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megswhitaker's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
elisefarand's review against another edition
2.0
I really loved the premise of this book, and learning more about St Kilda… however, the story was a bit too slow-moving and predictable for my taste.
rach22's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Beautiful. I loved it. It was very interesting and I loved the setting. Lovely writing.
niennamarie_'s review against another edition
3.0
‘The lost lights of St Kilda’ is the sad story of a young couple, set on the island of St Kilda; a remote island off of Scotland.
The book flits to and from their past life together in the 20s, and then to their more ‘present day’ lives during WW2, where Fred is in France trying to make a safe way home, and Chrissie is telling the story of her lost love to her daughter, who has never known who her father is.
The story is a little simple and a lot slow, but fortunately is so beautifully written that I never felt bored. It did mean though, that I never felt the urge to pick it up and read it. I never had any moments when I thought ‘I need to find out what happens to these characters.’
The characters themselves are likeable, but a little bland. I didn’t really feel any connection towards them.
I also felt like the blurb hyped up the fact these people were the last to live on St Kilda. In reality, the blurb has more of an emotional impact than the book itself does. I was expecting the heart-wrenching story of the islanders, close to starvation, saying goodbye to there home. Unfortunately, its swept over very quickly, which is sad as the whole story feels like a love letter to the island, right up until that point. I feel like it should and could have had more impact.
I’m rating it 3*, and I think this book just wasn’t for me. I am interested in reading some of Giffords other works though, because her prose is just so beautiful and I think there will be a definitely be a book of hers that will sweep me away. Unfortunately, it wasn’t this one.
*Thank you to Atlantic Books (Corvus) for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
The book flits to and from their past life together in the 20s, and then to their more ‘present day’ lives during WW2, where Fred is in France trying to make a safe way home, and Chrissie is telling the story of her lost love to her daughter, who has never known who her father is.
The story is a little simple and a lot slow, but fortunately is so beautifully written that I never felt bored. It did mean though, that I never felt the urge to pick it up and read it. I never had any moments when I thought ‘I need to find out what happens to these characters.’
The characters themselves are likeable, but a little bland. I didn’t really feel any connection towards them.
I also felt like the blurb hyped up the fact these people were the last to live on St Kilda. In reality, the blurb has more of an emotional impact than the book itself does. I was expecting the heart-wrenching story of the islanders, close to starvation, saying goodbye to there home. Unfortunately, its swept over very quickly, which is sad as the whole story feels like a love letter to the island, right up until that point. I feel like it should and could have had more impact.
I’m rating it 3*, and I think this book just wasn’t for me. I am interested in reading some of Giffords other works though, because her prose is just so beautiful and I think there will be a definitely be a book of hers that will sweep me away. Unfortunately, it wasn’t this one.
*Thank you to Atlantic Books (Corvus) for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
sharpie_63's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
4.0
biancarogers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Lost Lights of Kilda is a beautifully written love story set between WWII and prior to the time of evacuation of the infamous island of St. Kilda. Gifford’s vivid description of St Kilda will transport you instantly to the cliffs and ocean side of the island. From a historical perspective, Gifford does a phenomenal job of blending daily island life for its inhabitants to what life could have been for someone evacuating the island.
I typically do not lean towards romance novels but the two storylines flow effortlessly and keep you guessing until the very end where this love story ends. The Lost Lights of Kilda is a heartwarming story to lift the spirits and is definitely a must read for historical fiction lovers.
“For this much I have learned, the only things that stand are love and forgiveness, they are an island of hope glimpsed and not glimpsed among the pounding waves and the storms, but there still, always there, the lights guiding us home.”
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for access to the audiobook production of The Lost Lights of Kilda in exchange for a honest review.
jpwoodruff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
onymousotter's review
4.0
A beautifully written love letter to St Kilda, her inhabitants, and their way of life