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A review by michellesantiago
The Orphan's Song by Lauren Kate
3.0
Originally posted on Undeniably Book Nerdy book blog
The Orphan's Song was an outside-of-my-comfort-zone read for me as I rarely read historical fiction. However, what appealed to me about The Orphan's Song was the fact that it's written by Lauren Kate. I remember reading her YA paranormal books many years ago and I was curious about her adult debut. And the fact that it's set in eighteenth-century Venice, a time period I'm not very familiar with but very intrigued by.
And, WOW! Lauren Kate researched the heck out of this book and it shows! From the Hospital of the Incurables (the orphanage) to the streets of Venice to the canals to its lively nightlife, I was transported into Venice in the 1700s and I learned a lot about this glamorous yet strange time in history when the wearing of masks was a societal norm. A big part of the story had to do with music because our two main characters, Violetta and Mino, were musicians. Aside from the setting, it was evident through the writing the author's love for music and this love made me care for the topic more that I'd typically do as music-related stories are not usually my cup of tea. So, reading The Orphan's Song I was steeped in eighteenth-century Venice and classical music and I had a grand time.
I would've even had a grander time if I had connected more to Violetta and Mino, our two main characters, but it didn't quite happen. I liked them and they were interesting on their own, especially Violetta who felt more developed than the two. But, I never really bought their connection that the entire plot hinged on. I think their relationship was young kids in the orphanage needed more time to develop. This book was fairly short at only 326 pages--I wouldn't mind the book being longer and more pages dedicated to Violetta and Mino as young kids living in the orphanage, really building that solid foundation and friendship between them. Then I would've bought into their love despite all the big obstacles and other people between them in the years they were apart. Instead, we got their first "official" meeting on the roof, then several months had passed without them interacting at all, they had one other scene on the roof, and then fast forward several more months, and then Mino was declaring suddenly his love for Violetta and she rejecting him and then the both of them living separate lives for years and we're told they're in love with each other this whole time. How?! When they barely spent time together and were barely friends to start with.
On the other hand, although the plot was fairly standard and I predicted the big twist from a mile away (I don't know if I'll even call it a "twist" because it's been done many, many times before), I found the book entertaining nonetheless. Lauren Kate's writing was easy to get into--like I mentioned, I love the historical setting because she give just enough description and flavor that you become immerse in the world without bogging the story down with all historical facts. Despite my issues with the novel, I'm glad I picked up The Orphan's Song and I'm looking forward to more by Lauren Kate.
The Orphan's Song was an outside-of-my-comfort-zone read for me as I rarely read historical fiction. However, what appealed to me about The Orphan's Song was the fact that it's written by Lauren Kate. I remember reading her YA paranormal books many years ago and I was curious about her adult debut. And the fact that it's set in eighteenth-century Venice, a time period I'm not very familiar with but very intrigued by.
And, WOW! Lauren Kate researched the heck out of this book and it shows! From the Hospital of the Incurables (the orphanage) to the streets of Venice to the canals to its lively nightlife, I was transported into Venice in the 1700s and I learned a lot about this glamorous yet strange time in history when the wearing of masks was a societal norm. A big part of the story had to do with music because our two main characters, Violetta and Mino, were musicians. Aside from the setting, it was evident through the writing the author's love for music and this love made me care for the topic more that I'd typically do as music-related stories are not usually my cup of tea. So, reading The Orphan's Song I was steeped in eighteenth-century Venice and classical music and I had a grand time.
I would've even had a grander time if I had connected more to Violetta and Mino, our two main characters, but it didn't quite happen. I liked them and they were interesting on their own, especially Violetta who felt more developed than the two. But, I never really bought their connection that the entire plot hinged on. I think their relationship was young kids in the orphanage needed more time to develop. This book was fairly short at only 326 pages--I wouldn't mind the book being longer and more pages dedicated to Violetta and Mino as young kids living in the orphanage, really building that solid foundation and friendship between them. Then I would've bought into their love despite all the big obstacles and other people between them in the years they were apart. Instead, we got their first "official" meeting on the roof, then several months had passed without them interacting at all, they had one other scene on the roof, and then fast forward several more months, and then Mino was declaring suddenly his love for Violetta and she rejecting him and then the both of them living separate lives for years and we're told they're in love with each other this whole time. How?! When they barely spent time together and were barely friends to start with.
On the other hand, although the plot was fairly standard and I predicted the big twist from a mile away (I don't know if I'll even call it a "twist" because it's been done many, many times before), I found the book entertaining nonetheless. Lauren Kate's writing was easy to get into--like I mentioned, I love the historical setting because she give just enough description and flavor that you become immerse in the world without bogging the story down with all historical facts. Despite my issues with the novel, I'm glad I picked up The Orphan's Song and I'm looking forward to more by Lauren Kate.