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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
I read this book on the recommendation of a friend who really enjoyed it, and I also came out of it having enjoyed it quite a bit! The first third of it is definitely...different and it feels a bit all over the place, but once we were back in England and the mystery really properly kicked off, I got more into it. The mystery was definitely a slow burn, but you got to know Rosetta better as it developed and met some of her loveable characters as well. Everything comes down to the last thirty to fourty pages, but it was really exciting and I didn't see the reveal/plot twist coming! The taglines on my copy of the book that posed it as a romance are definitely misleading; I would not call this a romance at all. There is mention of a character's feelings for another, but it only comes up a couple of times and does not play a big part whatsoever, so do not go in expecting that. Overall, this was definitely different compared to what I usually read, but I had fun!
Loved the setting, characters, and suspense, but I wish the attentions paid to the main plot had sustained the epilogue. The wrap up was a little too quick for my liking, but I did enjoy the story.
I found the very beginning of this book concerning the childhood of Rossetta Cranleigh to be very intriguing. The story then rapidly incorporates a sea voyage, shipwreck, capture and entrapment in a Turkish harem. I found these adventures to be interesting, but rushed and almost devoid of descriptive details concerning the setting, which would have added some color to the story. I thought the narrative was too focused on conversation. The last portion of the book, the solving of the murder of Cosmos was rather long and drawn out and not nearly as entertaining to read.
Additionally, I gave Captive *** because the storyline at times seemed a bit unbelieveable to me as there were too many coincidences and pieces that fell conveniently into place: Lucas Lorimer, Simon Perrivale, and Rosetta Cranleigh just happen to end up in the same lifeboat and stranded on the island alone together, Simon and Rosetta happen to escape the harem because of predictable alliances, Trecorn Manor just happens to be down the road from Perrivale Court. I would have to say however, that the identity of the murderer was a bit of a surprise to me.
Additionally, I gave Captive *** because the storyline at times seemed a bit unbelieveable to me as there were too many coincidences and pieces that fell conveniently into place: Lucas Lorimer, Simon Perrivale, and Rosetta Cranleigh just happen to end up in the same lifeboat and stranded on the island alone together, Simon and Rosetta happen to escape the harem because of predictable alliances, Trecorn Manor just happens to be down the road from Perrivale Court. I would have to say however, that the identity of the murderer was a bit of a surprise to me.
After a work day full of analyzing, processing, and problem-solving...this book will take your imagination to a place in the past where to be a captive of a Turkish Pasha would be preferential than a captive to neverending deadlines!
I recall reading this in middle school and finding it ok, though not as fun a read as were the harlequin historicals that I so enjoyed.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
STARS:⭐⭐
SPICE LEVEL: 🌶
TAGS: FICTION, HISTORICAL, ROMANCE
MOOD: ADVENTUROUS, DARK, MYSTERIOUS
STORY: FOR READERS OF ADVENTURE, ROMANCE AND MYSTERY, EXOTIC SETTING, DASH OF DANGER.
The story centers on Rosetta Cranleigh, who gets shipwrecked and then taken captive by pirates. I think I was meant to experience a fiery and intense romance, but unfortunately, I didn’t feel that passion while reading. It ended up falling flat for me.
I also found the conclusion of the book disappointing. Throughout the entire story, I was eagerly anticipating a more developed ending, but instead, it felt hurried and condensed into just a few pages. I believe the romantic resolution, in particular, lacked the depth it needed to satisfy me.
If it had been ..well more …I think I would have enjoyed the book much more.
After investing so much time in the buildup, I expected a more climactic ending, rather than the brief and underwhelming ending I got.
Overall, the book felt rushed, which made it hard to connect with the characters and storyline. The parts that I thought would be the most thrilling turned out to be the most rushed and unsatisfying.
While I enjoyed experiencing the story once, I don't think I would revisit it again.
SPICE LEVEL: 🌶
TAGS: FICTION, HISTORICAL, ROMANCE
MOOD: ADVENTUROUS, DARK, MYSTERIOUS
STORY: FOR READERS OF ADVENTURE, ROMANCE AND MYSTERY, EXOTIC SETTING, DASH OF DANGER.
The story centers on Rosetta Cranleigh, who gets shipwrecked and then taken captive by pirates. I think I was meant to experience a fiery and intense romance, but unfortunately, I didn’t feel that passion while reading. It ended up falling flat for me.
I also found the conclusion of the book disappointing. Throughout the entire story, I was eagerly anticipating a more developed ending, but instead, it felt hurried and condensed into just a few pages. I believe the romantic resolution, in particular, lacked the depth it needed to satisfy me.
If it had been ..well more …I think I would have enjoyed the book much more.
After investing so much time in the buildup, I expected a more climactic ending, rather than the brief and underwhelming ending I got.
Overall, the book felt rushed, which made it hard to connect with the characters and storyline. The parts that I thought would be the most thrilling turned out to be the most rushed and unsatisfying.
While I enjoyed experiencing the story once, I don't think I would revisit it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
Not one of my favorites. It seemed to just miss the mark - not much of a romance and not much of an adventure either.
It is my mother's favourite, so I actually read it to check it out. But i found it quite interesting ( I really liked Lucas, he is my favourite character after Rosetta and I was pleased to find out that in the end she stayed with him). Nice plot and exciting mystery, even though it wasn't a strong romance( whict is fine by me.) Nice work by Holt.