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insearchof_wonder_ 's review for:
For a Lifetime
by Gabrielle Meyer
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first two in this series were, as I recall, solid 5-stars for me. This one slips a *little* for me, but don't worry, I still loved it and am looking forward to Book #4.
I love how this format and time-crossing concept allows the reader to compare and contrast specific time periods in history. That's absolutely my favorite aspect of this entire series. I felt like Meyer really utilized that feature in Book #2 to great effect, but it was a little less obvious in this one. (nothing good or bad there, just an observation) If anything specific was being compared, it was the treatment of women between the two eras, which is a topic kind of hard to avoid when you're talking about Salem MA in 1692 and the US in 1912. In 1692, women were constrained in more than one way, in 1912, they could soar. Literally!
But this book was not a feminist manifesto - instead it was the story of two sisters and their love for each other and the sacrifices they made - or were willing to make - for each other. It was also about forgiveness and having the courage to face another day when all hope is gone.
I guess the reason my rating slipped just a bit from the first two is because there were a few things I found a little distracting from the story. Grace's interest in Isaac at the beginning was often mentioned, but not didn't seem realistic or genuine. The other thing was something that maybe I didn't catch in the first two books but might have been in them as well - other readers of this series can maybe help me figure this out: when the author says that as they sleep, their consciousness is in their other timeline, is that meant to be literal? Like, 12 hours here, 12 hours there? How did that work, then, with the 3 timelines in Book #2? Or am I thinking too literally here? I think that is probably the case. LOL. But a bigger deal was made of it in this book, I think, but I can't explain more because spoilers.
Those were just minor things, though. I really loved the characters and their stories and how everything worked out. And I loved the look into the very dark and disturbing time that was the Salem Witch Trials. Part of me wants to read more - I've always been curious about that time - but part of me is a little apprehensive. Such a confusing and dark period of history.
Anyway, I enjoyed the third installment of this series, I loved the peek into book #4 and am looking forward to its publication.
I love how this format and time-crossing concept allows the reader to compare and contrast specific time periods in history. That's absolutely my favorite aspect of this entire series. I felt like Meyer really utilized that feature in Book #2 to great effect, but it was a little less obvious in this one. (nothing good or bad there, just an observation) If anything specific was being compared, it was the treatment of women between the two eras, which is a topic kind of hard to avoid when you're talking about Salem MA in 1692 and the US in 1912. In 1692, women were constrained in more than one way, in 1912, they could soar. Literally!
But this book was not a feminist manifesto - instead it was the story of two sisters and their love for each other and the sacrifices they made - or were willing to make - for each other. It was also about forgiveness and having the courage to face another day when all hope is gone.
I guess the reason my rating slipped just a bit from the first two is because there were a few things I found a little distracting from the story. Grace's interest in Isaac at the beginning was often mentioned, but not didn't seem realistic or genuine. The other thing was something that maybe I didn't catch in the first two books but might have been in them as well - other readers of this series can maybe help me figure this out: when the author says that as they sleep, their consciousness is in their other timeline, is that meant to be literal? Like, 12 hours here, 12 hours there? How did that work, then, with the 3 timelines in Book #2? Or am I thinking too literally here? I think that is probably the case. LOL. But a bigger deal was made of it in this book, I think, but I can't explain more because spoilers.
Those were just minor things, though. I really loved the characters and their stories and how everything worked out. And I loved the look into the very dark and disturbing time that was the Salem Witch Trials. Part of me wants to read more - I've always been curious about that time - but part of me is a little apprehensive. Such a confusing and dark period of history.
Anyway, I enjoyed the third installment of this series, I loved the peek into book #4 and am looking forward to its publication.