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A review by sarrie
Bitter Waters by Vivian Shaw
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TL;DR: Greta and her new family have to solve the mystery of a newly turned child vampire and what should happen to her.
Source: NetGalley - thank you so much to the publisher!
Plot: I really enjoyed this! It was simple, the drama was kept low, and the focus was more on exploring the characters than anything else.
Characters: We really got to see thoughts and PoVs from a lot of characters but I enjoyed as it gave me a chance to fully ‘meet’ them. I can wait to properly do so in the full series.
Setting: This was the only minor complaint I had as it felt oddly historical as well as modern so I was left a bit confused for a time.
Magic: The paranormal/magic elements of this felt very rooted, as if these were simply the way of this world. I enjoy that, though there isn’t much as far as explanation.
Thoughts:
Full transparency here - I’ve never read a Dr. Greta Helsing novel. I’ve always had the books on my radar but I’ve never taken the plunge. I say that to say that I enjoyed this so much I immediately ordered a copy of the first book. This is a short novella following a large cast of the primary characters in this series as they attempt to grapple with the turning of a young child by a stranger. The young girl is brought to Greta and her new husband one evening by a Barrow Wight who stumbles upon her in the lands around Greta’s new home. From there all of Greta’s local associates seem to become involved and even some bigger named and more powerful new friends (Dracula!!).
This was fantastic on two big fronts for me. We got to see the PoV of nearly everyone in the book that is established previously in the series so I was able to ‘meet’ them. This both endeared them and teased their history from the previous books which made me desperately want more. The second was how unexpectedly creative this was. The paranormal aspect to this felt so rooted and normal in this world that it was both surprising and exciting. I love the idea of the fresh takes on historical fictional characters, and I can’t wait to read more of them.
I can fully see the flaws in it for all that. The primary mystery is solved off page, the focus being more the characters and their inner thoughts. There is little tension for what is meant to be a very serious crime. Yet, I felt the focus was well pointed and it ended up being a lovely novella. I can’t wait to read more in this world.
4.5 barrow wights out of 5
Source: NetGalley - thank you so much to the publisher!
Plot: I really enjoyed this! It was simple, the drama was kept low, and the focus was more on exploring the characters than anything else.
Characters: We really got to see thoughts and PoVs from a lot of characters but I enjoyed as it gave me a chance to fully ‘meet’ them. I can wait to properly do so in the full series.
Setting: This was the only minor complaint I had as it felt oddly historical as well as modern so I was left a bit confused for a time.
Magic: The paranormal/magic elements of this felt very rooted, as if these were simply the way of this world. I enjoy that, though there isn’t much as far as explanation.
Thoughts:
Full transparency here - I’ve never read a Dr. Greta Helsing novel. I’ve always had the books on my radar but I’ve never taken the plunge. I say that to say that I enjoyed this so much I immediately ordered a copy of the first book. This is a short novella following a large cast of the primary characters in this series as they attempt to grapple with the turning of a young child by a stranger. The young girl is brought to Greta and her new husband one evening by a Barrow Wight who stumbles upon her in the lands around Greta’s new home. From there all of Greta’s local associates seem to become involved and even some bigger named and more powerful new friends (Dracula!!).
This was fantastic on two big fronts for me. We got to see the PoV of nearly everyone in the book that is established previously in the series so I was able to ‘meet’ them. This both endeared them and teased their history from the previous books which made me desperately want more. The second was how unexpectedly creative this was. The paranormal aspect to this felt so rooted and normal in this world that it was both surprising and exciting. I love the idea of the fresh takes on historical fictional characters, and I can’t wait to read more of them.
I can fully see the flaws in it for all that. The primary mystery is solved off page, the focus being more the characters and their inner thoughts. There is little tension for what is meant to be a very serious crime. Yet, I felt the focus was well pointed and it ended up being a lovely novella. I can’t wait to read more in this world.
4.5 barrow wights out of 5