A review by judeinthestars
Reverence by Milena McKay

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0



As happens often when I review an audiobook after reading the book, I believed I wouldn’t have much to add. And as often, I was wrong. I figured I’d shared all my thoughts on Reverence when it first came out. How much I love Katarina, who has joined Neve Blackthorne at the top of my Favourite Ice Queens chart; the tenderness I have for Juliette; how delighted I was to get to read some of Helena Moore’s backstory; how mad I was—still am— that Mila was right to write a certain heartbreaking scene; Jenifer Prince‘s gorgeous cover; how Reverence made me care for ballet. I mean, this book is the only reason I’m considering watching the Étoile TV series. And of course, Milena McKay‘s beautiful writing, the angst, the drama, the unconditional love.

I really thought that was all I had to say, especially since, as I explained recently in a video, I’ve been struggling with focus for over a year now. But then, as I reread my original review, I was surprised to see that I didn’t even mention Paris as not just a setting. It could be because that review was already way too long. It could also be that I forgot. Who knows. Anyway, if you’ve read any of McKay’s books, you know she takes research seriously. And you probably also know that she loves Paris. As it turns out, her BFF—yours truly—is French, and we’ve spent many days strolling through the City of Lights, both for fun and for said research. We walked the path that takes Juliette and Katrina from the apartment on Rue de Rivoli to Place de l’Opéra and Palais Garnier. We had lunch in the Jardin des Tuileries. We had hot chocolate several times at Angelina, one of my favourite places in the entire universe, full of childhood memories, since enriched with visits as an adult, with my own child of course, and now with Mila too. I may have a complicated relationship with Paris, the city where I was born, where I grew up, where I worked for the longest time, where I met the love of my life, where we raised our child, where we got married, and which I couldn’t wait to leave a few years ago, but it is still and will always be “my” city, the most beautiful city in the world. And so, to see this city appreciated like this, to find this love shared in a book, a book by someone I love, is a truly special experience.

As always, listening to Abby Craden bring these characters to life was a joy. She excels with older women, especially aloof, reserved ones. I’m perpetually in awe of her ability to make each of McKay’s Ice Queens sound different. Katarina’s voice isn’t DeVor’s voice, which isn’t Magdalene’s or Neve’s or Sabine’s. In Reverence, Abby Craden’s Katarina and Juliette are perfection, and I loved them especially together, where the contrast works best, the voices weaving together yet distinguishable from each other at all times.

I also enjoyed Francesca’s voice very much. I have no idea whether the accent is accurate, all I know is that it works. Another favourite is Helena. I don’t think I’m the only one who has been hoping for more Dr Moore since A Whisper of Solace. The brilliant mind who, while at times unsettled by Neve, never gave up on her, never was fooled by her evasion tactics. To be honest, I still want more. I do hope that she, someday, finds love too.

I mentioned Paris above. Milena McKay has this maddening tendency (I say this with love) to set stories in France, and I know I’ve been harsh sometimes in previous reviews about accents, especially about French accents. My own in English is far from perfect, and I don’t expect narrators to master every intonation and pronunciation in languages that aren’t theirs. I really don’t mind American characters saying French words with their own inflexions, unless the author describes them as speaking impeccable French with no accent. It’s more delicate with French characters but they’re rarely MCs, and I care more about understanding them than about the accuracy of their speech pattern. And that the main issue, for me, a failed attempt at an accent makes it more difficult for me to understand what is being said. My advice, as a listener: when in doubt, keep it light. That said, since so much of Reverence takes place in Paris, and since the city itself plays such a big part, Mila asked me to record the French words and names so she could send them to Abby. It makes a big difference, the narration is a lot more fluid, especially for street names and such. And it makes it even easier for me to recommend this audiobook with a lot of enthusiasm.

Video review: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKKK5GkxyoX/

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars