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A review by thejanewayprotocol
Ember Island by Kimberley Freeman
5.0
Kimberley Freeman does it again! She is fast becoming a go to author of mine - whatever she puts out I know I'm going to love!
Such is the story of Ember Island; Two main characters, separated by a century, yet still facing similar problems: are we good enough, are we deserving of love?
It is 1891 and Tilly Kirkland is feeling very much alone. Her beloved Grandfather who raised her from a child has just passed away, and her first cousin is set to inherit everything. Before he died, her Grandfather did everything in his power to make sure Tilly would be alright, knowing what would happen to her once he passed on. He secretly smuggled a few pieces from the house that would be worth something, and also giving her his writing box filled with pound notes.
He also quickly encourages a courtship with a business man who is on their island on business. They marry quickly, and despite her Grandfathers passing, Tilly at least believes that she has at least found true love.
But all is not it seems when she enters her new home; her new husband Jaspar, as it turns out, is in hard times with his business and it is not soon after he begins sponging off her slim inheritance, and offers her no affection what-so-ever.
Circumstances become even more grim for Tilly, and after her final confrontation with her husband, she is forced to run away - as far as she possibly can go.
Aboard a steamer, she finds herself in Australia, where she has secured a position as a governess to a little girl living on her own island with her father, who is chief warden to the prison there. It is here Tilly tries to start over, yet she was completely unprepared for just how clever and perspective her little student, Nell, actually is.
The story also revolves around Nina, who in 2012 is experiencing a bout of writers block. She has released three novels to such success they have been turned into BBC dramas and the like. She herself is at the end of a relationship, and has fled to her old family home on Ember Island and tries to write her next best seller. But Nina is not just here for her own novel; her great grandmother Nell, who lived on this Island, in this very house has stashed a diary in the walls of the foundations of this house, and Nina is desprite to find everything Nell has ever written.
The parallels between Nina and Tilly are so great. Both woman are tremendously flawed, yet we are rooting for them the entire time. I was especially partial to Nina; I am a bit of a writer myself, and how I identified with Nina! Always finding something else that needs to be done before you actually sit in front of that computer and start writing!
Kimberley is fantastic with world building and lovely descriptions. Having visited Australia myself several times, I love going back there in her novels; I can smell the sea and feel the heat on my face. Her characters are complex and well rounded. Another great book by another great author.
Such is the story of Ember Island; Two main characters, separated by a century, yet still facing similar problems: are we good enough, are we deserving of love?
It is 1891 and Tilly Kirkland is feeling very much alone. Her beloved Grandfather who raised her from a child has just passed away, and her first cousin is set to inherit everything. Before he died, her Grandfather did everything in his power to make sure Tilly would be alright, knowing what would happen to her once he passed on. He secretly smuggled a few pieces from the house that would be worth something, and also giving her his writing box filled with pound notes.
He also quickly encourages a courtship with a business man who is on their island on business. They marry quickly, and despite her Grandfathers passing, Tilly at least believes that she has at least found true love.
But all is not it seems when she enters her new home; her new husband Jaspar, as it turns out, is in hard times with his business and it is not soon after he begins sponging off her slim inheritance, and offers her no affection what-so-ever.
Circumstances become even more grim for Tilly, and after her final confrontation with her husband, she is forced to run away - as far as she possibly can go.
Aboard a steamer, she finds herself in Australia, where she has secured a position as a governess to a little girl living on her own island with her father, who is chief warden to the prison there. It is here Tilly tries to start over, yet she was completely unprepared for just how clever and perspective her little student, Nell, actually is.
The story also revolves around Nina, who in 2012 is experiencing a bout of writers block. She has released three novels to such success they have been turned into BBC dramas and the like. She herself is at the end of a relationship, and has fled to her old family home on Ember Island and tries to write her next best seller. But Nina is not just here for her own novel; her great grandmother Nell, who lived on this Island, in this very house has stashed a diary in the walls of the foundations of this house, and Nina is desprite to find everything Nell has ever written.
The parallels between Nina and Tilly are so great. Both woman are tremendously flawed, yet we are rooting for them the entire time. I was especially partial to Nina; I am a bit of a writer myself, and how I identified with Nina! Always finding something else that needs to be done before you actually sit in front of that computer and start writing!
Kimberley is fantastic with world building and lovely descriptions. Having visited Australia myself several times, I love going back there in her novels; I can smell the sea and feel the heat on my face. Her characters are complex and well rounded. Another great book by another great author.