniel Hawthorne. The ending was satisfying and wrapped up all the characters stories. Just great!
swampbooks's review
4.0
Buying a book at random based on the vibes alone is always a gamble, but sometimes it’s one that you win! I’ve never read [b:The Scarlett Letter|30527619|The Scarlett Letter|Nathaniel Hawthorne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1465744160l/30527619._SX50_.jpg|4925227], and if I knew that’s what this book was inspired by I honestly probably wouldn’t have bothered getting it. I’m glad I did, though, because it was a truly breathtaking and powerful story.
Our main character, Isobel, is the human embodiment of determination and willpower. She faces hardship after hardship, but she doesn’t let that stop her from reaching for her goals while still being there to support others. The writing was bewitching (hah, get it?) and the plot engaging, if a bit slow at times.
Our main character, Isobel, is the human embodiment of determination and willpower. She faces hardship after hardship, but she doesn’t let that stop her from reaching for her goals while still being there to support others. The writing was bewitching (hah, get it?) and the plot engaging, if a bit slow at times.
emmaleebee's review
emotional
medium-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
5.0
bargainsleuth's review
5.0
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Isobel is a woman with kinesthesia, who sees colors associated with people and words. She’s been taught to keep this ability secret because the original Isobel was tried as a witch a hundred years prior. Luckily, she escaped and had descendants who also shared this gift. The Isobel of the book emigrates from Scotland to Massachusetts in the mid 1810’s, far removed from the days of the Salem Witch Trials, but not in sentiment.
This book is so interesting, yet it’s hard to describe. It’s sort of historical fiction, sort of fantasy, too. Isobel meets the author Nathanial Hawthorne, best known today as the author of The Scarlet Letter. Isobel is seen as the inspiration of Hester Prynne, right down to her skill as a seamstress. I’ve personally never read Hawthorne so I can’t say how close the author gets to his subject, but it’s an engaging tale even without having read the classic.
I do have to say that the mood I felt while reading Hester reminded me very much of Magic Lessons (Practical Magic #0.1) by Alice Hoffman because of the setting and accusations of witchcraft and Puritan beliefs. But that’s the only similarity. Isobel isn’t a witch, she’s an embroiderer, but she’s also a foreigner, which naturally begs suspicion from the locals. She’s befriended by a free black woman with two young kids, and I thought the author did a good job explaining how Massachusetts was a free state, yet slave hunters were allowed there to track down people and return them to the south. Isobel reads and sees things and has many questions, and an early look at the Underground Railroad is shown to both her and the reader.
Because it’s so rare now, I had a hard time imagining the intricate embroidery described, but I sure had a great time trying! My mother, aunt and grandmother were skilled with the needle, a talent I did not inherit.
I have been very lucky lately to read some awesome ARCs, and this is another one. Very engaging, entertaining, I just didn’t want to put it down. Highly recommended!
Isobel is a woman with kinesthesia, who sees colors associated with people and words. She’s been taught to keep this ability secret because the original Isobel was tried as a witch a hundred years prior. Luckily, she escaped and had descendants who also shared this gift. The Isobel of the book emigrates from Scotland to Massachusetts in the mid 1810’s, far removed from the days of the Salem Witch Trials, but not in sentiment.
This book is so interesting, yet it’s hard to describe. It’s sort of historical fiction, sort of fantasy, too. Isobel meets the author Nathanial Hawthorne, best known today as the author of The Scarlet Letter. Isobel is seen as the inspiration of Hester Prynne, right down to her skill as a seamstress. I’ve personally never read Hawthorne so I can’t say how close the author gets to his subject, but it’s an engaging tale even without having read the classic.
I do have to say that the mood I felt while reading Hester reminded me very much of Magic Lessons (Practical Magic #0.1) by Alice Hoffman because of the setting and accusations of witchcraft and Puritan beliefs. But that’s the only similarity. Isobel isn’t a witch, she’s an embroiderer, but she’s also a foreigner, which naturally begs suspicion from the locals. She’s befriended by a free black woman with two young kids, and I thought the author did a good job explaining how Massachusetts was a free state, yet slave hunters were allowed there to track down people and return them to the south. Isobel reads and sees things and has many questions, and an early look at the Underground Railroad is shown to both her and the reader.
Because it’s so rare now, I had a hard time imagining the intricate embroidery described, but I sure had a great time trying! My mother, aunt and grandmother were skilled with the needle, a talent I did not inherit.
I have been very lucky lately to read some awesome ARCs, and this is another one. Very engaging, entertaining, I just didn’t want to put it down. Highly recommended!
jakereads541's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A beautiful story stitched into a vivid tapestry that you hopes never ends or frays.
cindy_f's review
4.0
Hester is one of the most unique historical romance novels that I’ve read this year. The author introduces us to a young red-headed vibrant Scottish lass named Isobel Gamble. She has a rare gift where she experiences one sense through another, like seeing color for letters or sounds- “the wind was sometimes a fierce pink and a waterfall glistened silver.” Her mother warned her to keep her “gift” a secret for she may be accused of being a witch. She’s also encouraged to marry well. Shortly after marrying Edward, an apothecary, they sail off to the New World to start a new life. This is 1829, Salem, Massachusetts where the witch trials took place almost 200 years prior.
Isobel has a special talent for needlework and supports herself since her husband left on a ship shortly after their arrival. He has an opiate problem and has poor moral character. Isobel meets Nathaniel (Nat) Hathorne, a writer and develops a close friendship with him. She recognized in him someone with a good character. Though he is ashamed of his ancestors who took a major role in condemning innocent women to death during the witch trials. And she is afraid of her “seeing colors” and also had an ancestor who was on trial for witchcraft in the 17th century. The chapters that covered the witch trials were captivating.
The writing is remarkably descriptive and the crafting of the two story lines blended in nicely into an engaging story. I felt Isobel’s character was fully fleshed out. She was a woman who wanted freedom to desire. The writing of the secondary characters were also done very well. This is a fantastic inspirational story of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy in exchange for my review.
Isobel has a special talent for needlework and supports herself since her husband left on a ship shortly after their arrival. He has an opiate problem and has poor moral character. Isobel meets Nathaniel (Nat) Hathorne, a writer and develops a close friendship with him. She recognized in him someone with a good character. Though he is ashamed of his ancestors who took a major role in condemning innocent women to death during the witch trials. And she is afraid of her “seeing colors” and also had an ancestor who was on trial for witchcraft in the 17th century. The chapters that covered the witch trials were captivating.
The writing is remarkably descriptive and the crafting of the two story lines blended in nicely into an engaging story. I felt Isobel’s character was fully fleshed out. She was a woman who wanted freedom to desire. The writing of the secondary characters were also done very well. This is a fantastic inspirational story of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy in exchange for my review.