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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
emotional
slow-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
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am a bit behind on my reading this year. I find I am constantly distracted and reading more than I should at one time, thereby not making much progress on anything. I received this story as an ARC from Netgalley and while I was suppose to review it several weeks ago, I say better late than never!
This was not a usual choice of mine. At heart, if I have a choice I pick something with a little magic. This had a different kind of magic. It was a story about the bonds of sisterhood and motherhood. It was a coming of age story in some ways as well. But at its core, I felt the story was focused more on the strength of family even when we think they are slipping away.
I had specific ideas of where I thought this story was going. It never went to the darkest places I imagined, but it kept me hooked because I needed to know how it ended. It was well-written even for being an unedited copy.
It was cryptic and eerie even when nothing creepy was going on. There was always a cloud that followed the characters around. Chase did a masterful job in creating an uncertain and troubling feeling that pervaded the story and the separate story lines.
Her characters were likeable and real. I felt drawn and compassionate to them all and understood when they made mistakes.
If you are looking for a story that unsettles you in more than one way, and yet can make everything clearer then I think this story it for you. It's a story about family and about loss. It tells the tale of four sisters who choose each other, even when vanities divide. And it open wounds that need to be cleaned when it comes to loves insecurity. A truly emotional and moving story.
https://cellardoorbooks.wordpress.com/2017/08/10/the-wildling-sisters-eve-chase/
This was not a usual choice of mine. At heart, if I have a choice I pick something with a little magic. This had a different kind of magic. It was a story about the bonds of sisterhood and motherhood. It was a coming of age story in some ways as well. But at its core, I felt the story was focused more on the strength of family even when we think they are slipping away.
I had specific ideas of where I thought this story was going. It never went to the darkest places I imagined, but it kept me hooked because I needed to know how it ended. It was well-written even for being an unedited copy.
It was cryptic and eerie even when nothing creepy was going on. There was always a cloud that followed the characters around. Chase did a masterful job in creating an uncertain and troubling feeling that pervaded the story and the separate story lines.
Her characters were likeable and real. I felt drawn and compassionate to them all and understood when they made mistakes.
If you are looking for a story that unsettles you in more than one way, and yet can make everything clearer then I think this story it for you. It's a story about family and about loss. It tells the tale of four sisters who choose each other, even when vanities divide. And it open wounds that need to be cleaned when it comes to loves insecurity. A truly emotional and moving story.
https://cellardoorbooks.wordpress.com/2017/08/10/the-wildling-sisters-eve-chase/
I found this a bit of a slog tbh and very nearly DNF’d just wasn’t as exciting or creepy as I thought it would be and very slow. The writing was beautiful though but I feel I’ve read similar books done much better.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
No
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
This book had a Rebecca-esque mystery. You can tell there is something more under the surface. Every character has a secret. It is those secrets that keep the story going and it is the unraveling of those secrets that ties up the ending. The book was a bit of a slow burn but totally worth the build up.
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde is an absorbing, beautifully written story. It combines twists and mystery with an interesting storyline which never seems too sensationalist, even with the drama and intrigue that lies within its pages.
The novel focuses on both the summer of 1959 and the present day which meant I knew I'd find this novel at least interesting, if nothing else, as I love plots with dual narratives.
The characters in this novel are all very convincing and likable; though some have their faults, and Audrey herself can be a little annoying and silly at times, you can't help but really feel their loss at Audrey's disappearance, particularly poor Margot who I really felt for. Her sisters (Pam, Flora, and Dot) often overshadow her in various ways, but Margot seems really kind and I definitely liked her as a character. I felt like they could all be a real family - people you might meet in the street, despite their flighty mum who was just a law onto herself (but doesn't feature hugely in the story anyway).
Moving forward to the present day story, I warmed immediately to Jessie, feeling sorry for her in her predicament with teenage step-daughter Bella and baby daughter Romy. There's a lot going on, but the tension and drama from 50+ years ago seeps through into their present-day life. I loved the atmospheric sense of time and place constructed in The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde, and - though I often enjoy stories in this style - I felt this was particularly well-crafted by Eva Chase.
* Many thanks to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde is an absorbing, beautifully written story. It combines twists and mystery with an interesting storyline which never seems too sensationalist, even with the drama and intrigue that lies within its pages.
The novel focuses on both the summer of 1959 and the present day which meant I knew I'd find this novel at least interesting, if nothing else, as I love plots with dual narratives.
The characters in this novel are all very convincing and likable; though some have their faults, and Audrey herself can be a little annoying and silly at times, you can't help but really feel their loss at Audrey's disappearance, particularly poor Margot who I really felt for. Her sisters (Pam, Flora, and Dot) often overshadow her in various ways, but Margot seems really kind and I definitely liked her as a character. I felt like they could all be a real family - people you might meet in the street, despite their flighty mum who was just a law onto herself (but doesn't feature hugely in the story anyway).
Moving forward to the present day story, I warmed immediately to Jessie, feeling sorry for her in her predicament with teenage step-daughter Bella and baby daughter Romy. There's a lot going on, but the tension and drama from 50+ years ago seeps through into their present-day life. I loved the atmospheric sense of time and place constructed in The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde, and - though I often enjoy stories in this style - I felt this was particularly well-crafted by Eva Chase.
* Many thanks to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
emotional
mysterious
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
The second Eve Chase book I've read and I think she may become a favourite.
I really loved the four sisters and their timeline, Eve Chase just writes women so beautifully.
The one complaint I have is just the complete lack of communication between Jessie and Will for 90% of the book. It is briefly addressed eventually but I did find it pretty frustrating to read for the most part, and it took me longer to get to like Jessie as a character.
Overall top vibes, looking forward to reading more from the author
I really loved the four sisters and their timeline, Eve Chase just writes women so beautifully.
The one complaint I have is just the complete lack of communication between Jessie and Will for 90% of the book. It is briefly addressed eventually but I did find it pretty frustrating to read for the most part, and it took me longer to get to like Jessie as a character.
Overall top vibes, looking forward to reading more from the author
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder