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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reading a smelly, water-damaged, two-volume LP copy because there is ONE regular print copy of this book in my entire library network. Sadness.
***
Wha a descent into soap operatics! Sudden death, betrayals, seductions, and more!
***
Wha a descent into soap operatics! Sudden death, betrayals, seductions, and more!
I don't often give five stars but this book deserves it. It is well researched historically with a cracking plot, but the whole drama hinges on the flawed hero Ross. A real page-turner.
I won't down rate a novel because I dislike a character. Or agree with their actions. Having said that, I just don't understand all the love for Ross. His actions have never really endeared him to me, however, I really was very uncomfortable in parts of this novel. I don't care what time period it is...some behaviours just aren't acceptable. It's not so much about what happened, but more so *how* it happened. The fact that I was so upset, and speaking out loud whilst I was reading it, well, I reckon that's a sign of good writing. My feelings and words bouncing back and forth between anger and despair...
Fourth book in the series, and possibly the one I read the fastest. I took a short break between #3 and #4, and either that helped or just this book was a little better.
I have more solid opinions of the characters now - I was never a big fan of Elizabeth, but now I hate her. And George is a horrible person as well. Ross has some not-very-good moments, but overall I do still like him. It's also interesting reading a book where not everything works out for the main characters - at times they just can't seem to catch a break! It really makes the story seem real. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
I have more solid opinions of the characters now - I was never a big fan of Elizabeth, but now I hate her. And George is a horrible person as well. Ross has some not-very-good moments, but overall I do still like him. It's also interesting reading a book where not everything works out for the main characters - at times they just can't seem to catch a break! It really makes the story seem real. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
This was the hardest one to read yet! Like others have said before ... "Ross, how could you?!?!"
I also felt sorry for Elizabeth even though I haven't liked her since the start of the series when she jilted Ross. It wasn't her fault that Ross forced his way into the home! It's pretty clear she was happy with what happened but still, she said no and that should have been that.
It was good to see Demelza's spirit rebel and to see her anger unleash itself. I definitely felt the most sympathy for her in all of this - to me she is the real hero(ine) of this book. It was funny when she realised that Captain Whats-is-face was actually a bit ... fat. But I just felt so sorry for her during this whole book.
I just knew that Ross would realise his mistake and see what an idiot he'd been. I can see where he was coming from too in that he'd loved Elizabeth all his life and nothing had ever been properly resolved. Still, I disagree with the "victim blaming" and slut shaming that I've seen evidence of in a few comments about this book. The fault lies entirely with Ross, in my book.
I'm glad that he's not a perfect character, because if he was that would just be boring.
I also felt sorry for Elizabeth even though I haven't liked her since the start of the series when she jilted Ross. It wasn't her fault that Ross forced his way into the home! It's pretty clear she was happy with what happened but still, she said no and that should have been that.
It was good to see Demelza's spirit rebel and to see her anger unleash itself. I definitely felt the most sympathy for her in all of this - to me she is the real hero(ine) of this book. It was funny when she realised that Captain Whats-is-face was actually a bit ... fat. But I just felt so sorry for her during this whole book.
I just knew that Ross would realise his mistake and see what an idiot he'd been. I can see where he was coming from too in that he'd loved Elizabeth all his life and nothing had ever been properly resolved. Still, I disagree with the "victim blaming" and slut shaming that I've seen evidence of in a few comments about this book. The fault lies entirely with Ross, in my book.
I'm glad that he's not a perfect character, because if he was that would just be boring.
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced