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erilynne's review
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
storieswithsoul's review against another edition
5.0
A delightful read. I really enjoyed reading this book. The story of Isobel goes side by side with Lou's story. It is tells us about a woman wrongly accused of being a witch and burned. And how a quest to clear her name leads Lou to find herself & her family. All the characters are well written and there are enough twists and turns to keep a reader entertained.
emilyhei's review against another edition
4.0
In a moment of clarity gone awry, Lou walks out on her job preparing for the nervous breakdown she more than likely will have once it all sinks in. When her best friend announces that they are going to Scotland for the Holidays, the timing couldn’t be better. A perfect diversion and an exciting adventure are just what she needs at the moment. Lou finds herself immersed in a mystery about the history behind the innocents who were accused of witchcraft in the seventeenth century. Upon her discoveries she finds an important link to her own history and the life of condemned witch Isobel Key, that could change her life forever.
Fascinating story, you are taken from modern Scotland to the seventeenth century where an innocent Isobel is coming of age to adulthood where life takes an unexpected turn and begins to unravel. Beautifully described, you felt like you were transported into both eras taking a journey with the characters with the lush background of Scotland. A memorable read.
Full review on
http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.blogspot.com/
Fascinating story, you are taken from modern Scotland to the seventeenth century where an innocent Isobel is coming of age to adulthood where life takes an unexpected turn and begins to unravel. Beautifully described, you felt like you were transported into both eras taking a journey with the characters with the lush background of Scotland. A memorable read.
Full review on
http://musingsfromanaddictedreader.blogspot.com/
cdel13's review
4.0
You definitely can't beat a free kindle book, and if it keeps me engaged enough that I keep coming back to it so I can finish it, that's another win right there.
However, I did find the writing stilted and awkward from time to time, especially the dialogue between Lou and her best friend Tammy. But again, overall, it was a free kindle book with an interesting story line and characters in whom I was sort of invested. So that's a good thing. I don't know that I can give it 4 stars, my inclination is 3.75. Why can't good reads add at least half stars?
If you got it for free, read it. If you can get it from the library, read it. The storyline about the witch in the 1600s was interesting, as was the present day character's research into Scottish history, particularly around witches.
However, I did find the writing stilted and awkward from time to time, especially the dialogue between Lou and her best friend Tammy. But again, overall, it was a free kindle book with an interesting story line and characters in whom I was sort of invested. So that's a good thing. I don't know that I can give it 4 stars, my inclination is 3.75. Why can't good reads add at least half stars?
If you got it for free, read it. If you can get it from the library, read it. The storyline about the witch in the 1600s was interesting, as was the present day character's research into Scottish history, particularly around witches.
ctorretta's review
5.0
I have to admit, I started reading this, getting into the characters not thinking a thing about the title, and then it hit me! This girl you’re getting to know is the girl that is going to be burned! I wanted to put the book down straight away!!! But it was so compelling, her story drove me on, hoping against hope for a better outcome. But the interesting part of it all was that although you’re getting to know Isobel who lived back in 1667, you’re also getting to know Louisa, who lives in the present day and how their lives collide.
Most of the story is about Louisa with some peppered in chapters on Isobel. It’s never difficult to understand who you are reading about. You know immediately firstly because of the chapter titles but also because each girl is totally different. I loved the yin/yang portion of this although I wanted more and more about each and Jen McConnel just gives you enough and then switches! It was maddening but brilliant!
Isobel is a lovely person who cares about people but sadly something happens early in her life, or late if you’re back in the 1600′s, that makes her sort of swear off men. Now imagine, a twenty five year old living alone in a cottage, five miles outside of town. People are going to talk. It may not be straight away but I knew it was coming sooner or later, I just didn’t know how. What I didn’t like about this portion of the story was what happens between the sisters. It doesn’t make sense to me that they are so close but Margaret would choose to hurt Isobel. It just doesn’t completely mesh for me.
