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A review by sierra_color
The Secret Starling by Judith Eagle
3.0
My rating was orginally four stars, but as I thought about this book, and thought about what I had to say about it, I realized that I needed to give it three stars.
Why?
Because it's just okay. It could've been more, and it could've given me more, but it didn't.
What do I mean by this?
Well.
The way the mystery was solved sucked. I'm sorry, Eagle, but to me it did. I prefer a mystery that has clues hidden throughout the story, for example, with [b:Serafina and the Black Cloak|23507745|Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina, #1)|Robert Beatty|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1420158894l/23507745._SY75_.jpg|43111795] (spoiler alert for that book, btw) clues were given throughout the story about who Sefina's mother could be. Not only from her appearance, but also from traits she inherited from her mother.
I wish this book had gone the same route! Especially with (SPOILER) when the two main characters are revealed to be twins! The only clue given was the ear wiggling thing.. which was just.. meh. I wish more clues would've been given, like them both having grey eyes, or having a birthmark, or having similar features-- aka, dimples, pointed chins, etc.
And I know what you're gonna say, but they're FATERNAL twins! Yeah, and even fraternal twins look alike! Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are two examples! I wish that the book had done this. Also, giving them similar personalities.
Speaking of personality, I feel like the main character kinda lacked one?
The book mentions that she's read classic literature, so, show how that's impacted her personality! Has it made her adventurous? Cautious? Soft spoken? Or, how has growing up in her uncle's house hold affected her? I feel like this is SORT of explored in the book, but I wish it could've been explored more! Why not have the main character be scared of speaking to people? Or have her be shy?
I dunno, I just wish there had been more OMPH.
Because while I like the story, it just doesn't have that sort of OMPH factor that really makes it stick out. Yes, the mystery is nice, and yes, I read it in one day (it was a nice short read) but it wasn't a read, I feel, that left an impact. And not all books have to be impactful, but I just wish this one had a been more thought to it, particularly in the ending! Where the main character finds her dad. I thought that was stupid. Like, how stupid is this dude? Did he just believe that some random kid claiming to be his daughter was his? I think it would've been nice to have a scene where the main character (Clara? I think??) has to prove that she's his daughter! Maybe by using a birthmark? Or realizing they both have a rare eye color? I dunno.
I feel like this book could've done more, but it didn't, and while the story is okay, and I'd read the authors works again if I stumbled across it, I don't think I would actively seek out her work after reading this one.
Why?
Because it's just okay. It could've been more, and it could've given me more, but it didn't.
What do I mean by this?
Well.
The way the mystery was solved sucked. I'm sorry, Eagle, but to me it did. I prefer a mystery that has clues hidden throughout the story, for example, with [b:Serafina and the Black Cloak|23507745|Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina, #1)|Robert Beatty|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1420158894l/23507745._SY75_.jpg|43111795] (spoiler alert for that book, btw) clues were given throughout the story about who Sefina's mother could be. Not only from her appearance, but also from traits she inherited from her mother.
I wish this book had gone the same route! Especially with (SPOILER) when the two main characters are revealed to be twins! The only clue given was the ear wiggling thing.. which was just.. meh. I wish more clues would've been given, like them both having grey eyes, or having a birthmark, or having similar features-- aka, dimples, pointed chins, etc.
And I know what you're gonna say, but they're FATERNAL twins! Yeah, and even fraternal twins look alike! Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are two examples! I wish that the book had done this. Also, giving them similar personalities.
Speaking of personality, I feel like the main character kinda lacked one?
The book mentions that she's read classic literature, so, show how that's impacted her personality! Has it made her adventurous? Cautious? Soft spoken? Or, how has growing up in her uncle's house hold affected her? I feel like this is SORT of explored in the book, but I wish it could've been explored more! Why not have the main character be scared of speaking to people? Or have her be shy?
I dunno, I just wish there had been more OMPH.
Because while I like the story, it just doesn't have that sort of OMPH factor that really makes it stick out. Yes, the mystery is nice, and yes, I read it in one day (it was a nice short read) but it wasn't a read, I feel, that left an impact. And not all books have to be impactful, but I just wish this one had a been more thought to it, particularly in the ending! Where the main character finds her dad. I thought that was stupid. Like, how stupid is this dude? Did he just believe that some random kid claiming to be his daughter was his? I think it would've been nice to have a scene where the main character (Clara? I think??) has to prove that she's his daughter! Maybe by using a birthmark? Or realizing they both have a rare eye color? I dunno.
I feel like this book could've done more, but it didn't, and while the story is okay, and I'd read the authors works again if I stumbled across it, I don't think I would actively seek out her work after reading this one.