Louisa is also a bit of an introvert. She hasn’t dated in years, since her last relationship, and doesn’t plan to but her friend Tammy keeps pushing her to do just that. Tammy as you can probably imagine, is quite the opposite of Louisa which didn’t bother me until Tammy starts pushing religion onto Lou. It’s VERY frustrating to say the least. Again, it didn’t totally mesh. Why would someone be so unwilling to believe in the occult (tarot readings, scrying, etc) because she’s a Christian and yet she’s totally willing to sleep with guys. A little bit of an annoyance for me, but something that didn’t totally distract from the story. I just wanted Lou to tell her to shove it! But being a good friend Lou keeps her feelings to herself and keeps quiet, most of the time.
Although Tammy distracted me a little, the rest of the story was amazing. Louisa finding out about Isobel was interesting and from there on the story just got better and better. Both Louisa and Isobel are strong women and they are wonderful to read about. The ending was exactly what I was looking for. Honestly I was quite worried about how this was going to end and there was something missing until, quite literally, the last sentence but Jen McConnel brings everything together wonderfully!
This was a book I could not put down and although I am a huge fan of the paranormal and historical fiction, this was something a bit different from the normal read. It was intriguing and keeps you wondering what is going to happen, even after you put together that one of the main characters is definitely going to be burned to death. It’s the story of how Isobel got there that kept me wanting to continue, and the story about how Louisa decided to finally start making decisions for herself! Fabulous read!
More exciting is the news that the sequel to this, The Key Inheritance, is scheduled to be published January 15th!!! Nearly in time for my birthday! I can’t wait to see what Louisa has gotten herself up to!
Most of the story is about Louisa with some peppered in chapters on Isobel. It’s never difficult to understand who you are reading about. You know immediately firstly because of the chapter titles but also because each girl is totally different. I loved the yin/yang portion of this although I wanted more and more about each and Jen McConnel just gives you enough and then switches! It was maddening but brilliant!
Isobel is a lovely person who cares about people but sadly something happens early in her life, or late if you’re back in the 1600′s, that makes her sort of swear off men. Now imagine, a twenty five year old living alone in a cottage, five miles outside of town. People are going to talk. It may not be straight away but I knew it was coming sooner or later, I just didn’t know how. What I didn’t like about this portion of the story was what happens between the sisters. It doesn’t make sense to me that they are so close but Margaret would choose to hurt Isobel. It just doesn’t completely mesh for me.
Louisa is also a bit of an introvert. She hasn’t dated in years, since her last relationship, and doesn’t plan to but her friend Tammy keeps pushing her to do just that. Tammy as you can probably imagine, is quite the opposite of Louisa which didn’t bother me until Tammy starts pushing religion onto Lou. It’s VERY frustrating to say the least. Again, it didn’t totally mesh. Why would someone be so unwilling to believe in the occult (tarot readings, scrying, etc) because she’s a Christian and yet she’s totally willing to sleep with guys. A little bit of an annoyance for me, but something that didn’t totally distract from the story. I just wanted Lou to tell her to shove it! But being a good friend Lou keeps her feelings to herself and keeps quiet, most of the time.
Although Tammy distracted me a little, the rest of the story was amazing. Louisa finding out about Isobel was interesting and from there on the story just got better and better. Both Louisa and Isobel are strong women and they are wonderful to read about. The ending was exactly what I was looking for. Honestly I was quite worried about how this was going to end and there was something missing until, quite literally, the last sentence but Jen McConnel brings everything together wonderfully!
This was a book I could not put down and although I am a huge fan of the paranormal and historical fiction, this was something a bit different from the normal read. It was intriguing and keeps you wondering what is going to happen, even after you put together that one of the main characters is definitely going to be burned to death. It’s the story of how Isobel got there that kept me wanting to continue, and the story about how Louisa decided to finally start making decisions for herself! Fabulous read!
More exciting is the news that the sequel to this, The Key Inheritance, is scheduled to be published January 15th!!! Nearly in time for my birthday! I can’t wait to see what Louisa has gotten herself up to!
readingisadoingword's review
2.0
I read this because it was set in St Andrews.
It was obvious from beginning to end and I found I didn't really care about anyone in the book apart from Isobel.
I finished it because of the Scottish connection but otherwise left me cold.
It was obvious from beginning to end and I found I didn't really care about anyone in the book apart from Isobel.
I finished it because of the Scottish connection but otherwise left me cold.
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